The Kaduna government on Friday announced a total restriction of human and vehicular movement during the LGA election in the state.

The chairmanship and councillorship election will hold on Saturday, October 19, in the 23 LGAs and 225 wards of the state.

Samuel Aruwan, overseeing commissioner for internal security and home affairs, said movement will be restricted from 6am to 7pm on the day, to ensure peaceful and orderly conduct of the election.

Aruwan added that security operatives have been deployed to ensure compliance.

“Only persons performing essential duties are exempt from this restriction and may move during the period with proper identification and clearance,” he said.

“Citizens are thus advised to refrain from actions that could disrupt public peace or affect the smooth conduct of the elections. Security agencies have been deployed to ensure enforcement and compliance.

“Members of the public are also urged to promptly report any observed acts which threaten law and order to security agencies, and not take laws into their hands.”

There was mild drama at a Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday as the detained Binance Holdings Limited’s executive, Tigran Gambaryan, was conspicuously absent for his trial.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Emeka Nwite had, on Oct. 11, fixed today for continuation of trial in the alleged money laundering charge preferred against Binance Ltd and its country representative, Gambaryan, by the EFCC.

The development followed the rejection of Gambaryan’s second bail application by Justice Nwite.

However, when the matter was called on Friday, all the counsel to the parties in the case were in court except the 2nd defendant, Gambaryan.

The judge then asked Gambaryan’s lawyer, Mark Mordi, SAN, on the whereabouts of his client.

Mordi said he did not know why his client was not in court.

Also, the EFCC’s lawyer, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, said he was surprised Gambaryan was not in court.

Iheanacho therefore sought a standdown to enable them to enquire from the management of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) on what went wrong.

Counsel to Binance, Tonye Krukrubo, SAN, equally expressed worry over the absence of Gambaryan in court.

He said the EFCC should be able to tell why he was not in court.

“He is in their custody. It is funny they are saying they do not know his whereabouts,” he said.

“Was it not taken to the correctional centre on the day the matter was adjourned?” the judge asked.

Justuce Nwite then asked the NCoS officer who was in court why Gambaryan was not produced for his trial.

“Yes, my lord, he was taken to our custody,” the officer said in the open court.

“Did you not know his whereabouts?” Justice Nwite further asked.

“He is in our custody,” the officer insisted.

The judge, who asked him who was in charge of the Kuje Correctional Centre, directed the officer to put a telephone call to him.

“Call him and tell him the court is worried about his whereabouts,” the judge added.

Justuce Nwite then stood down the matter.

Meanwhile, when the court reconvened, Justice Nwite asked the NCoS officer about his findings.

The officer said he had been able to get in touch with his boss.

“I was told that he (Gambaryan) is very sick, and that is why he could not be produced in court,” he responded.

Mordi, who appeared for Gambaryan, prayed the court for an adjournment.

“I urge for a date next week if only to report on the 2nd defendant’s state of health.

“This will allow parties to take necessary steps to ensure that the defendant is given the medical care required,” he said.

Iheanacho did not oppose Mordi’s oral application.

The lawyer said though he would have wanted the matter to proceed since their witness was in court, “we are also of concern about the defendant’s health status.”

“We are very concerned about the issues of health.”

The judge subsequently adjourned the matter until Oct. 25 for a report about Gambaryan’s health.

The Lagos State Government has called on residents and property owners along the Ogun River banks to relocate to higher grounds in anticipation of water releases from the Oyan Dam.

The announcement follows the commencement of staggered water releases by the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority, aimed at maintaining the integrity of the dam and managing potential flood risks.

The update was contained in a statement by Tokunbo Wahab, Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, on Thursday.

Wahab noted that the release of water is informed by real-time hydrological data, as well as rainfall forecasts from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and flood outlooks from the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).

“During a Press Briefing at the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources earlier today, the Lagos State Government has alerted residents and property owners at the Ogun River Banks to be ready to relocate to higher grounds as the authorities of Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authorities commences staggered release of water from Oyan Dam.

“Lagosians needed to be alerted on the commencement of release of water to maintain the sanctity of the dam and it’s socio-economic implications for Lagos State.

“It is crucial to understand that the dam’s annual operations are informed by real-time hydrological data, rainfall predictions from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and flood outlooks from the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA),” the statement read in part.

These coordinated efforts between the various agencies, he noted, ensure that the dam operates safely, balancing flood control with maintaining the dam’s structural integrity.

The Lagos State Government acknowledged that affected areas include communities such as Kara, Mile 12, Agiliti, Ikosi Ketu, Owode, Ajegunle, and Odo-Ogun.

However, Wahab stressed that flooding in these areas is not solely caused by the Oyan Dam releases but also by contributions from over 52 tributaries that converge along the Ogun River.

Combined with runoff from heavy rainfall, these tributaries exacerbate the flood risks in the affected regions.

The statement further disclosed that the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority has initiated dredging operations along the Ogun River’s downstream sections, spanning the Ikorodu to Isheri axis. The dredging aims to deepen the river channel, increasing its capacity to handle water flow and reduce the likelihood of flooding during periods of high inflow.

Wahab reassured the public that the state government is closely monitoring the situation in collaboration with relevant agencies and communities.

He emphasized that humanitarian concerns, especially for vulnerable groups such as women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities, remain a priority.

The Commissioner urged residents to support government efforts by keeping drains clear and refraining from dumping waste into drainage channels, which can obstruct water flow.