The Police in Ondo State have promised tough times for armed robbers and other criminals in the state following revelations that six of the seven robbers that raided some commercial banks in Owo recently were killed and about N9million recovered from them. DAMISI OJO reports.
Though the dust is settling gradually on the recent bank robbery that shook Owo town in Ondo State, facts have emerged that no fewer than six of the seven armed robbers involved in the operation were gunned down by the police.
The seventh member of the gang was also arrested by the police who also recovered about N9million from the robbers.
No fewer than 20 persons including the manager of one of the four banks raided by the robbers were killed during the robbery attack which took place penultimate Thursday and shook the ancient town to its foundation.
Sources told The Nation that the men of the underworld struck around 4 pm on the fateful day and robbed four different commercial banks in the town in almost total impunity, killing their victims at random. But they met their match in the police who appeared on the scene not too long after.
As they made to escape, the special anti robbery squad from the state police command arrived the town and engaged the robbers killing six of them. The seventh member was arrested.
But while their operation lasted, the robbers turned the town into a ghost of itself as residents were forced to stay indoors to avoid being caught in any crossfire..
Those living near the banks where the robbers operated moved to other parts of the town apparently for fear of attack by the evil men.
The victims of the robbery incident were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, (FMC) Owo where many of them later gave up the ghost, while some are still responding to medical treatment.
The state Police Commissioner, Mr Isaac Eke who spoke through the Police Public
Relations Officer (PPRO) for the state Police Command, Mr Wole Ogodo said the Police swooped into action immediately they were alerted about the robbery incident.
He noted that the efforts of the Police led to the recovery of some amount of money with various arms and ammunition used by the robbers during their operation, adding that the working synergy in the Police assisted them to track down one of the suspect.
He confirmed that six of the robbers were killed by the policemen deployed to the town by the police command and their corpses already in the custody of the Police.
Also, Mr Eke who paraded the deceased armed robbers at the state Police headquarters in Akure hinted that the Police are already interrogating the only surviving suspect arrested in connection with the incident, adding that he was helping the Police in their investigations.
The Police boss disclosed further that three cars used by the armed robbers during the robbery operation were also seized by the Police, while a huge sum of money totaling almost N9million was recovered from the suspected robbers when the Police attacked them.
He said the Police in the state would continue to protect the lives and properties of the people adding that “there cannot be any hidden place for armed robbers in Ondo state with the efforts put in place by the Police in the state”.
Every year the Egba people of Ogun State led by their paramount ruler, the Alake of Egba land go to the Lisabi Forest to pray for peace in their land. ERNEST NWOKOLO writes on this year’s edition.
The people live closely with one another and inhabit one of the convoluted terrains of the rocky Abeokuta, the capital of modern day Ogun state. They are unique because of their historical acts of bravery and commitment to a cause considered dear to them.
Welcome to the seedy agrarian community of Igbein, the home of the first Balogun (Prime minister) and hero of Egbaland, Lisabi Agbongbo Akala, a warrior who braved the odds to free the Egba people from the tyrannical and exploitative hegemony of the 18th century Alaafin of Oyo.
An account had it that he came from Ile – Ife in the Osun state and settled in Igbein area of Abeokuta. And over 100 years after he was gone, neither his kinsmen nor Egba land in general have forgotten his exploit.
The Nation visited the community this week and was shown an old mud house in various stages of dereliction and which is believed to be the place where Lisabi lived when he walked this earth.
Although he is being celebrated annually since 1972 when Oba Oyebade Lipede before joining his ancestors, declared that a day should be set aside in honour of Lisabi and unite the Egba people, but little is known about him regarding marriage, save that he fathered a daughter or fostered one, who unofficial source said was sent out to meet a tough Prince and warrior from Republic of Benin and since then nothing is heard or known again about her.
And curiously, a man who lived adjacent to the house said to be that of Lisabi, said he never knew that was where the Egba hero once lived before he passed on.
The Lisa of Igbein land, Chief Atanda Odesola, said Lisabi was an Ifa Priest, hunter and a farmer who wielded much influence on his peers and generation with his Ifa mystic power.
Odesola said he helped fight their wars and that shortly after his death his spirit was often summoned to help defend Egba land from external attacks.
The Lisa who spoke through an interpreter, Mr Ayodele Soyoye of Baåogun Idowu Soye Compound, Igbein, rued that their hero does not appear any longer to fight their battle.
He said when Lisabi was lured to the site where he slipped into what could pass for a dungeon, a mystery chain surfaced few days after at the spot.
He told The Nation that the chain in the past was being used to arouse Lisabi to action in the event of any tribal war raging against the Egba but on one occasion, when he (spirit) was called out to defend his people, he emerged and killed many but upon looking closely at the dead, it dawned on him that they were his Egba children.
Since that day, he (Lisabi) vowed that no more would he appear to violently fight the cause of the Egba people but to go about it through ensuring that peace and unity prevail in the land when they gather at his shrine to offer prayers.
Last March, the Paramount ruler and Alake of Egba land, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, led the Egba traditional rulers, chiefs and sons of the land – all clad in white attires, to the Lisabi’s burial site in a forest (Igbo Lisabi) off Oba community – about an hour drive from Abeokuta, to offer prayers for the unity and progress of Egba land.
The journey to Igbo Lisabi is a spiritual exercise of sort. The Alake officiates at the prayer session and slaughters the sacrificial ram.
At the final point leading to the grove, three priests mount guard. Here, everybody entering the forest have his feet and hands washed with a mixture of herbs, water and whitish substance.
It is aimed at warding off danger and neutralizing negative forces, it was learnt, even as strangers, in their interest and safety were barred from coming near the forest.
Oba Adedotun said they do not bow to any idol while the rams which are slaughtered during the prayers are done within the shrine housing the burial site.
There are various accounts of events leading to his death. The Alake, Oba Gbadebo, said Lisabi was a giant who did not slow down even with age.
According to the Paramount ruler of Egba, after Lisabi personally murdered 250 tax collectors (Ajeles) in the service of Oloyo (Alaafin) of Oyo, he also instructed others to kill the Ajeles in their various townships.
Later, he turned his extraordinary strength inward and began to oppress his Egba brethren.
