Author: Dodo Elias Denen

Leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc has reinforced its commitment to community development and youth empowerment with the donation of educational and hygiene materials to pupils of Wesley Nursery and Primary School in the Makoko Waterfront Community, Lagos, under its Fidelity Helping Hands Programme (FHHP).

The FHHP outreach was led by the Bank’s Risk Management Directorate as part of a “Back to School” intervention aimed at improving learning conditions and promoting personal hygiene among children in one of Nigeria’s most underserved waterfront communities. Through the FHHP, staff receive matching financial support from the bank’s management to execute projects identified in response to their communities’ crucial needs.

A total of 124 primary school pupils benefitted from the initiative. Items donated included school bags, exercise books, writing materials, towels, soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes, designed to support both academic learning and healthy living.

Speaking at the outreach, Divisional Head, Remedial Assets, Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr. Damian Orizu, who represented the Executive Director and Chief Risk Officer, Fidelity Bank, Mr. Kevin Ugwuoke, said the initiative underscores the bank’s belief that its long-term success is closely linked to the wellbeing of the communities in which it operates.

“At Fidelity Bank, we strongly believe that our growth and success are closely tied to the wellbeing of the communities where we operate,” Dr. Orizu said. “This outreach is our way of investing in the future of Makoko’s children by supporting their education and promoting good hygiene, which are critical foundations for long-term development.”

Orizu further added, “The FHHP reflects the passion and commitment of our employees to make a tangible difference. I commend the Risk Management Directorate for championing this intervention and demonstrating that corporate responsibility starts from within.”

The Baale, Adogbo (1) Community, Makoko, Chief Victor Panke, thanked Fidelity Bank for its consistent support, noting the severe financial and transportation challenges faced by children in the area. “This support will go a long way in easing the burden on our children and their families,” Chief Panke said. “Many pupils struggle daily with transportation across the lagoon just to attend school. We are grateful to Fidelity Bank and appeal for continued assistance, especially in the area of boats to help our children access education more safely and easily.”

The Makoko outreach is the Bank’s third intervention in the community within the last two months. Through the Fidelity Helping Hands Programme, Fidelity Bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to education, hygiene and sustainable community development, with a special focus on vulnerable communities such as Makoko.

Ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 9.1 million customers through digital banking channels, its 255 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.

The Bank is a recipient of multiple local and international Awards, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award by BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards; the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application award for its Fidelity Mobile App by Global Business Outlook, and the 2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider award by Global Brands Magazine. Additionally, the Bank was recognized as the Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence and as the Export Financing Bank of the Year by the BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.

Suspected armed drug traffickers on Thursday launched a brazen attack on operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun I Area Command, during an intelligence-led anti-smuggling operation in Imeko-Afon Local Government Area of Ogun State, leaving two officers critically injured.

The incident occurred at about 4:00 p.m. at Akokoro area of Iwoye when Customs officers intercepted a 12-tyre truck suspected to be conveying a large cache of illicit drugs and other prohibited items. However, before reinforcement teams could arrive, the suspects reportedly mobilised a large number of armed hoodlums who mounted a coordinated assault on the patrol team.

In a calculated move to frustrate law enforcement, the attackers erected heavy barricades at about nine strategic points along access routes, effectively cutting off reinforcement. They opened fire on the officers and disabled a Customs patrol vehicle by shooting out its tyres, creating what officials described as a highly volatile operational environment.

During the confrontation, two Customs personnel sustained gunshot injuries and are currently receiving intensive medical care in critical condition. Taking advantage of the barricades and confusion, the smugglers escaped with the intercepted truck.

The development was confirmed in a press statement issued on January 25, 2026, and signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Ogun I Command, DSC Chado Zakari, anipr. He disclosed that investigations have commenced to identify, track and apprehend all those involved in the attack.

Reacting to the incident, the Acting Customs Area Controller, Ogun I Area Command, Deputy Comptroller Olukayode Afeni, condemned the attack, describing it as barbaric and a direct assault on the authority of the state. He stressed that violent resistance would not deter the Service from carrying out its statutory responsibility to combat smuggling and safeguard national security.

Afeni also appealed to traditional rulers and community leaders within the Command’s area of responsibility to warn their subjects against smuggling and attacks on security personnel, cautioning that perpetrators would face the full weight of the law.

He assured law-abiding residents of their safety and reaffirmed the Nigeria Customs Service’s unwavering commitment to border security, public health protection and the enforcement of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.

