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Tag: ekiti

  • Amotekun: How we secured release of kidnaped Ekiti monarch, arrested ‘mastermind’ behind abduction

    Amotekun: How we secured release of kidnaped Ekiti monarch, arrested ‘mastermind’ behind abduction

    The Obadu of Ilemeso Ekiti in the Oye Local Government area of Ekiti State, Oba David Oyewumi, who was kidnapped in his palace on Thursday, has regained freedom.

    The Ekiti Amotekun Corps Commander, Brig Gen. Joe Komolafe, said the traditional ruler was rescued at Obbo Ile in Kwara State with the support of the vigilante members in Kwara State and Amotekun operatives.

    The Police Public Relations Officer for Ekiti State Police Command, Sunday Abutu, said, “The traditional ruler has been reunited with his family, though he is at present receiving treatment in hospital because of the trauma”

    In a related development, the Ekiti State Amotekun Corps on Monday arrested 35-year-old Mohammed Bello, aka Yellow, alleged to be the mastermind of kidnapping in the Ilejemeje, Oye, Ikole areas of the state.

    Komolafe said on Tuesday that the suspect was apprehended on his way from Ajase in Kwara State to Isan Ekiti in the Oye council area.

    The Amotekun boss said, “He is the one giving information and directing kidnappers to their victims in the area.

    “We have been looking for him since December 25 last year when he was fingered in the kidnap of a businessman, Happiness Ajayi, at Iludun Ekiti in the Ilejemeje council area on Christmas day.

    “He was involved in the kidnap a fortnight ago of a petrol station manager at Isan Ekiti, as well that of the Obadu of Ilemeso Ekiti, Oba Oyewunmi on Thursday. He was arrested while returning to Isan Ekiti after the kidnap of the traditional ruler.”

    A source, who said the monarch had been taken for medical attention, said, “Kabiyesi has been released. We are happy about this, but I do not know whether any ransom was paid or not.”

    Recall that the traditional ruler was kidnapped by six gunmen, while a family source on Monday said the abductors demanded N20m ransom.

  • Gunmen who invaded, kidnapped Ekiti monarch from his palace demand N20m ransom

    Gunmen who invaded, kidnapped Ekiti monarch from his palace demand N20m ransom

    Kidnappers who abducted Oba David Oyewumi, the Obadu of Ilemeso Ekiti, have demanded N20 million ransom to secure his release.

    TheNewsGuru, TNG reports that Oyewumi was abducted by the gunmen who invaded the palace in Ilemeso Ekiti in Oye LGA of Ekiti state at 9.00 p.m. on April 15.

    A family source, who did not want his name published, told newsmen in Ado-Ekiti on Monday that the abductors contacted the family late on Saturday and demanded the ransom.

    “We have been contacted by those who took Kabiyesi. They called us around 7.03 p.m. on Saturday and demanded that we pay N20 million for the king to be released.

    “We are really worried by this demand, but the family is not taking anything to chance, as we are taking further steps to ensure that Kabiyesi is released alive as soon as possible.”

    Reacting, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP Sunday Abutu, said the police was not aware of the ransom demanded.

    Abutu, however, said that the police and other security agencies were making frantic efforts to rescue the Oba from captivity safe.

    “We are taking all security measures to ensure that we rescue the Oba. We are not resting at all.

    “We are working with other sister agencies in this regard and also working on intelligence we have at our disposal.

    “The police want to work more to prevent this kind of crime and we are relying on information from the members of the public.

    “We work more on information we find to be veracious,” the PPRO said.

    The police spokesman appealed to members of the public to help with valuable information on the matter.

    “We assure them that the police will protect the identities of such informants,” Abutu said.

    TNG reports that the attack on the Oba was the second of such in the state within three weeks.

    Another Oba had earlier been attacked while on transit at 7.00 p.m. and his official car was riddled with bullets by gunmen believed to be kidnappers.

