TheNewsGuru

Tag: Ogun State

Ogun State

  • Rainy Season: How to avoid crashes driving under the rain – FRSC

    Rainy Season: How to avoid crashes driving under the rain – FRSC

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has urged motorists to ensure that their vehicles are in good condition before putting them on the highway during this rainy season.

    It said that motorists must ensure functional wipers, brake system, headlamps, rear lights, traffic indicators, side glasses, and clear windscreen while driving on the expressway during the rains.

    Mr Sikiru Alonge, the FRSC Unit Commander in Ore, Ondo State, gave the advice on Wednesday in Ore.

    He said that driving under the rain was like driving under emergency, hence motorists must ensure that all the necessary functional vehicle parts were good order.

    He also advised motorists to be cautious and maintain normal speed limit during the rains because of the slippery roads to avert crashes.

    “We are in the rainy season; motorists must ensure they have functional wipers, brakes, rear lights, trafficators, headlamps and a very clear windscreen for clearer vision,” Alonge said.

    The FRSC boss urged motorists to ensure strict compliance to all traffic rules and regulations saying that erring motorists and other road users would face the law if arrested.

  • Police kill 2 suspected kidnappers in Ogun

    Police kill 2 suspected kidnappers in Ogun

    The Police Command in Ogun said that two suspected kidnappers were killed in a shoot-out with its personnel around Itori area of Ewekoro of the state.

    The command`s Spokesman, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi made this known in a statement on Monday in Ota, Ogun.

    Oyeyemi said that the suspects met their waterloo after the police received information at about 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, that some armed hoodlums were hiding in a bush at the back of ICT polytechnic, Itori.

    He said that the anti-robbery team of the division was swiftly dispatched to fish out the hoodlums from the forest, known to be a hideout for criminals.

    “On sighting the policemen, the gang opened fire on them and the policemen engaged them in gun battle which lasted for about 40 minutes.

    “At the end of the encounter, two members of the syndicate were gunned down while others escaped with varying degrees of gunshot injuries,’’ he said.

    Oyeyemi said that one locally fabricated shotgun, two live cartridges, two battle axes and empty shells of AK 47 riffle ammunition were recovered from them.

    Other items recovered were three android phones, two small phones, eight pairs of slippers and two school bags.

    Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Edward Ajogun, who commended his men for the feat, warned criminals in the state to stop testing the will power of the command.

    The commissioner also directed a massive manhunt for other fleeing members of the gang.

    He reiterated the readiness of the command to use its arsenal to wage war against crime and criminality in order to make Ogun free of violent crimes.

  • Missing Islamic cleric found dead in his car in Ogun State

    Missing Islamic cleric found dead in his car in Ogun State

    A prominent Islamic cleric and Chief Imam of Atiba community in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, Sheikh Mushafau Bakare, has been found dead.

    Sheikh Mushafau was reportedly abducted by unknown gunmen on Wednesday night.

    However, he was found dead inside his newly acquired Toyota highlander in the early hours of Thursday, around Ikangba area in Odogbolu local government area of the state.

    The Ogun state police were quick to dismiss any reports of kidnap and assassination of the late chief Imam.

    Speaking on Thursday, the Police public relations officer, DSP, Abimbola Oyeyemi said that the Sheikh may have died of hypertension as a family source revealed the autopsy conducted on him revealed no trace of violence on him.

    DSP Abimbola also stated that the body of the late Islamic cleric was found in his car by police officers from Obalende area of Ijebuode while on a routine patrol around where his car and body was found.

    He assured that the police has commenced investigation on the sudden and unnatural death to unravel the circumstance leading to his death.

    It was gathered that a search party was conducted when the Cleric said to be in his 60s was declared missing by his children, and Muslim faithful in the town.

    The search proved futile.

    The cleric was said to have been buried according to Islamic rites.

  • Gov Abiodun swears in 20 newly elected LG chairmen in Ogun

    Gov Abiodun swears in 20 newly elected LG chairmen in Ogun

    Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, has sworn in 20 newly elected local government councils chairmen of the state, following their victory at the July 24 poll.

    Speaking during the ceremony in Abeokuta on Monday, Abiodun promised to provide good governance which would continue to strengthen the local government administration in the state.

    He said that the election could have taken place earlier but for the outbreak of COVID-19 and the need to adhere strictly to the prevention protocols.

    He added that their assumption of office should bring a new vista of development to the people at the grassroots.

    Abiodun charged them to be inclusive, transparent, accountable, fair, equitable, obey the rule of law, provide good governance and be judicious.

    He urged them not to rely exclusively on allocations from the Federal Government, urging them to be creative in generating funds internally, as well as through the Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) model.

