Wanted drug kingpin behind the 2000.6kg Cannabis Sativa seized in a concrete mixer truck in Adamawa State on 2nd December 2021, Henry Chukwuneku Okamaru (a.k.a. hiLawrence Ik Okamaru) has been arrested in Ondo state after five months of manhunt by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.
Two suspects: Matthew Donuwe and Friday Nmborgwu were arrested in connection to the consignment last December. They had confessed that the concrete mixer truck with Lagos registration number SMK 890 XB was loaded with the illicit drug in Ogbese, Ondo state while they travelled for two months on the road before arriving Adamawa where they were eventually arrested by NDLEA operatives.
Investigations reveal that Okamaru is one of the leaders of a cannabis cultivation cartel that operates in the Ondo-Ekiti axis, while he shuttles between Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Edo and Delta State from where he coordinates supplies of illicit consignments to Northern parts of the country and Lagos State. The drug lord has also been identified as a member of an international drug trafficking ring, while he shuttles between Nigeria and South Africa where he settles his family.
Meanwhile, a 36-year-old Nigerian based in Italy, Nwakanma Michael Uche has been arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, NAIA Abuja for ingesting pellets of heroin.
Nwakanma who hails from, Arodizuogu Village, Ideato Local Government Area of Imo State was nabbed while trying to board Air France Airline enroute Abuja-Paris-Milan, Italy on Sunday 15th May 2022. He was thereafter kept under observation during which he excreted 95 pellets of the illicit drug.
He claimed he came to see his parents in Nigeria after 12 years in Italy and to complete his fathers traditional marriage rites. He added that he was to be paid N1.5million after a successful delivery of the drugs in Milan.
The Lagos State Police Command has dismissed a panic-laced message making the rounds on social media purporting that motorcycle riders in the state have concluded plans to disrupt social and commercial activities in Lagos State from June 1, 2022 in protest of the ban on the use of motorcycles within six LGAs in Lagos State.
A statement released by SP Benjamin Hundeyin, spokesperson of the state police command, says the Commissioner of Police, CP Abiodun Alabi, assures all Lagosians that all necessary human, material and operational resources have been deployed across the state to forestall any breakdown of law and order.
”A carefully drafted security architecture, resulting from a detailed crime-mapping of the state has been emplaced across the length and breadth of the state. In addition, all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and tactical commanders have been placed on red alert towards any eventuality.
CP Alabi, therefore, enjoins all residents of Lagos State to go about their lawful businesses without fear of harassment or intimidation before, during and after the touted date for the purported civil disturbance, as officers and men of the Command are fully on top of the situation. ”the statement in part reads
The Lagos state government on May 18th placed a total ban on the operations of commercial motorcyclists aka Okada riders in six local government areas in the state.
The affected local government areas include Ikeja, Surulere, Eti-Osa, Lagos Mainland, Apapa, and Lagos Island.
The Governing Council, management, staff, and students of the prestigious Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic, Eruwa have rejoiced with the Executive Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency Engr. Seyi Makinde on his 3rd Anniversary as the number one citizen of Oyo State.
In a congratulatory message made available and jointly signed by the Governing Council and management of the Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic, Eruwa, the institution appreciated Governor Makinde’s unprecedented achievements in Oyo state and described him as a pragmatic leader and skillful politician.
The statement reads thus:
“With utmost sense of humility, sincerity, and undiluted joy in our hearts at Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic, Eruwa, we heartily congratulate His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde, the Executive Governor of Oyo State for the successful completion of three years in office and celebration of unprecedented achievements. It is visible to the blind and audible to the deaf that Gov. Makinde has performed excellently beyond imagination, making him a true projection and an epitome of a good leader.”
The statement reads further, “Governor Makinde has demostrated uncommon gesture to the well-being and progress of our dear institution, ranging from prompt payment of salary and outstanding arrears, approval of promotion exercise for qualified staff, financial and moral support for the accreditation of over 20 courses for both National Diploma and Higher National Diploma levels. It is obvious that your performance since the inception of your administration has been progressive. It is on this note that we wholeheartedly appreciate your selfless service, unwavering efforts and sterling leadership in changing the face of governance in Oyo State just within a short while. All of these are an indication that you are a charismatic leader.”
In the statement, the Governing Council Chairman, Prof. Ogundiran took a moment to personally appreciate Gov. Makinde for giving him the opportunity to serve in the capacity and commended his unfliching support for policies and decisions that are geared towards the progress of the institution without minding some disgruntled personalities.
