Category: PM News

The Director-General of the National Pension Commission (PenCom), Mrs Omolola Oloworaran, has urged pension operators yet to meet recapitalisation requirements to comply urgently ahead of the July 2027 deadline.

Oloworaran gave the directive at the 11th Annual Conference of the Nigerian Association of Insurance and Pension Editors (NAIPE) in Lagos on Thursday.

The conference had the theme: ‘Post-Recapitalisation Market Dynamics in Insurance and Pension Sectors’.

She said recapitalisation was necessary to strengthen institutions, improve their resilience to financial shocks and protect contributors’ retirement benefits.

‘I would like to warn the industry that all those who have not met the recapitalisation requirements must comply urgently. There is no going back,’ she said.

Oloworaran stressed that recapitalisation should go beyond creating bigger institutions to improving service delivery and retirement outcomes.

She urged regulators and operators to ensure that the reforms delivered tangible benefits to Nigerians.

‘If the people we exist to serve do not feel the impact, what is the importance of the reforms?’ she asked.

The PenCom boss said the commission was shifting its focus from accumulating pension assets to ensuring their effective allocation to generate better returns for contributors.

She also urged insurance and pension editors to hold regulators and operators accountable for the impact of their policies.

Also speaking, Mr Wale Oshin, Group Chief Executive Officer of Custodian Investment Plc, called on insurance companies and pension operators to strengthen collaboration to improve retirement security.

Oshin said recapitalisation offered an opportunity to strengthen institutions, improve technology and enhance their capacity to meet long-term obligations.

He, however, emphasised that increased capital must translate into better services and benefits for customers.

He called for greater attention to annuities and retirement income, warning that inadequate benefits could undermine public confidence in the pension system.

Meanwhile, Mrs Ebere Nwoji, Chairman of NAIPE, said the conference was organised to examine how capital raised by insurance and pension institutions could be invested prudently.

She commended the Commissioner for Insurance, Mr Olusegun Omosehin, for completing the insurance industry’s recapitalisation exercise.

Nwoji congratulated the 50 insurance and reinsurance institutions that met the requirements and urged Nigerians to take advantage of the sector’s improved financial capacity by purchasing insurance policies.

She also called on pension fund administrators (PFAs) to meet the revised capital requirements before the July 2027 deadline.

According to her, operators unable to meet the requirements independently should begin merger discussions early to ensure business continuity.

Nwoji also commended Oloworaran’s Pension Revolution 2.0 reforms, saying they could improve retirees’ welfare and reduce poverty in old age.

Mrs Ekeoma Ezeibe, President of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers, congratulated NAIPE and pledged the council’s continued support for the association.

She said more efforts were needed to advance the insurance and pension sectors.

More than 50 young people, secondary school students, aviation enthusiasts and industry stakeholders gathered in Enugu for the second edition of the South-East Aviation Summit Eastwing Youth Competition (SASEYC 2.0), aimed at exposing young Nigerians to career opportunities in the aviation industry.

The summit, held on October 3, 2026, at Bon Platinum Hotel, Enugu, was organised under the theme, ‘Advancing Youth Potentials Through Aviation Innovation and Excellence.’

The event featured presentations by aviation professionals, educationists and industry leaders, who urged young people to acquire the technical skills, discipline and professional qualifications needed to compete in the global aviation industry.

The Chief Executive Officer of Eastwing Aviation Institute, Dr Christopher Edeh, said the initiative was established to give young people early exposure to aviation and access to opportunities that previous generations may not have enjoyed.

Drawing on his experience in the Nigerian Air Force, Edeh said introducing young people to aviation early would help them make informed career choices, whether in piloting, aircraft engineering or other specialised fields.

He stressed that aspiring aviation professionals should not have to travel abroad to access quality training, emphasising the need to develop credible, accredited training opportunities within Nigeria.

Edeh also highlighted operational challenges that have contributed to the collapse of several Nigerian airlines, noting that sustainability in the aviation business requires sound management and strict adherence to safety standards.

He identified timely payment of workers’ salaries, replacement of life-limited aircraft components, continuous retraining of pilots and engineers, and effective management of fuel and other operational resources as essential to airline survival.

He commended the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority for its role in enforcing safety standards and ensuring regulatory compliance. He also highlighted Eastwing Aviation Institute’s partnerships with aviation institutions in Scotland and the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, which he said were helping expand access to industry-relevant training in the South-East.

