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EFCC Chair, Bawa, Calls For Synergy With Journalists: Advocates Necessity For Bankers To Declare Assets |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Abdulrasheed Bawa

By Akinwale Kasali

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, has called on the Media to partner with the Anti-Graft agency in unravelling and exposing Corrupt persons, most especially the need for Bankers to declare their assets.

The EFCC boss made this call at the Two-day Nigeria Guild of Investigative Journalists,  NGIJ, Workshop on Investigative and Solutions Journalism in the Digital Age, at Radisson Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos over the weekend.

Bawa cautioned journalists against Media trial to avoid jeopardizing anti-corruption efforts of the agency.

The workshop is a refresher course by the leadership of the Guild for its members nationwide.

The EFCC chairman explained that the call for declaration of assets by bankers is an age long law which the Agency will implement to strengthen anti graft war in the country.

According to the EFCC Chairman, the law is not a new law and EFCC will ensure every banker complies before the deadline, as “this will help monitor insider related funds, property trends and prevent money laundering.”

Represented by Deputy Head of Lagos Zonal Office, Emeka Okonjo, he called for the revival of investigative practices among journalists with a view to unraveling deep layered corruption cases and strenthen collaboration towards sustaining the ongoing anti-graft efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari led administration.

Bawa, therefore, expressed the agency’s readiness to partner with the NGIJ in area of sensitisation and reportage of ongoing trial, noting that investigative journalists have a great role to play in the war against corruption in the country.

Award winning investigative journalist, Fisayo Soyombo shared his experience with NGIJ members drawn from Lagos, Abuja, Kwara, Ogun and Oyo states.

Soyombo revealed that his passion for social change, justice and equity in the society spurred him to embrace investigative journalism despite the hazard.

Other facilitators at the epoch event include; Human and Environmental Development Agenda,  HEDA, Chairman,  Olanrewaju Suraju, Financial Analyst and Communicator, Dapo Daramola and Barrister Ayo Odukale of Ayo Odukale Chambers who delved into Media laws, FOI Act, Whsitleblowing policy and other relevant laws guiding and related to media practice in Nigeria.

Mass communication scholars, Emmanuel Osideko and Oba Adeoye of Journalism in Nigeria also anchored various sessions with the participants on wide range of areas including solutions journalism, modern media techniques for multiplatforms, media branding and digital media entrepreneurship.

In his remark, NGIJ President, Ayoyemi Mojoyinola said the workshop was designed to further enhance efficiency for members and refresh their skills and competencies towards achieving guild’s mission of promoting good governance, accountability and transparency in the country through promotion and practice of investigative journalism with excellence.

Kogi State Deputy Governor, Chief Edward Onoja, President TeamNigeria4Change, Bestman Nze-Jumbo, UBA Head of Corporate Affairs, Tunde Nasir Ramon, Polaris Bank Corporate Affairs Head, Rasheed Bolarinwa and other dignitaries also highlighted the roles of the media and gave goodwill messages during the maiden Workshop of NGIJ.

World Press Freedom Day: NGE Seeks End To Harassment, Review Of Broadcasting Code |The Source

By
Ayodele Oni
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World Press Freedom Day: NGE Seeks End To Harassment, Review Of Broadcasting Code

By Ayodele Oni

The Nigeria Guild of Editors, NGE, has condemned attempts by the Federal Government at muzzling the media.

In its message to mark this year’s World Press freedom day, the Guild urged Governments at all levels in Nigeria to value information as a public good and treat the conveyors of information as partners, instead of seeing them as enemies.

“The Media is a partner and a critical stakeholder in the national project. The media played a major role in the struggle for Independence and enthronement of  democracy.

In a statement signed by the President and secretary, Mustapha Isah and Mary Atolagbe, the Guild emphasised that “The Media cannot suddenly transform to agents of destruction of the institutions it helped to build.

“Information as a public good is the wheel that drives democracy and its attendant virtues including openness, free speech and other forms of civil liberties.

