Oduduwa News

Nice Andrew Omininikoron, the 47-year-old BRT driver, that was suspected to have murdered the 22 year old lady, Bamise, said he was a victim of kidnappers that hijacked his bus and subsequently murdered the lady.

He revealed this, while he was been paraded by the police commissioner in Lagos today after he was arrested by the DSS in Ogun state and handed over to the police command in Lagos.

BRT DRIVER: “My Bus was hijacked by the kidnappers that kidnapped Bamise. They held me and the deceased hostage after they flashed me their weapons.”

The questions that were, however, still begging for an answer were, why did he have to run away without telling the police if indeed he was a victim of kidnapper as he claims? Why he didn’t deem it fits to report the incident to his company as to what happened before DSS fished him out.

There has been an uproar over the lady who was declared missing after boarding the BRT bus from Chevron Bus Stop on her way to Oshodi last Saturday.

Her killers had allegedly dumped her body on Carter Bridge apparently after she made a video and a voice note to her friend to alert her of the danger she was into.

Oluwabamise had told her friend that she was the only one in the bus apart from some men and a woman whom she suspected had some other intentions.

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has vowed to ensure justice on the death of kidnapped Lagos girl, Oluwabamise Ayanwole whose body was found after boarding a BRT.

In a statement released today by the Governor via his official Facebook account as read in part:

“Dear Lagosians, the life of every citizen of the state matters to us, and we do not take the security of our people for granted.

*We will therefore leave no stones unturned in the investigations and arrest of everyone found culpable in the kidnap and death of Miss Oluwabamise Ayanwole.

“The driver of the BRT bus involved in this unfortunate incident has been arrested, and the management of Lagos Bus Service Ltd have been directed to cooperate fully with security agencies in their investigations, so that the full weight of the law is brought down on everyone involved in this ugly incident.

“To Bamise’s family and loved ones, my thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time, may the Almighty God console you. I hereby give you my word that JUSTICE WILL BE SERVED”.

The Yoruba Nation Activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, fondly called Sunday Ighoho, has been released by the Government of Republic of Benin.

The Activist was released on Monday to a Yoruba Leader and Leader of the Umbrella body of Yoruba Self-determination Groups, Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, Professor Banji Akintoye and a French Language Expert/ Deputy Alana of Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, Professor Wale Adeniran.

In a statement by the Communications Secretary to Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, Mr. Maxwell Adeleye, Akintoye described the release of Ighoho as a Triumph of Truth over Darkness in Yoruba Land.

Details later

Oyo State Governor Engineer Seyi Makinde, has reassured residents that is government will continue to promote religious tolerance and harmony without bias and sentiment.

Governor Makinde made the pledge while hosting a delegation of Saudi Arabia Government led by one of the Chief Imams of Makkah, Sheikh Hassan bin Abdul Hameed Bukhari at the courtesy room of Governor’s office Agodi Ibadan.

He also reiterated his commitment to continue his support to all the religious bodies in the state.

Governor Makinde also thanked the Saudi Arabia government for bringing a workshop that promotes peaceful co-existence among religious bodies to the University of Ibadan.

Earlier, The Head of Arabic Language Department, Umm Al-Qurra University, Makkah, Sheikh Hassan Hameed Bukhari who spoke through an Interpreter, lauded Oyo state government for peaceful atmosphere reigning in the state, and its support in the propagation of Islam.

The Arabian pledged the readiness of Saudi authority to assist Oyo state government where necessary to develop the state.

Oyo State Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) has commenced the implementation of its oriented programs to tackle the menace of erosion and other environmental disaster under the World Bank Assisted project in the state.
While holding meetings with Community Leaders and other Stakeholders in various benefiting communities in the state, the Project Coordinator of OYO NEWMAP, Engr. Omowunmi Yakub said Oyo State Government has graciously approved the commencement of desilting and clearing of waterways in all the mapped sites of seven Local Government Areas in the state.

Engr. Yakub explained that work would commence immediately on the already mapped erosion sites to reduce resident’s vulnerability to flooding, which underscores the essence of the meeting.
“We need to engage the communities and stakeholders where the projects will be carried out as well seek for their cooperation for effective implementation, maintenance and sustainability”, he said.
The Project Coordinator therefore implored residents of various benefiting communities to cooperate with contractors handling the project in their areas to ensure that the work is carried out within the stipulated time frame without any interference from any quarter.
Engr. Yakub explained further that the seven erosion sites to work on include Olusoji/ Alaro stream, Oluyole in Ibadan, South West LGA, Ahoyaya stream, Olodo in Egbeda LGA, Ologogoro/Oremoje in Iseyin LGA, Orogun steam in Saki west LGA, Isunwin stream, Isale Alaafin High School Oyo in Atiba LGA, Iwagba/Agbonyin stream in Ogbomoso North LGA and Aborerin stream, Eruwa in Ibarapa East LGA.
He emphasised that Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration in Oyo State is committed to tackling the issue of flooding in the state to alleviate the suffering of the people. Added that his vision is to put in place measures that would mitigate the manace of erosion and other natural disasters.
“He is a man of his words and that is why you see him fulfilling all his election campaign promises to the people of Oyo State. His administration will not relent in its efforts to improve the livelihood of the citizenry in the State”, he said.
He therefore urged the benefiting communities to desist from construction of structures and dumping of refuse into waterways to prevent flooding.
In their different responses during the Stakeholders’ meeting, all the Chairmen of benefiting Local Government Areas commended Engr. Seyi Makinde for his determination to tackle erosion problems in the State, pledged their support for effective implementation of the erosion control project in their Local Government Areas.
The community leaders and residents of the erosion prone areas appreciated the present administration under the leadership of Engr. Seyi Makinde for the gesture while they also prayed for the success of his administration.

