Category: South West

Operatives of Ondo State Security Network code-named Amotekun Corps and soldiers from the 32 Artillery Brigade yesterday clashed over seizure of 100 cows, for violating the anti-grazing law.

Sources said the Amotekun operatives had seized the cows after acting on distress calls from farmers at Oke Aro,  Akure that their crops had been destroyed.

The sources said some soldiers stormed the area and prevented the cows from being taken away over claims that they belonged to their officers at the barracks.

Two operatives of the Amotekun personnel were said to have been taken away by the soldiers after shooting and exchange of blows.

The sources said: “As the Amotekun personnel were taking the cows to their office at Alagbaka, about 10 soldiers stormed the area with Hilux vehicle and prevented the apprehension of the cows.

“The soldiers insisted that the Amotekun men would not go away with the cows because they belonged to their officers at the barracks.

“But the Amotekun officers insisted that the cows had violated the anti-grazing law and must be taken to their office for the owners to bail them or pay for the damaged farms.

“Crisis started with an exchange of hot words and it later snowballed into an exchange of blows between the two security outfits on the street.

“Before we knew what was happening, they started shooting into the air.

“Immediately they started shooting, the residents scampered for safety.”

The Commander of Ondo Amotekun, Chief Adetunji Adeleye, who described the incident as a minor disagreement between officers of the two security outfits, said the issue had been resolved.

“It was the arrested herders that hid under the soldiers to cause misunderstanding between the security outfits. The video you see out there is mischievous.

“Let me confirm to you that the cows have been released to us.”

THE governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Chief Segun Oni has called for the immediate reinstatement of  sacked workers of the Ekiti State University (EKSU) allegedly relieved of their positions by Governor Kayode Fayemi administration in 2019.

Recall that the management of the EKSU had on December 5, 2019, disengaged over 900 of its workforce for alleged certificate forgery, irregular appointment, overage among other sundry allegations.

The disengaged EKSU staff, subsequently, dragged the university authorities to the National Industrial Court (NIC) in Akure, got a judgment nullifying their sack, but the government has refused to obey the court judgment.

However, some of the workers headed for Appeal Court sitting in Ado Ekiti and in its judgment recently, it ordered the reinstatement of the disengaged staff.

Giving the judgement, Justice Tunde Awotoye, also gave the university a 30-day ultimatum to pay the reinstated workers their salaries, emoluments, and allowances from the date of their unlawful disengagement to date.

In the judgement, the court also directed the university to pay the workers the three months salary they were being owed before they were unlawfully disengaged.

Speaking yesterday on the development through his Director of Media and Publicity, Segun Oni Campaign Organization, Mr. Jackson Adebayo, Oni said that the government should obey the judgment of the court and immediately reinstate the workers.

He noted that a government that pride itself as democratic should be guided by the rule of law and not disobey the judgment of a court of law.

The governor said that the workers have been subjected to an untold hardship with their families who bear the consequence of unjust action of government.

Oni who said that government was a continuum, wondered why the workers, employed by the former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administrations, should be laid off by Governor Fayemi, for no other reasons but politics.

The SDP governorship candidate, therefore assured workers in the state that none of them would suffer unjustly if he becomes the governor of the state.

THE residents of Ikogbo community in Ado-Odo Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State have heaved a sigh of relief following the arrest of one of the cult members said to be terrorising the area by the police.

Odunoye (surnamed withheld), was arrested by Federal Swart on Monday at Imoshe in Ado-Odo Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State.

Magistrate Babajide Ilo of the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Agbara, Ogun State, has ordered the suspect be remanded over alleged murder.

The Nation gathered that Odunoye, 48, is a member of Eiye Confraternity, which is notorious for disrupting the peace and also terrorising landowners in Ikogbo community in Ogun State.

It was learnt that Odunoye as well as other members of his gang still at large, often terrorised land owners.

He on September 23rd 2020 invited all the miscreants within Imoshe and outside Imoshe village to attack the police station/Ikogbo market and vandalised police vehicles.

A petition written in March 2021 by Ikogbo residents to the Ag CP Idowu Owohunwa, Deputy IGP in Abuja, alleged that the activities of these notorious gangs had given the community sleepless nights until he was eventually arrested.

It was gathered that one of the members of the notorious gang who was arrested last year is still remanded in Ilaro Maximum Prison.

GOVERNOR of Osun State, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, has felicitated with Muslims in the state and around the world on the commencement of the holy month of Ramadan.

The governor’s message was posted on yesterday on his official Facebook page.

Oyetola who noted that fasting in the month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, added that the month provides a unique opportunity for Muslims to strengthen their faith in Allah and spread kindness in the land.

He said, “Let’s be reminded that the essence of fasting in the month of Ramadan, as Allah noted in Qur’an 2 vs 183, is for us to attain taqwa (piety). We should, therefore, endeavour to make the most of this month by strengthening our commitment to the service of our creator, Allah and humanity.

“As we embark on this spiritual exercise, I urge all of us to be our brothers’ keeper. Let those who Allah has endowed with more resources remember those in need. We should all endeavour to increase our acts of kindness and generosity by showing love and extending hands of support to the poor and the needy, as it was the usual practice of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

“Furthermore, let’s take advantage of the month of Ramadan to intensify prayers for the security, peace, progress and development of our dear State and country. I pray to Allah to answer our prayers and accept all our acts of worship in this blessed month and reward us all abundantly. Amin.

“Ramadan Kareem!” Oyetola concluded.

AHEAD of the 2023 General Election, a political group has commenced house-to-house sensitisation awareness for All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential aspirant, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

A statement by the Director of SABAT, Oluwole Alawode, made available to our correspondent yesterday in Osogbo explained that “the reason why we are embarking on this programme is because if Asiwaju Bola Tinubu wins the presidential seat in 2023, this country will witness major transformation like what he did in Lagos state.

“We have commenced public awareness programme for his ambition in Ilorin  yesterday, our team will be moving around the state to tell people the benefit that are inherent for this country if they vote for Tinubu. We will be going from house-to-house meeting Nigerians irrespective of their social class, we will also meet political leaders to canvass support for Asiwaju.

“I urge supporters to be steadfast and committed to this political engagement because Tinubu’s emergence will usher in notable transformation and mark improvement in the various sectors which are critical to national development.”