Gunmen have yet again struck in Ondo, this time kidnapping four farmers in Ifon, Ose Local Government Area.
The victims, among them a woman, were seized by the armed hoodlums at Elegbeka, a village in the local community.
The kidnap comes a week after terrorists attacked the St Francis Catholic Church in nearby Owo, killing over 40 worshippers and injuring dozen of the parishioners.
ODUDUWA NEWS confirmed the source from People Gazette, it was learnt that the farmers were returning home to the Akoko area, a few hours’ journeys from their farm when the bandits waylaid and kidnapped them.
One of the sources who pleaded anonymity due to the delicate nature of the matter said the abductors are demanding a ransom of N4 million from them to free the victims.
“Four of them have their farms here in Ifon, and they normally return to their home in Akoko, particularly at the weekend,” the source said.
As the search for the running mate to the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) , Alhaji Abubakar Atiku, continues, the Caucus of the Progressives in the House of Representatives is to meet in Abuja today to endorse the candidature of the River State Governor, Nyesom Wike for the position.
The special committee set up by the PDP will unveil its report Tuesday
This was contained in a statement made available to news men in Abuja yesterday by the leader of the group, Hon Busayo Oluwole Oke, the member representing, Obokun/ Oriade Federal Constituency of Osun state under the platform of the PDP.
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According to Hon Oke, who is also the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts, the endearment is coming ahead of the deadline given to a high powered committee already put in place by the leadership of the party on the selection of a suitable candidate for the position.
He explained that the membership of the caucus comprising committed party faithful across the six geo-political zones of the country in the Green Chamber resolved to endorse Governor Wike after in depth consideration of his immense contributions to the growth of the party over the years and his capability of leading the party to total victory at the polls.
“We, the progressives at the green chamber of the National Assembly under the umbrella of our great party, (PDP) are meeting on Monday(today) in Abuja to endorse the candidature of the River State Governor, His Excellency, Nyesom Wike as the vice presidential candidate of our party.
“We have been watching with keen interest all his activities over the years and we have also assessed his ability and capability in all the spheres of life, and we have seen in him , all what the party needs to win the Presidential poll come 2023 with our presidential candidate, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku, leading, we have total confidence in the duo. Gov Wike’s achievements as Governor of River state is of public knowledge and towers above others in the land.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba has directed the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), who is the supervisory DIG for the South-West, DIG Johnson Kokumo to coordinate security for Ekiti governorship elections slated for next Saturday.
The IGP also ordered the mobilisation and deployment of adequate police personnel, Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs), technical capabilities of the Police Air wing, the Force Marine, Mounted Troops, K-9 Section, and other operational assets for the election.
This, according to the police, includes the deployment of selected seasoned Strategic Commanders from the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police and above for effective supervision of security personnel and operations in the Election.
A statement on Sunday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi reads: “DIG Kokumo is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Operation Order evolved from the Election Security Threat Assessment, to ensure a peaceful and conducive environment devoid of violence and to guarantee law abiding citizens of secured freely perform their civic responsibilities without molestation or intimidation.
“DIG Kokumo will be assisted by four (4) Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs), three (3) Commissioners of Police (CPs), five (5) Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) and eighteen (18) Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs). The Senior Officers are to coordinate human and other operational deployments in the three (3) Senatorial Districts, sixteen (16) Local Government Areas and the 2445 polling units in Ekiti State”.
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The IGP noted that the force has carried out the necessary operational deployments as part of actions aimed at creating a conducive and enabling environment that will guarantee the peaceful and proper conduct of the election in Ekiti State.
He further noted that the personnel, comprising conventional police officers, Police Mobile Force (PMF), Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Special Forces personnel, Explosives Ordinance Unit (EOD), Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB), INTERPOL, Special Protection Unit (SPU), Force Public Relations Department (FPRD), as well as Police Medical Teams, will be on ground to guarantee free, fair, credible and acceptable election.
IGP said five (5) Armored Personnel Carriers for patrol as well as four (4) helicopters and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for aerial surveillance amongst other unique operational capabilities will also be deployed.
He reassured the nation and the international community that the Force is adequately prepared for the Gubernatorial Election in Ekiti State.
Baba reiterated that the force will do everything within its powers to work with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and all stakeholders to protect democratic values, provide level playing field for all political actors, ensure adequate protection of voters, INEC officials, equipment, accredited observers, both domestic and international, and other key players in Ekiti State.
Traditional rulers and indigenes of the Oke-Ogun geo-political zone in Oyo State have declared that it is now the turn of the zone to produce the state governor and Oyo North Senatorial District Senator.
