Home Blog Page 93

WAFCON 2026: Super Falcons Players Robbed At Their Hotel In Casablanca

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0
Super Falcons

By Akinwale Kasali

 

Players of the Nigerian Female National Team, the Super Falcons, have been  robbed at their Marriot Hotel in Casablanca, Morocco as they prepare to  defend their Women’s African Cup of Nations, WAFCON, title.

 

In a viral video, some of the players, including Captain of the Team, Rasheedat Ajibade, Esther Okoronkwo, Osinachi Ohale, Joy Omewa, and Halimatu Ayinde, registered complaints of funds missing from their purses.

 

The lost money ranges from $100 to $700, with no hope in sight towards recovering it.

 

“Several players have alleged that money was stolen from their wallets while they were away from their rooms at the Marriott Hotel in Casablanca, Morocco”, one of the Team Officials said.

 

The Players have reported the incidents to the hotel authorities, with sources from the Nigerian Camp saying that the Hotel Management didn’t appear shocked with this development, indicating that it is a normal activity in the hotel. 

 

The Players added that the Management of the Hotel had gotten angry because they are making complaints about the incident. 

 

“We started talking to them, but they don’t even have answers. They started getting disrespectful”, One of the Players  lamented bitterly.

 

The players called on everyone to boycott the Hotel because, according to them, it’s not a good place.

 

The Super Falcons players are in the country for the WAFCON Tournament and will have their first match on Tuesday against Malawi.

 

The Super Falcons had won the WAFCON Championship in 2024 after coming from Two Goals down to defeat Morocco 3-2, in an tension soaked encounter.

 

Football analysts stated that the development could be described as a strategy to destabilize the Nigerian Team, and further put pressure on them as they prepare to secure the 2027 World Cup Ticket and also defend their title.

 

The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, is yet to issue an official statement on this development.

Otti, Hope, Mbah: Good Job, Poor Paradigm

By
The Source
-
0
Steve Osuji
Steve Osuji

By Steve Osuji

 

Hope Uzodinma Was Here: One was in Owerri, Imo State recently and was pleasantly surprised that my favourite hotel now has adequate power supply. I have lodged intermittently in this serene, capacious facility since 2007.

 

That’s nearly 20 years.

But up until my last sojourn, the hotel was plagued with consistent electricity failure. Initially, it was power outages of the remorseless kind. It was as if a deranged kid in the power station was toying with the public power switch; flicking it off and on every ten minutes.

 

For instance, immediately there’s power failure and the hotel generator is switched on, public power is switched on again in a space of 5-10 minutes. This is like a vicious, cynical roulette. And this would go on for a whole day.

 

Indeed, it went on for over a decade. It was a most pernicious and  unforgiving public work routine one ever experienced.

At a point, the hotel stopped putting on the air conditioning system in the daytime. They would only do so at night using the generators.

 

At my last visit early in the month, the receptionist was beside himself, announcing to me that they are now on Governor Hope Uzodinma’s Urashi Power grid. Now “our AC is on round the clock,” the young man enthused.

 

I was also elated, understanding the prospect of a prosperous time that would soon return to my old redoubt.

 

One can also see the fresh burgeoning of the New Owerri axis of the Imo State capital as the organic hospitality hub of the southeast. That part of Owerri already had a dense cluster of fine hotels, night clubs, eateries, lounges, up scale restaurants and supermarkets.

 

This area grew into what it is in spite of almost zero, and indeed, disruptive public power supply. With Uzodinma’s Urashi Electricity Company, this area will blossom into the economic power house of Imo State.

 

But the pricing of the energy  must be deliberate  with the motive of boosting the state’s economy and helping that natural hub to grow to its full potential. This way,  Owerri will no sooner, become the hospitality capital of Nigeria with all the attendant economic benefits.

 

But beyond breaking the power jinx in Imo State to some extent, Governor Uzodinma has also accomplished some important infrastructure feats especially in the last three years.

 

He has indeed outperformed some of his predecessors, apart from only Chief Sam Mbakwe. With this power feat, we can easily say that Uzodinma Was Here!

