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30 Ebonyi children rescued from traffickers in Ogun

By Isaac Kertyo

Thirty children and teenagers from Ebonyi State have been rescued from human traffickers in Ogun State.

The trafficked children are all indigenes of Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

They were rescued through the support of the member representing Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Chinedu Ogah, in conjunction with the Lagos branch of Ikwo Development Union (IDU).

A video had gone viral of some of the children showing marks and injuries they allegedly suffered at the hands of a man named Jeremiah Morris, a kinsman who allegedly took them to Ogun State and forced them to hawk for him.

The video got to the union and the lawmaker who pooled resources together and sent a team to Ogun State to rescue the children.

Mr Imeba Igwe, Secretary Ikwo Development Union, Lagos Branch, who led the rescue mission, confirmed that the children were all from Ikwo Local Government Area.

He said some of them had left their villages in Ikwọ because of the incessant communal clashes in their area.

The IDU Secretary also said the suspected trafficker, Jeremiah, had been arrested and was in police custody.

He said: “This is a difficult situation. The children we met are about 30 in number and between 12 and 13 years of age, and some others under Ogun State police custody are said to be between 18 and 20 years old.

“It was narrated that Mr Jeremiah Morris took them to Ogun State for safety reasons but dumped them on arrival, each living by survival of the fittest, including prostitution and others.

“We gathered that Jeremiah could not take care of them, and after suffering starvation and hunger at his hands, they tried to engage in menial jobs for daily bread.

“In the process, those in charge of destitute caught them. Since they could not explain themselves fluently in English, they were tortured and bullied.”

“The culprit was rounded up along with the children based on a tip off from concerned citizens who suspected a foul play from the man after noticing that he kept bringing underage children in their numbers to this particular location.

“The children said that he brought them here to hawk groundnuts for him. A good number of them were in JSS 1, 2 and 3 before they were brought here and they have been hawking groundnuts for him since they came.

“Some have been here for two years, some for six months while some of them came this January.

“It was at this moment that some of them between the age of 18 and 20 were arrested, including Mr Jeremiah Morris, and taken to the police station at Songhai in Ogun State.”

Narrating the circumstances surrounding their abduction, one of the children identified as Ifunanya Nwite from Inyimagu in Ikwo Local Government Area said she left Ikwo last year for Ogun State because of the crisis that erupted in her community.

She said their mother asked them to join Jeremiah to Ogun State for their safety, and when they arrived, he told them that they would not go home by December.

She said they couldn’t go back to school because of the situation they found themselves in Ogun State.

Another victim, Elom Oluchi from Nduodumechara in the same Local Government said that her siblings and mother were dead.

She said her sister, who is Jeremiah’s wife, asked her to join him to Ogun State so that she would get assistance from him since she was already learning some hand work and she would continue from where she stopped.

Igwe commended the lawmaker for his timely intervention and support which led to the rescue of the children.

“Ikwo Development Union (IDU), Lagos dispatched a team of observers to the location to assess the true condition of the children.

“We must always be our brother’s keeper. A big thank you to Cjinedu Ogah for always being there for all Ikwo sons and daughters,” he said.

Reacting, Ogah condemned the barbaric act of human trafficking and abduction, especially in the Southeast.

He vowed to bring the perpetrators to book and warned future traffickers to desist from the act or face the consequences.

While thanking the team for their timely intervention the led to the rescue of the children, the lawmaker promised to support the secondary school education of the children till they write their Senior School Certificate of Education (SSCE) exams.

He also promised to assist them in learning any skills of their choice

“I am going to make sure that the children reunite with their parents as they would write an undertaking never to allow their children live wayward lives,” Ogah added.

February 19, 2022
Ramat Cup: Tension Everywhere, Kwara Out As Ogun Rewrite History Books

By Mike Oboh
It was a day many football fans wouldn’t forget in a hurry. A day the YSFON organised Ramat Cup competition produced unbelievable upsets

On a “cold hot” afternoon in Kano and quarter final pairings like no other. The National U-16 Defending Champions Kwara, the darling of Kano football fans couldn’t live up to expectations. Despite the high rating they crumbled like a pack of cards losing 2-0 to the host Kano State

Although the match generated a lot of tension the fans couldn’t believe their eyes but resigned to fate and left the stadium disappointed

In the other match, highly rated Jigawa team also failed to live up to expectations. Pundits had predicted an easy win for Jigawa going by their pedigree only for Gombe to prove everyone wrong by beating them 3-1

The FCT team fought the battle of their lives to remain in contention. They came from behind to beat Kebbi 3-1 on penalties after an excruciating and breath taking 2-2 draw in regulation time.

