Category: News

The Oyo State Amotekun Corps have arrested two notorious car thieves in Ibadan, who confessed to selling stolen Nissan Micra vehicles, for N70,000 each.

According to report, the suspects — Makinde Tunji and Ajibola Abayomi, were apprehended by the Amotekun Corps last Friday in the Olopometa neighborhood of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

While addressing newsmen, Mr. Kazeem Babalola Akinro, the Deputy Commandant of Amotekun Corps (Ibadan command), explained that the suspects were involved in stealing Micra cars from the city and driving them to their customers at Ijora in Lagos State.

The Deputy Commandant recounted how that the duo had successfully stolen five Nissan Micra automobiles and managed to sell three of them while abandoning the other two, which broke down, before they were finally caught.

“The suspects would be given to the state police command for additional investigation”, he added.

Abayomi, a 31-year-old driver, told newsmen that he was picked up by Amotekun Corps following the arrest of his partner, Tunji, for robbing a store and breaking into it.

He said: “The arrest of my friend (Tunji) led to mine. He was arrested for breaking into a shop. During his confession to Amotekun Corps, he told them of our stealing of Micra cars from where they are parked. That was how I was also arrested.”

Abayomi while describing their mode of operation disclosed that Tunji is always the mastermind behind each of their operation, in charge of logistics and has the contact of their customer who buys the stolen vehicles from them.

“Tunji is the one who has connection with our link in Lagos. He would search for a vehicle we would pick. After telling me, I would take him to the spot in my own Micra car. Sometimes, I would not go with him. He would go alone. All I would do is to give him money that he would need or battery for the car.

“He would take the Micra car to the buyer at Ijora in Lagos. He would then be given N10,000 as part payment, with a balance of N60,000 paid after.

“So, the amount we were selling the stolen car was N70,000. We used to share it equally”, he added.

He backed up Amotekun Corps’ Deputy Commandant’s account, claiming that he and his accomplice had begun the thefts in May and had taken five Nissan Micra vehicles, three of which had been delivered to Lagos State successfully, while the other two had been abandoned at a location along the road when they began to exhibit irreparable defects.

He pointed out that a used Micra would cost between N300,000 and N350,000 to sell for scrap, whilst a used Tokunbo would cost around N1.5 million.

According to Abayomi, Tunji had been with him since he was a child, and also taught him how to drive.

“At a time, he went to Lagos and was driving a bus. We saw again when he returned to Ibadan.

“Tunji started doing the ‘runs’ (stealing Micra cars) and I would be the one to take him there. I used to give him my car key because it can open others. He didn’t use master key.

“We stole all the vehicles from Olopometa, Moradeyo and Iwo Road areas, but the ones from Iwo Road were found by their owners where they were abandoned,” Abayomi confessed.

He further admitted that two of them used Indian hemp for smoking.

Abayomi lamented his fate, claiming that his wife is currently pregnant and that he was tempted to conduct crime out of avarice and covetousness.

Tunji, a resident of Ibadan’s Lalupon village, confirmed Ajibola’s account in his own confession, admitting that he was the one who directed Amotekun agents to his partner’s home for his arrest, after he made his own confession.

The Oyo State Government has said it will soon commence rehabilitation work of the roads leading to Iyamapo, a 2000 metres above sea level Hill in Igbeti.

The Oyo State Deputy Governor, Barr. Bayo Lawal gave the assurance on the occasion of the World Tourism Day, celebrated on September 27, at Igbeti, headquarters of Olorunsogo Local Government Area. He also assured that the Oyo State Government will invest in the tourism sector to attract local and international investors, who will in turn drive the State’s economic expansion drive.

Lawal also declared that the Governor Seyi Makinde led administration plans to harness the developmental benefits of the State’s mineral resources in Igbeti, to expand the economy.

The Deputy Governor said the present administration is determined to reposition the state’s tourism sector with its huge potential, to drive the economy of the State.

Barr. Lawal who hinted that resources in Oke-Ogun zone of the State are enough to sustain Oyo state’s economy, therefore called on investors to help boost the economic activities of the state, through investment in the tourism sector.

“The state government is open to collaboration with investors and relevant stakeholders in fine-tuning plans to harness our potentials”, Lawal said.

He explained that “harnessing the multi-million naira potentials in the state, will be extended to the 168 tourism sites in the State. We will drive world-class tourist sites and urban regeneration work to attract tourists, which will provide gainful means of employment for youth and women”.

