NEWS
Clash Between LASTMA, Protesters Leaves Several Injured In Lagos
A violent confrontation between officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and angry youths erupted on Tuesday in the Super area of Abule-Egba, Lagos, following the death of a motorist who was struck by another vehicle while fleeing arrest.
The incident began when LASTMA officers and police, who were conducting an enforcement operation, stopped the driver of a Toyota Corolla for allegedly driving in the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lane.
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According to witnesses, the driver, unaware that he had entered the restricted lane, pleaded with the officers, explaining that there were no signs indicating the BRT lane’s boundaries.
Tolupe, a witness at the scene, recounted the tense moments: “The government agencies insisted that the driver must grease their palms with N100,000, but the driver started begging that he had only N40,000 to part with. The government agencies threatened to tow the vehicle to their office and confiscate it.”
Tolupe further explained that the situation escalated when the driver and his younger brother tried to negotiate, offering N70,000 instead of the full amount.
However, the officers insisted on the N100,000 payment. “One of the officials told the driver to go to a nearby POS to withdraw the money and give it to them, and then he would get his vehicle back.”
While the negotiations were still ongoing, another vehicle, allegedly also fleeing from LASTMA enforcement for driving in the BRT lane, collided with the Corolla.
The impact killed the driver instantly, and his brother, who was badly injured, was rushed to the hospital.
The tragic event sparked outrage among passersby and local traders, who accused the authorities of exploiting motorists.
A trader who spoke to reporters said, “Look at the road, are there any signs to show that it is a BRT lane? If you are not familiar with the road, there’s no way you wouldn’t accidentally enter the BRT lane.”
The trader continued, “The Police and LASTMA have been using this means to rob unsuspecting motorists of their hard-earned money. Today, they’ve finally killed an about-to-wed man. If the greedy officials had accepted the N70,000 the deceased offered, the reckless driver wouldn’t have crashed into them.”
As the news of the death spread, angry protestors barricaded the BRT lane with the wrecked Corolla, demanding justice and an end to the alleged extortion by LASTMA and the police.
Protesters gathered in large numbers, chanting songs of protest and resisting attempts by the police to clear the area.
“We are calling on the state government to withdraw the police and LASTMA from this area,” one protestor said. “They are only here to make money for themselves, not to serve the people.”
Meanwhile, police patrol vehicles were on the scene, attempting to retrieve the vehicle used to block the BRT lane, but the protestors stood firm in their resistance.
Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident, stating, “I am aware that a driver who broke the law by passing through the BRT lane hit a man, and the man died. I have not been properly briefed on the full details yet.”
To address Nigeria’s ₦9.7 trillion budget deficit for the 2024 fiscal year, the Senate has approved President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s request to secure a ₦1.77 trillion ($2.2 billion) loan.
The decision was made during Thursday’s plenary session, where a voice vote confirmed the approval following the presentation of a report by the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts.
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Chaired by Senator Wammako Magatarkada (APC, Sokoto North), the committee endorsed the loan request as a vital step in managing the country’s fiscal challenges.
Recall that President Tinubu had submitted the proposal earlier in the week, outlining the loan as a crucial component of his administration’s external borrowing strategy.
Details shortly…………..
Simon Ekpa, a Finnish citizen of Nigerian descent, has been arrested by Finnish authorities on allegations of inciting terrorist activities.
The Päijät-Häme District Court ordered his detention following an incident that reportedly occurred in Lahti on August 23, 2021.
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The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is also seeking the arrest of four other individuals in connection with the case. Officials say the charges involve public incitement to commit crimes with terrorist intent.
“The detention demands are related to a preliminary investigation in which a Finnish citizen of Nigerian descent, born in the 1980s, is suspected of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent,” the police said in a statement.
Details regarding the additional suspects or the specifics of the alleged crimes remain unclear as the investigation continues. Authorities have emphasized the sensitive nature of the case, stating that further information will be disclosed as the inquiry progresses.
This development marks a significant step in Finland’s efforts to combat terrorism and ensure public safety.
International News
COP29: Climate Summit Faces Deadlock Over Vague Funding Proposals For Vulnerable Nations
As the 29th United Nations Climate Change Summit (COP29) nears its conclusion, tensions are rising over a newly published funding proposal aimed at assisting developing nations in addressing climate-induced crises.
The proposal, released by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on Thursday, has sparked widespread debate among delegations, activists, and observers at the summit.
The document, spanning ten pages, outlines funding options to support developing countries in implementing their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the 2015 Paris Agreement.
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However, it fails to specify how much wealthier nations are required to contribute annually—a key sticking point that has drawn criticism from the Global South and climate advocates.
Ambiguity in Funding Commitments
Critics argue that the absence of concrete figures undermines the credibility of the proposed framework.
Mohamed Adow, Founder and Director of Power Shift Africa, described the proposal as “a blank piece of paper,” highlighting the lack of clarity on financial commitments.
“This is the ‘finance COP.’ We came here to talk about money. The way you measure money is with numbers. We need a cheque, but all we have right now is a blank piece of paper,” Adow remarked during an interview.
The Global South, led by African delegations, is demanding at least $1.3 trillion annually by the end of the decade to adapt to climate change impacts and transition to sustainable energy systems.
Yet, developed nations have yet to commit to a specific annual figure, raising concerns over the summit’s ability to deliver tangible outcomes.
Key Provisions and Concerns
The new text acknowledges the disproportionate impact of climate change on developing nations and the financial barriers they face, including high costs of capital and limited fiscal space.
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It proposes the establishment of a New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) for climate finance, suggesting a framework of “at least USD [X] trillion annually” from 2025 to 2035.
However, the absence of defined numbers has led to frustration among negotiators.
David Tong, Global Industry Campaign Manager at Oil Change International, emphasized the critical role of finance in achieving meaningful progress.
“Without finance, there is no phase-out [of fossil fuels], no energy transition, no adaptation. The ambitious options are simply missing,” Tong stated during a press briefing.
Rising Frustration from the Global South
Delegates from the Global South have expressed dissatisfaction with what they perceive as weak commitments from developed nations.
Many fear that without concrete financial pledges, the summit’s outcomes may fall short of expectations.
“This summit is about delivering justice to those who suffer most from climate impacts. Wealthy nations must step up and provide the necessary funding,” said an African negotiator, speaking on condition of anonymity.
A Critical Juncture
With less than 48 hours remaining in the summit, the stakes are high. The COP29 negotiations in Baku, dubbed the “finance COP,” are expected to set a precedent for addressing the financial needs of vulnerable nations.
Delegates are calling on world leaders to finalize an ambitious NCQG target and bridge the growing divide between developed and developing nations.
JUST IN: Senate Approves Tinubu’s ₦1.77trn Loan Request
Finnish Police Arrest Simon Ekpa Over Terror-Related Allegations
COP29: Climate Summit Faces Deadlock Over Vague Funding Proposals For Vulnerable Nations
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