    He was, however, lucky to escape being kidnapped, but sustained gunshot wounds on the stomach and other parts of the body.

  • Adeboye condemns bandits’ attacks on traditional rulers in Ekiti, inaugurates 1000 Pastors, visits Fayemi

    Adeboye condemns bandits’ attacks on traditional rulers in Ekiti, inaugurates 1000 Pastors, visits Fayemi

    The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye has condemned the recent attacks by bandits on traditional institutions in Ekiti State.

    The cleric was speaking against the backdrop of separate attacks on two traditional rulers by gunmen in the state in the last ten days.

    While the Elewu of Ewu-Ekiti, Oba Adetutu Ajayi was shot and escaped being kidnapped, the Obadu of Ilemeso-Ekiti , Oba David Oyewumi was abducted in his palace and whereabouts unknown as of press time.

    Adeboye who spoke in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital on Saturday when he visited the state governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, said traditional institutions in the state and beyond deserve respect because of the critical roles the institutions play in the society.

    “It is condemnable the flagrant disrespect to our traditional institutions in Ekiti state in recent time by gunmen, ” he said.

    He urged residents to continue in their prayers for the country to survive the avalanche of problems confronting it, saying, ” I have committed myself in fighting the battle for the soul of the nation spiritually.”

    Adeboye who was in the state to ordain about 1000 pastors in RCCG said political leaders across board must not relegate the power of God to the background in their activities and policies in the interest of the citizens.

    The General Overseer, who revealed that his grandmother was from Ekiti said God will halt the reign of terror and violence in the country, assuring that every tree that the Lord had not planted would be uprooted.

    Responding, Governor Fayemi while expressing delight for the visit to the government house by the renowned cleric, commended him for his prayers and efforts towards the development and progress of the country.

    He noted that government at all levels would be ready to listen to wise counsels from elders and spiritual leaders in a bid for the nation to surmount the increasing security challenges.

    “We need prayers, we need a lot of help, our people are very very prayerful, and we know the development RCCG has witnessed under your leadership, particularly in our own setting here. We pray that God will continue to be good to us and heal the land and in a moment, all of us will have testimony to the good works of the Lord.

    “I want to on behalf of the people of the State thank you immensely for your untiring relentless efforts in ensuring that our country gets better, our lives improve and the quality of security and safety are improved in the land,” Fayemi said.

  • Ekiti monarch shot by gunmen lands in hospital

    Ekiti monarch shot by gunmen lands in hospital

    The traditional ruler of Ewu Ekiti in Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Adetutu Ajayi has been hospitalised after he was shot by gunmen.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the monarch was shot Friday evening while in transit to a neighbouring town in Ido/Osi Local Government Area of the state.

    Locals said the gunmen rained gunshots on the official car of the monarch but he escaped death but has since been hospitalised.

    The attack on the monarch comes barely 24 hours after gunmen invaded a petrol station at Isan Ekiti in the same local government area and abducted the manager of the station, Itakorodo Adebayo, after sporadic gunshots.

    The Police Public Relations Officer in the State Sunday Abutu who confirmed the attack assured that the police and other security outfits in the state are determined to rid the state of criminal elements.

    Abutu said the monarch is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital as the police command has swung into action to unravel those behind the criminal act and bring them to book.

    “Despite the rigorous joint patrol, raiding of blackspots and combing of bushes/forests comprising the Amotekun Corps, vigilante groups, local hunters, chiefs, drivers union, motorcycle riders, farmers and other stakeholders carried out simultaneously on Friday across the 16 local governments areas of the state, some unknown gunmen mischievously defiled the operation, came out and attacked the Elewu of Ewu Ekiti, Oba Ajayi while he was on transit between Ewu Ekiti and Ayetoro Ekiti at about 1900 hours.

    “The operation was aimed at dislodging and apprehending the miscreants in their hideouts as directed by the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Tunde Mobayo.

