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Tag: Abeokuta

  • Obasanjo library opens up over invasion of premises by EFCC

    Obasanjo library opens up over invasion of premises by EFCC

    Management of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, has berated the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly invading its premises.

    The management accused the EFCC of violating the rights of guests during a private event in the early hours of Sunday.

    EFCC operatives reportedly stormed the Green Legacy Hotel, located within OOPL, and arrested some persons suspected to be internet fraudsters.

    The EFCC operatives carried out the raid during a pool party at the premises of the library.

    Reacting to the incident, OOPL management, through Mr Kayode Adeyemi, Special Adviser on Media to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, described it as an invasion of private property.

    Adeyemi also described the EFCC’s action as an infringement of corporate rights and a blatant violation of the rights of those who gathered for the event.

    He alleged that more than 50 armed men, claiming to be EFCC operatives and led by one “Olapade,” stormed the complex without presenting a warrant.

    He further demanded an explanation for these actions and an apology to all affected, including those injured during the chaos allegedly induced by the operatives.

    According to him, shots were fired, causing panic and injuries as guests fled the premises.

    “This morning, at about 2 a.m., the OOPL premises were invaded by a Gestapo-like gang of over 50 armed men.

    “They were shooting guns, threatening to kill people, and claiming to be from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    “The invasion, led by one ‘Olapade,’ caused panic and chaos, resulting in serious injuries as participants tried to escape the near carnage.

    “On inquiry by phone, ‘Olapade’ told the OOPL Managing Director, Mr Vitalis Ortese, they acted on an intelligence tip about a private event.

    “It should be noted that the event had been publicly advertised to members of the public days before. This gangster-like action caused terror among residents and guests,” Adeyemi said.

    He said the library management would escalate the matter to EFCC leadership, the police, and the Department of State Services (DSS), demanding an explanation and apology.

    Adeyemi warned that failure to address the grievances could lead to legal action and calls for sanctions against those responsible.

    “Management reiterates that this EFCC action is a clear invasion of private property and a blatant violation of OOPL’s rights as corporate citizens.

    “Investigations into the invasion have commenced, and the matter will be pursued with the EFCC, police, and Department of State Security (DSS),” he added.

  • EFCC arrests 93 suspected internet fraudsters in Abeokuta

    EFCC arrests 93 suspected internet fraudsters in Abeokuta

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 93 suspected internet fraudsters in Abeokuta, Ogun State. Its Spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

    According to him, the suspects were arrested in a sting operation in Abeokuta on Sunday. He said that the arrest was sequel to a credible intelligence about their suspected involvement in internet crimes.

    “Upon their arrest, 18 vehicles and mobile devices were recovered from them. They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded,” he said.

  • CAA Championships: Ikweki wins first medal for Nigeria

    CAA Championships: Ikweki wins first medal for Nigeria

    Nigeria’s Praise Ikweki on Wednesday secured a bronze medal in the High Jump event at the ongoing Confederation of African Athletes (CAA) U18/U20 Championships in Abeokuta.

    The competition witnessed the finals of high jump, triple jump, 1500m and the 100m heat for both male and female categories.

    Ikweki, paired with Melvin Ododo, began at 1.80m. He posted a perfect record until a near miss at 2.03m. He then secured advancement to the next round on his third attempt.

    He missed his three attempts at 2.06m after hitting the pole, paving the way for South Africa’s Mateo Le Roux, who won the gold.

    In the U18 Heat One, 100m event race, South Africa’s Mukona Manavhela finished 11.38, behind Nigeria’s Igbigbidje James Clifford at 11.44 to qualify for the semi-finals.

    Also, Adeola Adeniji took the lead, finishing 11.08, while Algeria Bouhdila Yasser, finished 11.14, to grab the semi-final ticket in the Heat 2.

    South Africa’s Jayen Foure ran swiftly to finish 10.65 behind Nigeria’s Egbon Destiny Chinedu who finished 10.85 in the Heat 3.

    In the female category, Nigeria’s Mariam Jegede won the first heat of the U18 Girls 100m after returning in a time of 12.13sec, while Congo’s Boukama Gladys finished in second place in 12.47sec.

    Ghana’s Darkoah Kwateng ran 12.64sec to settle for third place.

    Miracle Ezechukwu topped Heat 2 of the U18 Girls 100m with a time of 11.79s (+0.1 wind). She outpaced South Africa’s Oluchi Ndubueze (11.93s) and Cote d’Ivoire’s Andre Marie Joseph (12.26s) for the win.

    In the U20 100m heat, Nigeria’s Lucy Nwankwo recorded a new Personal Best (PB) of 11.80s (-0.5) to win her 100m heat, while Success Oyibu won heat 1 of the U20 women’s 100m after she finished in a time of 11.87s (-1.4).