The Lagos State police command has recovered the body of Ayanwole Oluwabamise, a 22-year-old fashion designer who went missing after boarding a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) at Chevron, Lekki area of Lagos State.

The police command recovered the body after it was alerted by residents in Lagos-Island axis that a corpse was abandoned in the area.

The body was said to have been recovered by the policemen attached to Ebute Ero Police Station and has been deposited at the mortuary within the axis.

There had been effort to trace the whereabouts of Oluwabamise after she mentioned missing upon boarding the BRT on February 26.

On Sunday, Lagos State said it has arrested two suspects in connection with the incident.

Oluwabamise was said to have boarded the bus from Chevron Bus Stop around 7pm and later sent distress message to her friend when she felt uncomfortable in the vehicle.

She was said to have asked her friend to pray for her and sent the vehicle details to the friend as she complained about the behaviour of the driver.

Oluwabamise also gave her friends other details, including the number of persons in the said bus and she was advised by the friend to alight at Oworonsoki instead of continuing to Oshodi in that circumstance.

But that was the last her family and friends heard from her as she never got to her destination and the driver had also disappeared since then.

Giving update on the case on Sunday, Lagos police spokesman, CSP Adekunle Ajisebutu, said the suspects in custody were assisting investigation.

“As soon as the report got to the police, investigation into the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the lady was immediately initiated,” he said.

“To ensure a speedy and diligent investigation, the Commissioner of Police, CP Abiodun Alabi, immediately directed the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti to take over the case.

“In the course of ongoing investigation, two suspects have been arrested and are currently helping in our investigation.

“While assuring that police detectives will continue to work assiduously to find the missing lady and bring her abductors to justice, the command wishes to appeal to anyone with useful information that could help in our investigation to promptly give it to us for further necessary actions.

“Suspect who hails from Moba L.G.A. in Ekiti State, is about 5 feet plus tall, dark in complexion and speaks Yoruba and English languages well.

“This isolated incident notwithstanding, the Police Command is committed to protecting lives and properties of all residents of the state at all times.”

Former President Chief Matthew Aremu Okikiolu Obasanjo 85th birthday soiree was held at Marriot Lagos, Ikeja Saturday evening.

The star-studded event was the climax of the day’s celebration preceded by a novelty football match in Abeokuta and an international symposium with the theme: ‘African Narrative With Nigeria Situation.’

The colorful dinner hosted by Lagos state Governor, Gov. Babajide Sanwolu of Lagos state,
had in attendance Governors Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and Adedapo Oluseun Abiodun of Sokoto and Ogun states.

Gov. Tambuwal felicitated with the octogenarian celebrant, saying that the people and government of Sokoto state “identify with you wherever you go.”

Describing the ex-President as “an institution” recognized within the country and abroad,” he wished him many more years of good service to humanity.

High profile Nigerians who graced the occasion include: Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Professor Benedict Oramah, the President and Chairman of the Board of African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and the executive director of Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Chief Segun Awolowo.

Distinguished politicians at the ceremony include: former Senate President, Olusola Saraki, who was accompanied by his wife, Toyin Saraki; and former Minister for Water Resources, Mukhtar Shagari.

Former Governors, some of who served President Obasanjo as ministers, were those of Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Ogun states: Peter Obi, Sen. Seriacke Dickson, Donald Duke, Sen. Liyel Imoke, Ibrahim Dankwambo, Emeka Ihedioha, Saminu Turaki, Sule Lamido and Otunba Gbenga Daniel respectively.

The business class too was not left out. The chairman and CEO of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, businessman, philanthropist and former chairman of Forte Oil PLC, Femi Otedola as well as
philanthropist and ace banker, Jim Ovia showed up at the fete.

Media moguls: Chief Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi and Ben Murray-Bruce, proprietors of African Independent Television (AIT) and Silverbird Television, respectively, attended the bash.

So also did former Managing Director of the Nigerian Delta Development Commission (NDDC, Ndutimi Alaibe and Chief Ayo Adebanjo, pan-Yoruba Afenifere leader among many other high profile Nigerians.

President Muhammadu Buhari says Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo is now in charge of the country.

The president said this shortly before he departed Abuja for a routine medical check-up in London, the United Kingdom.

The president had initially planned to embark on the trip from Nairobi, Kenya after attending the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) at 50 in that country.

His spokesman, Femi Adesina, had on March 1, said from Kenya, the president would proceed to London for “routine medical checks that will last for a maximum of two weeks.”

However, the president returned to Abuja on Friday around 1.p.m, fueling speculations.

But Malam Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, told Daily Trust that the trip had been moved to Sunday.

According to Adesina’s statement, Buhari is due to return to Abuja in two weeks.

Fielding questions from reporters before his departure at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, Buhari said Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was in charge constitutionally when he was out of the country.

The President said his absence would not affect state functions as he was aware of every development taking place in his absence.

Asked about how the country would function in his absence, he said: “Well, I cannot claim to be doing the work alone. The government is fully represented. The Vice President is there. Constitutionally, when I’m away, he’s in charge. Then, we have the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and then the Chief of Staff, so, there’s no problem.”

On the anxiety over the March 26 convention of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), he doused tension and said the party had the capacity to organise the programme.

On what he would tell Nigerians who had expressed doubts regarding the ability of the APC to conduct its national convention successfully, he said, “Well, they should wait and see. How did we come as a party to take power from the ruling party which had been there before us for so many years? So, we have the capacity. Everything will be all right.”

It is not clear if Buhari transmitted a letter to the National Assembly, handing over pending his return to the country.