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Tag: Ondo State

  • Kidnapped Oniku of Iku released

    Kidnapped Oniku of Iku released

    The Oniku of Iku Quarters in Ikare – Akoko, Ondo State, High Chief Mukaila Bello and three others abducted on Thursday have been freed.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that their abductors demanded N50m and it was not clear if any ransom was paid for their release.

    Others abducted alongside Chief Mukaila were a former House of Assembly candidate for Akoke Northeast constituency, Yeye Gbafinro, Hon Adeiran Adeyemo and Mr. Bashiru Adekile.

    It was gathered that they were released on Saturday night along Owo-Akoko road and were immediately taken to the hospital for medical attention.

    Also Read

    Insecurity: The spate of kidnappings, attacks in Ondo state

    The Owa-Ale of Ikare Akoko, Oba Adeleke Adegbite-Adedoyin, who confirmed their release, said he was elated that his subjects have been released.

    Meanwhile efforts to speak to the victims proved abortive at press time, but a security source within Ondo State Police confirmed their release to TheNewsguru.

    Police was yet to make official statement concerning the cheering news, but there are indications that some form of ransom was paid for the release.

  • Insecurity: The spate of kidnappings, attacks in Ondo state

    Insecurity: The spate of kidnappings, attacks in Ondo state

    Ondo state in the Southwestern part of the country has come under many incessant attacks in recent weeks.

    The latest was the abduction of the traditional ruler, the Oniku of Iku kingdom  Mikaila Bello in Ikare-Akoko area of the state.

    The report says that the traditional ruler had embarked on a journey to Akure the state capital and was returning to his base n Ikare-Akoko on Thursday evening when armed bandits waylaid his entourage and kidnapped him alongside four other subjects.

    Incessant Attacks on the Ondo community

    The attack on St Francis Catholic Church, Owo Kingdom, in the state that left many killed and injured shows criminal elements are migrating to other parts of the country.

    Oludayo Tade, a criminologist in the Department of Sociology at the University of Ibadan posited that Ondo state is now prone to attacks based on the recent happenings in the state.

    Some unknown gunmen were said to have invaded the church in the town of Owo during a Sunday mass in June 2022 and opened fire on worshippers.

    President Buhari condemned the attack, saying only bad people from the nether region could have conceived and carried out such a dastardly act.

    “No matter what, this country shall never give in to evil people, and darkness will never overcome the light. Nigeria will eventually win,” he said.

    Attacks in the Ondo state date back to 2020

    In the year  2020, bandits also shot a prominent traditional ruler in Ondo State, Oba Israel Adeusi who was the Olufon of Ifon.

    Ifon is located in Ose Local Government Area (LGA) of the state in southwest Nigeria.

    Oba Adeusi was said to be returning to his town from Akure, the Ondo State capital where he went for a meeting with other frontline traditional rulers in the state.

    A source confirmed to newsmen that the incident occurred on Thursday, adding that the monarch was shot at the Elegbeka community along the Ifon-Benin Highway.

     

    Meanwhile, traditional rulers in the Akoko axis of Ondo State disclosed their resolve to bring to an end the current spate of insecurity in the state.

    According to the traditional rulers, the recent surge of attacks on communities by suspected Fulani herders as well as the activities of highway robbers is becoming too rampant.

    The monarchs who converged on Oka-Akoko, headquarters of Akoko South West Local Government Area stated that the security situation in the area had been stifling developments in the four local governments within the axis.

    While maintaining that traditional institutions will not allow criminals to take over Akoko land, the Olubaka of Oka-Akoko, Oba Yusuf Adeleye, said that communal and divine efforts will be applied to solve the menace.

    Governor Akeredolu’s move to nip banditry in the bud

    Rotimi Akeredolu, governor of Ondo State, said in a statement recently that his administration would do everything humanly possible to hunt down the perpetrators of crime in the state.

    Following the incessant kidnapping incidents, killings and other violent crimes in the state, the Ondo State Government, in a bid to ensure a working plan to tackle the incessant attacks in the state organized a summit.

    Participants at the event which was held in Akure, the Ondo State capital, include the army, the police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, other paramilitary organisations, local vigilante groups, traditional hunters and some Niger Delta militant groups.

