Crime

Lagelu/Ayedire Land Dispute: Hoodlums Ambush, Kill Amotekun Personnel

By Web News 289

By Mojisola Oladele

Crisis resurfaced at the boundary communities between Iwo Local Government Area of Osun State, and Lagelu Local Government Area in Oyo State, following a deadly ambush on Amotekun Corps personnel by some armed hoodlums.

The Public Relations Officer, PRO, Osun State Security Network Agency, Amotekun Corps, Mr. Yusuf Abass, who confirmed the incident, explained that some hoodlums, armed with guns, machetes and other weapons, attacked farmers on their farmlands on Wednesday.

Mr. Abass noted that the boundary conflict resurfaced when some local farmers operating in the Papa Farm area made a distress call to the corps’ command, alerting them of an invasion by some armed hoodlums.

He explained that the command swiftly mobilised a team of operatives, including some vigilantes and arrived at the farm. 

Mr. Abass said in the course of this, the hoodlums attacked and macheted to death one Amotekun personnel identified as Lamidi Abiodun on the spot and injured another.

He reassured that the Osun Amotekun Corps remained resolute in its mission to protect the people and communities in the state from all forms of insecurity. 

It would be recalled that in the last few weeks, two lives had been lost, hundreds of residents in the affected areas had been forced to flee their homes for fear of more attacks, and many houses had also been burned.

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels, and also join our WhatsApp Update Group.

Security

Amotekun Corps Inducts 1,150 New Operatives in Osun

By Web News 123

By Funmi Ojo

The Osun State Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun Corps, has officially inducted 1,150 newly recruited operatives at a passing-out parade held at the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, camp in Ede.

In his address, Governor Ademola Adeleke emphasized his administration’s commitment to strengthening the security network in the state.

He announced the provision of a modern operational headquarters for Amotekun and highlighted ongoing reforms, including personnel expansion, enhanced law enforcement training, and improved operational equipment and logistics.

“The full implementation of our reform agenda will boost Amotekun’s capacity to fulfill its mandate,” the governor stated.

He also assured the operatives that their requests for vehicles, motorcycles, and other equipment would be addressed promptly.

The governor while advising the Amotekun operatives to uphold patriotism, professionalism, and integrity in their duties, urged them to be dedicated crime fighters while avoiding corruption and any activity that violates the law.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Osun Amotekun Corps, Retired Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Wale Abass, advised the cadets to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and respect for human rights.

He commended Governor Adeleke for creating job opportunities for youths and enhancing security efforts in the state.

The event featured a parade, tactical demonstrations, and the official induction of the new operatives.

Dignitaries in attendance included security service chiefs, the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, OSHA, Prince Adewale Egbedun, and traditional rulers.

Our correspondent reports that the new Amotekun officers underwent a three-week orientation exercise before being formally presented to the governor. 

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels, and also join our WhatsApp Update Group

Crime

Amotekun Kills One, Arrests Two in Gun Duel

By Web News 577

The Ogun State Security Network, otherwise known as the Amotekun Corps on Sunday engaged a gang of robbers in a gun duel near Southwestern University along the Sagamu-Ijebu Ode Expressway, killing one suspect while arresting two others.

One of the arrested gang members, Amechi Okoro, reportedly confessed that he had just been released from the Ikoyi Correctional Centre last Monday.

The Corps Commander, Brigadier General Alade Adedigba (retd.), disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

Adedigba said,“A suspect, Amechi Okoro, arrested during the gun duel with the corps, led operatives to their hideout, which resulted in the arrest of another gang member, Michael Oko, who had earlier escaped from the crime scene.

“During interrogation, Okoro confessed that he had just been released from Ikoyi Prison last Monday, while Oko stated that he was recruited into the gang by their ringleader, known as Awuha.”

The Corps Commander noted that the robbers were part of an armed gang terrorizing the Odogbolu axis of the Lagos-Benin Expressway.

Items recovered from them included a motorcycle with number plate Lagos KTU 668, 12 mobile phones, two locally made pistols, a sum of N113,050, a silver wristwatch, and a red headset.