    “But in doing this, you can not afford to over-burden the people who are the essence and facilitators of your being in power.

    “You should take a cue from our approach at the state level by being cerebral, methodical, systemic and ensure strategic allocation of funds.

    “Let me assure you all that our administration at the state level will continue to support our council areas with funds where and when necessary.

    “We must understand that the democratic process does not end at electing representatives but also in helping them to do what we have elected them to do,” he said.

    The governor expressed optimism that the new chairmen would justify the confidence reposed on them by providing credible and quality leadership and services at their respective councils.

    He reassured that his administration would continue to respect the autonomy of the local councils by giving necessary support to the chairmen to carry out their constitutional responsibilities.

    Earlier, in his goodwill message, the Paramount Ruler of Yewa Land, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, urged the chairmen to seek counsel from traditional rulers in order to move the councils forward.

    Mr Yemi Sanusi, the State Caretaker Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC ) appealed to the chairmen to embark on grassroot programmes.

    Sanusi said that it was important to alleviate the suffering of the people at the grassroots level.

    APC won all the chairmanship seats in all the 20 councils in the state.

  • APC wins all 20 chairmanship seats in Ogun LG polls

    APC wins all 20 chairmanship seats in Ogun LG polls

    The All Progressive Congress (APC) swept all the 20 chairmanship seats in Saturday’s local government elections in Ogun, Mr Babatunde Osibodu, the Chairman, Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC) has announced.

    Osibodu, had earlier on Sunday morning announced results of 17 councils while the remaining three results and winners were announced around 2:30pm.

    Osibodu added that the total number of votes cast in the chairmanship elections in the 20 local government areas in the state was 396, 641.
    “I want to say that APC won all the chairmanship seats in the 20 local government areas in the state, ” he said.

    The chairman of the commission said that results of the elections into all the 236 councillorship positions in the state would be released as soon as they were ready.

    Osibodu expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the people during the elections , saying that the peaceful conduct made the election a success.

    He also appreciated the law enforcement agencies for the role played in the success of the elections, adding that those who won should be magnanimous in victory.

  • APC sweeps 17 chairmanship seats in Ogun LG polls

    APC sweeps 17 chairmanship seats in Ogun LG polls

    The All Progressive Congress (APC) has swept all the 17 chairmanship seats so far announced as counting of votes of Saturday’s local government elections in Ogun continues.

    The results were announced on Sunday morning by Mr Babatunde Osibodu, the Chairman of the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGISIEC) at the commission’s head office in Abeokuta.

    Osibodu said that pending results from Odeda, Ado-Odo/Ota and Abeokuta-South Local Government areas would be announced as soon as they were received from the collation centres.

    He said that results of the elections into all the 236 councillorship positions in the state would also be announced when they were ready.

    The OGISIEC chairman assured that all the results would be announced on Sunday.

  • JUST IN: Residents escape death as diesel tanker fall in Abeokuta

    JUST IN: Residents escape death as diesel tanker fall in Abeokuta

    Scores of residents escaped death at Totoro area in Abeokuta metropolis on Sunday after a tanker laden with diesel fell at the roundabout spilling its content on the road.

    Mr Babatunde Akinbiyi, Spokesman, Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) made this known in Abeokuta, saying the incident happened at 9.50 a. m.

    Akinbiyi said that rescue operations are ongoing by the operatives of TRACE, Federal Road Safety Corps, State Fire Service and the Federal Fire Service and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

    The TRACE spokesman attributed the accident, which happened when residents were heading to places of worship, to brake failure.

    He urged motorists and other road users to remain calm and cooperate with traffic and safety managers at the scene of the incident.

    Akinbiyi said that traffic had been re-routed for those coming from Sapon and Totoro axis going to Lafenwa and those coming from Lafenwa going to Sapon and Totoro axis to follow the same lane, as rescue operation continued.

  • JUST IN: Suspected gunmen kidnap 400-level FUNAAB student

    JUST IN: Suspected gunmen kidnap 400-level FUNAAB student

    A 400-level student of Aquaculture and Fisheries Management of the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Olayinka Toyinbo, has been kidnapped by suspected gunmen in Odeda, Ogun.

    This is contained in a statement issued by Head, Directorate of Public Relations of FUNAAB, Mr Kola Adepoju, on Sunday in Abeokuta.

    The student was reportedly abducted in a private farm in Abule Itoko, Odeda Local Government Area, about 25 minutes drive from the institution, around 8 am. on Saturday.

