Oduduwa News

Dele Farotimi has been granted bail by the Magistrate Court in Ekiti on the following conditions:

30 million naira bail sum.

Two sureties, who are responsible citizens in the society.

Defendant shall drop his international passport with the court. The defendant shall not grant interview during the pendency of the case.

Details later.

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has called on security agencies to design and deploy workable strategies that would ensure adequate protection of lives and property during this Christmas period.

The governor made the call when he received the new Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, Mr. Lanre Ogunlowo, who paid him a courtesy call in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

Abiodun commended the security agencies for ensuring peace and tranquillity, noting, however, that unscrupulous people are bound to take advantage of the period to cause security breaches in the state.

He said: “As we approach the yuletide period, we all know that this period comes with its challenges. Those who are bent on carrying out nefarious activities, the get-rich-quick schemes, will also get a bit desperate, so I want to admonish you to please develop or design strategies to ensure that this yuletide period is peaceful for everyone, allowing us to celebrate and enjoy with our eyes closed and not have to worry about the breakdown of law and order.

“I want to enjoin your colleagues to please join hands with you the way they had cooperated with your predecessor so that together we can continue to build the future of Ogun State to achieve the future of our dreams.”

Abiodun said the state is unique in terms of geographical location as it shares borders with four states and an international border, noting that this has brought about an influx of people to work and attend educational institutions, thereby raising numerous security concerns for the government.

The Governor, while informing the new State police chief about the steps taken to secure the State and its people, said his administration reinvigorated the State Security Trust Fund to provide modern equipment and logistics to the security agencies, noting that this has helped make Ogun one of the most peaceful states in the country.

He emphasized the importance of inter-agency synergy, which he said has contributed to the peace being enjoyed in the state.

Prince Abiodun maintained that the State’s position as number three in Internally Generated Revenue would not have been possible in an atmosphere of insecurity.

“Like they say, you cannot have any socio-economic development in an atmosphere of insecurity. You can build all the roads, all the airports and seaports, but if there is an atmosphere of insecurity, or even if there is a perception of insecurity, nobody will come to that State,” the governor noted.

The governor pointed out the issue of cultism, which is prevalent in some parts of the state, urging the new police chief to liaise with his colleagues from other agencies to find a final solution to it.

Governor Abiodun commended the Inspector General of Police (IGP) for deploying a highly intelligent and professionally sound officer to the state and equipping him with two Armoured Personnel Carriers, adding that the new CP’s practical training and qualifications have prepared him for the position.

“I want to thank the Inspector General of Police who has found you worthy of this deployment. I want to thank him because he remains one of our proud illustrious sons who has not let us down. Ogun State is known for exporting such human capital, and he is one of those we exported to the federal government, and he is up to our expectations,” he added.

While pledging to do all it takes to keep the State peaceful, the State helmsman assured that his administration would continue to support the State Police Command and other security agencies to maintain peace and order across the State at all times.

Speaking earlier, the new Commissioner of Police, Mr. Lanre Ogunlowo, said he is in the State to add value to what he met on the ground, assuring that with the support of the state government, cooperation from sister security agencies, and the additional Armoured Personnel Carriers given by the Inspector General of Police, he would work to secure the people and gain their trust.

“I had the privilege of working in the tactical intelligence unit of the Nigeria Police Force in the past, and I have a good understanding of the situation regarding cultism. As I mentioned when the governor was speaking to me, the Inspector General of Police graciously approved logistics, including Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), for Ogun State when I was coming. They would soon be here.

“I have a good team on the ground. As I said, I will improve on what I met on the ground. Before I left yesterday, I had a conversation with our anti-cultism unit, and we have some strategies in place.

“What I can assure you is that we will do all that is needed to address this issue, especially at a time like this. We will engage all stakeholders; we know we can’t do it alone, but we’ve got the wherewithal to deal with it,” he said.

Ogunlowo pleaded with the people to support the police and other security agencies in achieving their mandates, adding, “Let’s enjoy the season, let’s be careful, let’s respect the rights of others. We want peace; criminals should stay away and let the people of Ogun State enjoy the moment. We will be on the ground for that.”

NDLEA Destroys Six-Hectare Hemp Farm in Ogun, Arrests FourThe National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ogun Command, has successfully destroyed a six-hectare hemp farmland in Alaka village, Ogun.

The agency’s state commandant, Mr Tijani Rabe, revealed the tactical operation at a news conference organised in Abeokuta on Thursday while presenting the agency’s 2024 scorecard.

Rabe said four persons were arrested and being investigated in connection with the hemp farming.He said the command also recorded other significant success stories in its efforts to curb the hard drug trade.

According to him, the command arrested 675 drug offenders with 9.7 tons and 537.81 litres of liquid-base illicit drugs.He said the command’s special operation, “Operation Closed Gates”, arrested a person with a seizure of 100 bags of hemp, weighing 1.3 tons, in November.

“Operation Closed Gates was launched as part of our Yuletide initiative and has been a resounding success. It targeted drug merchants and syndicates, sealing all entry roads into the state,” he said.

He said the command intensified sensitisation and advocacy initiatives by conducting lectures and programmes in schools, communities, and workplaces to educate the public about the dangers of drug abuse.“In the year under review, the command conducted 128 sensitisation programmes in institutions.

Through this sensitisation programmes, about 27,648 people were impacted,” he said.Rabe further said the agency secured 221 convictions and sentences to various terms of imprisonment against drug offenders.“Many cases are also at various stages of prosecution,” he said.