“The harassment of the media by the National Broadcasting Commission, the police, DSS and other state actors should stop.

“The Guild calls for a review of the National Broadcasting Code and all other media statutes, to bring them in tune with democracy and the promotion of free speech.

“The Body of Editors urges the Nigerian government to, at all times, strive to protect the media. It is only then that ‘Information as a Public Good’ would become relevant.

Stop the detention, impunity, harassment and killing of journalists. Our product (Information) is a public good.

“The Guild aligns with the UN and other world bodies in calling for the release of all journalists in detention. Nigeria, and indeed the world, needs a free press to promote democracy, effectively report the pandemic and other issues threatening human existence, including insecurity.

“The Guild commends the Federal and State governments as well as all relevant health institutions and personnel for their spirited efforts at containing the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The NGE, particularly, celebrates journalists in the frontline of Covid-19 pandemic coverage as well as those charged with the responsibility of reporting crime and security, at a time like this when the nation is struggling to contain the scourge of insecurity.

“The Guild urges media owners, the private sector and the government, to provide special protection for journalists, as most of them are often neglected and exposed to sundry challenge, that not only impair their ability to discharge their duties, but also imperil their lives, culminating, in some cases, to untimely deaths.”

On the theme for this year’s celebration, which is “Information as a Public Good,” the Editors body pointed out that “it highlights the necessity of governments, state actors and the private sector to recognise the value of information as a critical element in leadership and service delivery.

“Much more, the theme places a great deal of responsibility on governments across the world to accord respect to journalists, the conveyors and disseminators of information, as partners in development, and not as enemies of the state.

“Journalists across the world face grave challenges and dangers in the discharge of their duties. Some have paid the supreme price while others have been harassed and jailed for doing their lawful duty.

“This is because most governments still perceive journalists as intruders into the public space.”

Robert Clarke Says Nigeria Could Collapse In Six Months; There’s Civil War In Eastern Nigeria |The Source

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The Source
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Chief Robert Clarke

By Charles Igbo

Chief Robert Clarke, SAN, is 83 years old. But in the full view of his television audience, he passed a damning verdict on the life span of Nigeria.

Looking grave and, at that age, swearing by his father’s grave, Clarke says it is hard for him to guarantee a-six month life span to Nigeria. Meaning there will be no country called Nigeria in six months if care is not taken.

He also said there is civil war in the Eastern Region. In the past few weeks, the South-east has become the epicentre of violence, destruction and inexplicable killings.

Clarke spoke while answering a question during a Channels Television  Political programme, Politics Today, Sunday evening, anchored by Seun Okinbaloye.

He spoke against the threat on Sunday, by the Directorate of State Security, DSS,  warning those it said were doing everything to destabilise the country.

The DSS had said that while it appreciates freedom of speech, it would no longer stand by and watch highly placed people, including some religious leaders, incite Nigerians against the Government, and pushing for  a change of Govrnment.

In the past few days, many highly placed Nigerians, and groups, had expressed concern over the state of the Nation. They include serving and former members of the National Assembly, Elder Statesmen and Religious Leaders, including those earlier thought  to be close to the Presidency.

Asked what he thought about the DSS warning, an apparently pained Clarke gave his damning verdict.

He said: “The problem with Nigeria is that people who should know don’t know and don’t want to know, and do not know.

“The Security section is talking and talking. What are they doing? The situation in this country is so bad that I, Robert Clarke, I cannot guarantee Nigeria staying another six months.

“Because the problem is so overwhelming, and they were created by this same politicians.

“Since the 1999 Constitution came to be and this crop of Politicians, young boys then, who are swimming in Abacha’s loot and trying to form as many political for him, got into money and came into politics, Nigeria has never been the same.

“Nigeria is worse than it used to be in 1982. When  Shagari was the President Nigeria was better than what it is today. And, what is the cause? It is bad leadership.

“Look at what is happening  in the Eastern Region. It is no longer banditry. It is Civil War.