“We also use this opportunity to congratulate Your Excellency on your emergence at the just concluded party primaries of PDP as the Gubernatorial flag bearer for 2023 general election. Your landslide victory is a testimony to your leadership acumen and outstanding performance so far. We wish you victory in the general election,” the statement reads further.
While rounding off the release, the Governing Council and management urged the Executive Governor of Oyo State to kindly look into other issues affecting the institution, such as staff shortage and lack of infrastructure. “It is obvious that Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic, Eruwa is the only institution in Oyo State with low staff strength and infrastructure for students. While we believe firmly in your administrative and leadership skills, we equally hope that our humble requests will be considered and graciously approved.”
“We pray for more solomonic wisdom, sound health, and strength to take Oyo State to a better position.”
“Kindly accept our best wishes and the assurance of our maximum support in all ramifications. Congratulations sir,” the statement concludes.
The 2023 governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Senator Teslim Folarin has debunked a news report of an assassination attempt by him on Hon. Shina Peller representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa federal constituency.
Shina Peller in a video clip alleged that the Oyo Central senator sent hired killers to assassinate him.
Folarin, in a statement he personally signed and made available to journalists in Ibadan on Sunday, said he is not an assassin and he does not operate a death squad, therefore he could not have sent hired killers after Shina Peller or anyone.
The statement read in part:
“It is highly condemnable for Hon. Shina Peller to publicly allege that I sent hired killers after him without stating a reason why I should want to do so”.
“I want to set the record straight that I do not have any anointed aspirant for the 2023 APC Oyo North senatorial district seat but I’ll respect the decisions of the majority party members (delegates) in the district”.
“Hon. Shina Peller’s very serious allegation against my person is unacceptable and must be verified by the security agencies”.
“It is saddening that Governor Seyi Makinde is using Shina Peller to attempt a smear campaign on me and destabilize Oyo APC ahead of the 2023 elections”.
“The cordial relationship between Governor Makinde of PDP and Shina Peller of APC is public knowledge. It is an open fact that Shina Peller has been publicly and privately hobnobbing with Governor Makinde since May 2019. This is an APC lawmaker that does not only talk down his political party but also recklessly attend PDP functions within and outside Oyo State”.
“Based on intelligence report at my disposal, Shina Peller’s senatorial aspiration on the platform of APC is just a smokescreen to destabilise Oyo APC and demarket me as the governorship candidate of our great party. He is acting a script written by PDP/Makinde”
“It is very unfair that Shina Peller is being used to malign me in order to score cheap political points. He is engaging in a campaign of calumny just because he wants to deputise Governor Makinde in the 2023 elections”.
“While I am urging the public to disregard the false allegation, I urge the law enforcement agencies to immediately investigate the serious allegation against my person with a view to letting the world know what transpired between him and the people he claimed to have personally arrested. Nigerians deserve to know the truth!”
“I have zero tolerance for libel and slander. Therefore, I have instructed my legal team to take up the defamation of my character by Hon. Shina Peller”.
The victim’s father, Akinola Amidu, claimed that the 12-year-old JSS2 student was flogged by a teacher at school for not completing his assignment on Thursday, May 12, 2022
Emmanuel Amidu, a junior student of Simple Faith Schools, Agbara, Lagos State, has lost his life after he was allegedly flogged by his teacher.
Amidu died at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Surulere.
The victim’s father, Akinola Amidu, claimed that the 12-year-old JSS2 student was flogged by a teacher at school for not completing his assignment on Thursday, May 12, 2022.
He said his son started vomiting shortly after the beating and was rushed to a hospital, where he gave up the ghost on Friday, May 13, 2022.
Waterfield Luxury Hotel, Akobo, Ibadan
The father alleged that the school management was covering up his son’s death and protecting the mathematics teacher, one Steven, who flogged Emmanuel and the rest of the class for failing to do their homework, Punch reports.
He said: “I was at home that Thursday because I was on leave. I recall that Emmanuel asked me for money to buy a new exercise book and I gave him N500 to buy the book and give the remaining change to his sister.
“Later that day, I was called by the management of the school that Emmanuel was vomiting. Meanwhile, this was a boy who left home without any health issue. I had to go to the school and we moved him to a hospital.
“I later learnt that the whole thing started after their class teacher, Mr Steven, beat the whole of his class for not completing their mathematics assignment.
“Emmanuel was actually using my phone torchlight to do his assignment a day before, but I had to collect the phone from him and his sister because I needed to be in contact with the office. We had issues with our electricity at home.
“It was at LUTH that I lost my son. Meanwhile, the management of the school quickly ran to the Morogbo Police Station at Agbara to report that my son died from vomiting.
