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Tag: Traditional Ruler

  • Insecurity: Edo traditional ruler orders herders out of community

    Insecurity: Edo traditional ruler orders herders out of community

    The traditional ruler of Ekperi Kingdom in Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo State, Alhaji D.Y.E. Kanoba, has allegedly issued a quit notice to all herdsmen and their families residing in the community.

    He reportedly gave the order during a meeting held at his palace with leaders of the herder community and other stakeholders, in response to persistent incidents of kidnapping, killings, destruction of farm produce, and other criminal activities allegedly carried out by suspected herdsmen.

    It was gathered that the monarch’s decision aims to prevent possible reprisal attacks by aggrieved youths in the area.

    According to the royal father, the people of Ekperi have endured a series of relentless attacks, including the kidnapping of locals for ransom, destruction of farmlands by roaming cattle, loss of livelihoods, violent assaults, and reported cases of rape.

    He lamented that many farmers are now too afraid to return to their farms due to the continued threat.

    “I do not want a situation where our youths will take up arms in anger. To avoid further crises, I am peacefully appealing to the herders to leave the Ekperi community now before the youths of the community run out of patience.

    “I don’t want anybody to attack you people. The DPO has gone to Benin City for a briefing. I advise you that immediately after this meeting, they should go to their camps and pack their belongings.

    “We can no longer tolerate the ongoing attacks on our people and crop damage. Our people’s safety is paramount, and we cannot allow this to continue.

    “I do not want the situation to escalate to our people, mostly the youth, taking laws into their hands. We must address this matter peacefully and with order, ensuring that no violence is perpetrated.

    “I kneel down, and I also beg you all with the name of God, you people should pack your properties and leave my community,” he was heard saying in a video recording of the meeting.

    The traditional ruler also alleged that security agencies, including the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), had been notified of the community’s decision in a bid to maintain law and order.

     

  • Man bags life jail term for kidnapping traditional ruler in Ekiti

    Man bags life jail term for kidnapping traditional ruler in Ekiti

    An Ekiti High Court in Ado Ekiti, on Monday, sentenced one Gabriel Emmanuel to life imprisonment for kidnapping.

    The 25-year-old convict was arraigned before Justice Adekunle Adeleye on March 8, 2023, on three count charge of murder, kidnapping and demanding property with menace with intent to steal.

    In his judgment, Justice Adeleye said, “the phone call logs was corroborated by the evidences of  the complainant while the content of the defendant’s confessional statements were consistent with the facts established in the evidence of the prosecution witnesses.

    “In all,  I find that the prosecution counsel has established the ingredients of the offence of kidnapping and demanding property with menance with intent to steal.

    “The defendant is found guilty as charged and accordingly convicted.

    ”On the offence of kidnapping, the defendant is hereby sentenced to life imprisonment and as well sentenced to three years imprisonment for demanding property with menace, with intent to steal,” the judge pronounced.

    During trial, the prosecution counsel, Ibironke Odetola, said that Emmannuel and others at large on Sept. 13, 2020, at Umesi Quarters, Igirigiri Road Odo-Ado Ekiti murdered one Jejelowo Fesobi

    Odetola also said  that on June 24, 2020, at Eda-Ile, Ekiti, kidnapped, a traditional ruler, Oba Adeniran Omotayo, the Eleda of Eda Ile.

    He said further that the convict with others still at large on Nov. 20, 2021, demanded N4 million  with menace, with intent to steal from one Mr Joseph Olorunfemi in Ilumoba Ekiti.

    According to the charges, the offences contravened Sections 319 (1), 316 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap.C16, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012 and Section 3 of Ekiti State Kidnap and Terrorism (Prohibition) Law, 2015.

    In his testimony during trial, Oba Adeniran said,” I went to Abaojo, one of my settlements in Eda Ile Ekiti, suddenly, I saw some men, all of them carried AK-47 riffles.