The Father of the Day, HRH Igwe Dr Lawrence Agubuzu, commended Edeh for investing in aviation training and contributing to manpower development and the Nigerian economy.

Agubuzu encouraged young people to overcome their fear of flying, describing air transportation as one of the safest modes of transport.

He said aviation offered diverse career paths beyond piloting, including aircraft maintenance engineering, cabin crew services, aviation operations and management, air traffic services, safety oversight, aviation security, ticketing and passenger support.

He urged young people to pursue specialised training and obtain relevant professional certifications to improve their employment prospects in the industry.

The Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Damaturu, Yobe State, Dr Ibrahim Bello Bashir, highlighted the global demand for aviation professionals and called for greater efforts to equip young people with the skills needed to fill emerging vacancies.

Bashir cited Boeing projections indicating that the global aviation industry would require approximately 2.5 million personnel, including pilots, engineers, cabin crew and ground operations professionals, over the coming years.

He said Nigeria’s large youthful population presented an opportunity to develop a skilled workforce capable of meeting domestic and international demand.

According to him, career opportunities extend beyond the cockpit, and skills shortages have created situations in which foreign nationals occupy positions that qualified Nigerians could potentially fill.

Bashir also encouraged young people to acquire practical skills in emerging and high-demand fields such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and underwater welding.

He emphasised that academic qualifications should be complemented by practical skills and recognised professional certifications, warning that young Africans without relevant expertise risk being disadvantaged in the global labour market.

The founding partner of Aeropath and Chief Executive Officer of Ubuntu HR Consulting, Laure Jifack, drew attention to the shortage of technical personnel in Africa’s aviation industry, particularly aircraft maintenance engineers and certified technicians.

Citing Boeing projections, Jifack said Africa would need approximately 24,000 additional aircraft maintenance technicians by 2044, while existing regional training capacity remained inadequate to meet the projected demand.

She described the shortage as both a challenge and an opportunity to develop a stronger indigenous aviation workforce.

Jifack said Eastwing Aviation Institute and Aeropath could work together to identify promising talent early, establish accessible career pathways and connect young people with internationally recognised training and certification opportunities, including EASA Part 66 qualifications.

She identified the high cost of training, travel requirements and lengthy training periods as major barriers preventing many young Africans from entering the industry.

According to her, the challenge is not necessarily a lack of talent but limited access to the training and certification needed to turn that talent into professional expertise.

The Chief Executive Officer of Queens Model Schools, Enugu, Chukwuma Ephraim Okenwa, also supported efforts to expose young people to aviation and other professional opportunities early in life.

Drawing from his personal experiences, including a visit to the Smithsonian Institution in the United States, Okenwa emphasised discipline, respect, hard work and high personal standards as foundations for lasting success.

He urged participants to understand that success went beyond titles and positions, noting that aviation demanded exceptional attention to detail because mistakes could have serious consequences.

Using aircraft accidents to illustrate the risks, he warned against allowing financial considerations to override established safety procedures.

Okenwa encouraged the young participants to take responsibility for their conduct and professional development, stressing that organisational excellence begins with individual discipline and leadership.

One of the summit’s emotional moments came during the presentation of certificates to the competition’s top 10 candidates, when the overall winner, Felix Favour Chinecherem, broke down in tears after her name was announced.

Chinecherem said she had dreamt of pursuing a career in aviation since she was 10 years old. She expressed gratitude to God and those who had given her the opportunity to participate in the competition.

In a message to fellow young people, she urged them not to abandon their ambitions because of challenges, encouraging them to remain persistent even when the journey appeared difficult.

Her experience reflected the central objective of SASEYC 2.0: identifying promising young people, exposing them to career opportunities and helping them take their first steps towards achieving their ambitions.

The convener of the summit and Chief Executive Officer of Artmatazz Media, Christian Agadibe, said the initiative had recorded progress since its first edition.

He recalled that the inaugural SASEYC produced Uyamadu Franklin as its winner. Franklin has since moved to Abuja, where he is undertaking industrial training in aircraft maintenance.

Agadibe said Franklin’s progress demonstrated the value of providing young people with early exposure, guidance and opportunities to pursue professional careers.

The second edition expanded on that foundation by connecting participants with aviation professionals, educators and industry stakeholders while highlighting the range of career opportunities available across the sector.

The presentation of certificates to the top 10 candidates and the recognition of distinguished individuals rounded off the event.

For the participants, SASEYC 2.0 provided an opportunity to learn from industry professionals and explore how they could contribute to the future of African aviation.

