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Tag: Ajayi Okasanmi

  • Thugs attack Osinbajo’s convoy in Ilorin

    Political thugs suspected to have sympathies for Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday allegedly attacked the convoy of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital.

    The attack is said to have culminated in life-threatening gunshots, which left at least two supporters of the APC injured.

    Many others allegedly got seriously injured while running for their lives.

    But a police source revealed the incident, which happened around Isale-Koko, Ilorin suburb, occurred when the Vice President’s convoy had left the area.

    When contacted, spokesperson of the state police command Ajayi Okasanmi could not confirm the incident.

    Reacting on the development APC governorship candidate in the state Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq condemned “the brazen attack today in Ilorin on the convoy of the Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbajo by armed PDP thugs.”

    In a statement by his media aide, Rafiu Ajakaye, Abdulrazaq said: “The vice president was at Isale Aluko suburb of Ilorin on a door-to-door campaign when some dare-devil gunmen opened fire at his convoy which included thousands of APC members and supporters.

    “In what is a reminiscence of the Offa robbery, this attack is the height of recklessness on the part of these street urchins who have long been empowered and armed by the discredited dynasty to terrorise our community and anyone who has contrary views to their amala politics.

    Read Also: I have not resigned, says Osinbajo

    “Coming just a day after two of our supporters were killed in Ojoku in the convoy of our senatorial candidate Architect Lola Ashiru, this is becoming too much and the madness must stop.

    “Going into an election with these thugs clearly on the loose is an existential threat not just to all of us challenging the misrule in our state but to the entire people of the state and their properties.

    “We call for immediate arrest and prosecution of these thugs. We also demand investigations to reveal those who gave the orders for these deadly attacks.

    “We call for all measures to be taken to ensure safety of lives and properties and sanctity of the ballot box in Kwara and beyond.

    “No one’s political interest should be at the expense of human lives and their properties.

    “We insist that a political contest is a contest of ideas and no one must be allowed to cow or kill others in the process.”

  • Police arrest four over killing of Kwara APC members

    The Kwara state police command on Thursday arrested four persons in connection with the attack on All Progressives Congress (APC) Kwara South senatorial district candidate Lola Ashiru.

    Suspected hoodlums loyal to Kwara south Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senator Rafiu Ibrahim had on Tuesday allegedly attacked the campaign train of Architect Ashiru in Ojoku, Oyun local government area of Kwara state, killing two APC members in the process.

    No fewer than eight people still in the hospital also sustained bullet wound injuries and about 20 vehicles belonging to the APC chieftain were allegedly vandalized.

    The PDP in the state had disagreed with the allegation, accusing APC thugs of allegedly attacking its members and inflicting bullet injuries on six.

    Spokesperson of the command, Ajayi Okasanmi told THE NATION in a telephone the command was closing in on other suspects of the dastardly act.

    Read Also: Polls: Police reads riot act to politicians, hoodlums in Imo

    “Manhunt for the remaining fleeing suspects had since begun, while discreet investigation of the incident is ongoing.

    “For the umpteenth time, the command is restating its commitment to the safety of lives and property of the people of Kwara state.

    “While warning sternly that hooliganism, thuggery,  unlawful possession of firearms and other dangerous weapons will be met with superior forces and suspects arrested will be made to face the full wrath of the law.

    “Political party leaders are reminded of the peace accord they signed with respect to political campaigns in the State.

    “The command is appealing to the victims of this attack and their

    sympathizers not to result to self-help but to have confidence in the command that justice will not only be done but will be seen to have been done in this case,” Okasanmi.

    State Chairman of APC Hon Bashir Bolarinwa has urged security agents to investigate the matter bring perpetrators to book.

  • Gunmen attack APC Senatorial candidate in Kwara

    Kwara Police Command has confirmed that gunmen attacked a Senatorial Candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), Arch. Lola Ashiru, and his campaign train in Ojoku in Irepodun Local Government area of the state.

    A statement signed by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Ajayi Okasanmi, DSP, confirmed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin on Wednesday.

    The statement quoted the state Commissioner of Police, CP Kayode Egbetokun, as saying that police officers were dispatched to the scene at Ojoku immediately the report of the gunmen attack on Ashiru was received Wednesday evening.

    Ashiru is the APC candidate for Kwara South Senatorial District.

    Read Also: Gunmen kidnap 70-year-old retiree

    The statement read in parts: “a team of policemen, led by the DPO Ilemona and the Squadron Commander 68 Pmf, Offa successfully brought the situation under control and rescued the candidate unhurt.

