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Tag: ekiti

  • Hoodlums invade Ekiti LG secretariat, destroy properties

    Hoodlums invade Ekiti LG secretariat, destroy properties

    Suspected hoodlums on Monday attacked the Ikole Local Government secretariat in Ekiti destroying properties estimated to be worth several millions of naira.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that suspects under the guise of #EndSARS protesters vandalised vehicles belonging to the local government, newly renovated office of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and that of the Nigerian Peace Corps.

    The premises of the local government was littered with wooden sticks, stones and broken bottles used by the hoodlums to destroy the government properties.

    Some members of staff of the local government who spoke with NAN correspondent expressed their dismay at the level of damage caused by the hoodlums.

    One of the staff, Mr Bisi Ogunjobi said that the hoodlums who hijacked the peaceful protest were heartless and destructive.

    Ogunjobi said that he never expected the protesters to vent their anger on the local government secretariat and destroy the offices and vehicles belonging to the government.

    He charged the youths to embrace peace and desist from destroying government properties and looting of people’s shops.

    The Public Relations Officer of the council, Mr Thaddeus Olajide, said that he was shocked when he saw the level of damage caused by hoodlums in the secretariat.

    Olajide said that the vehicles and office windows that were destroyed would cost the local government a lot of money to repair, particularly now that governments at all levels were experiencing paucity of funds.

    He appeal to the youths to give peace a chance and desist from destroying government properties.

    Reacting, the Chairman of the council, Mr Sola Olominu condemned the action of the hoodlums who destroyed government properties.

    “It is sad to see the level of damage caused by hoodlums who claimed to be protesting against the government to end the activities of SARS.

    ” The local government vehicles were destroyed, the windows of the offices were destroyed, offices of the FRSC, Peace Corps were also destroyed.

    “I want to appeal to our youths to calm down, they were protesting that SARS should be disbanded and the Federal Government granted their request, but destroying government owned properties is not good at all,” he said.

  • Looted COVID-19 palliatives poisonous, Ekiti warns residents

    Looted COVID-19 palliatives poisonous, Ekiti warns residents

    Ekiti State government raised an alarm on Saturday that huge quantities of poisonous items, mistaken for food yet to be distributed as Covid-19 palliatives, were looted in warehouses in Ado-Ekiti on Friday.

    Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mr Akin Omole, said in a statement in Ado Ekiti that raising the alarm became expedient to forestall any harm that could befall anyone who consumed the items.

    Also reportedly looted was the office of the Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) in Ado Ekiti.

    “Information at our disposal revealed that the Federal Government’s silos, the ADP warehouse and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) stores, all in Ado- Ekiti, were attacked by hoodlums under the guise of seeking Covid-19 palliatives.

    “We insist that Ekiti state currently has no Covid-19 palliative warehouse as all the palliatives had been distributed.

    “Unfortunately, the items carted away were Single Super Phosphate and NPK fertilisers, which they erroneously thought was “Gaari’’, cassava grains.

    “The SEMA store too has only emergency supplies for disaster response.

    “Some people even made away with pre-fermented corns preserved for planting. All these items are poisonous and not fit for consumption.

    “We, therefore, appeal to our people not to consume these items because they can kill,’’ Omole warned.

    In a similar statement, Dr Olabode Adetoyi, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, confirmed the looting, warning that most of the items carted away contained chemically-treated seeds meant for planting.

    “They are not suitable for consumption,’’ he declared.

    According to reports, the looters actually defied a heavy downpour in Ado-Ekiti on Friday night to storm the warehouses.

    Many travelled long distances either in their private vehicles or in taxis or on motorcycles to get to the warehouses to loot.

    Soldiers drafted to the warehouses were late as most of them were almost empty before they arrived. They deployed minimal force in their attempt to send the looters away, but in spite of this, some of them sustained injuries.

    Some residents are of the opinion that the looters were encouraged by similar incidents earlier reported in Lagos and Osun states, where looted many bags of rice, beans, spaghetti and other consumables stored in government warehouses.

