Oduduwa News

The Commissioner of Police, CP Ngozi Onadeko, has issued a strong warning to any person(s) or group with the intent to scuttle the relative tranquility enjoyed in the State, to shelve such plans as the Command would not sit and watch, while hoodlums have a field day.

This is coming on the heels of credible reports by the Police Command’s intelligence apparatus that some hoodlums/ Cultists have finalized preparations to adopt and celebrate the 8th of August, 2021, popularly known as “8/8” with retribution among rival gangs and large-scale violence in the State.

A Press release signed by the Command’s PRO, ‘Wale Osifeso, noted that the Police Command, in collaboration with sister security agencies is set to clamp down heavily on organizers, leaders and progenitors of such sinister plans whose aims are targeted at triggering needless episodes of bloodletting and destruction of innocent lives and properties.

“The Commissioner of Police has assured residents of the State of a comprehensive security coverage which includes an increase in its inteligence ,operational and tactical apparatus through visible patrols and intelligence driven stop and search across the length and breadth of the State”, it read in part.

She therefore urged Parents, guardians and persons of influence to caution their wards and proteges to refrain from any unlawful gathering or assembly with intent to breach the peace of the land as the State Police Command will arrest and prosecute violators.

The CP also appealed to Hoteliers, Proprietors of lounges and other recreational facilities not to consent to the use of their facilities/properties to aid cult related activities, adding that owners of such facilities are liable for prosecution as well.

While expressing confidence in the measure of proactivity already in play, the Commissioner of Police urged all and sundry to remain law abiding and vigilant enough to report any suspicious activity to the Police command or nearest Police formation, and to go about their businesses without the fear of harassment or molestation from anyone .

The Command therefore said members of the public can reach it through these emergency control room numbers: 615 (toll free) (OYO STATE SECURITY TRUST FUND), and Oyo State Police Command emergency lines 07055495413 and 08081768614.

The NPF rescue me app is also available for free download on both Android and Apple IOS, for Android and I-phone users respectively.

Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen, at the weekend killed a man in Ekiti State and abducted his wife and daughter.

The abductors on Saturday demanded for N50 million ransom to free the victims.

The victims were said to have been in Ewu-Ekiti in Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti since Thursday for the burial of one Mrs Florence Tuyole Erinle, mother of Mr Olusegun Erinle, who is their family friend.

Briefing newsmen on the incident in Ado-Ekiti on Saturday, Erinle, who was a member of the Ekiti House of Assembly from 2011 to 2015, confirmed the demand for ransom by the abductors. Erinle said that the victims are his family friends.

According to him, the victims were returning to their hotel room in Ayetoro-Ekiti, in Ido/Osi Local Government Area of the state, when the suspected kidnappers attacked them, killing one and abducting two others.

Erinle said a motorcyclist, who was said to have been monitoring their movement wherever they went since they came, had been apprehended and handed over to the Police.

He said that the cyclist was handed over to the Police to explain his suspicious role of acting as informant to the kidnappers since their arrival in the town.

ASP. Sunday Abutu, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ekiti Command, however, denied knowledge of any ransom being demanded, but confirmed the arrest of the suspected informant.

Abutu said the suspect was arrested on the strength of information available to the command, adding that the long arm of the law would soon catch up with the suspected criminals wherever they might be hiding.

Read Also: Gunmen abduct Zamfara Assembly Speaker’s parents

The deceased, whose identities are yet to be ascertained, was said to be travelling in the company of his wife and daughter in a Lexus 330 Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) between Ewu-Ayetoro-Ekiti road in Ido/Osi Local Government Area of Ekiti State, when the gunmen rained bullets on his vehicle.

A source said: “The man and the family were returning to their base when they were waylaid. The victim was shot in the head and chest.

“They didn’t take the vehicle , they only left the corpse of the man. The other people in the vehicle were taken away.

“There was pool of blood inside the jeep and this made people to suspect that those who did the work were kidnappers.”

Ekiti State Police Spokesman, Sunday Abutu, had earlier confirmed the incident. He noted that the sympathizers could not do much to save the victim, as he died on the spot.

“The police have mobilised to the spot and combing the surrounding forests with other agencies like the Amotekun Corps, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, local hunters and vigilance group.”

The Lagos State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board (LSCPWB), on Thursday, commenced the airlift of 250 Christian Pilgrims to the kingdom of Jordan with a charge to the pilgrims to be good ambassadors of the State and country.

Addressing pilgrims before the commencement of the airlifting ceremony at Christ the Light Chapel, Alausa, Ikeja, the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), Rev. Yakubu Pam, stated that the pilgrimage to Jordan is not to replace that of Jerusalem but an opportunity to explore Jordan as part of the holy sites mentioned in the Bible.