Media professional and activist David Abakpa has called for a fair hearing in the ongoing legal dispute between Levitikal Realties and Construction Limited and Maryam Sani Abacha over the redevelopment of a property at No. 68 Molade Okoya Thomas Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Abakpa said the dispute raised important questions about property rights, commercial investments and the need for courts to consider the full circumstances surrounding contractual disagreements.

In his assessment of the controversy, he highlighted the challenges allegedly encountered by Levitikal during the redevelopment, including difficulties in securing vacant possession, outstanding land-related taxes, rising construction costs and the financial implications of the removal of the fuel subsidy in 2023.

He noted that the court had granted interim relief and appointed a receiver/manager over the development pending further proceedings, stressing that the order must be respected but should not be mistaken for a final determination of the dispute.

‘That distinction matters because the history of the development goes beyond a simple disagreement over ownership of land,’ Abakpa said.

According to him, media publications indicated that the parties initially entered into a Property Development Joint Venture Agreement before a power of attorney was subsequently issued to Levitikal, superseding the earlier arrangement.

He said the terms and legal implications of the power of attorney required proper consideration in determining the rights and obligations of both parties.

Abakpa explained that the property was not an empty site ready for immediate construction, as existing tenants had occupied it for a considerable period, making redevelopment difficult.

He said the process of securing vacant possession was eventually resolved after Levitikal took over the development process.

The developer also reportedly incurred expenses relating to outstanding land-related taxes payable to the Lagos State Government, demolition, excavation and other preparatory activities before construction could commence.

Abakpa said the project subsequently encountered additional financial difficulties following the removal of the fuel subsidy in 2023, which triggered increases in the costs of construction materials, transportation, labour and other inputs.

According to him, Levitikal approached the government for additional space in response to the financial pressures, subsequently obtaining approval for the construction of two-bedroom and three-bedroom flats on the additional land.

‘This development is important to the dispute,’ he said, arguing that the additional buildings emerged from efforts to manage the financial burden of the project and create the capacity to complete the original nine units.

Abakpa put the value of the land at approximately N400 million at the time of the agreement, describing it as the landowners’ contribution to the development.

He further cited estimates indicating that Levitikal had invested more than N17 billion in the project, attributing part of the reported expenditure to the economic changes following the removal of the fuel subsidy.

By the same estimates, he said the landowners’ stake in the completed development represented a projected N9 billion in potential earnings.

However, Abakpa maintained that the developer’s reported investment should be subjected to verification rather than accepted or dismissed without scrutiny.

‘The figure should be tested through contracts, bank records, invoices, construction records and other documentary evidence,’ he said.

He added that if the investment was established, it would become an important consideration in determining the parties’ contractual and financial rights.

‘This would no longer be simply a question of who owns the land. It would also involve the contractual and financial rights of a developer that committed substantial resources to the project,’ he said.

The activist also raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the construction of the additional flats, noting that representatives of the Abacha family reportedly visited the site to monitor the project’s progress while the buildings were being constructed.

He said the timing of any objection to the additional development was relevant to the dispute.

‘When was the additional development first questioned? What was communicated during the site visits? Was any objection raised while construction was ongoing?’ he asked.

Abakpa, however, cautioned against settling such questions through public speculation, insisting that they should be resolved through documents, communications and evidence presented before the court.

He also called attention to the interests of subscribers who had paid for units in the original nine-unit development and were reportedly expecting to take possession as the project approached completion.

He warned that a prolonged legal dispute could affect these subscribers, who were not parties to the disagreement.

‘ That does not determine the legal rights of either side, but it demonstrates why the dispute requires careful and timely resolution,’ he said.

Abakpa said fair hearing required that allegations concerning the developer’s performance, approvals and completion of the project be examined alongside the entire history of the parties’ relationship.

He listed the original joint venture agreement, the subsequent power of attorney, the process of securing vacant possession, outstanding taxes, site preparation, the impact of rising costs, the additional land and the construction of the additional flats among the issues requiring judicial consideration.

He also drew attention to the circumstances surrounding the reported demand for a 50:50 sharing arrangement.

On the court proceedings, Abakpa explained that an ex parte order was made in the absence of the defendant, Levitikal, and that such orders were generally used to preserve the status quo pending further proceedings.

He stressed that although an interim order did not settle the substantive questions in a dispute, it remained binding until set aside by a competent court.