    ” One of them pointed at me and I was kidnapped. My wife who was with me in the farm was released and instructed to go and look for money or else they would kill me.

    ” I was with them for four days before one of my brothers brought a sum of N1.28 million ransom to them and I was later released.

    “While I was with them, they used my wife’s phone to contact my relatives, at a point the battery got flat, they called somebody from the town who brought a charged battery to them.

    “I was unable to see his face because he was masked, but I was able to see and recognise the kidnappers faces because they unmasked whenever they want to smoke.

    ” When I was finally released, I went to office of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Nigerian Police Force in Ado Ekiti to make a formal report,” he said.

    To prove his case, the Prosecution counsel, Ibironke Odetola, called four witnesses and tendered the defendant’s and victim’s statements, print out of the call logs among others as exhibits.

    However, counsel to the defendants, Abee Anofi called no witness.

  • Edo lawmaker faults police, ESSC, over release of kidnapped traditional ruler

    Edo lawmaker faults police, ESSC, over release of kidnapped traditional ruler

    The Member, representing Igueben in Edo House of Assembly, Eugene Inegbebohon has faulted claims by the Police and the State Security Corps, ESSC, that they rescued Chief Friday Ehizojie, the traditional ruler of Udo-Eguare kingdom in Igueben Local Government.

    It would be recalled that the traditional ruler was kidnapped by gunmen on Feb. 3 along with five others on a lonely path leading to the community.

    The traditional ruler regained freedom on Friday, Feb. 7.

    The Edo State Police command had disclosed that the traditional ruler was rescued unhurt by operatives of the command.

    However, barely two days after the police statement, the Commander of the Edo State Security Corps, ESSC, Mr Friday Ibadin also claimed that the traditional ruler was rescued by the operatives of the corps.

    Inegbebohon, during plenary on Monday, debunked the claims of the police and Edo security outfit, saying that the community paid ransom for the release of their king.

    “Mr Speaker, it is interesting to know that during the trying period, I personally informed the security agencies of the kidnapping of the traditional ruler.

    “The information was for them to see what they could do but at the end of the day, they did nothing.

    “None of them knew how the traditional ruler came back home, but only for them to come out now and start claiming the glory and taking pictures with him after his release, ” he said.

    According to him, some people even went to the social media to claim that they are the ones that rescued him.

    “How do you rescue a person from kidnappers’ den without the culprits being apprehended?

    “Did they just walk in there to bring the traditional ruler home? If they know the kidnappers they should show us.

    “Mr Speaker, I make bold to say that even though they would not want to agree, it took the grace of God for my people to raise the ransom that brought back our king home.

    “So, Mr Speaker, nobody should claim that glory that they rescued him. It is wrong,” he added.

    He commended his colleagues for their sympathy during the trying period.

    He also thanked Governor Monday Okpebholo for the swift response and logistics support for security agencies during the period.

  • Anambra traditional ruler nabbed in community’s insecurity problem

    Anambra traditional ruler nabbed in community’s insecurity problem

    There is looming tension in Enugwu-Agidi community over the arrest of a suspected kidnapper Chukwudi Tansi by Soludo’s Agunechemba team .

    Recently , the Social media was awash with news about the arrest of Chukwudi Tansi, a member of the Enugwu-Agidi Community Vigilante, apprehended with a cache of firearms, which exposed his alleged involvement in criminal activities that have long plagued Enugwu-Agidi community.

    What adds more fuel to the fire is the implication of the traditional ruler of the community in the unfolding drama, as revealed by the President General (PG) of the community, Hon Chukwuebuka Onuorah

    Speaking to journalists, the PG, Mr. Onuorah, expressed vindication . He pointed fingers at the traditional ruler for nominating Tansi to the community Vigilante despite prior warnings from the PG about Tansi’s possession of firearms.

    Speaking further, Onuorah said he went as far as writing to the Inspector General of Police, citing threats to his life and the illegal possession of weapons by Tansi, a willing tool in the hand of the traditional ruler.

