Category: Security

The Lagos State Police Command has begun a full-scale investigation into a viral video showing students of Excel College, Ejigbo, Lagos, smoking, drinking and dancing in a school hostel.

The incident, which reportedly took place in April 2025 at the boys’ hostel of the private school, resurfaced online this week, provoking outrage among parents and members of the public who criticised the lack of supervision in schools.

Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, ordered the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, to take over the probe from the Ejigbo Police Division, which had earlier invited the school principal for questioning.

Police spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, in a statement on Thursday, said the principal, who also serves as the proprietor of the school, confirmed that the students in the viral video had already graduated.

Adebisi said, “The Commissioner of Police has directed the SCID to take over the case for a comprehensive investigation. The principal, who is also the proprietor of the school, was invited, and he clarified that the students in the viral video had already graduated. Nonetheless, the school is cooperating fully with investigators to ensure that the circumstances surrounding this incident are properly addressed.”

He noted that the police were treating the matter seriously because of its potential implications for discipline and morality within schools.

“The Command calls on all secondary school authorities, both public and private, as well as parents and guardians, to take proactive steps in properly supervising and guiding their children and wards,” Adebisi added.

The police further warned that school owners must not overlook disciplinary lapses that could degenerate into criminal activities.

“The police will not tolerate negligence on the part of school authorities. Every stakeholder has a responsibility to instil the importance of good behaviour, moral values, and social discipline in young people. Misconducts of this nature, if left unchecked, can snowball into bigger problems that disrupt the peace of society,” the statement said.

While confirming that investigation was ongoing, Adebisi assured that the outcome would be made public.

He said, “The Command remains steadfast in ensuring peace, security, and orderliness across Lagos State. We encourage parents, guardians, and community leaders to work hand in hand with schools and the police to raise responsible youths who will contribute positively to society.”

The police appealed to members of the public to continue reporting suspicious or disturbing activities in schools to the authorities.

Troops of the 3 Division/Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace have killed a bandit during an ambush in Odare Forest, Dutsen Zaki, Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Spokesman for the task force, Major Samson Nantip Zhakom, in a statement on Wednesday, said that the intelligence-led operation took place on September 16.

Zhakom explained that troops intercepted bandits on motorcycles heading into the forest, killing one while others escaped with gunshot wounds.

According to him, troops recovered a motorcycle, two mobile phones, a machete, and charms abandoned by the fleeing bandits.

Zhakom added that in another operation on September 15, soldiers launched an offensive against bandits at crossing points around Garga, Showaka, Yuli, and Kukawa villages in Wase and Kanam LGAs. The troops reportedly overpowered the bandits with superior firepower, forcing them to flee.

He said, “In continuation of efforts to deny bandits freedom of action in the Joint Operations Area (JOA), troops of 3 Division/Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE (JTF OPEP) staged an intelligence-based ambush operation against bandits along routes leading to Odare Forest at Dutsen Zaki in Wase Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State on 16 September 2025.

“On 16th September, troops in Plateau state made contact with bandits mounted on motorcycles heading towards Odare Forest and neutralised one of the bandits, while others fled with severe gunshot wounds through the thick forest. Troops exploited the area and recovered one motorcycle, 2 mobile phones, one machete, and charms abandoned by the bandits. The recovered items are in custody for further action.

“In another operational development, success was recorded following credible intelligence on the activities of bandits around Garga, Showaka, Yuli and Kukawa Villages in Wase and Kanam Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Plateau State. Notably, on 15 September 2025, troops of 3 Division/Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE conducted offensive operations at a notable bandit crossing point in the general area.”

Items recovered included a G3 rifle, a magazine, and three rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.

He noted that the recent onslaughts form part of the military’s resolve to deny criminal elements freedom of action and bring them to justice.

“During the operation, troops came in contact and dealt decisively with elements of bandits through superior firepower and professionalism, leading to the bandits fleeing in disarray.

“Consequently, troops exploited the general area and recovered one G3 rifle, one G3 magazine and 3 rounds of 7.62 mm (NATO). The recovered weapon and ammunition are in custody while troops ensured that the bandits and criminal elements are completely neutralised and denied any freedom of operation.