Rev. Pam said, “Jordan is not a replacement for Jerusalem as it is just like going to Greece or Rome for pilgrimage. This is part of the mandate of NCPC, which states that Israel and other holy lands as contained in the bible can be visited for pilgrimage”.

While imploring the pilgrims to obey the instructions of their tour guide during the exercise, he urged them to note that the journey is not for individual benefits alone, therefore, they should pray fervently for the progress of the State and country.

The Executive Secretary also used the opportunity to charge the pilgrims to observe all COVID-19 protocols and obey spiritual authority, maintaining that arrangements for their feeding, accommodation and security have been made.

He, however, warned those with the mindset of using the pilgrimage exercise to abscond the country to reconsider their stance as adequate checks have been put in place to prevent such acts.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Christian Religion, Rev. Olubukola Adeleke, also urged the pilgrims to use the opportunity of the exercise to pray for Lagos State and by extension Nigeria while in the holy land of Jordan.

He, however, enjoined them to see the pilgrimage as a spiritual exercise and not for sight-seeing alone, appealing to participants to remain good ambassadors of the State and Country.

On her part, the Executive Secretary, Lagos State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board (LSCPWB), Mrs. Florence Yetunde Gbafe, commended the State Government for providing the platform for a seamless journey, informing the 250 Pilgrims that the journey will be energy-sapping, thus they should consult medical personnel on the team pertaining to any personal health issue they might have.

A Board member of the LSCPWB, Sir Folusho Adekoya, in his remarks implored the pilgrims to be very prayerful in order to have an encounter with the Lord and solidify their faith in Christ.

Dignatries from all walks of life took their turn to indentify with the former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel at the Holy Matrimony of his daughter, Kehinde Abioye Daniel and her heartthrob, Adebola Tokunbo Williams.

The ceremony held at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos had in attendance, the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo; former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan with his wife, Patience ; Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN and Ekiti State Governor, Dr.Kayode Fayemi.

In his homily, the Prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr Samuel Chukwuemeka Kanu counselled the newly wedded to toe the path of God to make their union successful.

Other dignitaries at the Church Service include, Pastor Tunde Bakare, Hon Minister of State for Health, Sen.Olorunimbe and several Royalties.

The leader of Afenifere, a Pan Yoruba socio-political group, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, has kicked against the demand for 24 sureties by the court.

Adebanjo, in an interview with our correspondent, described the bail conditions as “impossible” and a sign of an “oppressive regime” of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd).

He said, “Some people who want to stand as sureties may not want the government to associate them with Igboho,” and appealed to Yoruba indigenes in Abuja to rise up to the occasion and ensure the detainees were freed from DSS custody.

Adebanjo stated, “What have they done? You locked them up and detained them, then you are asking for impossible bail? It is part of the oppression of this government. What is their charge to warrant such heavy bail? Murder? Stealing or what?

“They woke them up and bundled them to Abuja, killed some of them and those that are alive are given impossible bail. What further evidence of authoritarian regime do we need? It is unfair. Only God will save us from Buhari. It is an unfair position for bail but I appeal to Yoruba sons and daughters to bail them.”

The Afenifere leader also urged the Beninese Government not to cave in to the pressure of the Nigerian Government to extradite Igboho.

“There is nothing against him (Igboho) that warrants extradition. They (Beninese Government) should not dance to the dictatorship of the Federal Government because it is unfair to extradite him. Someone running away from his life should not be sent back to those who are going to kill him. He has not done anything criminal, all because he wants self-determination for his people, is that a criminal offence?” Adebanjo queried.

Also, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, in an interview has also called on Yoruba people resident in Abuja to come to the aid of the detained persons.

He said, “Anybody that stands with you as a surety while in detention will be in your history for life. I appeal to the Yoruba community in Abuja to stand as sureties for those in detention. It is very important. I learnt that our group and some other groups are working towards meeting these stringent bail conditions.

“Those detained are freedom fighters and not criminals. Every Yoruba son and daughter in Abuja should please rise up and perfect the bail conditions of the court.”

Meanwhile, Yoruba Nation agitators have started fundraising to meet the bail by the Federal High Court granted to the 12 detained aides of Sunday Igboho.

The Communications Manager of Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, Maxwell Adeleye, made this known in a statement titled ‘Emergency Bail Contributions for 12 Yoruba Agitators in Abuja’.

The group led by Prof Banji Akintoye said, “Accounts were prepared to temporarily raise funds needed to move our people arrested at Chief Sunday Adeyemo Igboho’s house out of the bondage of the Nigerian Government before the close of business on Monday, 9th August, 2021.

“Our legal adviser has promised to supervise the utilisation of the funds for the purpose which it was created for. We hereby call on all Yoruba sons and daughters worldwide to support this drive.”

The governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi has signed bill granting autonomy to State Judiciary and Legislature into law.

