TheNewsGuru

Tag: Ondo State

  • Owo traditional ruler tasks indigenes on social security

    Owo traditional ruler tasks indigenes on social security

    The Olowo of Owo in Ondo State, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye, has enjoined town of the town to assist the needy in order to ensure social security in the society.

    Ogunoye made the appeal at the inauguration of Magbuligbe Foundation, an NGO, providing humanitarian services to Owo indigenes.

    He lauded the initiative, describing it as “awesome”.

    The Olowo, represented by his Administrative Secretary, Chief Adekunle Aladeseye, said that the foundation would bring all Owo indigenes together, irrespective of their locations.

    Ogunoye said that the foundation would promote the culture of Owo.

    According to him, the foundation will usher in an era of wellbeing for the generality of the people of Owo.

    Ogunoye urged all indigenes of the town to think outside the box for loftier and developmental programmes for the betterment of Owo.

    He asked the would-be-beneficiaries of the foundation to make judicious use of the donation and empowerment items given to them.

    On the objectives of the foundation, Mr Oluwadare Akintoye, Founder and President of Magbuligbe Foundation, said the foundation would complement government’s efforts in providing for the less-privileged and youths in the society.

    “The aim of this foundation is to assist the less-privileged, widows and youths in moving the society forward.

    “This is to complement the government’s efforts since government cannot do it alone.

    “There are lots of benefits in the foundation. As youths, we will assist you in getting jobs,” he said.

    According to Akintoye, the foundation already had chapters in 17 states in the country, including Abuja.

    He urged all Owo indigenes to join it in their respective locations in helping the needy among them.

    In his remarks, Mr Adewale Ogunmola, the Ondo State Coordinator of the foundation, said that the foundation would assist its beneficiaries based on recommendations.

    Ogunmola said, “We render help to the old and to people that cannot meet their needs. We have a team that will be monitoring them and ensure that our purpose is achieved.”

    He said that the foundation would influence the well-to-do Owo indigenes to establish industries in the community

    Newsmen reports that there was donation of food items and cash to widows and the less-privileged.

    Two of the beneficiaries, Mrs Veronica Ogundare and Mrs Margaret Ademiluka, thanked the foundation for its impacts on the elderly.

    They said that the foundation’s objective, if consistent, would address lack and poverty among Owo indigenes.

  • PHOTOS: Youngest monarch in Nigeria graduates from secondary school

    PHOTOS: Youngest monarch in Nigeria graduates from secondary school

    The youngest ruling monarch in Nigeria, Oba Oloyede Adeyeoba Akinghare ll, the Arujale (Ojima) of Okeluse Kingdom of Ondo State, has graduated from secondary school.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that 19-year-old Oba Akinghare ll shared photos from his graduation ceremony on his official Instagram page on Monday.

    “Congratulations to me as the journey of 6 years in secondary school finally ended today, thankful to God Almighty, my parents, my sisters, my chiefs, my friends, well-wishers and the entire citizens of Okeluse Kingdom for all the support every one of you have rendered throughout the 6 years of being in a boarding school.

    “I also want to appreciate the proprietor of GREATER TOMORROW INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE @gticng and every single staff who made my stay in boarding school pleasant, I appreciate you all. My journey into adulthood begins now with the numerous tasks ahead of me and I implore every single lover out there to support me as I can’t do this alone. I will continue to strive for the development of my kingdom, my people and elevating the stool of my forefathers into greatness,” Oba Akinghare ll captioned photos he shared on Instagram.

  • Emi lokan: This is our time, nobody is going to take it – Akeredolu

    Emi lokan: This is our time, nobody is going to take it – Akeredolu

    Gov Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has re-emphasised the need for the people to shun religious division and misunderstanding among individuals.

    Akeredolu reiterated his position on Southern Presidency, stressing that time had come to rotate power to the South in the interest of justice, equity and fairness.

    The governor disclosed this on Sunday at the Agape International Church 34th Annual Convention in Akure. The theme of the convention is: “This is my Time.”

    He emphasised that the people had always lived together in harmony in spite of their religion differences in the past.

