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Tag: Asuquo Amba

  • INEC presents certificates of return to 26 Ekiti lawmakers- elect

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has presented certificate of return to the 26 elected members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly.

    INEC Acting Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Dr Muslim Omoleke presented the certificates at a ceremony in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday.

    Omoleke, urged the elected lawmakers to promote equity and justice when eventually inaugurated as members of the state House of Assembly.

    “The legislature is a critical arm of government, because it makes laws to regulate the business of governance and don’t do anything that will be repugnant to democracy, equity and justice.

     “Do not enact laws that will be antithetical to the 1999/Constitution, because it remains the grand norm. Make sure you make laws that will promote peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.

    “We are not also unmindful of the doctrine of separation of powers. But you must cooperate with the executive to make the state greater than it is,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was attended by the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Asuquo Amba, security chiefs, traditional rulers among others.

    Chief Paul Omotoso, the state’s chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) urged the lawmakers-elect not to neglect their constituents, who gave them the mandate to serve.

    Omotoso was represented by the State Secretary of the party, Mr Sola Elesin.

    “Ekiti people are known for honesty, and you must bring this to bear. People expect much from you and you must live up to the expectations of those who voted for you,” he said.

    NAN reports that all the 26 lawmakers were elected under the platform of the APC.

  • Robbers kill policeman in Ekiti

    A man identified to be policeman was shot dead on Thursday in Ado Ekiti, the State capital, while trailing a gang of robbers.

    The Nation gathered the armed robber had earlier robbed a petrol station along Fajuyi -Secretariat road and were escaping through the old Iyin –Ilawe road when the police officer in a white hilux van sighted them and gave them a hot chase.

    An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the police van had trailed the armed robbers up to NTA junction, where they were said to have waited and blocked the way in readiness for a gun duel.

    “When the hilux chased them up to that point, the armed robbers used their vehicle to block the way and rained bullets on the car.

    “The bullets hit the driver of the vehicle and died on the spot after which the robbers entered their car and sped off.”

    The sound of the assorted rifles brandished by the bandits were said to have caused confusion within that vicinity.

    People coming towards the Ekiti State House of Assembly cimplex and the State Secretariat and motorists going to Ilawe road were said to have scurried to safety to prevent being shot.

    “Some of the motorists had to take a detour and escaped the scene because the sound of the guns caused panic in the area,” he stated.

    Police officers from the State police command later visited the scene of the incident to evacuate the corpse, which they deposited in the morgue of the Ekiti State University Teaching hospital.

    Police Public Relations Officer, Ekiti command, DSP Caleb Ikechukwu, confirmed the incident.

    He said: “The attack on the police officer could have been a reaction of criminal elements to the cleansing operation being carried out by the command.

    “You know that since our new Police Commissioner, Mr. Asuquo Amba came on board, he initiated a Joint Task Force carrying out Operation Make Ekiti Safe and many criminals had either been arrested or killed in the process.

    “The men carrying out the operation were drawn from the Army, Police, Immigration and NSCDC. They were diligent in their duties and this might be one of those ways to frustrate us by criminals.

    “We are assuring our people that we remain focused. We won’t be bogged down by this incident and we shall trail the perpetrators of this crime and make sure they face the full weight of the law.”

  • Ekiti pensioners laud Fayemi over payment of pension

    Ekiti State Association of Retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries has praised Governor Kayode Fayemi for his efforts in prioritising the welfare of the pensioners.

    The ex-bureaucrat explained that  the Dr.  Fayemi places high premium on the payment of salaries and allowances of the civil servants and pensioners, saying these would help in improving the economy of the state and the wellbeing of the citizens.

    The pensioners also decried the kidnapping and eventual killings of some local government officials while returning to Ado Ekiti from their duty posts, describing such situation saddening and horrific.

    They called for more deployment of security operatives to strategic interstate roads  that have become dangerous for commuters and motorists to allay the fear of being Kidnapped.

    Recently, the Director of Administration of  of Gbonyin Local Government, Mr David Jejelowo and two staff of Emure Council Area, were kidnapped by abductors along Ado-Ijan and Ikere-Ise roads.

    On the same day, an Accountant  with the Emure Council Area, Mr. Abayomi Ajayi was shot by the same gang of kidnappers, who laid siege to highways across the state.

    The ex-civil servants urged the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Asuquo Amba and sister agencies chiefs  to strengthen their security architecture and comb the forests being used by the bandits for their hide out.

    In a statement issued and co-signed by its Chairman, Mr. A. Ajayi and Secretary, Kunle Olofin after  its meeting, it said: “Members expressed worries over the deteriorating security situation in Ekiti State which has led to several kidnaps and loss of lives.

    Read Also: Fayemi eulogises Military’s selfless efforts

    “Members appealed to the governor as the Chief Security Officer to ensure adequate deployment of security personnel to all the nooks and crannies, especially all the inter-state roads”.

    “We noted with satisfaction how government has been responding appropriately to the security situation. The charge to the traditional rulers to operate the first line of defence is welcome.