This was made known yesterday by the governor through a statement he released via his official Facebook account as read in part:

“I was pleased to sign into law six bills that affirm the commitment of my administration to good governance, transparency, fair and equal opportunity for development by all communities in our state.

“The Ekiti State Legislative (Fund Management) Bill and the Judiciary (Fund Management) Bill respectively provide for the self-management of funds by the State Legislature and the Judiciary.

“The Creation of Local Government Areas (Amendment) Bill will deepen the existing relationship between government and our people as well as ensure the rapid development of all our communities through the creation of additional 19 LCDAs in Ekiti State.

“The office of the Attorney General’s Bill will ensure that our interventions in the justice sector are preserved and that successive governments build on what we have achieved on improving access to justice so far.

“The Consumer Protection Bill will promote and protect the rights of consumers in Ekiti State. This law provides a framework for aggrieved citizens to seek redress against unfair trade practices and unscrupulous exploitation of consumers.

“The Economic Development Council Bill seeks to facilitate economic growth, development partnerships between the public, private and international sectors, and business competitiveness of Ekiti State by establishing the Economic Development Council.

“I commend members of our House of Assembly for painstakingly making tangible laws, and it is my prayer that the purpose for which these laws were enacted will be met to the glory of God and for the benefit of the people of Ekiti State”.

The Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde has declared Tuesday, 10th August 2021 as a holiday in the state to commemorate and celebrate the new Islamic year.

This was contained in a circular signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Olubamiwo Adeosun on Friday in Ibadan, the capital city.

While declaring Tuesday as a work-free day to celebrate the 1st Muharram (Hijrah) 1443AH, Governor Makinde enjoined residents to use the occasion to pray for the peace, unity and sustainability of Oyo state and Nigeria in general.

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu, on Tuesday 4th August, 2021, at the Command Headquarters, Ikeja, Lagos, ordered officers and men and tactical Commanders of the command to immediately embark on full enforcement of restriction order of the Lagos State Government on Okada operations in some areas of the State.

The Commissioner of Police gave the orders while reacting to act of lawlessness, recklessness and impunity being exhibited by some road users especially Okada riders who grossly violate traffic laws of Lagos State; and motorcyclists operating within the six (6) Local Government Areas and nine (9) Local Council Development Authorities which are restricted for their operations.

The police boss particularly ordered officers and men of the command to go after road users including Okada operators who drive against the traffic and ply BRT corridors. He emphasised that the violators should be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.

CP Hakeem Odumosu specifically warned security operatives who violate traffic laws in the state to desist from the unlawful act as any security personnel, be it police, military or paramilitary caught violating traffic law will be arrested and caused to face the full wrath of the law. The police boss reiterated that such gross violation with impunity must stop.

The Commissioner of Police also appealed to residents of Lagos State to desist from violating traffic laws and encouraging road users to do same as the command will implement full enforcement of the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018 and other extant laws of Lagos State.

CP Hakeem Odumosu equally warned the police operatives and teams who are detailed for the enforcement order operation to act within the ambit of the law and discharge their duties devoid of extortion or corrupt practices in any form as such will not be tolerated by the command.

Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, has declared Monday as a public holiday in commemoration of Hijrah, 1443 AH.

The State Commissioner for Home Affair, Mr Tajudeen Lawal, while speaking on behalf of the Governor on Friday, enjoined the people of the State to use the period of the holiday to pray for the growth and development of the State and Nigeria..

Meanwhile, the Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN) has called on other states across the country and the federal government to declare Muharram 1, the first day of the Islamic Hijrah Calendar 1443 A.H, as a public holiday.

The National President of MMPN, Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Balogun, said such a declaration would be in line with the rule of law, fairness and justice.

He commended state governors who had declared public holiday for Islamic New Year, especially in the Northern part of the country as well as Oyo and Osun states in South West, urging others to emulate their colleagues.

Balogun urged the federal government to give recognition to the Islamic New Year in the interest of fairness as benefitted by the Christian brethren on every January 1.

According to him, “Muharram 1 is the Islamic calendar equivalent of January 1 which is observed as a public holiday in Nigeria.

“Muslims worldwide will usher in the new Islamic year Hijrah 1443 A.H. on Monday, Aug. 9, 2021.

“Muharram 1, is our own January 1, we want both the federal and state governments alike to declare it as such in the interest of religious harmony in the country”, Balogun said.

He implored Muslims to rededicate themselves to the cause of building an egalitarian society and join hands with other Nigerians in moving the nation forward.

The Osun Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Police Brutality, Human Rights Violations and Related Extra Judicial Killings, on Thursday presented its report to the State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, for consideration and implementation.

This is even as the Governor pledged his Administration’s readiness to implement the recommendations of the Panel in a manner that shall ensure that justice is served to all concened.

