The Lagos State Government has disbursed ₦40 million in financial support to the families and dependants of 20 officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) who died while carrying out their duties.

Each family received ₦2 million at a presentation ceremony held on Tuesday at the LASTMA headquarters in Oshodi, Lagos.

State officials said the payment was not compensation for loss of life but a symbolic show of appreciation for officers who died serving the public.

‘This is not compensation’

Speaking at the event, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, said no amount of money could replace human life.

“This support is not compensation,” he said.

“It is an extra gesture by the governor to show appreciation for men and women who worked in very dangerous conditions and paid the ultimate price.”

Mr Giwa described traffic enforcement as a high-risk job, noting that officers face daily threats from aggressive drivers and unsafe road conditions.

He added that existing laws already provide benefits for civil servants who die in service, making the ₦40m payment an additional intervention by the state.

“This is also to thank the families for giving us their fathers, mothers and children to serve Lagos,” he said.

Why it matters

LASTMA officers are often on the front line of road safety enforcement in Nigeria’s busiest city, managing traffic congestion, accidents and law enforcement risks.

For families left behind, the loss is both emotional and financial.

Public policy experts say such gestures can help rebuild trust between government institutions and public servants, especially in high-risk sectors.

Government reassures officers

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Olawale Musa, said the initiative reflects a people-centred approach to governance.

He said recognising sacrifice sends a strong message to serving officers.

“It assures those still in service that dedication and sacrifice will always be honoured and remembered,” he said.

LASTMA: ‘Their legacy lives on’

The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, praised Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s leadership, describing it as consistent and humane.

“These officers were patriots,” he said.

“Their discipline, courage and service will remain permanently written in the history of this agency.”

In a separate interview, Mr Bakare-Oki said LASTMA officers benefit from insurance coverage, medical support and special life insurance, describing the welfare package as among the best for paramilitary agencies in Nigeria.

He added that families of officers killed in the line of duty have previously received up to ₦10 million, alongside other benefits.

Safety, training and prevention

Mr Bakare-Oki said LASTMA has intensified training and retraining programmes over the past two years to reduce risks.

He said officers are taught how to approach vehicles safely and professionally, with emphasis on protecting lives including their own.

Voices from the families

Adding an emotional note, Mrs Angela Coker, widow of LASTMA’s pioneer General Manager, spoke directly to widows and widowers at the event.

She said she became a widow over 22 years ago and raised her children alone for over two decades.

“Be strong for your children,” she said.

“Talk to them, guide them, pray for them. God takes care of children.”

She encouraged families to use the financial support for education and long-term welfare.

‘We are grateful’

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs Adeyemo Rotimi thanked Governor Sanwo-Olu for remembering their families.

She said the gesture reassured them that their loved ones’ sacrifices had not been forgotten.

What’s next

State officials say Lagos will continue to review welfare packages for traffic officers, including long-term benefits and safety measures, to reduce fatalities and support families.

Unity Bank has rolled out a major upgrade to its Unifi mobile app, promising faster payments, stronger security, and a smoother digital banking experience for customers across Nigeria.

Why it matters

As more Nigerians rely on mobile banking for daily transactions, banks are under pressure to deliver speed, security, and reliability.

Unity Bank says its latest Unifi update responds directly to customer feedback and growing demand for safer, real-time digital services.

What’s new

Nigeria’s retail lender, Unity Bank Plc, on Monday unveiled Unifi version 2.3, an enhanced version of its mobile banking platform aimed at deepening customer experience and strengthening its digital banking proposition.

The upgrade introduces improved security protocols, expanded quick-action features, better bill payment options, and an upgraded Nigeria Quick Response (NQR) feature for faster and more secure QR code transactions.

According to the bank, the rollout builds on sustained investment in digital and security infrastructure to protect customer data and support safe, real-time transactions across multiple channels.

What the bank is saying

Speaking on the upgrade, Adenike Abimbola, Divisional Head, Retail, SME, Digital Banking & Fintech Partnerships at Unity Bank, said the improvements were driven by ongoing customer feedback.

“Digital banking has become an integral part of everyday life, particularly for retail customers who expect speed, dependability, convenience, and security as standard,” she said.

“With the latest upgrade to Unifi, we are responding directly to these expectations by enhancing functionality, strengthening security, and simplifying key payment and transaction journeys.”

