Security

So-Safe Corps Assures Safety During Festivities

By Web News 366

By Olusegun Folarin

The Ogun State Community, Social Orientation and Safety Corps, So-Safe Corps, has urged residents to remain security-conscious during the Yuletide season as they travel, celebrate, and reunite with family and friends.

The So-Safe Corps Commander, Dr Soji Ganzallo, made the appeal in a statement issued through the Director of Information and Public Relations, Assistant Commander of Corps, Adegunwa Adegbuyi.

Acknowledging the significance of the Christmas and New Year celebrations, Dr Ganzallo described the season as a period of joy, reflection, and family bonding.

Merry Christmas Greetings from all of us at Radio Nigeria Ibadan

He, however, stressed the need for heightened vigilance, especially on highways, within residential areas, and at public gathering points.

The Commander advised motorists to shun reckless driving and strictly observe traffic regulations.

He also urged residents to stay alert in crowded places, avoid unnecessary late-night movements, and promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies.

Dr Ganzallo called on community leaders, parents, and youths to promote peaceful conduct, tolerance, and respect for the rule of law, noting that collective responsibility remains essential to sustaining security across the state.

While wishing residents a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year, he reaffirmed the readiness of the So-Safe Corps to protect lives and property before, during, and after the festive season.

Edited by Maxwell Oyekunle

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Security

Oyo NSCDC Rolls Out Yuletide Security Plan

By Web News 289

By Abisola Oluremi

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Oyo State Command has deployed 1,500 personnel to strategic locations across the state to guarantee safety during and after the Yuletide celebrations.

The State Commandant, Mr Augustine Padonu, approved the deployment and told Radio Nigeria that the security arrangement covers the pre-festive build-up, the peak celebration period, and the post-festive phase.

He said the operation focuses on proactive policing, intelligence gathering, and rapid response to any security threat.

Mr Padonu disclosed that the command has intensified intelligence gathering, surveillance, and patrols around critical national assets and infrastructure ahead of the festivities.

He listed worship centres, markets, motor parks, recreational centres, and other public places as key areas under heightened security watch.

Merry Christmas from all of us at Radio Nigeria Ibadan Zonal Station

The Commandant added that the NSCDC has strengthened community engagement and public sensitisation to encourage residents to remain vigilant and security-conscious.

He noted that during the Yuletide celebrations, operatives will maintain round-the-clock presence at designated locations to ensure public safety.

The NSCDC Oyo State Command has urged residents to celebrate responsibly, cooperate with security agencies, and promptly report any suspicious activity to the nearest security formation.

Edited by Maxwell Oyekunle

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Transportation

Yuletide: Travellers Bemoan High Transport Fare

By Web News 512

By Olawale Asake

With a few hours to Christmas Celebration,  Nigerians have expressed worry over the possibility of travelling to their ancestral homes due to the rising cost of transport fares and issues of insecurity in some parts of the Country.

During a visit by a Radio Nigeria Ibadan reporter to some major motor parks in Ibadan, Oyo State, some interstate travellers revealed that transport fares had nearly doubled compared to last year.

A trip from Ibadan to Lagos, which was formerly between #2,500 and #3,500, now costs between #4,500 and #6,000 depending on the type of Vehicle, its quality and distance within the city.

One of the travellers, Mrs Moriliat Adepoju, said she forced herself to embark on the trip because of the family programmes lined up for this festive period in her hometown.

She called on the Federal government to urgently address the current economic hardship facing the people.

Another trader travelling to the Southeast Region, Mr Chukwudi John, maintained that though he had decided to travel, the high cost of transportation gave him serious concern, hence he left his family in Ibadan to go alone.

While speaking with some residents in Ibadan on whether they would travel,  they said unless the economy improved, they might consider staying put in their places of residence for moderate celebrations.

Two drivers, Mr. Seun Ogunyinka and Mr. Tunde Owokoniran attributed the little increment in the fares to the high cost of motor parts and petrol. 