    “It said that suspects, who were actively involved in the attack, were arrested and peace was restored.

    “Manhunt for the remaining fleeing suspects had since begun, while discreet investigation of the incident is ongoing.

    “The Command is restating its commitment to the safety of lives and property of the people of Kwara State.

    “While warning sternly that hooliganism, thuggery, unlawful possession of firearms and other dangerous weapons will be met with superior forces and suspects arrested will be made to face the full wrath of the law.

    “Political party leaders are reminded of the peace accord they signed with respect to political campaigns in the state.

    “The Command is appealing to the victims of this attack and their sympathisers not to result to self-help rather have confidence in the command that justice will not only be done, but will be seen to have been done in this case.

    “The following GSM numbers can be called when in distress before, during and after the elections”, it said.

     

  • Man, 25 commit suicide over football betting

    A 25 year old man has reportedly committed suicide in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital.

    The deceased allegedly took his live by hanging himself on a ceiling fan in his apartment.

    He was said to have lost out in a betting over the outcome of a European Champion League match.

    The incident was said to have occurred in  Oko-Erin area of the town after the return leg match between FC Barcelona of Spain and AS Roma of Italy played in Italy.

    He was said to have bet that  Barcelona who were leading by 4-1 in the first leg played at Nou Camp, Spain would maintain lead at end of the return leg and b through to the semi-final of the championship.

    However, the match turned out to be 3-0 in favour of AS Roma making the aggregate result to be 4-4 with Roma qualifying for the semi-final at the expense of Barcelona by virtue of away goals rule.

    The result made the deceased to lose the motorcycle to his opponent in the bet as the opponent reportedly smiled home with the bike from the viewing centre at the night immediately after the match.

    The man was said to be downcast with the loss of the motorcycle as some said  he used it for commercial purposes and that it was his main source of livelihood while some others said it was someone else and not him the owner of the bike and that he only had it in his custody on behalf of the owner.

    It was learnt that not being able to recover from the trauma, the man resorted to committing suicide by hanging himself.

    An eyewitness  who said not many people was aware of the incident disclosed that the development devastated the deceased’s Igbo kinsmen in the area who lamented  the action of the man.

    Kwara  state police command spokesperson Ajayi Okasanmi confirmed the suicide.

    He said it was not in connection with Match bettings.

    Okasanmi explained that report with him indicated that the man committed the suicide because of huge debt hanging on his neck saying “the man was said to have incurred debt here and there.”

  • Relieved: Police recover 57 illegal arms in Kwara

    The Police Command in Kwara on Thursday said it had recovered 57 illegal weapons across the state.

    The Spokesman of the command, Mr Ajayi Okasanmi, disclosed this at a public lecture on security sensitization campaign against political thuggery, kidnapping and drug addiction.

    Our reporter reports that the programme was organised by the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in the state.

    Okasanmi, who spoke on security of lives and property of the residents, disclosed that the weapons were recovered during the  command’s month-long operations.

    “As the 2019 elections draw nearer, the command will intensify more on the recovery of illegal arms to allow trouble-free election to hold in the state,’’ he said.

    Okasanmi, said police alone could not provide security  and that other stakeholders  needed to cooperate and support the force.

    An official of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mr Ango Mohammed-Tukur, lamented how some youths indulged in drug abuse.

    Mohammed-Tukur said that a number of them were in the habit of using Tramadol, Hemp and codeine.

    The official, therefore, solicited the cooperation of all stakeholders in the state to get rid of drug addiction.

    The Ohoro of Shao in Moro Local Government Area, Oba Bamidele Adegbite, advised security agencies to be on top of their responsibilities.

    The NOA state Director, Mr Segun Adeyemi, called for the support of all stakeholders to make the society free of social vices.

    NAN

  • Police sergeant kills Okada rider in Kwara

     

    A police sergeant attached to the Kwara state counter terrorism unit of state police command has shot dead a commercial motorcyclist in Share, headquarters of Ifelodun local government area of the state.

    It was gathered that incident happened in the early hours of Thursday this week.

    The incident was said to have occurred during a stop -and -search operation by the anti-terrorism unit posted to the route.

    The state command confirmed that the victim, identified as Sule Abu, of Kange village, was shot without justification.

    Spokesperson of the command Ajayi Okasanmi, identified the Sergeant as Folorunsho Ademola, adding that he had been arrested for interrogation and would be charged to court soon for breach of professional regulation on the use of firearms.

