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Tag: ekiti

  • Polytechnic students kidnap colleague, collect N2.2m ransom [+Photo]

    Polytechnic students kidnap colleague, collect N2.2m ransom [+Photo]

    Operatives of the Rapid Respond Squad (RRS) of the Ekiti State police command have arrested a fourteen-man gang of kidnappers over the abduction of a student of the Crown Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti.

    It was gathered that the student identified as Akiode Akinyemi was kidnapped in his hostel last week Saturday around 10am and was whisked away to unknown destination.

    According to the police spokesman, ASP Sunday Abutu, the abductors demanded N2.2 million as ransom from the family of the victim which he said was paid into eight different bank accounts.

    He explained that the operatives of the command upon receiving the information swung into action and arrest all the fourteen suspects in connection with the crime, among which ten were students of the polytechnic.

    “All the suspects arrested have confessed to the commission of the crime and stated that the two million, two hundred thousand naira (N2,200,000) collected as ransom before releasing the victim was shared among them,” the PPRO said.

    Abutu who disclosed that the suspects would soon be charged to court after completion of investigation, said the Commissioner of Police, Tunde Mobayo urged residents to support the security agencies with timely and accurate information towards getting rid of criminal elements in the state.

  • Gunmen kidnap Ekiti monarch, Oba Benjamin Oso

    Gunmen kidnap Ekiti monarch, Oba Benjamin Oso

    Some yet-to-be-identified armed men have abducted another traditional ruler in Ekiti, Oba Benjamin Oso, the Eleda of Eda Ile, in Ekiti East Local Government Area.

    Brig.-Gen. Joe Komolafe, the Commander of the Ekiti State Security Network code-named Amotekun confirmed the incident on Saturday.

    He said that all the security outfits in Ekiti, including police, soldiers, Amotekun corps, local hunters, and Vigilance groups were already in the forest searching for the monarch.

    However, the Police Public Relations Officer Ekiti Command, ASP Sunday Abutu, said the command was still studying the reports and would soon react formally.

    Abutu assured of police continued readiness to deal with all manner of criminals wherever they are hiding in the state.

    Abutu said protection of lives and property remained a top priority of the Command and warned criminals to steer clear of the state or face the consequences.

    Meanwhile, NAN reported that the traditional ruler was returning from the farm with his wife on Friday when he was abducted.

    His wife was reportedly allowed to go based on the plea of the monarch.

    “The Oba and the wife went to the farm and were accosted by the gunmen.

    ”The two would have been kidnapped but the monarch begged the bandits to free his wife, which they agreed with,” NAN quoted one of the sources.

  • Fatal accident claims seven lives, leaves others injured in Ekiti

    Fatal accident claims seven lives, leaves others injured in Ekiti

    Seven persons have died in a road accident in Ekiti State.

    The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Sunday Abutu, who confirmed the incident, said that a coaster bus had collided with a hummer bus along the Ilumoba Ekiti axis killing the hummer bus driver and six others.

    Several others sustained different degrees of injuries.

    According to the PPRO, a team of Police Traffic Personnel and some men of the Federal Road Safety Corps were immediately mobilised to the scene to rescue the survivors who are now receiving treatment at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital.

  • Gunmen raid Ekiti community, kidnap four

    Gunmen raid Ekiti community, kidnap four

    Gunmen on Tuesday night invaded a popular hotel in Ayetoro-Ekiti in Ido\Osi local government area of Ekiti state and reportedly kidnapped four persons.

    It was gathered the attackers, numbering 30 on motorcycles, invaded the hotel in a commando-like manner around 9:30pm.

    A community source reveleaded to newsmen that the bandits came into the community through Ewu-Ekiti, a neighbouring town.

    He explained they shot sporadically and shot a staff of the hotel in the arm and kidnapped three others.

    He said: “The guards with the hotel received machete wounds severally on his head from the gunmen and now in critical condition at the hospital.”

    Ekiti commander of Amotekun corps, Brig. Joe Komolafe (rtd), confirmed the incident.