    Part of his letter to the Inspector-General of Police reads:

    “After my inauguration, I have received series of threats from the Traditional Ruler of Enugwu-Agidi HRH Mike Okekeuche of Umuakwuelo-Etiti village, Enugwu-Agidi in Njikoka LGA of Anambra State, Nigeria, ranging from forceful invasion of my residence and privacy and restriction of my free movement.
    On Friday, 29th March, 2024 at exactly 11:07am, my residence was surrounded and invaded by heavily armed unknown faces who later introduced themselves as members of the Nigeria Police Force, claimed to be acting on the instructions of HRH Mike Okekeuche, took me to an unknown destination, but I return glory to God, that the unknown gun men vehemently warned me to denounce my position as the President General of Enugwu-Agidi Brotherly Union Nigeria (EBU-NIG) so that Igwe’s choice will be installed and later released me unhurt.
    “The Igwe HRH Mike Okekeuche, through one Chukwudi Tansi and Okonkwo Clement Ugochukwu, well-known members of outlawed IPOB, who parade themselves as soldiers and moving around the community with AK47 rifles have on several occasions attacked me with their guns, threatening to kill me, except I resign and step down from my position as the President General of my Community, and Igwe’s choice installed, that even the local Police are afraid of them. The confidence reposed on me by the good people of Enugwu-Agidi, I do not wish to give away; hence I had to run away for my dear life.
    “Sir, in this circumstance, I am writing this petition with hope of consolation vis-a-vis calling attention of Police IRT, Abuja whose track record in tackling heinous crimes is visible to the blind and audible to the deaf in Nigeria, to arrest, and prosecute the above named unscrupulous criminal elements and all that are involved no matter whose ox is gored. Peradventure my complaints get to you late, and my life taken away, you should at least know my killer for I do not wish to join the long list of unresolved murders”.

    Corroborating the PG’s account, a social media user from Enugwu-Agidi, Ezeobi, raised pertinent questions about influential figures aiding Tansi’s evasion of justice despite his involvement in serious criminal activities.

    In light of these revelations, the PG is now urging for a thorough police investigation to expose the support network shielding individuals like Chukwudi Tansi.

  • Angry youths beat traditional ruler, destroy palace over Jumat service

    Angry youths beat traditional ruler, destroy palace over Jumat service

    The newly installed Ajeniju of Hallelujah in Egbedore local government area of Osun State, Oba Jelili Olaiya for installing an Imam in the area reportedly beaten by some angry youths in the area.

    The crisis erupted in the Hallelujah community on Friday while attempting to conduct jumat service in the area.

    The Ajeniju, who was installed by the Timi of Ede a few months ago, against the will of the Ido-Osun community, was hospitalised after being beaten to a pulp by angry youths.

    Reports confirmed that the monarch was beaten and rushed to the hospital in Osogbo, Osun State Capital.

    It was gathered that the monarch had last week turbaned one Ahmad Tijjani as Chief Imam of the Hallelujah community, but while gathering some people at his palace to observe jumat prayer, some youth allegedly from Ido-Osun invaded the palace and disrupted the exercise, saying he had no right to install a chief Imam in the community.

    During the incident, the mob vandalised the Ajeniju of Aleluya’s palace before security operatives could intervene in the situation.

    A security source who pleaded anonymity disclosed that it took the intervention of security operatives to rescue the monarch from the scene.

    “The situation escalated, resulting in the vandalization of the palace and a physical attack on Ajenifuja of Hallelujah, who sustained serious injuries. He has since been taken to the State CID for further investigation and safety”, said the source.

    However, another source in the community disclosed that the monarch has been taken to the Osun State University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo for treatment.

    While confirming the incident, the Special Adviser to Governor Ademola Adeleke on Security, Hon. Samuel Ojo said he will not comment on the incident pending the outcome of an investigation on the matter.