    According to him, we have very interesting coincidence here. Today, we have Her Excellency Omolewa, Wife of former Governor of Kwara State here.

    “I have known her to be a true Christian, very true one, leading the altar in her home, in a home where the husband is also a true Muslim. And they are all living together peacefully.

    “There are many people here that have both Muslims and Christians as family members and there is no quarrel. Religion should not bring quarrel among us and that is where we stand.

    “What we believe and stand by is that since we started this Republic in 1999, we have been rotating power from North to South, and for us, by that rotation, this is the time of South.

    “This is our time and nobody is going to take it. ‘Awa lokan’. Wonderful theme for this time. When the theme was chosen,  I’m sure nobody was thinking about ‘Emi lokan’ or anything; but it is just by coincidence.

    “God has spoken through Agape that this is our time. I thank you Agape.” the Governor added.

    The governor commended the Church leadership for complying with government’s directives on the installation of CCTV device in worship centres and other public places.

    Akeredolu thanked God who had made the arrest of attackers of St Francis Catholic Church Owo possible, saying it is a prayer answered.

    He further urged the congregation and all residents of the state to always be security conscious and remain alert.

    “Please let us be watchful and be security conscious. Our security lies in our hands.We must be alert. God will continue to protect all of us.

    “Whatever government asked you to do, please comply. Have security men at your gates, have your CCTV cameras and check all new faces before allowing them into your churches.”

    The governor, who warned those acting as informants to kidnappers in the state, stressed that anybody, camp or village that aids and abets kidnappers in the state would be obliterated.

    The General Overseer, Agape International Church, Bishop Felix Adejumo described Governor Akeredolu as the voice of the South West who had been doing a lot to protect the poeple of Ondo State and the entire South-West region.

  • OWO MASSACRE: Security agencies intensify search for sponsors

    OWO MASSACRE: Security agencies intensify search for sponsors

    Security agencies have intensified their search for the sponsors of the June 5, 2022, terrorist attack on the Saint Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State.

     

    TheNewsGuru.com recalls that during the attack, 40 worshippers were killed and scores injured.

     

    The Federal Government had earlier blamed the attack on the Islamic State West Africa Province terrorists, a claim the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu contested.

     

    It was gathered that the security operatives had identified the sponsors and directed all port and border authorities to watch out for them.

     

    A security source noted that no fewer than nine of those involved in the bloody attack were in custody. The source also disclosed that security agencies were launched manhunt for five financiers.

     

    The source said, ‘’The security agencies have nabbed nine persons for direct or indirect involvement in the bloody attack on the Owo Catholic Church. They are now in the process of apprehending the financiers and sponsors of the terror attack.

     

    “Officers at the nation’s airports and borders have been ordered to watch out for and arrest the culprits who are on the run as they may be desperate to leave the country to evade justice.’’

     

    The Chief of Defence Staff, General Luck Irabor, had on Tuesday disclosed that suspected terrorists involved in the Owo attack were arrested in Kogi state on August 1.

     

    Speaking at a parley with editors and media executives at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja, Irabor said those in custody include Idris Ojo, an ISWAP commander who escaped from the Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre on July 5; Momoh Abubakar, Aliyu Itopa, Auwal Onimisi, Idris Omeiza and Jimoh Ibrahim.

     

    But Irabor identified Omeiza and Ibrahim as the suspected masterminds of the attack.

     

    However, Akeredolu faulted the CDS over the list of suspects in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Richard Olatunde, on Wednesday.

     

    Akeredolu argued that Ojo was one of the escapees of Kuje Prison and not the Owo massacre perpetrator as claimed by the CDS.

     

    Clarifying the CDS’ statement on the list of suspects, Akpor explained that Irabor disclosed that four terrorists were arrested in Kogi state.

     

    According to him, out of the four suspects, Omeiza was the one linked with the Owo attack.

     

    Akpor made the clarification in a statement on Wednesday, titled, ‘Gen Irabor meets with media executives, reveals arrest of mastermind of Owo Catholic Church attack.’