President Bola Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident at the Children’s FunFair in Ibadan, which claimed lives and left many injured.

In a statement by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, the president directed relevant authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

Tinubu stressed the importance of identifying whether negligence or intentional actions played a role, ensuring transparency and accountability throughout the process.

He also called on the Oyo State Government to implement measures to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.

The Oyo State Police Command has confirmed that no fewer than 35 lives of the children that were stampeded have been lost.

The Police made the disclosure today in a statement made available to newsmen.

The Police also disclosed that various individuals connected to the incident have been arrested and currently in custody. The arrest was made following a tragic stampede that occurred on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, during a funfaire held at the Islamic High School, Basorun, Ibadan.

Oduduwa News also confirmed that the ace broadcaster, the owner of Agidigbo FM, a radio station partnered with the organizers of the funfair that led to loss of many lives has been hospitalized and is currently undergoing treatment in an undisclosed hospital.

The event, organized by the Wings Foundation and media partners Agidigbo FM, was intended to be a funfair for children, but turned into a nightmare as chaos erupted.

Oyo state Police Public Relation Officer, SP Adewale Osifeso confirmed this development in a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday, December 19, 2024.

According to the Police, the arrested individuals include key figures involved in organizing and overseeing the event.

They are Prophetess Naomi Silekunola, 31, the primary sponsor of the event, along with Fasasi Abdulahi, the Principal of Islamic High School; Genesis Christopher, Tanimowo Moruf, Anisolaja Olabode, Idowu Ibrahim, and Abiola Oluwatimilehin.

The Police disclosed that these individuals face various charges related to their roles in the tragic incident.

ODUDUWA NEWS reports that the stampede resulted in the deaths of 35 minors, with six others left critically injured. The injured children are currently receiving medical treatment at various facilities.

The police assured that the public that the case is being treated with the utmost seriousness, as the investigation has been transferred to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Iyaganku.

The Police stated that the Deputy Commissioner of Police is personally overseeing the investigation.

The Oyo State Police Command however, extended its condolences to the families affected by the tragedy.

“We sympathize with all the families and loved ones affected by the tragedy and assure the good people of the state that justice will be served accordingly,” he said.

Authorities have also assured residents in the affected area that additional police presence and high-level patrols will be deployed to prevent any potential disturbances or exploitation of the situation by criminal elements.

The Oyo State Police Command urged the public to stay calm and to reach out to emergency services in the event of any further incidents. The toll-free emergency line for the Oyo State Call Response Center is 615, and the Police Command Control Room can be reached at 08081768614, 09054133071, or 09061299291.

“The investigation continues, and the Oyo State Police Command remains committed to ensuring justice is served for the victims of this devastating event., ” The statement concluded.

In a commendable gesture aimed at boosting morale and rewarding diligence, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has approved the payment of a 100% 13th month salary for all public servants in the state.

This incentive extends to employees of Local Governments (LGs), Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), and the Lagos Neighborhood Safety Corps (LNSC).

Governor Sanwo-Olu’s decision has been widely lauded as a thoughtful recognition of the hard work and dedication of the state’s workforce. The initiative underscores his administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of workers.

ODUDUWA NEWS has gathered that at least 16 children have been confirmed dead at a tragic stampede during a Christmas celebration in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The confirmation was made known by the University College Hospital, Ibadan.

The event, organized by Queen Naomi in partnership with Agidigbo radio station, known for its popular broadcast, attracted a large crowd on Wednesday due to promises of gifts, resulting in a stampede.

The stampede occurred as attendees surged for the giveaways, leading to many children being trampled in the chaos.

Numerous injured children were transported to the University of Ibadan College Hospital (UCH), where some were pronounced dead upon arrival, while medical personnel worked to treat the others.

News of the tragedy quickly spread across social media, prompting widespread reactions. Several users on X (formerly Twitter) shared their accounts of the incident and its aftermath.

One user lamented, “Many families have lost their children due to the pursuit of free gifts… UCH is overwhelmed with deceased children.
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The Oyo State Government has announced the arrest of the organisers of a children’s party in Ibadan which led to the death of about 16 children.

The deadly stampede occurred at a children’s Christmas party in Ibadan, Oyo State capital. The incident took place on Wednesday morning at the Islamic High School in Bashorun, Ibadan. The funfair was organized by Queen Naomi Silekunola Ogunwusi, ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife, in collaboration with Agidigbo 88.7 FM, Ibadan, owned by Oriyomi Hamzat.

Confirming the development, Governor Seyi Makinde said the main organizers have been taken into custody. He also disclosed in a statement that the government has commenced a thorough investigation into the matter.

The statement said: “Earlier yesterday, an incident occurred in Islamic High School Basorun, the venue of an event organised for families. Sadly, a stampede at the venue has led to multiple loss of lives and injuries.

“This is a very sad day for us here in Oyo State. We sympathise with the parents whose joy has suddenly been turned to mourning due to these deaths.

“We have taken steps to ensure no further deaths are recorded at this venue by deploying security agents to restore order at the venue. We also deployed medical personnel and ambulances to the venue.

The event has been stopped, and attendees have been escorted out of the venue. We are taking all realistic measures to ensure that the venue is secured.

“While investigations are ongoing, the primary organisers of the event that led to this stampede have been taken into custody.“I want to reassure our people that anyone directly or remotely involved in this disaster will be held accountable.

Please remain calm as the security agencies investigate this unfortunate incident.”“Our hearts remain with the families and loved ones impacted by this tragedy. May the souls of the departed rest in peace. Amen,” Makinde added.