Oduduwa News

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.

Lagos State Environmental Taskforce operatives have arrested 27 individuals, including 15 minors, for allegedly engaging in the act of street begging.

This was confirmed by the State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, via his official X handle (@tokunbo_wahab) on Wednesday.

The operation, carried out on Tuesday, targeted major routes across the Lagos metropolis, including Awolowo Way, Falomo Roundabout in Ikoyi, and Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue along the Lekki Road.

The commissioner stated that the special operation was aimed at addressing public nuisances and ensuring the safety and orderliness of the city. “The task force monitored and carried out a special purpose operation against persons constituting public nuisance across the metropolis,” Wahab wrote.

“Twenty-seven persons, including 15 minors, involved in the unlawful act of street begging in the middle of vehicular traffic and hold-ups, were apprehended during the operation.”He added that the arrested individuals would be transferred to appropriate government facilities in accordance with relevant laws.

“This is in a bid to apprehend and get rid of destitutes in the areas,” Wahab noted. The Lagos State government’s renewed crackdown on street begging highlights its commitment to maintaining law and order while addressing issues related to public safety and welfare.

The Oyo State Government has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of lives resulting from a stampede at a private children’s fun fair in Ibadan. The incident, which occurred at Basorun Islamic High School in the early hours of today, claimed the lives of several children and left many others injured.

In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, the state government confirmed its swift response to the incident by mobilizing a rapid response team. Victims were immediately transported to various hospitals across Ibadan for urgent medical care.

The Commissioner praised the prompt action of the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, for deploying all available medical response teams to assist at the scene. He also assured the public that the state government is committed to supporting the victims and their families during this difficult time.

The statement clarified that the Oyo State Government was not involved in the planning or logistics of the private event and stressed the need for proper coordination and safety measures for events involving children and vulnerable groups.

Authorities are awaiting a comprehensive report from the Commissioner of Police to ascertain the total number of victims and determine the circumstances leading to the tragic event.

Concerned parents have been advised to check the following hospitals in Ibadan for information on their children, providing valid identification:

Patnas Hospital, Basorun

Western Hospital, Basorun

Ringroad State Hospital

Molly Specialist Hospital

University College Hospital (UCH)

The Oyo State Government extended its heartfelt condolences to the affected families and urged the public to remain calm and cooperative as investigations continue and do necessary support is provided to the victims.