Category: Security

Barely three days after electricity was restored in Maiduguri, Boko Haram terrorists have plunged the North-East city into darkness again after blowing up a power tower on Saturday.

In January, the terrorists had struck power installations thrice to keep the city in the dark.

It took power authorities almost two months to repair the damage inflicted in January as the insurgents laid land mines, which injured officials of the Transmission Company of Nigeria when repairs commenced.

Repairs had to progress under heavy military escort, as residents and business owners turned to alternative power generating sets for electricity.

Last Wednesday, residents expressed elation after electricity from the national grid was restored.

But that elation now seems short-lived after Saturday’s attack.

“I am tired, depressed,” one resident told Channels Television. “It’s just too much for us.”

The kidnapped community leader in Imope land, Ijebu- Igbo in Ijebu-North Local Area of Ogun State, Chief Tajudeen Omotayo, has regained freedom.

Chief Tajudeen was abducted on Saturday at Oke – Eri corridor of Ijebu – Ode – Oru – Ibadan road on his way home from Ijebu – Ode.

Ogun Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Abimbola Oyeyemi, said the community leader was released on Tuesday evening after spending four nights in captivity.

Oyeyemi said the kidnappers released their victim at 8 :30pm in Ijebu-Igbo after spending four days in the kidnappers den.

It was however learnt the kidnappers initially demanded N100 million ransom but collected N5 million to release the chief.

But Abimbola said the command was aware of payment of ransom.

According to him: “The community leader has been released. The Commissioner of Police, myself and other police officers were in Ijebu-Igbo till about 8: 30 pm yesterday (Tuesday).

“I was not aware of payment of any ransom.

“The command will never be part of the arrangement because it is dangerous ,it will give the signal that kidnapping is lucrative .

“This is not the end of this matter ,we are going after the kidnappers to ensure we arrest them so as to make them serve as scapegoat for others.”

Lawyers in Anambra State have declared a three-day strike, starting from Monday, over insecurity in the state .

This came barely 24 hours after their member, Frank Onwuachi, who was abducted by hoodlums was found dead.

Unknown Gunmen had recently terrorised the state by killing no fewer than six policemen, four naval officers, a prison’s warder and others.

Several police stations had also been set ablaze in similar-fact circumstances and arms carted away.

On Saturday, the Nigerian Bar Association, Anambra State Chapter, after reviewing the situation, ordered its members to boycott courts in the state for three days, starting from Monday.

A statement signed by the eight chairmen of bar branches in the state reads in part.

“The committee of chairmen and secretaries of the Nigerian Bar Association branches in Anambra State bemoans the worsening security situation in Anambra State and calls on the Federal Government, Anambra State Government and heads of security agencies to wake up and be alive to their responsibilities of protecting lives and properties of the citizens.

“The Committee notes that the security situation in Anambra State is highly tensed up and frightening to say the least.

“Recently, there has been cases of kidnap and gruesome murder/killing of innocent citizens and security personnel in the state and nothing is being done to curb this frightening security challenges in the State.

“Just last week Friday, a Lawyer, Frank Onwuachi, who is also the President General of Omor in Ayamelum Local Government Area of Anambra State was kidnapped along Ezu River/Anaku road and gruesomely murdered the following day by his captors.

“On 19/3/2021, two Prison Officers were killed at Ekwulobia, Aguata LGA and this is barely 24 hours after Naval officers and policemen were killed at Awkuzu and Neni respectively.

“Also, a Naval Outpost close to Bridgehead was attacked sometimes last week resulting to the killings of some Naval officers and their weapons carted away.

“We call on the State Government to as a matter of urgency summon a meeting of various security agencies in the state to address this worrisome security situations and tackle it headlong. Failure by the State Government to act immediately may lead to a descent to anarchy.

“We all cannot continue to downplay the Security situation or pretend that all is well. The time to act is now.”

While condoling with the NBA Otuocha branch, the families of late Frank Onwuachi and all security men killed by unknown gunmen, the lawyers resolved
that all lawyers in the state “shall boycott all courts from Monday to Wednesday”.