The Egba people who could not cope any longer with his overbearing influence, plotted to get rid of him, rounded him up and took him to a secluded thick forest in the remote Oba village where with a chain, they hauled him alive into a deep pit.
Adedotun said: “Lisabi did not die. He did not slow down. They took him to a pit there (in Igbo Lisabi) and threw him down. He was a giant of a man. The chain used to throw him down is still there for any permitted person to see. He alone killed 250 tax collectors of Alaafin in one day and asked his chiefs to do same in their various townships.”
But the Lisa of Igbein land, Atanda Odesola, said after the killing of the 250 Ajeles, Lisabi knew that the Alaafin would launch a full scale reprisal attack on the Egba and so, prepared before hand to repel such it.
According to the Lisa, after he had consulted an Ifa oracle and was assured that the Alaafin of Oyo would advance into Egba land with his army through the Odo – Ogun (Ogun River) in Lafenwa, he first gathered the women and children and hid them in an underground tunnel (Ogunmeleogun) to shield them from harm.
As expected, the Alaafin soldiers invaded Egba land but Lisabi and his Egbe Aaro were able to successfully repel the invaders and librated the Egba finally from the Alaafin but he was soon to pay for his popularity and prowess.
The accolades he garnered from his acts of heroism soon drew grumbling reactions from his people who were unhappy that Lisabi was singlehandedly taking all the glory of the struggle for Egba liberation.
The grumbling morphed into a conspiracy with his people rushing to the Alake to complain that Lisabi harbours a plot to unseat him and an instruction was given that he be brought to the Ake Palace but along the line, his captors instead took him to the forest (Igbo Lisabi) and threw him into a pit dug for that purpose.
Odesola explained that Lisabi considered the treatment meted out to him by his people as that of betrayal after he had risked his life several times over to deliver them from the Alaafin hegemony.
According to Odesola, Lisabi was said to have made far reaching pronouncements at the time on Egba land to the effect that unity would continue to elude them and that respite won’t come until the 9th Alake who happened to be Oba Oyebade Lipede, ascended the throne and used Lisabi annual festival to unite the people.
What is your motivation/inspiration towards philanthropy?
I have been involved in philanthropy for quite a long time now, without any form of publicity. I formed Andus Humanitarian Foundation since 10 years ago. And now that I hold a top chieftaincy title in Ikorodu as the Asiwaju Eleluku, I met with my board members and we decided that it was time people became aware of my gestures and contributions within and outside Ikorodu community, thus bringing about the official unveiling of the foundation today.
Every Foundation has got a particular audience or set of people they intend to reach out to, who is Andus Humanitarian Foundation meant for?
The foundation is not targeting any particular audience; it is open to whosoever is in need and writes to us. The reason is, if we target a particular set of people, what will become of the others in need, thus limiting the length which our arms could be stretched. This goes against the values which Andus Humanitarian Foundation stands for. For example we have people out there who are not able to enrol for WAEC/GCE; such may be cut off if we target a particular audience. Thus, I stand to declare today that Andus Humanitarian Foundation is formed on a general basis, and open to whosoever is in need. Anyone who comes now will go through a process to ensure that their needs are not of a fraudulent nature.
In the course of helping people you must have faced some forms of challenges; how have you been able to successfully overcome such challenges?
Yes, I have encountered so many challenges in the course of helping people. At times people will call me, craving assistance to bail them out of an urgent problem; after stretching a hand, I will later find out that it was a scam and that there was never a problem that needed urgent attention. There was this faithful day, I received a call from a person claiming his wife was just delivered of a baby through operation and he needed financial assistance to offset the medical bill. I asked for his bank details and sent him N100,000, only to discover after investigating that his wife was never pregnant.
One of the major problems of foundations in Nigeria is poor funding, leading to premature death. How do you intend to fund your foundation?
I earlier informed you that I have been unofficially operating the foundation for over 10 years, and in that time I have never sourced for external funding; I did it personally. God has graciously blessed me financially; so I will continue to fund the foundation individually. I have even sponsored a football competition in the past, a gesture known to people here in Wuraola, Ikorodu. My philanthropic gesture has also been extended to places, such as London and the United States of America.
In the light of the ongoing general election, don’t you feel people will see your foundation as a strategy to be relevant politically?
My foundation will never be attached to anything partaining to election. The foundation was formed to help the people in need and not for electioneering purposes; as you can see, there are no posters, bill boards or flag in my house showing any allegiance to any political party.
Sir, you are a known figure in Ikorodu, and you have your own followers and supporters. Bearing this in mind your population and followership in Ikorodu what will be your response to electoral candidates if they come soliciting your support?
For someone with the intention of being a leader, I cannot be involved in partisan politics. If any electoral candidate comes, I will attend to him/her with equal attention.
It is very clear that you run a busy schedule. How do you share your time with your family, business, foundation and hobbies?
Well, when one plans and organises himself properly things will definitely work out well. I have put in place a working organisational structure, which has helped me delegate duties to capable hands (my personal advisers), thus handling my businesses and foundation. My wife even oversees one of my businesses. I am a man who cherishes his family, I spend ample time with them. Whenever we are on vacation, we spend time together in the United States of America. As for my hobby, I am a football lover and an ardent supporter of Chelsea Football Club (CFC) of England. I have been to Stamford Bridge, the home of CFC; presently I am the chairman, Chelsea supporters Club, Lagos Island chapter.
Is your foundation meant for only people in Ikorodu?
No, my foundation is open to everyone in need, worldwide. It is open to people within and outside Ikorodu. There is no distance or place limitations whatsoever, as far as the person’s need is genuine.
The Deputy Senate Whip, Hosea Ayoola Agboola weekend at the expressed optimism that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will soon bounce back ahead of 2019 general elections, saying the recent loss of the Federal Government to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) is a temporary setback for the ruling party.
The senator while addressing hundreds of supporters of the party from across the 13local governments of Oyo North senatorial district who stormed his country home? in Igbojaye, Itesiwaju local government area of Oyo State, following his loss in the national assembly election, told the bewildered supporters to put the past behind them and remain resolute saying “tough time never last but tough people do”.
Agboola who preached calmness and peaceful conduct of supporters in the face of glaring irregularities that marred the election culminating in the party losing the state to the APC, assured them that all hands are on deck to deliver the governorship election for the PDP.
