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Land dispute: CSOs Protest Alleged Police Harassment, Demand IGP’s Intervention

Published

8 months ago

September 3, 2025

Mariam Sanni

A coalition of over 40 civil society organizations has staged a peaceful protest in Abuja, calling on the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to intervene in alleged police harassment of staff affiliated with the Olusco Group.

The protesters, led by coalition spokesperson Tunde John, said the demonstration followed a petition submitted by the Olusco Group, which accused officers from the IGP Monitoring Unit of continued intimidation and unlawful interference at various company sites in the Federal Capital Territory.

John stated that the harassment persisted despite a valid Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Olusco and the Performing Musicians Employers’ Association of Nigeria (PMAN), which grants Olusco legal control over the affected locations.

He further noted that a court order had been secured, restraining the police and any third parties from disrupting the company’s operations.

The coalition warned that failure to act swiftly could lead to unrest, urging authorities to step in before tensions escalate.

The group also alleged that CSP Lamin, reportedly serving under the IGP’s supervision, had led several of the operations. During one such incident, a staff member of the Olusco Group was allegedly shot.

“Relating to the harassment men of the police are doing on these sites, and so olusco group, wrote a petition to us, and there’s need for us to step in, in the interest of Nigerian police and in the interest of general public and in the interest of the petitioner, so that one will not be taking law into his hands.

“And these are the claims number one, an agreement. Between olusco group and PMAN
an MOU was entered into between Olusco group and PMAN for them to take possession of this site that is located beside on the rock in Abuja here.

“And court processes were available, a court order has been gotten to restrain anybody, including the Nigerian police to stop the harassment of the staffs and the owner, on the occupier .

“However, we discovered that there is one officer claiming that she is acting in the order of IGP monitoring team. He was the one that actually led some policemen to come and intimidate, harass innocent citizen, armless citizen, doing their doing their job diligently. This is what we want now. We want the inspector general police to immediately set up a panel to intervene and find out what is the root causes .

While commending the IGP’s past efforts to reform the police force, the coalition emphasized the need for continued accountability. They stressed that their protest was not an attack on the Nigeria Police Force but a call to uphold justice and the rule of law.

The coalition urged the Inspector General to ensure full enforcement of the court order and to end the reported harassment without delay.

Furthermore, the complaints, the CEO of Olusco Group, Femi Olumeyan explained that there is a business transaction with the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) in May 2023, involving a joint venture (JV) agreement.

He stated that he has invested over 2 billion naira in the property and has the necessary paperwork to proceed with the construction

He urged various authorities, including the Senate, House Committee on Police Affairs, and the Ministry of Police Affairs to intervene.

Femi Olusco emphasized the need for the police to respect court orders and stop interfering in the civil matter.

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FG Commits To National Development With Major Contract Agreements — Umahi

Published

14 hours ago

May 14, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Works, has again signed landmark contract agreements with four (4) construction firms to execute critical road projects across the country, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. The contract signing ceremony, held on Thursday at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Mabushi, Abuja, marks another major step in the Federal Government’s commitment to delivering durable, sustainable road infrastructure that enhances connectivity, stimulates economic growth, and improves the quality of life of Nigerians.

The four contractors and their respective projects are as follows:

1. Messrs J. Patel and Sons Nigeria Limited – Reconstruction of Mando (Kaduna) – Birnin Gwari Road in Kaduna State,

2. Messrs JRB Construction Company Limited – Dualisation of Ibadan–Ijebu Ode Road in Oyo and Ogun States,

3. Messrs Truecrete Solutions Limited – Construction of Osogbo–Ikirun–Akoda Road in Osun State and

4. Messrs Peculiar Ultimate Concerns Limited – Construction of Osogbo–Iwo–Ibadan Road in Osun and Oyo States.

Speaking during the event, the Honourable Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE, described the projects as strategic national infrastructure designed to boost economic activities, improve transportation efficiency, and strengthen national integration. He noted that the reconstruction of the Mando (Kaduna) –Birnin Gwari Road in Kaduna State holds special significance, as it was one of the key infrastructure development commitments made by His Excellency, President Tinubu during the 2022/2023 electioneering campaigns. According to the Minister, the present administration remains resolute in its determination to deliver world-class infrastructure that will stand the test of time. “Our vision is to build roads that will last for generations. Under the Renewed Hope administration, we are determined to deliver infrastructure that can serve Nigerians for up to 100 years through the adoption of rigid pavement (concrete) technology,” Umahi stated.

The Minister commended the selected contractors for their competence, track records, and proven capacity, emphasising the Federal Government’s confidence in indigenous contractors. He particularly praised Messrs JRB Construction Company Limited, Truecrete Solutions Limited, and other indigenous firms for their commendable performances on previous projects across the country.

Umahi charged all contractors to mobilise to their respective project sites immediately and commence work without delay, stressing that the Ministry expects measurable progress within the stipulated timelines.

Earlier in his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Rafiu Olarinre Adeladan, who formally signed the contract agreements, described the occasion as the successful completion of the procurement process and the official commencement of project implementation.

He commended the leadership of the Ministry for its commitment to ensuring that projects reached the execution stage and reaffirmed the Ministry’s dedication to effective monitoring, quality assurance, and timely delivery.

Also speaking, the Director of Highways, Construction and Rehabilitation, Mr. Clement Ogbuagu, presented details of the awarded contracts as follows:

1. Reconstruction of Mando–Birnin Gwari Road, Kaduna State

Contractor: Messrs J. Patel and Sons Nigeria Limited

Contract Sum: ₦178,116,787,162.00

Length: 122 Kilometres

2. Dualisation of Ibadan–Ijebu Ode Road, Oyo and Ogun States

Contractor: JRB Construction Company Limited,

Contract Sum: ₦295,996,609,992.77

Length: 114.5 Kilometres (Single Carriageway Equivalent)

3. Construction of Osogbo–Ikirun–Akoda Road, Osun State

Contractor: Truecrete Solutions Limited

Contract Sum: ₦101,806,585,825.90

Length: 70 Kilometres (Single Carriageway Equivalent) and

4. Construction of Osogbo–Iwo–Ibadan Road, Osun State

Contractor: Peculiar Ultimate Concerns Limited

Contract Sum: ₦114,854,477,607.93

Length: 73 Kilometres

All the projects will be executed using Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP) technology, in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to building durable, cost-effective, and sustainable road infrastructure nationwide.

The ceremony represents another significant milestone in the Federal Government’s drive to modernise Nigeria’s road network and accelerate national economic development.

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