Ironically, the last time any governor conceived off-grid power was during the era of Dee Sam Mbakwe in the early 80s.

 

STAR BOY ALEX OTTI: There’s no doubt that the incumbent Abia State governor, Dr Alex Otti has proved to Nigerians that state governance can deliver far more than they have been getting in this dispensation.

 

Yours truly traveled to Uzuakoli, Abia State, some distance after Umuahia for a burial ceremony.

The trip starting from Isiala-Mbano was a bit rough until we crossed the boundary between Imo and Abia.

 

The transformation is transcendental. And that’s not hyperbolic. Well paved and dualized roads ushered us into Abia down to Abia Tower and all the way down to Uzuakoli.

 

Apart from this first hand experience, Governor Otti’s infrastructure upgrade all over Abia in the past three years has no comparison. He readily trumps all other governors across the country.

And it’s not only the urban roads. We have seen modern bus terminals and the one trending currently is  the smart school. One was awed watching the documentary showing what a modern school looks like.

 

MBAH THE SPHINX RISING FROM THE ASHES OF A FLAWED MANDATE

 

A senior professional colleague operating from Enugu said over a year ago that Enugu people have been doing serial thanksgiving to God for giving them Peter Mbah. “We almost made a grievous mistake,” he said, lowering his tone.

 

Governor Mbah of Enugu has put up a decent performance in three years. He has proved that a serious governor can easily deliver and impact a state in just three years.

 

His urban renewal projects, roads infrastructure, schools,  hospitals and transportation amenities mark him out as a serious and inspirational leader.

 

Indeed, it has been conjectured that both Otti and Mbah may have pushed Uzodinma into a difficult position, forcing him to brace up to work. It was the talk of the town that these two men delivered more in three years than Hope presented in six years.

 

But it’s most salutary that Uzodinma has bounced back to life and is bent on finishing strong. History may well remember him for good.

 

NONDESCRIPT SOLUDO AND NWIFURU

 

Since we seem to be x-raying SE governors, one really cannot report authoritatively on the performances of Governors Chukwuma Soludo (Anambra) and Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi).

 

Soludo’s first four years was rather calamitous. He was like a fish out of water, thrashing about breathlessly. He didn’t quite seem to understand the job. Or shall we say it is beyond his ken.

 

He’s still thrashing (trashing if you prefer) about even in his second term not sure of the legacies he wishes to leave behind. Of course his Taiwan and Dubai campaign promises have long fizzled, showing him up as the vacuous bombast he truly is.

 

Governor Nwifuru on his part, seems like a pathetic case. The permanent scowl on his visage speaks of a young man eternally confused.

 

Said to be former Governor Dave Umahi’s mason who rose rapidly from bricklaying to Speaker of Ebonyi State House in a short span. Not satisfied, his godfather ensconced the rustic young man on the apex of state power –  Government House. But he may have discovered to his utter pain that setting blocks is a bit different from setting up a state administration.

 

We may also make an exception that Umahi’s dark aura may be rubbing off badly on Governor Nwifuru.The optics out of Ebonyi are unsightly. Nwifuru may well be doing a bit but what we see mostly are clips of Umahi’s mammoth airport abandoned or used for church services and as a soccer pitch. These are heart-rending pictures.

 

A  POOR DEVELOPMENT MODEL ALBEIT

 

In spite of the best efforts of Otti, Uzodinma, MBAH and indeed all the governors in Nigeria, their development model is poor and therefore, have left Nigerians stranded in perpetual poverty.

 

Have you wondered why in spite of the good deeds of governors like Otti, Babagana Zulum (Borno) Mbah and the rest, more Nigerians remain extremely poor and besieged by such vicissitudes of life like insecurity and poor standards of living.

 

OUTPUT OF LGAs IS BEST MEASURE OF PERFORMANCE

 

Unless the local government areas are pressed to operate the way they are structured to operate, Nigeria will never develop.

 

While the best governors may deploy state allocations and internally generated revenues at their whims and caprices, the real measure of development is the naira and kobo that gets to the grassroots; to the last man in every corner of the country.

