Category: News

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has charged politicians and members of the Civil Society Organisations, to uphold the legacy and struggle of the late Yinka Odumakin, former National Publicity Secretary of pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere.

Speaking at the lying-in-state, day of tributes and service of songs held on Thursday at Police College, Ikeja as parts of the funeral rites for the late human rights activist, Governor Sanwo-Olu urged ‘comrades of like minds’ not to abruptly end what Yinka Odumakin believed, stood and worked for during his life time.

The Governor also charged them to keep working hard for a Nigeria that will be land of justice, fairness and where equity would become the watchword and reflect true federalism.

He said: “Yinka was one-half of the most formidable couple that we have seen in our history and the other half is his beloved wife, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, who now sadly has to continue this struggle without her husband, fellow comrade and big friend that I know he is to her. My sister, you will continue to push on strongly in the trenches.

“We are passionate about what he believed in and what he stood for. He wanted the best for Nigeria. He wanted the best for his Yoruba nation but he was completely detribalised and he used his voice to advance the cause and the needs of the voiceless. Until the very end, he kept going.

“He kept speaking up, he kept working hard for a Nigeria that we all can be truly proud of. A

Nigeria that will be land of justice, a Nigeria that will be fair, a Nigeria where equity would become the watchword and a Nigeria that will truly reflect true modern federalism.

But the Almighty God who we cannot query did not allow Yinka to finish. As some people have said, he was a fighter who fell in his prime.

“At a time like this, we are all short of words but we will continue to hold on to the legacy and what he believed and lived for. All comrades of like minds should ensure that they don’t abruptly end what Yinka Odumakin stood for, what he believed in and what he had worked for. That is a charge for each and every one of us.”

Speaking at the event, Afenifere Leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, who shed tears uncontrollably while paying tributes to his organisation’s spokesman said ĺOdumakin is an irreplaceable material.

Adebanjo, who broke the barrier of culture to attend the funeral rites, urged human rights activists to continue in the spirit Yinka Odumakin, by being courageous and fearless if they truly love the deceased.

“I am not God, I am a human being. There is nothing impossible for God to do but as a human being, I will say it will be difficult to replace Yinka. Where can we find a young man of his age, not materialistic pursuing a cause he believes in selflessly, courageously, relentlessly and consistently? Yinka, God knows you are a blessing to Nigeria,” he said.

Speaking in tears, Adebanjo said: “It is not easy to talk about Yinka. Yinka is an irreplaceable material. Why should I be here? You can’t question him, leaving a man of 93 to take a man of 55-years. God, you are omnipotent, please replace him quickly for us.”

Also speaking, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila said he left the Green chamber where he was presiding to pay last respect to the late Odumakin, who he described as “a man of courage, integrity, true democrat and a man who stood for truth and nothing else”

The Speaker therefore charged Nigerians to make positive impact during their lifetime by rendering service to humanity so that they can be remembered after their demise.

The widow of the late Afenifere spokesman, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, who described her husband as “encyclopedia of positive activism” said the tributes by Nigerians will continue to embolden her to do more by continuing what her husband fought and stood for.

“One thing that will never make me break down are that his ideals will live forever; his legacy will remain. All that he has lived for remain. Yinka, you are not dead; you are alive, you will continue to live in our unconsciousness. And to live in the unconsciousness of the people, is to live forever. Yinka Odumakin, my comrade lives on,” she said.

The lying-in-state, day of tributes and service of songs was attended by Mr. Tayo Ayinde, the Chief of Staff to Governor Sanwo-Olu; former governors –Mr. Peter Obi (Anambra), Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo) and Senator Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), ex-Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Senator Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele; Pastor Ituah Ighadalo of Trinity House Church, Afenifere chieftains, politicians and human rights activists among others.

Oyo State Police Command on Thursday paraded four suspected kidnappers terrorising Ibarapa, Igboora and Eruwa areas of the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that 33 other suspects were also paraded for offences ranging from alleged sodomy to car snatching and pick pockecting.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Ngozi Onadeko, paraded the suspects on Thursday at the Command Headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan.

Onadeko said three of the kidnap suspects abducted their victim on April 7 around Ayete in Ibarapa area of the state and collected ransom before releasing him.

She said the victim, Yami Kereku, was able to identify one of the kidnappers, while working in the community and alerted the police.

The police boss said the arrested suspect led to the arrest of other kidnapping suspects.

She said the victim was macheted and shot, but failed to penetrate into the victim’s body.

Onadeko further said the other kidnapping suspect was arrested in Eruwa area of the state.

The Commissioner of Police said the other 30 suspects, who were arrested for alleged pick pockecting, were apprehended in a hotel where they lodged.

She said the suspects came from Lagos State, thinking Oyo State would be easier for them to operate.

Onadeko said Oyo State was not a hiding place for criminals and that the men and officers of the command are ever ready to ensure that the state was free of crime and criminality.

The funeral service of later Afenifere Spokesman, Yinka Odumakin kicked off yesterday in Lagos. Below are the pictures taken at the event.

ODUDUWA NEWS has just gathered that some yet to be identified number of travellers have just been kidnapped along Igboora-Eruwa road.

It was learnt that the travellers who were traveling from Abeokuta to Eruwa early hour on Thursday had their vehicle hijacked by the kidnappers along Igboora-Eruwa road, Ibarapa area of Oyo State.

Olayomi Koiki, a Media Aide to Chief Sunday Igboho also confirmed this news to us today via his official social media platform. In the short statement released by Koiki, he said though the hijacked vehicle has been recovered and towed to Eruwa Police Station but the victims are still with the kidnappers.

