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Tag: Ondo State

  • Ganduje Confident of APC Victory in Edo Governorship Election

    Ganduje Confident of APC Victory in Edo Governorship Election

    By   Milcah   Tanimu

    Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), expressed confidence in the party’s chances for success in the upcoming Edo governorship election scheduled for September 21.

    During a visit on Thursday to the Kano State Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ganduje outlined the party’s strategic preparations and expressed optimism about regaining control of Edo State. “We are well-prepared and believe that our efforts will lead to a decisive victory,” he stated.

    Ganduje acknowledged that while the APC previously held power in Edo State, internal conflicts led to a loss to the PDP. However, he assured that the party is poised to win back the state.

    In discussing Ondo State, Ganduje pointed out that it remains under APC control despite challenges following the former governor’s passing. He noted that the party successfully managed the issues and held primaries to select a strong candidate.

    He further indicated that winning the Edo governorship election would add to the APC’s current tally of 20 states. “A win in Edo will bring our total to 21 states,” Ganduje said.

    Looking ahead, Ganduje highlighted the party’s focus on the South-East region, specifically targeting Anambra in the upcoming elections. He criticized the notion of marginalization in the region, suggesting it is a result of internal political dynamics. “Our goal is to increase our presence in the South-East and capture more states,” he added, referencing the party’s recent gains in Ebonyi and Imo states.

    Ganduje concluded by reaffirming the APC’s commitment to expanding its influence and securing more states in the South-East.

  • Gov Akeredolu Embark On Medical Leave, Handover To Deputy

    Gov Akeredolu Embark On Medical Leave, Handover To Deputy

    The Ondo State House of Assembly has confirmed receipt of a letter for medical leave from Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

    The Speaker of the Assembly, Mr Olamide Oladiji in a statement on Tuesday in Akure, explained that the governor asked for 21-day leave for medical treatment abroad starting from June 7 to July 6.

    According to the letter, the speaker said the leave will be extended to July 6 due to the public holidays on June 12(Democracy Day) and Eid el Kabir on June 28 and June 29.

    He explained that the governor had stated in the letter that his deputy, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, would act as acting governor for the period he will be away.

    The speaker, who described the governor as a lover of peace and an apostle of the rule of law, wished him a speedy recovery and a joyful vacation.

  • Owo Massacre: Ondo Gov Confirms Arrest Of Five Suspects

    Owo Massacre: Ondo Gov Confirms Arrest Of Five Suspects

    Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, on Tuesday confirmed the arrest of five suspected attackers of St Francis Catholic Church in the Owo area of the state.

    The governor’s confirmation comes shortly after the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor made the announcement in Abuja.

    The church came under attack on Sunday, June 5 while worshippers were observing mass. The incident left at least 40 people killed and several others injured.

    Two months after the massacre, Akeredolu disclosed that the owner of the house where the attackers stayed before the June 5 attack in Owo has also been arrested.

    He said that the state 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.

    A statement from Richard Olatunde, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, said Akeredolu 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,” he was quoted as saying.

    “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.”

    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.

    According to him, 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.

    The governor stated, “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 things. The traders selling by the roadside 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 things. They are in our midst, we are surrounded by them. The issue of security is key and it’s dynamic.”

    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 commended Akeredolu for the approval of the weigh-in allowance for journalists and information officers working in the State and Local government service.

  • How Amotekun Intercepts Over 160 Suspected Invaders In Ondo State

    How Amotekun Intercepts Over 160 Suspected Invaders In Ondo State

    The men of the Ondo State Security Network Agency also known as Amotekun, have intercepted another 168 suspected invaders with dangerous charms in two trucks.

    This came barely three days after the corps arrested 151 suspected invaders with dangerous charms concealed inside bags of rice in Sango area, along Akure-Ado Expressway.

    Speaking on the development on Monday, the Commander of Ondo Amotekun, Adetunji Adeleye, said the 168 suspected invaders were intercepted around Itaogbolu and Iju communities in Akure North Local Government Area of the state by his men, who were on ‘stop and search’ operation.

    According to the commander, they (the suspects) were coming from Kano and Jigawa states without any clear mission in Ondo State.

    He said, “After the profiling of the earlier ones, we saw majority of them that did not have any case to answer off to where they came from but we found out that the influx of invaders still continued.