    The government should further interact with various communities and their vigilante groups with the view to enlisting their cooperation with security agencies in combing forests being used kidnappers’ dens.

    “The hunters should monitor and report strange faces and movements in their farms and communities. We know that the coming on board of a new administration will open up windows of opportunities for investments and our roads must be protected to guarantee the safety of potential businessmen”.

    The association pledged its partnership with government in identifying those areas that can smoothen government-labour relations and other sections of the society for Ekiti to be well governed under the Fayemi-led administration.

    They therefore advised the government to revisit the issue of gratuity to pensioners  and parity of pension to make lives better for the citizens and accelerate their standard of living.

  • Fayemi seeks OPC, vigilante’s support on crimes

    Ekiti State Governor Dr Kayode Fayemi has solicited for support of the Pan-Yoruba group, O’dua People’s Congress(OPC)  and vigilante to rid the state of criminal element.

    He solicited for their support especially in the rampaging kidnappers perpetrating heinous acts in the state .

    Fayemi said though his government had given marching orders to the Police Commissioner, Mr Asuquo Amba and the Directorate of State Services(DSS) and other security networks to rid the state of criminals.

    He insisted  the backing of  other stakeholders  in security sector would provide a buffer  to the conventional security for the task to be realised.

    The governor spoke through his Senior Special Assistant on Mobilisation, Prince Tunji Ogunlola on Saturday while meeting the leadership of the group in the state, who paid him a visit  at his office in Ado Ekiti.

    Former Commissioner for Lands, Mr. Remi Olorunleke  and the Director of Administration, Gbonyin Council area , Mr. David Jejelowo , were on Monday kidnapped along Ado-Ijan road .

    This incident occurred barely a week an accountant with Emure local government, Mr. Abayomi Ajayi was killed by gunmen along Ikere –Ise road while two other staff from the council were abducted .

    The governor had also through his mobilization unit  met the leaderships  of the Private Sector in the State, the Artisans and Inter-party Advisory Committee (IPAC), assuring them they shall benefit  from the federal government’s tradermoni programme being advocated by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

    Fayemi who lamented his government was not comfortable with the spare kidnapping and killings of some local government officials and other Ekiti citizens in recent time, added that all  efforts must be geared towards putting those with criminal tendencies at bay to safeguard  the lives and property of the residents.

    He said the government needs the backing of every member of the society to tackle the menace. Read Also: ‘Fayemi needs better House of Assembly’

    “We are seeking the efforts of every member of the society to tackle these evil doers. Within two weeks, over five people were kidnapped while one person was shot dead, we won’t rest until these people are either flushed out or apprehended.

    “To show how committed we are to making Ekiti safe, we have reinstated the sacked operatives of the scrapped Ekiti State Peace Corps. We intend to recruit 800 operatives to work with the police across every community.

    “OPC as a respectable pan-Yoruba security group is also welcomed in the battle to make Ekiti safe. We need you because you are credible, you understand the terrain and we have that confidence in you that you can provide supports for the police in the area of providing information for the security agencies that will help their intelligence gathering  for them to take  proactive actions.

    “However, in doing our business, we need to be guided by the laws. We need to bow to superior directive from the police and we must not take laws into our hands, all we want is you being partners in progress, necause Ekiti must be safe and nothing must be spared to actualize this”, he said.

    Fayemi appealed to the group to support the presidential aspiration of President Muhammadu Buhari and other candidates of the All Progressives Congress(APC) in the 2019 elections.

    The governor assured that all the beneficial intervention schemes and policies shall be brought to Ekiti for the benefit of all Ekiti indigenes.

    He said the benefit has started manifesting with the payment of four month salaries , including one owed by former Governor Ayodele Fayose within a spate of two months he assumed duty..

  • Bayelsa: Abductors of Monarch’s wife demand N100m

    Bayelsa: Abductors of Monarch’s wife demand N100m

    Abductors of Mrs Tina Inegbagha, the wife of the paramount ruler of Ayakoro community, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa, have demanded a ransom of N100 million to free her from  captivity.

    It would be recalled that some yet to be identified gunmen, had on December 16, invaded the coastal settlement to abduct the monarch’s wife and Mr Egele Jack, the Principal of Government Craft Development Centre, Ayakoro.

    Mr Majesty Inegbagha, a member of the monarch’s family, said the abductors had now contacted the family with the demand.

    “The ruler, who is my elder brother confirmed that the kidnappers called him and demanded for the sum of N100 million.

    “Although, the family is pleased to know that the woman is alive, the thought of raising that sum of money has created additional challenge to the family,’’ Inegbagha said.

    Read also: Abductors of PDP chair demand N100m – Police confirm

    He expressed optimism that the ruler’s wife and the school principal would regain their freedom, following prayers and the efforts by security agencies.

    The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Asuquo Amba, said that the incident was being investigated.

    Amba also said that following the upsurge in violent crimes in Bayelsa, the Inspector-General of Police ( I-G ), Ibrahim Idris, had sent a special squad to complement the efforts of the state police command.

