The Mental and Environmental Development Initiative for Children (MEDIC), a registered non-governmental organization is calling on the Lagos State Government to help recover its charitable property -a 20-foot recycling container at Elegushi Beach, allegedly seized by Box Mall/SOL Beach management.

In a statement, Ms Doyinsola Ogunye, Founder of MEDIC, lamented that the interventions of the state government including relevant environmental bodies, and law enforcement agencies have become necessary as all efforts to remove the container valued at ₦44,046,500 (as of September 2024) to a new site at Akodo Ise, Ibeju-Lekki, failed.

This includes beautification trees planted by MEDIC at the front of the beach.

According to Ms Ogunye, tensions began in 2024 when the landlord entered a new partnership with SOL Beach by Box Mall without prior notice to relocate its equipment or inform its donors.

The organization stated that despite efforts to cooperate with the new management, conflict arose in early 2025 after Box Mall allegedly demanded that MEDIC remove its 20-foot recycling container — donated by the Nigerian Bottling Company — within three days or risk it being dismantled.

MEDIC’s Board of Trustees subsequently resolved to relocate all assets to a new site at Ibeju-Lekki.

On 31 March 2025, the organisation formally notified Box Mall in writing, requesting supervised access to retrieve its assets.

However, Ohibaba.com learned that the management of Sol Beach By Box, in a letter of acknowledgement dated April 4, 2025, was demanding for rental payments over alleged evacuation delays by MEDIC.

MEDIC, however countered , and said ” There were never agreed timelines for us to remove our assets from the Premises. You have however detained our assets for your personal and business use since you took over possession of the Premises and have refused us access and entry to the Premises to remove our assets.

Sol Beach management, however insisted: ” It is important to note that all previously agreed timelines for the removal of these assets have now expired, yet no action has been taken.

As a result, we must now implement a daily space rental charge of N150,000, effective April 14, 2025, for any assets that remain on-site beyond this date.

To prevent the removal or scrapping of these assets by Sol Beach, we strongly urge you to fulfill your commitment to their removal.”

Meanwhile, founded in 2011, MEDIC is recognised globally for its work in tree planting, recycling, and ocean conservation efforts.

Through its flagship project, The Kids Beach Garden, established in 2015, MEDIC has educated thousands of children, empowered women and youth through green jobs, and implemented tree adoption and coastal restoration programs supported by local and international partners.

The Kogi State Government, led by Governor Ahmed Ododo, has intensified its crackdown on banditry and other criminal activities in the state.

In a major operation, the combined security forces, led by the State Security Adviser, Cdr Jerry Omodara (rtd), demolished and set ablaze bandits’ camps and hideouts in Aherin-Bunu community, Kabba-Bunu Local Government Areas.

Speaking to journalists at the location on Thursday, Omodara said two wounded bandits and their fake doctors were apprehended in a settlement in Aherin-Bunu community, Kabba-Bunu LGA.

Omodara said acting on intelligence information, the security agencies, arrested two wounded bandits who were receiving treatment from local doctors in the settlements.

•State Security Adviser, Cdr Jerry Omodara (rtd).

The doctors, who were treating the bandits, were also apprehended.

According to Omodara, the bandits had sustained gunshot injuries in a previous encounter with security forces.

Following the arrest, Governor Ododo directed that the bandits’ camps and settlements be wiped out.

Acting on the governor’s directive, the combined security forces demolished the camps, including a makeshift clinic, and destroyed the bandits’ farmland and farm produce”.

Omodara emphasised that the security agencies have saturated the state, making it difficult for bandits to hide.

He warned that anyone caught perpetrating, abetting, or collaborating with criminals would be dealt with, regardless of their status or identity.

“We received intelligence that two bandits were receiving treatment in a settlement in Aherin-Bunu community in Kabba-Bunu LGA.

“We swiftly deployed security personnel and arrested the two wounded bandits.

The Governor directed that any house used for treating bandits should be demolished.

We’re arresting fake doctors treating them and warning that anyone perpetrating, abetting, or collaborating with criminals will be dealt with, regardless of their status.

“We will not accept that and we are not going to allow it,” Omodara said.

Omodara stressed that the operation is part of the Kogi State Government’s ongoing onslaught against banditry and other criminal activities, which is yielding unprecedented results.

“Gov. Ahmed Ododo reiterated his commitment to ensuring the safety and security of lives and property in the state,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the combined security forces, led by Omodara, demolished and torched the bandits’ camps, farmlands, and produce in the major crackdown operation on Thursday.

‎A medical panel appointed by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has concluded that Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), is medically fit to stand trial on terrorism-related charges.

The panel’s findings were submitted to the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday by the prosecution team led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Adegboyega Awomolo. Portions of the report were read in open court, revealing that the ailments Kanu had complained of were not life-threatening and did not impair his ability to participate in legal proceedings.

The medical panel was constituted by the court following conflicting health reports submitted by Kanu’s personal physician and the Department of State Services (DSS), where he is currently being held. Justice James Omotosho, who presided over the case, appointed the independent panel to objectively assess Kanu’s health and resolve the dispute.

Following the panel’s submission, Justice Omotosho ruled that the trial will proceed without further delay. He scheduled six consecutive days, beginning October 23, for Kanu to present and conclude his defence.

In a related development, the court granted a request by Kanu’s lead defence counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), for a private consultation with his client. The defence team had expressed concerns that their previous discussions were potentially monitored by the DSS, thereby infringing on attorney-client privilege.

Justice Omotosho ordered that the private meeting be held inside the courtroom on October 22, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., with only Kanu and his legal representatives present. The trial will resume the following day.

The court’s rulings mark a significant turn in the high-profile case, which has drawn widespread attention both within and outside Nigeria. Kanu faces multiple charges including terrorism, secession, and incitement, all of which he has denied.