Lawal added that this will open more rural areas, like Igbeti, to tourists as the plan includes rehabilitating the road which will take tourists to Iyamapo to see the beauty and access all the other landmarks in the town.

“Oyo State Government will rehabilitate the roads leading to Iyamapo hill, which is one of the tourism potentials in Igbeti. This is part of our commitment to tourism in the State”, he said.

“This will also encourage tourists to visit Agbele hill, Bata erugba and other places and by so doing, they contribute to the growth of the economy,” he said.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun said that tourism in the State would be harnessed by the Seyi Makinde led administration.

He called on investors to consolidate the efforts being made by the state government and other stakeholders in calling for growth and development of the tourism sector.

On this year’s theme “Thinking Tourism”, Olatubosun said Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration plans “to promote our heritage as well as other sites”.

Also speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. Abiodun Oni said Igbeti town, which is rich in both Natural and mineral resources, is begging Government and investors to bim their search light at the huge potentials therein.

He thanked the Governor Seyi Makinde led administration for setting the ball in motion, commending the Governor’s foresight.

The Special Adviser on Tourism, Hon. Akeem Ige said this year’s WTD was moved to Igbeti, so as to promote it and attract investors to the centre.

He said there are enormous potentials in Igbeti to invest in, adding that his office is likewise working on ways to invite investors to the State.

Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the ocassion, Prince Tunde Odunlade opined that tourism is a commercial organization of holidays, which is vital for the success of many economies in the world.

He corroborated the Deputy Governor’s opinion that Tourism could boost the State’s economy, calling on all stakeholders to play their roles.

Odunlade appealed to the Oyo State Government to provide desirable and enabling environment for tourism to grow in the State.

A Chieftain of Igbeti, Pa. Jacob Adetoro commended the present administration for uniting Igbeti indigenes, by bringing this year’s WTD to the ancient town. Pa Adetoro said all hands are on deck to promote the rich potentials in Igbeti, saying the indigenes will work with the State Government and all relevant stakeholders.

An highlight of the two-day event was celebration of Cultural night on September 26, 2022 at Igbeti town hall.

The event also witnessed hiking, games, music, and visit to other tourist sites in Igbeti.

The Divisional Police Officer, DPO, an Inspector, at the Oyo State’s Ibarapa North Local Government and detained suspect were reportedly in danger due to gunshot wounds received, according to a top senior police officer who made the revelation.

When asked about the incident, Adewale Osifeso, a Superintendent of Police and the State Police Public Relations officer, confirmed it and said.

It was later confirmed that the Police officer died having sustained gunshot injuries.

“The CP, or Commissioner of Police, enroute the location. We have arrived at Oke Ogun as of right now. I’ll get in touch with you when we get there.

Details later…

The Lagos State Government has achieved another major milestone in its determination to deliver the operation of the Red Line Rail System by the first quarter of 2023.

A statement by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, said the TALGO SERIES 8 Trains acquired for the Red Line have finally arrived in Lagos, saying “The 2 Nos. Ten and Eleven Car trains which were bought from Milwaukee are here”.

He explained that it was necessary to decouple the train into 21 individual cars for effective transportation to Lagos, adding that the trains will be recoupled with the help of rolling stock Engineers from Talgo, the company that manufactured the trains in the United State of America.

Omotoso said: “The Engineers will also take the opportunity to train our local Engineers whilst they are here to equip our young people with the requisite skills. Once the recoupling is complete, the testing and commissioning will commence followed by full passenger operations in the first quarter of 2023.

“Each train can carry 1500 passengers and is expected to run on the Red Line Rail from Agbado to Oyingbo, with the journey taking less than 30 minutes”, the Commissioner stated.

The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, on Tuesday said the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, represents what Nigerians desire at this present time.

Obi described Governor Akeredolu as a leader who speaks the truth at all times no matter the consequences.

The LP Presidential candidate spoke during a condolence visit to the Governor at the Presidential Lodge, Government House, Alagbaka, Akure.

Also on ground to receive him were the wife of the Governor, Chief Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu; the Deputy Governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa; the Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu; the Chief of Staff, Chief Olugbenga Ale; Director General of the Project Performance and Implementation Monitoring Unit and grandson of the deceased, Mr Babajide Akeredolu among others.

Obi, who said things are going wrong in the country because people choose to keep quiet, commended the Governor for speaking up for the people.

He charged Governor Akeredolu to continue to take every necessary step to protect his people, adding that the Governor is doing the right thing.