“Many things are happening, and if care is not taken, and I swear by my father’s grave, Nigeria will collapse in six months time.”

Stop Politicizing Insecurity, APC warns PDP |The Source

By
Uche Mbah
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By Uche Mbah

The All Progressives Congress, APC, has sent warnings to the main Opposition Party in Nigeria, the Peoples democratic party, PDP,  to stop politicizing the issue of security in Nigeria.

Sadly, it does seem the PDP is paying back the APC in its own coin,  Nigerians say. When the APC was in opposition, it so politicised the insecurity in Nigeria that the PDP Government was completely written off by the world. Now Nigerians admit, insecurity is worse than it was then.

The PDP had lent its voice to the ongoing general disillusionment over the security situation in the country, expressing concerns over the issue.

But in a statement signed by the National Secretary of the APC National Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention planning Committee, CECPC, John Akpanudoedehe, the ruling party said well meaning Nigerians should avoid politicizing the issue.

“Let no one be in doubt as to the urgency and capacity of the President Muhammadu Buhari government to end the recent security incidents”, the communique said.

“We urge stakeholders and indeed all well-meaning Nigerians to avoid politicizing or being simplistic about the security situation,” the statement said. “At a time like this, our duty to our nation as good citizens should outweigh political party coloration.

“As those who receive constant security briefings, PDP Governors should know that divisive rhetoric can only embolden the criminals who are carrying out these cowardly acts. This is not the time to play to the gallery, but sit down to find real and lasting solutions. The latter is what the President Buhari administration is doing.

“While high-level investigations are ongoing to fish out sponsors and perpetrators of the security incidents, President Buhari has already given marching orders to our security services to check the security incidents. We pray the investigations should not reveal conspiracies by the opposition to weaken the government in furtherance of their desperate 2023 aspirations.

“We are however confident that our PDP governors and indeed all stakeholders will cooperate and support ongoing efforts to quickly and permanently end the security incidents.”

Security meetings are being held by the Federal government to find ways of tackling the situation, though opposition governors are accusing the security agencies of being complicit in the security crisis.

For example, a former Presidential aspirant, Martin Onovo, in a viral video, has accused the APC Government of being the sponsors of terrorism in Nigeria, a position recently echoed by the governor of Benue State, Samuel Orthom.

In same manner, respected Cleric, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, expressed deep shock at what he called Buhari’s indifference to the insecurity  in the land saying if the President wanted to stop it, he would have. He has all the powers to do so, Ighodalo said, but added: sadly Buhari is complacent.

Pastor Ituah Ighodalo Says He Is Shocked By Buhari’s Indifference |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Itua Ighodalo

By Akinwale Kasali

Before now, most people knew Pastor Ituah Ighodalo as a calm and collected Cleric. Polished, decent, the Senior Pastor of the Trinity Church, a Church he founded after the Redeemed Christian Church of God, showed him the other side of life, is also a Corporate man. He is a high flying accountant, and runs an Accounting Firm.

Quiet looking, the Pastor is even regarded by many as an establishment man. But no longer.

Ighodalo has shown in the last couple of months that beneath that calm and quiet mien is a raging volcano. He is a very angry man, and frustrated by what Nigeria has descended to, especially, security wise.

The first time he spoke up, he wondered how Nigeria got where it is. He offered advice here and there, and bemoaned the state of the Nation.

Last week, he was one of the signatories, on behalf of the New Fabian Society of Concerned Professionals of Nigeria, who, in a strongly worded article titled “Time To Raise The White Flag”, advised President Muhammadu Buhari, to forget Nigeria’s ego, and seek for help over the worsening insecurity in the country.

But Ighodalo’s latest intervention which began to make  the rounds on Sunday,  was a direct indictment of Buhari over the state of affairs. It was a cry for help for Nigeria.

He held the President responsible for the insecurity in the country, and said he was shocked at Buhari’s indifference , a retired Army General, to the worsening insecurity.