The unbelievable upset of the day was the result of the game between Ogun and Kaduna

Kaduna were 3 goals up and their fans thought it was all over and started celebrating The second half turned otherwise, Ogun fought back to equalise 3-3 on the dot of time

Surprisingly the Dapo Abiodun babes carried the day 10-9 on penalties The outcome is still generating arguments in and around Kano metropolis

YSFON’s Technical Director Abdulgafar Agboola also couldn’t hide his emotions, he says fans should expect more upsets on Friday during the semi finals matches

In the semi finals, Ogun will again pray for another luck when they trade tackle with FCT, while Kano play Gombe.

The icing on the Cake will be the YSFON President’s athletics competition coming up on Saturday during the final game at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.

No doubt the excitement is at its peak as even the visiting scouts are having a field day

February 17, 2022
Ramat Cup: Nasarawa, Rivers Disappoint As Kaduna, Ogun Qualify For Quarter- Final

By Mike Oboh

It was a tale of the unexpected on Wednesday as some players wept uncontrollably following their misfortune of not making it to the quarter-finals of the 39th edition of the Ramat Cup U-16 boys tournament holding in the ancient city of Kano

With the die hard and winner-takes-all attitude of the teams, it was obvious that every team had their destiny in their hands

The Kaduna U-16 team continued their high scoring performance at the Mahaha Sports complex beating Adamawa State 10-1, the highest scoreline ever recorded in the history of the competition

Nasarawa U-16 team were most disappointing.
despite full government backing, they could not go beyond the group Stage.They drew goalless with Rivers State, 2-2 with Zamfara,then lost 2-1 to Kano

For the Defending Champions Kwara State, it was a mixed bag of experience.They started on a promising note by defeating Ekiti 3-0, Bauchi 3-0 then drew 1-1 with FCT and goalless with Yobe.
Although they still qualified, but their fans were somewhat unhappy because they expected more from them

Ogun state is the only southern team still in race after Ekiti,Abia and Rivers were unable to scale through. Ogun defeated Katsina 2-0, Plateau 3-0 and Benue 2-1.

With 9 points, the Dapo Abiodun babes are looking forward to better outing against Kaduna in their Quarter-finals game on Thursday

In other quarter-final matches, Kebbi will face FCT, while Kwara confront Kano and Gombe to settle Scores with Jigawa

All the matches will take place at the Kano Pillars Stadium in Sabon Gari on Thursday

As the competition gets tougher and more challenging, the National President of YSFON and Deputy Governor of Kano State Dr Nasiru Gawuna has advised the participating teams to be patriotic and continue to work hard, so they can bring honour to their fatherland

February 16, 2022
Woman stab husband’s nephew, 18, to death in Ogu

Men of Ogun State Police Command have arrested a 30-year-old housewife, Cynthia Olukiowu, for allegedly stabbing an 18-year-old nephew of her husband, Habeeb Aremu, to death over a disagreement.

The suspect, who resides in the Ifo Local Government Area of the state was arrested on Saturday by policemen.
The Ogun Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
Oyeyemi said the suspect was arrested following a distress call received by policemen attached to Agbado divisional headquarters.

He explained that the police were told that a boy was stabbed in the neck by his uncle’s wife, following a misunderstanding after the deceased allegedly broke a mirror.
Oyeyemi said, “It was revealed that a mirror used in the house got broken and the deceased was alleged to have broken it.

“It was the allegation that led to disagreement between the deceased and his uncle’s wife, subsequent upon which the suspect took a kitchen knife and used it to stab the deceased in his neck.
“Upon the distress call, the DPO Agbado division CSP Kehinde Kuranga quickly led his men to the scene, where the suspect was promptly arrested, and the victim who was in the pool of his own blood was rushed to hospital.

“He was unfortunately confirmed dead by the doctor on duty and his corpse was deposited at Ifo general hospital mortuary for autopsy.”
The PPRO however said the Commissioner of Police, Lanre Bankole, has ordered the immediate transfer of the suspect to the homicide section of the state Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for further investigation and diligent prosecution

February 7, 2022
That Ogun/Oyo initiative in tackling insecurity

By Elijah Udofia

Peace and tranquility are catalysts that drive development in any society. No state or nation can grow or experience development in the midst of chaos and instability. Stability attracts investors, tourists and generally makes life enjoyable to the citizens. It is therefore safe to say with a measure certainty that a nation’s development can be gauged through its stability.