Obi said: “I urge you to continue in that direction. You represent one of those things Nigerians desire, ability to speak the truth no matter the consequences.

“What is lacking in Nigeria is that we choose to keep quiet when things are going wrong. You have a man here who always speaks when things are going wrong, and I urge you to continue.”

He supported Governor Akeredolu on his move to arm the Amotekun Corps, saying the Governor must continue to do his best to defend his people.

“Arm those special security poeple. Take every step to protect your people. It is important and it is your duty. I’m happy that you are speaking out always when necessary. May God Almighty continue to be with you and bless all of you.” He added.

Obi condoled the Governor on the demise of his mother, Lady Evangelist Grace Akeredolu, JP, praying God to grant her eternal rest.

The LP presidential standard bearer equally used the occasion to commiserate with the Governor over the sad incident at St Francis Catholic Church, Owo, where 41 people were killed and several other injured.

In his response, Governor Akeredolu appreciated Obi and his entourage for finding time to visit him.

Akeredolu, who said what happened on June 5 at St Francis Catholic Church, Owo, was horrendous, also described the sad incident as unexpected and uncommon, especially in the Southern part of the country.

On the death of his mother, the Governor said she would surely be missed even though she left at the ripe age of 90 years.

He expressed joy that all of her late mother’s children survived her, saying she would be given a glorious and befitting burial.

Richard Olatunde
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State.
September 27, 2022.

An Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan has convicted and sentenced sixty-six, 66, internet fraudsters to various jail terms, ranging from two weeks, four months, and six months of community service to ten months imprisonment.

The convicts were prosecuted by the Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and arraigned before Justices Olusola Adetujoye, Bayo Taiwo and Ladiran Akintola on separate one- count charge, bordering on cyber crimes, between Monday, September 5, 2022 and Wednesday, September 21, 2022.

The convicts are: Lawal Ismaila Adebola, Dazumi Azeez Jayeola, Morakinyo Abiodun Michael, Kehinde Samuel Olatunbosun, Yusuf Olawale Raji, Abass Akintayo Waliu, Kolawole Blessing Oluwafemi, Ajibade Habib Olakunle, Adedun Olajide Temidire, Dapo Ajayi Temitope Faith, Lamidi Olumide Samuel, Patrick Simon Olaide, Opeyemi Nurudeen, Obaloluwa Enoch Bolaji, Oladimeji Olamide Abdulrahan, Damilola Mubarak Muritala, Adedayo Wahab Abdullahi, Olotu Oluwadamilola Ayomikun, Aderibigbe Ibrahim Olamilekan, Sekoni Oluwatimilehin James, Dazumi Abdulrazak, Salami Ayo Wisdom and Ifeoluwa Joseph Olabiyi.

Others are Mubarak Salaudeen Opeyemi, Toriola Samuel Oluwadamilola, Abisoye Israel Olamilekan, Adebayo Babatunde Teslim, Onipede Damilola, Oladotun Tijani Kunle, Adeshina Opeyemi Akanni, Eniola Johnson Olorunsola, Adebowale Samuel Amusan, Ayinde Babalola Quadri, Obioma Honour Nmaduabuchi, Afolabi Pelumi Tomiwa, Salau Opeyemi Saheed, Adekunle Hammed, Abioye Oluwatobiloba Alex, Ajadi Hezekiah Oluwatobi, Kayode Donald Adubu, Olamilekan Gabriel Ebedi, Adediran Qudus Wale, Adams Ojo Segun, Ogundayo Usman Oladayo, Olamide Yusuf Ishola, Kolawole Fuad Abiodun, Adekoya Tobiloba, Giwa Babatunde David, Abdulfatahi Dolapo Oderinde and Akinwale Israel Bunmi.

The rest of the convicts are: Alex Okhiria Chibueze, Gabriel Ikyeleve, Paul Uche Obinna, Udeh Emeka Moses, Alase Ayodele Philip, Afeez Sode Gbolahan, Abayomi Babatunde Adejuyigbe, Haruna Adedoyin Kayode, Adejuyigbe Oluwatobiloba Joshua, Gbadamosi Samson Iyanu, Olatunbosun Mojeeb Olanrewaju, Oduwaye Oluwale Kelvin, Adesokan Afeez Afolabi, Emmanuel Oluwatobi Ajala, Olamilekan Michael Ayegbusi and Adurota Emmanuel Oluwatosin.

They all pleaded “guilty” to the charges when they were read o them individually.

