Oduduwa News

Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde has today visited Iwo Road, the scene of the incident that occurred yesterday where it was alleged that some members of Park Managers clashed with Phone Sellers leading to the death of one while several others injured.

Governor Makinde made his visitation to the scene known today via his official social media handle as read in part:

“I visited the scene of the Iwo Road incident this morning. The loss of lives during the mayhem that occurred is unfortunate and should never have happened. I give you my word that we will ensure that everyone involved in the dastardly act is brought to book.

“I have ordered investigations. In the meantime, we will sanitise the area behind Iwo Road where cultists congregate and review the Park Management System. We have also informed the phone sellers to choose representatives who will discuss how we can assist them”.

ODUDUWA NEWS has just gathered that about four people have been kidnapped by some gunmen suspected to be kidnappers in Alaagba village in Ogun .

It was gathered that the four people who are all workers of a Chinese company handling the Lagos-Ibadan standard guage railway project were kidnapped yesterday.

As at the time of filing this report, the security operatives have made it known to the public that they are making all necessary efforts to ensure that the kidnapped victims are rescued.

The South Western Security Network (Amotekun), Oyo State Chapter has recorded another success in its operation as suspected bandits known to have been terrorizing the people of Ibarapa area of Oyo State have been reportedly arrested.

According to a statement credited to the media arm of the security network as made available to newsmen, the suspected hoodlums identified as Mumini Saliu (45yrs) and Ibrahim Suleiman (25yrs), were apprehended by Amotekun Operatives around Ibarapa East Local Government command at Alapa Village, Lanlate.

It was gathered that the men of Amotekun recovered 82 rounds, 7.62 ammunition and 7 cartridges amongst other harmful weapons during the operation.

The suspected bandits said to be Fulanis have been handed over to the Director of State Security Services, Oyo State Command for further investigation.

At least three judges of the Lagos High Court in Ikeja sat to hear proceedings on Tuesday following the resumption of judicial activities in courts across the country.

Court staff, lawyers, and litigants arrived at the court premises, some as early as 8am while most of the courtrooms were open with parties seen moving in and out.

Hearings could, however, not fully commence in earnest as most of the cause lists were yet to be updated.

This was because the dates for hearings had been overtaken by the industrial action by members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN).

Although Channels Television’s camera could not go into the courtrooms, the crew observed that many lawyers were liaising with court officials with a view to getting new hearing dates for their matters.

But the cause list at the court presided by Justice Mojisola Dada was up to date and the judge sat to hear some cases.

Similarly, Justice Josephine Oyefeso and Justice Sherifat Solebo sat to hear matters in their respective courtrooms.

Elsewhere at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, activities were on low-key with only one judge sitting when the crew monitored proceedings.

In an interview with Channels Television outside the courtroom, a lawyer, Ikechukwu Chiaha, commended the judiciary workers for the industrial action.

JUSUN embarked on a nationwide strike on April 6 to demand the implementation of the financial autonomy of the judiciary.

Two months later, the strike was suspended on Wednesday last week following a meeting between officials of the union and the National Judicial Council (NJC) led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Tanko Muhammad.

The evacuation process, which started months ago, formally commenced at 7 a.m. on Tuesday following a tour of the new site by Arewa community leaders and representatives of the beggars on Saturday.

The State’s Commissioner for Environment, Barrister Idowu Oyeleke, who led the first set of evacuees to Akinyele, said that the new site is fitted with social amenities including schools, hospitals, and recreation centres.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, named other Ministries involved in the exercise to include Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Information, Culture and Tourism, Local and Chieftaincy Matters as well as the Office of the Executive Secretary, Oyo State Security Trust Fund, headed by CP Fatai Owoseni, rtd, who is equally the Special Adviser on Security Matters to the governor.

At 8 a.m. on Tuesday, three fully loaded Pacessetter buses had left Jemibewon road for Akinyele, while others were being loaded.

•Governor Commissions Regional Emergency Infrastructure, Two Magistrate Courts In Epe

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has delivered two strategic projects aimed at saving lives and securing property in Epe Division of Lagos State.

The Governor, on Monday, commissioned a fully equipped 110-bed Maternal and Child Centre (MCC) built in the ancient town to reduce maternal mortality rate and address complications that may lead to birth defects.

The four-storey Epe MCC makes it the fourth to be delivered in two years by the Sanwo-Olu administration. Others are located in Eti Osa, Alimosho and Badagry.

Also, the Governor formally inaugurated the Emergency and Security Regional Dispatch Centre in Epe town for swift response to emergencies and management of disasters. The emergency infrastructure is to raise the capability of the State Government in responding to emergency situations in the eastern part of Lagos.

Jubilant residents led by their traditional rulers trooped out to welcome Sanwo-Olu for the projects’ inauguration. In the Governor’s entourage was the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat – a native of the town – and members of the State Executive Council.

Opening the maternity hospital, Sanwo-Olu said the overarching goal of his administration’s investment in provision of healthcare infrastructure was to eradicate infant and child mortality in Lagos by creating quality care for pregnant women.