While acknowledging the fact that many petrol stations were reducing their pump price per litre, the transporters stressed the need for more reduction in the interest of the public.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government announced free train rides for the public during the Christmas and New Year periods as well as a 50 percent reduction in Interstate road transportation to ease financial burdens on travellers.

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Crime

Police Arrest Ooni’s Ex-wife, Others over Ibadan Funfair Tragedy

By Web News 683 Post a comment

Death toll hits 35

The Oyo State Police Command says it has arrested the ex-queen of the Ooni of Ife, Naomi Silekunola; the Principal of Islamic High School, Ibadan, Fasasi Abdulahi; and six others.

Their arrest is in connection to the death of some children during a stampede at a funfair in Ibadan, the state capital, on Wednesday.

The ex-queen was named as the main sponsor of the event.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by the State Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, the number of children who have died from the stampede has risen to 35 while six others are critically injured,

The event which was held at the Islamic High School, Basorun, Ibadan, was reportedly made available to 5,000 children but the number that turned up was reportedly over 7, 500..

Culled/Punch/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Religion

Police Launch Investigation into Ibadan Yuletide Tragedy

By Web News 439

By Rasheedah Makinde

The Oyo state police command says it has begun investigations into the circumstances surrounding the alleged death of thirty-two children during a stampede at a fun fair in Ibadan yesterday.

The Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Mr Ayodele Sonubi stated this in an interview with journalists in Ibadan.

Mr Sonubi said most of the organizers had been arrested and detained at Iyaganku Area Command for further investigations.

It was gathered from multiple eyewitness accounts that the stampede occurred when the children rushed to gain access to the venue of the event, which was said to have been organized by the ex-queen of the Ooni of Ife, Prophetess Naomi Shikemi.

Provision was made for only five thousand children but the number that turned up for the event was reportedly over seven thousand.

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Religion

Oyo APC Calls for thorough Investigation into Yuletide Celebration Tragedy

By Web News 376

By Oluwakayode Banjo

The All Progressives Congress APC in Oyo state has lamented the unfortunate stampede which happened in Ibadan on Wednesday at a well-publicised Christmas funfair packaged by a named organization for the children in celebration of the yuletide.

Reports confirmed by the Oyo state government in the afternoon of Wednesday had it that the inability of the organizers of the funfair to control the surging crowd of children and adults who had thronged the Islamic High School, Ibadan venue of the event resulted in a stampede which claimed the loss of about 32 children while an unspecified number of others sustained varying degrees of injury.

In a statement made available to journalists in Ibadan by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, Oyo APC called on the state government to set up a high-powered panel to investigate the tragic incident to identify those believed to be culpable in the unfortunate death of the innocent kids as well as establishing the facts surrounding the sordid planning and execution of the event by the organizers.

“We are in deep sorrow as a result of the tragic incident which claimed many lives in Ibadan today. In any given circumstance, the loss of any innocent life attracts lamentations and regret as It became more saddening when it was realized that the ugly development could have been prevented if certain authorities had done the needful in the areas of surveillance, intelligence gathering and pro-activeness. 

“While we are not going to preempt the Investigative Panel recommended for establishment by the state government over this particular matter, we call on Governor Seyi Makinde to ensure that justice is done to the numerous victims of the tragedy even as we sympathize with their parents and other family members,” APC concluded.

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Economy

Yuletide: Litany of Moans from Customers, Traders

By Web News 587

By Fasilat Lawal

A few days to Christmas, traders in Ibadan the Oyo State Capital have lamented low patronage of food commodities as a result of the hike in price.

Radio Nigeria correspondents who visited some major markets in Ibadan such as Bodija, Oja Oba and Apata observed that prices of bags of rice, vegetable oil, palm oil, yam flour and livestock had increased.

A rice seller, Mrs Betty Eze, who said a bag of rice is sold between 58,000 to 60,000 as against that of last year price of 32,000 decried low patronage of the goods.