  • Court remands Osun traditional ruler for alleged illegal gold mining

    Court remands Osun traditional ruler for alleged illegal gold mining

    Court remands Osun traditional ruler for alleged illegal gold miningby the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), directed them to be remanded pending the perfection of their bail conditions

    Oba Osunmakinde were arraigned alongside Sheu Mustapha, Sabiru Hashim, Danbaba Ibrahim and Ade Olap Global Resources Limited.

    The defendants, who were alleged to have committed the offence in Lege Community, Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, were preferred with two counts.

    NAN reports that Oba Osunmakinde is the Obawore of Ifetuntun in Ife Central Local Government Area of Osun.

    The AGF accused the five defendants of conspiring with others at large on Aug. 25 to engage in the illegal mining of gold at the Ogunlepo mining site in Lege community, Odigbo local government area of Ondo State.

    The alleged offence is said to be contrary to Section 3 (6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act 2004 and punishable under Section 1(8) of the same Act.

    The monarch and co-defendants were also alleged to have undertaken gold mining on Aug. 25 without lawful authority contrary to Section 1(8) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act and punishable under the same Act.

    All the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    Counsel to the AGF, Toluwalope Ojo, then asked for a trial date.

    Although lawyer Ojo did not object to the bail of the accused persons, he, however, requested the court to compel them to deposit their international passports with the court.

    Lawyer to the defendants, Vincent Ododo, who moved consolidated bail applications for his clients, prayed the judge to admit them to bail on various grounds.

    Part of the grounds he cited was that the 1st defendant was a well-known traditional ruler and that the charges against them did not carry capital punishment while also assuring that the defendants would not fail to appear in court for trial.

    Justice Nwite, in a short ruling, admitted them to bail in the sum of N20 million each with one surety in the like sum.

    The judge ordered that the sureties must be resident in Abuja with ownership of landed property and must produce a three-year tax clearance certificate.

    He also ordered that the defendants must deposit their international passports along with three copies of each of their recent passport photographs with the deputy chief registrar of the court.

    The Judge ordered that they be taken to the correctional facility pending their bail perfection.

    The matter was adjourned until Sept. 26 for trial

  • BREAKING: Major Taraba traditional ruler shot dead in his palace

    BREAKING: Major Taraba traditional ruler shot dead in his palace

    Alhaji Abdulmutalib Jankada, traditional ruler of Sansani chiefdom in Gassol local government area of Taraba state, is dead.

    He was killed by gunmen who invaded his palace on Thursday night.

    According to witnesses, the assailants who rode into Sansani town on motorcycles, sneaked into the palace to gun down their target.

    It was gathered that the gunmen went straight to a room where the Monarch was sitting and shot him severally, seizing his phones afterwards.

    It was learnt that the monarch died on the spot, while the attack took palace guards and family members unaware.

    Musa Sansani, a resident of Sansani town, said they heard sound gunshots but did not know the shots were from the palace.

    The late chief told us Yesterday that he was traveling to Ibbi for Nwonyo fishing Festival which is taking place on Friday and Saturday. We never knew the Chief did not travel Yesterday evening so when we heard the gunshots, we did not suspect it was inside the palace,” he said.

    He said the gunmen silently left the town after killing the monarch and it was his wife who found him dead inside his room that raised alarm which attracted the entire people in the town and other towns in the chiefdom.

    “We are mourning and the late chief will be buried after Friday prayers,” he said.

    The late chief was abducted along Jalingo-Wukari road two years ago and ransom was paid before his release.

    The incident brings the number of traditional rulers killed by gunmen in the state to about seven in the last few years.

    When contacted, Taraba Commissioner of Police, David lloyanomon, referred our reporter to the command’s public relations officer, SP Usman Abdullahi.

    But Abdullahi revealed that he was sick and could not comment.

  • Makinde suspends Oyo traditional ruler

    Makinde suspends Oyo traditional ruler

    The Oyo State Government on Friday in Ibadan announced the suspension of the traditional ruler of Ido town in the Ido Local Government Area of the state.