    “On Sunday, our stop and search team saw these two trucks. They told them that they were on their way to Ondo State with cows after careful examination, we found out that they carefully concealed about 40 motorcycles with 168 people lying down beneath the motorcycles.

    “The upper floor has cows, the middle has motorcycles wrapped and dismantled and on the lower floor, we have 168 people lying down, such that if you are not careful, you won’t observe it. So, we questioned where they were going and why they packed themselves and why they were avoiding people and they said they were coming to Ondo State. Upon interrogation none of them have address of where they are going, nobody invited them and we are becoming curious about these invasions. I called it invasion because you see over 100 able-bodied men concealing themselves under animals, it shows they are up to negative motives.”

    The commander noted that after investigation and profiling, if the corps didn’t find anything incriminating on them and if nobody was ready to take custody of them in the state, the corps would send them back to their various states.

    “We have commenced profiling but we want to warn citizens of the state to be wary of strangers because nobody knows how many of such invaders had managed to enter the state. We saw these ones with charms which we are yet to ascertain what their mission.

    “Those who own the motorcycles confessed that none of the bikes had papers and of course, they photocopied some papers but you can see one engine number in 30 motorcycles which clearly shows that they were forged documents. We will find out how they got the motorcycles and also find out their mission in the state. If they don’t have any credible thing to do in the state, we will send them back,” he declared.

  • Amotekun Arrests Suspected Masterminds of Owo Massacre

    Amotekun Arrests Suspected Masterminds of Owo Massacre

    The Ondo State Security Network Agency, codenamed “Amotekun Corps” has confirmed that some suspects have been arrested in connection with the terrorist attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo.

    The suspected terrorist invaded the church on June 5, killing no fewer than 40 people and injuring many other worshippers.

    The state Commander of Amotekun, Adetunji Adeleye, on Thursday said some suspects had been arrested in connection with the killing.

    He stated this while parading some 71 men who were arrested for various criminal activities across the state.

    He, however, did not give the actual figure of the suspected terrorists arrested but expressed assurance that all the attackers of the worship center would be apprehended.

    The Amotekun boss said, “As regards the Owo incident, we have recovered the last vehicle they used for that operation and we made some arrests and we have also recovered some vital things which we are working on.

    “A number of people have been arrested concerning the Owo issue as well as well number of equipment. On that day, we pursued them to the point that we recovered the vehicle and we are still pursuing them We have told you that until we get to the root, I can assure you that the perpetrators and their sponsors will be brought to book.”

    On the 71 suspected criminals paraded at the headquarters of the command in Akure, the state capital, Adeleye explained that the suspects were arrested within the last one month for various offenses ranging from armed robbery, cattle rustling, kidnapping, raping, fraud and human trafficking.

    “The 71 suspects were picked while committing offenses and others were tracked to their hideouts in the forests. We have been able to get a cartel that specialises in stealing and dismantling motorbikes which we all know as okada. Also, we were able to recover over 50 bikes during the operation from these criminals.

    “We also got reports from some herdsmen that their cattle were stolen. We went after them and brought the cows back to the Fulani herdsmen that owned the cow. We have a group of small boys who are under 18-year old that turned themselves into a cartel of criminals in a particular local government in Ondo State and armed themselves. They actually belong to a cult group called ‘Agbado’. We were able to arrest 12 out of the 17 members.

    “We have about three to four suspected kidnappers and we intend to take most of these suspects, especially the ones we have concluded their investigations to the DPP and for their onward prosecution in court.”

    He assured the people of the state that the corps would not rest on its oars until it rids the state of criminal elements, saying, “there is no hiding place for them. They turned the heat on us and we have also turned the heat on them.”

  • Ondo State Cancels June 12 Celebrations To Mourn Victims of Owo Attack

    Ondo State Cancels June 12 Celebrations To Mourn Victims of Owo Attack

    The Ondo State Government has canceled this year’s June 12 celebrations in the state following an attack on the St Francis Catholic Church in Owo.

    Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State said this in a tweet on his official handle on Saturday.

    “In honour of the victims of the terror attack at St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, the Ondo State Government has canceled this year’s June 12 celebration,” the governor tweeted.

    “The cancelation is to enable the people of Ondo State to mourn their loved ones who lost their lives in the horrific attack.”

    Earlier, the governor had faulted the Federal Government for blaming the attack on the Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP), saying the move was hasty.