The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Maritime Police Command, AIG Okunade Ronke Nurat, fsi, mspsp, on Thursday, 22nd January, 2026, paid a courtesy visit to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Lagos, AIG Margaret Ochalla, at her office in Lagos State.

According to a press statement issued to www.hybridnewsng.com and signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Maritime Police Command, Force Headquarters Annex, Lagos, ASP Adebayo Rasheed Adesayo, on January 23, 2026, the visit was aimed at strengthening institutional cooperation and enhancing intelligence-led policing between both strategic formations of the Nigeria Police Force, particularly in the areas of intelligence sharing, operational collaboration, and mutual resource support.

In her address, AIG Okunade Ronke Nurat, fsi, mspsp, underscored the critical role of inter-departmental cooperation in effectively addressing complex and evolving crimes, especially those with maritime, economic, and transnational dimensions. She emphasized that sustainable security within the maritime domain requires continuous collaboration with investigative formations such as the Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex, Lagos.

The AIG Maritime further recalled her previous professional engagements and productive working relationships within FCID Annex, Lagos, in various capacities prior to her current posting, noting that such collaborations were impactful and instrumental in achieving significant investigative and operational successes. She expressed deep appreciation to the AIG FCID Annex for her professionalism, institutional support, and unwavering commitment to effective policing over the years.

In her response, the AIG FCID Annex, Lagos, AIG Margaret Ochalla, warmly welcomed the AIG Maritime and commended her leadership, experience, and commitment to professional policing. She assured the Maritime Police Command of her full support, cooperation, and readiness to collaborate, particularly in advancing intelligence-driven investigations and proactive policing strategies within the maritime security architecture.

The AIG FCID Annex, Lagos, further reaffirmed the commitment of the FCID Annex, Lagos, to seamless information exchange and joint operational efforts aimed at enhancing crime prevention, detection, and prosecution, thereby contributing to improved security across Nigeria’s maritime environment.

The visit further reinforced the Maritime Police Command’s mandate to combat crimes within the maritime domain and protect Nigeria’s waterways, while reaffirming the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to unity of purpose, professionalism, and coordinated action in line with the vision of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, for a more effective, intelligence-led, and responsive policing system.

A retired Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), Mr. Isiagu Joseph, has accused a serving police inspector of subjecting him to public ridicule, physical assault and unlawful detention for operating a commercial minibus popularly called korope to sustain his family in Lagos.

Joseph, who retired from the Nigeria Police Force in December 2023, narrated that the incident, which he described as degrading and demoralising, climaxed on January 8, 2026, around the Alausa Secretariat axis of Ikeja, where he was loading passengers for a routine commercial trip.

According to the retired officer, the inspector, accompanied by other policemen and civilians believed to be members of a task force, allegedly blocked his vehicle and began hurling insults at him in public, despite being shown his police identity card.

He alleged that the inspector openly derided him for driving a commercial bus, reportedly shouting: “How can a retired police CSP be driving korope? It is an insult to the force.”

Joseph said the situation quickly escalated as the inspector allegedly ordered civilians to forcefully pull him out of the vehicle, seize his keys and assault him, before driving the bus away to the task force office at the Alausa Secretariat.

“I was dragged out of my vehicle and beaten in full public view. They took my vehicle and drove off with it,” Joseph said.

He added that he followed them to the Alausa Secretariat, where the bus was parked. Although officers at the office later confirmed that the vehicle had been brought in by a civilian operative, Joseph said he was made to wait for hours before the inspector returned.

“When he came back, he continued the insults, calling me a ‘useless CSP’ and boasting that as an inspector he had properties and would never drive a korope after retirement,” Joseph alleged.

The retired CSP said the vehicle was eventually released late in the evening, but not without a warning that he would face further harassment if he continued operating the bus.

Joseph explained that he was enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force on December 1, 1988, and retired as a Divisional Police Officer (DPO) on December 1, 2023. He disclosed that his retirement is currently being contested in court due to disputes over his date of enlistment, following a mass disengagement ordered in August 2024.

With his case still pending and his pension described as “grossly inadequate,” Joseph said he purchased a korope to fend for his family of six.

“My pension as a CSP is not up to ₦40,000. Driving this bus is how I feed my family daily. Is that now an offence?” he asked.

He further revealed that the January 8 incident was not the first encounter with the same inspector, alleging that on previous occasions, the officer attempted to impound his vehicle and remove its plate number, but was restrained by other senior officers present.