    A friend of the abducted student, who claimed to have witnessed the scene, said Toyinbo was kidnapped by the gunmen at the private farm, where he had been living and working as a practising livestock farmer for the past three years.

    He said that the kidnap victim undertook the job to sustain himself as a self-sponsored indigent student of the university.

    Adepoju said that the institution’s management had reported the abduction at the state police headquarters, while working with the command to ensure the safety and release of the kidnapped student.

    Other sources, however, told NAN that two other persons also reportedly kidnapped alongside the student were the owner of the farm and a 17-year-old Togolese lady.

    It was further gathered that the kidnappers had already established contact with the wife of the farmer, demanding for N50 million ransom from each of their victims.

    When the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi was contacted, he, however, said that he was not yet aware of the incident.

  • Gov. Abiodun reacts over aide’s involvement in unemployment benefits fraud

    Gov. Abiodun reacts over aide’s involvement in unemployment benefits fraud

    Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has reacted by suspending his aide, Abidemi Rufai over his involvement in unemployment benefits fraud in the United States.

    This was contained in a statement by Kunle Somorin, Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Dapo Abiodun

    “The Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has received the very disturbing news of the arrest of one of his political appointees, Mr Abidemi Rufai, in New York over alleged unemployment benefits fraud in the United States.

    “In view of the gravity of these allegations, the Governor has ordered the immediate suspension of the accused appointee.

    “The Governor wishes to restate his commitment to an open, transparent, accountable and morally upright Administration and will not condone any act bordering on criminality by anyone,” the statement reads.

    Rufai was arrested Friday evening at JFK Airport in New York on a criminal complaint charging him with wire fraud for his scheme to steal over $350,000 in unemployment benefits from the Washington State Employment Security Department, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman.

    Rufai, aka Sandy Tang, 42, of Lekki, Nigeria, made his initial appearance Saturday May 15, 2021 in New York. He is scheduled for a detention hearing Wednesday.

    “Since the first fraud reports to our office in April 2020, we have worked diligently with a federal law enforcement team to track down the criminals who stole funds designated for pandemic relief,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Gorman. “This is the first, but will not be the last, significant arrest in our ongoing investigation of ESD fraud.”

    The criminal complaint alleges that Rufai used the stolen identities of more than 100 Washington residents to file fraudulent claims with ESD for pandemic-related unemployment benefits. Rufai also filed fraudulent unemployment claims with Hawaii, Wyoming, Massachusetts, Montana, New York, and Pennsylvania. Rufai used variations of a single e-mail address in a manner intended to evade automatic detection by fraud systems. By using this practice, Rufai made it appear that each claim was connected with a different email account.

    Rufai caused the fraud proceeds to be paid out to online payment accounts such as ‘Green Dot’ accounts, or wired to bank accounts controlled by “money mules.” Some of the proceeds were then mailed to the Jamaica, New York address of Rufai’s relative. Law enforcement determined more than $288,000 was deposited into an American bank account controlled by Rufai between March and August 2020.

    “Greed is a powerful motivator. Unfortunately, the greed alleged to this defendant affects all taxpayers,” said Donald Voiret, Special Agent in Charge FBI Seattle. “The FBI and our partners will not stand idly by while individuals attempt to defraud programs meant to assist American workers and families suffering the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic.”

    Wire fraud is punishable by up to thirty years in prison when it relates to benefits paid in connection with a presidentially-declared disaster or emergency, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The charges contained in the complaint are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    This case was investigated by the FBI, with assistance from the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG). The fraud on ESD is being investigated cooperatively by the FBI, DOL-OIG, Social Security Office of Inspector General, U.S. Secret Service, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations. The Washington Employment Security Department is cooperating in the investigation.

    The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Seth Wilkinson, Cindy Chang, and Benjamin Diggs of the Western District of Washington, and Trial Attorney Jane Lee of DOJ’s Cyber Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS).

  • Police warn hoodlums not to dare attack any station in Ogun

    Police warn hoodlums not to dare attack any station in Ogun

    The Police Command in Ogun State has warned hoodlums planning to attack stations in the state to shun such intentions in order not to face wrath of the law.

    ASP Abimbola Oyeyemi, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) made this known on Sunday in an interview in Ota, Ogun.

    Oyeyemi said that the warning had become necessary to criminals and hoodlums due to ongoing attacks on police stations across the country.

    According to him, the police have put in place measures to prevent such attacks on our stations.

    “We are battle ready for anyone planning to attack any of the stations in the state.

    “Anyone embarking on such deadly attack should know that they are on a suicide mission,’’ he told NAN in the interview.

    The PPRO advised residents to always provide the police with timely and credible information that could help to stem crime rate in the State.