    “The Commissioner of Police, while assuring the general public that the perpetrators will be brought to book, has pledged that the Police Command shall continue to work with relevant security outfits, ministries, stakeholders, and organizations to ensure that criminality is brought to zero across the state.

    “The spirit of officers of the Command and other supporting agencies and groups still remain high as the operation still continues indefinitely to stamp out the bandits,” Abutu said.

  • 81 Ekiti monarchs tackle Fayemi, reject ‘surrendering’ lands to herdsmen for grazing

    81 Ekiti monarchs tackle Fayemi, reject ‘surrendering’ lands to herdsmen for grazing

    Traditional rulers in Ekiti State have rejected the Federal Government’s National Livestock Transformation Plan in the state, describing it as another nomenclature for the Rural Grazing Area, which they call a land grabbing initiative.

    The traditional rulers, under the aegis of Majority Obas of Ekiti Land, who said the scheme would bring about Fulani herders’ occupation of their land, said, “We vehemently oppose surrendering/acquisition of our land to be used as grazing reserves for herdsmen under the proposed NLTP.”

    MOBEL Chairman and the Olomuooke of Omuo-Oke Ekiti, Oba Adebayo Otitoju; Secretary and the Onikun of Ikun-Amure Ekiti, Oba Olatunde Olusola; and 79 traditional rulers, in a letter to Governor Kayode Fayemi, dated March 25, 2021 and titled, ‘Rejection of the proposed Federal Government’s livestock scheme in Ekiti State by MOBEL’, said NTLP was unacceptable to them and as well their subjects.

    The Ekiti State Government has been favorably disposed to NLTP, saying it will reactivate the grazing reserves at Oke Ako and Irele Ekiti for the programme in the state.

    But the traditional rulers said, “We are mindful of the security implications and consequences which will be inimical to the security of our people, knowing full well that the majority of our populace are predominantly peasant farmers.

    “We are also not unmindful of the antecedents of some of the Fulani herders wherever they cohabit with their hosts.

    “Since the time it was reported that Ekiti State is favourably disposed to the proposed programme which will lead to direct occupation of our land by Fulani herders, we have been inundated with series of complaints laden with fears from our subjects both from home and in diaspora.

    “In view of the foregoing, MOBEL, on behalf of our subjects at home and in Diaspora, hereby declares that this proposed programme which we perceive to be another nomenclature for RUGA – the widely rejected land grabbing initiative, is unacceptable to our subjects,” the monarchs stated.

  • Ekiti APC warns indigenes, opposition parties against attacks on Fayemi’s government

    Ekiti APC warns indigenes, opposition parties against attacks on Fayemi’s government

    The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has advised indigenes and opposition parties in the state to shun the idea of perpetually whipping up negative narratives about the state, but rather to always celebrate the activities and achievements of the state government and people of the state that impact positively on the well being of the people.

    In a statement signed and released on Sunday by Elder Sam Oluwalana, the Director of Media and Publicity for the party in the state, several activities that are worthy of mention and in the international space have happened or are in the offing in the state but are not considered mentioning by certain elements in the state for political reasons which does not bode well for the state.

    “Some people would rather run the state government down rather than celebrate the good things they are doing, because of politics.

    ”Indigenes and residents should know that we are all in this together and that when you urinate in the Commonwealth well, it all affects all of us.

    “Lets all of us have good thoughts and contribute goodwill for the benefit of the generality of the people, like the Bible said;” those who wish good tidings for our Jerusalem would prosper ,” Oluwalana said in the statement.

    Highlighting some of the good moments of the state under Governor Kayode Fayemi, Oluwalana said: “In recent time, Ekiti state has been in the limelight for very good reasons and her name has continued to receive positive mention both nationally and internationally.

    The state is living up to expectations as the “Land of Honour” as it quietly picks its race to the topmost in all aspects of human development indices.