Brigadier General Adedigba explained that Oko hails from Anambra State but resides at No. 3 Olufuwa Street, Ago Iwoye, while Okoro, who previously lived in the Agric area of Ikorodu, Lagos State, is originally from Onitsha, also in Anambra State.

Adedigba disclosed that the body of the deceased had been evacuated by the police.

He added that the two arrested suspects would be transferred to the police for further investigation and prosecution.

Punch/ Adebukola Aluko

Security

Amotekun established to compliment other security agencies – Osun Amotekun Boss

By Web News 486

By Mojisola Oladele 

The Osun State Commander of the Amotekun Corps, Dr Adekunle Omoyele has reiterated that the security of lives and property of residents remained its priority at all times.

Dr Omoyele gave the assurance during “The News Point,” a programme organized by the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ in Osogbo, the Osun State Capital.

He emphasized that the Amotekun, whose primary mandate is to protect lives and property, would continue to collaborate with other security agencies to tackle all forms of criminal activities in the state.

Dr Omoyele who maintained that there is a robust relationship with other security agencies, noted that the Agency was not established to act as a rival agency, as being wrongly perceived by some groups, but rather established to compliment the activities of others.

While responding if his appointment as the head of the security agency was politically influenced, the state Amotekun Boss said his appointment by Senator Ademola Adeleke was major because they found him competent for the position.

“They saw my efforts, cumulatively people addressed it, they said this man can do what we need, at a period Amotekun was deteriorating and when they called me, it is a call to serve,”  he said.

On the call for the establishment of state police by some people, Dr Omoyele said the creation of state police would help reduce crime in the remotest parts of the states across the nation.

Osun Amotekun Boss explains further “The historical existence of regional policing in Nigeria, that is, the state policing worked effectively in the past before its abolition, therefore reviving state police would enhance community-based security, as local officers would be better equipped to address local challenges “.

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels and also join our Whatsapp Update Group

Security

Insecurity: Ogun Lawmakers Call for Deployment of Amotekun Corps

By Web News 304

Omolara Adasofunjo

Ogun State Government has been advised to approve the deployment of local security, especially the Amotekun Corps across the state to complement the efforts of conventional security agencies in protecting lives and property of the people, in view of the rising spate of insecurity, especially kidnapping and ritual killings.

The Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly, Mr Oludaisi Elemide gave the advice while responding to the submissions of a member representing Ijebu North-East State Constituency, Mr Oluseun Adesanya, who informed the House about the case of a pupil that was kidnapped at the toilets of the school and killed for suspected ritual purposes.

Mr Elemide who maintained that the prevailing security challenges confronting the nation required the collective efforts of all residents, adding that the deployment of local security operatives with adequate understanding of the grassroots would help in safeguarding public primary and secondary schools in the state.

Mr Elemide also directed the State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology as well as the State Universal Basic Education, SUBEB to conduct an assessment on all public schools to determine the level of encroachment on their landed property, to checkmate such illegal acts to enhance the safety of school pupils.

The Speaker who was reacting to another submission by the lawmaker representing Sagamu 2 State constituency, Mr Ademola Adeniran on the level of encroachment on public schools, also applauded old students associations for providing complementary infrastructural facilities to aid the security and convenience of pupils in some of the schools.

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels and also join our Whatsapp Update Group

Crime

Man in Amotekun’s Net Over Missing Neighbour

By Web News 332

The Osun State Security Network Agency, otherwise known as Amotekun Corps, said it has arrested a resident of the state, Banji Olaniyi, following the disappearance of one Damilare Akinranti, whom he took to a farm.

The two men were said to be living in Mooro until November 6, 2022, when, Olaniyi, 31, took Akinranti, aged 24 to a farm located in Iguede Village.

Since that day, Akinranti has not been found while Olaniyi returned to Mooro, but later allegedly relocated to an undisclosed location and changed his mobile line.

A statement by the spokesperson for the Corps, Yusuf Idowu, obtained in Osogbo on Saturday, said people became suspicious of Olaniyi and a search was launched which later led to his arrest in Jagun village in Irewole Local Government Area of the state, over 11 months after Akinranti got missing.