  • Fayemi declares 24-hour curfew in Ekiti

    Fayemi declares 24-hour curfew in Ekiti

    Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Governor of Ekiti State, has declared a 24-hour curfew in the state due to the growing concern of how the #ENDSARS protest, which started as a peaceful protest against police brutality by youths, has been hijacked by some hoodlums.

    The governor ordered the effectiveness of the curfew from 10 pm on Tuesday (today).

    He said the hoodlums have capitalised on the ENDSARS protest to rape, assault, rob and extort innocent citizens across the State.

    The governor, in a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, on Tuesday titled, ‘Fayemi imposes 24-hour curfew on Ekiti, added that;

    “Government is concerned that if this state of affairs is allowed to continue unabated, it will lead to a breakdown of law and order thereby threatening the wellbeing of the people of Ekiti State.”

    “In the past 48 hours, there have been incidents of gang-rape, robberies, physical assaults on innocent people, looting and burning of a police station. These acts of brigandage are not in consonance with the legitimate aspirations of the protesters. It cannot be logical to seek to remedy impunity with impunity.

    “Government, therefore, cannot afford to watch a deliberate enthronement of anarchy by some bad elements who have hijacked the protest for some clandestine reasons. Consequently, the Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Fayemi, hereby imposes a 24-hour curfew on all parts of the State starting from 10 pm tonight, Tuesday, October 20, 2020.

    “Only essential workers and service providers with valid means of identifications are allowed to move around during the period of the curfew. Any person found on the street that does not belong to this category would be promptly arrested and prosecuted according to the laws of Ekiti State.”

  • Thugs gang rape three girls at Ekiti EndSARS protest – AG

    Thugs gang rape three girls at Ekiti EndSARS protest – AG

    Ekiti State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Olawale Fapohunda, stated on Tuesday that no fewer than three girls were gang raped at the Fajuyi Park area of the state capital on Sunday by thugs who had hijacked the EndSARS protest.

    Fapohunda, who scowled at the development, said, “Rape and robbery cannot be the values of EndSARS protesters. It may now be necessary to alert all those participating in the protests, specifically girls and women to note that there exists hoodlums in their midst whose agenda is to rape and rob.

    “it is regrettable that the legitimate protests against impunity by SARS has now been hijacked by undesirable elements who rape, assault and rob innocent citizens.

    “It is becoming obvious that government cannot continue to allow the good people of Ekiti State suffer in this manner.”

    He spoke in Ado Ekiti while receiving the mothers of the three victims of the gang rape, where he advised them to immediately take the assaulted girls to the Ekiti State Sexual Assault Referral Centre – the Moremi Clinic, located in the Ekiti State Teaching hospital for medical check-up.

    Fapohunda said, “The rapists will be apprehended. The first step is to seek medical support for the girls. The girls will then be debriefed for the purpose of police investigation.”

    The mother of one of the girls, who spoke on behalf of the three mothers of the victims, said that their daughters joined the protests out of belief in the cause and said they had appealed to the girls several times to be watchful.

    She said that the beleaguered mother had decided to visit the Attorney-General rather than the police because of the campaign by the state Ministry of Justice against sexual violence in the state.

    The woman said, “We are horrified that our daughters could be raped by those they with who they were fighting the same cause. We hereby plead with the Attorney-General to ensure that the rapists were apprehended and prosecuted”.

  • #EndSARS: Lagos, Ogun, Ekiti, Delta, Edo, Abia, Plateau inaugurate panels on SARS abuses

    #EndSARS: Lagos, Ogun, Ekiti, Delta, Edo, Abia, Plateau inaugurate panels on SARS abuses

    Lagos, Ogun, Ekiti, Abia, Delta, Edo and Plateau states on Monday inaugurated panels to probe cases of human rights abuses against the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

    Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, while inaugurating the panel, appealed to youths protesting police brutality to vacate Lagos roads and embrace dialogue for resolution of the issues.

    He said the government has shown sincerity and willingness to address all concerns raised.

