The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency has shut down several businesses in the Ikorodu area of the state over environmental infractions.

The state Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this in a statement on X.com on Friday.

The statement read, “In a bold move to tackle noise, air pollution, and other environmental infractions, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency recently conducted a comprehensive enforcement operation in key areas of Lagos State, including Agric, Ibeshe, and Ikorodu.

“Despite prior warnings, several establishments, including hotels, bar, gas filling station, poultry farms, and lounge, continued to flout LASEPA’s directives.

“As a result, these establishments have been temporarily shut down to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.”

The affected businesses were said to include Victory Hotel, Wendy Bar, Moore Gas Plant, Provider Farm and Poultry, Cloud 24, Little Palace Hotel, City Groove Lounge and Bar, Destiny Castle, and B.S. Gold Warehouse.

In the statement, LASEPA stated that it has repeatedly warned businesses about the need to adhere to environmental standards.

The agency also vowed to intensify its enforcement efforts to ensure compliance with state environmental laws.

The Department of State Services (DSS) says it has identified those behind the planned nationwide protest.

In a statement on Thursday, Peter Afunanya, DSS spokesperson, said the service is applying a “non-kinetic measure and conflict resolution” to address the impending protest.

There are reports that youths across the country are planning to embark on nationwide protest over the increasing cost of living.

The DSS spokesperson said the secret police found the planned demonstration to be “politically motivated”.

“While peaceful protest is a democratic right of citizens, the Service has confirmed a sinister plan by some elements to infiltrate the protest and use it to cause chaos and extreme violence in the land,” the statement reads.

“It has also identified the reason behind the protest to be political.

“The plotters desire to use the intended violent outcome to smear the federal and sub-national governments; make them unpopular and pit them against the masses. The long-term objective is to achieve regime change, especially at the centre.

“The Service has also identified, among others, the funding lines, sponsors, and collaborators of the plot.

“However, it does not think that aggression should be the first line of action in the instance, in handling the emerging scenario.

“It has instead variously applied non-kinetic and conflict resolution strategies, including moral suasion, stakeholder engagement, and other multi-track diplomatic shuttles, to dissuade the planners from actualising their undesirable objective.”

Afunanya said the “agitators” should use “ample ways” available to them to channel their grievances without resorting to violence.

“The Service calls on people of goodwill, leaders of thought, captains of industry, labour unions, student associations, youth leaders, the civil society, clergy, NGOs, women groups, civil servants, and politicians to shun any invitation to participate in any orchestrated violence, deliberately designed to cause disaffection in the country,” he said.

The Kano State Command of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency on Thursday disclosed that it secured the conviction of 22 drug dealers in the state in July 2024.

Confirming the convictions to newsmen, on Thursday, the Commander of the agency, Abubakar Idris-Ahmad, described the feat as a major victory in its fight against illicit drug trafficking and abuse.

Idris-Ahmad said, “Out of the 22 drug dealers convicted, one Abubakar Mu’azu’s arrest resulted in an altercation during which he stabbed an NDLEA officer.”

“Mu’azu was charged to court and sentenced to three years in a correctional centre, while the other convicts were sentenced to various terms of imprisonment.

“Different types of illicit substances were found in Mu’azu’s possession.”

The narcotics commander said that the command would continue the fight against drug trafficking and abuse and prosecute those culpable.

Idris-Ahmad commended the Chairman/ Chief Executive Officer of the agency, retired Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Buba-Marwa, for his unwavering support and commitment to the fight against drug abuse.

According to him, no amount of intimidation or violence would hinder the agency’s operatives from pursuing and bringing perpetrators to justice.

“Our operatives are trained professionals who will stop at nothing to ensure that those who engage in drug-related offences face the full wrath of the law,” he stated.

To accomplish its mission of ridding the state of drug addicts, the commander solicited the support of the general public, urging them to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to drug abuse and trafficking to the agency for prompt action.