The statement partly read, “Eleven  months ago, precisely Sunday, November 6, 2022, at around 9am, Banji Olaniyi Julius convinced Damilare Akinranti, aged 24, to follow him to a farm in Iguede, Area 5, a distant farm in that same local government area; only for Akinranti to get missing since then.  “The suspect who lured his victim to a farm in Iguede without his family members’ knowledge, had since absconded from home when it was discovered that he took Akinranti to a farm in Iguede and did not return with him. Aside from changing residence, he also changed his mobile phone number.

“The suspect was arrested in Jagun village of Irewole Local Government Area. He has been on the radar of the Osun Amotekun since a complaint was lodged against him by the family of the missing person at the Ife North Command of the Corps.

“Luck ran out on him, following a tip-off from our extensive intelligence gathering. Upon his arrest and preliminary investigation, the suspect confessed to having lured the missing person and many others to the same farm in years past.”

The Corps said the suspect has been handed over to the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons in the state for further action.

Punch/ Oluwayemisi Owonikoko

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels and also join our Whatsapp Update Group

Crime

Amotekun Dismisses Four Officers

By Web News 507

The Commander of the Ondo State Security Network Agency also known as Amotekun Corps, Adetunji Adeleye, has said the corps had zero tolerance for indiscipline among its officers and men.

This is just as he said the corps had dismissed four of its officers who violated its rules and regulations.

Adeleye, who is also the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, disclosed this while speaking with journalists in Akure, the state capital, on Wednesday.

“We have summarily dismissed four erring officers who ran afoul of the laws and rules guiding the operation of the corps while several others had been sent to detention centres to ensure that they conform to the norms and standard operational practice of the organisation,” he said.

Adeleye added that the corps arrested about 7,000 criminals in over two years of its existence.

The commander also disclosed that 1,500 of the arrested criminals had been charged in court.

He said, “Other sister security agencies – the Army, the police and the Department of State Services- are giving us support. The DSS has often assisted us in getting the requisite geo-location of kidnap victims and suspects.

“All these coupled with our local intellect and unconventional methods had assisted us in arresting to date, well over 7,000 suspected criminals in the last two years, out of which 1,500 of them have been charged to court.

“We have even secured judgment of very many of them. At a time when the turnout of criminals was becoming unmanageable for the judiciary, the administration of Oluwarotimi Akeredolu graciously approved the building of two courts to assist the judiciary in the prompt dispensation of justice”.

He also noted that the hitherto incessant crisis between farmers and herdsmen in the state had reduced by over 95 per cent in the last two years.

He added, “By the time we took off, within two weeks, we received over 5,000 petitions on herders/farmers clashes. It was becoming impossible for farmers to go to their farms for fear of herders molesting, kidnapping, maiming or killing them. It was becoming very difficult for civil servants to board taxis across the town without being kidnapped, molested or robbed in daylight. The worse was climbing on Okada.

“The first area of attack by Amotekun was the herders/farmers clashes. We started with mass public enlightenment that farmers have the right to plant and herders the right to rear their cows but they don’t have the right to infringe on the business of the other one. After this, we called the meeting of the Miyetti Allah group in the state and in the South West and we explained the position of the corps, giving a deadline after which we announced that we will commence enforcement.”

Punch / Titilayo Kupoliyi

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels also join our Whatsapp Update Group

Crime

Amotekun Begins Manhunt for Abductors of Housewife

By Web News 548

The Osun State Command of the Amotekun Corps says it had commenced a search for a housewife simply identified as Gbemisola abducted by some yet-to-be-identified persons in Osogbo.

A statement by the Command’s Spokesperson, Idowu Yusuf, said the victim was kidnapped in her residence at Technical College Area, Osogbo late on Friday.

According to him, the incident was reported to Amotekun leadership in Osun on Saturday by the husband of the victim.

The statement assured that Amotekun operatives would intensify efforts to rescue the victim, adding that the perpetrators would also be apprehended.

“The Osun Amotekun Field Commander, Mr. Amitolu Shittu received a distress call around 1:15 am on Saturday from the victim’s husband Mr. Ojo a staff of NNPC on the disappearance of his wife.

“Amotekun operatives immediately swung into action in search of the victim. The Amotekun operatives led by the Field Commander, Shittu assured the inhabitants of the state that the woman would be rescued and the perpetrators brought to book,” the statement read.