If Buhari wants to stop the horrifying situation, the Pastor said, he would. But he wondered why the President is, Ighodalo observed, exhibiting an I- don’t-care-attitude while innocent Nigerians are kidnapped, raped and slaughtered. He accused the President of conplacency and unseriousness, insisting that those in authority were making money out of the pains and blood of innocent Nigerians.

Following is an angry Pastor Ituah Ighodalo in his own words.

“Let me say it bold, loud and clear. The problem of insecurity lies on the table of Muhammadu Buhari.

“If Buhari is ready today to stop all this insecurity, he has the power, he has the ability, and he knows what to do. You can read my lips, he knows what to do.

“The reason why he is not doing it, I don’t really understand. The reason why he is not showing more energy, effort, interest and direction on this, I really don’t understand.

“For a person who was a General in the Nigeria Army, he looks a little bit complacent, lackadaisical concerning this issue of insecurity.

“The insecurity problem started with the tone at the top. The last four years we had a bunch of security leaders who were disunited, quarrelling among themselves. They couldn’t agree on anything. They couldn’t stand behind one common purpose. They were just doing what they liked and Buhari, tha gentleman, was just looking at them.

“Everyone told him that these people are not united, these  people are not working together, these people have different ideas and agendas, and he did nothing about it.

“That can’t  continue to work. Now, we have a new set of security leaders, let us hope that these ones can come together and face this common problem.

“You know, how can you capture 256 girls and we don’t know where they are. It is not possible in this day and age with technology and everything. Do you know the amount of efforts it takes to move 250 People across a certain place, and nobody saw them and they disappeared.

“And we heard that this girl Leah Sharibu,  is captured and having babies every year. And you can’t find her. What nonsense is that? What does that mean? And you are telling us that she had a baby. Who made that announcement that she had baby?

“Why don’t you bring the person and ask questions about who she saw? And we can’t find her?

“We cross our hands and we are looking. If Leah Sharibu is my daughter, I will go and look for her, because you see we are not really serious about these things.

People come into the village and rape 20 people. They carry the women, and the children and we cannot find them. Who does that in this time and age, who does that?

“They pick up a man and take him out to the forest and cut off his head, eight of them. They  are videoing, they cut of the head and video it, showing it to us and nobody did anything.

“I mean, how can that happen. All these herdsmen and kidnappers in the forest,  the Police know them and know  where to find them.

“But nobody is saying anything. Nobody is engaging them, Nobody is eyeing them. It is a business. And people are making money from this.

“People are selling arms and making money from security votes. People are making money from these things, people are making money from the pain and death of innocent ones, and that’s why this problem is not being solved.

“Somehow we are all looking away.”

The President’s Party, APC, this other day, said the President is capable of stopping the deteriorating insecurity in the country. Why he has not done that is a question nobody has answered.

Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Advocates Media Freedom And Responsible Journalism |The Source

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The Source
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The Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF) has called on governments in Africa to  ensure press freedom in their countries even as it calls on media practitioners to use information as a tool for nation-building. The Foundation stated that the continent will be better off when information is used for public good and not as weapons of destruction and disintegration.

A statement by the communications officer of the Foundation ,Wealth Dickson Ominabo to commemorate the 2021 World Press Freedom Day,  quoted Executive Director of the Foundation, Ms Ann Iyonu  as saying that this year’s theme: ‘Information as a Public Good,’ is a call to action on the shared responsibilities between citizens and government  to use information to advance justice, peace, security and development.

The Foundation maintained that  journalists and other media professionals are partners in progress in our quest for peace and sustainable development. Therefore,  should be treated with respect and dignity.

 

The statement reads :

“The Goodluck Jonathan Foundation( GJF)  joins the rest of the world to celebrate journalists and media professionals on this year’s world press freedom day.

“We renew our call for press freedom, access to information and the respect of the rights of journalists in Africa.

“Across our continent are unsavoury reports of deaths of journalists,  violations of their rights and media  censorship by state actors.

“According to the 2021 World Press Freedom Index by  Reporters without Borders,  there is a 13% deterioration in the abuse of rights and privileges of journalists in  Africa in the last one year.