Consequently, prosecution counsels, Oyelakin Oyediran, Chidebere Okoli, Oluwatoyin Owodunni, Modupe Akunkoye, Mohammed Galadanchi, Mabas Mabur, Abdulrasheed Suleman and Samsudeen Bashir , prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.

The courts convicted and sentenced the defendants to various jail terms, some two weeks, others four months, six months of community service, and some to ten months imprisonment. The courts also ordered that they restitute their various victims and forfeit all items recovered from them to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

All the convicts began their journey to the Correctional Centre when they were arrested by operatives of the Ibadan Zonal Command of the EFCC, for diverse internet-related offences. They were subsequently prosecuted and convicted.

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Lagos State, Joe Igbokwe, has lamented that the All Progressives Congress, APC reward system is poor.

Igbokwe’s statement is coming at a time when the APC released its Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) for the 2023 general elections.

The council list, which comprises about 400 members, was released on Friday by the PCC Secretary, James Faleke, a federal lawmaker.

The likes of Femi Fani Kayode, who defected to the APC last year and Senator representing Enugu East Senatorial District, Chimaroke Nnamani, who was a member of the PDP made the list.

Reacting, Igbokwe in a post on his Facebook page said, ”All things considered APC Nigeria poor reward system in Nigeria worries me to the marrows.

”The party rewards idle people, hangers-on, layabouts, interlopers, cowards, onlookers etc.”

Meanwhile, the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Felix Morka, said Nnamani was listed as a member of the party’s Presidential Campaign Council because Tinubu enjoys support beyond the APC and it is not unusual for the “cross-party alignment”

The socio-political group in Yorubaland, Afenifere has revealed reason why it is supporting the presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi as against candidature of APC Presidential candidate who is also from Yorubaland, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

Afenifere disclosed this in a press conference held yesterday in Lagos by the leader of the group, Chief Ayo Adebanjo as read in part:

“Before the political parties conducted their primaries, a journalist asked what is my view about the 2023 general election? I answered and said the country should be restructured before the general election, and he followed up by asking if there should be an election, which zone should the Presidency come from? And I unhesitatingly said, of course, the South East.
After the primaries and the candidates emerge with Asiwaju Bola Tinubu from the South West, APC, Atiku Abubakar on the platform of PDP and Peter Obi on the platform of Labour Party and I announced Afenifere’s support for Peter Obi, not a few Yoruba leaders question why I should be supporting Peter Obi a candidate of Igbo extraction against Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, a Yoruba.
I took my time to explain that the presidency is not a contest between the Yorubas and the Igbos and to a large extent I was able to convince many.
But ever since social media has been filled with comments tending to ethnicize the campaign instead of making it issue-based.
Afenifere has therefore decided to address you today and through you educate the public on the ideological and equitable principles which have influenced our decision.

“Let me state here for the benefit of those who may not know that Afenifere is the Yoruba interpretation of the social welfarist ideology of Action Group, a political party founded by Chief Obafemi Awolowo and his colleagues in 1951 with strong advocacy for federalism as the best form of government to give the federating units the requisite autonomy to thrive and peacefully compete among themselves for the ultimate development of Nigeria.
The system was eventually agreed to by our founding fathers, Sir Ahmad Bello, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, and Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and endorsed by the Colonial Secretary, Sir Oliver Littleton in 1954 and embodied in the 1960 independence constitution.
This is the modest contribution of Afenifere in shaping Nigeria into a federation where no person or ethnic nationality is oppressed.

“In the countdown to the 2023 General elections, long before the parties conducted their Conventions to elect their National Executives and candidates, we had insisted and still advocate restructuring before the elections proposing a synthesis of the identical Resolutions of the 2014 National Conference and the APC El Rufai 2018 True Federalism Committee. We did this as Afenifere and on the wider spectrum of the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF). We did this, when politicians, in spite of the monumental crises confronting the nation, carried on as if the attainment of power was all that mattered, the SMBLF unanimously proposed that the minimum condition for a peaceful transition from the disastrous 8years of Buhari’s government headed by a President of northern extraction was to have the next President from the South.
This position was also supported by all the southern governors, irrespective of their political parties at a meeting held in Asaba, Delta State.