    He however said he was not aware that four persons were kidnapped.

    Komolafe explained investigation by his men showed that security guards attached to the hotel was wounded while a lady was raped.

    “When we got the distress call last night at about 9:30pm. We drafted about our men to the hotel but on getting there the attackers have had left. The information we got is that a lady was raped and also the security guard was wounded but i don’t know anything about any abduction,” he said.

  • Soldiers kill DSS operative in Ekiti

    Soldiers kill DSS operative in Ekiti

    The Ekiti State Police Command have confirmed the killing of an operative of the Department of State Services (DSS) by three soldiers.

    The Spokesman of the Police Command, Public Relations Officer, Ekiti Command, Sunday Abutu, described the killing as unfortunate and mindless.

    Abutu said the gory incident occurred on Friday evening at a hotel located along NTA road in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital during an argument that ensued between some soldiers and a DSS official, leading to the death of the latter.

    He noted that the Command had begun an investigation to unravel circumstances surrounding the incident, adding that the deceased corpse had been deposited in the morgue.

    An eye-witness who spoke on condition of anonymity told our reporter that the DSS operatives was stabbed in the neck and bled profusely, leading to his death.

    He explained that the incident happened as a result of a hot argument between the soldiers and the DSS staff after they arrested a young boy suspected to be an internet fraudster inside the hostel.

    “As the soldiers who were inside the hotel had stopped the young man they suspected to be a ‘yahoo boy’ and interrogating him, the young man saw the DSS operative on a bike and beckoned on him for rescue.

    “When the DSS got to the soldiers, a hot argument ensued between them and one of the soldiers became so angry that he drew out a knife and stabbed DSS operatives in the neck.

    “The DSS man fell immediately and started bleeding. The people inside the hotel drinking had to run for their lives, in fact, they hurriedly fled the scene to prevent being arrested,” the source said.

    He further added that few minutes after the tragic incident occurred, about six gun-wielding DSS operatives stormed the hotel and whisked the soldiers away to their custody.

  • Fayemi suspends payment of minimum wage, slashes political aides’ salaries

    Fayemi suspends payment of minimum wage, slashes political aides’ salaries

    The Ekiti State Government has suspended implementation of the minimum wage for its senior civil servants following dwindling revenues accruing to the state.

    The action followed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the government and organised labour on Friday in Ado Ekiti.

    Tiv/ Fulani crisis: Police deploy more men
    Under the agreement, the state government partially suspended for three months, the consequential adjustment for workers on grade levels 07 to 12.

    However, workers on grade levels 01 and 06 were not affected in the economic adjustment measure as they would continue to earn their N30,000 minimum wage.

    It was gathered that those who represented the government at the signing of the MoU were the Head of Service, Mrs Peju Babafemi and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Labour Matters, Oluyemi Esan.

    The Permanent Secretary, Office of Establishment and Service Matters, Mr Bayo Opeyemi, also witnessed the signing.

    Those who signed on behalf of labour were the Chairmen, Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Ekiti State chapter, Kolapo Olatunde; his counterparts in the Trade Union Congress (TUC), the state chapter, Sola Adigun and Joint Negotiating Council (JNC), Kayode Fatomiluyi, as well as their secretaries.

    The TUC chairman, who read the agreement, said that the suspension of the consequential adjustment for certain categories of workers would take effect from May to July.

    Adigun said it was also agreed that the salaries of political appointees and accounting officers be slashed by 25 per cent for a period of three months in the first instance.

    He said that the agreement also included the reduction of grant for the running of government establishments.

    According to him, the monthly meeting of the ‘Economic Review Committee’ will convene five days after the meeting of the Federal Account Allocation Committee.

    He said that this was to keep the workers abreast of the state’s financial position.

    “It was also agreed that 10 per cent Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state, being the state responsibility to Joint Account Allocation Committee, is to be released to the local governments henceforth.

    “In the pact, government reassured that it would not downsise or retrench any worker as a result of the present economic crunch hitting the state,’’ Adigun said.