He said the party’s candidate, Senator Teslim Folarin would win the governorship as the party had identified grey areas that contributed to the loss of the senatorial district and other areas in the state, stressing that, “INEC partiality, malfunctioning of the card readers and inability of our people to vote accordingly and inclement atmosphere with which our party agents and supporters alike were subjected to, are being looked into with a view to forestalling reoccurrence of such on April 11.”
He told them that there was no alliance between the PDP and any of other political parties, stressing that, “Senator Folarin is still our candidate for the office of the governor while other candidates for the state house of assembly remained across the 32constituencies in the state.”
Agboola said the PDP would gladly welcome those angling to join it before April 11.
He thereafter thanked the people of the senatorial district for their support for him in the last four years, assuring them that there will be light at the end of the tunnel sooner than envisaged.The meeting which was held in Igbojaye in Itesiwaju local government area of the state had in attendance all PDP leaders, party excutives from all the 13 local government areas that make up Oyo North district among others.
The Gospel Faith Mission International (GOFAMINT), Ikere district, held its annual Easter retreat on its campground along Ikere-Akure highway, Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State between 2nd and 5th of April, 2015 where participants received numerous spiritual and physical blessings. ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA reports.
Ikere-Ekiti in Ekiti State was agog during the Easter weekend when the Gospel Faith Mission International (GOFAMINT), Ikere District with branches in Ekiti and Ondo States held her annual Easter Retreat.
Ministers, workers, members and other residents of the town had cause to thank God for witnessing another Easter period in which they experienced a special spiritual treat.
They utilized the opportunity to gather themselves together, spend quality time in the presence of God for a spiritual exercise to enrich their lives and renew their relationship with God.
To make the period a fulfilling and rewarding one, they held their annual Easter Retreat from the 2nd to the 5th of April at GOFAMINT Ikere District Campground, located at Asu Area, on the outskirts of
Ikere-Ekiti, along Ikere-Akure Highway.
The venue of the retreat is a serene place away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre giving participants an opportunity for maximum concentration to receive rich blessings from God for the
four-day event.
The Retreat which featured sermons, lectures, group seminars and workshops, choir ministrations, drama, choreography, among others had as its theme: “Building for Eternity.”
The Retreat Planning and Working Committee Chairman, Pastor Sunday Ajala, in the address he delivered at the opening service gave glory to God for giving members the opportunity to witness this year’s edition.
The committee chair expressed profound gratitude to the GOFAMINT Ikere District Pastor, Pastor Joseph Akinduntire and the Assistant District Pastor, Pastor Olumide Akinrotohun for their unflinching support for the acquisition and development of the campground.
Ajala said the theme of the programme was timely as many Christians have lost the focus of their eternal abode due to pursuit of mundane things.
He said the theme was also necessary to equip the participants to retain and regain their credibility, honour, integrity and holiness which are needed to enjoy personal relationship with God and be qualified for a place in the kingdom of God after their sojourn on earth.
The special guest speaker at the event was the Deputy General Overseer of GOFAMINT, Professor Samuel Ewuola.
The Retreat was a special one for Professor Ewuola because the last time he ministered at the Retreat as the guest speaker was in 2005 when the District used to hold event at one of the public schools in Ikere-Ekiti.
The GOFAMINT Deputy General Overseer described the acquisition of the campground by the clergy and laity of Ikere District as historic, wonderful and a great miracle.
Delivering the Retreat Lecture entitled: “Building for Eternity: The Foundation, The Structure and The Finishing,” Professor Ewuola described eternity as a dateless period which has no beginning or end.
He also said that eternity as a large mass of time in which time is not measured by years, century, millennium, decades, years, months, weeks, days hours, minutes and seconds.
In building for eternity, Professor Ewuola harped on the need for a solid foundation on which a Christian builds a strong personal relationship with God that will qualify him for admission into the kingdom.
He said: “Foundation is a major part of any structure. It is the most important as it is the one that determines, to a large extent, the height, the structure, the weight, the utility and the life of the building.
“That is why the Bible declares that if a house is built on mere soil or sand without a foundation, when the rains descend, the floods arise and the winds blow, the house will fall.”
The cleric identified components of the Christian life’s structure to include truth, diligence, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, charity, righteousness, good works, prayer, avoidance of sin and watchfulness.
According to Professor Ewuola, there must be recourse to old time Christianity which produced better, more matured and strong Christians who have the stamina and ability of finishing their heavenly race well than modern Christianity.
He explained: “Modern-day Christianity relies more on elegance in dress, status, in titles and social standing among others. It is more decorative than transforming. It seeks conformity rather than confrontation armed with the truth.
“Present-day Christianity is more accommodating in pride, lies, ungodliness, hypocrisy, fraud in high places when social and material benefits are at stake. But can an individual or organization take fire in his/its bosom and not be burnt?
“The love for position and struggle for posts are more common in the church today. Self-imposed positions, lobbied promotions to places of high responsibility are the order of the day.
“On the contrary, old time Christianity never idolized money and wealth. Old-time Christians had developed through thick and thin, they knew the importance of relying absolutely on God in prayers and ministration of the word.
“They relied less on sight and walked more by faith, unshaken by trials and tribulations, enjoyed less of pleasures and labour more for the Lord. For modern Christianity to last till eternity, it has to look farther ahead, change its orientation and start building for eternity.”
Apart from spiritual sermons, teachings and messages, resource persons were also invited to treat topics relating to family, education and health matters.
At the youth seminar during the Retreat, Dr. Kola Ayeni, a lecturer at the Department of Economics, Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti spoke on “Biblical Panacea to All Academic Marah (Bitterness)”.
Dr. Ayeni identified academic bitterness to include cultism, examination malpractices, bribery and corruption, prostitution, Internet fraud, among others.
He identified dependence on God, diligence, doing the right things at the right time and prayer as some buttons to press to achieve victory in such a situation.
Another resource person, Dr. Oke Ajogbeje, a lecturer in the Department of Mathematics, College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti spoke at the Family Seminar at the Retreat.
Speaking on the topic “Your Children and Modern Technology,” Dr. Ajogbeje said although the world has benefited immensely from technology, caution should be exercised over the negative influence it is having on the youth.