“How can somebody just die from vomiting if nothing triggers it? The management of the school is trying to protect the teacher.”
Akinola, 45, demanded the arrest and prosecution of the teacher, as he urged the state government and the police to give the family justice.
Emmanuel’s 13-year-old sister, Rachael, told the publication that her brother vomited after he was beaten.
She said: “I was called by our English teacher that my brother was not feeling fine and he did not eat and had been sleeping.
“His friend told me that they were beaten for not doing their sums in mathematics and after that he was just sleeping and vomiting.”
The school Principal, Adetayo Akanji, told Punch: “I was there when Emmanuel died on Friday and it was unfortunate that it happened this way. Yes, Steven flogged the whole class for not doing their sums, but not with the intention to hurt them.
“Some hours after that, he (Emmanuel) placed his head on his desk and he started vomiting, after which water was poured on his head.
“When he started to vomit, the proprietor called me and we took the boy to the hospital. In fact, the father joined us when he was taken to LUTH where he and I were running around to get prescribed drugs for him. But before we came back, he had given up. Our school reported the matter at the Morogbo Police Station.”
Lady Fatima, an indigene of Adamawa State by birth and Anambra State by marriage, was gunned down by “unknown gunmen”, recently. Her four innocent children were also mowed down in this insensate act of terrorism, recklessly perpetrated without any justification whatsoever.
No reason has been given and none could have been proffered for this criminal act of brutality, extended even to toddlers. There should be no hiding place for the barbarians; so Governor Charles Soludo owes the nation the sacred duty to do all in his powers to fish out those who killed Lady Fatima and her children, in their prime. The concept of national unity will be a mirage if citizens do not feel safe in other locations different from their places of origin.
If the primitive and evil motive of this mindless act is to provoke rival ethnic war, I urge the people of Nigeria to resist this by continuously holding government accountable to the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities of guaranteeing the lives and security of the people.
My heartfelt condolences go to the family of Lady Fatima, the good people of Adamawa and Anambra States, believing that in no time, the perpetrators will be unveiled and made to face the wrath of the law, no matter their status or motive.
The leading 2023 governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Teslim Folarin has said that he was still very active in the race to secure the Governorship ticket of his party on Thursday, 26th May 2022.
The Oyo Central Senator made the statement while reacting to a news report that he had been instructed by an unnamed source to step-down his ambition to pave way for 2019 governorship candidate of the party, Oloye Bayo Adelabu.
In his words: “The news is a sponsored fake news aimed at misleading the people of Oyo State, teeming members of our great party (APC) and my teeming supporters across the length and breadth of our state”.
“The story is a sponsored fake news intended at misleading the people of Oyo State, tens of thousands of members of our great party (APC), and my tens of thousands of supporters across the length and breadth of our state,” he said.
Waterfield Luxury Hotel, Akobo, Ibadan.
“I want to disclaim that there was no instruction handed down to me by any person, group of persons or the highest hierarchy of our great party”.
“I am actively in the race and will undoubtedly get the majority votes of our party delegates on Thursday, 26th May 2022 to be become 2023 Oyo APC governorship flag-bearer”
“I have the backing of majority of critical stakeholders of our party in Oyo State. My official governorship declaration is a pointer to the fact that I am in the best position to win the 2023 Governorship ticket of our party on Thursday”.
“To this end, I enjoin members of our great party and supporters to disregard the fake news and entertain no fear. With God on our side, I’ll not only win the 2023 governorship ticket of our great party but also defeat the ruling PDP in the 2023 general elections”.
Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN, on Tuesday, flagged-off the planting of oil-palm on a 10,000 hectares of land in Ore, Odigbo local government area of the state.
The farm is owned by a private investor, J.B Farms Limited in line with the Red Gold Agenda of the Governor Akeredolu’s administration.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony held at the farm, Governor Akeredolu noted that the event marked a giant stride in his administration’s quest for a green and sustainable economy, job creation, industrial development and enhanced Internal Revenue Generation (IGR).
While reiterating his commitment to the promotion of Oil-Palm, Cocoa, Cashew, Rubber and Coffee, the Governor said he would not relent in his desire to make the state the number one producer in Cocoa and Oil-Palm .
He disclosed that the J.B. Farms when fully operational will provide several thousands of direct and indirect jobs for the teeming populace.
“It is noteworthy that our Red Gold Agenda has become a reality and not just that, we are also promoting indigenous investors. I am happy to disclose that as at today, our administration has given out 70,000ha of land out of a total of 100,000 ha earmarked for our tree crops programme.