‘Nonetheless, a court order subsists until it is set aside and must be obeyed by the party affected by it,’ he said.

Abakpa maintained that both parties were entitled to present their cases and seek remedies available under the law.

‘Levitikal does not need public sympathy. It needs the opportunity to present its documents, explain its investment, answer the allegations against it and have its contractual rights determined on the evidence,’ he said.

He added that Maryam Abacha was equally entitled to present her case and seek whatever remedies the law provided.

‘Fairness cannot mean hearing only one side. It must mean hearing both sides fully,’ Abakpa said.

He urged that the dispute be determined by the parties’ agreements, actions, documentary evidence and applicable law rather than their public profiles.

‘Until that process is complete, Levitikal deserves a fair hearing,’ he said.10 Suggested Headlines

Vice President Kashim Shettima says Nigeria is determined to achieve food sovereignty through mechanisation, climate-smart agriculture, high-yield seeds and modern farming practices.

He also announced plans to plant 20 billion trees from the next rainy season, drawing lessons from Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative, which combines environmental restoration with economic and livelihood benefits.

Shettima spoke during a tour of farms and agricultural facilities in Oromia, Ethiopia, where he highlighted the importance of food security to national sovereignty.

A text of the vice president presentation during the tour was made available to newsmen on Friday in Abuja.

Shettima said countries that depended heavily on external food sources risked compromising their sovereignty, stressing that self-sufficiency in food production was essential to national independence.

‘Food dependency compromises our sovereignty. Without independence in food production, a nation remains incomplete in its sovereignty,’ he said.

The vice-president said cooperation between Nigeria and Ethiopia could significantly strengthen Africa’s food security, describing Ethiopia’s agricultural transformation as a model worthy of emulation.

He identified agriculture as an area of mutual advantage for both countries, urging them to learn from each other’s successes for the benefit of their citizens.

‘I am overwhelmed with joy that the real economic renaissance of Africa is in the offing,’ Shettima said.

He described Ethiopia as a frontrunner in Africa’s quest to reclaim its pride, adding that Nigeria was determined to achieve similar progress in agricultural production.

‘Ethiopia has become the pathfinder, the frontrunner in our quest to reclaim our pride and our continent. We are mightily proud of them. Africa must learn to feed itself. Ethiopia is doing it, and Nigeria is on course to do the same. Ethiopia is a success story worthy of emulation,’ he said.

Shettima urged African countries to adopt Ethiopia’s agricultural framework to strengthen food production and achieve food sovereignty across the continent.

He said the proposed tree-planting campaign would require extensive planning, energy and public participation, citing Ethiopia’s success in mobilising its population for the initiative.

‘We will embark on a massive tree-planting campaign in the next rainy season and we intend to plant 20 billion trees. It requires a lot of planning, energy and drive, which Ethiopia was able to galvanize its population into doing,’ he added.

Shettima said the programme would promote environmental restoration and create employment opportunities while drawing from Ethiopia’s experience.

He added that the combined population and economic potential of Nigeria and Ethiopia could generate significant benefits for Africa.

‘With a population of 100 million people, and a combined population with Nigeria of over 400 million, Ethiopia’s success will reverberate across the length and breadth of East and Southern Africa,’ he said.

Earlier, President of the Oromia Regional State, Shimelis Abdisa, outlined the region’s agricultural achievements and the sector’s contribution to Ethiopia’s economy.

Abdisa said more than 200 crop varieties were cultivated across Ethiopia, while the country had expanded agricultural exports, including bananas, avocados and coffee.

He said wheat production alone generated more than 3.1 billion dollars annually for the country, adding that Ethiopian wheat remained competitive in the international market.

Shettima visited wheat, banana and papaya farms during the tour, examining Ethiopia’s agricultural production systems and efforts to expand food production.

The Nigerian Navy said its operatives have uncovered about 25,000 litres of substance suspected to be stolen crude oil in a dugout reservoir in the Oteghele general area of Delta State.

The latest recovery raised the total quantity of suspected crude oil uncovered in Oteghele within two consecutive days to 65,000 litres, following an earlier discovery of approximately 40,000 litres in the area on Wednesday.

The Director of Naval Information, Navy Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, who revealed this in an operational report on Friday, said that the operation extended the navy’s recent success against crude oil theft in the area.

Folorunsho said that the recent discovery was made by Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) DELTA on Thursday, following credible intelligence.

He also said that the reservoir and its contents were handled in accordance with established procedures.