“Incidentally, this North/South consideration which is at the very root of our amalgamated federation is also the most important testament of all political parties in Nigeria. The principle of federal character enshrined in the constitution dictates that the government of the federation or any part thereof shall not be concentrated in any ethnic group or a combination of such groups.
It is therefore preposterous to adopt this principle for employment in public service admissions in educational institutions, political appointment, the composition of the executive committee of a political party only to jettison it in the most important question of rulership of the federation.
In this quest for peace, based on equity and inclusiveness, the Yoruba took the first turn at the zoning arrangement in 1999, and that led to the emergence of Chief Obasanjo, the current Vice President is a Yoruba man and equity forbids us for presuming to support another Yoruba person for the presidency in 2023. The current President is a Fulani from the Northwest and by virtue of the zoning arrangement that has governed Nigeria since 1999, power is supposed to return to the south imminently. The southwest as I have pointed out has produced a president and currently sits as VP, the South-South has spent a total of 6years in the Presidency, but the Igbo people of the South-East have never tasted presidency in Nigeria, and now that the power is due back in the South equity demands that it be ceded to the Igbo.
We cannot continue to demand that the Igbo people remain in Nigeria, while we at the same time continue to brutally marginalize and exclude them from the power dynamic.
Peter Obi is the person of Igbo extraction that Afenifere has decided to support and to back, he is the man we trust to restructure the country back to federalism on the assumption of office.
We will not compromise this principle of justice, equity and inclusiveness because one of our own Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a frontline candidate.
It is on this same principle, we condemn the PDP for sponsoring Atiku Abubakar, a Northern Fulani Muslim to succeed General Muhammadu Buhari another Fulani Muslim who will soon complete 8 years of uneventful and disastrous rule. One can imagine such a high degree of political insensitivity.

“On our part, we are certainly not alien to sacrificing personal interests in the quest for a National coalition to put Nigeria on the proper pedestal.
In this regard, the starting point is Southern solidarity for which we first enacted a handshake across the Niger, which had dovetailed to the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum. We enjoin the labour movement, students, youth organisations, women associations, and every institution whose foundation is built on fairness and justice to join hands in this task of enthroning a democratic government by supporting Mr. Peter Obi. If we are sincere and honest about keeping Nigeria together in peace, the slogan henceforth should be
‘To keep Nigeria one, everyone should be Obi/Datti compliant.’
In the final analysis, let it be said that we have no apologies but due courage of our conviction that Nigeria can only prosper in righteousness.

“For me, in the twilight of my sojourn on earth at 94, it is too late to derail me on the track of true federalism and National inclusiveness on which I have travelled for over 70 years of my life as one of the few surviving initial prophets, I prefer to ascend on a chariot of fire, fueled by justice and equity.
Thank you all
And may the good Lord bless Nigeria”.

ODUDUWA NEWS has gathered that no fewer than seven passengers were burnt to death in an accident that occured at Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos State.

According to a statement made available to newsmen by Lagos State Emergency Agency, LASEMA, the survivors have been transferred to nearest hospital for immediate treatment.

“Further investigation gathered at the scene revealed that the incident occurred due to the driver’s recklessness and overspeeding, which resulted in the fire with 12 passengers trapped.

“Fortunately, the driver escaped with some burns, 3 female adults were rescued and rushed to Gbagada General Hospital while a male adult was attended to by LASAMBUS at the scene,” the statement partly read.

The agency said the remains of the seven burnt passengers have been bagged and evacuated from the scene while the carcass of the razed bus has been removed from the road for resumption of vehicular activities at the mouth of the bridge which spans over 11.8km.

The Third Mainland Bridge is reputed to be the busiest in Nigeria, alongside the Carter Bridge and Eko Bridge, connect the Island area of Lagos to the mainland.

The Federal Government through the National Universities Commission has ordered vice-chancellors to re-open schools and allow students resume lectures.

This was made known in a letter signed by the Director, Finance and Accounts of the NUC, Sam Onazi, on behalf of the Executive Secretary of the commission, Professor Abubakar Rasheed.

The letter which was made exclusively available to newsmen on Monday was addressed to all vice-chancellors; Pro-Chancellors and chairmen of governing councils of federal universities.

“Ensure that ASUU members immediately resume/commence lectures; Restore the daily activities and routines of the various University campuses”, the letter partly reads.

Recall that the national industrial court of Nigeria on Wednesday ordered the Academic Staff Union of Universities to call off its ongoing nationwide strike.

ASUU had been on strike since February 14 to press home the demand for improved funding for universities, a review of salaries for lecturers, among other issues.

Several meetings between ASUU and the Federal Government have ended in a deadlock.

Consequently, the Federal Government went to court to challenge the strike.

The government through its counsel, James Igwe, prayed the court for an interlocutory injunction restraining ASUU from taking further steps as regards the strike, pending the determination of the substantive suit.