Petition to Police Authorities
Following the incident, Joseph said he reported the matter to the Lagos State Police Command, including the Provost, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Administration) and the X-Squad. While expressing sympathy, he said no decisive action has been taken so far, allegedly due to challenges in properly identifying the inspector, whom he identified only as “Sylvester,” attached to a Lekki-based task force team.

“I am waiting for the command to bring him out. Let him tell me what my offence is,” Joseph said.

He lamented what he described as a breakdown of discipline within the force, adding that he served with integrity throughout his career and was never accused of extortion or misconduct.

“If the command says that a retired CSP driving korope is an offence, then I will pack up and go back to the village,” he said in apparent frustration.

The Lagos State Police Command had not issued an official response at press time. However, the case has continued to attract public attention, with calls for accountability and protection of the dignity of retired officers seeking lawful means of livelihood.
Source: Vanguard Newspapers

The Ogun State Police Command has recorded a major breakthrough in its ongoing sweep operations targeting criminality and threats to public peace across the Isara, Ipara, and Ode axis. Fourteen suspects were arrested for unlawful assembly and conspiring to breach the peace, with the recovery of three (3) locally-made pistols, eleven (11) live cartridges, four (4) rounds of 9mm Beretta ammunition, criminal charms, confraternity caps, one drum which is part of the tools for cult initiation, nineteen (19) mobile phones, one Samsung mini laptop, and nine (9) vehicles of various brands, some without registration plates and others bearing unauthorized dealer plates.

According to a press statement issued to www.hybridnewsng.com and signed by DSP Oluseyi B. Babaseyi, the Police Public Relations Officer of Ogun State. “On 24th January 2026, at approximately 0120 hours, actionable intelligence revealed that members of the Eiye Confraternity had gathered in large numbers at a bush location in Ipara-Remo, Ogun State, planning to initiate new members and conspire to breach the peace through unlawful assembly. Acting swiftly, a joint team of operatives from the Anti-Cultism Unit and the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), supported by personnel from Ipara/Isara Divisions, conducted a coordinated sweep operation, arresting fourteen(14) suspects, comprising thirteen(13) males and one (1) female. Among those apprehended are: Solomon Shobamiwo also known as “Solo Hot”; Farooq Ogunsola; Toheeb Abolade; Balogun Williams; Ayodele Abdulkareem; Adedapo Ogunsanya; Toheeb Saka; Akpan Dara; Micheal Olakemi; Habeeb Olayinka; Dapo Adeola; Adetunji Adeyemi;Henry Kingsley, all males and Nanso Blessing (f).

The suspects are undergoing investigations, and will be charged to court upon completion of investigation. Ongoing sweep operations and intelligence-led patrols continue across the axis to apprehend other fleeing suspects and ensure sustained peace, security, and public safety for residents and communities.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Lanre Ogunlowo, Ph.D., strongly condemns unlawful assembly, breach of peace, and all cult-related criminal activities in Ogun State. He calls on youths to renounce cultism and criminal associations. Residents, students, parents, and stakeholders are assured that the Ogun State Police Command remains fully committed to protecting lives and property.

Members of the public are encouraged to report any suspicious activities or security concerns through the Ogun State Police Command emergency lines: Gateway Shield (General Complaints Line – Toll-Free): 0800 000 9111; Emergency Numbers: 0906 283 7609, 0912 014 1706, 0915 102 7369, and 0708 497 2994.

The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Maritime Police Command, AIG Okunade Ronke Nurat, fsi, mspsp, paid a courtesy visit to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 2, AIG Adegoke Mustapha Fayoade, psc, mni, mnips, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen inter-command collaboration and operational synergy within the Nigeria Police Force.

According to a press statement issued by ASP Adebayo Rasheed Adesayo, anipr., Police Public Relations Officer, Maritime Police Command, Force Headquarters Annex, Lagos. The visit provided an opportunity for both formations to engage in constructive discussions aimed at enhancing cooperation in the policing of the maritime domain, with particular emphasis on intelligence sharing, operational alignment, and the optimal utilisation of resources in safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime industry.

In her address, AIG Okunade Ronke Nurat fsi, mspsp, expressed deep appreciation to the AIG Zone 2 for the warm reception accorded her upon arrival by the Sentry Guard. She emphasised the need for sustained collaboration between the two formations, noting that effective cooperation remains critical to strengthening the mandate of the Nigeria Police Force within the maritime domain. The AIG MARITIME further stated that the Maritime Police Command is the designated formation for criminal investigations within the maritime environment and the protection of Nigeria’s waterways, stressing that optimal success can only be achieved through robust intelligence sharing, coordinated operations, and effective resource utilisation.

The Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 2, AIG Adegoke Mustapha Fayoade, psc, mni, mnips, in his reply, warmly welcomed the AIG Maritime and assured her of increased cooperation and sustained synergy between Zone 2 and the Maritime Police Command. He reaffirmed his commitment to supporting collaborative initiatives that would enhance efficiency, professionalism, and the overall effectiveness of the Nigeria Police Force within the maritime sector. The AIG ZONE 2 further noted his familiarity with the scope and operational responsibilities of the Maritime Police Command, having previously served as the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Administration at the Maritime Police Command. He stated that this experience reinforces his resolve to ensure seamless coordination and mutual support between both formations.

The courtesy visit reaffirmed the shared commitment of the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force, under the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, to unified policing, institutional harmony, and the protection of Nigeria’s maritime environment as a critical component of national security and economic development.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has charged officers and soldiers graduating from Exercise Restore Hope IX to translate their intensive training into operational victories as they deploy across various theatres of operation to address Nigeria’s security challenges.

Speaking at the Final Exercise and Graduation Ceremony held at the Nigerian Army Training Camp, Kachia, Kaduna State, on Friday 23 January 2026, the COAS emphasised that combat excellence, discipline, adaptability and teamwork are essential requirements for success in modern warfare.

According to a statement by Colonel Appolonia Anele, Acting Director of Army Public Relations,
Lieutenant General Shaibu described Exercise Restore Hope as a critical component of the Nigerian Army’s transformation agenda, designed to build a professional, resilient and mission-oriented force capable of operating effectively within joint and multi-agency environments.

He noted that the advanced infantry training had equipped the graduating troops with enhanced marksmanship, physical endurance, combat medical skills and the mental resilience required for sustained and high-tempo operations.

The Army Chief stressed that battlefield success must be anchored on professionalism, respect for human rights and accountability, noting that ethical conduct remains vital to maintaining public confidence and operational legitimacy.

He commended the instructors and training establishments for maintaining high standards, adding that graduates of previous editions of Exercise Restore Hope had continued to distinguish themselves across various theatres of operation.

Earlier, the Chief of Training (Army), Major General VU Okoro, said the exercise, now in its ninth series, remains one of the Nigerian Army’s most important post-basic training platforms for sharpening combat skills, building resilience and preparing soldiers for contemporary operational realities.

The COAS thereafter declared Exercise Restore Hope IX closed, congratulated the graduating officers and soldiers, and approved the immediate promotion and decoration of seven soldiers who distinguished themselves as instructors during the exercise.

The Acting Customs Area Controller of the Kirikiri Lighter Terminal Area Command, Deputy Comptroller BL Adigun, disclosed during a media briefing held on Friday, January 23rd 2026, that the Command is intensifying enforcement actions against expired and falsely declared goods while achieving remarkable revenue growth in 2025.

According to the press statement endorsed by CSC VU Ogagbor, Public Relations Officer, Kirikiri Lighter Terminal Area Command, Controller Adigun expressed confidence that the New Year would bring renewed opportunities for collaboration, growth, and the continued advancement of shared objectives in trade facilitation, border security, and compliance.

He stated that the Kirikiri Lighter Terminal Area Command remains committed to upholding its mandate to facilitate legitimate trade, prevent smuggling, enforce Customs laws, and protect national revenue. He emphasized that the Command continues to focus on ensuring compliance, safeguarding public health, and promoting efficient trade operations at the terminals through sustained enforcement and collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

He announced that in line with this commitment, the process of handing over a 1×20-foot container, GESU3900612, containing *440 bags of 25kg expired raw material known as Triple Pressed Stearic Acid* from Indonesia, with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of *Thirty Six Million, Five Hundred and Fifty Six Thousand, Five Hundred and Thirty Nine Naira (₦36,556,539.00k) only*, to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is currently underway. The container was intercepted during routine cargo examination, and its contents were found to violate import regulations while posing potential risks to public health. The Acting CAC described the handover as a clear demonstration of the Command’s sustained collaboration with sister agencies to prevent the importation of expired and substandard products.

He revealed that in a related enforcement activity, a 1×40-foot container, MSKU 4798018, was intercepted at Joliz Terminal. The container was discovered to contain items that were falsely declared as zipped luggage but found to contain empty suit cases, with Duty Paid Value of *Five Million, Ten Thousand Naira (₦5,010,000.00k) only.* He explained that this seizure underscores the Command’s zero-tolerance approach to false declaration, smuggling, and other trade infractions.