    Ekiti, under the leadership of Dr Kayode Fayemi, who is the fourth civilian governor to preside over the governance of the state, is presently recording many firsts in virtually all aspects of human endeavours.

    Few days ago, Dr Fayemi held meetings with top security advisers to respond to the renewed threat to lives and property in the state as part of his proactive measures to ensure the state remains peaceful as always.

    Similarly, as Chair of Governors Forum, he held a series of strategic meetings across the length and breadth of the country in an effort to find a united and organic solutions to the challenge of insecurity in the country generally. Even within the south west political zone, he has continued to profer creative and collaborative solutions on the best way to curtail the demons of kidnapping and rural insecurity.

    The immediate result of these meetings can be seen in the mobilisation of national consensus around the understanding of the problem and the renewed concerted effort to combat it head long.

    In another development, Nigeria’s quest to promote gas utilisation policy as as a substitute to fossile fuel under the National Gas Expansion Programme, received a boost with the launch of the project in Ekiti as the first state in the south west. The project is expected to employ nothing less than 5000 youths in gas related businesses. It will also drive down cost of energy and environmental sustainability

    Within the same time, medical equipment worth N300m was commissioned in an effort to boost health delivery service in the state. The items of the equipment are to be distributed to government hospitals in the state.

    The Ikun Diary Farm which was being managed by Promasidor received a further lift with the arrival of 250 of about 1000 Texas Steered Cows to boost operation of the industry and actualise its delivery of 10000 liters of fresh milk daily.

    All these are aimed at making actualising the program of the APC to turn around the economic fortunes of Ekiti state.

    Though the panel that is hearing grievances from those maltreated by the disbanded police Special Anti Robbery Squad is yet to conclude its sitting and submit its report, Governor Fayemi has approved the immediate release of the sum of N7.2 million as compensation to proven victims of police brutality.

    This was announced by the state Attorney General and commissioner for Justice, Mr Olawale Fapohunda during one of the sittings of the panel.

    It is high time members of the opposition opened their eyes and ears to see and hear these good tidings already delivered and those that are still in the pipeline,” he said.

  • EFCC arrests 37 internet fraudsters in Ekiti

    EFCC arrests 37 internet fraudsters in Ekiti

    The Ilorin Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday said it has arrested 37 internet fraud suspects, also known as ‘Yahoo-Yahoo Boys’, in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

    This is contained in a statement signed by EFCC Media Head, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, and made available to newsmen in Ilorin.
    The statement reads that the arrest was sequel to series of intelligence reports on the alleged criminal activities of some internet
    fraudsters operating in the area.

    ”Officers of the Commission had carried out series of discreet surveillance on the nature of activities going on in the area, which established that the location where the suspects were rounded up is a hideout for fraudsters.

    ”Two of the suspects arrested are brothers of the same parent – Dada Dele and Dada Tunde with Segun Kazeem, Adepoju Pelumi, Jejelowo Segun, David Ojo, Sodiq Adetoye and Opeyemi Akiniyi.

    “Others include: Michael Ekundayo, Victor Olujobi, Damilola Akinluyi and Attamah Hyauth, Ade Ajayi Tobi, Oyewola Adewunmi, Emmanuel Bello, Lekan Oyewole, Oso Opeyemi, Oluwaseun Temitope Ezekiel, Akinrodolu Sunday and Emmanuel Attah.

    “Also arrested are Sunday Adedoyin, George Tobi, Odunayo Daramola, Olubola Olushola Sunday, Temitope Ayomide, Faboro John Oluwagbotemi, Ajibade Timilehin Emmanuel and Momoh Ranti.

    “The remaining suspects arrested are Ajibade Seyi, Eniola Abdulbasit, Oreoluwa Ayuba, Christopher Olutobiloba, Samuel Ajayi, Abiodun Akeem, Tunde Orija, Ajila Ayodeji and Oyeleke Kehinde,” the statement read in part.