     

    He said, “The CDS said that through the collaborative efforts of military and Department of State Services personnel, four terrorists were arrested at Eika, Okehi LGA, Kogi State on 1 August, 2022. Those arrested included Idris Omeiza (a.k.a Bin Malik), Momoh Abubakar, Aliyu Itopa and Auwal Onimisi.

     

    ‘’The Defence Chief said preliminary investigation revealed that Idris Omeiza was the mastermind of the terror attack on the Owo Catholic Church as well as the attack on a police station in the Adavi LGA, Kogi State on June 23, 2022, during which a policeman was killed and weapons carted away.”

     

    He also explained that the Kuje prison escapee, Ojo, was planning another attack before his arrest at Ayetoro Osi, Ondo State, through the combined effort of the military and DSS personnel on August 7.

     

    “Idris Ojo, the CDS said, was one of the suspected ISWAP terrorists who escaped from the Kuje Medium Correctional Centre on July 5, 2022. The CDS also mentioned that Ojo was arrested alongside Jimoh Ibrahim (39 years), a sympathizer of the terrorist group, who accommodated him,’’ Akpor further explained.

     

    Meanwhile, Akeredolu, on Monday alleged that there was a terror cell in Okene, a town in Kogi State. He linked the Owo massacre to the Okene terror gang.

     

    Akeredolu, who stated that the gang must be confronted and eliminated, said the terrorists often strike in Kogi, Ekiti and in Ondo.

     

    The governor said this when he appeared on Channels Television’s Politics Today programmed on Monday, during which he clarified a statement of his misconstrued to mean he linked the Ebira tribe to the June 5 attack.

     

    He said, “I don’t want to be emphatic on that point because what I said is being mixed up now. I addressed issues on the terrorists who came to Owo on June 5 and at the same time I went ahead to address kidnap incidents that we have had of recent and I said Ebira people were probably involved in this. I also said we were going to call a meeting with the Ebira community within Ondo State. We have lived together for too long for this sort of incident to happen and that was a separate thing.

     

    “But it is clear, from what we have, that a terror gang in Okene… we all know that Okene is a land of the Ebira. The terror gang in Okene were involved in the incident of June 5. What do we make of that? Are they all Ebira? That is for us to find out.

     

    “We can’t conclude with their names because we can see that a number of them have two names like so, so and so Ibn something. The Department of State Security are still looking at this. So, we must live that until they come out with the proper location of where they come from before we jump into total conclusion.

     

    “For me, I know that there is a terror cell in Okene, and everybody knows that, and they strike across the country. They strike in Kogi, Ekiti and strike in Ondo State. But this terror cell is one that must be confronted and eliminated. What I’m trying to say is that my reference to the Ebira during a courtesy visit by the union of journalists were on incidents that happened recently, and I said no, these were our brothers, we have lived together for long, they cannot get involved in this sort of trade. Let them concentrate on their farming and their trade, rather than getting involved in kidnapping. So, that was a different case.

  • BREAKING: Two more suspects in connection with Owo church attack arrested

    BREAKING: Two more suspects in connection with Owo church attack arrested

    Two (2) more additional ISWAP terrorists, suspected to be connected with the attack on St Francis Catholic Church, Owo in Ondo State have been arrested.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the suspects were arrested at Omialafara (Omulafa), Ose LGA of the State, according to a statement by Major General Jimmy Akpor, Director Defence Information.

    Recall that the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor, during his parley with media executives and editors on Tuesday informed of the arrest of 4 terrorists among those who carried out the attack on the Owo church on 5 June 2022.

    According to General Irabor, they were arrested through a combined operation by military and DSS personnel at Eika, Okehi LGA, Kogi State on 1 August 2022.

    Those arrested include Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza (a.k.a Bin Malik), Momoh Otohu Abubakar, Aliyu Yusuf Itopa and Auwal Ishaq Onimisi.

    “Barely few hours after the disclosure by the CDS of the arrest of 4 of the Owo Catholic Church attackers, 2 additional ISWAP terrorists, who were also connected to the attack on the church were apprehended at Omialafara (Omulafa), Ose LGA, Ondo State yesterday, 9 August 2022.