    The head of service recalled that Gov. Kayode Fayemi had, at a recent “State of the State Finance’’ programme, presented the financial report of the state.

    Babafemi said that it was evident from the report that the two sides – government and labour, must shift grounds as a response to the economic realities

  • Why PDP may lose 2022 governorship poll in Ekiti – Senator Olujimi

    Why PDP may lose 2022 governorship poll in Ekiti – Senator Olujimi

    Senator Biodun Olujimi has called on the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to reconcile contending groups in Ekiti State or risk losing the 2022 Governorship election.
    Olujimi, a former Minority Leader in the Senate, gave the warning
    Sunday in Omuo-Ekiti, Ekiti East Council area while commissioning blocks of classrooms and distributing fertilizers and other inputs to farmers in Ekiti South.
    She said the party has no luxury of time and should expedite action to settle the disputes among party members in the state.
    Olujimi maintained that the Uche Secondus-led National Working Committee should commence genuine process of reconciliation as any delay might spell doom for the party in the forthcoming election.
    The lawmaker representing Ekiti South Senatorial District, however, cautioned leaders of the party in the state against placing curse on perceived opponent of their anointed candidates for the election.
    Olujinmi said such action was not only unacceptable, but also condemnable.
    She said that the party leaders in Ekiti are expceted to preach peace, love and reconciliation.
    ”Winning elections require the support of all party men and women.
    “There is no doubt that time is running out for PDP in Ekiti, I believe that we should explore peaceful avenue before we embark on any extraneous steps.
    ”The party leadership must sit down and look at all the issues and resolve amicably, failure to do so will not be palatable for the party and I am sure the party is aware of this.
    “ If they don’t do that, the party may not be able to focus on the task ahead and we don’t want the PDP to be out of the picture in 2022.
    We need to guard against it,” she said.
    “The language of leadership should be peace, love and reconciliation, because political parties operate open door policy, In other words, you are free to join and you are free to leave.
    “This leadership that we laid claim to cannot be conferred by us, It is the people that will confer it on us.
    “That is why we need to always respect our followers and consider them in decision making.
    “ In all of this only one person will be candidate and only one person will be governor, and it is only God that can anoint the person, So, in political participation, there should be decency.
    “We have to be nice to each other and ensure that there is peace,” she said.
  • Ekiti 2022: Fayose unveils preferred gov candidate in PDP

    Ekiti 2022: Fayose unveils preferred gov candidate in PDP

    A former Governor of Ekiti, Mr Ayodele Fayose, on Tuesday, unveiled the Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Mr Bisi Kolawole, as his preferred choice for the 2022 governorship election in the state.

    Kolawole, a former House of Assembly member, representing Efon constituency, was formally presented by Fayose to his supporters in all the 177 wards in the state.

    According to NAN, the unveiling of the aspirant was aimed at preparing ground for his emergence as candidate in the governorship primary of the party.

    The occasion was attended by some party chieftains, including a former member of House of Representatives from Ogun, Mr Ladi Adebutu, a former PDP South-West Zonal Chairman, Dr Eddy Olafeso, PDP Chairman in Ogun, Alhaji Sikirukahi Ogundele and Mr Kayode Alufa, among others.

    Speaking at the occasion, Fayose described Kolawole as a bridge builder, who would usher in a better future for Ekiti and the party.

    He commended two former House of Representatives members, Messrs Ayodeji Oladimeji and Segun Adekola for stepping down for Kolawole to allow peace to reign, saying “this is a mark of respect for my leadership.

    “The man you have come to honour, Bisi Kolawole, is our collective project. I made him my preferred candidate in the overall interest of our party, but this does not foreclose due process of nomination in PDP.

    “We are not going to attack anybody on social media. We are not going to do that, and even if you are doing that without your voter cards, you are just wasting your time; just go and get your voter cards,” he said.

    Fayose, however, said that whoever won the primary among the aspirants would have his support.