    It added that the raid led to the confiscation of scores of vehicles, laptops, sophisticated phones and other items.

    According to the statement, the suspects are currently being profiled to determine their culpability in the alleged crime and would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

  • Herdsmen kill two farmers in Ekiti

    Herdsmen kill two farmers in Ekiti

    Two farmers have been killed in Ekiti State after a clash involving some herders in Isaba, Ikole Local Government Area.

    The police spokesman in the State, Sunday Abutu, who confirmed the incident, said the clash was preceded by a disagreement between both parties.

    Mr. Abutu said police operatives have been deployed to the area to maintain peace while investigation has commenced to unravel the reason behind the unrest.

    Clashes between farmers and herdsmen are common across Nigeria, mostly over land rights issues and open and night grazing.

    Most State Governors have agreed to the establishment of ranches as a solution to open grazing but funding for the required infrastructure and re-training remains a challenge.

  • Ekiti tells residents to use personal savings for pilgrimage, as government withdraws sponsorship

    Ekiti tells residents to use personal savings for pilgrimage, as government withdraws sponsorship

    The Ekiti State Government has advocated more private sponsorship of pilgrims to Mecca and Jerusalem, following government’s withdrawal from bankrolling the activity, according to remarks by the Deputy Governor, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi.

    Speaking on Tuesday, at a meeting with members of the State Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Board, led by its Chairman, Alhaji Babatunde Onipede, in Ado-Ekiti, Egbeyemi noted that both the federal and state governments had stopped sponsoring pilgrims on holy pilgrimages, to save funds for development purposes.

    He told the board members, who visited him to familiarise themselves with his office, which supervises the Board in the state, that individuals interested in performing pilgrimage should do so through private savings, in view of the government’s withdrawal of sponsorship.

    “Both the Federal Government and the State Government have said they will not spend their money on pilgrimages again, and that is why there was no budgetary allocation to it.

    “Anybody wishing to perform his religious obligation of going to the Holy Lands must do so with his own personal savings, and that was what I told the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) when their executives made a similar request, because we must be fair to all,” Egbeyemi said.

    The deputy governor, however, said that the board’s demand for office furniture and utility vehicles were legitimate and would be looked into accordingly, stressing that the state government was ready to assist the board in the performance of its statutory duties.

    Egbeyemi also expressed satisfaction with the peaceful coexistence between Muslims and Christians in the state, which made them to live together as brothers and sisters.

    Speaking earlier, Onipede expressed gratitude to Gov. Kayode Fayemi and the deputy governor, for finding him and other members of the board worthy of being appointed to serve.

    Onipede revealed that the board was not run properly during the last administration, hence the need to draw the attention of the present administration to the situation for assistance.

    “It was not functioning as a board during the Fayose administration; it was just lying fallow there and was not run like a board.

    “In Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, we don’t have utility vehicles. Our utility vehicle in Saudi Arabia has been grounded since 2018,” he said.

    Onipede said the board also needed furniture and more funds for the smooth running of the office, for quality service delivery.

  • No influx of herdsmen into Ekiti forests – Police

    No influx of herdsmen into Ekiti forests – Police

    The Police Command in Ekiti State on Wednesday said there was no influx of herdsmen into forests in the state from Ondo State forest reserves as being reported in the media.

    The command disclosed this in a statement signed in Ado-Ekiti by Mr Sunday Abutu, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), on behalf of the state Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr Tunde Mobayo.

    The statement said the command had neither sighted nor received any report of herders migrating or relocating into any part of the state or its forests.

    It, therefore, called on the residents to disregard the report as fake and fictitious.

    According to the statement, the story was just a mere imagination of the source.

    It cautioned newsmen against fake and unverified publications capable of causing apprehension in the state, saying such would no longer be tolerated

    The statement also implored members of the public to always verify the source and authenticity of every piece of information they receive via the social media.

    The command, while assuring the people of adequate protection of lives and property, urged them to remain calm and vigilant.