Culled / Titilayo Kupoliyi

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels also join our Whatsapp Update Group

Economy

Ogun Govt. to Introduce Special Grant for Traders

By Web News 596 Post a comment

Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun says his administration would soon introduce a special grant towards ensuring that market men and women in the state have access to capital to trade.

Governor Abiodun who made this known when he paid a visit to the Oke-Aje market in Ijebu Ode, said the step was necessary to promote economic activities across the state.

The governor also said the Amotekun Corps would be deployed to the Oke-Aje market, adding that his administration would soon install solar lights in the market.

Governor Abiodun also promised that his administration would dig boreholes and grade all roads within the market.

In their separate remarks, the Iyaloja of Oke-Aje Market, Alhaja Wuraola Kuforiji and the Babaloja of Akile-Ijebu, Chief Idowu Salami commended Governor Dapo Abiodun-led administration for providing a conducive environment for traders across the state.

Bolanle Adesida

Subscribe to our Telegram Channel and join our Whatsapp Update Group

Security

Makinde to Recruit More Amotekun Personnel

By Web News 509

Oyo state Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde has warned criminally minded individuals to steer clear of the state as his government would not relent in strengthening security architecture in the state to ensure safety of lives and properties

He gave the warning at the official handover ceremony of 100 security patrol vehicles to the state security network codenamed “Amotekun” held at Agodi secretariat,Ibadan.

Governor Makinde also assured that apart from donating patrol vehicles, he would recruit more security personnel into the security outfit, upgrade their communication structure and adequately equip them for quick response to security concerns in the state

He equally commended executive chairmen of local government areas in the state for their collaboration with the state government, noting that rather than struggle for autonomy for some component units, Nigeria required restructuring of various elements of government for it to work accordingly.

Earlier, the chairman of Amotekun corps, Brigadier General Kunle Togun Rtd said the contribution of Governor Seyi Makinde in positioning the security outfit remain outstanding in the south west and commended the Governor for his foresight and commitment to security in the state.

Governor Seyi Makinde had in November, 2020 established the Oyo State Security Network Agency, codenamed, Amotekun to checkmate crime which assumed a worrisome dimension then in the Southwest region.

The development followed agreement reached by Governors of all the South Western states of Nigeria, namely; Lagos State, Oyo State, Ogun State, Ondo State, Osun State and Ekiti State.

It kicked off with 1500 members in Oyo State.

Iyabo Adebisi/Olaolu Fawole

Crime

Amotekun Arrests Kidnap Mastermind in Akure

By Web News 736

Operatives of the Amotekun Corps in Ondo State have arrested a member of a kidnap syndicate in Akure for kidnapping four female church members during a vigil service.

The suspect who disguised as a woman was arrested one hour after he invaded the church at Edo Lodge Area of Oke-Ijebu Akure with members of his gang.

The man who wore a blue gown with members of the gang kidnapped four church members including a priest.

Parading the suspect and 20 others, the Ondo State Commander of Amotekun Corps, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye said the suspect was arrested at a spot along Ado Ekiti road while others escaped.

The commander also paraded 21 others who specialised in kidnapping, theft, and sales of Indian hemp.

Chief Adeleye added that about three hundred and fifty motorcycles and vehicles were impounded in the last two weeks during the corps’ stop-and-search operation of unregistered motorcycles.

In an interview with newsmen, the suspected kidnap mastermind, Abiodun Igbekele confessed to molesting the four female victims including a 78-years-old woman.

Leke Adegbite

Crime

Amotekun Arrests 23-Year-Old Rapist, 22-Year-Old Armed Robber In Odo-Otin

By Web News 663

A 23-year-old Kehinde Babalola has been arrested by the Osun Amotekun Corps for armed robbery and raping of an undergraduate in Okuku, headquarters of Odo-Otin Local Government Area. 

It was gathered that Kehinde was nabbed while he was robbing students in one of the hostels in the Okuku community. 

A source told our correspondent that, after Kehinde robbed a female undergraduate, he raped her, and while forcefully having carnal knowledge of her, some students alerted the Amotekun Corps who arrested him.