    The statement reads: “Contrary to the Inspector General of Police directive on professionalism by policemen and women across the lenght and breath of the country at all times and by extension, the consequences of disobedience to extant laws on the use of fire arms by police officers.

    “On 22/3/2018, at about 0830hrs, Force No, 264783, Sergeant Folorunsho Ademola attached to the Counter Terrorism Unit of Kwara State Police Command, Ilorin shot and killed one Sule Abu ‘m’ of Kange village via Share with his Ak 47. rifle without any justification.

    “The officer has been arrested and currently under investigation, if found culpable, he will be dismissed from the Force and charged to court.

    “This release becomes necessary, (i) to warn police officers of their responsibility of protecting lives and property and not to take the live of any citizen unlawfully and (ii) to assure members of the public of the resolve of the Command to discharge its mandate in accordance to laid down rules of the country, please.”

     

  • Police assure of tight security, panic-free celebration in Kwara

    Police assure of tight security, panic-free celebration in Kwara

    The Police Command in Kwara says it will provide watertight security to the residents before, during and after the forthcoming celebration of Nigeria’s 57th Independence Day.

    The Spokesman for the command, DSP Ajayi Okasanmi, gave the assurance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the Police Headquarters in Ilorin on Thursday.

    He said that measures had been put in place by the police to ensure public safety, while marking the 57th anniversary of the country.

    “There is no  security threat in Kwara. Everything is intact as we are at alert to ensure panic-free celebration.

    “Our traffic patrol unit, security dogs, bomb disposal unit will be unleashed for security on Independence Day.

    “We want to assure the people of Kwara to come out en-masse to grace the celebration.

    “We want the public to enjoy lively atmosphere on that day,” he said.

  • One killed as cultists strike in Ilorin

    One killed as cultists strike in Ilorin

     

    There was an uneasy calm in some parts of Ilorin, the Kwara State capital Thursday as gunmen, suspected to be cultists, struck and killed one person.

    The victim, simply identified as ‘Abbey’ was shot dead around Ikokoro area, off Niger road, in Ilorin.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that the unidentified gunmen, believed to be of a rival cult group, stormed the area at about 2.45pm and allegedly went straight to the apartment of the victim and murdered him.

    The victim was said to have been a member of another notorious cult syndicate.

    NAN learnt that while some residents stayed indoors during a fierce gunfight that ended Abbey’s life, shop owners hurriedly locked up their shops to avoid being caught in the  crossfire.

    A resident, who pleaded anonymity, said the area and its immediate environ, became deserted immediately the fracas began.

    When NAN visited the scene, the remains of the victim were said to have been evacuated.

    NAN recalls that a similar incidence occurred around the same Ikokoro Area in 2016, where a suspected cult member, Wasiu Adanri, was murdered.

    DSP Ajayi Okasanmi, the Public Relations Officer of the Kwara  Police Command, confirmed that a life was lost in the cult clash.

    He however said no arrest had been made yet was yet but assured that the command was on the trail of the suspects.

     

  • Police: ban on rallies still in force

    The Kwara State Police Command said the ban on public rallies, processions and political meetings is still in force.

    It said voter registration, which begins today, would hold in eight local governments. They are Asa, Ilorin South and West, Irepodun, Isin, Moro and Offa.

    Police spokesman Ajayi Okasanmi said: “Continuous voter registration will take place in the 16 local governments between August 20 and 25.”

    Former Governor, Senator Bukola Saraki, has urged members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) yet to be captured in the permanent voter card to participate in the continuous registration exercise.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will start a six-day continuous registration of voters in the state today.

     

  • One ‘dead’ in Ilorin Customs/ smugglers clash

    One ‘dead’ in Ilorin Customs/ smugglers clash

    A clash between Customs officials and some smugglers yesterday allegedly claimed one life in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

    It was gathered that the Customs officials were trailing a vehicle carrying products suspected to be contraband into the city having earlier escaped arrest.

    Sources said that the driver was chased to Saw Mill area, where a gun battle ensued. One person was allegedly killed.

    Police spokesman Ajayi Okasanmi said only one person died in the incident.

    He added that the body had been taken to a hospital.

    Youths and some car dealers barricaded some roads leading to Custom Service operational office behind Ilorin Eid Praying ground.

    Some of the protesters were seen wielding weapons. The police and Customs officials later dispersed the protesters.