He tasked parents to be watchful and not allow their children to be driven by urge to misuse technology but to use it to benefit humanity and positively contribute to the development of the family, the church and the society.
The importance of developing good eating habits formed the kernel of a lecture delivered by a seasoned nurse, Mrs. Abimbola Alagbo, at the Health Seminar.
Mrs. Alagbo who works at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ado-Ekiti spoke on the topic “Your Food and Your Habit.”
She identified the right habits of feeding to include ensuring that food eaten contain balanced diet and that such food are of good quality.
While advising against taking heavy dinner, Mrs. Alagbo charged her audience not to take anything in between meals noting that once the breakfast is taken, nothing should be taken in between until the lunch and the dinner are taken at the appropriate times.
The closing service at the Retreat was held on Easter Sunday and it featured variety of programmes including drama, special song ministrations, family meeting.
The farewell sermon was delivered by Pastor Akinduntire who charged participants to be serious about running the race to heaven.
Quoting from First Corinthians 9:24-27, Akinduntire likened a Christian to an athlete running a race who must be disciplined to win laurels.
He said sacrifice, commitment, focus and dedication are needed by the Christian to finish his race on earth well.
The District Pastor appreciated all minister, workers and members who contributed immensely to the success of Easter Retreat 2015 organized by GOFAMINT, Ikere District.
The Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has commended the Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE), for its outstanding performance in managing the traffic situation across the state’s roads since its inception.
Governor Amosun gave this commendation through Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Taiwo Adeoluwa, at an event to launch Officers’ Mess Kit and uniform, TRACE Officers’ Wives Association (TROWA) and the retirement of the out-going Corps Commander in Abeokuta.
He said TRACE in the last 10 years has been able to justify the purpose of its establishment through efficient service delivery with reference to the mandate given to the agency.
According to Amosun, the Corps has been able to proof its worth and displayed professionalism through the efforts of the Corps Commander, thereby drawing the interest of the government to the Corps.
He said the state government would not relent from supporting the Corps and ensure that all needed working tools with the modern technologies are provided to enhance their effective and efficient performances in the course of carrying out their operations.
The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Transportation, Gbenga Opesanwo in his remark hailed the outgoing Corps Commander Ayodele Sangofadeji for his passion for the job and his unrelented interest in the welfare of his staff.
He urged the Corps members to build on the foundation he laid to ensure the Corps attain its goal in the enviable height of comity of traffic management outfit. He said their choice is to build upon it and ensure that the house that was built with lots of toiling do not crumble” he said.
Opesanwo, urged the officers to work hard to enable the Corps attain the best among other other traffic management agencies, not only in the state but in Nigeria as a whole.
The outgoing Commander in his response appreciated God for his achievement in the Corps and for seeing him through all the challenges in the course of discharging the duty.
He said all he stood for and was leaving behind was professionalism, urging the officers to continue in this trend, giving the assurance of his support even after retirement at 60 years and advises the officers to always work with love and unity and always be discipline while on duty.
He urged them to shun corruption, harassment, improper dressing and be of good manner while at their duty post.
Sagofadeji was eulogized by many guests present at the occasion, among who were: his wife, Mrs Abosede Ogunfadeji, who described him as a man and a father in a millions.
The Ogun State Parking Management Scheme’s Chief Consultant, Engr Wale Yusuf, described the former TRACE boss as a diligent and transparency and accountable man. He said Sangofadeji was highly efficient and worked without stress while on duty.
Yusuf appealed to Sangofadeji remain a public servant despite him bowing out from official service. He urged him to cooperate with his successor for the Corps to attain its aim and objectives.
Residents of Adekile, Orita Aperin in the heart of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, now sleep with their eyes wide open––no thanks to the flooding of the community with policemen by the State Police Command in search of the killers of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO)attached to the area. He was shot dead by an unknown gunman last Wednesday. OSEHEYE OKWUOFU reports that businesses in the area have virtually grinded to a halt.
Oyo state Police Command was thrown into mourning Wednesday, last week when one of its finest officers, a Chief Superintendent of Police was shot dead by an unknown gunman at Adekile, Orita Aperin, in Ibadan North East Local Government Area of the state during a mass protest by residents over the activities of an alleged kidnapper believed to be operating from the area.
Since the incident which led to the death of the CSP (Ike Nworgu), who was the Divisional Police Officer attached to the Agugu Police Station (covering the area), residents of Adekile, especially the males, have been living in fear as the police intensify efforts to apprehend the killer(s). Security has been beefed up in and around the area as more policemen have been deployed there by the command. Business and other commercial activities have almost been grounded due to the presence of the policemen in the area.
Many residents have fled the area to other parts of the city, leaving the once bubbling community deserted. There was panic in the air, with the few people left behind consciously looking for places to hide away from the prying eyes of policemen.
Particularly hit hard by the presence of the policemen are male residents who are being targeted by the security men with the hope that they may hold the clue to where the culprits may be found. Only the females were allowed unfettered access but not without scrutiny. And for the male, he must possess valuable evidence to prove his innocence.
At a point toward Elekuro area, when The Nation visited the area, everybody was asked to put their hands up while passing through police check. Many suspects, including the principal suspect have been arrested, according to the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Adekunle Ajisebutu. He however, refused to disclose the identity of the principal suspect in order not to hamper ongoing investigation.
In what looks like a declaration of dusk to dawn curfew, the entire community was quiet and deserted when The Nation visited during the Easter holidays as there were little or no economic activities in the area.
Social life has also been affected as most of the residents stayed indoors during the Easter festivities as they could not afford to go out to celebrate as usual during such occasions due to the pervading insecurity in the area..
The incident that led to the killing of the DPO began last Wednesday evening when a group of miscreants, led by some armed members of a local vigilante group, inciting other members of the community, vandalised a house in the area on suspicion that kidnapped victims were kept there by the house owner.
Before the incident occurred, some law abiding residents, it was learnt had alerted the police when the rumoured kidnapper’s den became more pronounced in the community, especially after it was discovered that three wells were dug in the premises.
Tension however rose after the police, who stormed the house acting on the information, left with the owner without any substantial discovery. This infuriated the residents who believed the police did not carry out a thorough search of the house. They thereafter took the law into their hands.