They made this disclosure on Saturday while speaking during the Oke-Ogun Democracy Celebration 2022 themed “Effective Democratic Participation: Whither Oke-Ogun” which was held at Ago-Are City Town Hall and organised by Oke Ogun Assembly.
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Our correspondent reports that the event was attended by a member of the House of Representatives representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Iwajowa/Itesiwaju Federal Constituency, Hon. Shina Abiola Peller; Aare of Ofiki land, Oba Adeoye Oyetunji; Aare of Ago Are, Oba Michael Oyetunji Kofoworola’ Onjo of Okeho, Oba Rafiu Mustapha; Oniro of Otu, Oba Sunday Oyetunde Adepoju; former Chairman of Itesiwaju Local Government Area, Dr. Supo Olayode and other illustrious sons and daughters of the zone.
It was gathered that Oke Ogun zone which has ten local government areas out of the 33 local government areas in Oyo State, has not produced a governor since the inception of the present democratic dispensation in 1999.
It was gathered that four out of the five people who have ruled the state as governor are from Ibadan, while the fifth person is from Ogbomoso. Those who have ruled the state are Alhaji Lamidi Adesina, Ibadan (1999-2003), Senator Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja, Ibadan (2003-2007), Adebayo Alao-Akala, Ogbomoso (2007-2011), Abiola Ajimobi, Ibadan, (2011-2019) and Seyi Makinde, Ibadan (2019 till date).
Oke-Ogun the zone has ten out of the 13 local government areas that make up of the present Oyo North Senatorial District. The current senator representing Oyo North, Dr. Abdulfatai Buhari is from Ogbomoso geo-political zone.
The people of the zone among whom are traditional rulers, professionals, political gladiators, youths, women and community leaders have, however, said that it is their turn to produce both the governor and Oyo North senatorial district senator in 2023.
Some of those who spoke during the event lamented that the zone has been marginalised.
Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo on Saturday, warned Nigerian youths against leaving governance of the country to bad leaders.
Obasanjo declared that leaving the affairs of the country to “those who are messing it up” would not make them achieve their aim in life.
He, however, charged them to roll up their sleeves and make necessary contributions towards addressing challenges of the nation.
The former President spoke in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, at an event tagged ‘OBJ @85 Free Keke Programme’, where 85 tricycles (Keke) were distributed to beneficiaries as part of the activities marking the former President’s 85th birthday.
The tricycles were donated through the Youth Development Centre of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library with beneficiaries drawn from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
In his remarks, Obasanjo told the youths to hold their future in their hands with a firm belief that “today is their day”, as against the famous cliché – youths are the leaders of tomorrow
He said despite many challenges confronting Nigeria, there were “opportunities galore” and asked the younger generation to take advantage of it.
The lawmaker representing Saki East/Atisbo State Constituency at the Oyo State House of Assembly has condemned spate of terrorist attacks in the country while advocating for political environment devoid of brigandage in the State.
This was contained in a democracy message made available to ODUDUWA NEWS today as read in part:
“To be fairness, We are celebrating democracy at a point when democracy is under serious attack. But, as Sydney Harris posited, democracy is the only system that persists in asking the powers that be whether they are the powers that ought to be.
“This year’s democracy day has once again afforded us an opportunity to tell it to Buhari and his acolytes that the country is in a very unusual state. Hardly a day goes by without the news of fresh slaughter of fellow citizens in one part of the country or the other.
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“We now have violent insurgents, armed robbers and kidnappers on the increase much more than before. While these and many other negativities may, in a sense, be seen as part of nation building by members of the ruling class as their media consultants want us to believe, the danger is that, we may be proceeding at a pace that would destroy the very nation we seek to build.
“Canada affirmed that Nothing is absolutely working in Nigeria today. The epileptic power situation in Nigeria has made industries to be collapsing and moving out of the country while the few surviving ones spend a chunk of their profits to run generators. And, it is only a matter of time before they collapse too.
“Yet, the current Nigeria President (Buhari) thinks he is working. The fact remains that Buhari’s scorecard is pathetic and it has left the ship of the country rudderless in the eyes of a stormy sea.
“The President has undoubtedly failed to see beyond the present narrow prism and confront the challenges facing the nation headlong.
“Infact, Since inauguration, he has been acting like a snail, and this has really slowed down progress.
“I have also read the most recent Adams Oshiomhole outburst against Atiku Abubakar in a press conference where the former was accusing the latter of lacking in vision. His (Atiku’s) offense is that he has been vying for the Presidency for some years now and that he also had an issue of principle with Olusegun Obasanjo as President. I choose to reply Adams’ outburst because, “for every great inciation, there must be a great opposition”.
