Image: Sowore amid officers of DSS and Kuje Prison officers

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday sentenced activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore to prison in Kuje Custodial Centre after dramatic scenes at the court.

Following this, the Department of State Services (DSS) distanced itself from the remand , insisting that Sowore’s remand resulted entirely from court proceedings and not from any action taken by the agency.

The DSS position was contained in a statement signed by the Deputy Director, Public Relations and Strategic Communications at the DSS National Headquarters, Favour Dozie.

The agency also disclosed that its director-general, Adeola Ajayi, had ordered an investigation into the conduct of operatives captured in videos from the Federal High Court in Abuja on June 22.

The DSS said that it had taken note of public concerns over scenes at the court showing Sowore in an altercation with an official of the Nigerian Correctional Service and what appeared to be a scuffle involving DSS operatives.

Although the agency noted that Sowore eventually chose to enter a DSS vehicle rather than one belonging to the Nigerian Correctional Service after the incident, it said an immediate investigation had been ordered into the alleged conduct of personnel involved.

“From the foregoing, it is clear that the issues which led to the revocation of his bail and his subsequent remand arose entirely from court processes, as the Service neither arrested him nor opposed his bail application,” the statement said.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to infrastructure-led development with the flag-off of two major road projects in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Represented by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, the President performed the ceremonies for the Southern Parkway Service Carriageways in Gaduwa District and Collector Road CO1 in the Institution and Research District of Abuja.

Speaking at the Southern Parkway event, President Tinubu described the project as a key component of the Renewed Hope Agenda and an important step toward improving transportation within Abuja’s southern corridor.

He noted that the service carriageways would complement the already completed Bola Ahmed Tinubu Way, helping to reduce traffic congestion, shorten travel times and lower transportation costs for residents and businesses.

The President stated that the project forms part of a broader infrastructure renewal programme that has delivered several strategic road networks across the FCT, including the N20 Corridor, N16 Interchange, and roads in Kuje, Gwagwalada and Mabushi.

He stressed that these investments are aimed at enhancing mobility and improving the quality of life for residents.

At the second ceremony, Tinubu described the construction of Collector Road CO1 as a strategic investment that will strengthen access to universities, research institutions, legal establishments and innovation hubs within the Institution and Research District.

He said the road would boost connectivity, support economic growth and advance Abuja’s vision as a centre for knowledge and innovation.

The President also commended the Minister of the FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike, for his leadership and delivery of infrastructure projects, noting that Abuja has become a major construction hub under his stewardship.

Tinubu urged residents to cooperate with contractors and traffic officials during construction, assuring them that temporary inconveniences would yield lasting benefits.

He further charged contractors to maintain quality standards, meet project timelines and create employment opportunities, while reaffirming his administration’s commitment to building a stronger, more prosperous and globally competitive Nigeria.

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Ridwan Disu, has expressed strong support for a complete nationwide ban on tinted vehicles, stating he would implement one immediately if the decision rested solely with him.

Speaking in Abuja while responding to concerns raised by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Afam Osigwe (SAN), the IGP highlighted the serious security risks posed by heavily tinted vehicles. He noted that such vehicles are frequently used by criminals, including kidnappers, armed robbers, and operators of the notorious “one-chance” scams.

“I have a different view about it entirely. We have a security situation in the country now. If I have my way, there would be no vehicle that would be tinted in the country. And we are moving towards it,” Disu said.

The IGP drew from his experience as Commissioner of Police in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where investigations into “one-chance” syndicates showed that most vehicles used in these crimes had fully tinted windows. Out of 27 vehicles recovered from such operations, a large proportion featured darkened windows, making it difficult for security operatives to identify occupants during stop-and-search exercises.

Disu criticised the trend of extremely dark tints on windscreens and rear windows, describing it as unacceptable and dangerous. He stressed that only individuals with genuine security or medical reasons should be allowed tinted glass — and even then, not to a level that completely obscures visibility.

The remarks come amid ongoing debates over the administration of tinted glass permits, which the NBA has opposed on grounds of commercialisation and repeated renewals. While the association supports police regulation of tinted vehicles for security reasons, it objects to turning the permit process into a revenue-generating venture outsourced to private firms.

The IGP assured that enforcement against illegally tinted vehicles would be intensified nationwide soon, adding, “We are not going to accept fully tinted vehicles in this country, and we are going to come out at a particular time to start enforcement of it.”

This development aligns with recent police actions in various commands, including the FCT, where enforcement against tinted vehicles — regardless of permits — has already begun in a bid to curb crime.