According to one of the residents who simply gave his name as Baba Jamiu said, “The police were called to a property in Adekile area after residents alleged that the owner dug three wells in the premises which they found suspicious. However, the police did not find anything but they left with the owner. The residents then had the belief that the police were protecting the owner. They rained stones on the police and injured one of them. They also descended on the house damaging the property with rocks.”
The rampaging hoodlums, later went for the life of the house owner, but could not apprehend him.
The building, after a futile search for ‘kidnapped victims’ and other occupants, was vandalized and razed down along with two other houses.
Investigation revealed that the trigger happy miscreant who opened fire on the police officer belonged to a vigilante group in the area under the umbrella of Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) which claimed to be providing security in the area.
“That is the only problem we have been having in this area. They call themselves different names, but we know they are OPC members and the community most times engage them as vigilante. Instead of doing the work of a true vigilante, they will be moving from one place to the other causing trouble and smoking Indian hemp and drinking paraga (local herbal mixture prepared with hot drinks)). They are the ones that caused this trouble, first by peddling an unfounded rumour about kidnappers’ den, and then killing an innocent and gentle police officer . Now, they are not the only ones suffering but the entire community because since the incident happened, every activity has been paralysed. Many have abandoned their houses and fled to evade police arrest. We pray that all those responsible will pay dearly for their sins”, Mr Ayodele Gbadamosi, a retired civil servant who lives in the area told The Nation.
The state police Commissioner, Mr Katsina Mohammed, visibly disturbed by the incident has vowed to ensure that all those involved in the killing of the CSP would face the full wrath of the law.
Shortly after the disturbance, the Police commissioner together with the state governor Abiola Ajimobi visited the scene of the crime.
According to the police boss, the slain police officer had gone to Adekile in response to a distress call by one of the residents who alleged that her baby was kidnapped and kept inside a particular building in the area.
He said the DPO had visited the area and inspected the building in question but could not find anything related to the lodged complaint, but while he was explaining to the youths in the area to remain calm as further investigation would be carried out, the DPO was attacked and shot in the head.
Mr. Katsina explained that the DPO, being a gallant officer before he fell to the miscreants’ bullets, also managed to fire at his attacker who also died on the way to the hospital.
He thereafter reiterated the commitment of the police force to ensure that all culprits in the DPO attack were arrested to face the wrath of the Law.
The entire Adekile, Orita Aperin and Elekuro areas are still under a close watch of armed police men while no fewer than 21 suspects were said to have been arrested.
The state governor Abiola Ajimobi, while speaking on the incident harped on the need for peace and security for meaningful development to take place.
He also appealed to the people of the state to avoid violence in all its ramifications as no development can take place in an atmosphere of violence.
The governor pledged his support to the police force to ensure that the perpetrators of the devilish act are brought to book.
Effort to reach the wife of the slain DPO was not successful as she was yet to arrive the country from the United States of America where she resides with his children.
Ekiti Governor Ayodele Fayose’s plan to forcefully recover the official cars of some former public office holders in the Governor Kayode Fayemi administration is threatening the peace. The opposition says it is a ploy to take most of its leaders out of circulation to pave way for a clean sweep for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the general elections. ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA reports.
No fewer than 54 political office holders in Ekiti State who served in the administration of former Governor Kayode Fayemi, between October 2010 and October 2014, are locked in a battle with government, which plans to forcefully retrieve the official cars given to them while in office.
The former government officials including the immediate past Deputy Governor Professor Modupe Adelabu were given the cars by the Fayemi administration as part of perks of office but ordered to pay part of the cost over time to the government in line with its monetization policy.
While some have payment before the expiration of the tenure of Governor Fayemi, others who had not done so were expecting the remaining amount to be deducted from their final entitlement yet to be paid by the state government.
But the new administration of Governor Ayodele Fayose, in a move believed to be borne out of political vendetta, few months ago announced plans to recover the cars from the former political office holders forcefully, if need be, if they refused to pay the balance of the cost of the cars within a stipulated time or hand them over voluntarily within the same time frame.
The affected former government officials, most of who are members of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State have however, kicked against the move by the government accusing Governor Fayose of planning to hide under the seizure of their cars to arrest and put them out of ‘circulation’ in the run up to the general elections to allow him enjoy a free reign during the polls.
The standoff between the two parties has heightened political tension in the state in the midst of the general elections being fiercely contested by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC). And the whole country is watching with a bated breath how the issue will be resolved.
The Fayose administration had begun moves to recover the cars from the officials of the previous government on January 30, 2015 when members of a task force it raised for the purpose raided the homes, offices and business centres of the former officials with the aim of recovering the vehicles.
On that day, four of them were arrested by the task force officials who were followed by armed security officers who took them to the state police command headquarters in a bid to retrieve the monetized officials vehicles from their custody
Those arrested and whisked to the police headquarters include the former Commissioner for Labour and Human Capital Development, Chief Oluwole Ariyo; former Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Jinadu Ayodele; former Special Adviser (Governor’s Office), Chief Biodun Akin-Fasae and former Chairman, Hospitals Management Board, Dr. Adebayo Orire.
They were at the state police headquarters for about three hours before they were allowed to go home.
former Commissioner for Education, Dr. Eniola Ajayi; former Special Adviser on MDGs and Multilateral Relations, Mrs. Bunmi Dipo-Salami and former Special Adviser on Parliamentary and Allied Matters, Mr. Dapo Karonwi were also raided by the task force.
While Dr. Ajayi and Mrs. Dipo-Salami were not at home, there was confrontation between Karonwi and government agents who failed to effect his arrest.
The Nation gathered that the cost of the cars was being deducted from the salaries of the officials until shortly before their last day I office when the administration came up with an arrangement that the remainder would be deducted from their severance package.
But the Fayose administration in a letter dated 20 November 2014 signed by Mr. Tajudeen Adejumo on behalf of the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Modupe Alade stressed that no allowance (including severance and furniture allowance) should be used to pay for the outstanding.
The circular was addressed to all Permanent Secretaries, General Managers and Heads of Non-Ministerial Departments.
A letter from the office of the SSG addressed to Dr. Orire which was made available to The Nation reads: “I am to inform you that your outstanding indebtedness on monetized vehicle as at 30th October 2014 is N3, 281, 804.00.