    Sanwo-Olu’s appeal came on the heel of violent dimension assumed by the #EndSARS protests in some parts of the state.

    According to Sanwo-Olu, the Lagos State government has also established a compensation fund for the victims of police brutality.

    He said: “We have shown an unprecedented commitment to the complete overhaul of the Nigeria Police. The inauguration of this Judicial Panel of Inquiry is only the first step in a long line of reformative actions that will lead to a thorough revamp and reorientation of the Nigeria Police. I believe that some of the actions we have taken should, to a large extent, show our sincerity and willingness to address all your concerns.

    “Let me reiterate that I am on the side of the young people out there. I understand your pain and I know your concerns are genuine and legitimate. While we are able to immediately acquiesce to some of your demands, some others will require time. We ask you to bear with us as we dutifully work on your demands.

    “I will, therefore, like to renew my appeal to you to suspend the protests and create an atmosphere for the resolution of all pending demands. I encourage everyone brutalised by the disbanded SARS, including the families of those who died, to present their case before this tribunal.”

    Sanwo-Olu said he believed the task of reforming the police was achievable, but required the input and cooperation of the youth to accomplish.

    He commended the cohesiveness of the “resilient” young people who stood their ground in the last two weeks. Their tenacity, Sanwo-Olu said, has made the much-desired change in the policing system become inevitable.

    Speaking about the judicial panel, the Governor said he was convinced that its outcome and recommendations would open a new chapter in the police-citizen relationship.

    He promised that the State Government would ensure that all wounds are healed, justice served to victims of abuse, and guilty police officers prosecuted.

    At the time of the swearing-in of the panel members, the representatives of the youth in the panel had not been nominated by the protesters.

    The government, last Friday, reached out to the protesters to forward the name of their nominees into the judicial panel. The protesters, however, pleaded for more time to send the names of their nominees, four days after the government’s request.

    Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, who also inaugurated the Judiciary Panel of Investigation on SARS atrocities in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, called on members to make fairness, firmness, dedication and objectivity their watchwords.

    Abiodun enjoined the panel to shun all acts which could impact negatively on their assignment, urging stakeholders in the security, peace and conflict resolution processes as well as the mass media to give the Panel the needed support to succeed.

    “Needless to remind you all of the import of your assignment to the continued peace and security of our dear State, in particular, and our great Nation, in general. The people of our dear State await the outcome of your assignment. Indeed, I expect you to commence your assignment immediately and hold an inaugural meeting today.

    “It is imperative that you make fairness, firmness, dedication and objectivity your watchword. You must shun all acts which could impact negatively on your duty. In the same vein, I enjoin all stakeholders in the security; peace and conflict resolution process; the mass media; and, in fact, all the people of our dear State to give this Judicial Panel of Investigation all the necessary support and cooperation needed for them to succeed.

    “Though this panel has six months to conclude this assignment, we will not wait for six months before we begin to implement. They will be taking the reports in phases so we can take immediate action,” he said.

    According to the governor, the terms of reference for the Judicial Panel of Investigation are to receive and investigate complaints of police brutality, human right violation or related extrajudicial killings in the state; evaluation of the evidence presented or other surrounding circumstances and draw a conclusion as to “the validity of the complaints and recommend compensation and other remedial measures more appropriate so that cheques can be issued; determine the officers responsible in the abuse of victims and recommend their prosecution, make recommendations to the Ogun State government on how to ensure that Security agencies no longer abuse the rights of our citizens.”

    Aside the Judicial Panel of Investigation on Human Rights Abuses in the state, a Special Security and Human Rights Committee was also set up under the chairmanship of the governor while the Human Rights Complaint Office with an Ombudsman and two other members were also set up.

    The Chairman of the Panel, Retired Justice Solomon Olugbemi, thanked the governor for the confidence reposed in him and his team, pledging that the panel would ensure that justice was served to everyone irrespective of social or political standing in the society.

    Ekiti State Governor Dr Kayode Fayemi also released the names and terms of reference of the panel to probe abuses by SARS.