‘The successive operations highlight the importance of maintaining pressure on locations used for suspected storage of illicit petroleum resources.

‘Through these interventions, the Nigerian navy is reinforcing its resolve to deny criminal operators the opportunity to exploit petroleum resources unlawfully,’ he said.

He reaffirmed the navy’s commitment to sustaining operations that protected Nigeria’s critical economic assets.

Nigerian media entrepreneur and filmmaker Mo Abudu on Thursday expanded her African storytelling vision to the United Kingdom with the opening of EbonyLife Place London.

The cultural and entertainment hub located on Wandsworth Road near Nine Elms was unveiled by London Mayor Sadiq Khan.

The multi-storey complex brings cinema, dining, fashion, art and music together, offering African and Black creatives a platform to showcase their work and reach international audiences.

Abudu described the facility as ‘a place rooted in Africa, inspired by London and open to everyone.’

According to her, the facility was designed to bring film, fashion, food, music and art together, providing opportunities for people to experience, discover, connect and celebrate African creativity.

She said every detail of the facility had been designed to create an experience that promotes African creativity, culture and connection.

The opening programme featured curated film screenings, live music performances, contemporary African art exhibitions and food experiences.

Cinema, food and African creativity

At the heart of the complex is the Amani Auditorium, a 160-seat cinema designed to host premieres, screenings, performances and special events.

The complex will create a platform for Nollywood and other filmmakers to connect with London audiences.

The venue also houses the Afrobeat Restaurant for African-inspired dining, the Maji Concession and Bar, and Zuri Retail, a boutique featuring African fashion, jewellery, beauty products and design.

The Living Wall Gallery will showcase African artists, while Fèhìntí Lounge offers space for meetings and social gatherings.

The opening programme, running from October 9 to October 11, features film screenings, live music, contemporary African art exhibitions and food experiences.

From Lagos to London

The London hub builds on the EbonyLife Place concept launched in Lagos in 2019, extending Abudu’s model of combining cinema, hospitality and entertainment into a major international market.

Analysts says London’s diverse population and longstanding links with Nigeria make it a strategic setting for the project. For the Nigerian diaspora, the venue offers a potential cultural meeting point, while introducing wider audiences to African stories, talent and experiences.

It could also create opportunities for filmmakers, artists and designers to showcase their work and develop international partnerships.

Extending Mo Abudu’s vision

As founder of EbonyLife Group, Abudu has built a media business focused on telling African stories through film and television. The London complex extends that mission beyond the screen, bringing different aspects of African culture together in a dedicated destination.

EbonyPlace London opening marks another step in EbonyLife’s international expansion, strengthening the cultural connection between Lagos and London and advancing Abudu’s ambition to bring African storytelling to a wider global audience.

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has described the Federal Government’s vocational training and empowerment initiative as a game changer in tackling poverty and unemployment, particularly among young Nigerians.

The initiative, being implemented under the National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy (NPRGS), is designed to enhance beneficiaries’ employability, entrepreneurship and economic independence.

The monarch made the remarks when Dr Abiola Arogundade, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Education (TVEE), paid him a courtesy visit on Thursday in Ibadan.

Arogundade visited the palace to brief the Olubadan on the ongoing Federal Government’s vocational training and empowerment programme in Oyo State.

An elated Olubadan lauded Arogundade for the initiative, stressing that it goes a long way in equipping beneficiaries with practical skills to become self-reliant and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s economic development.

‘It’s a very good initiative, and we are very proud of Arogundade.

‘I would also like to encourage many people in her position to emulate her, because this will go a long way in empowering people and reducing poverty in our society,’ he said.

Oba Ladoja urged influential individuals and organisations to emulate the government by investing in practical skills acquisition and income-generating opportunities for more Nigerians.

He said vocational training could provide sustainable sources of income and help beneficiaries overcome economic hardship.

The current training programme in Ibadan focuses on fashion design, artificial intelligence (AI) and makeup artistry.

Earlier, Arogundade said she visited the palace to inform the Olubadan that the grand finale of the 10-day vocational training for 200 youths in Oyo State would hold on Friday.

She described the briefing as important, given the programme’s scale and its potential to empower residents of Ibadanland.

Arogundade said the 200 participants, trained in graphics design and AI, makeup artistry and fashion design, would receive work tools to establish themselves and earn a living.

She added that an additional 700 beneficiaries would receive tablets at the end of the programme to strengthen their digital capabilities and economic opportunities.