    A statement from the governor’s media aide Richard Olatunde quoted his principal as saying that the terrorist group could have taken responsibility for the attack if it was behind it.

    “The statement is too hasty. I take their conclusion with a pinch of salt. ISWAP don’t hide their attacks,” the governor was quoted as saying during a virtual interaction with a Swiss-based Christian human rights Organisation, Christian Solidarity International (CSI) on Friday.

    “If they have done it, they would have owned up. We are yet to know their identity and our security people are still on their trail.”

    As far as the governor is concerned, the attack which left scores dead and many others injured further heightens the need for state police.

    “A single police command can not guarantee safety in this country. We must have state police now,” he said during the meeting.

    “We are doing our best with Amotekun. But Amotekun is suffering a lot of limitations in getting all the equipment needed to fight these criminals.”

  • One Feared Dead As Building Collapse In Akure

    One Feared Dead As Building Collapse In Akure

    An elderly woman died on Tuesday morning in Akure after a building partially collapsed in the Ondo State capital.

    According to eyewitnesses, the occupants of the building were thrown into panic when part of the building caved in at about 3am while most of them were fast asleep.

    But seven other persons, who also live in the house, were rescued by neighbours who raced to the scene of the incident.

    While police authorities in Ondo have yet to make an official statement regarding the incident, the body of the woman killed was moved to the morgue by policemen at the scene.

    More to follow…

  • Police foil robbery attack on bullion van in Ondo

    Police foil robbery attack on bullion van in Ondo

    An attempt by armed robbers to attack a bank bullion van in Ondo State has been foiled.

    The incident was said to have happened in Ondo town, headquarters of Ondo West Local Government where the robbers attempted to rob the bullion van belonging to an old generation bank

    It was gathered that after the failed attempt, security operatives were stationed in different locations, causing panic among residents.

    According to one of the residents, “it was an unsuccessful attack on a Bank’s bullion van going to Akure. One person sustained an injury and has been taken to the hospital. The robbers didn’t succeed, though no arrest was made yet. The situation is calm now.”

    Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Tee-Leo Ikoro said the move by the robbers was repelled.

    This is coming about two weeks after some robbers laid siege on a bank at Ilara-Mokin in Ifedore Local Government Area of the state, where three lives were lost including a journalist, Bunmi Afuye.

  • APC expels two Ex-Guber aspirants in Ondo

    APC expels two Ex-Guber aspirants in Ondo

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State has expelled two of its former governorship aspirants, Mrs. Jumoke Anifowose and Dr. Nath Adojutelegan.

    Jumoke is a daughter of first Executive Governor of the state, Pa Adekunle Ajasin.

    Both Anifowose and Adojutelegan lost in last year’s APC primaries to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

    Dissatisfied with the outcome of the primaries, they dragged the party to court asking for an order to cancel the primaries.

    The Supreme Court last week threw out their suits for lacking in merit.

    Speaking at a press briefing in Akure, spokesman of the party, Alex Kalejaiye, said the former governorship aspirants were suspended for engaging in anti party activities.

    Kalejaiye said the party followed all laod down processes as spelt out in Article 21 of the APC constitution.

    He said the National leadership would be communicated on the expulsion of the two former APC chieftains.

  • BREAKING: Gunmen Attack School Bus In Ondo

    BREAKING: Gunmen Attack School Bus In Ondo

    Some gunmen on Thursday morning hijacked a private school bus at Oba Ile Estate in the Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, abducting a member of staff of the school.

    It was gathered that the incident occurred around 6:45am while the driver and the abducted staff of the school were moving round to pick the pupils. The identity of the abducted staff had not been revealed as of the time of filing this report.

    A source in the school explained that the bandits numbering about eight on motorcycles, attacked the bus, forcing the driver to stop. According to him, they dragged the driver out and hijacked the bus and drove it to an unknown destination with the staff on the bus.

    He said, “The driver and the attendant were about to pick the first set of pupils when the incident happened. The gunmen rounded up the vehicle with dangerous weapons. The driver was dragged down from the bus while one of them took over the driver’s seat and drove off with the attendant in the bus.

    “The whereabouts of the attendant is still unknown but we have reported the incident at the Oba Ile Police station. This is the first time we are experiencing this kind of situation here. It is quite unfortunate.”

    Details later…