    Members of the Panel are Justice Cornelius Akintayo (Chairman), Mr. Dipo Ayeni, A RETIRED Commissioner of Police, Mrs. Yetunde Kolawole, State Counsel- (Representing the Honourable Attorney-General & Commissioner for Justice), Mrs. Kikelomo Owolabi, Chairperson, Nigerian Bar Association, Ikere-Ekiti Branch, Mr. Rotimi Ojomoyela, Chair, Nigerian Union of Journalists, Ekiti State Branch, Mr. Jamiu Abiodun Adigun, Representative, National Human Rights Commission, Mr. Adeyinka Opaleke, Representative, Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, Ms. Caroline Fakinlede, Ekiti State Youths Representative, Mr. Abiola Johnson-Ogunleye- Ekiti State Students Representative and Mr. Akin Rotimi, a researcher on Police Reforms.

    The panel will receive and investigate complaints of Police brutality or related extra-judicial killings, among others.

    In Jos, the Plateau State capital, Governor Simon Bako Lalong inaugurated an 8-member Judicial Commission of Inquiry.

    Lalong, while inaugurating the commission of inquiry, at the Government House, urged the members to investigate complaints from aggrieved individuals, victims and groups, who might have been brutalised, killed and humiliated by the SARS.

    The governor, in his terms of reference to the Justice Philomena Lot-led panel, urged the panel to also evaluate evidence and draw conclusions on the validity of complaints as well as recommend Compensation and other remedial measures.

    Lalong said the commission has six months to conclude its assignment and submit its report to him.

    His Edo State counterpart, Godwin Obaseki, urged the state’s panel to within ninety days to look into circumstances surrounding the protests in the Southsouth state.

    Secretary to the Edo State Government (SSG) Osarodion Ogie, on Monday in a statement, listed members of the panel as Justice Ada Ehigiamusoe (Chairperson); Bishop Feb Idahosa, representing clerics; Francis Osayi, the representative of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU); Osahon Obasuyi, representing the National Youth Council (NYC); Prest Aigbokhian (civil society); Mrs. Uloaku Uzamere, the National Council for Women Societies (NCWS): Pius Efofan, the representative of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS); Pius Okpere and Kola Edokpayi (#EndSARS Movement); Mrs. Felicia Monyei (Ministry of Justice); unnamed representative of security forces; and Mrs. Joyce Ugbodaga, Secretary to the panel.

    The terms of reference of the panel are: “To receive complaints and petitions from the general public, particularly victims or relatives of victims of police brutality and extra-judicial killings, and to recommend measures, including compensation and restitution, investigation and prosecution, as the circumstances warrant.

    “To advise on compensation or restitution to the victims, or – where the victims have been killed – to the family of the victims, based on a condition which shall be clearly laid out by the panel.

    “To ensure that compensation is paid within 14 days of the decision to compensate.

    “To recommend and direct the Attorney-General to immediately prosecute all persons responsible for the various crimes committed.

    “To recommend measures to forestall reoccurrences in the future and to make any other recommendation to the government, in furtherance of the mandate of panel.”

    Abia State Governor Dr Okezie Ikpeazu also approved the inauguration of a Judicial Panel of Inquiry to investigate allegations of extra-judicial killings and brutality by security agents in the state.

    The committee, according to the statement by Information Commissioner John Okiyi-Kalu, would be inaugurated on Friday at the Government House, Umuahia.

    In Delta, the government said plans were underway to set up a Special Victims’ Support Fund to pay monetary compensation to victims of police brutality or related extra-judicial killings in the state.

    Governor Ifeanyi Okowa spoke yesterday in Asaba while inaugurating an eight-member Judicial Panel of Enquiry into police brutality and other human rights abuses in the state.

    He said that the constitution of the panel was in line with the directive of the National Economic Council (NEC) headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, and charged the body to bring justice to victims.

  • Police command condemns attacks on its properties in Ekiti

    Police command condemns attacks on its properties in Ekiti

    The Police Command in Ekiti has described as barbaric and wicked, an attack on some police facilities by alleged EndSARS protesters in the state on Saturday.