While 25 litres of vegetable oil is now sold between 40,000 to 41,000 and five litres is between 7000 to 7500 Naira which is higher than that of last year.

Radio Nigeria gathered that the cost of broiler chicken has increased from 7000 to 12,000 and 15,000 depending on the size.

Also, a goat that was sold for 30,000 is now sold for 50,000.

In an interview, two livestock sellers, Mr Israel Atoyebi and Mr Damilola Ojo attributed the increase to the high cost of chicken feed and other livestock drugs.

A pepper seller, Mrs Dasola Lambe explained that the price of perishable items is on the average due to the season and an onion seller Mrs Nafisat Adesokan said a big bag of onions is sold between 120,000 to 150,000 attributed the high cost to transportation and lament low patronage.

A civil Servant Mr Adewumi Adebisi and a housewife. Mrs Ajibola who expressed worries over the high costs of food commodities said they could not purchase items as they wished for Christmas as they would celebrate moderately.

They called on the government to create a policy that would ensure price control of commodities to reduce hardship for the masses.

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Transportation

Ekiti Govt. Clamps down on Unregistered Vehicles

By Web News 481

By Amos Ogunrinde

Ekiti State Government has decried the threat being posed by unregistered vehicles, tricycles and motorcycles to road safety and security within the state.

The Ekiti State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Kehinde Ajobiewe who
stated this while fielding questions from newsmen in Ado-Ekiti, advised those concerned to do the needful to avoid embarrassment.

Mr Ajobiewe noted that owners of unregistered vehicles often bypass essential inspections and regulations, declaring that they will no longer be permitted to ply roads in the state.

According to the Commissioner, the enforcement exercise will commence early next year, saying that it was not meant to kill businesses but to put sanity into the transportation sector.

Mr Ajobiewe however re-stated Government’s unwavering commitments to improve road safety and ensure that transport operators adhere strictly to the necessary regulations and highway codes.

He stressed that the massive ongoing road intervention projects across the State was an indication that Governor Biodun Oyebanji was
working in accordance with his six pillars of administration for the State’s development.

Security

Security Agencies Assure People of Safety

By Web News 422

By Iyabo Adebisi

The joint technical committee on security for Oyo and Ogun states has assured residents and motorists that adequate security strategies have been put in place to ensure safety of lives and properties during the Yuletide season especially border areas and highways of the two states. 

The committee gave the assurance during a special critical security meeting held at the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, organized to strengthen safety modalities for both state.

Just before the close door meeting, Special Adviser on security to the Oyo state Governor Seyi Makinde, CP Fatai Owoseni Rtd and his Ogun state counterpart AIG Olushola Subair Rtd said it has become necessary to harmonize thoughts for the overall interest of the people. 

They appealled to the people to also raise their level of security consciousness and report any case of suspicion to the command and control centre of both states.

Presenting a communique after the close door meeting, Oyo state commissioner of police, CP Hamzat Adebola assured people that officers and security men from both states have now been put on high alert. 

He enjoined the public to engage the national emergency security number 112, Oyo state citizens enquiry number 615, Ogun state police control number 08081770416 and Oyo state police control number 07055495413 in cases of emergency or suspicion.

As the host to the security meeting at his Dominion University, Lagos Ibadan expressway, Bishop Taiwo Adelakun commends the two state Governors of Ogun and Oyo for the relative safety currently being experienced on Lagos Ibadan expressway.

Entertainment

Yuletide Ends with Fun Seekers at Recreation Centres, Fare Hikes

By Web News 791

Two days after the New Year, euphoria is still noticeable in the air as fun seekers turned out in large numbers at Recreational centres in Ibadan. 

At the Zoological  Garden, the University of Ibadan and Trans-Amusement Park, Bodija, fun seekers were seen moving around various cages and viewing animals on display. 