 

Most, indeed, all Nigerian governors have failed over the years in the management of the funds accruing to the third tier of government. It is criminal that not one, yes, not one since 1999 has shown class in this respect.

 

Not one governor in the current dispensation (from 1999) has managed to account for LGA funds. Neither has anyone of them tried to organise the 3rd tier to operate according to their statutory requirements. Whether elected or selected is immaterial. Get them structured; fund them, supervise them!

 

LGAs are supposed to have a legislative council, annual budgets and projects outlay.

Their monthly federal allocations and IGR are supposed to be deployed to administer and develop their areas of jurisdiction. But this has not been the case in Nigeria since 1999.

 

Governors across the spectrum have simply allowed the 3rd tier to descend into atrophy. This column can wager that most of the LGAs are currently moribund and cannot deliver service to the people. Governors grab about 90 per cent of funds accruing to States and LGAs and play around with it according to their whims.

 

 GOVERNANCE BY IMPULSE

 

The import of it all is that state governors are merely running their domains on impulse.

 

Dave Umahi, immediate past governor of Ebonyi state built a bogus airport that’s as good as abandoned today. Enugu to Abakaliki is almost a stone throw away. An airport in Abakaliki is therefore grandiose and misplaced.

 

In the same manner, the sprawling bus terminal in popular Oshodi, Lagos has never been put to viable use nearly a decade after it was built. Today it’s an eye sore, already falling apart. White elephant.

 

Otti’s smart school is great but it’s  wrong-headed. What is needed in Abia (as in all states) is a gradual (graduated) education reform. Building a bogus and expensive smart school is like climbing a tree from the leaves.

Can these so-called smart schools be replicated in hundreds of communities across Abia? No. Not even in all the 17 LGAs?

 

So a phased reform ( fixing the basics) culminating into a state of the art smart schools in 5 to 10 years. How could any governor conceive of a smart school when primary and early education in Nigeria is comatose in all states?

 

It’s not only in the education sector. Most rural roads and back streets from Lagos to Kaura Namoda are untouched.

Rural/primary health care is in limbo. Rural electric is gravy for the boys like Ayo Fayose, Ndudi Elumelu…etc.

 

All the governors in the land spend millions of dollars annually sponsoring things as  foolish as religious pilgrimages. These are LGAs funds hijacked by governors and frittered away. No governor can impact an LGA like an LGA chairman!

 

Most Nigerian governors have proved to be haphazard and unstructured in carrying out projects. But even at that, you can only do so much and mainly in the urban areas.

 

However, every piece of space in  a State is on an LGA. This means that it’s easy to cover every inch of space if LGAs are structured and galvanized to work.

 

It may sound so simplistic yet getting the LGAs working is the missing link.

 

In the final analysis, thinking governors like Otti and Mbah will have to set up their LGAs to be effective and devolve more powers to them to deliver deep-reaching development to the people.

 

This is the model that would make sense. This has to be the new Nigerian governance paradigm and we want to see Mbah and Otti lead the way soon.

 

LASTLINE: WHO KILLED BABATUNDE DOLAPO TANIMOLA?

 

Why is the DSS and the police playing the ostrich over the killing of this fellow? Tanimola has been named as the link between the Chief of Staff to the president, Femi Gbajabiamila and Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, DG of the alleged fictional federal agency, PFIPC.

 

The burning heist, known as Gbaja-Gate, has claimed the life of  Tanimola in a horrid and most brutish manner about eight months ago. Tanimola reportedly died in an Abuja hotel inferno. The remains of the hotel is said to have been pulled down to boot.

 

Tanimola was a well heeled socialite and social climber. The digital space is full of his footprints and images with the who’s who in Nigeria.

 

On account of this alone, the police and DSS should have definitive information on Tanimola right now. Especially as it concerns Gbaja-Gate. It’s a simple and straightforward stuff and Nigerians are  watching this closely.

Enforcement of Shoot On Sight Will Be Monitored – IGP

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0
Olatunji Disu - IGP
IGP Olatunji Disu

By Ayodele Oni

 

Despite the shoot on sight order for policemen, the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, warned that monitoring teams will be deployed to ensure compliance with Force Order 237 and to investigate any allegations of abuse.