    Mr. Suleiman Olanrewaju, Chief Press Secretary to the state governor, Mr Seyi Makinde, disclosed in a statement that Oba Babalola Gbolagade, the Onido of Ido, was suspended on Thursday.

    He said Gov. Makinde approved the suspension “in exercise of the powers conferred on him.

    ”The powers were conferred on him by sub-section 1 and 2 of section 26 of the Chiefs Law, Cap. 28 Vol I, Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria 2000, and by virtue of all other enabling powers in that regard,” Olanrewaju added.

    He disclosed also that the suspended traditional ruler has been directed to hand over all government property in his possession to the chairman of Ido Local Government.

  • Police confirm killing of traditional ruler, abduction of wife in Kwara

    Police confirm killing of traditional ruler, abduction of wife in Kwara

    The Police Command in Kwara on Thursday in Ilorin confirmed the killing of a traditional ruler in the state, Oba Peter Aremu, the Onikoro of Koro-Ekiti in the Ekiti Local Government Area.

    CSP Ejire Adeyemi-Tohun, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) for the state Police Command, confirmed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) late Thursday in llorin.

    She added that the king’s assailants also kidnapped his wife.

    “The gunmen invaded the residence of the traditional ruler in the evening and killed him and went away with his wife,” the Police PRO said.

    The Police spokesperson said some police personnel, led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Koro-Ekiti, were already at the palace of the late traditional ruler.

    “They have began investigations into the whereabouts of the killers, as well as the abductors of the late king’s wife,” she said.

  • Pay attention to your health, Lagos traditional ruler urges residents

    Pay attention to your health, Lagos traditional ruler urges residents

    A traditional ruler in Lagos State, Oba Kabiru Shotobi, Ayangburen of Ikorodu, on Friday advised residents to always pay attention to their health in order to avoid issues.

    Shotobi gave the advice during a medical outreach at his palace in Ikorodu, on Friday.

    The medical outreach was organised in conjunction with Global Institute For Healthcare Advancement (GIHCA) , an NGO ,and Lagos Health District 2.

    Shotobi said that residents should not be careless with the their health.

    He urged them to follow the instructions and advice of medical professionals on how best they could manage their health.

    “It is of great joy to see our son, who owns GIHCA, came back from abroad to give back to the community, because the government can not do it alone.

    “People should careful with their health, they should listen to professional advice and ensure they make their health a priority,” Shotobi said.

    Dr Adeyemi Gafari, Coordinator of GIHCA said the idea behind the outreach was to give back to the community, which gave him so much.

    Gafar, who is a fellow of Indiana University School of Medicine , United States of America, commended the traditional ruler and the Lagos State Health District 2 for their support.

    “The idea is about giving back to the community where I grew up, I am highly encouraged with the turnout and the support given to me.

    “I just want all the beneficiaries to take good care of their health and monitor what they eat to avoid different kind of diseases,” he said.

    Earlier, Dr Ramat Adesesan, Head, Lagos Health District 2, urged the beneficiaries to follow advice given to them by medical professionals and ensure they take drugs as prescribed.

    Adesesan also urged the public to take their health very seriously by engaging in exercise and watching what they eat to avoid common diseases like hypertension and diabetes

    Noodles and some other items were distributed to beneficiaries while N10,000 was given to those offered refferal letters to continue with their treatment elsewhere.

    Those who attended were screened for blood sugar and blood pressure

    On the sidelines of the medical outreach , Shotobi offered free JAMB forms to 120 students and urged them to read and prepare very well to score good marks.

    Shotobi urged them to take advantage of the free forms and and make their parents proud by scoring high marks.

    Also speaking, lawmaker representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Mr Babajimi Benson, encouraged the beneficiaries to study hard.

    He described education as a leveller ,saying it is what bridges the gap between the rich and the poor.