“This, according to them is  ‘one of the reasons why Africa remains the world’s most dangerous continent for journalists in 2021.’

“Journalists and other media professionals are partners in progress in our quest for peace and sustainable development. They,  like other professionals in our society, are patriots who deserve our support, encouragement and respect,  therefore they  should be treated with dignity and love.

“We urge all stakeholders to reflect on the theme of this year’s celebration: “Information as a Public Good,”  which serves as a call to action on the shared responsibilities between citizens and government  to use information to advance justice, peace, security and development.

“Our nations will be better off when information is used for public good and not as weapons of destruction and disintegration.

“In this era of digital communications and media convergence,  misinformation,  fake news,  and hate speech are becoming threats to press freedom, justice, unity, and development.
We, therefore, urge everyone;  organizations and governments to place public interest ahead of other interests in their conversations and the discharge of their responsibilities even as we seek for  a free press that will propagate truth and pursue hope and justice for all.

Ebonyi: NPF Intercepts 753 GPMG Ammunition In Abakaliki |The Source

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The Source
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GPMG Ammunition in Abakaliki

• Recover 2 AK47 Rifles, 5 Pump Action Guns, 6 Pistols, others, from Onueke Commercial Bank Robbers 

The operatives of the Nigeria Police Force attached to the Ebonyi State Police Command have intercepted 753 live ammunition of General-Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG). The Police also killed three criminals, including a woman, who took part in the Onueke branch of a Commercial Bank in the State.

A Press Release by CP Frank Mba, NPF Spokesperson, said the ammunition were  concealed in a sack being transported in a commercial vehicle from Abakaliki, Ebonyi State to Umuahia in Abia State. 

The intelligence-driven covert operation, which led to the interception and recovery of the deadly ammunition, is part of efforts by the Force to identify and crack down on criminal networks and supply chains for weapons and ammunition in and around the country. 

Comprehensive investigations aimed at bringing to book all persons linked to the crime are ongoing.

Similarly, following investigations into the foiled bank robbery on the Onueke branch of a commercial bank in Ebonyi State which occurred on Tuesday, 27th April, ​2021; Police operatives led by the Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State Command, on 29th April, 2021, stormed the criminal hideout of suspects indicted in the investigations located at Oriuzo village in Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. The suspects on sighting the Police squad, opened fire on them. The Police team engaged them and professionally. At the end, three (3) members of the gang including two (2) male and one (1) female met their waterloo following bullet injuries sustained during the exchange of gunfire. Other suspects fled in different directions.

GPMG Ammunition in Abakaliki

Two (2) Ak47 riffles, five (5) pump action guns, six (6) pistols, fifty (50) Ak47 ammunition, one hundred and twenty-six (126) cartridges, Jack knives, cutlasses, and a 40-page notebook containing inventories of ammunition purchased by the gang were recovered. A Honda Pilot Jeep with Reg No. ABJ 163 NV used for the foiled bank robbery was also recovered by the Police Team. 

The remaining suspects, the Police team traced the suspects to a shrine where the robbers usually go for mystical powers before embarking on their robbery operations. Two (2) of the suspects were eventually arrested from the supposedly safe haven – the shrine, which led to the arrest of additional three (3) members of the gang. Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to arrest other fleeing members of the gang and their spiritual godfather – the chief priest of the shrine. 

“We Have Identified Those Behind Mayhem In Imo State” – Uzodimma |The Source

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The Source
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The names of those behind the unprecedented insecurity in the Imo.State will be made public in a few days time. They have been identified by Security Agencies, and will face the full weight of the law.

Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, disclosed  this on Sunday. He said that “the Security Agencies have identified those behind the recent disturbances in Imo State and in a few days their names will be unveiled together with what they did so that they can face justice”

Addressing the congregation at the end of the Church Service held at Government House Chapel Owerri, on Sunday, the Governor assured that Government will use all within its powers to identify and flush out criminals in Imo State, promising that his Government cannot fold its arms and allow terror reign in Imo State.