 

“No one is above the law, and no officer will be allowed to act recklessly. But we will no longer fold our arms while our people are slaughtered.”

 

A sweeping shoot-on-sight directive was issued to police officers nationwide, ordering them to neutralise anyone found in possession of illegal firearms as part of a renewed federal push to curb insecurity.

 

The Inspector General of Police, ( IGP), Tunji Disu announced the directive during a high-level stakeholders’ security meeting at the Government House in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.

 

He said the order was in direct response to President Bola Tinubu’s instruction that the wave of killings and armed attacks in Benue “must be brought to an end.”

 

Addressing traditional rulers, community leaders, and security chiefs, the IGP declared that only authorised security personnel are permitted by law to bear firearms.

 

“You cannot move around freely carrying arms as if there is no law and order in this country. It will not be tolerated,” Disu said.

 

He stated: “The era of passive policing is over. We must be proactive to protect lives and property.”

 

He explained that officers have now been fully activated under Force Order 237, the police regulation governing the use of force, which allows them to respond decisively to imminent threats without waiting for approval from superiors.

 

Under the directive, police personnel confronting armed suspects are empowered to use lethal force where there is reasonable belief of danger to officers or civilians.

 

“We have given them instructions. We have a Force Order 237. Police officers have been instructed that they don’t need to wait for any superior order. They know where to deploy their firearms,” Disu explained.

 

“We are tired of losing our men. We are tired of police officers, soldiers, and other members of the security agencies dying anyhow.

They have been instructed to shoot at sight. They have been trained to do what is necessary.”

 

The IGP noted that the new posture is intended to deter armed bandits, kidnappers, and militias who have exploited delays in police response to carry out attacks, particularly in Benue and other Middle Belt states.

 

While announcing tougher enforcement, Disu appealed to citizens to partner security agencies by providing timely and credible intelligence.

 

“But we will not succeed without the cooperation of all of you,” he said. “Security is everybody’s business. If you see something, say something. We need information to get ahead of these criminals.”

 

He assured that the police command in Benue would be reinforced with additional personnel, surveillance assets, and rapid response units in the coming days.

 

Benue State has witnessed repeated attacks in 2026 attributed to armed herders and criminal gangs, leaving hundreds dead and communities displaced.

 

President Tinubu last week described the situation as “unacceptable” and directed security agencies to restore order within 30 days.

 

Human rights groups have previously raised concerns over extrajudicial killings, and the IGP’s latest directive is expected to spark debate over rules of engagement and accountability. Disu, however, insisted that all actions would still be within the framework of the law.

Obi Reaffirms One-Term Pledge, Says 4yrs Enough to Transform Nigeria

By
James Orji
-
0
Peter Obi
Mr Peter Obi

The 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi, has reiterated his commitment to serve only one term if elected Nigeria’s president next year.
According to him, four years is enough to transform the country despite its numerous challenges. He argued that Nigeria’s biggest problem is the loss of public confidence in its leadership.
Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, made the remarks in a recent interview with Vanguard amid reports that he had reached an agreement with his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and the NDC to serve only one four-year term.
The former governor said he has no intention of remaining in office beyond a single term, insisting that four years would be enough to implement the necessary reforms. He pledged to restore security, boost production, stabilize the country, and promote shared prosperity within that period if elected president.
“Yes, you can do a lot in four years. You can change Nigeria in four years. I am committed to serving a single term of four years,” he said.
“Nigeria’s greatest deficit today is the erosion of trust. We must rebuild confidence by showing that a leader’s word matters.”
Obi added: “An agreement to that effect has already been reached, and I stand by it. If necessary, I am prepared to sign further undertakings, including a legally binding affidavit before a competent court affirming my commitment to one term.
“This is bigger than Peter Obi. It is about national healing and unity. It would be a betrayal of trust to seek the support of Nigerians based on such an understanding and later renege on it. Throughout my business career and public life, I have honoured agreements, and I cannot abandon that principle now.
“My objective is not to remain in office indefinitely but to restore security, production, stability, and shared prosperity within the period entrusted to me.”