On revenue, he stated that the Command recorded a total revenue of *One Hundred and Forty-Seven Billion, Two Hundred and Sixteen Million, One Hundred and Forty-Nine Thousand, Thirty-Three Naira and Eighty-One Kobo (₦147,216,149,033.81k) only* in 2025, surpassing its target of *One Hundred and Nine Billion, Four Hundred and Forty-Two Million, Eight Hundred and Ninety-Two Thousand, Nine Hundred and Eighty-Nine Naira and Eighty-Six Kobo (₦109,442,892,919.86k) only*. This represents a significant increase over *One Hundred and Seven Billion, One Hundred and Eighty-Two Million, Six Hundred and Seventy-Four Thousand, Nine Hundred and Four Naira (₦107,182,674,904.00k) only* recorded in 2024. The difference of *Forty Billion, Thirty-Three Million, Four Hundred and Seventy-Four Thousand, One Hundred and Twenty-Nine Naira and Eighty-One Kobo (₦40,033,474,129.81k) only*, reflecting a 35 percent growth, demonstrates the effectiveness of the Command’s improved enforcement strategies, operational efficiency, and increased compliance among stakeholders.

He expressed profound gratitude to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, and his Management Team for their leadership, guidance, and for creating an enabling environment that empowers the Command to deliver effectively on its mandate.

He also commended the officers and men of the Kirikiri Lighter Terminal Area Command for their dedication, professionalism, and integrity in combating smuggling and other unlawful trade activities. He urged them to sustain this level of commitment, consistently adhere to the rules of engagement, and maintain high standards of conduct in the execution of their statutory duties.

Furthermore, he acknowledged the support of compliant stakeholders and partner agencies, stating that their collaboration has been instrumental to the progress and achievements of the Command. He emphasized that such cooperation remains vital to sustaining operational efficiency, enforcing compliance, and safeguarding national revenue.

He concluded by appreciating the press and media for their resilience, commitment to responsible reporting, and for keeping the public informed and engaged. He assured stakeholders and the general public that the Kirikiri Lighter Terminal Area Command will continue to block revenue leakages, combat illegal importation, and support national health and security objectives throughout the year.

In furtherance of efforts to strengthen the Nigerian Navy’s platform holding and operational capabilities, the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas (Admiralty Medal), has attended the ninth edition of the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX 2026), held in Doha, Qatar, from January 19 to 22, 2026.

The participation of the CNS at DIMDEX 2026 underscores the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to leveraging global best practices and emerging technologies to enhance maritime security operations and indigenous capacity development.

DIMDEX 2026 was held under the esteemed patronage of His Highness, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, and hosted by the Qatar Armed Forces. The exhibition is widely recognised as the largest maritime defence and security showcase in the Middle East, bringing together leading naval forces, defence manufacturers, and technology solution providers from across the world.

According to a statement signed by Commodore A. Adams-Aliu, Director of Information, Nigerian Navy, the event provided a strategic platform for the CNS to engage with key stakeholders in the global maritime defence industry. Vice Admiral Abbas interacted extensively with manufacturers and solution providers on current trends in naval warfare, acquisition of modern platforms, and opportunities for technology transfer aimed at strengthening the Nigerian Navy’s indigenous shipbuilding and maintenance capacity.

During the four-day exhibition, several visiting warships from partner nations were berthed at Hamad Port and opened to dignitaries and participants, further deepening naval diplomacy and cooperation among attending countries.

The statement recalled that the Nigerian Navy has made notable progress in local shipbuilding, having constructed five seagoing platforms to date. These include MV Sauka Lafia commissioned in 2010; NNS Andoni in 2012; NNS Karaduwa in 2016; MV Tug Commander Ugwu in 2016; and NNS Oji commissioned in 2021. The Navy believes that sustained engagement in global defence exhibitions such as DIMDEX will further unlock opportunities for advanced technology transfer and position the Nigerian Navy as a leading warship manufacturer on the African continent.

DIMDEX 2026 also enabled the Nigerian Navy to preview a range of precision-guided munitions and advanced naval systems suitable for maritime security operations within Nigerian waters, as well as for naval gunfire support roles.

These engagements align with the CNS’s strategic vision to “develop a modern, agile and professional naval force dedicated to securing Nigeria’s maritime interests and advancing national security objectives in synergy with other security agencies.”

The Nigerian Navy’s presence at DIMDEX 2026 therefore reflects a deliberate and forward-looking approach to capability enhancement, regional cooperation, and sustained maritime security leadership.