The Leke Abejide Support Group, LASG, has applauded its Grand Patron, Hon. Leke Abejide, for his continued generosity and commitment to the empowerment and emancipation of youths across Yagba land, following his pledge of ?500 million for a youth empowerment programme.

In a statement issued by the Chairman, Media and Publicity of LASG, Bashorun MD Eseyin, on behalf of the Director General, Dr. Yomi Charles, and the entire membership of the Support Group, the organisation described the pledge as another demonstration of Abejide’s commitment to improving the welfare of his people beyond political considerations.

The group noted that the pledge reflects the lawmaker’s recognition of youth empowerment as a critical pathway to sustainable development, economic independence, and a brighter future for the people of Yagba.

Abejide made the announcement during a welcome rally organised in his honour by the Chairmen of Yagba West, Yagba East, and Mopamuro Local Government Areas of Kogi State.

The rally, held in Isanlu, attracted thousands of supporters, political leaders, and prominent stakeholders across party lines who gathered to welcome the illustrious son of Yagba land, who also holds the revered title of Asiwaju of Yagba Land.

LASG commended the Grand Patron for consistently demonstrating that genuine leadership goes beyond political affiliations and is measured by tangible contributions to the lives and livelihoods of the people.

The group expressed optimism that the proposed youth empowerment initiative would create opportunities for young people, promote self-reliance, and contribute to the overall socioeconomic development of Yagba land.

The Support Group reaffirmed its commitment to promoting awareness of Abejide’s representation, achievements, and initiatives, while encouraging unity, constructive engagement, and development across Yagba West, Yagba East, and Mopamuro.

Workers of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) blocked a section of the Ibadan/Ijebu-Ode Road on Friday in protest over abduction of three of their colleagues.

It was gathered that three CRIN workers were kidnapped at the institute’s plant nursery on Thursday, the latest of such incidents in the organization.

Dr Kayode Ayegboyin, Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Research Institutions (ASURI), CRIN branch confirmed the incident.

He described Thursday’s incident as disheartening in an internal statement he issued.

He identified those abducted to include leaders of CRIN Central Nursery, Mrs Eunice Babalola, Mr Kehinde Gbalajobi (Agric Superintendent) and one other man who residing at CRIN Senior Staff (SS) Quarters.

He said they were reported kidnapped during office hours on Thursday, Oct. 10.

‘Mrs Babalola and Mr Gbalajobi were kidnapped while trekking from CRIN Central Nursery to SS Quarters with the intention to pick something up at Mrs Babalola’s residence (SS Quarters).

‘The driver was to pick them up later at SS Quarters while he would be returning with other Nursery staff from CRIN Nursery to the main office.

‘However, the dedicated duo were picked up by kidnappers on their way from the Nursery to the SS Quarters, while another man (a CRIN SS Quarters resident, but not a staff member of CRIN) was also kidnapped,’ he said.

The chairman, in his statement, said the kidnappers went to the central nursery to pick more victims but were repelled after a fierce exchange of gunshots with the security officials on guard.

‘However, the report reaching me is that these daredevil kidnappers had called and demanded N120 million as ransom for the three kidnapped victims.

‘So, kindly join the victims, their immediate families and indeed, the CRIN family in your prayers. We want them released soonest,’ said the ASURI chairman.

A staff member said the kidnapping occurred between noon and 1.00 p.m. at the same spot where the last kidnapping happened.

‘This is now worrisome. How can we keep coming to work with fear? This is not right,’ said the staff member.

Another official of the institute confirmed members’ agitation over the kidnapping incident, hence the protest.

Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Oyo State, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, affirmed that the protest was over the kidnapping occurrence in the area on Thursday.

Ayanlade, however said the police command was aware of the abduction and that rescue operations were already ongoing.

A 55-year-old motorist escaped unhurt on Friday after a moving train rammed his Honda car at the PWD railway crossing in Lagos.

The train, which was travelling towards Agege, collided with the vehicle bearing registration number EKY 902 JT, leaving the car extensively damaged.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority said its operatives, working with security personnel, rescued the driver from the scene.

LASTMA officials also removed the damaged vehicle from the railway track, allowing the train to continue its journey after the line was cleared.

The incident caused temporary traffic disruption around the PWD railway crossing near Agege Motorway as emergency responders worked at the scene.

The cause of the collision had not been established at the time of filing this report.

Authorities have repeatedly urged motorists to exercise caution at railway crossings and ensure tracks are completely clear before attempting to cross.