“Adams has failed to address the lingering crisis facing their party which has had a very wretched impact on the wheel of progress of the country. He would rather blackmail Atiku and bring him into the leadership crisis their party has foisted on Nigeria.
“The APC is philosophically, programmatically and ideologically famished to the extent that it has to surrender policy direction and leadership to a group of ‘technocrats’ who hold the party in utter disdain and see their loyalty as being first and last to the President personally.
“As 2023 beckons, the voting masses must not allow the purveyors of hatred to change the narrative thereby subjecting the Nigerian people to another round of suffering. Atiku Abubakar should be given a chance to rescue the Nigerians from the pains and pangs of poverty that this government has inflicted on the Nigerian people.
“Oyo: come 2023, Its Only In GSM that the trust of the masses lies and of which trust must not got strangulated by any Jagbaistic saboteurs whose hatred for our people is far beyond elucidation. Let SHEYI AGAIN”23 be the slogan for all until victory is completely recorded.
“Lastly, I want to fervently believe that my good head and that of your good hearts in Saki East and Atisbo State Constituency will Undoubtedly yielded a formidable combination come 2023. I so promised”.
The Governors of Southwestern region of Nigeria have held meeting today to deliberate on the recent terror attack in Owo and to chart a wayfoward on the resurface of insecurity in Yorubaland.
The communique of the meeting as signed by the six Southwest Governors is highlighted thus:
BEING THE COMMUNIQUE ISSUED BY THE SOUTH WEST GOVERNORS’ FORUM AFTER THE VIRTUAL MEETING HELD ON THE 10TH JUNE, 2022 TO REVIEW THE STATE OF INSECURITY IN THE SOUTH WEST.
The Governors of the Southwest, at the meeting held, virtually, on the 10th June, 2022, deliberated extensively on the rising wave of insecurity in the country, especially the South West and decided on some measures, deemed immediate in stemming the tide of banditry, kidnapping and terror attacks in the region.
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The recent attack on St Francis Catholic Church, Owaluwa Street, Owo, compels immediate intervention in the whole of the South West to nip the insidious phenomenon of insurgency in the bud. The meeting, consequently, took decisions, some of which are expected to have far-reaching implications in the quest to protect lives and property in the region.
The meeting deliberated on issues which pose great risk to the collective well-being of the people and resolved as follows:
The Governors condemn, in very strong terms, the horrendous crime perpetrated by Terrorist against the people and residents of Owo, Ondo State, and, by extension, the peace-loving people of the South West. The Governors sympathise with the victims of the mindless attack in Owo.
The Governors agreed to declare a 3-day mourning period in memory of the victims of the 5th June, 2022 terror attack on St Francis Catholic, Owaluwa Street, Owo, Ondo State, starting from Monday, 13th June, to Wednesday, 15th, June, 2022 to symbolise our collective loss across all South Western States in Nigeria.
The meeting agreed that all the Governors should direct the flying of Flags at Half Mast in all public buildings, facilitates and official residences across all the States in the South West in honour of the victims of the Owo terror attack.
The Governors noted, with great discomfiture, the increasing agitations about spaces taken over by unidentified and unknown migrants in all South West States. The meeting, therefore, recommends an increase in the scope of surveillance of the activities of these undocumented settlers by relevant security agencies in all the States.
The Governors, as Chief Security Officers, resolved to continue to assist the security agencies in the areas of crisis management and intelligence gathering at ALL times.
The Governors reviewed reports from various States on the factors militating against peace and security in the region. They expressed grave concern on the influx of Okada riders into all parts of the South West, especially the State capitals. The meeting further resolved that efforts be geared toward identity management of Okada riders and stringent regulation put in place for their operation.
Consequently, the Forum decided it was time to reconvene the South West Security Committee to look critically into this creeping menace before it blossoms into another intractable social problem. The Committee will be expected to submit its findings on the desirability of Okada operations in the region. It is also expected to submit a multi-level template to combat the threat of insurgency and terrorism in the region.
The Forum agreed to convene forthwith a physical meeting of the South West Governors to deliberate on the security challenges confronting the region.
Dated Friday 10th June, 2022.
SIGNED
i. Arakunrin Oluwarotimi O. Akeredolu, SAN Governor of Ondo State & Chairman Southwest Governors’ Forum
ii. HE. Dr. John Kayode Fayemi Governor of Ekiti State.
iii. HE. Dapo O. Abiodun Governor of Ogun State
iv. HE. Babajide O. Sanwo-Olu Governor of Lagos State
v. HE. Gboyega Oyetola Governor of Osun State
vi. HE. Engr. Seyi A. Makinde Governor of Oyo State
Hon. Dele Adeola, the honourable member, representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju State Constituency has called on all good people of his Constituency and the entire nation to come together and share ideas and opinions towards building better communities amidst a wide range of issues affecting us.