The situation was not different at Agodi Gardens and some shopping malls where fun seekers were seen relaxing or making purchases 

Two parents, Mr Gbenga Afolabi and Mrs Bimbo Olanrewaju said they visited the parks and shopping mall to relieve themselves of stress as well as to give their children a nice outing. 

Radio Nigeria had a chat with some of the children who could not hide their delight.

Some of the fun seekers appealed to the government to address the current economic hardship faced in the country.

Meanwhile, as new year holiday declared by the Federal Government ends today, passengers returning to their base may pay more as fuel price hikes remain unabated.

Radio Nigeria correspondent, who monitored the situation at Ojoo, and Iwo Road, reports that the motor parks recorded higher passengers.

Fares from Ojoo in Ibadan to Kaduna, Sokoto and other parts of the northern region cost N15,100 while Ibadan to Abuja cost N13,100., one of

Equally, Ojoo to Sango Ota cost N3,000, Ijebu Ode N2,100, Abeokuta 2,600. Yaba by car from Ojoo cost N3, 600, and Lagos by bus costs between 1,800 and N2, 100. Ibadan to Saki from Ojoo, N2000.

One of the transporters at Ojoo Motor Park, Mr Olanrewaju Ajibade said the hike in the fare was due to a hike in fuel pump price and vehicle spare parts.

Some of the drivers said passengers may pay higher as turnout persists. The situation was not too different at Iwo road as transporters retained the previous fare.

Rotimi Famakin/Funmilola Ọbagbayegun /Fasilat Lawal

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Transportation

FRSC Establishes Mobile Court for Erring Drivers

By Web News 553

The Sagamu Unit Command of Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, in Ogun State, says it will establish a mobile court to try erring drivers during the festive period.

Unit Commander of FRSC, Sagamu, Taofiq Iyanda, stated this in an interview with the newsmen in Sagamu, Ogun.

Mr Iyanda said this would serve as a deterrent to road users who intended to flout traffic rules and regulations during the yuletide.

According to him, any motorist apprehended for route violation, driving against traffic, and other traffic offenses would have their vehicles impounded and prosecuted accordingly in the mobile court.

The unit Commander explained that the exercise aimed to check the excesses of drivers that could lead to the loss of lives through road crashes.

“We are appealing to motorists to obey traffic rules and regulations to stem mishaps on the highway, especially during this coming festive season.

“In addition, they should cooperate with FRSC personnel and other sister agencies, to ensure sanity on the highways and to get to their various destinations safely,” he said.

He enjoined motorists to have all relevant documents in order not to be delayed by traffic personnel in the course of their journeys.

The unit commander added that motorists should ensure that their vehicles were properly serviced, especially for long trips, to prevent unnecessary breakdowns of cars on the roads.

Mr Iyanda stressed the need for vehicles’ fog lights to function as harmattan had started in some parts of the country.

He also warned against reckless driving, wrongful overtaking, and drunk driving to minimize accidents during the festive season.

Net/Adetutu Adetule

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Security

Security Agencies Promise Adequate Protection During Yuletide

By Web News 535

Nigeria police and other security agencies in Ogun state have promised to provide adequate security for residents and motorists passing through the state before, during and after Yuletide.

The State Commissioner of Police Mr Lanre Bankole stated this while speaking with newsmen after a security meeting with Governor Dapo Abiodun.

The commissioner explained that all security agencies in the state had made necessary arrangements to protect lives and property across the state.

He said that the state government had promised to give more support to the security agencies towards combating kidnappers and other criminals at the state corridor of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

Mr Bankole also pointed out that, the meeting was convened to discuss current security issues affecting the state with a view to strengthening security architecture in the state.

Bolanle Adesida

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Transportation

Be mindful of other road users – Osun FRSC Boss charges drivers

By Web News 710

The Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC has appealed to road users to avoid night driving, overloading and over speeding during the Yelutide.


The Sector Commander, Osun State Command, Mrs Kudirat Ibrahim made appeal in an interview with Radio Nigeria at her office in Osogbo.