“I am to add that His Excellency, Mr. Governor has directed that no allowance (including severance and furniture allowance) should be used to pay for the outstanding.
“Consequently, I am directed to kindly advise you to pay the sum of N3,281, 804.00 to the government monetized vehicles account or return the monetized vehicle with you to Ekiti State Government within the next 14 days.”
But Orire replied in a letter dated 25th November, 2014 said: “Thanks for your letter received on 24/11/14 requesting the payment of outstanding N3, 281, 804.00 or return the official car within fourteen (14) days.
“I observe that the car was allocated to us as a matter of right of (the) positions we held; a mark of justifying our service to Ekiti State. We also had a term of payment ongoing; thus term may be reviewed and a new agreement reached for defraying the cost outstanding on the vehicles.
“We are entitled to this honour as the present appointees are entitled to enjoy similar perquisites. I served Ekiti State honourably without blemish and I was not indebted to the government taking into consideration what the government owes me as per furniture allowance, severance pay, unpaid running grants, fuel allowances and terminal salary entitlement.
“We should have a say in the modus operandi of payment of the remainder. It should be a contract everybody should have contributions in reaching a decision on. It should not be a unilateral decision of the government.
“It is the same Ekiti State Government that we worked for that owes us, and if we are indebted to the same government, justice, fairness and equity require that we should not be short-changed, that our outstanding should have been used to defray our indebtedness.
“In case we cannot pay this lump sum, is the government going to refund the previous deductions? The lease condition should have been re-spelt out, negotiated and respected.
“It was a right we enjoyed as a result of good service to our fatherland; it will be unfair if we are denied this honour.
“Every government appointee qualified to have vehicle allocation will have to suffer the same fate for this action to be justifiable. I am ready for negotiation on this matter but this present option is rather unfriendly.”
Of the four arrested former political office holders, it was only the monetized official car of Dr. Orire that was impounded with the Police giving Ariyo, Jinadu and Akin- Fasae one week to return cars in their custody.
Speaking shortly after he was released, Orire said their travails could be linked with the general elections arguing that they are still being owed September (2014) salaries, leave bonus, furniture allowance and severance allowance.
He vowed that the alleged harassment would never intimidate them but strengthen their resolve to fight against what he called civilian dictatorship and fascism alleged unleashed on the state by Fayose.
Dr. Orire said: “This has to do with the coming election in a bid to harass us. Fayose was embarrassed and intimidated by the mammoth crowd that attended the APC presidential rally of January 24 and because of that he has become more dangerous in dealing with the opposition.
“Recently, he personally supervised the tearing of posters and destruction of billboards of APC candidates in all towns and communities in Ijero Local Government Area where I hail from and the residents were intimidated with firing of gunshots in broad daylight.
“Fayose has vowed to withdraw all the monetized vehicles from the officials who served in the Fayemi administration but we are still being owed by the (state) government.
“I want Fayose to know that we cannot be intimidated, this experience will serve as a tonic for us to intensify our efforts to fight this dictatorship and fascism being unleashed on Ekiti people.”
The state chapter of the APC in its reaction condemned the arrest of the former political office holders over the monetized vehicles in their custody. A statement by the Party’s Publicity Secretary in the state described their arrest and forceful confiscation of their official cars as “official harassment carried too far in the governor’s bid to take APC leaders out of circulation ahead of the general elections”.
Olatubosun said arresting them over alleged non-payment for the cars was just a smokescreen behind a larger agenda to take APC leaders out of circulation to enable the governor seize the field for domination and manipulation during the electioný.
Based on Fayemi’s policy on official carý, Olatubosun explained, there was no reason for Fayose to accuse the former officials of owing on the cars, stressing that on the contrary, it is government that is owing them.
Olatubosun explained that before the advent of Fayemi’s administration, the usual practice was that vehicles were procured centrally by the government and allocated to mebers of the State Executive Council (EXCO).
“The usual practice before we came in was that upon leaving office by the respective State Executive Council Members, the vehicles are usually sold at a rebate to this category of the political office holders and any other (persons) subject to the approval of the governor while in line with the common practice, the Permanent Secretaries go with their vehicles without paying for them” he explained.
Olatubosun added: “On assumption of office by the Fayemi administration, most of the vehicles used by the erstwhile EXCO members were poorly maintained and in bad state and wereý taken away without the respective political office holders paying fully for them.
“Some vehicles were retrieved in different locations across the country by the government at a very great cost through the setting up of recovery task force jointly with security agencies while a few of these vehicles subsequently retrieved were discovered to have been damaged thus requiring that the government would need to buy new vehicles for the newly appointed political office holders.
“Also some political office holders took the government to court to stop retrieval of their vehicles.
“However, due to the need to put into effective use the available resources of the state and to address the problems associated with poor utilization of government properties, especially vehicles by public office holders, the (former) governor approved that EXCO members and other political appointees ýshould bear a certain percentage of the cost of the vehicles making them a part owner, to reduce the burden of the cost on the government, from inception of vehicle purchase rather than a sale at rebate on exit to the political office holder.
“Government also reasoned that officials ýwould be more careful in handling government properties, especially the vehicles, knowing full well that after four years or tenure of office, there is assurance that ownership will vest on the respective political appointees. Consequently, a decision was taken to procure the vehicles by the state government upon the following decisions:
“Cost of the vehicle was agreed at 40 per cent and 60 per cent to government and EXCO member respectively after a flat discount of N1m was granted. Cost of the vehicles is to be paid monthly from salary of EXCO members as approved by EXCO.”
Olatubosun explained that the vehicle allocated was part of salaries and emoluments and allowances/perks of office due to political office holders, which political office holders shared with the government, which he described as commendable, making it a befitting model for other states across the country.
He added that it is a standard practice globally to offset the outstanding payment on the vehicles through severance allowance, outstanding leave bonus, unpaid salaries and allowances of a retiring employee.
“It is on record that Governor Fayemi paid the severance allowances of office holders who served his predecessors including Governor Fayose during his first term”, he said.
“It is tyranny of the first order for Fayose not to pay all these to former office holders who have already paid more than half of the cost of their cars and yet the governor is still insisting on impounding theseý cars and arresting their owners,” Olatubosun concluded.