Adeola stated that promoting democracy around the world is a communal effort by all citizens. The nation can only prosper if we come together and follow the path of peace and unity of purpose.
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He goes on to say that his vision and mission are to deliver infrastructural development and social amenities through a synergy between legislative and executive arms.
He averred that the challenges confronting us as a people haven’t gone away, but our perseverance and bravery in believing in a democratic union gives him optimism that a bright future awaits us all.
Adeola stated this today in a press statement signed and sent to ODUDUWA NEWS.
“Let us use this anniversary of Democracy Day to renew our commitment to the principles of liberty, free expression, and democracy.
“I urge our political leaders and everyone in positions of power to think on the role they are supposed to play in advancing human freedom and democracy on this day.
“The current turmoil and challenges have not diminished my belief that our democracy will not only withstand the test of time, but will also provide a balanced union that reflects our Nigerianness in wealth.
“Next year’s general election will not only mirror our readiness to uphold the tenets of democracy but will underscore our preparedness to sustain and improve on the modest gains we have made so far.
“The utmost priority as a lawmaker is to continually engage all stakeholders towards the development of my constituency. The gains so far can only be sustained when we all focus on politics of development as against what can divide us as a people.
“Once again, Happy Democracy to you all”, said Adeola.
President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed dissatisfaction over the growing insecurity in the country, revealing that he lives with grief daily.
The president made this revelation in a nationwide broadcast on Sunday.
The Nigerian leader gave a reassurance to Nigerians that his government would work hard to rise above insecurity in the country, charging them to be prayerful.
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“On this special day, I want us all to put all victims of terrorist activities in our thoughts and prayers. I am living daily with the grief and worry for all those victims and prisoners of terrorism and kidnapping. I and the security agencies are doing all we can to free those unfortunate countrymen and countrywomen safely.”
“For those who have lost their lives, we will continue to seek justice for their families against the perpetrators. For those currently in captivity, we will not stop until they are freed, and their kidnappers are brought to justice. If we all unite, we will be victorious against these agents of terror and destruction.
“We have reformed some of our security structures. Some of the defence assets we procured three years ago have arrived and have been deployed.
“Our cyber security and surveillance systems are being upgraded to further enhance our ability to track and trace criminal elements. We are also recruiting and training new personnel across all our security and intelligence agencies to strengthen the country’s over-all security.”
The Peoples Democratic Party PDP has berated Tinubu for the clash that occured between Igbo traders and some hoodlums allegedly sent by him to prevent them from registering for PVCs..
This was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary of the party, Ologunagba as read in part:
“Nigerians are disturbed by the dastardly action instigated by leaders of All Progressives Congress (APC) to prevent citizens, particularly people of the South East region resident in Lagos State from collecting their Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) to enable them vote in the 2023 general elections.
That action by the APC in Lagos is part of its desperate design to use violence to sabotage free, fair and credible elections in 2023 having realized that Nigerians have rejected its Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the polls.
Asiwaju Tinubu has been in morbid fear of the soaring popularity of the PDP Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, hence the attempt by the APC to stop Nigerians from obtaining their PVCs to vote in the elections; an action that portend serious threat and danger to our democratic process.
Is it not an irony that the party of the government of the day that pretends to have the support of the people and professes continuity is busy chasing away prospective voters?
The APC is already suffering from Pre-Election Fever Syndrome in trepidation that it cannot win in a free, fair, credible and transparent process where Nigerians are allowed to freely express their Will.
It is particularly disturbing that this pattern is a resurgence of previous attempt in 2019 where APC leaders harassed Nigerians, especially the people of the South East and threatened to throw them into the Lagoon should they vote for any other party other than the APC.
It will also be recalled that similar act of violence was unleased on Nigerians in the Isolo axis of Lagos in the 2019 general elections, where the APC, upon discovering that it has been rejected at the polls, openly sponsored and unleashed terror on innocent citizens and destroyed all votes cast.
The APC has again become chaotic and desperate because Nigerians have recognized it as what it is; a Special Purpose Vehicle which was hurriedly put together to defraud the nation.
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC must know that they cannot surmount the determination of Nigerians who are now rallying on the platform of the PDP to use this 2023 general elections to take back their country from the stranglehold and misrule of the corrupt, incompetent, inhumane and rudderless APC.
Our Party cautions Asiwaju and the APC to thread carefully and rein in their thugs, hoodlums and terrorists as they will be firmly resisted by Nigerians.