    CCTV to the rescue

    Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has signed an Executive Order for compulsory installation and use of close circuit television (CCTV) devices in all public and private institutions in the state.

    This is contained in a statement issued by Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Richard Olatunde, on Saturday in Akure.

    “The executive order shall be enforced at all religious places of worship, financial institutions (of all kinds), event centres, supermarkets and educational institutions (schools).

    “It will also be enforced in hotels/motels, guest houses, inns, restaurants, clinics and health centres, eateries (of all kinds), recreation or vehicular parks and other places regularly used by the public,” he said.

    The governor, therefore, called on owners, occupiers, managers and operators of public/private institutions within the state to instal, use and maintain CCTV devices and other secret cameras to monitor and keep surveillance on daily activities.

    Akeredolu said that the CCTV would monitor the activities of persons entering and out of public places and venues in the state.

     

     

  • BREAKING: Ondo traditional ruler, Oniku of Iku kidnapped

    BREAKING: Ondo traditional ruler, Oniku of Iku kidnapped

    The Oniku of Iku, in Ondo State, has been abducted by armed bandits while embarking on a journey in the State.

    Four other subjects were abducted alongside the Ondo traditional ruler.

    Mikaila Bello, the Oniku of Iku in Ikare Akoko, was kidnapped, on Thursday evening travelling back to the town from Akure.

    A source told newsmen that the bandits ambushed the ruler and the other victims along Ago Panu on the Owo-Ikare road.

    “The driver of the vehicle was stabbed by the gunmen, but we were able to rescue him alone and rushed him to the hospital,” said the hunter, who also serves as a vigilante in the area.

    “He is there receiving treatment now with wounds all over his body. Sadly, these people (bandits) are still lurking around our forest in Ondo.”

    The kidnappers had yet to contact the victims’ families or demand a ransom at the time of filing this report.

    Attempts to speak with the  Ondo state Police spokeswoman Funmilayo Odunlami didn’t yield any positive result.

    TNG reports Ondo state has come under incessant attacks in recent times. Iku in Ikare Akoko is about 47 kilometres, 1 hour drive from Owo, where terrorists recently unleashed mayhem on worshippers at St Francis Catholic church.

    Also recently, another attack by suspected terrorists occurred at a construction company site in same Owo.

    It was not immediately clear the connections of the security infringements in the area.

    The State Government and security agencies are yet to release official statements on the recent incident.

  • Owo attack should not cause panic – Ondo Gov, Akeredolu reacts

    Owo attack should not cause panic – Ondo Gov, Akeredolu reacts

    Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has said that the Wednesday shooting at the yard of the Craneburg Construction Company in Owo was aimed at destroying some of their equipment, and not to maim or kill anyone.

    Governor Akeredolu, who visited the construction site in the company of Heads of Security Agencies in the State, including the Commander of the Amotekun Corps, Chief Tunji Adeleye, urged the people not to panic.

    The Governor was also accompanied to the yard by the Commissioner for Infrastructure, Lands and Housing, Engr. Raimi Aminu, and the Special Adviser on Union Matters and Strategy, Mr. Dare Aragbaiye.

    Governor Akeredolu said: “I want to allay the fear of our people. Clearly, what happened here on Wednesday night was not an attempt to kidnap anybody because they went away with nobody. And we have in the premises over hundred people living there.

    “Yes, there were sporadic gunshots at the wall but they never went inside to kill anybody. It is better for everybody to know. They didn’t go inside there to kill anybody. The only two people who had some gunshots were security men who they saw outside the premises.

    “So, it is clear to us that their intention was to attack one or two equipment here, which they did. Their explosives affected the tyres and the windscreen of another vehicle.

    “And we have close to 50 vehicles here. For us we are looking at it. We are not clear yet about their intention, but this is not one that should send unnecessary panic or fear into the minds of our people. This should not cause panic.

    “For the contractors, Owo is a relatively safe place for them. So, they didn’t have armed people here. Maybe we will have to support them to have armed people here to protect all their equipments and vehicles.

    “They have been here for over five years. They had the Ore bridge, they had other roads. So, they are doing so many things for us and they are doing well and we are ready to give them necessary protection.”

    The Governor also reassured the people of his administration’s commitment to the protection of lives and property, stressing that the Wednesday night shooting was not anything near the June 5 attack in the town.