    “PDP is what we are supporting; it is what we are marketing; and all we want is a winner; we have started consultations and I know that victory is sure for us,” he said.

    In his address, Adebutu appealed to Fayose to mend fences with his aggrieved supporters in order to keep and strengthen his political base.

    “It is sad that some people, who used to be with Fayose, had abandoned him barely three years he left office.

    “Why should this be? When and what actually caused the enmity? I am particularly worried.

    “We have to beg them. We must appeal to them; they have dined and wined with the Fayose political family; they have benefited from you; we won’t allow anyone to ruin PDP. So Fayose must bring them back,” Adebutu said.

    Kolawole, in his remarks, promised that he would not betray the confidence reposed in him.

    “I never wanted to be a governorship aspirant. All I wanted was to remain as PDP chairman, but when the leadership beckoned, I have to agree.

    “This endorsement does not mean an imposition; that Fayose is endorsing me only shows that I have been adopted by his supporters and admirers.

    “I am going to make sure we have free and fair primary. I won’t take advantage of my position. I am going to become the candidate through popular votes.

    “I am sure that this is not going to be an impossible task. Above all, I will not betray Fayose who is our leader.

    “For him (Fayose) to have endorsed me, I consider myself to have received uncommon mercy from God. I thank God for showing me mercy,” the governorship aspirant said.

  • Why I want to be Ekiti governor again – Segun Oni

    Why I want to be Ekiti governor again – Segun Oni

    Mr Segun Oni, former Governor of Ekiti, has said his ambition to contest next year’s governorship election in the state is geared towards rescuing Ekiti from total collapse and expand its frontiers for the benefit of the poor masses.

    The Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) chieftain made this known in Ado Ekiti on Saturday, while unveiling members of his campaign team for the governorship project in 2022.

    Oni who addressed his supporters at his campaign office in Adebayo area of the state capital, assured that his mission was to unite the party and wipe out divisive tendencies among the contending forces.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Oni governed Ekiti between May 29, 2007 and Oct. 15, 2010.

    Oni added that his intention to recontest the seat was not targeted at corrupt enrichment of himself, family or political cronies.

    He said “The PDP family is an inclusive political community with a level-playing ground for all party members; we will leave no one behind because it is big enough to accommodate diverse interests, groups and everyone.

    “This developmental journey is not about us, our friends or associates; it is about the people who have shown tremendous confidence in our ability to turn the state’s fortunes around and guarantee Ekiti a secured future.

    “It is largely about deploying Ekiti resources to develop its people. This is not about personal enrichment or personalising governance for a few cronies.

    “That the people are coming forward volunteering their cars for us in this PDP Family branding, is a testament to who we are and a demonstration of pure love, confidence and trust in our commitment to make Ekiti State a better place for all.

    “The campaign has not started, but the people are eager to create awareness and assure themselves that there is a viable alternative to the present situation in the State and will never take this for granted.

    “We urge everyone to be orderly, lawful, show good conduct and use the branded vehicles in a manner that will further endear the PDP Family to the people”.

    He, therefore, named a former member of the House of Representatives, who represented Efon/Ijero/Ekiti West, Yemi Arokodare, as the Director General of the campaign.

  • JUST IN: Gunmen abduct LG official in Ekiti

    JUST IN: Gunmen abduct LG official in Ekiti

    Unknown gunmen have kidnapped Ekiti West local government Supervisor for Agriculture, Ebenezer Busuyi, along Erijiyan Ekiti road.

    Busuyi was said to have been waylaid by the gunmen and dragged out of his car.

    His car was found along the road with its four doors ajar, in the late hours of Thursday.

    One of the residents of Erijiyan Ekiti who put a call across to newsmen explained that police from Ilawe Ekiti had visited the spot of the incident while the vehicle of the victim had been taken to police custody.

    The residents called on security agents to swing into action to rescue the APC stalwart.

    When contacted, the spokesperson for the Ekiti state police command, Mr Sunday Abutu, who confirmed the incident said that the command would work towards his rescue.