“The recent onslaughts and bombardment of criminal elements, especially bandits in the JOA, is part of 3 Division/Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE’s resolve and mandate to troops to continually neutralise armed criminals and bring perpetrators of crimes to justice,” the statement said.

Recall that on Saturday, troops of the 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, under Operation ACCORD III, in collaboration with Other Hybrid Forces, killed a notorious bandit commander, Babangida Kachala, who was the second-in-command to Kachala Shuaibu, leader of a gang operating within Masalaci Boka and Ofere Forest areas of Kogi State.

Similarly, the Nigerian Army killed notorious bandit leader Kachalla Balla and five of his men in Kogi State.

The Lagos State Police Command said it has cleared the Senior Pastor of House on the Rock Church, Paul Adefarasin, of wrongdoing after a viral video showed him holding what appeared to be a firearm.

The command, in a statement released Wednesday by its spokesperson, Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed that Adefarasin voluntarily reported to its headquarters in Ikeja for questioning over the incident.

According to the police, investigations revealed that the object seen in the viral clip was a stun gun and not a lethal weapon.

“After a thorough investigation, including interrogation and a cautionary statement from Pastor Adefarasin, it was established that the object in question was a stun gun and not a lethal weapon or firearm.

“Consequent to our findings, the Lagos State Police Command has determined that there are no sufficient grounds to proceed with the matter. The case is hereby discontinued,” the statement read.

The command added that it remains committed to transparency in its operations while upholding the rule of law and ensuring public safety.

This marks a turn from June, when the state Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, had stated that pointing a stun gun at someone constituted a criminal offence under Nigerian law.

Speaking on Channels Television at the time, Jimoh noted that stun guns fall under prohibited riot control equipment and warned that using them to instil fear could amount to an offence.

He added that both Adefarasin and the individual allegedly threatened in the clip would be questioned.

The video, which circulated widely in June, showed the pastor seated in a Range Rover while holding the device during an exchange with another individual.

Adefarasin had denied ever brandishing a firearm, insisting it was a non-lethal object.

The Anambra State Board of Internal Revenue, in collaboration with the State Anti-Touting Agency, has arrested and prosecuted some illegal revenue collectors as part of efforts to rid the state of criminal elements posing as revenue collectors.

The Chairman of AIRS, Greg Ezeilo, revealed this in a statement released on Sunday, noting that the agency has intensified its enforcement operations against illegal levy collection and related criminal activities across the state.

Ezeilo said that in a series of well-coordinated raids on identified black spots, operatives apprehended individuals involved in illegal revenue collection, adding that the state government will continue its clampdown on activities disrupting public order and economic stability.

He reiterated the state government’s commitment to law enforcement and the elimination of touting, drug-related offences, and unauthorised revenue collection.

He said, “We urge the public to remain alert and report suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities as the state intensified its enforcement operations against illegal levy collection and related criminal activities.

“These operations send a strong message that illegal practices will no longer be tolerated in Anambra State.

“We call on citizens to support these efforts by being vigilant and cooperating with law enforcement agencies.

“More raids are planned in the coming weeks, as part of the administration’s broader objective to sanitise the revenue system and restore public trust in government processes.”

PUNCH Online gathered that some of the suspects were arrested at UNIZIK Junction for unlawfully extorting motorists, contravening established state revenue laws, while some others were apprehended at Regina Junction, Awka, where they were reportedly collecting levies from tricycle operators under false pretences.

In a related development, one was caught in possession of Indian hemp, highlighting the ongoing issue of drug abuse and trafficking in the region.

“The arrested suspects were transferred to the Anambra Internal Revenue for further investigation and subsequently arraigned in court.

“They were convicted and sentenced to six months’ imprisonment for their offences.

“The swift and strategic actions by the agency have drawn commendation from residents and business owners in affected areas, who expressed relief at the removal of notorious elements that have long disrupted peace and hindered lawful commerce,” the statement added.