The Field Commander of Amotekun, Comrade Amitolu Shittu, when contacted, confirmed the incident. 

Comrade Amitolu said the suspect was caught pants down raping an undergraduate, while armed with a gun, knife, money, phones, and cartridges. 

He also confirmed the arrest of a school dropout, one Timileyin Afolabi, for armed robbery in Oyan community, Odo-Otin local government area.

Adenitan Akinola

Crime

Amotekun Nabs Kidnapper, Fraudsters, Cultists, In Ondo

By Web News 1138

Operatives of the Ondo State Security Network Agency codenamed “Amotekun Corps” have apprehended a suspected kidnapper, Samuel Lucky Akpan, who allegedly abducted a four-year-old boy at the Alagbaka area of Akure.

The Ondo State Commander of Amotekun, Chief Adetunji Adeleye, who paraded Akpan alongside 17 other suspected criminals who have been terrorizing residents of the state, pointed out that the suspect had an intent of selling the victim for 200,000 naira.

Speaking with newsmen at the Command’s Headquarters in Akure, Chief Adeleye said the feat was in continuation of the Command’s determination to rid the state of criminals threatening the lives and peace of residents.

The Amotekun commander also disclosed that those of the suspects whose investigations gave been concluded would be charged to court.

The 23-year-old kidnapper, Akpan, who abducted the four-year-old boy in Alagbaka, confessed to the crime, saying he was planning to sell the boy for 200,000 naira.

Other suspects who were apprehended for internet fraud and cultism were nine middle-aged young men whose ages range between 18 to 30 years.

Leke Adegbite

Security

Oyetola Inaugurates 360 Amotekun Corps Personnel

By Web News 760

The governor of Osun State, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola has inaugurated 360 newly-recruited officers into the State Security Network Agency, codenamed ”Amotekun Corps”. 

This follows the completion of the 23-day training programme for the personnel at Ejigbo, in Ejigbo Local Government Area as part of efforts to prepare them for the task ahead. 

Correspondent, Adenitan Akinola was at the event that held at the Wole Soyinka Government High School, Ejigbo, Osun State and brings details.

Adenitan Akinola

Security

Osun Govt. Commissions Newly Recruited Officers of Amotekun Corps

By Web News 861

The Governor of Osun State Mr Adegboyega Oyetola has inaugurated 360 newly-recruited officers into the State Security Network Agency ”Amotekun Corps’. 

This follows the completion of the 23-day training programme for the personnel as part of efforts to prepare them for the task ahead. 

Speaking at the Passing-Out-Parade ceremony for the new Amotekun Corps officers which held in Ejigbo, Governor Oyetola stated that his administration’s commitment to security, safety and welfare of the people remained irrevocable. 

He added that the Administration had given security the prime position, as it is critical to its Development Agenda and a strategy for transforming the State’s economy. 

The Governor charged the new Amotekun Corps personnel to display highest level of professionalism, discipline, competence, integrity and Omoluabi ethos in the discharge of their duty to protect. 

He also implored citizens and residents of the State to cooperate with the Corps operatives to make security management easy and peaceful.

Speaking further Governor Oyetola said explained that Amotekun was created to collaborate with conventional security agencies, the vigilance groups and hunters across the State in order to ensure proper coordination in security of the people. 

The Governor commended security agencies in Osun for their service to the State and assured that the State Government would continue to support them while also encouraging them to collaborate with one another. 

He disclosed that the State Government had procured 20 security vehicles with communication gadgets to support security operatives, while 750 vigilantes have been recruited across all local governments in the State to provide intelligence on the activities and suspicious movements of criminals. 

In his welcome address, the Chairman, Osun Security Network Agency/Amotekun Corps, Brig. Gen. Ademola Aderibigbe (rtd), applauded the creation of the security outfit which he described as a child of necessity to permanently stem the tide of insecurity in the State in particular and the southwest region in general. 

In a goodwill message, the Speaker, Osun House of Assembly Mr. Timothy Owoeye extolled the collective efforts that gave birth to the formation of Amotekun in the Southwest, while expressing the reassurance of the House commitment to continuously support the State in its efforts to guarantee the security of lives and property of the citizens. 

