Category: News

No fewer than 10 young men have been reportedly killed in Sagamu area of Ogun State as suspected cultists went on rampage in the past few days.

Residents of Sagamu, who spoke with our correspondent anonymously, said they could no longer sleep with their two eyes closed.

On Monday night, it was gathered that there were heavy gunshots across the city, creating tension among residents, who feared being hit by stray bullets.

One person was reportedly shot dead on Monday during the clash between rival cult groups.

“One thing that surprised me most is that most of them are childhood friends, schoolmates, friends and brothers. But suddenly, in the name of cultism, they turned into enemies. Sagamu was a great town before cultism arrived. I remember we used to go from one carnival to another every Sagamu Day celebration and even during December time. Unfortunately, there is nothing like that again. May Almighty God put his fear into their hearts so as to have a rethink before it is too late. Say no to killings, say no to cultism. Let’s embrace. Let’s embrace love and peace,” a resident of Sagamu, Shittu Jamiu, said on Monday.

ODUDUWA NEWS reports that indigenes of the ancient city have taken to the social media to appeal to the Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remo, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, to rein in the restive youths and restore peace to Sagamu, going the traditional way.

Baffled by the cases of cult clashes in Sagamu, the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Lanre Bankole, had on Tuesday visited the area to assess the situation and bring the situation under control.

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Some of the suspected cultists have been arrested by the police, a source told our correspondent.

Contacted, the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, said he could not confirm the number of those killed in the lingering cult clashes.

However, he disclosed that the most wanted cultists in Sagamu have been arrested.

“I don’t know where people got such figure (of casualty) from. I don’t know about the figure of 10 people being killed; but as of this morning, we have in our custody now, the most wanted cultists in Sagamu.

“In fact, they are two and the two of them are currently in our custody,” Oyeyemi stated.

Gunmen attacked motorists on the Old Ila-Orangun/Ijabe Road in Osun State, injuring four passengers.

ODUDUWA NEWS learnt that the van transporting the passengers from Ila-Orangun to Ijabe community in Odo-Otin Local Government of Osun State was ambushed by gunmen who fired numerous shots at the occupants.

According to a security source, a passerby alerted Amotekun operators in the state, prompting a quick response to the assault.

“They attacked the four passengers early Sunday,” he added, “but Amotekun’s troops arrived on the spot and engaged the attackers.”

According to the source, one of the attackers was apprehended, but four people were injured.

Comrade Amitolu Shittu, the Field Commandant of Osun Amotekun, verified the incident yesterday.

Muslims in Iwo, Osun State, on Sunday, staged a peaceful protest against ritual killings in the community, calling on the government to ensure that anyone caught in the act was duly punished.

The protest commenced at the Iwo Central, as the protesters, bearing placards with inscriptions such as, ‘Ritualists are not among alfas’, ‘We reject ritual killings in Iwo and environs’, ‘Islam is against ritualists’, among others, moved round the community, denouncing the act.

The protesters, who gathered under the aegis of the Coalition of Islamic Scholars and Organisations, were led by the Ameer, Ansrul-Huda Islamic Organisation, Shafi’i Bello.

According to Bello, Islam harbours shedding of human blood.

He said, “This is our collective stand. If we see anyone who engages in killing humans, buying or selling human parts, they are not to be regarded as Muslims.

“This is because the law of Islam says we must not kill anyone without justice and except those Islam has said we should. God himself frowns at killers.”

Also speaking during the protest, the NASFAT Missioner in Iwoland, Sheikh Tajudeen Bilal, condemned ritual killings and declared that no serious Muslim would involve in such acts.

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He said suspected ritual killers caught in the past who claimed to be Quranic scholars were liars.

Lamenting the recurrence of ritual killings in the community, Bilal said, “This (ritual killing) has become rampant among the wolves in sheep’s clothing; those who are calling themselves alfas.

“They are not true Muslims because Al-Qur’an has made us know that every form of killing is a sin. It also made us to know that whoever kills a soul, it is as if he kills the whole world.””