But the Fayose administration in its determination to recover the vehicles upped the ante two weeks ago as it rolled out the names of no fewer than 54 officials who served under the Fayemi administration who, according to it, have defied the directive.
The PDP government alleged that the former political office holders are owing N109 million as debt on the monetized vehicles warning them to pay the money or risk arrest to recover the vehicle or the money owed.
According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Idowu Adelusi, the former political office holders must pay the money for their monetized vehicles without delay to avert a forceful recovery by the Police.
The government said all entreaties to the APC stalwart to pay the N109 million has remained abortive as letters written to them was never replied.
But former officials have described the threat to arrest them as another crude ploy by Fayose to harass and intimidate opposition members, especially those who served in the APC government.
They maintained that they had dragged Fayose and his government to an Ado-Ekiti High Court through a suit filed by the former Deputy Governor, Professor Adelabu and 34 others over the monetized vehicles.
The ex-officials blasted Fayose for grandstanding when he is yet to pay the severance allowance and sundry other allowances being owed them, despite completing their tenure, which qualifies them for the severance pay in line with the laws.
Reacting to the threat which was aired on state radio and circulated via press statements by the government, the former state officials in a statement made available to journalists, described the planned clampdown on them as a deliberate ploy by Fayose to keep them and other notable APC chieftains out of circulation ahead of the March 28 presidential election and subsequent elections.
The officials said that the planned clampdown would be the second attempt by Fayose and the PDP to get them out of circulation, having made a similar attempt to get many of them arrested in February before the presidential election which was originally scheduled for February 14 was postponed.
Explaining the circumstances surrounding the monetized cars, the ex-state officials said that it was a policy of the immediate past administrations in the state to monetize official cars to public office holders of certain categories.
They said: “Under the arrangement, the officials are to pay 60 percent of the cost of the vehicles while the government would pay the remaining 40 percent.
“Under the agreement, an agreed sum was deducted monthly from the officials’ salaries while the outstanding balance would be deducted from their severance allowance at the end of their tenure.
“Severance payment to public office holders is 300 per cent of their annual basic salary and is payable at the end of their tenure in line with the directive of the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).
“By the time the Fayemi administration wound up on October 15, 2014, majority of the affected members were at various stages of completion of the repayment for the monetized cars, while government was also owing them some obligations including unpaid allowances, salaries and the severance allowance.
“A clearance letter stating the outstanding balance for each of the former officials was given to them as part of end of tenure formalities. The clearance letter indicated how much each member was owing (as outstanding balance on the cars) as well as how much the government was owing as par severance allowance.
“As a matter of fact, the Ministry of Finance did a comprehensive document detailing the outstanding balance (payable by each official), the amount to be paid as severance by government and final entitlement (of each official) after the outstanding balance on the monetized cars is deducted.
“All these documents were part of the handing over note to the incumbent administration and each of the officials was given copies. So it is mischievous and petty for the Fayose administration to claim ignorance of this simple administrative procedure.
“The fact of the situation is that it is the state that is owing most of the officials their severance pay. Once the government pays the severance allowance, the outstanding balance of the cars would be automatically deducted at source as agreed”.
The former state officials reminded Fayose and the State security agencies that the matter of the monetized vehicles is currently before the Ado- Ekiti High Court, in the case of Mrs Modupe Adelabu and 34 others Vs The Government of Ekiti State & 2 others (Suit NO: HAD/122/2004) filed on 15th December 2014 in which the former state officials are seeking the following reliefs:
•A Declaration that the Governor of Ekiti State cannot validly review and revoke the decision of the Executive Council and the approval of the erstwhile Governor of Ekiti State vis-a-vis the Political Office Holders monetized vehicles scheme.
•A Declaration that the Claimants are entitled to and are beneficial owners of the monetized vehicles by virtue of the clearance letter dated 8th October, 2014 and 10th October, 2014 and issued under the hand of the Permanent Secretaries of the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Governor respectively.
•A Declaration that the Claimants are not indebted to the government of Ekiti State under the vehicle monetization scheme or any other scheme in any way whatsoever.
•An Order of Perpetual Injunction restraining the government and governor of Ekiti State, their agents, privies, assigns or any person howsoever described from harassing, going after, tampering with or collecting the vehicles acquired by the Claimants as former political office holders and members of the erstwhile Ekiti State Executive Council by virtue of the Political Office Holders monetized vehicles scheme.
The matter is yet to be heard because of the industrial action embarked upon by judicial workers in the state.
“Having served the state meritoriously, it is rather immoral, crude and irresponsible for the incumbent administration to continuously harass us and seek very dubious ways to tarnish our image over a state policy that was duly documented.
“We maintain that this attempt to get us out of circulation, like the previous ones would fail. We challenge the state government to meet its obligation to former state officials. You cannot be harassing us over an amount that is less than what we are being owed by your government.” The statement concluded.
•Prof Adelabu
However, the immediate past Deputy Governor, Prof. Adelabu, accused the Fayose government of feeding the general public with lies on the controversy surrounding the monetized vehicles maintaining that she and many of those mentioned on the list paid for the vehicles allocated for their use when they were still in office.
Accusing the Fayose regime of mischief, Mrs. Adelabu revealed that the government denied her, her constitutional entitlement to two cars as parting gifts for being a former deputy governor.
According to her, Fayose and his henchmen are only playing to the gallery, saying that she, like some other officials, got clearance letters from the Ministry of Finance and got the go-ahead to change the vehicle’s ownership after paying for them.
Her words: “It is an embarrassment. I do not owe as they claim and this applies to as many of us who served under the immediate past regime.
“On the contrary, the governor is the one sitting on the entitlements of former political office holders. As a former deputy governor, I am constitutionally entitled to at least two cars but I was not given.
“So, it is indecent and immoral of the present administration to portray the past officials in bad light before members of the public.”
To prove that she is no longer liable on payment of monetized vehicles debt, Mrs. Adelabu said the final payment of N691,791.00 she made on the ash coloured Toyota Camry with engine number: 2AR0570437 and chassis number: JTNBF4KX03003702 was paid into a government account number domiciled at the First City Monument Bank (FCMB).
Government had written a clearance letter to her through the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance as the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB). The letter was signed by Mr. Olagoke M.O.