    “We will protect our poeple and their property. So, there should be no panic. Yes, there was shooting but it was not anything near what we had during June 5 attack at St Francis. This was not aimed to maim and kill. No.

    “I believe our poeple will understand better to know the difference. So, there is no need for any panic, no need. We have given them all the assurance, we will get this place protected. I will continue to support them.

  • Owo attack: Police confirm bombing at construction site

    Owo attack: Police confirm bombing at construction site

    The anti-bomb squad confirmed that an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was used in the attack at the Craneburg Construction Company site in Owo, Ondo State, the Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Oyeyemi Oyediran has confirmed.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports CP Oyediran appealed for calm while disclosing that investigations into the shootings at the construction site have commenced.

    Oyediran stated this in a statement by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Funmilayo Odunlami, on Thursday in Akure.

    He encouraged well-meaning residents to cooperate with the Police in the course of the investigations, stressing that the incident was promptly responded to by police officers covering the jurisdiction.

    According to the commissioner, police personnel found the duo of one Rifum Lawrence aged 50 years, and Abraham Opara aged 45 years, with bullet wounds at the scene.

    “They were immediately taken to the Federal Medical Centre in Owo where they were admitted and are currently in stable condition.

    “The Commissioner of Police equally led investigative operatives and officers of the Explosive Ordinance Department (EOD) – Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and high yield Explosives (CBRNE) also known as Anti-Bomb Squad to the scene for an on-the-spot assessment.

    “The Anti-Bomb Squad confirmed that an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was used to burst a tractor tyre at the scene of the crime,” the commissioner said.

    He urged the people of the State to be calm as the affected area had been cordoned off and investigations had begun to unravel the mystery behind the incident.

    In the same vein, Oyediran warned those who did not know the real situation of things not to cause panic within the state by peddling unconfirmed stories relating to the incident.

    TNG reports that the shootings occurred at about 10:00 p.m. on  Wednesday.

  • Again terrorists visit mayhem on Owo community

    Again terrorists visit mayhem on Owo community

    Two security men of a construction firm were injured on Wednesday when gunmen attacked the company’s construction site in Owo, Ondo State.

    Chief Adetunji Adeleye, Ondo State Commander of Amotekun Corps (the sub-regional security outfit in the southwest) confirmed the attack on Thursday.

    He stated that the gunmen shot sporadically into the air and damaged the windshields of two earthmovers at the site.

    “I have just left the scene and I realised that the two security men were injured as the attackers shot into the air.

    “They damaged the windshields of two earthmovers of the construction company. The injured men have been taken to a hospital,’’ he stated.

    Adeleye, also the Special Adviser to Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu on Security Matters, added that normalcy had since returned to the area.

    Police in Ondo State also confirmed the attack on their verified Twitter handle.

    “There was a shooting at a construction site in Owo on Wednesday night.

    “Policemen are currently at the scene; victims have been taken to hospital and they are in stable condition,’’ the police stated.

  • Michael Awe for burial July 29

    Michael Awe for burial July 29

    The burial arrangements have been announced of Michael Olusesan Awe (aka Michael West), a columnist with TheNewsGuru.com (TNG).

    TNG reports Michael Awe, born on September 10, 1963 in the ancient town of Akure in Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State, died on Saturday, June 11, 2022.

    Mike, as he was fondly called by friends and admirers, was involved in a motor accident on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. He died at the Ogun State Teaching Hospital in Sagamu.

    According to the burial arrangements released by the Awe family, the funeral service/interment will hold on Friday 29th July, 2022 by 12 noon at Bell Funeral Service Cemetry, Ondo road, Akure, Ondo State.

    Before then, a wake keep/service of songs will hold on Wednesday 27th July, 2022 by 4 pm at Dada Arejogbo street, Iju Ishaga, Lagos State.

    TNG reports Mike was aged 59. He is survived by an aged mother, children and siblings.

  • Akeredolu signs first amendment to Amotekun law

    Akeredolu signs first amendment to Amotekun law

    Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) has signed into law the first amendment to the Ondo State Security Network Agency Law code named Amotekun

    Akeredolu, who assented to the bill at the State Executive Chamber of his office, noted that the new amendment became imperative in light of the heightened insecurity across the state.