Insecurity, no doubt is one of the problems confronting the Nigeria today. The country is bedeviled with various forms of security challenges ranging from kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery, serial and ritual killers, financial crimes and cultism, to mention a few.

The level of insecurity has risen to an all-time high and this has made the federal government to adopt stringent measures against criminal elements, while almost all the states have set up their own security outfits. Even local governments, regarded as the closest to the people, have also adopted various voluntary policing and informal security architecture to safeguard the lives and properties of people.

One is happy to note that Ogun and Oyo states have taken the issue of insecurity very seriously. To nip the menace in the bud and ensure that their respective state does not become a haven for criminals, the two governments few days ago met in Abeokuta to synergise and come with practical measures in tackling security especially in their border areas.

At the meeting, the governors – Dapo Abiodun and Seyi Makinde, agreed to form a Joint Security Task Force as well as a high level Joint Security Committee that would proactively provide the needed security to the border communities and roads linking the two states.

One of the duties of the committee when it begins operation is to train and reorient members of the task force on their operational rules to guard against unwholesome practice, which is synonymous among members of security agencies in the country.

While one is happy with the latest development, the fact that officials of both states will meet regularly to provide oversight, review progress and take necessary action or actions and in most cases, jointly collaborate on emergencies and attend to distressed calls on highways crisscrossing the two sister states, is something to be commended as it would allow not only for sharing of experiences among officials, but would also give travellers and other road users confidence while on the roads.

Since security is the responsibility of all, one is happy that the governors thought it wise that apart from installing Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) on the interstate highways, they equally mandated the joint task force to be set up to effectively engage, cooperate and collaborate with all stakeholders like the government at the centre, states, traditional and religious institutions and community development associations. The engagement of these groups of people will not only ensure that they get necessary inputs, but also the needed support that would improve securing in the two states.

The meeting of the two governors is a right step in the right direction. It goes to show that the formation of the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (the DAWN Commission) by the six states that made up the old Western Nigeria is yielding positive results.

The collaboration between Ogun and Oyo states is coming barely a year when similar step was taken between Ogun and the Lagos State government to work together for the benefit of their people.

While commending this partnership and hoped that it would achieve its aims, I want to urge the two state governments not to allow this lofty ideas to be only on paper, but work towards its realization. In the same vain, state governments in other parts of the country can take a cue from this by collaborating to put in place, security measures that will allow their people to sleep with their two eyes closed.

February 4, 2022
Traditional Ruler, Three Others Killed In Ogun

A traditional ruler, Oba Ayinde Odetola, has been killed by suspected hoodlums, police authorities in Ogun State said on Tuesday.

Oba Odetola, the Alagodo of Agodo in Ewekoro Local Government Area of the state, was killed along with three other persons said to be his friends.

According to sources, the traditional ruler was killed not too long after his brother was gruesomely murdered.

Confirming the incident in Abeokuta, the Police Public Relations Officer in Ogun, Abimbola Oyeyemi, said the traditional ruler and the others were killed at about 11am on Monday.

They were said to be returning from an outing before they were by attacked the hoodlums. Although it is not clear how the monarch was killed, the other persons were set ablaze.

Oyeyemi revealed that the Commissioner of Police in Ogun, Lanre Bankole, and the Special Security Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun, Olusola Subair, have visited the town for an on-the-spot assessment.

He stated that the whole town was deserted as of the time of the visit, adding that the police commissioner has directed that the Homicide Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department of the command commence an investigation into the killing.

Reports gathered that there had been a tussle over the chieftaincy title of Alagodo between the people of Ake and Owu in Egbaland.

While the late monarch was from the Ake section of Egba, he was reportedly embroiled in a controversy that an indigene of his town cannot administer a town mainly dominated by the people of Owu.

January 25, 2022
Buhari Inaugurates Five Projects In Ogun, Promises More Infrastructure

President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday inaugurated five key projects in Ogun State, assuring Nigerians that two major Federal roads under construction, the Sagamu-Benin Expressway and the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, would be commissioned before the end of 2022.