Kwankwaso Speaks On Obi’s One Term Pledge

“Oh yes, I personally believe him. I don’t think, based on what I now know about him, that he will change his mind when the time comes. We are all gentlemen,

Asked whether the understanding had been documented, Kwankwaso replied that both the party and the two candidates signed separate agreements.

“We have done one for the party, and we have done another one between the two of us,” he said.

Explaining the substance of the agreement, Kwankwaso said it provides for a single four-year tenure for Obi before the presidency returns to the North.

“The agreement is what you said, that for four years, we will work together, team together as a group, party, friends and brothers so that after his term of four years (2027-2031), it comes back to the North. That is the general agreement.”

2027: Tinubu, Atiku Carry ‘Baggages’ Of Corruption

By
James Orji
-
0
Bola Tinubu And Atiku Abubakar

Laolu Akande, a former presidential spokesman says President Bola  Ahmed Tinubu and former vice President Atiku Abubakar are both carrying a baggage of corruption, and that the perception of Nigerians about the two politicians is almost the same.

The former presidential aide said President Tinubu and Abubakar cannot wage a war of attrition on corruption against each other, to gain a political mileage among Nigerians.

Akande, who served as spokesman to former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo made the remark on Channels Television programme Sunrise Daily saying the two politicians have long-standing corruption allegations against them, that neither of them can use the issue as a political weapon for the 2027 presidential election in the country.

President Tinubu and Abubakar are contesting the presidency under the banner of the All Progressives Congress, APC and the African Democratic Congress, ADC respectively.

The two presidential candidates have recently engaged in a war of attrition against each other to attract interest from Nigerians ahead next year’s election.

For instance, the camp of the ADC candidate recently filed a petition against President Tinubu at the United States Congress, demanding that it investigates a long-running drug allegation against him.

The Tinubu’s camp, on their part , has cited the $90,000 corruption case involving Abubakar and  former United States Congressman William Jefferson, which led to the conviction of the former US lawmaker as one of the reason why the former Nigeria’s former vice president should not be voted for next year.

 

“When you put Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Atiku up against each other on the questions around corruption, I don’t think it’s going to be helpful to either of them because both of them have sufficient baggages,” Akande said.

Zamfara: How LG Chairman’s 5 Children were Rescued From Bandits

By
James Orji
-
0
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State

More facts have emerged on the abduction of the Chairman of Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Nura Umar Bungudu from suspected bandits, and the eventual rescue of his children from the abductors  on Thursday, July 23.

The bandits, the magazine reports had stormed the home of the LG chairman in Zango area on Thursday night, whisking him away alongside his family members including his wife and children.

The incident took place around the town which is almost 20 kilometers from Gusau, the state capital.

According to Daily Trust, the assailants had attacked Bungudu’s residence two nights ago, after they overpowered his security guards which included the police and vigilante, forcing their way into his house and abducted him.

Two policemen and one volunteer vigilante were said to have been shot dead by the dare-devil bandits who sources said used superior weapons to subdue the security guards.

Following the attack,  security operatives were said to have quickly mobilized and pursued the bandits into the nearby bush, where they were able to rescue five children and wife of the abducted chairman.

“They kidnapped the chairman along with his wife and children, but security personnel later rescued some of the children. Unfortunately, the chairman was taken away,” he said.

He explained that although reinforcement teams were deployed, they arrived after the attackers had already fled.

“The security personnel tried their best, but by the time reinforcements got there, the bandits had already executed their plan and escaped,” he said.

The resident blamed the increasing frequency of such attacks on the heavy weaponry used by the gunmen and the activities of informants who allegedly aid their operations.

“They don’t give any warning before attacking. They come heavily armed and in large numbers. Despite the efforts of security forces, they still managed to escape with the chairman,” he added.

He urged the government and security agencies to strengthen security in Bungudu and other vulnerable communities across the state.

“Our people resisted alongside the security forces, but the bandits overpowered them. They carry sophisticated weapons that ordinary people cannot match. We appeal to the authorities to do more to protect lives and property,” he said.