    “The arrests were made through the collaborative effort by military and DSS personnel. The suspects are Al-Qasim Idris and Abdulhaleem Idris.

    “It is instructive to note that Abdulhaleem, alongside other high profile ISWAP commanders, had also previously coordinated attacks on military targets in Okene, Okene LGA, Kogi State resulting in casualties,” the statement by Major General Akpor reads.

    Akpor further stated: “It is the avowed commitment of the leadership of the military, Nigeria Police, DSS and other security agencies to work in synergy to enthrone peace and security all over the country.

    “This is due to the need for collaboration as an essential requirement to successfully deal with the existential asymmetric threats currently bedeviling our dear nation, Nigeria”.

  • UPDATE: Idris Ojo was planning attacks when we arrested him – Defence HQ

    UPDATE: Idris Ojo was planning attacks when we arrested him – Defence HQ

    The Defence Headquarters has again disclosed that Idris Ojo (32 years) was apprehended at Ayetoro Osi, Ondo State through the combined effort of military and DSS personnel on 7 August 2022.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports this is contained in a statement released on Wednesday by Major General Jimmy Akpor, Director of Defence Information.

    This is following a media parley Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor held with media executives and editors on Tuesday in Abuja.

    During the media parley, CDS Irabor revealed the names of the terrorists who masterminded the Owo Catholic Church attack.

    Idris Ojo, the CDS said, was one of the suspected ISWAP terrorists who escaped from the Kuje Medium Correctional Centre highlighted on 5 July 2022.

    The CDS also mentioned that Ojo was arrested alongside Jimoh Ibrahim (39 years), a sympathizer of the terrorist group, who accommodated him.

    The CDS further revealed that the arrest of Idris Ojo was crucial as he, along with others, was already planning terrorists’ attacks against some selected targets, in order to create fear amongst the citizenry aimed at discrediting the government.

    Gen Irabor also confirmed the death of a bandit leader, Alhaji Abdulkareem, who was killed alongside his fighters on 6 August 2022 during air operations in the North West region.

    ALSO READ || Arrest of Owo church attack suspects: CDS Irabor was wrong on Idris Ojo – Gov Akeredolu

    The statement released by Major General Akpor reads: “The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor, has confirmed the arrest of 4 of the architects of the terrorists’ attack on St Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State on 5 June 2022.

    “He made the confirmation during the second CDS’ parley with media executives and editors, which took place at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), Abuja on Tuesday 9 August 2022. The parley was organized by the Directorate of Defence Information in collaboration with The Media Today (TMT) International.

    “The CDS said that, through the collaborative efforts of military and DSS personnel, 4 amongst the terrorists who carried out the attack on the Owo Catholic Church were arrested at Eika, Okehi LGA, Kogi State on 1 August 2022.

    “Those arrested included Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza (a.k.a Bin Malik), Momoh Otohu Abubakar, Aliyu Yusuf Itopa and Auwal Ishaq Onimisi. The Defence Chief said, preliminary investigation revealed that Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza was the mastermind of the terror attack on the Owo Catholic Church as well as the attack on a Police Station in Adavi LGA, Kogi State on 23 June 2022, during which a policeman was killed and weapons carted away.

    “The Defence Chief also mentioned the arrest of another terrorist, Idris Ojo (32 years), who was apprehended at Ayetoro Osi, Ondo State through the combined effort of military and DSS personnel on 7 August 2022. Idris Ojo, the CDS said, was one of the suspected ISWAP terrorists who escaped from the Kuje Medium Correctional Centre highlighted on 5 July 2022. The CDS also mentioned that Ojo was arrested alongside Jimoh Ibrahim (39 years), a sympathizer of the terrorist group, who accommodated him.

    “The CDS further revealed that, the arrest of Idris Ojo was crucial as he, along with others, was already planning terrorists’ attacks against some selected targets, in order to create fear amongst the citizenry aimed at discrediting the government. Gen Irabor also confirmed the death of a bandit leader, Alhaji Abdulkareem, who was killed alongside his fighters on 6 August 2022 during air operations in the North West region.