    A statement on Sunday by Mr Sunday Abutu, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, on behalf of Mr Tunde Mobayo, the Police Commissioner, confirmed that properties worth millions of naira were damaged by some youths during the attack.

    According to the statement, the Commissioner of Police is disappointed and unhappy with the action of the protesters.

    It mentioned the Ikere Police Area Command as well as the Ikere Divisional Police Headquarters, as facilities destroyed by the protesters.

    ”The command implore parents, guardians and all stakeholders to warn their wards to refrain from engaging in any form of violent protest, or act that could alter the peace of our dear society.

    “On Saturday, October 17, a group of hoodlums in their large numbers, in the name of protest, went wild and attacked Ikere Area Command as well as Ikere Divisional Police Headquarters, destroying items worth millions of naira in the process.

    ”Part of the items destroyed are; the Area Command and the Divisional Headquarters fences/gates, Area Command and Divisional Headquarters sign posts, about 40 window glasses, four vehicles parked at the station and the roof of a building close to the station among others.

    ”The Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, CP Tunde Mobayo, however condemns such attack on police properties and innocent citizens, noting that the attack could be described as barbaric, wicked and uncalled-for.

    ”The commissioner hereby enjoins those who wish to protest to be more organised in a way that should not affect the rights of other members of the society.

    “They should be peaceful and should not give room for miscreants to hijack such peaceful protest,” the statement appealed.

  • Police declare Ekiti bank robbery mastermind wanted

    Police declare Ekiti bank robbery mastermind wanted

    The Police Command in Ekiti state, has declared one Omotoyinbo Samuel wanted in connection with the Friday robbery attack on a commercial bank in Iyin-Ekiti, Irepodun/Ifelodun local government area of the state.

    The command in a statement on Tuesday by Mr Sunday Abutu, its Public Relations Officer, said Samuel was suspected to have led the robbery attack on the Iyin-Ekiti branch of the Wema Bank.

    According to the statement, our investigations so far revealed how Omotoyinbo Samuel actively participated in the Bank robbery as mastermind and other robberies, kidnapping and murder incidents in Ekiti and Ondo States.

    “His real name is Omotoyinbo Samuel, but popularly called ELEVEN (11) in Ekiti State and BADO in Ondo State.

    “He is an indigene of Iyin-Ekiti, Ekiti State where the recent bank robbery incident took place.

    “The Command implored any person with useful information that could lead to his arrest to please contact the nearest Police Station or the SARS Department on 07031620186 or the PPRO on 09064050086,” the statement added.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that robbers allegedly numbering about 10 and heavily armed stormed the Iyin-Ekiti branch of WEMA Bank at about 3:55p.m with Volkswagen Golf with registration number GED 906 AA, one Acura MDX Jeep with registration number LSR 327 CD and a Toyota Camry with Reg. No GED 106 ER.

    The robbers allegedly overpowered the policemen attached to the bank due to their large number before gaining entrance into the bank.

    Although undisclosed amount of cash was said to have been carted away during the operation, no casualty was recorded.

    Three vehicles allegedly abandoned by the armed robbers were also recovered by police with some Improvised Explosive Device (IEDs), some raps of Indian hemp, alcoholic drinks and two handsets.

  • DAYLIGHT ROBBERY: Robbers blow up popular bank in Ekiti, cart away millions [VIDEO]

    DAYLIGHT ROBBERY: Robbers blow up popular bank in Ekiti, cart away millions [VIDEO]

    Dare-devil armed robbers numbering over six invaded Wema Bank in Iyin-Ekiti area of Ekiti State and carted away millions of naira in broad day light operation.

    The robbers were said to have stormed the bank around 3:30pm on Friday and successfully carried out their operations for hours without the police challenging them.

    It was gathered that the robbers blew up the security doors of the bank with dynamite before carting away millions of naira.

    Eyewitnesses said the robbers on getting to the bank shot sporadically several times into the air before gaining entrance into the bank to rob.