Addressing residents of the State, the President heaped praises on Governor Dapo Abiodun, for delivering visionary and trail-blazing projects for the people, even in the midst of prevailing and challenging circumstances occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to a statement by his special media aide, Femi Adesina, the president described Abiodun as the ‘‘performing Governor of Nigeria’s Gateway State,’’.

President Buhari added that the governor is a worthy example of ‘‘promises made, promises kept.’’

The President noted that the lofty projects: the Gateway City Gate; the 42-Kilometre Sagamu Interchange-Abeokuta Road; the 14km Ijebu-Ode-Epe Expressway and two Housing Estates for low, medium and high income earners at Kobape and Oke-Mosan in Abeokuta, respectively, could not have materialised without the State government’s huge investment and commitment to security of lives and property.

‘‘This has made Ogun State one of the safest and most peaceful States in the country and investors’ destination of choice.
‘‘You (Prince Abiodun) have justified the mandate of the people of Ogun State. You have represented our Party very well,’’ the President said.

The President expressed delight that the 14km Ijebu Ode-Mojoda-Epe Road commissioned by him has been reconstructed into a modern expressway by the State government.

He noted that the impressive road would complement the Sagamu-Benin Expressway that the Federal Government is currently reconstructing; also due for commissioning this year.

‘‘Just across the road is the 42-kilometer Sagamu-Interchange-Abeokuta Road which the state Government has reconstructed and equipped with street lights.

‘‘That road enjoys a direct linkage with the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway that the Federal Government is rebuilding and due for completion later this year.

‘‘I am particularly impressed by the quality and standard of your road projects, and the creative way you have deployed resources to reconstruct and rehabilitate them.

‘‘It is significant to note that the two road projects being commissioned today are federal roads. This is an example of constructive engagement, cooperation and collaboration between the States and Federal Government.

‘‘These roads also fit well into our rail transportation masterplan that connects Lagos, Nigeria’s economic capital to Kano, with Ogun State having more rail stations, along the Lagos-Ibadan rail corridor.’’

On the housing programme of the Ogun Governor, the President commended its inclusiveness, saying it is equally heart-warming that it cuts across different social strata, capturing the low, medium and high income earners.

Admiring the Gateway City Gate Project, the Nigerian leader said ‘‘it is not just a Park beautification project. It depicts that something new is happening in Ogun State, a welcoming entrance into the State Capital at the centre point of the State.’’

He added that the project is also an ICON depicting the joining of hands for building the future of Ogun State in togetherness.

‘‘Your Excellency, well done! I am proud of what you have done for your State and your people.

‘‘You have made our great Party, the APC, proud too. You are a worthy example of promises made, promises kept.

‘‘These lofty projects could not have materialised without your huge investment and commitment to security of lives and property.’’

Responding to requests by the State governor to give priority to the Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta and the Sango Otta-Idiroko Roads respectively, the President assured the people of Ogun State that these roads will receive Federal Government attention.

The President announced that the Federal Government would consider extending tax credit as funding option for the reconstruction of these roads, as done for the 100km Sagamu Interchange-Papalanto-Ilaro Road.

Similarly, the President promised to consider the approval of the reconstruction of Sagamu-Ogijo Road by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited under the tax credit scheme.

The President thanked the residents of the State for the warm reception accorded him and his entourage in the Gateway State, which is his first visit to any State in the New Year.

‘‘This welcome by the large crowd brings back the nostalgia of my first arrival on this soil as a young infantry officer in the Nigerian Army at the then Lafenwa Barracks in Abeokuta, not long after independence.

‘‘The traditional hospitality of the people of this State has not waned a bit. Today, I am “Omowale” and very happy at this homecoming to meet my brothers and sisters whose goodwill I have always enjoyed. Thank you.’’

The President also congratulated the people of Ogun State for having such a focused, deliberate and inclusive Administration under the watch of Prince Abiodun, urging them to continue to support the governor for the successful implementation of the “Building our Future Together” Agenda of his Administration.

‘‘The reward for success is more hardwork to meet the increasing expectations of the people.

‘‘When state governments deliver impactful projects, in consultations with stakeholders, like we have witnessed in Ogun State, the trajectory of our national development will be enhanced.’’

The President, who was bestowed with “honourary indigeneship” of the State, said: “It is also with a sense of responsibility that I receive and cherish the honourary indigeneship bestowed on me as symbolised by the presentation of the key to the Gateway State by Governor Abiodun.