On his part, the Ogiyan of Ejigbo, Oba Omowonuola Oyeyode Oyesosin appealed to the residents particularly the traditional rulers to give their utmost support in terms of useful information to the Amotekun Corps and other security agencies in the State. 

Also speaking, the Director General, Development Agenda for Western Nigeria, DAWN Commission, Mr. Seye Oyeleye, hailed the Administration of Governor Oyetola for keying into the sustainable policies and programmes of the Commission aimed to move the southwest and Nigeria forward. 

Akinola Adenitan

Crime

Amotekun Corps Rescue 18-Year-Old Kidnap Victim In Ore

By Web News 803

An 18-year-old, Segun Thomas who lived in Mushin area of Lagos State has been rescued by men of the Amotekun Corps from the captivity of a 65-year-old suspected ritualist and kidnapper named Akorede Lawal in Ore, Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo state.

It was learnt that the boy who is undergoing training as an Automobile mechanic, was hypnotised by the suspect and brought to Ore.

It was said that men of the Intelligence Unit of Ondo Amotekun Corps who were on duty got wind of the situation and rescued the teenager man and arrested the suspect at More Motor Park whisked him to Akure.

Speaking with the victim, Segun Thomas who said he left home for the mechanic shop where he is an apprentice, a workshop very close to his house, met the man who asked him for a helping hand and that was all he could remember.

Responding, the suspect, Lawal who said he was an ex-herbalist, and that he innocently asked the boy to help him carry his bag, added that he willingly embarked on the journey with him.

Confirming the arrest, the Ondo State Amotekun Corps Commander, Chief Adetunji Adeleye, said his men who were posted around motor parks in Ore noticed some funny behaviour between the young boy and the suspect when he was apprehended.

The Amotekun Commander who advised parents to teach their wards to be wary of strangers, added that the suspect will soon be charged to court.

Also reacting, mother of the victim, a 42-year-old food vendor, Mrs. Rashidat Babatunde who lives with her four children in Mushin, Lagos State, thanked Ondo Amotekun for rescuing her son.

Leke Adegbite

Crime

Tension In Ibadan Over Alleged Killing Of Printer’s Apprentice

By Web News 84625 6

Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Mrs. Ngozi Onadeko has deployed armed officers to the Oyo State Secretariat Ibadan to restore order following the alleged killing of a teenage boy by men of the Amotekun Corps.

Radio Nigeria correspondent who monitored the situation, reports that policemen were also placed at the scene of the alleged crime, Uncle Joe Bus Stop, Mokola, Ibadan to restore normalcy.

Earlier, some angry youths protested to the secretariat with the body of the decease to show their grievances over the alleged killing.

The youths set bonfires at Mokola, Uncle Joe Bus Stop, Parliament Road junction and harassed passers-by during their protest in the morning.

A witness who pleaded anonymity said the deceased, Peter Okafor who was writing the ongoing WAEC examination was also an apprentice with a printing press outfit at the area.

Okafor according to witnesses was working in the early hours of Wednesday when men of Amotekun Corps alleged chased and shot him.

As at the time of filing in this report, the angry youths were still visibly agitated.

Rasheedah Makinde

Crime

Amotekun Corps Shoot Two “Party Goers” Dead In Ibadan

By Web News 998

Two young men have been allegedly killed by some officers of Amotekun in the early hours of yesterday, at Ajanla, in Oke-Ado area of Ibadan Southwest Local Government of Oyo State.

The deceased, Mr Abdullahi Ishola and Mr Rashidi Mudashiru including one Alaba Isa who was fortunate to have sustained injuries in the process were said to be at a party organised by some youths in the area to celebrate the eve of Eid-el-kabir.

According to the injured person, Alaba Isa, who claimed that he was shot on his back, the Amotekun officers had stormed their party and started shooting sporadically without asking anyone any question.

  • Alaba Isa who survived the encounter with gunshot wounds

Two younger brothers of the deceased, who were also at the party, Mr. Ibrahim Ishola and Mr Hassan Mudashiru maintained that the Amotekun officers suddenly stormed their party, which was an annual practice by the youths in the area and started shooting indiscriminately until they hit Rashidi and Abdullahi.