She was subsequently issued with a further clearance signed by Mr. Femi Obaparusi, informing her that the ownership of the vehicle had been fully transferred to her.
Mrs. Adelabu wondered why and how the government turned around again to say she was owing N1, 393, 789.00.
“I am directed to inform you that your outstanding indebtedness on monetized vehicle…. as at 30th September has been paid into the designated government bank account number 0147171011 in FCMB (EKSG Motor Vehicle Loan Political Office Holders) with Teller No. 0280538 representing the outstanding indebtedness.”
As both camps continue to fire verbal missiles on the controversy surrounding the monetized vehicles, members of the public are interested in unearthing the truth of the matter.
Although the affected officials have filed a legal action on the matter, the people of the state might wait longer to know the truth as the wheel of justice grinds slowly in this part of the world.
The Ekiti State Chapter of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has embarked on an indefinite strike joining its counterparts in other states of the federation where funds for that arm of the government had not been made a first line charge.
It is only when the strike is over and the courts resume that the legal battle on the monetized cars would commence and give the people of the state a hope of a resolution of the dispute.
A newly re-elected member of House of Representatives Hon. Abiodun Awoleye has promised to consolidate on his past achievements as he returns to the National Assembly.
Hon. Awoleye, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC)representing Ibadan North Federal Constituency made this known when he visited some political stalwarts, elders, community and religious leaders in his constituency to thank them for their support.
Giving a breakdown of some of his achievements since became a member of the House of Representatives, Awoleye said he had facilitated many people-oriented projects as well as empowered over 3,000 constituents including youths, sportsmen, widows, women, artisans and traders,as against the 2,500 that he promised.
He noted that his desire to make the students of the area compete favourably with their counterparts across the world was the rationale behind the commissioning of a N25 million ICT Centre at Anglican Commercial Grammar School, Total Garden Ibadan. The Centre is equipped with 25 desktop computers, full internet facility, generator and other ICT equipments.
Awoleye advised the students and other beneficiaries of his other people-oriented the projects to make wise use of them as he urged Nigerian youths to engage in activities that will promote them rather than engaging in acts that will put them in bad light.
“Nigerians, most especially the youth should shun violence, thuggery and any other acts of social vices that may hinder free and fair elections, this is necessary because all eyes are on us, the international community is looking at us to conduct free and fair elections”
The lawmaker who had earlier made donations of 111 laptop computers to The Polytechnic Ibadan in 2013,and facilitated 104 computers to Oba Akinyele Memorial Grammar School, Bashorun,promised that similar projects would soon be commissioned for the use of the University of Ibadan Community, Cheshire High School Sango and St Lious Grammar School all within Ibadan North Federal Constituency.
He noted that he had empowered many youths through a vocation centre, Hon. Awoleye Technical and Vocation Educational Centre which has trained over 200 youths in various vocations.
While soliciting the support of his constituents for APC candidates in the April 11 elections,Awoleye urged the people to always do a follow up on their representatives through correspondences, saying this will help the representative to know what the people want.
He noted that his doors are always open for the electorate to interact with him and respond to their requests.
“I am your representative, you should be inviting us to your programs, send correspondences, that is why I opened two constituency offices to attend to the requests of you, the electorate. We are your representatives and you should be sending letters and meeting us to know what you need and how we will be able to respond to them.
“The youths that constitute majority of the electorate should not allow themselves to be used by desperate politicians, they should
engage in acts what will improve their welfare not those that will puttheir names in bad light”
According to him, “ In my bid to improve the lives of the youth in my area, I have successfully hosted the 6th edition of my football
competition, I have established a football club, PacesetterInternational Football Club and I have trained many youths in various vocation through HATAVEC, I urged the youth to make wise use of these opportunities and not to disrupt the peace of the society through thuggery, violence and hooliganism”.
“The students of this school where we are commissioning the ICT centre are advised to make wise use of the centre to improve on their ICT knowledge as this will help them to compete favorably with their counterparts across the world.
“I am of the opinion that this ICT centre will improve their knowledge of computer and its technical know-how, it will expose them to various computer programs that will enhance their skills and knowledge”
“The people in the areas where Primary health centre, security post,transformers and boreholes are cited are also advised to guide these projects well and make wise use of the projects in order to improve their living condition.”He said.
A combined youth groups-Badagry Division Youth and APC Campus Connect, have described the recent media war by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) against the national leader of the All Progressives Congress Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a mere propaganda that is doomed already.
The groups said when the opposition failed in their machinations; it resorted into campaign of calumny against Tinubu in order to assassinate his character.
Speaking at a media briefing in Lagos the groups’ spokesperson Eniola Opeyemi, said the two groups are also throwing their weight behind a legal suit instituted by Tinubu against a popular private television station for broadcasting alleged defamatory documentary against his person.
Said the groups:”The continuous attack on Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s image is politically driven to score cheap points. We are learned and therefore can’t be blindfolded. The opposition has designed their propaganda some of which they are now pushing through certain media organisations to reduce the status of the Tinubu who represents a new face of politics.
“Asiwaju, unlike the self-centered politicians in the PDP, have worked to ensure that more people especially youths are employed through his lofty policies when he served as two-term governor of Lagos State, and till date, he still uses his influence to make more families happy. We support Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. We trust him for getting more people established than the so-called self-acclaimed leaders of the Yoruba race.”
The groups lampooned Federal Government for its failure to provide enough employment opportunities despite its repeated promises, adding that young graduates out of frustration now beg for financial aid, steal, or rob while young ladies are involved in prostitution.
The groups also scored Federal Government ‘very low’ on security, using the abducted schoolgirls from Government Secondary School Chibok Borno State by the Boko Haram sect in April14 last year as a case in point.
“Insecurity is another heavy burden that hangs on the nation, needless to say that the President has not just shown sincerity in tackling major threats to the peace of the nation.
“Nigeria has witnessed the highest number of terrorist attacks than ever in the history of the country, the worst of all is missing of Chibok girls which triggered the #Bringbackourgirls hashtag and subsequently the campaign. However, we fear that less than a month to the first year anniversary of the Chibok abduction, Nigeria might just be bidding farewell to the poor girls, owing to government lackadaisical attitude.
The groups urged President Goodluck Jonathan to take a cue from smaller neighbouring countries’ approach to tackling Boko Haram.