The Governor said the Epe MCC would not be the last, stressing that his Government had an objective to build more maternal child centres across the State, thereby improving access to quality care for expectant mothers in pre- and post-natal management.

He said: “There is no better time than now to put an end to preventable maternal and child deaths, using advanced technology, modern equipment and well trained health workers. The process of bringing life into existence should no longer lead to the loss of another life. Health is a major pillar of our administration’s THEMES Agenda, which focuses on improving quality and access.

“Our Government remains committed to addressing maternal and child mortality in Lagos, and this is the basis of our consistent action and smart investments in provision of health infrastructure. Our women must no longer die while giving life. This 110 bed-Maternal Child Center is another essential facility built to achieve safe childbirth and reduction in maternal and infant mortality.”

The MCC, which is a secondary public health facility, will provide services related to reproductive issues, including obstetrics, gynecology, paediatrics, family planning, immunisation, laboratory services and radiology.

Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, said the MCC’s inauguration by the Governor came three weeks after the facility began full operation. He noted that the hospital had already received 590 patients and performed 100 birth deliveries.

He said the facility would raise the capacity of the State to combat medical challenges accounting for infant mortality.

Sanwo-Olu said the delivery of the regional Emergency and Security Dispatch Centre was strategic for the efficient and rapid deployment of first responders to emergency situations within Epe and neighbouring towns.

The emergency infrastructure serves as a hub and one-stop facility for agencies, including Lagos State Emergency Management Authority (LASEMA), Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Lagos State Fire and Rescue Services Agency (LSFS), Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), Lagos State Ambulance Services, Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences (TASKFORCE) Unit, and the Rapid Response Squad (RRS).

The facility also houses two magistrate courts built by the Ministry of Justice to strengthen the justice administration system in the division.

The Governor said: “The delivery and commissioning of the Regional Emergency and Security Dispatch Centre reinforces the commitment of our administration to the provision of a seamless and efficient safety, security and emergency management approach in Lagos. It demonstrates the premium our Government places on the safety of lives and property of residents, irrespective of where they choose to live within the State.

“The synergised efforts of all the safety agencies within the Centre will enhance efficiency in terms of the ability of our officers to effectively tackle emergencies and improve response time to emergencies. As a proactive Government, we will not deviate from the goal of ensuring every part of Lagos is safe and secure. We will continue to invest in human and capital resources that guarantee the safety and security of all residents.”

Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Mr. Tayo Bamgbose-Martins, said the LASEMA Response Unit had been equipped with a mini fuel dump and 100,000 litre water storage facility for usage of fire trucks.

Chairman of traditional rulers in Epe Division and Oloja of Epe, Oba Kamarudeen Animashaun, conveyed residents’ appreciation to the Governor for the projects, whom he described as “bountiful gifts”.

The monarch said there would no longer be a need for emergency personnel to travel from Lagos central for rescue operations in Epe.

He said: “I am convinced that the siting of the maternity hospital and LRU in Epe town will not only bring comfort to our people, but also create a lot of job opportunities for our youths, thereby leading to wealth creation for the populace.”

Chairman of Epe LGA, Hon. Adedoyin Adesanya, hailed Sanwo-Olu for the projects, saying pregnant women seeking comprehensive care would no longer go to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) and Lagos Island General Hospital.

The delivery of the project, the council boss stressed, is an “overwhelming reciprocity of support” shown by the Governor during his election.

Also, Hon. Abiodun Tobun, representing Epe Constituency 1 in the House of Assembly, described the projects as an honour, pointing out that the gesture was an indication that the Governor listened to the cry of Epe people.

ODUDUWA NEWS has gathered that a suspected ritualist, identified as Akin (A.K.A O’clumsy) said to have been at large after killing his girlfriend has been reportedly arrested by Osun State Police.

Speaking with newsmen in Osogbo on Sunday, Commissioner of Police, Olawale Olokode confirmed the arrest of the fleeing suspect.

Olokode said Akin was apprehended in Ibadan, Oyo state following credible intelligence.

Akin’s accomplice Kabiru, who was earlier arrested by the police, confessed that Akin invited the deceased from Ibadan to Apomu, in Osun State last Thursday and killed her after having sex with her.

He narrated that after Akin killed and butchered the lady in his room, intending to use her head and heart for money ritual but fled out of the town after hearing the news of Kabiru’s arrest.

Kabiru was paraded at the state police command headquarters on Friday, where he confessed to conniving with Akin to kill and butchered the deceased.

Olokode, who confirmed the arrest of the prime suspect, said, “For some time now we have been on the issue of ritual killers in Osun State, last week we arrested five suspects in connection with the ritual killing and also, we arrested another suspected ritualist at Apomu who connived with his friend to kill a woman.

“Following further intelligence, we are able to arrest Akin who masterminded the ritual killing. He escaped to Ibadan but he was arrested and is being interrogated. They will be prosecuted.”

Speaking on the spate of killings for ritual purposes which is gradually assuming an alarming rate in Nigeria, Olokode advised parents to always keep an eye on their wards.

“I appeal to parents to be concern about the whereabouts of their wards in the name of boyfriends.”