Head of family of one of the deceased, Abdullahi, Alahji Olayiwola Sulu-Ishola has called on the Oyo State government to thoroughly investigate the issue.

Responding to the allegation, the coordinator of Amotekun in Ibadan Southwest Local government, Mr. Sikiru Apanpa said the deceased and others were allegedly trying to rob a shop at the Liberty Stadium end of Oke Ado area when the security officers who were on patrol spotted them.

Mr. Apanpa explained that on sighting his men, two of the youths alerted others and they immediately started shooting at the officers.
He added that his men retaliated and two of the youths were gunned down in the process, while the dead and the injured were taken away by the survivors.

Radio Nigeria’s efforts to get confirmation of the incident from the Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Adewale Osifeso were unsuccessful, as he neither picked his calls nor replied to the text message sent to him.

Abisola Oluremi

Transportation

Tanker Crash: Casualties Recorded in Ibadan

By Web News 756

A gas tanker loaded with 72,000 tons of gas lost control this morning killing some herbal traders with several others injured at Molete Bode in Ibadan.

The tanker which rammed into the market was said to have hit a tricycle and lost control.

Confirming the incident, the assistant state Commandant, Federal fire service, Mr Felix Oladipo over three people were confirmed dead while several others sustained serious injuries.

Mr Oladipo said the tricycle involved as well as the truck conveying the tanker had been taken to the nearest police station.

The victims, according to Mr Oladipo, had been taken away by their relations.

In an Interview, the Director Operations, Oyo State Fire Service, Mr Ismail Adeleke, said the loaded tanker had already been sprinkled with water to cool the temperature of the tank.

Mr Adeleke explained that towing van that was hired to lift the tanker does not have the capacity adding that a crane is expected to lift the wreckage.

Speaking with Radio Nigeria, one of the executives of herbal traders association,bode branch, Mr Tunde Azeez, appealed to government to come to assistance and evacuate the wreckage of the tanker as it poses dangers to the residents in the area

Aside from men of the Nigerian Police, Federal Road Safety officers, members of Oyo state security network, Amotekun were on ground to prevent hoodlums from looting the items in the market.

Rotimi Famakin

Crime

Amotekun Nabs Serial Kidnapper, Others, In Ondo

By Web News 932

Three suspects have been apprehended by officers of Ondo State Security outfit, Amotekun, for offences ranging from kidnapping, armed robbery, and attempted murder.

Parading them earlier in Akure, the Amotekun commander in Ondo State, Chief Adetunji Adeleye said 37-year-old Usman Garba a native of Niger State, was involved in a kidnapping act which was later foiled by officers of Amotekun while others are still at large.

He said 24-year-old Olanrewaju Olaleye from Okitipupa was arrested for armed robbery and that some dangerous weapons were recovered from him; while Lawal Haruna was arrested for attempted murder.

The alleged kidnapping perpetrator who confessed his involvement in two kidnappings, explained that he was co-opted to kidnapping by sponsors he claimed not to know, noting that the last operation which led to his arrest was to earn him 400,000 naira as his sponsors were billed to receive 4 million naira ransom, while he got 30,000 naira from his first operation. Leke Adegbite

Environment

Oyo Govt. Deploys Amotekun Corps To Curb Trading At Challenge Walkway

By Web News 654

In the bid of curbing trading at the newly constructed walkway in Challenge, Ibadan, the Oyo State government has deployed Amotekun corps to the area.
In an interview with the State Commissioner for Environment, Mr Lateef Oyeleke explained that the corps were deployed to the area to prevent the attack on the sanitation officers who were ensure compliance with the government directive.
He said the government wanted to make sure all the traders vacate the area and move to Scout camp neighbourhood market also in the area.
He emphasized that the walkway was for pedestrians and not traders.
He sounded the warning that any trader caught displaying wares or selling at the walkway would face the wrath of the law.
Our reporter who was at the spot said the traders were seen in groups discussing the issue.

Morenike Tony-Esan

News

Man Brutalised By Amotekun Corps Seeks 5m Naira Compensation

By Web News 625

A cobbler, Mr Gbadebo Baaki has asked for a five million naira compensation for medical treatment following the injury he sustained from brutality by Amotekun Corps.