Recall that the Panel which was inaugurated by Governor Oyetola, on 22nd of October, 2020 was charged to unravel matters relating to police brutality, human rights violations and related extra judicial killings in the State.

Speaking during the presentation of the report at the Executive Council’s Lounge, Governor’s Office, State Government Secretariat, Abere, Osogbo, Governor Oyetola said his Administration was fully committed to the instrument that would strengthen the weakest link of Omoluabi family chain in the State.

He said the Administration has instituted structures to ensure justice for all at all times, emphasizing that “we have resolved that never in our Omoluabi ecosystem shall our people be subjected to injustice by elements that are strange to us.”

Oyetola noted that his Adminstration has been harnessing the available resources
to take care of the interest of the youth and the people as part of efforts to empower them to find useful expressions for their innate talents, skills and competencies so that they can contribute their quota to the development of the State.

He said: “You will all recall that about nine months ago, we inaugurated this 12-member Panel, ably led by Justice Akin Oladimeji, a Rtd. Justice of the High Court, to grant justice to the weak.

“The Panel had a six- month deadline to submit its report. In line with their training, integrity and professional dictum that justice delayed is justice denied, the panel are here today to present their report.

“There is no doubt that the tissues of injustice that gave rise to this Panel are strange to us. They are alien to the elements that announced us to the world as the most peaceful State in Nigeria.

“The inherent canvass of injustice is out of character to us and they were the reasons we rose to the occasion to give justice to the oppressed no matter the costs, as we believe no price is too much to pay for justice and peace.

“We resolved to heal the wounds of those that hurt among us so as to reintegrate them into our fold, get the best out of them and move on as one big, strong family.

“As a people, we reject a culture that reduced our citizens to victims of injustice and democracy they fought hard to enthrone in their fatherland.

“Today, we shall determine to work together as a family and take the weakest of the weak by the hand as we walk the lane of sustainable freedom, progress, peace and development.

“We have instituted structures to ensure justice for all at all times. We have resolved that never in our Omoluabi ecosystem shall our people be subjected to injustice by elements that are strange to us. Going forward, let us resolve to make all the external and internal institutions and individual citizens to conform to our Omoluabi ethos to build a State we shall forever be proud of.

“The heroes of this initiative are the weakest of the weak among us who slammed the door against hope in the face of tyranny and oppression but woke up the following day to discover that hope was at their doorsteps.

“I assure them and the good people of Osun that we shall implement the recommendations of this Panel in a manner that shall ensure that justice is served to all people.”

Governor Oyetola commended members of the Panel for giving their best to comfort the oppressed and to strengthen the weakest in the society.

Presenting the report, the Chairman of the Panel, Justice Akin David Oladimeji (rtd.) disclosed that out of 34 memoranda received, a total of 13 of the 34 petitions considered were however dismissed/struck out for various reasons as stated in the report.

He said the reasons for the dismissal of the said petitions ranged from personal withdrawal by the petitioners, lack of diligent prosecutions, lack of competence and being outside the panel’s terms of reference.

Justice Oladimeji noted that 23 petitions were considered on merit out of which two were dismissed after hearing. He said recommendations were given by the panel in respect of 21 which are contained in the report that is being submitted to Governor for consideration and further action.

According to him, the Panel, in the course of its sitting, observed that the major problems confronting the country were caused by the police, hence the need for the Panel to make some recommendations, including ensuring proper recruitment into the Police Force or any other security agency without political consideration and subjection of appointed officers to psychiatric test.

“The panel also observed that all the security agencies in the country lack proper monitoring and recommended that the Federal Government should establish an independent body to be saddled with the responsibility of monitoring the affairs of police and other security agencies.

“Also, it was observed that almost one third of the petitions received by the panel has judgement debts with huge amount of money to be enforced against the Nigeria Police Force, most of which were not defended in court as a result of which the panel recommended that the Police Service Commission should look into the and address situations whereby law suits filed against the Nigeria Police are often not defended by the Police, thereby resulting in huge Judgment debts against the Nigeria Police,” Oladimeji stated.

While imploring the Governor to take a critical assessment of the report for proper implementation, Justice Oladimeji noted that a thorough, and faithful implementation of the report will go a long way in resolving most of the challenges facing security architecture in the country and Osun State in particular.

Justice Oladimeji added that the prompt action of the government on the report would further help to restore the hope of getting justice for infractions or violations of Fundamental Human Rights as guaranteed and enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

He said the Panel had taken the interest of all into consideration in making its recommendations for the monetary awards.

“As we are presenting this report, we await the Government decision on it and it is very important to note that it is the Government that is constitutionally empowered to pay compensation. Our recommendations are subject to acceptability by Government.

“It is worthy of note that in making our recommendations for the monetary awards, we took into consideration the interest of all stakeholders in ensuring that justice is done,” Oladimeji added.