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Resident alleges threat to life over report of vandalized Lagos Water Corporation infrastructure 

Our reporter
A middle aged man, Mayowa Alonge, has been accused of vandalizing a critical infrastructure belonging to the Lagos State Water Corporation (LSWC).
 The incident occurred at No. 9, Ago-Owu Street, off Kayode Street, Onipanu, Lagos State, where Alonge allegedly broke the bricks and removed the iron lid cover protecting a major pipeline interjection station along the railway axis connecting Ijora Olopa to Iju Waterworks.
According to Niyi Kolawole, the complainant and administrator of the affected family property, Alonge reportedly told some residents in October 2024 that he intended to remove the heavy iron lid of over a century-old interjection point of the LSWC pipeline in the area.
Few days later, it was observed that the bricks had been broken and the heavy iron lid over the manhole had been removed.
 This incident reportedly occurred around October 2024.
On noticing that Alonge has  allegedly  went ahead with the removal of the iron , sparking safety concerns and due to the potential environmental and safety hazards posed by the vandalism, Niyi Kolawole promptly notified the Lagos State Water Corporation in January 2025.
Prior to this, on December 13, 2024, Kolawole had submitted a petition to the Deputy Commissioner of Police,  State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Panti,Yaba, Lagos, detailing the vandalism and requesting that the alleged culprit be investigated and held accountable.
Niyi Kolawole further said, he  also wrote the Lagos State Governor on the issue, of which he later saw the letter minuted to the Lagos State Water Corporation for action , but nothing has been done up till now.
Kolawole further alleged that Mayowa Alonge was invited by the police and reportedly confessed to committing the crime and selling the iron for ₦133,000.
He also said Alonge later claimed to have bribed the officers in charge with ₦350,000 to have the case dropped.
He further alleged that during a visit to the State CID at Panti for verification, some police officers pressured him to drop the case, with one officer reportedly threatening to detain him if he returned.
Although petitions were sent to the Lagos State Government, the DCP,  Panti and the Managing Director of Lagos State Water Corporation and agents visited the crime scene to verify the claims, no action has been taken to address the issue so far .
Furthermore, Kolawole said for being a good citizen by reporting such collateral damage to government asset and threat to human lives , instead of being commended, he is being threatened, including Mayowa Alonge and his relatives, lamenting that his life and  that of his family is in great danger.
Kolawole is therefore urging the Lagos State Government to urgently secure the manhole with a durable lid like the old type to prevent flooding and potential accidents involving children and pedestrians, particularly as the culprit continues to evade justice and community safety being risked.
In response  to our reporter phone call, the accused, Mayowa Alonge, said he removed the said Lagos State Water Cooperation manhole lid when they carried out renovation  of their grand father’s house where they currently reside at No 9,Ago- Owu Street, off Kayode Street, Onipanu.
The renovation, he said, was jointly funded with Debo Kolawole who is his cousin and a brother to Niyi.
He further  explained that the manhole lid is  located at the setback between their house and the railway line known as railway axis interjection station running from Ijora Olopa to Iju Water Works, Lagos State.
Alonge  further said Niyi petitioned the State Criminal Investigation Department(SCID), Musiliu Smith Street, Panti -Yaba, Lagos accusing him of taking the said lid and sold to scrap metal dealers.
 “I never sold the water Cooperation manhole lid nor bragged of bribing the police.
“I told the police I sold the metal scraps removed from the renovated house for ₦133,000.
“The police however ordered me to go and replace the lid. I have not been able to do so because I presently do not have any job to enable me fund it. Am hopeful of doing so soonest”, Mayowa Alonge, the accused, told our reporter on phone .
On the other hand , when our reporter called the Chief Security Officer(CSO) of the Lagos State Water Cooperation, Mr Babajide Kassim and Mr Bimbo an independent security agent sent to investigate the vandalism, both declined to speak when contacted.
They both evaded answering the questions  from our reporter that  bothered on safety of Lagosians and criminality rather was seeking to know  how our reporter was able to get  their phone numbers regardless of the fact they are public figures. They however abruptly terminated the calls with our reporter.
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Headlines