    Ikweki, who spoke to NAN after his race, said the bronze medal was not his target and that he was under serious pressure to win.

    He, however, said that the exposure gained at the championship would propel him to achieve his target for gold at the other local and international events.

  • UPDATE: Cause of Abeokuta explosion revealed

    UPDATE: Cause of Abeokuta explosion revealed

    An explosion involving a diesel-laden tanker occured on Tuesday behind the Alake Sports Complex in Ijeja, Abeokuta.

    The explosion occurred just behind the fence separating the Sports Complex from the Ijeja community, triggering panic among nearby residents.

    Speaking to NAN, Fire Service representative, Mr Abiodun Owolabi, said the blast was caused by a sudden ignition during discharge.

    “The tanker, registration number LND 898 YJ, caught fire while discharging diesel into a storage facility within the Sports Complex,” Owolabi stated.

    He added that, “The diesel was being pumped using a petrol-powered machine, which likely caused the ignition.”

    The tanker driver sustained injuries and is receiving treatment. No fatalities were recorded, though some shops were affected by the fire.

    “We responded immediately and were able to prevent further damage or casualties,” Owolabi said.

  • Man to die by hanging in Abeokuta over murder

    Man to die by hanging in Abeokuta over murder

    An Abeokuta High Court on Wednesday sentenced 22- year-old Jamiu Malomo to death by hanging for stabbing a sex worker to death.

    Malomo, who pleaded not guilty to the charge, was convicted on a one count charge of murder.

    Delivering his judgment, Justice .O. Ogunfowora held that the prosecutor proved his case beyond reasonable doubts that Malomo was guilty of the offence as charged.

    The judge held that the evidence presented by the prosecutor were not controverted, hence, the conviction and sentencing to death of Malomo by hanging.

    “You are hereby guilty of killing Asisat Akande as preferred against you. You will be hanged by the neck until you are dead. May God have mercy on you,” he said.

    During the trial, the state prosecuting counsel, Mr A. M. Adebayo, Deputy Director, Public Prosecution, said the convict committed the offence on July 18, 2021 at about 9:30pm at Ori-Apata area community, Oke-Aregba, Abeokuta.

    Adebayo said the convict picked Akande, who worked as a commercial sex worker at 3AD Bar at Panseke area to his house for sexual pleasure at an agreed fee of N10,000.

    “After satisfying his sexual urge, he gave the deceased sex worker N8,000 instead of the agreed sum of N10,000.

    “The situation led to an argument between him and the deceased, with the convict stabbing her on the neck with a knife, which led to her death,” he said.

    He told the court that police detectives, however, arrested the convict at the 3AD bar in Panseke while trying to pick another girl for sexual pleasure.

    Adebayo said the offence contravened the provisions of Section 316, and punishable under Section 319 of the Criminal Code, laws of Ogun 2006, which stipulates death sentence for offender.

  • Why motorists should drive cautiously on Lagos-Abeokuta highway – FRSC

    Why motorists should drive cautiously on Lagos-Abeokuta highway – FRSC

    The Ogun Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has advised motorists, especially commercial buses, to reduce their speed while approaching toll-gate area of Lagos -Abeokuta Expressway.

    The Sector Commander, Mr Anthony Uga, who gave the advice during an interview on Sunday in Ota, was reacting to two separate accidents involving two commercial buses, in which four persons got injured and two died after getting to hospital.

    The sector commander said the advice had become necessary to prevent avoidable crashes, particularly along the toll-gate corridor.

    “There is the need for commercial buses to exercise patience as a result of the huge businesses going on around the axis.

    “In addition, we have also noticed the indiscriminate parking and picking of passengers by commercial motorcyclists on the highway.” he said.

    Uga disclosed that the FRSC would soon embark on public enlightenment at the motor parks to sensitive motorists on the dangers of flouting traffic rules and regulations.

    The sector commander said that the command would also look into ways of relocating the commercial motorcyclists from the road to a safer place.

    He implored pedestrians to always exercise caution while crossing the road to avert disaster around the toll-gate area.

    Uga also enjoined traders to desist from displaying and selling their wares by the roadside, to prevent crashes.