    There was pandemonium in the area as shop owners abandoned their wares and ran for their lives, while vehicles quickly made U-turn to escape from the area.

    Residents are angry that policemen from Police Station in the area just 500 metres away did not respond until the robbers had gone.

    Sunday Abutu, Police Public relations Officer, Ekiti Police Command said the police responded immediately they got information about the robbery and that they were still chasing the robbers.

    According to him, the police got a distress call from Iyin Ekiti about the robbery and immediately dispatched its men and officers to the place.

    He said the robbers were being chased and that the police were determined to arrest the culprits.

  • Ekiti Health workers begin seven-day warning strike Monday

    Ekiti Health workers begin seven-day warning strike Monday

    The Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU), Ekiti State Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti would on Monday begin a 7-day warning strike to press for the payment of their outstanding benefits.

    This was contained in a letter dated September 25, 2022 and addressed to the Hospital Chief Medical Director, Prof. Kayode Olabanji.

    The letter was signed by Chairmen of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Com. Monde C.K, and Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), Com Farotimi O.O.

    Other signatories are: Chairmen of Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Com Olaiya A.M. and Senior Staff Association (SSA), Com. Arigbede T.

    The letter entitled: ‘Notice of 7-Day Warning Strike’, released to newsmen, on Saturday, said members were being owed 14 months unremitted cooperative deductions, among other benefits attached to promotions without verifiable evidence of government’s commitment to pay in due course.

    The letter reads: “With reference to our letter dated August 28,2020 and September 18, 2020 with the following agitations: 14 months unremitted deductions, promotion letters and its financial implementation, conversion/ advancement and 2020 promotion exercise for our members, we write to inform you of our intention to proceed on a 7- day warning strike .

    “It is a fact that based on your letter of September 23, 2020, your response has no commitment towards our agitations.

    “It is on this premise that the congress resolved to embark on a 7-day warning strike commencing from Monday, September 28, 2020.”

    The EKSUTH management had last year disengaged some workers on the premise that they then had over bloated workforce, which was affecting the hospital’s capacity to pay staff’s benefits and procurement of equipment.

    The staff expected that their demands ought to have been met, having proclaimed that the downsizing was meant to make the hospital responsible to payment of all benefits to workers as and when due.

  • JUST IN: APC nullifies suspension of Fayemi, Ojudu, others

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has nullified the suspension of Ekiti Governor Kayode Fayemi, presidential aide Senator Femi Ojudu and others.

    Fayemi and the Paul Omotosho-led State Executives Council were suspended for alleged anti-party activities by the State Executives Committee (SEC) on Friday.

    The development came barely 24 hours after the Omotosho-led executives suspended Ojudu and 10 others following report of the Patrick Ajigbolamu-led eight-man disciplinary committee set up to probe allegations of anti-party activities levelled against them.

    But in a statement on Friday by Deputy National Secretary of the party, Yekini Nabena, APC said the suspensions were a “nullity.”

    Read Also: UPDATED: Ekiti APC crisis deepens as SEC suspends Fayemi, excos
    The party said: “The attention of the National Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been drawn to a purported and widely-reported “suspension” of the Governor of Ekiti State, H.E. Kayode Fayemi as well as an earlier reported “indefinite suspension” of some other party members in the state.

    “The actions are a nullity as the Party’s National Secretariat is yet to receive communication from the state chapter on the purported “suspensions”. We strongly advise all members to adhere to our Party constitution.

    “Governor Kayode Fayemi remains the leader of the party in Ekiti State.

    “In line with the mandate of the Governor Mai Mala Buni-led APC Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary National Convention Planning Committee and the President’s admonition to party members to ensure and support ongoing amicable and rancour-free settlement of internal party disputes, we call on our esteemed party members and leaders in Ekiti State to be duly guided.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the Architect Paul Omotosho-chaired APC Ekiti State Working Committee is the authentic, valid and duly recognised Executive as no factions or divisions exist in the State Chapter.”