Ms Abimbola added that the goal is to enable customers to bank “seamlessly, confidently, and without friction, anytime and anywhere.”

She said the lender would continue improving its digital channels to align with changing customer needs and industry trends.

“As mobile banking increasingly defines how people interact with financial services, Unifi is central to our strategy of delivering intuitive, reliable, and inclusive digital solutions,” she added.

Bigger picture

Unifi was originally launched as part of Unity Bank’s strategy to grow its retail base, particularly among young and digitally savvy customers.

The platform has since become a core driver of customer acquisition and engagement, supporting the bank’s broader digital transformation and financial inclusion agenda.

What customers can expect

The Unifi mobile app allows users to carry out transfers, bill payments, airtime purchases, and QR-enabled transactions.

It is available for download on Android and iOS devices.

What’s next

Unity Bank says it will continue investing in technology partnerships and platform enhancements to expand adoption and improve overall customer experience.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has arrested 77,792 suspected drug offenders, secured 14,225 convictions and seized more than 14.8 million kilograms of illicit drugs in the last five years.

The agency’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd), said the figures show Nigeria is no longer a safe haven for drug trafficking networks.

He spoke in Abuja on Tuesday at the 11th Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (CCEO) Awards and Commendation Ceremony, where outstanding NDLEA officers and commands were honoured.

A tougher message to drug cartels

“When I first resumed in 2021, I promised to take the fight to the doorsteps of the merchants of death,” Marwa said.

“Today, the numbers speak for themselves. Through our collective resilience, we have sent a clear message that Nigeria is no longer a safe haven for illicit drug enterprise.”

According to him, 128 of those arrested were identified drug barons linked to major trafficking networks.

He added:

“We seized a total of 14,847,486.34 kilograms of assorted illicit drugs, thereby significantly disrupting both local and transnational supply chains.”

Why it matters

Drug trafficking has long been linked to rising insecurity, youth addiction and organised crime in Nigeria.

Experts say large-scale seizures and convictions can weaken criminal networks, but sustained pressure is needed to prevent them from regrouping.

A security analyst, speaking generally on drug enforcement trends, said consistent prosecutions help deter traffickers, especially when combined with prevention and rehabilitation programmes.

Convictions and rehabilitation efforts

Marwa said NDLEA also strengthened its criminal justice response by prosecuting offenders.

“In further strengthening the criminal justice response to drug offences, the Agency successfully prosecuted and secured convictions against 14,225 offenders, reinforcing deterrence and affirming that drug crime attracts consequences,” he said.

Beyond enforcement, the agency says it focused on reducing drug demand.

“Through structured treatment, counselling, and rehabilitation programmes, 32,442 drug users received professional intervention,” Marwa said.

He added that 13,735 War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation activities were carried out nationwide.

These programmes, he said, targeted schools, motor parks, workplaces, worship centres and communities.

Backing from government

Marwa credited the agency’s performance to support from the executive, legislature and judiciary.

He thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for extending the current NDLEA leadership’s mandate, describing it as a call to intensify the anti-drug campaign.

“These achievements are not accidental,” he said.

“They are the result of discipline, leadership, intelligence-led operations, and clear performance expectations.”

He added:

“Mr. President’s decision to extend our mandate is a call to more work. We assure him, and indeed all Nigerians, that the successes of the past five years are merely a foundation.”

What’s next for NDLEA

Addressing NDLEA officers, Marwa warned that future operations would be more sophisticated.

“The next phase of our operations demands even more grit and more tactical sophistication,” he said.

“We will not rest until every drug baron is behind bars, every trafficker is intercepted, every mule is caught, and every single gram of illicit drug is removed from our streets and communities.”

He cautioned against complacency, insisting the agency would maintain “sustained pressure” on traffickers.

Honouring officers and commands

At the ceremony, 166 NDLEA personnel and 17 commands received awards for courage, integrity and outstanding performance.

Marwa described the awards as part of an internal motivation system linked to bi-annual performance appraisals.

“The Commands Awards and Commendations is an internal reward mechanism that comes after our bi-annual appraisal,” he said.

“It acts as a booster to individual and collective commitment to the attainment of organisational goals.”

He added that motivation has played a key role in the agency’s resurgence over the past five years.

Partnerships and the road ahead

Marwa also acknowledged the role of international partners, sister agencies, civil society organisations and the media.

He called for deeper collaboration to protect Nigerian communities and future generations from drug abuse.