Zamfara is one of the epicenters of banditry in northern Nigeria, and inspite of the constant attacks on various communities by the criminals, the governor of the state, Dauda Lawal has vowed not to negotiate with bandits, urging security forces to go all out for them.

Recently, on July 12 a notorious bandit commander Kachalla Sani Yellow was killed by the combined forces of security agencies and vigilante in Anka Local Government Area of the state.

Ondo Police Arrests Four Officers In Viral Video Demanding Bribe From UK Returnees

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0
Ondo police officers arrested

By Ayodele Oni

 

The Ondo State Police Command has arrested four officers in a viral video for demanding bribe from Nigerians who just returned from the United kingdom on Lagos-Benin expressway.

 

The travellers were said to have just returned to Nigeria from the United Kingdom and proceeding to their destination from Lagos.

 

The Police PRO, DSP Abayomi Jimoh was addressing newsmen at a media briefing at the headquarters of the command in Akure on Friday.

 

He also stated that the Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu has ordered a comprehensive investigation to determine the level of culpability of each officer involved.

 

In his words, “I warmly welcome you all to this press briefing of the Ondo State Police Command on viral video circulating on social media showing some police officers on stop-and-search duty along the Lagos –Benin Expressway allegedly making unprofessional and ethnically insensitive remarks to a member of the public.

 

“The Command wishes to inform the general public that the officers captured in the video have been arrested and identified as AP/No. 207454 ASP Elomore Sodayo, AP/No. 332012 Inspector Adefila Adewale, AP/No. 332449 Inspector Olorunfemi Opeyemi, and AP/No. 332369 Inspector Odusola Peter.

 

“Consequently, the Commissioner of Police, CP Felix Ohagwu has ordered a comprehensive investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine the level of culpability of each officer involved.

 

“The Nigeria Police Force is a disciplined and professional institution that does not condone any form of misconduct, incivility, or actions capable of undermining public confidence, promoting ethnic division, or bringing the Force into disrepute.

 

“Officers are expected at all times to conduct themselves with the utmost professionalism, respect for human dignity, and in strict compliance with the Code of Conduct and Standard Operating Procedures.

 

“The Command assures members of the public that the outcome of the investigation will be guided by the principles of fairness, transparency, and accountability.

 

“Any officer found to have acted contrary to the ethics and standards of the Nigeria Police Force will be subjected to appropriate disciplinary measures in accordance with the law and established disciplinary procedures.

 

“The Ondo State Police Command remains committed to professional, intelligence-driven, and community-oriented policing. It urges members of the public to remain law-abiding and continue to cooperate with the Police by reporting any incident of misconduct through established complaint channels”, Police Public Relations Officer added.

Commonwealth Games: Ezuruike Wins Nigeria’s First Medal

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0
Roland Ezuruike

By Akinwale Kasali

 

The Nigerian Team to the 2026 Commonwealth Games has won its first Medal, courtesy of Roland Ezuruike.

 

The Power Lifter secured Team Nigeria’s first medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games after claiming silver in the men’s Lightweight Group A Para Powerlifting event.

 

The experienced para powerlifter produced a strong display throughout the competition and came close to winning the gold medal.

 

Ezuruike successfully completed his opening lifts but narrowly missed out on the top prize after failing in his final attempt to set a new Commonwealth Games record with a 190kg lift.

 

He finished the event with a total of 153.9 points from two successful lifts, earning the silver medal and giving Nigeria its first podium finish of the Games.

 

The medal provides an early boost for Team Nigeria as the country’s athletes continue their campaign for honours across multiple events at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Police Move To Recover Illegal Firearms, Ammunition In Benue

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
-
0
Nigerian Police

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

 

Amidst renewed wave of sectarian, communal clashes, and orgy of bloodletting in Benue State, the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu,  on Friday, July 24, 2026, directed  operations for the recovery of all illegal arms and ammunition in the State.

 

At a stakeholders cum trouble-shooting parley at the Benue State Government House, Disu ordered a 14-day operation targeting all identified criminal spots and hideouts for the purpose of retrieving all illegally acquired arms and ammunition.