    The governor assured that the amended Law would enhance the security architecture of the state and help the Amotekun Corps to perform better.

    He appreciated the State House of Assembly for the quick passage of the bill.

    Similarly, the Ondo State Executive Council has taken some far-reaching decisions to further shapen the course of governance for the well-being of people of the state.

    Addressing Government House Reporters at the end of the Council meeting, the newly reassigned Honourable Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mrs Bamidele Ademola-Olateju regretted that one more death was recorded as a result of the June 5 terror attack on St Francis Catholic Church,Owo .

    According to Ademola-Olateju, the number of fatalities is now 41 while 17 persons were still being hospitalised.

    While commiserating with the bereaved families and praying for speedy recovery of those still in the hospital, the Commissioner restated the commitment of the state government to having a memorial site built in honour of all the victims.

    Also at the briefing, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye appreciated Gov. Akeredolu for assenting to the amendment to the law which established the Ondo State Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun.

    He assured that the development would scale up the operational capacities of the state security outfit.

    Adeleye used the occasion to announce the procurement of the newly acquired operational vehicles to be distributed to all security operatives in the state including the Nigerian Police, Nigerian Army, Directorate of State Security and Amotekun Corps to fortify the performances of security agencies in the state.

    Akeredolu on March 5, 2020 signed the bill into law. Akeredolu, at the brief signing ceremony, which took place at the State Executive Council (SEC) Chambers warned against any political colouration of the outfit.

    The signing came barely 24 hours after the House of Assembly passed the bill. Amotekun  was initiated by the six South-West  governors to tackle the security challenges facing the region.

    Lagos, Oyo, Ogun and Osun Houses of Assembly also sign their states’ versions of the bill on the same day.

  • Bishop to Christians: Procure arms, defend yourselves against invaders

    Bishop to Christians: Procure arms, defend yourselves against invaders

    In the face of unending security challenges in the country, the Anglican Bishop of Akure Diocese in Ondo State, Nigeria, Rt. Rev. Simeon Borokini has charged Christians to procure arms legitimately to defend themselves against invaders.

    Rt. Rev. Borokini, who is the Archbishop of Ondo Ecclesiastical Province, gave the charge at the first session of the 14th synod of Akure Diocese, held at Saint Andrew’s Church, Akure, the state capital.

    Borokini, while calling on the government to find a lasting solution to the problem of insecurity ravaging the country, berated the Federal Government for being insensitive to the security situation in the country.

    According to the Bishop, the best thing for Christians to do is to get arms legitimately to defend themselves. He also decried the attack on the church by the suspected terrorists.

    “Anybody willing to have something to protect himself should get a license. If it is a gun or anything that anyone wants to use to protect himself, I will support it since the government seems to be negligent as far as security is concerned,” Borokini said.

    The Archbishop also called on the Federal Government to amend the constitution in order for the state governments to have their own police.

    He said: “The number of policemen that we have cannot protect all the citizens that we have in the country. So, we should do something at the local level.

    “We have been asking all our church leaders to comply with the installation of Closed-circuit television cameras in the church; they should get the gadgets before August 1, 2022, which is the deadline”.

    The cleric appealed to every facet of the government to put in place sound government intervention and heightened attention to strengthen the manufacturing sector in order to expand and grow the economy, thereby, creating sustainable jobs for the teaming youth population.

  • UNICEF reacts to rescue of over 50 abducted children in Ondo

    UNICEF reacts to rescue of over 50 abducted children in Ondo

    The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has commended the rescue of more than 50 children abducted and held against their will in Ondo State.

    UNICEF made this known in a statement made available to newsmen by UNICEF Nigeria Representative, Peter Hawkins in Abuja on Sunday.

    “Children should not be targets of violence in whatever guise.

    “Violence against children is condemnable and we call on the governments to redouble efforts to protect children against all forms of violence.

    ”A society’s health is measured by how it treats it’s children,” he said.

    Recall that the police in Ondo State had found and rescued children allegedly being held by a Church at its premises in Ondo town, Ondo State.

    The Public Relations Officer of Police Command in the state, Mrs Funmilayo Odunlami,  had told journalists that no fewer than 77 people, mostly children were rescued in a case of suspected abduction from the Whole Bible Deliverance Church in Ondo Town, Ondo state.