He made the demand in a petition before the Justice Badejoko-led Oyo State Judicial Panel of Inquiry into Police Brutality.

Mr Baaki said he was attacked with machete by eight Amotekun Corps personnel on the 31st December, 2020.

The petitioner explained that the incident occurred when he left his shop to the house of Opeyemi his friend.

He explained after the assault, he was taken to the police station at idi-Aro Ibadan.

Responding, the Defence counsels for Amotekun corps, Tosin Fijabi and Olusola Orobode, said the petitioner might be among the Ita-Ege boys. 

The counsels told the panel that the petitioner had refused to be attended to by a doctor brought to treat him by the police at Idi Aro Station.

Amotekun Corps counsel said further that the petitioner claimed that he would only allow the doctor to clean his injured head as stitching it was something forbidden in his family.

The panel therefore requested the presence of the doctor that treated Mr Baaki at the police station and the I.P.O that collected money for his bail.

The case was adjourned till 2nd June, 2021 with counsels for Amotekun Corps requested to produce detailed information of the doctor who treated the petitioner.

Funmilola Obagbayegun

Crime

Monarch Escapes Kidnap Attempt in Ekiti

By Web News 668

Unknown gunmen have attacked the Elewu of Ewu Ekiti, Oba Adetutu Ajayi while travelling between his town (Ewu) and Ayetoro Ekiti.

The spokesperson for Ekiti State Police Command, Mr Sunday Abutu confirmed this to newsmen in Ado Ekiti.

Mr Abutu said the monarch who was shot around seven o clock in the night yesterday had been taken to an hospital for treatment.

He said the command in conjunction with Amotekun Corps, Vigilante and local hunters had combed bushes and forests in the area to rescue the Royal Father. 

 He gave an assurance that the perpetrators would be brought to book.

Mr Abutu said that the Command would continue to work with relevant security outfits to reduce crime to bear minimum in the state.

The PPRO, however, wished the Elewu of  Ewu Ekiti a quick recovery and implored  anyone with useful information that could lead to the arrest of the perpetrators and other criminal elements in the society to inform the nearest police station or call 08062335577.

Ogunrinde Amos

Lifestyle

Ondo NUJ Charge Akeredolu On Promises Made

By Web News 681

The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Ondo State Council has called on Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to fulfill his promise of appointing at least one qualified journalist or Information Manager as Permanent Secretary as he kick-starts his second term in office.

While congratulating Mr Akeredolu, and his new deputy, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa on their inauguration to pilot the affairs of the state for another four years, Ondo NUJ urged them to build on successes recorded in the first term. 

The Union while made the plea in a communique issued at the end of its monthly meeting and signed by the State Secretary, Leke Adegbite, directed land subscribers to the NUJ Pen Estate at Osi community near Akure Airport to immediately commence massive development of their land.

The NUJ Congress notes with concern the disturbing rate of insecurity across the country especially the kidnapping of school pupils; and calls on Governor Akeredolu not to relent in empowering Amotekun Corps to tackle security challenges facing Ondo State, while security agencies should up their game against bandits and kidnappers.

Leke Adegbite

Security

The Olu of Ilaro Advocates Livestock Branding

By Web News 1745

The Olu of Ilaro and Paramount ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, has advocated inscription of Breeder’s name on cattle in the country in order to identify the owner in case of any destruction of farm by cattle.

Oba Olugbenle who stated this while receiving Ogun State government delegation in his palace in Ilaro, said the step because necessary towards finding lasting solution to farmers/herders crisis in the country.

The Royal Father also called on Ogun State government to urgently set up Amotekun Corps and give the traditional rulers opportunity to participate in the selection of its operatives.

Responding, The State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Afolabi Afuape, stressed the need for the people of the state to be vigilant and report any suspicious movement to the security agencies.

In a remark, the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Alhaji Abdulwaheed Odusile who appealed to the people not to take law into their hands, urged them to allow security agencies and traditional rulers handle farmers/ herders crisis.

While calling for peaceful co-existence among the indigenes of the state and people from other ethnic groups, Alhaji Odusile announced that a stakeholders meeting would soon be held towards finding lasting solutions to Farmers/Herders crisis in the state.

Bolanle Adesida