NRC suspends Warri- Itakpe train service over operational concerns

Funso OLOJO, Editor 
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced the temporary suspension of  Warri–Itakpe Train Service (WITS) due to what the management described as operational exigency and  technical advice from  the Corporation’s Engineers.
The temporary suspension, according to a public statement by the NRC, has become necessary to enable the Corporation carry out critical operational assessments  aimed at ensuring continued safety, reliability, and improved service delivery on the corridor.
“The NRC regrets the inconvenience this development may cause passengers and other stakeholders, and assures the public that efforts are currently ongoing to resolve the issues within the shortest possible time.
“Passengers and intending travelers will be duly informed before the end of the week on the date for the resumption of normal train operations.
“The Corporation remains committed to safe, efficient, and customer-friendly rail services across the country and appreciates the understanding, patience, and continued support of the public during this period” the NRC declared.
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Sallah: FG slashes train fares by 50 percent on all routes 

Gloria Odion, reporter 
The Federal government through the Federal Ministry of Transportation has announced a 50 percent fare reduction on all train services operated by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) as part of measures to ease transportation costs for Nigerians during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
The discount takes effect from Tuesday, May 26, 2026 and will run through Monday, June 1, 2026.
Accordingly, ticket fares on all NRC passenger train services across the country have been reduced by 50 percent of the existing approved rates within the stated period.
Passengers who had earlier purchased tickets at the full fare before the announcement will be entitled to a 50 percent rebate, reusable for train rides on or before Monday, June 1st, 2026.
Train schedules and timetables remain as previously advertised.
The Federal Ministry of Transportation said it appreciated the continued support of Nigerians and wishes all passengers and the Muslim faithful a peaceful and joyous Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
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Salah: NIWA MD threatens to wield big stick on violators of safety guidelines on waterways 

— calls for calm over Supreme Court judgement 
Funso OLOJO,Editor 
The Acting Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Umar Yusuf Girei, has issued a stern warning to boat operators across the country to strictly adhere to waterways safety regulations during the forthcoming Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.
Girei gave the warning during an exclusive interview with journalists at the NIWA headquarters in Lokoja, noting that festive periods often witness increased movement on the inland waterways, particularly within riverine communities.
According to him, compliance with safety measures during the Sallah season remains non-negotiable.
He stressed that overloading of boats would not be tolerated, while the use of life jackets by all passengers and operators remains compulsory.
Girei also warned against night travel, alcohol consumption by operators, and disregard for weather advisories.
“No overload, wearing of life jackets is mandatory, no night travel, no alcohol, and operators must ensure proper weather checks before embarking on any journey,” he stated.
The NIWA Acting MD further disclosed that enforcement teams, in collaboration with relevant security agencies, would be deployed across jetties nationwide to ensure strict compliance with safety regulations.
He warned that violators risk arrest, seizure of vessels, and prosecution.
Girei also urged passengers to avoid boarding overloaded boats, vessels without adequate life jackets, or boats attempting to operate at night.
While extending Eid-el-Kabir greetings to Muslim faithfuls, he appealed to community and religious leaders to help amplify waterways safety awareness during sermons and public gatherings.
Meanwhile, the NIWA boss advised stakeholders and clients of the Authority not to panic over the recent Supreme Court judgment concerning aspects of the NIWA Act.
He explained that the apex court upheld the Authority’s statutory responsibilities relating to inland waterways navigation, safety regulation, channel management, river infrastructure development, and the promotion of inland waterways transportation as contained in Sections 10 and 11 of the NIWA Act.
According to him, Sections 12 and 13 of the Act, which deal with land matters unrelated to maritime activities, were voided by the Supreme Court only to the extent of their inconsistency with the Constitution.
Girei therefore urged all stakeholders to remain calm, law-abiding, and await an official statement from NIWA after the Authority obtains the Certified True Copy of the judgment from the Supreme Court.
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