“I will leave Ogun State with fond memories and look forward to enjoying the privilege of my honourary indigeneship.”

January 13, 2022
Buhari To Visit Ogun State On Thursday

President Muhammadu Buhari will embark on a state visit to Ogun State on Thursday, January 13.

The President was billed to visit the Gateway State on December 21, 2021 but the official visit was postponed indefinitely.

In a statement issued on Sunday by Kunle Somorin, the Chief Press Secretary to Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, the Commander-in-Chief is expected in the South-Western state this week.

During the visit, Somorin said President Buhari will inaugurate some of the infrastructural projects executed by Governor Abiodun.

The President will be welcomed at the Gateway City Gate Monument Park, Sagamu Interchange, at 10 a.m, where the first project will be commissioned by him.

Apart from the Gateway City Gate, other projects expected to be inaugurated by President Buhari include Ijebu-Ode Mojoda-Epe expressway and two housing estates – the 527-Unit low and Medium Kobape Housing scheme Kobape and the Highbrow, 83 duplexes at Kings Court Estate at Oke Mosan, Abeokuta.

The governor’s spokesman stated that invited guests are expected to be seated by 9.30 a.m at the City Gate by the Sagamu Interchange and Abeokuta expressway while observing all COVID-19 safety protocols strictly.

January 9, 2022
Couple Arrested In Ogun For Selling Their Baby For N50,000

A couple residing at Ilara area of Ode Remo, in Remo North Local Government Area of Ogun State have been arrested for selling their one-month-old baby for the sum of N50,000.

The police public relations officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi who disclosed this in a press statement said the buyer is currently at large and efforts are ongoing to rescue the baby.

“The suspects, Eze Onyebuchi and his wife Oluchi Eze were arrested on the 16 of December 2021, following an information received by policemen at Ode Remo divisional headquarters, that the couple resident at Ayegbami Street, Ilara Remo willingly sold their one-month-old baby to a woman who is now at large,” he said.

He added that upon receiving the information, the Divisional Police Officer, Ode Remo Division, CSP Olayemi Fagbohun mobilised his detectives to the area where the couple was arrested and brought to the station.

Upon interrogation, the suspects explained to the police that, it was one Mrs. Ruth Obajimi, who directed the yet-to-be-identified buyer to them, saying that the woman came to them on the 14th of December 2021 and told them that she is from the Human rights office and that she will help them to foster their child.

The suspects, Eze Onyebuchi and his wife Oluchi Eze were arrested on December 16, 2021.

“The woman then gave them the sum of fifty thousand naira and they handed over the baby to her despite not knowing her from Adam,” the statement added.

He however said that efforts are on to apprehend the said woman with the view to rescuing the baby.

The State Commissioner of Police, Lanre Bankole, has ordered the immediate transfer of the suspects to the anti-human trafficking and Child Labour Unit of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for further investigation

He also directed a massive manhunt for the buyer who is currently on the run.

December 19, 2021
13 Die, 12 Injured In Ogun Road Accident

About 13 persons have been confirmed dead while 12 others sustained injuries on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

The accident involved an unregistered Volvo truck and a commercial Mazda bus opposite Wichtech roofing and pipes

“I learned the commercial bus was coming from Lagos, when it overtook the vehicle at its front wrongly, before ramming into a stationed vehicle at the roadside killing nine persons in the vehicle on the spot,” the Public Relations Officer of the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement, Babatunde Akinbiyi said.

Pictures from the scene of the accident showed vehicles being turned up, with the gory bodies of some of the victims.

The commercial bus driver was said to have wrongly overtaken an ongoing vehicle on the motion which led to the loss of control while the bus rammed into a broken-down truck with waste disposal.

Reports gathered that the commercial bus was overloaded with 25 passengers comprising nine men, eight women and eight minors instead of 18 passengers.

While 12 injured passengers consisted of five men, three women and four minors, the 13 dead people comprised four males, five females and four minors lost their lives in the accident.

“The remaining four died at Idera Hospital where they were rescued to by TRACE and Federal Road Safety Corps (gravy) officials,” Akinbiyi said.

Akinbiyi explained that the injured victims were rescued to Idera hospital with the deceased deposited at the same hospital mortuary in Sagamu, saying the vehicles had been towed to Sagamu Police station.

He added, “TRACE Corps will continue to insist that the roadside is not a mechanic workshop where cars should park or be repaired for whatever fault because of its attendant consequences.”

July 22, 2021