“I have the conviction from the outset, that tree crops value-chain is one of the foremost areas where we have comparative advantage as a State.
“The J.B. Farms alone, when fully operational will provide several thousands of direct and indirect jobs for our teeming populace. At an average of four persons per hectare, we are looking at about 40,000 direct and indirect jobs.
“The global economy indicators have continually shown the undeniable strength of oil palm value-chain and its positive multiplier effects. This is a further confirmation that we have taken a very good decision with our Red Gold Agenda. History and posterity will definitely vindicate us.
“I rejoice with the people of Ondo State in general and Odigbo Local Government in particular. This local government has become a major economic hub, not only in Ondo State but in Nigeria as a whole. In this area, we have an array of investments, running into several billions of Naira. We have the Ondo-Linyil Industry Hub, the Oil and Gas by Prof. Akinlagbe, SSAPZ in partnership with AfDB, SUDIT Oil and Agro Chemicals, ACME, Bola Oil, to mention but a few. I am also aware that a lot of business ventures like Quarries, Oil and Gas etc are continuously springing up.
“The issue of deforestation for oil-palm plantation, most especially in Southeast Asia has been a subject of controversy. Climate Change and loss of bio-diversity and increasing number of endangered species are some of the points being raised.” Governor Akeredolu said.
The Governor, who congratulated the Chairman and CEO of J.B. Farms, Jibola Adebutu on the monumental achievement, described him as a hard working man, while charging him not to rest on his laurels.
Governor Akeredolu said:” I am aware of the increasing cost of sprouted nuts because of the depreciating value of the Naira. Arrangement is, therefore, in the pipeline to build a partnership between the Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa and an accomplished organisation in Asia to set up a Centre of Excellence in Oil-Palm Research and Seedlings Production. We are totally committed to the development of the entire value-chain.”
The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Agriculture and Agric Business, Pastor Akin Olotu and the former Chief Executive Officer of the Ondo State Development and Investment Promotion Agency (ONDIPA) Mr. Boye Oyewumi described the occasion as a giant stride in the administration of the Governor, noting that Governor Akeredolu is encouraging investment that will create economy prosperity for the state in the future.
The Chairman and CEO of J.B. Farms, Jibola Adebutu, thanked the Governor for creating an enabling environment for investment.
He explained that the oil-palm seedlings will be planted on two hectares of land each year for the next five years to fully utilize the 10,000 hectares.
The Deputy Governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa attended the event. The Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu led some members of the state executive council to the occasion.
Osinbajo is the Redeemed Christian Church of God’s pastor. In 2015, he was appointed Vice President and has served alongside President Muhammadu Buhari.
Aremu Afolayan, a Nollywood actor, has threatened to pull the teeth of anyone who labels Vice President Yemi Osinbajo a pastor.
Aremu Afolayan, on the other hand, believes that their control has left the country dead and with a terrible economy.
“I wish everyone could leave Nigeria,” he wrote, “let’s see who you terrible serpent will rule over.” Nigeria is a graveyard because the country’s economy is in bad shape.
Waterfield Luxury Hotel, Akobo, Ibadan
“Osinbajo I thought you were a Christian, that you knew God, that you fought for humanity?
“But you’re no longer recognizable to me.” I thought your time will bring peace and fortune to my people. If una call Yemi Pastor again I fit comot ya front teeth o. “Please stop going to church, it’s not worth it.”
The former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Barrister Hazeem Gbolarumi has vowed to defeat Gov Seyi Makinde in tommorow’s PDP gubernatorial primary election holding at Adamasingba Stadium.
Hazeem Gbolarumi who obtained expression of interest and nomination form to contest the PDP gubernatorial primary election against the incumbent governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde spoke this morning while answering questions on a radio programme achored by Isaac Brown on Fresh FM.
Gbolarumi averred that, he is seeking to get the Party’s ticket because the incumbent Governor has failed to address the problems of insecurity and unemployment ravaging the State.
“I will contest tommorrow’s PDP gubernatorial primary election and if I am defeated I will embrace defeat and if otherwise, I expect Makinde to congratulate me. My loyalists should not be scared to come out and exercise their franchise tommorrow, I am fully prepared and would ensure their safety”, said Gbolarumi.
Waterfield Luxury Hotel, Akobo, Ibadan
While giving his reasons why he has chosen to slug it out with Makinde, Gbolarumi claimed that Makinde has derailed from the core objectives of the party and that he sidelined some of them who would have rescued him from detailing.
He further stated that, himself and other party faithfuls have decided to take over the Party’s affairs in the State and redirect its affairs from total collapse.