 

This is as he informed that President Bola Tinubu has issued a matching order to the effect that all forms of attacks, killings and other criminal activities must be brought to end in the State.

 

According to the IGP, in the spirit of the arms recovery mission, only legally recognized and authorized security personnel will be allowed to bear firearms.

 

Accordingly, he urged those in possession of illegal firearms to willingly turn them in, warning that anybody or groups found with unauthorized arms and ammunition will be dealt with decisively

 

The IGP informed that Police Officers have been directed to clamp down on those bearing illegal firearms under the Force Order 237 in the course of the discharge of their legitimate duties.

 

Meanwhile,  Deputy Inspector General of Police  Francis Iduh, has disclosed that no fewer than 14 hotspots and security flashpoints have been identified in the State.

 

According to him, the identified places to be targeted in the first few days of the special operations include Gbajimgba, Arufu, Agasha, Kwande,Agatu, Naka, Otukpo, Makurdi, Apa, and other vulnerable communities.

 

Similarly, Iduh informed that stability and clearance operations will be carried out in forests, on farmlands, as well as other perceived criminal enclaves.

 

He emphasized that the operations, besides the recovery of illegal firearms, are targeted at flushing out armed herders, bandits and other criminal elements from their hideouts.

 

DIG Iduh,  however, assured that no law-abiding resident will be victimized during the operations, noting that all activities will be intelligence-driven.

 

The Source reports that some parts of Benue State have, of late, been visited with spates of violent attacks, reprisal attacks, killings, and abductions.

Governor Adeleke Denies Dissolving Osun State NURTW

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0
Ademola Adeleke - Osun State Governor
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State.

By Akinwale Kasali

 

Osun State Governor; Senator Ademola Adeleke, has debunked reports that he has dissolved the leadership of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, in the State.

 

Governor Adeleke reaffirmed that  that the NURTW Executive led by Comrade Wakeel Alowonle remains the only recognised in the State.

 

Oluomo Alimi, Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, took to his X page on Friday, to make clarifications following what the government described as widespread misinterpretation of the outcome of the State Security Council meeting.

 

According to the government, the Security Council only suspended the activities of NURTW in all motor parks across the State pending the restoration of peace and order. It stressed that the directive did not affect the Union’s leadership.

 

“The attention of the Osun State Government has been called to the misinterpretation and misrepresentation of the outcome of the Security Council meeting yesterday (Thursday) wherein the State Government suspended all activities of the NURTW in all the motor parks in Osun State because of the activities of some hoodlums,” the statement read.

 

It further alleged that a group led by Kazeen Oyewale, popularly known as Asiri Eniba, had wrongly interpreted the suspension as the dissolution of the Alowonle-led executive and claimed there was a vacuum to justify the inauguration of a Caretaker Committee.

 

“At no time did the State Government dissolve the Executives of the NURTW at all levels. What the Security Council directive is all about is to suspend all activities of the Union in all our parks pending the restoration of peace in all the parks,” the statement said.

 

The Osun State Government further reiterated that Governor Adeleke had directed that motor parks should remain open despite the temporary suspension of union activities.

 

“The Governor stated yesterday that the parks are not closed and should not be closed,” Alimi said.

 

Reaffirming its position, the government maintained that Alowonle and his executive remain the substantive leadership of the union.

 

“We need to reiterate that the Alowonle-led executives are the only recognised leadership of the Osun State NURTW both by the National leadership of the union and by the Osun State Government,” the statement added.

 

The government further directed security agencies to remove Asiri Eniba and his supporters from motor parks across the State.

 

“The Osun State Governor hereby directs all our Security Agents to flush out Asiri Eniba and his gang from all our motor parks without further delay as he has no legal basis to be there in all ramifications,” the statement said.

 

It added that normal Union activities would resume once security improves.

 

“The Government states that as soon as the security of our parks improves, the NURTW led by Comrade Wakeel Alowonle will continue to operate normally in various parts of the state smoothly without hindrance.”

1...929394...3,100Page 93 of 3,100