    “Whilst mentioning the unfortunate terrorists’ attacks on Kaduna-Abuja Train Service, Owo Catholic Church, Kuje Medium Correctional Centre and the presidential advance convoy, the CDS assured the media chiefs that the military, Nigeria Police, DSS and other security agencies were collaborating in many fronts, working day and night to keep the country safe.

    “He appreciated Nigerians of goodwill, in understanding what military operations were like and what the responsibilities of Nigeria Police, DSS and other security agencies were and what they were doing in ensuring that every one of us, within our geographical space, lived in peace and harmony.

    “The CDS used the opportunity to solicit the cooperation of the larger society, saying that, “what the criminals (terrorists) amongst us want to do is to stoke fear and to promote it to such a level that every one of us will not even want to leave our houses. This is the strategy, which if we do not take time, will become part and parcel of our daily lives”.

    “Gen Irabor said the media gatekeepers had a responsibility “in educating the society to understand that, never again should we allow agents of destabilization to stoke fear amongst us, that together we will crush the elements that do not want us to leave in peace”.

    “The CDS therefore, urged the media executives and editors to remain partners in progress in ensuring that their media were insulated from being used by terrorists to unintentionally fuel fear in the minds of Nigerians.

    “Gen Irabor also expressed the commitment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) in guaranteeing a secure and peaceful 2023 general elections during the parley. He remarked that, “members of the Armed Forces have a covenant with the democratic process that the covenant deposition is that the military would create conditions for free, safe and secure conduct of the 2023 general elections”.

    “The CDS further explained that, all the operational engagements of the AFN have been tailored towards ensuring that the nation’s democratic process was not only nurtured but also made to remain solid. He urged all stakeholders that would be involved in politicking to take actions that are focused and geared towards moving the democratic process forward.

    “The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), The Media Today International, Barrister Charles Odenigbo, in his opening remarks, commended the AFN for the operational successes recorded in the various theatres of operations in recent times.

    “He said the second CDS parley was planned in the spirit of openness, to elicit a practical and robust review of media reportage of defence and security sector over the intervening period since the first CDS parley.

    “This, he said was aimed at evaluating the contributions of mainstream and online media towards assisting the military and security agencies in the fight against insecurity in Nigeria. Barr Odenigbo urged the media to continue to work with the military in the task of national security and nation building.

    “In his welcome address, the Director Defence Information (DDI), Major General Jimmy Akpor, recounted that the first edition of the CDS parley with media executives and editors, which held in January this year, was mooted by the current CDS, Gen Irabor.

    “According to him, the parley was in line with the leadership philosophy of the CDS, “to foster a professional Armed Forces capable of effectively meeting constitutional imperatives.”

    “The DDI further described the CDS’ parley as a welcome development that would build sustainable trust and confidence between the AFN and the media, particularly as it concerned the conduct of military operations and engagements.

    “Highpoint of the occasion was a presentation on “Media Analysis/Review of the Defence/Security Sector in Nigeria,” delivered by the CEO PR Nigeria, Mr Yushau Shuaib.

    “The CDS Gen Irabor was also honoured by the Centre for Crisis Communication during the event. The President, Nigeria Guild of Editors, gave the vote of thanks at the event”.

  • Arrest of Owo church attack suspects: CDS Irabor was wrong on Idris Ojo – Akeredolu

    Arrest of Owo church attack suspects: CDS Irabor was wrong on Idris Ojo – Akeredolu

    The Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu has clarified that the announcement of the arrest of Idris Ojo as one of the perpetrators of the June 5 attack on St Francis Catholic Church, Owo was a mix up on the part of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Governor Akeredolu made the clarification on Wednesday following a fact check publication made by this medium on the Chief of Defense Staff’s misleading claims on the Owo church attack ‘suspect’, Idri Ojo.

    Akeredolu, shortly after TNG published the fact check, in a statement released by Richard Olatunde, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, clarified that the mix up, saying Ojo was arrested in his brother’s house in Akure and was thereafter moved and kept in the custody of the security operatives at the same time the attackers of Owo Catholic Church were arrested and brought into custody.