Three persons involved in the killing of Olufunke Olakuri, daughter of Afenifere Leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, have been sentenced to death by hanging.

They were sentenced by an Ondo State High Court sitting in Akure.

Presiding Judge, Justice William Olamide, however, discharged and acquitted the fourth suspect, Auwàla Abubakar, who is the spokesman of Miyetti Allah.

Olufunke was shot dead in June, 2019 by gunmen in Ore, Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

She was buried few weeks after her gruesome murder.

Her alleged killers were later arrested and arraigned six months after her death.

The fatal attack that occurred at St Francis Catholic Church, Owo in Ondo State last Sunday would have been averted were there to be States’ Police or Amotekun Corps allowed to carry weapons.

Stating this on Thursday was Chief Ayo Adebanjo, acting Leader of Afenifere, when he led a delegation of the organisation to Ondo State to commiserate with the people over the unfortunate Owo carnage as disclosed by the organisation’s national publicity secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi.

In the entourage were the Deputy Leader of Afenifere, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, former Secretary to the Federal Government, Oba Olu Falae, former Ogun State Deputy Governor, Senator Gbenga Kaka, Secretary General of the group, Chief Sola Ebiseni, the Ondo chapter secretary, Chief Korede Duyile and Otunba Tunji Alapinni, retired Inspector General of Police.

According to Pa Adebanjo, were Ondo State Government in total control of the state’s security, the terrorists’ planned attack would have been detected before the dastardly act was carried out.

He therefore used the opportunity to reiterate the calls for immediate establishment of State Police. He added that the States Security Network, Amotekun, should, in the meantime, be allowed to carry weapons so that the people of Western Nigeria can better be protected.

While commiserating with Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye II, the Afenifere leader urged the monarch to brace up for the protection of his people because “the Owo attack was a declaration of war on Yorubaland. They wanted to lure us out and use it as an excuse to unleash terror on our land.” Ajayi quoted Adebanjo as quickly adding that they will fail woefully. Just as he urged Olowo to enlist the support of his fellow Obas in confronting the warlike situation.

Afenifere delegation was also at the church where Pa Adebanjo totally condemned the attack. A sum of one point five million naira was donated to the church and victims of the attack.

Responding, Reverend Father Vincent Anadi expressed appreciation for the visit and for the financial support. From the church, scene of the incident, the delegation moved to the Governor’s Office in Akure where it was received by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.

Pa Adebanjo expressed regret that he was in the Governor’s Office for another commiseration. The last time he was there was in 2019 to condole over the assassination of Olufunnke, daughter of Afenifere Leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti.

As he did while in the palace of Olowo of Owo, Adebanjo urged Governor Akeredolu to, along with his fellow Governors in the South West, declare three days mourning in honour of the victims of Owo massacre.

He commended the governor for performing well especially in the area of providing security “which was why they went into your home town to carry out the attack.”

He exhorted the governor, along with his fellow Governors, to come up with strategies to tackle the warlike situation that we are presently in in Yorubaland.

Adebanjo, who again, called for a new Constitution, said that the document made Nigerian President the most powerful in the world. He insisted on Restructuring based on a new Constitution.

The team was joined in the Governor’s Office by former Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel.

While responding, Governor Akeredolu thanked Pa Adebanjo and his team. He praised the old man for his tenacity even at a ripe old age.

The governor said that what happened at Owo on Sunday does not happen in a war situation as soldiers “would normally face themselves in a war situation”. He added that as at the last count the number of people who lost their lives to the incident has risen to 40 while several are still on hospital beds receiving treatment.

On the issues raised by Afenifere leader, the governor gave the assurance that he and his colleagues will work on some of them.

He urged Afenifere to engage the All Progressives Congress Presidential Candidate, Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu. This is to ensure that the issues raised are factored in when a new government comes on board next year.

