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  • 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.

  • FACT CHECK: Chief of Defense Staff’s misleading claims on Owo church attack ‘suspect’

    FACT CHECK: Chief of Defense Staff’s misleading claims on Owo church attack ‘suspect’

    The Chief of Defence Staff Lucky Irabor announced during a media parley that joint operation between the Nigerian Army, Department of State Security (DSS), Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and other intelligence agencies, had led to the arrest of some suspected masterminds of the Owo Catholic Church attack.

    The periodic parley, according to the army, was conceptualised to build sustainable trust and confidence of the media as the military conduct its operations and engagements, considering the cardinal role of the media in advancing the cause of national security.

    Addressing news editors and media executives during the meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, Irabor said five persons linked to the attack had been arrested between August 4 – 7, adding that he took a last-minute decision not to present them to the press, as investigations were still ongoing.

    “It is my pleasure to let you know that starting with the church attack, we have arrested those behind the dastardly act. It was my intention to present them to the public, but of course, because of certain investigations we’re still carrying out, I had to at the last count, change my mind.

    “On the 7th of August, Idris Ojo, who is 32 years old, was apprehended at Aiyetorosi in Ondo State. He is one of the high-profile Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists that escaped from Kuje Prison,” Irabor said.

    The Defense Chief went on to name the other four suspects as Idris Omeiza (otherwise known as Ibn Malik), Momoh Abubakar, Aliyu Itopa and Auwal Onimisi, who were arrested on August 4, at Eika in Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State.

    Omeiza is alleged to be one of the masterminds of the Catholic Church attack, as well as the attack on the police station in Adavi in Kogi State, which led to the killing of a policeman and carting away of weapons.

    Corroborating the announcement by the military, Governor of Ondo State Rotimi Akeredolu, said five of the attackers have been arrested, including the owner of the house in Owo where the attackers stayed before the church attack.

    “I am happy to announce that we have confirmed the arrest of the attackers of St Francis Catholic Church, Owo. The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor has also announced it. We have known for a while but we needed not to come out with it because more works are still ongoing,” Akeredolu said in a tweet via his verified twitter handle @RotimiAkeredolu.

    How true are these claims?

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) recalls that at least 40 people were killed and many injured when gunmen opened fire on worshippers at St Francis Catholic Church in Owo, the headquarters of Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State on June 5, 2022.

    This is exactly one month before the Kuje prison attack on July 5, 2022, where an initial 879 inmates escaped from the facility before 443 were recaptured, according to government officials.

    It is therefore not clear how one of the named Owo church attack suspects, Idris Ojo, who had been committed to prison custody since 2016, got involved in the attack.

    According to records from the Nigerian Correctional Service, Ojo with Case No. CR/120/15 and prison ID no. 481/16 who was sent to the Kuje prison for offences bothering on terrorism and kidnapping, was among inmates who had escaped from the facility on July 5.

    A prisons staff confirmed to this newspaper that the last numbers of an inmate’s identity number, indicate the year he/she was brought into the facility.

    Also, inmates wearing green outfits in their mugshots are awaiting trial, while those in blue are criminals who have been convicted.

    Further investigations by TNG revealed that the suspect was born on January 1, 1987, making him 35 years old currently, whereas, the Defense Chief gave his age as 32 years.

    Verdict: The claim by Nigeria’s Chief of Defense Staff that a Kuje prison escapee took part in the attack on worshippers at St Francis Catholic Church in Owo on June 5, is, therefore, unclear and misleading, as it contradicts the natural sequence of events. General Irabor might have more clarification to do on the matter.

  • 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…

  • 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.