The Edo government has declared September 20 as a work-free day to enable workers and residents to travel to their voting areas ahead of the state’s governorship election.

The election is scheduled for September 21 across 18 LGAs in the state.

In a statement on Thursday, Joseph Eboigbe, secretary to the state government (SSG), assured that adequate security arrangements are in place for the conduct of the election.

“This is to enable workers and other electorates to travel to their voting areas ahead of the September 21 governorship election in the state,” the statement reads.

“The government wishes everyone journey mercies and reassures that security measures have been provided to ensure a free, fair, and credible election.”

The Lagos State Government on Thursday sealed Idera Market in Oshodi for contravening environmental laws of the state.

The closure was carried out by operatives of the Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) during a routine inspection aimed at enforcing environmental cleanliness in markets across the state.

The Corp Marshal, Major Olaniyi Olatunbosun Cole, explained that the inspection team discovered filth, unhygienic practices, and indiscriminate refuse dumping, prompting the decision to seal the market. He noted that the market will remain closed indefinitely until further notice.

The announcement, shared by Ajayi Lukman, Head of Public Affairs and Advocacy at LAGESC, was posted on the agency’s official X (formerly Twitter) account.

”As part of intensified efforts aimed at ensuring adherence to environmental cleanliness across registered markets in the State, the Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) popularly known as KAI on Thursday sealed off Idera Market situated at the Oshodi area of the State for contravening environmental laws.

“This disclosure was made by the Corps Marshal of the Agency, Major Olaniyi Olatunbosun Cole (rtd) at the Agency’s Command Headquarters, Bolade-Oshodi.

“According to him, ‘our operatives stationed across the Oshodi division during routine market monitoring identified the filth, unhygienic practices and indiscriminate dumping of refuse around the Idera Market area which prompted us to seal off the market until further notice,’’ the statement read in part.

The statement noted that Cole expressed concern over the poor hygiene at the market, warning that it could lead to illness and disease outbreaks among vendors and buyers. He emphasized the need for markets to adopt proper hygiene practices to prevent the spread of diseases.

Cole also highlighted that the market leadership failed to provide a valid waste collection contract, leading to the accumulation of refuse. He issued a stern warning to all markets in the state, stressing that KAI operatives are monitoring for infractions, and any non-compliant market will be sealed until it meets hygiene standards.

The Lagos police command says it has launched an investigation into a viral video of an officer involved in an altercation with an elderly woman.

POLICE COMMENCE INVESTIGATION INTO VIDEO OF POLICE OFFICER IN ALTERCATION WITH ELDERLY WOMAN

On Sunday, a video showing a police officer manhandling an elderly woman in her car began circulating on social media.

The officer was said to have demanded N250,000 from the woman which she refused to pay, before the altercation began.

Benjamin Hundeyin, the police spokesperson in Lagos, in a statement on Wednesday, condemned the action of the officer, noting that the inspector and his supervising deputy superintendent have been brought in for questioning.

Hundeyin said the incident took place in the Alagbado area of Lagos in the first week of September.

He assured the public that the investigation would be “swift, thorough and conclusive”.

“The command condemns the unprofessional conduct of the Inspector as it does not represent the ethics and operational standards of the Nigeria Police Force,” the statement reads.

“The command equally assures Lagosians that the investigation will be swift, thorough and conclusive.

“We will ensure that the officers are disciplined as appropriate, and members of the public are updated accordingly.”