    “The announcement of the arrest of Idris Ojo as one of the perpetrators of the June 5 attack on St Francis Catholic Church, Owo was a mix up from the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor.

    “Idris Ojo, who is number 14 on the wanted list of the Kuje Prison Escapees was arrested in his brother’s house in Akure. His brother, Jimoh Rasheed Ibrahim, received and accommodated him after his escape from Kuje prison.

    “He was thereafter moved and kept in the custody of the security operatives at the same time the attackers of Owo Catholic Church were arrested and brought into custody. Hence, the mix up.” The Governor said.

    TNG reports General Irabor had during a media parley announced that a joint operation between the Nigerian Army, Department of State Security (DSS), Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and other intelligence agencies arrested some suspected masterminds of the Owo Catholic Church attack.

    The Chief of Defence Staff gave the names of those arrested as Ojo, whose involvement is now clarified, and four others, Idris Omeiza (otherwise known as Ibn Malik), Momoh Abubakar, Aliyu Itopa and Auwal Onimisi, who Irabor said were all arrested on August 4 at Eika in Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State.

  • How we arrested those behind Owo church attack – General Irabor

    How we arrested those behind Owo church attack – General Irabor

    The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Lucky Irabor, says the masterminds of the June 5 massacre in Owo, Ondo State have been captured by security operatives.

    Recall that no fewer than 40 worshippers were massacred at the St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, in an incident that jolted Nigeria and the global community.

    Speaking at a parley with media executives at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, Irabo said that the terrorists were captured at different locations across the country.

    He said that the suspects, the majority of whom were arrested in various communities in Kogi, would be paraded before the public in due course.

    “We had wanted to present the suspects to the public immediately but couldn’t because certain investigations are still being carried out,” he said.

    He gave his assurance that in due course, the suspects and others who had been involved in some daring attacks in the past few months would be presented to the public.

    “Starting with the Owo church attack, it is my pleasure to let you know that we have arrested those behind that dastardly act.

    “On Aug. 7, one Idris Ojo (37) was apprehended at Aiyetorosi in Ondo State. He was one of the high-profile Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) members that escaped from Kuje Prison.

    “He was arrested along with one Jimoh Ibrahim, a 39-year-old criminal.

    “Ojo was not done with all the criminal activities which he undertook in the past, he was also planning other deadly attacks and he was perfecting those plans along with his cronies before he was captured,” he said.

    “Again, on Aug. 4,  the military in a combined operation with the Department of State Service (DSS) arrested four terrorists at Eika in Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State.

    “Others are Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, otherwise known as Ibn Malik; Momoh Abubakar, Aliyu Itopa and Auwal Onimisi.

    “Now, Omeiza is one of the masterminds of the June 5 Catholic Church attack in Owo as well as the attack on the police station in Adavi also in Kogi State that led to the killing of a policeman as well as weapons being carried away,” the CDS said.

    On the Abuja-Kaduna train attack, Irabor said that although some victims had been released, the military and other security agencies remained committed to ensuring safe rescue of the remaining victims in captivity.

    He said the military had intensified both air and ground operations to deal with criminals in all parts of the country, adding that several successes had been recorded in recent times.

    Irabo disclosed that based on military air operations, the military on Aug. 6, killed one Alhaji Abdulkareen, a bandits’ leader along with his fighters in Nigeria’s North West.

    “By the deeds of the surgical air operations that we have conducted, many of the bandits’ leaders have been killed,” he added.

    The CDS said the essence of the parley was to solicit understanding and support from the media in the fight against the security challenges bedeviling the nation.

    He, however, called for greater cooperation between the military and the media with a view to finding solution to the security challenges and disallow enemies from stoking fears in the minds of the public.

    The defence chief also urged Nigerians and political leaders to understand the distinction between military operations and politics, adding that the military remained undaunted in ensuring a safe and secured nation.

    Earlier, the Director, Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Jimmy Akpor, said the essence of the parley was to build a sustainable trust between the media and members of the armed forces.

    Akpor said the meeting was in line with the leadership focus of Irabor toward fostering professional armed forces capable of meeting constitutional imperatives.