“That all lawyers in Anambra State should converge on the Judiciary Headquarters, Awka on Monday, by 12 noon for onward movement to the Government House, Awka to express our dissatisfaction with the current security situation in Anambra State.”

The Defence Headquarters says the Military cannot stoop so low to such extent to “spy” on one individual, as wildly and loosely alleged by the acclaimed Yoruba activist, Sunday Adeyemo also known as Sunday Igboho.

The Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Brig.-Gen. Benard Onyeuko, stated this in a statement in response to reports that military personnel who were spying on the residence of Igboho were apprehended.

Onyeuko said that it was alleged in a viral video that “soldiers” were seen being accused of having been sent by the Government to do a ‘survey’ of Sunday Igboho’s Soka residence in Ibadan.

According to him, the self acclaimed ‘Yoruba activist’ also alleged that the action of the so-called “soldiers” was orchestrated by the Federal Government as a result of comments he made alleging that Yorubas are no longer a part of Nigeria.

“While the Defence Headquarters has no interest dragging or joining issues with Sunday Adeyemo or his associates, it is pertinent to clear the air and address these allegations squarely.

“For the records, it should be noted that the Armed Forces of Nigeria, are highly professional in the discharge of their duties, with well-defined roles, responsibilities and duties in its mandate of securing the territorial integrity of the Nigerian Nation.

“As such, the Military cannot stoop so low to such extent to “spy” on one individual, as wildly and loosely alleged.

“Secondly, the Armed Forces of Nigeria is a highly disciplined and professional organisation with extant laws and regulations which guide the actions of its personnel in the conduct of their duties.

“As such, it is practically impossible for military personnel on official duty to conduct themselves in such manner as alleged by Adeyemo and his cohorts,” he said.

Onyeuko said that preliminary investigation had so far revealed that one of the alleged “soldiers” was a serial impersonator.

He added that credible eye witnesses and sources had also revealed that some associates of Igboho went in pursuit of some individuals when the motorbike conveying the impersonator and one Nigerian Air Force personnel ran into them.

According to him, the duo were immediately apprehended and taken to the said “IGBOHO House” at Soka before Ibadan toll gate where they were branded as spies.

“Furthermore, investigations are currently underway by Nigerian Air Force and the Nigerian Army to unravel the actual circumstances which played out on the day.

“The Defence Headquarters hereby warns individuals and groups to desist from disparaging the enviable reputation of the Nigerian Military by draDonald gging it into its petty issues to gain political mileage.

“Such actions will not be condoned in the future,” he said.

A traditional ruler, Oba Tajudeen Omotayo, the Oba Alade Meta of Imope land, a community in Ijebu Igbo area of Ogun State was on Saturday abducted by some yet to be identified gunmen.

Available details of the circumstances in which the traditional was abducted are still sketchy.

But sources from the town said the Oba left his palace around 11 am in his butter colored special utility vehicle with plate number W 3J9 Ogun for Ijebu-Ode.

And on his way back home around 3:00pm, the unknown gun men accosted him at Okeeri of area of Imope and took him away leaving his vehicle on the road.

When contacted, the Ogun Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oyeyemi Abimbola said the police heard of a kidnap in Ijebu Igbo, but could not tell if it was the traditional ruler.

He said policemen had been drafted to the area to rescue the abducted victim.

In recent time, kidnapping for ransom has risen in Ogun State, with the latest being the abduction of two female students of Olabisi Onabanjo University, OOU, who were later rescued.

Recently, a family of seven was arrested for involvement in series of kidnap cases in Sagamu area of Ogun State.

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has written to the police over alleged attacks on Fulani herders in Anambra State.

The South Eastern Zone Chapter reported the matter to the Deputy Inspector General of Police, E Department, Force Headquarters.

The letter signed by the Zonal Chairman, Gidado Siddiki, said the attacks resulted in casualties.

The formal complaint stated that 30 Fulani herders and 322 cows are missing.

“The lives of members of MACBAN are in danger in parts of these concerned communities.

“We, therefore, ask for your urgent interventions to forestall further loss of lives and properties,” it read.

Attacks on civilians and security operatives in Anambra have increased lately.