  • Abeokuta Gas Explosion: Gov. Abiodun Sympathises With Victims, Calls For Calm

    Abeokuta Gas Explosion: Gov. Abiodun Sympathises With Victims, Calls For Calm

    Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun has expressed great sympathy for the victims of a gas explosion at the Ita-Oshin area of Abeokuta, the state capital.
    According to reports, there was a fire incident at about 5pm caused by a lone accident of a gas truck with the inscription Gasco Marine Bar 250 at Ita Oshin junction a few metres from the roundabout.
    The truck, moving inward Abeokuta, lost control and ran into the road pavement before it eventually stopped.
    The driver fled the scene while the truck boy lost his life. His mutilated remains have been deposited at the General Hospital, Ijaiye.
    It was gathered that four parked vehicles were burnt to ashes. The inferno also affected five shops, with one completely burnt.
    Four trucks from the Federal and the Ogun State Fire Services were on the ground to put out the inferno.
    Governor Abiodun, in a statement on Saturday night, regretted the loss of life in the inferno and the attendant destruction of properties.
    He, however, called for calm, assuring that everything was being done to put the situation under control.
    He said: “I am deeply saddened by the tragic gas explosion that occurred in Abeokuta, Ogun State on Saturday, which led to the loss of an innocent life and destruction of properties. This is a devastating incident that has brought pain and anguish to many families.
    “On behalf of the government and people of Ogun State, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the family of the lone victim of this tragic incident. My prayers are with them during this difficult time.
    “I also wish to express my sympathy to those who suffered damage to their businesses.”
    The governor praised the quick intervention of relevant agencies of government and first responders, which brought the situation under control.
    Governor Abiodun noted that relevant authorities have been mandated to ascertain the cause of the explosion and ensure that appropriate measures are put in place to prevent a recurrence.
  • One dead, two injured as explosion rocks Ita -oshin community in Abeokuta

    One dead, two injured as explosion rocks Ita -oshin community in Abeokuta

    Ita-Oshin community in Abeokuta the Ogun state capital was hit by gas explosion  killing one person, while two others were severely injured.

    The Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Ogun Sector Command spokesperson, Mrs Florence Okpe, confirmed the incident to newsmen in Abeokuta on Saturday.

    According to her, the unfortunate incident occurred at 4:10 pm.

    The FRSC spokesperson explained that six people were involved in the incident, saying that one person who was the motor boy, died in the incident, while two people were injured and rushed to the hospital.

    “A total of five vehicles were involved, including two Nissan cars with registration numbers AAN 544 YC, LSD 993 CY, a Sino tanker marked T23771 LA, a Micra marked GDB 841 XR and a Honda CRV without registration number,” she said.

    She further explained that the tanker suffered brake failure before it lost control and crashed into the road barricade, then went up in flames.

    She added that some vehicles and shops around were burnt.

    “The fire service was contacted immediately and the scene was cordoned-off to avoid a secondary crash”, she added.

  • Gunmen shoot man dead in Abeokuta

    Gunmen shoot man dead in Abeokuta

    Gunmen shot a man dead in front of his house in Abeokuta on Sunday, police confirmed on Monday.

    Police spokesperson in Ogun, SP Omolola Odutola, stated that two gunmen alighted from an unregistered Toyota Corolla vehicle and shot the man in his head as he was lounging in front of his house.

    The assailants fled the scene immediately, she added.

    She stated that upon hearing gunshots, neighbours raised an alarm and placed a call to the police to report the incident.

    Police got to the scene and found the man lifeless in a pool of his own blood, she also stated.

    Odutola added that doctors at the State Hospital, Abeokuta, confirmed the man dead and the body was deposited at the hospital’s morgue for autopsy.

    She stated also that no arrest had been made, but that investigation had gone underway.

  • Police confirm electrocution of 15-year old girl in Abeokuta

    Police confirm electrocution of 15-year old girl in Abeokuta

    A 15-year-old girl, simply identified as Miracle Ogbonna, was reportedly electrocuted while fetching water at the  Olomore Housing Estate area of Abeokuta, Ogun.

    Spokesperson of the Police Command in the state, SP Omolola Odutola, who confirmed the incident in a statement in Abeokuta on Monday, stated that it  happened on Sunday.

    According to Odutola, a case of electrocution was reported to the Divisional Police Office (DPO) of Lafenwa by one Onyekachi Silas  from the  Olomore Housing Estate.

    ” Silas narrated to the DPO that his younger brother called him on phone on Sunday at about 11:50 p.m.,  that one Miracle Ogbonna, 15 , who is also the brother’s wife’s younger sister living with them, was electrocuted.

    “He further stated that there was power outage in the house and Ogbonna went to the well to fetch water.

    “In the process of fetching water, power was restored and Ogbonna was tragically electrocuted by a naked cable wire of the pumping machine placed inside the well.

    “She was rushed to a private hospital where the  Doctor on duty  confirmed her dead,” Odutola said.

    The police spokesperson explained that investigation had commenced and that the corpse had been deposited at the  Oke Lantoro morgue.