    NAN

  • Police parade arms recovered from criminals in Bayelsa

    Police parade arms recovered from criminals in Bayelsa

    The Bayelsa State Police Command on Monday paraded cache of arms recovered from suspected criminals operating in different parts of the state, especially Yenagoa, the state capital.

    About 66 different rifles, 105 of 7.62mm ammunition, one dynamite, 190 cartridges, 12.9mm ammunition and one grenade were among the haul of arms and ammunition paraded by the state Police Commissioner, Mr. Asuquo Amba.

    Also paraded were – 40 locally-made pistols, five locally-made double barrel guns, 11 pump action guns, three revolver pistols, one K2 rifle and four AK47 rifles.

    Amba, who described the haul of arms as alarming, condemned the increasing unlawful possession of firearms.

    He, however, said efforts were ongoing to mop them up.

    He said the police arrested 561 suspects within the year, adding that 107 suspects were nabbed for unlawful possession of firearms.

    Among the suspects, he said 29 cases were under investigations, 30 filed for legal advice at the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) and 13 charged to court.

    Amba, who called for a special intervention to curb circulation of illegal firearms, noted that 177 cases of armed robberies were reported to the police, leading to arrest of 241 suspects.

     

  • Police arrest three over murder of cattle dealers

    Police arrest three over murder of cattle dealers

    The Police Command in Bayelsa says it has arrested three suspects linked to December 2 assassination of a prominent cattle dealer, Alhaji Jibril Abdulkarim and three others.

    The Police Commissioner in the state Mr Asuquo Amba made the disclosure in an interview in Yenogoa on Monday.

    Amba said that the suspects were being profiled while their telephone communication was also being scrutinised.

    “We have so far taken three suspects into custody and we are profiling them and their communication.

    “We are looking at their phone communications and from facts before us, it is an assassination done on close range and the people must have been known to them.

    “We are equally looking at the leadership issues and election of the Fulanis.

    “We are following the clues we have and I am hopeful we shall be able to have a breakthrough,” Amba said.

    Read also: Gunmen kill cow dealer, three others in Bayelsa

    It was recalled that the cattle dealer and three of his aides were shot dead at his private abattoir in Yenagoa on Saturday, December 2.

    Abdulkarim was a member of the Bayelsa Committee for the Management and Control of Ranches, and Chairman, Cattle Breeders Association (CBA) in the state.

    The Bayelsa government had on Sunday tasked the Police and security agencies to fish out the culprits.

    The government pledged to collaborate with the security agencies to ensure that those behind the heinous act were arrested and brought to book.

    NAN

  • Police avert another jail break in Bayelsa

    Police avert another jail break in Bayelsa

    About three weeks after 10 suspects escaped from police cell in Yenegoa, Bayelsa State, another attempt by suspects to escape from detention was averted on Friday.

    The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Asuquo Amba, who confirmed the incident, said the incident occurred in a broad daylight when the suspects were having their bath.

    He said the suspects over-powered the policeman, who opened the iron bar, and attempted to flee only to discover that the outer gate in the facility was locked.

    He said: “It was a tense situation but the prompt alertness of other policemen around the area saved the situation, none of the suspects escaped but the fact of the matter is that we do not have proper detention facilities.

    “It is a makeshift arrangement, an office with buglary proof.  We were lucky to avert this one but that does not mean that it will not happen again. The suspects can still plan another one. We desperately need to build proper detention facilities to hold suspects.

    “The makeshift facilities we have are over-stretched and we have written to the state government as well as engaged the judiciary to quicken the dispensation of justice because it is the slow pace of prosecution that makes our facilities over crowded.

    “The dearth of facilities here is hampering our efforts at policing the state.”

    About 10 suspects detained at the Special Anti- Robbery Squad facility in Yenagoa escaped on November 7.

    The police said three of the fleeing suspects have been rearrested.

    Read Also: Four policemen kill in Adamawa

  • Police avert another cell break in Bayelsa

    Police avert another cell break in Bayelsa

    About three weeks after 10 suspects escaped from police cell in Yenegoa, Bayelsa State capital, another attempt by suspects was averted on Thursday.

    The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Asuquo Amba, who confirmed the incident said it occurred in broad daylight when the suspects were having their bath.

    He said the suspects over-powered the policeman, who opened the iron bar, and attempted to flee only to discover that the outer gate in the facility was locked.

    He said: “It was a tense situation but the prompt alertness of other policemen around the area saved the situation, none of the suspects escaped but the fact of the matter is that we do not have proper detention facilities.

    “It is a makeshift arrangement , an office with buglary proof, we were lucky to avert this one but that does not mean that it will not happen again. The suspects can still plan another one, we desperately need to build proper detention facilities to hold suspects.

    “The makeshift facilities we have are overstreched and we have witten to the state government as well as engaged the judiciary to quicken the dispensation of justice because it is the slow pace of prosecution that makes our facilities over crowded.

    “The dearth of facilities here is hampering our efforts at policing the state,” Amba said.

    On November 7, about 10 suspects detained at the Special Anti Robbery Squad facility in Yenagoa escaped.

    The police said out of the 10 suspects, three were rearrested.