On Thursday, gunmen killed police officers, soldiers, burned a van and carted away their arms.

Gunmen suspected to be bandits on Sunday night kidnapped two female students of the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ayetoro Campus, Ayetoro, Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State.

Residents, who spoke with Vanguard under the condition of anonymity, said the gunmen, captured and abducted the two students who were said to be returning home at the time.

The abducted female students have been identified as Adeyemo Oluwaseun Precious (300 level Forestry and Wildlife Management) and Oyefule Oluwatosin Abisola (300 level, Agricultural Economics).

It was further gathered that the suspected bandits targeted a female call card voucher bulk dealer living in the area.

But due to their failure to break through the gate to her house, which they had attacked, they resorted to abducting the two female varsity students, who were returning from an outing.

“Being unable to gain access, they started shooting sporadically to create fear, and it was at this point Seun and Tosin were returning home, which is the same house the calling card dealer lives near Igbole Aibo Community Primary School, Aibo Quarter, Ayetoro, Ogun State,” a resident said.

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Idris Wase, says Nigerians in the Diaspora have no right sending petitions to the House on issues happening in Nigeria.
Wase, who represents Wase Federal Constituency, Plateau State, said this at a plenary last Thursday while sitting in for the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila.
He said Nigerians who sit in their comfort zones abroad are not eligible to file petitions against the Federal Government on issues regarding insecurity.

His words: “As I am talking to you, do you know that our precious gold is being mined illegally by some bandits in Owo, Oluse village?

“Helicopter will come from sky and drop gun and food items for them. The Ondo state government cannot enter the forest.

“The Owo people cannot enter that forest. As I am talking to you some illegal miners are mining our gold at Ilesha and Ile-Ife. Do you know degenerated to crises of kidnapping in Ibarakpa?

“They were mining solid minerals at Igangan. That was one of the resources that gave Wakili more money to be more powerful to buy guns that led to kidnappings. They started from one place and eventual settled with kidnappings.

“There is this community in Oyo, beside Ago-Are…they call it Ira-Woli community. They are mining solid minerals there as I am talking to you. In Ijere too, they are mining our solid minerals as I am talking to you.

“These are the resources that the generations unborn should use to survive to build a very good society that we will be proud of.

PRESS RELEASE!!!

This statement is released by the Spokeman to Chief Sunday Adeyemo Igboho in person of Mr Olayomi Koiki.

Chief Sunday Adeyemo Speech
My name is Chief Sunday Adeyemo whom everyone knows as Igboho Oosa. Prior to the order of president Mohammadu Buhari concerning those herding their cows with AK47.
We are very happy for the presidential order. If not for the noise we have been making, it is not that the cattle herders just started using AK47 to ranch their cows, kidnapp people and killing them, but we thank God that our Cry is being heard and proven positive.
My very advice goes to the Police, DSS, Nigerian Army, Civil Defence that has received the order from the federal government to kill anyone with AK47. We are happy about it, but I want you all that have received the order to know that Sheu Gumi has shown you all the hide-out of bandits. The president haven’t ordered you to carry this operations our based focusing on one tribe.
The presidential order is not for you to face the Southerners and Easterners alone and start killing people. Very importantly, it is not that you will see our Fathers and brothers heading to their farmlands with double barrel or Single barrel for self protection and then you open fire on them, setting them up with the said gun AK47 making a lie report that you caught them with it. We plead to the Police , DSS, Nigeria Army and all not to do such a deceptive thing. Kindly carry out the operation you have been ordered to do. Sheu Gumi has given you the very location and hide- out of the bandits, that is where we want you to face. Do not carry out your operations while making our people the victim of your operations that when you sight them with their local guns, you shoot them dead and then set them up with AK47.

If such attempt is carried out, it would be a thing of regret. I plead to you not to try such thing.

I am giving out this message on behalf of all Yoruba Sons and daughters in the land and diaspora. I plead again, it shouldn’t be a thing that you will see our Fathers and brothers on their way to their farmlands with their local barrel, or you make a search to their respective houses, then set them up with AK47. The order is not to focus on the Southern and Eastern tribes than the others. Please, do good to carry the orders wisely.