Others in the delegation were Mogaji Gboyega Adejumo, Chief Tokunbo Ajasin, Mrs Nike Olujembola, Otunba Femi Arowosola, Mr. Elias Matimini, Prince Adebanjo Edema, Chief Bayo Fajemilua, Barrister Dele Farotimi, Mr. Amusa Adebisi, Dr F. Agboola, Mr. Saheed Adewole and Mr Wasiu Jimoh Ayanwale.

The human rights lawyer, Ebun Adegboruwa SAN has condemned the Owo Church attack and said the tragedy is ungodly.

This was contained in a statement released and made available today via his official Twitter account as read in part:

“Today, the people of Ondo State and Nigeria woke up to the sad news of the massacre of worshippers in Owo, Ondo State, right inside the church.

“It is ungodly to take any life, whatever the motive may be. Whether in the mosque or church, innocent worshippers should not be killed in the course of the practice of their faith.

“Although no one has claimed responsibility for this dastardly act, the security agencies bear a duty to unravel the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

My appeal is to all those who have grievances to adopt the rule of law to ventilate them. The bloodshed in the land is too much and no reason can be advanced for this desperate act of wickedness.

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“Owo being the hometown of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, I pray that this datardly act has nothing to do with his principled stand on national issues such as restructuring, resource control, power rotation, restriction on open grazing and state police.

“The Governor has been at the forefront of the implementation of the regional security outfit, Amotekun, which has been hugely successful in crime reduction. I urge him not to relent in any of these noble pursuits, if that is the genuine desire of the people that he represents.

My heartfelt condolences go to the families of the innocent souls that were brutally terminated, the Catholic Church and the people and government of Ondo State.

I hope in no time, the perpetrators will all be fished out and dealt with according to law”.

Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN, is deeply saddened by the unprovoked attack and killing of innocent people of Owo, worshiping at the St Francis Catholic Church, Owa-luwa Street, on Sunday.

The vile and satanic attack is a calculated assault on the peace-loving people of Owo Kingdom who have enjoyed relative peace over the years.

“It is a black Sunday in Owo. Our hearts are heavy. Our peace and tranquility have been attacked by the enemies of the people. This is a personal loss, an attack on our dear state.

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“I have spoken to the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ondo, Most Reverend Jude Arogundade, who is presently on his way to Owo. Similarly, I have had to cut short my party’s national assignment in Abuja and visit Owo immediately.

“This is an unexpected development. I am shocked to say the least. Nevertheless, We shall commit every available resource to hunt down these assailants and make them pay. We shall never bow to the machinations of heartless elements in our resolves to rid our state of criminals.

“I commiserate with my people in Owo, particularly families of the those who lost their lives to this ugly and unfortunate attack. I extend my condolences to Olowo of Owo, Oba Gbadegesin Ogunoye as well as the Catholic Church.

“I urge our people to remain calm and vigilant. Do not take laws into your hands. I have spoken to the heads of the security agencies. I have equally been assured that security operatives would be deployed to monitor and restore normalcy to Owo kingdom.” Akeredolu said.

Officers of Ijora Badia Division of the Lagos State Police Command, have arrested one Mustapha Mohammed ‘m’ aged 37 and Abdullahi Buba ’m’ aged 20 while escaping with their loot after robbing some Lagosians.

The suspects were arrested at about 0215hrs on Thursday, June 2, 2022 following credible information received by the police about an ongoing robbery on Apongbon Bridge Ebute-Ero. A third suspect, bearing arms shot his way into escaping.

Items recovered from the suspects include 1 Bajaj motorcycle, 1 new LG plasma TV, 66 various items ordered online from Jumia, 1 HP Laptop, 1 bag of Honeywell flour and 1 iron cutter.

The suspects, who confessed to have robbed at the same spot several times, are currently assisting the police in an ongoing investigation to arrest other fleeing members of the gang. Suspects will be arraigned in court at the conclusion of investigations.

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The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Abiodun Alabi, fdc, once again assures Lagosians that the command would continue to do everything operationally possible to ensure that crime and criminality has no place in Lagos State.