It was gathered also that one of the victim’s cousin confirmed that the kidnappers had reached out to his family demanding a ransom of N10m before his cousin could be released.

As at the time of filing this report, Oyo State Police Command has not made official statement on the incident.

The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit (Task Force) has impounded 81 commercial motorcycles, popularly known as Okada, for plying restricted routes and endangering the lives of other road users at Jakande Estate, Isolo area of the State.

The Chairman, Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit, CSP Shola Jejeloye, who led the operation, stated that the seizure was in line with the Lagos State Traffic Law, as well as the need to halt its flagrant abuse by the Okada riders.

He noted that Government is concerned about the recklessness of some motorcyclists on restricted routes and it, therefore, became necessary to clamp down on them, not only to protect the lives of other road users but theirs as well.

While maintaining that the State Government would not fold its arms and allow Okada riders to create chaos for other roads users on prohibited routes, the Taskforce Chairman stated that it is crucial for the Task Force to prevent an increase in the trend of crimes perpetrated by some of the commercial motorcyclists in the metropolis, particularly on prohibited routes.

Jejeloye restated the Agency’s commitment to continue the clampdown on recalcitrant motorcyclists plying restricted routes, adding that the move would help safeguard the security of lives and property in the State.

The Chairman, however, called for the co-operation of Lagosians by desisting from boarding commercial motorcycles in prohibited areas, emphasising that the State Traffic Law is in the larger interest of the society.

An Oyo State Amotekun Corps operative was killed on Tuesday, April 20, 2021 after an ambush by unknown assailants. Along with some other Amotekun operatives, the deceased was escorting farmers to their farm in Fiditi when they were ambushed by unknown gunmen.

Suleiman Quadri died at the scene while one of his fellow operatives, Amoo Yisau received gunshot wounds but luckily, is still alive and is currently receiving treatment at the General Hospital, Owode, Oyo.

Reports say the gunmen were about 11 and the reason for the ambush is still unknown. The commander of the Amotekun Corps, Col. Olayinka Olayanju (rtd) has since confirmed the incident and promised to share further updates when a proper investigation commences.

Quadri, 25, has since been buried according to Islamic rites.

The Obadu of Ilemeso Ekiti, Oba David Oyewumi, who was abducted in his place on Thursday, has regained freedom after spending five days in his kidnapper’s den.
A source, who said the monarch had been taken for medical attention, said, “Kabiyesi has been released. We are happy about this, but I do not know whether any ransom was paid or not.”

The monarch was abducted by six gunmen, while a family source on Monday said the abductors demanded N20m ransom.

The Commander of Amotekun Corps in Ekiti State, Brig Gen. Joe Komolafe, disclosed that the traditional ruler was rescued at Obbo Ile in Kwara State with the support of the vigilante members in Kwara State and Amotekun operatives.

The spokesman of the Ekiti State Police Command, Sunday Abutu, said, “The traditional ruler has been reunited with his family, though he is at present receiving treatment in hospital because of the trauma”

Meanwhile, the Ekiti State Amotekun Corps on Monday arrested 35-year-old Mohammed Bello, aka Yellow, alleged to be the mastermind of kidnapping in the Ilejemeje, Oye, Ikole areas of the state.

He noted that the suspect was arrested on his way from Ajase in Kwara State to Isan Ekiti in the Oye council area.

The Amotekun boss said, “He is the one giving information and directing kidnappers to their victims in the area.

“We have been looking for him since December 25 last year when he was fingered in the kidnap of a businessman, Happiness Ajayi, at Iludun Ekiti in the Ilejemeje council area on Christmas day.

“He was involved in the kidnap a fortnight ago of a petrol station manager at Isan Ekiti, as well that of the Obadu of Ilemeso Ekiti, Oba Oyewunmi on Thursday. He was arrested while returning to Isan Ekiti after the kidnap of the traditional ruler.”

The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has honoured a Police Officer, identified as ASP Sunday Erhabor for his professional conduct while being assaulted and provoked by an unruly motorist.

This was made known today via his official Twitter handle which reads in part:

“Today, I received ASP Sunday Erhabor who displayed maturity despite provocation and assault by unruly motorists who drove against traffic at Oniru last weekend.

“While we are quick to condemn the Police for bad behaviour, we also consider it important to celebrate this act.

“In the heat of provocation, ASP Erhabor displayed a high level of restraint. He is a worthy example and encouragement to other Police officers to show that they can be civil in the discharge of their duties.

“On behalf of the Government and the entire people of Lagos State, I want to commend ASP Erhabor for his patience, decorum and good example of a Police officer.

“I also want to implore other Police officers to see that indeed there are times when they may be provoked but they must know that restraint is an act of valour”.

ODUDUWA NEWS has gathered that the shoolgirls smoking shisha in viral video have been suspended by Lagos State Government.

The schoolgirls filmed smoking shisha while still in their school uniforms have been suspended and the Lagos State Government has ordered their rehabilitation.

They have been identified as students of Oreyo Senior Grammar School, Igbogbo, Ikorodu area of the state, according to Vanguard.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Tokunbo Wahab, said: “Appropriate steps are being taken to address the issue with the aim of preventing future occurrence in the state.

“The appropriate ministry is already intervening. You see why the role of parents is so critical. We can’t leave everything to government and school. This is heart wrenching.”

He added that the state government has ordered for their rehabilitation with immediate effect.