Mrs Ibrahim observed that most of the road crashes recorded during the outgoing year in Osun State were consequences of over speeding over loading and night driving.


The FRSC Osun Sector Commander noted that despite the condition of the roads, accident was avoidable if only road users could be more patient, careful and considerate of the interest of others.


Mrs Ibrahim hinted that men of the corps had been deployed in strategic locations across Osun state, not to book motorists but to caution them against excessive speeding and provide prompt response in case of emergencies.


She stated that the corps had embarked on enlightenment campaigns which was taken beyond motor parks, to worship centers and other areas of convergence to educate people on the need for safety on the road.


Mrs Ibrahim appealed to passengers, particularly traders to avoid putting pressure on drivers to overload their luggage, a development she noted had resulted in many accidents.


Adenitan Akinola

Transportation

Yuletide: FRSC Deploys 36,000 Personnel for Special Patrol

By Web News 657

Federal Road Safety Corps FRSC has deployed thirty-six thousand personnel for end of the year special patrol operations.

The headquarters Public Education Officer in Abuja, Mr Business Kazeem said this became imperative in the pursuant to the envisioned increase in vehicular movement across the country occasioned by the yuletide.

He explained that the Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps ,FRSC,  Dr Boboye Oyeyemi had ordered the immediate deployment of logistics, personnel and Special Marshals nationwide to entrench safety on the roads, enforce compliance on established road traffic rules, COVID-19 precautionary measure for commuters.

Mr Kazeem said the Corps also ordered strategic 24 hours observatory at Commands along high volume of traffic/gridlock prone areas.

He revealed that the directive was targeted at achieving a near zero road traffic crash throughout the period and secure free flow of traffic for the motoring public along all corridors and other roads.

The FRSC spokesman noted that the Corps has observed that a key characteristics of the period over the years is an upsurge in traffic volume, impatience by motorists, who may not have adequately planned their journeys, or motorists managing mechanically deficient vehicles to and fro their travel destinations.

According to him, the foregoing was known to be the major causes of chaos and indiscipline among all classes of road users, leading to crashes, fatalities, maiming of motorists and loss of property as well as traffic congestion/gridlocks.

The Corps Marshal also stated that the operatives would be charged with the responsibility of identifying alternative routes to assist motorists during gridlocks, and give notification of traffic distressed areas for easy movement.

While officers and Marshals would be mobilized with the necessary materials for Rescue Operations, the Corps’ operatives would be collaborating with Military units, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Directorate of State Services (DSS), NGO Ambulance Service Providers, National Net.

Rasheeda Makinde

Security

NSCDC Assures Oyo State Residents of Adequate Security

By Web News 731

Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Oyo State Command has guaranteed a safer atmosphere during the yuletide season.

This is contained in a statement signed in Ibadan by the Corps’ Public Relations Officer, Mr Oluwole Olusegun.

NSCDC Commandant in the state, Mr Iskilu Akinsanya, assures the residents on the preparedness of the Corps towards the incoming festive period that no stone will be left unturned in order to protect them maximally.

Mr Akinsanya says he has directed all the Area Commanders, Divisional Officers and personnel of the corps to intensify security coverage within the nooks and crannies of the state to maintain a peaceful coexistence among people.

He also reiterates his command’s commitment to provide adequate security of lives and property in order to make the Christmas and New Year Festival a crime free period for the citizens of the state.

The commandant enjoins the people of the state to go about their various businesses legitimately and be security-conscious at all times.

Mr Akinsanya therefore called on parents and guardians to caution their wards against the use of fireworks like banger to avoid fire disaster as the harmattan season has set in.

He stressed further that in-case of distress the command has rolled out numbers to call and they are 09055533303, 08077513995, and 09070473188 for prompt response.

NSCDC boss emphasized to the officers and men of the corps on the need to see the citizens as their neighbours and to always be civil and professional while discharging their duties.

Rasheedah Makinde