    The Chief Executive Officer of The Media Today, Mr Charles Odenigbo, said the military and media must be frank and open to each other in ensuring peace and security in the country.

    Odenigbo, the facilitator of the event, said that although military operations could not be discussed in the open, there was need to see how the media could fit into the activities of the military.

  • Owo massacre: Gov Akeredolu confirms arrest of attackers

    Owo massacre: Gov Akeredolu confirms arrest of attackers

    Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has confirmed the arrest of the attackers of St Francis Catholic Church, Owo.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Governor Akeredolu confirmed the arrest shortly after the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor made the announcement in Abuja on Tuesday.

    Akeredolu further disclosed that the owner of the house where the attackers stayed before the June 5 attack in Owo has also been arrested

    He noted that government did not spare a moment in trailing the terrorists since the horrendous attacks on innocent worshipers at the St Francis Catholic Church, Owaluwa, Owo.

    The Governor spoke during a courtesy visit to his office by the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) led by the Chairman of the Council, Prince Leke Adegbite.

    “Now that the military has announced it, I can tell you that five of them have been arrested now. They are still on the trail of the rest. The home where they lodged in Owo and the person that accommodated them before the attack, has also been arrested.

    “We did not spare a moment. I am happy that the Chief of Defence Staff has announced it. We have known for a while but we needed not to come out with it because more works are still ongoing.

    “I can confirm that this arrest has been made. And they are still on the trail of some of them,” Akeredolu said.

    “Governor Akeredolu has also called on leaders of the Ebira community in the state to warn their young ones not to copy the bad venture of kidnapping.

    The Governor said recent reports from victims of kidnap in the state have established that some Ebira indigenes are now involved in the unwholesome act.

    He noted that the Ebiras have lived together with the people of the state peacefully for several decades, adding that they have always been supportive and hardworking.

    “I want to use this medium to urge our brothers to concentrate on their farming trade. It will be unfortunate to know that the Ebiras in our midst are now involved in kidnapping.

    “We are appealing to them not to copy bad thing. The traders selling by the road side should not become informants. We are not fighting them.

    “We have seen their numbers, they supported and voted for us during elections. I will call their leaders and talk to them. Our brothers who were kidnapped on their way to Ikare, talk to them. They were taken to Ebira farmsteads.

    “For me, we have lived together for too long for this to happen. I am ready to make any effort to ensure that the conviviality that we have enjoyed continues.

    “But we are begging their leaders to urge them not to copy bad thing. They are in our midst, we are surrounded by them. The issue of security is key and it’s dynamic,” Governor Akeredolu noted.

    The Governor, who thanked the NUJ in the state for the cooperation extended to his administration, assured them of sustained efforts at developing the state.

    On the issue of Security, Governor Akeredolu disclosed that aside the recent recruitment and training of new Amotekun personnel, 20 hunters and local vigilantes will be trained by the Amotekun corps in each of the eighteen local government areas in the state.

    Earlier, the Chairman of the NUJ, Ondo State Council thanked the Governor for his support for the management of OSRC and Owena Press PLC, adding that the upgrade of facilities in the two state-owned media outfits is commendable.

    He equally appreciated the Governor for the approval of the Weigh-in allowance for journalists and information officers working in the State and Local government service.

  • BREAKING: Terrorists behind Owo church terror attack arrested

    BREAKING: Terrorists behind Owo church terror attack arrested

    The terrorists behind the terror attack on St Francis Catholic Church, Owo in Ondo State have been arrested.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor confirmed the arrest on Tuesday at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja.

    “We have arrested those behind the dastardly act in Owo. The criminals were arrested in collaboration with other security agencies.

    “It was my intention to present them to the public, but because of the investigation still going on, I had to change my mind.

    “I will like to say that in due course, the world will see them and others who are behind other daring attacks in the country,” General Irabor said.

    Recall that worshippers at the St. Francis Catholic Church were attacked and killed by gunmen during Sunday church service in June.

    No fewer than 40 persons out of the 127 involved in the attack were killed, leaving 61 survivors, who were admitted to different hospitals in the State.

     

    Details shortly…