Governor Uzodimma noted that he will “never, and is not going to negotiate with criminals,” warning anyone involved in any form of criminality aimed at bringing down Imo State by any means to have a rethink, or such persons will have themselves to blame.

He said those out to bring the state down must be prepared to be brought down as well.

Governor Uzodimma thanked the people of Imo State for their understanding and resilience throughout the period of security breaches and skirmishes.

He reiterated that the mayhem in Imo State was carried out by hoodlums, bandits and a small percentage of IPOB members and aggrieved politicians who decided to sponsor violence to derail the Government of the day.

He promised that the Government will always use its powers in line with the  oath it swore to protect the people and their property, emphasizing that no individual, group or criminals will be stronger than government. 

 “Never again will criminality reign in Imo State”, he said. 

 Uzodinma enjoined Imo people to be calm “because God is with us and  that is why the criminals and bandits failed in their nefarious activities.” 

The Governor also warned the people of Imo State, especially political appointees, to be careful with what they say or post on the social media, insisting that one may be interacting with criminals and bandits “knowingly or unknowingly”. 

He therefore enjoined all to be careful in everything they do in their daily activities, especially now that the country and the State are going through security challenges,  saying “to be fore warned is to be fore armed” and that “prevention is better than cure”. 

He warned those acting as wolves in human clothes to change or they will definitely be indentified and flushed out.

Gov. Ganduje Extends Retirement Age For Teachers, Lecturers To 65 |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje

By Akinwale Kasali

In commemorating and celebrating  this year’s May 1, Workers Day, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, has extended the retirement age from 60-65 years.

The Governor disclosed this at the 2021 Award Night, organised by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Kano State Chapter. Henceforth, the Governor said, teachers and lecturers working with the state owned institutions of learning will be retiring on attaining 65 years.No longer 60.

His words:”The Federal Government has since approved this for teachers and lecturers working in its institutions, hence, teachers in Kano State are also not left behind.

“Therefore, our teachers and lecturers  as from now on  will start to enjoy such retirement age from 60-65, and years of service from 35-40 as the Federal workers are enjoying,”

According to Ganduje, the State Government has introduced so many policies aimed at improving the welfare of its workers.

He added, “We have introduced a contributory health scheme for workers in the state and their families to have the cheapest health services.

“I am happy that with your co-operation, today we have the best contributory health scheme in Nigeria.

“We are, also, collaborating with the private organisations in the state to see how they can benefit from such schemes aimed at strengthening the policy.’”

The Governor also said that the State Government had introduced a health trust fund where five per cent of the State’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and one per cent from the earnings of Local Governments would be contributed.

“And that will provide health services to our workers and the people of Kano State.’’

Ganduje added that the State Government would serve as a guarantor for civil servants working in the state who would be willing to access loan facilities from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

He also said that his administration had introduced free and compulsory primary to secondary school education.

“Through that, our workers will not have to pinch from their salaries to pay school fees for their children.” he said.

The Governor also presented a letter of permanent and pensionable appointment to one Khadijah Umar.

Umar who had been working as a temporary staff member for the past 15 years at Hotoro Health Care Clinic lost her legs in the course of duty.

Kogi State Commissioner, Shot Dead |The Source

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Solomon Adegbayo

By Adesina Soyooye

The Kogi State Commissioner for Pensions Board, Solomon Adegbayo, has been shot dead by yet to be identified gunmen.

But pointers are that it was a kidnap attempt that went awry.

The Chairman of Yagba Local Government Area of the State, Pius Kolawole, in whose company the late Commissioner was travelling, was luckier than him.

Kolawole was abducted by the gunmen, while Adegbayo was shot dead on the spot, and his body abandoned on the road. They were in same vehicle.

The two were travelling back to their home town, Egbe, Kogi, from Illorin, Kwara State, when they met the gunmen along the road. Egbe is a border town, between Kwara and Kogi State.

The Kogi State Police Command confirms the story.

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