The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ilorin

  • Fire destroys 20 shops in Ilorin

    A midnight inferno at the weekend destroyed 20 shops at Ojo-Tuntun market in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

    The fire destroyed goods worth millions of naira and burnt money left by shop owners.

    A source said the incident was caused by a spark from a cable when there was an outage.

    Guards were said to have noticed smoke from one of the shops and called the market leadership.

    An eyewitness said the prompt response of fire officials prevented the inferno from spreading.

    Chairman of Ilorin West Local Government Alhaji Tajudeen Zulu-Oloje  said he received a distress call from one of the market executives about 2am that shops were on fire.

    He said the council was short of cash, but would rebuild the shops.

    Zulu-Oloje hailed the fire officials for their response.

  • Ilorin: Drama as suspected robber falls from bank’s roof

    Ilorin: Drama as suspected robber falls from bank’s roof

    There was drama on Friday at the Unity Road Branch of Guaranty Trust Bank in Ilorin as a suspected robber fell from the bank’s roof, throwing the banking hall into pandemonium.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that the suspect was hiding in the roof of the bank while waiting for his accomplices to commence a robbery operation when he fell.

    A security man attached to the bank told NAN on condition of anonymity said that the suspected robber must have been hiding in the roof overnight.

    He also said nobody knew how the suspect got into the roof of the bank as there was no sign of damage to any of the security doors in the bank.

    The security man said the suspect was promptly apprehended by some customers inside the banking hall and later handed over to the police.

    The Police Public Relations officer, ASP Okasanmi Ajayi, confirmed the incident to NAN.

    He said immediately the report reached the police command, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Esosa Amadasun, visited the bank.

    The police spokesman said nobody was injured in the incident while interrogation of the suspect had commenced.

    When NAN visited the bank, it was under lock while a security man was busy directing customers to the Taiwo Road branch of the bank.

     

     

  • Nigerians should learn from Ilorin peace’

    Nigerians should learn from Ilorin peace’

    Emir of Ilorin Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari says that peace in multi-ethnic and religiously divergent Ilorin should be a case study. ADEKUNLE JIMOH reports

    The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari said that the ethno-religious and political diversity of Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, has been a source of blessing to the town and that Nigerians should take a cue from the ancient town.

    The monarch also urged would-be chroniclers of Ilorin history to carry out intensive research before publishing any book about the town.

    Represented by the Magaji Nda of Ilorin, Alhaji Soliu W. Mohammed, the emir spoke this at the launch of a book titled: “Managing Ethno-political relations in Nigeria: The Ilorin example, 1823-2003.”

    Foremost historian and Dean, College of Humanity and Social Sciences, Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Prof Akeem Danmole urged Nigerian intellectual to come up on the history of their towns and cities.

    Prof Danmole who taught the author of the book, Dr Abdulwahab L. Olumo at the university, said he encouraged the writer not to abandon the writing of the book midway.

    Chairman of the occasion and former Vice Chancellor University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Prof Shuaib Abdulraheem said that the book having been subjected to academic scrutiny had met international standard.

    He said the author’s dedication and perseverance made the book to see the light of the day, adding that “no one can tell the story of a town than the ‘son of the soil.’”

    A lecturer in the department of political science, UNILORIN, Prof Hassan Saliu said “either in past or present, Islam is a major factor working to unite all Ilorin people with the existing political order. Once Islam is removed from our understanding of certain phenomena in Ilorin, our knowledge of such issues would be incomplete.

    “This had played out in the rejection of merger with our western brothers and sisters under the first republic. Nothing has changed in the position of Ilorin as the town has shown more tolerance and accommodation with northern political establishment than any other political tendency in the country.

    “Indeed, the Ilorin people have never failed to make the point that they are Yoruba speaking people in the north, not Yoruba. It is however a troubling reality that we do not yet have much to show for this alliance.”

    In his own remark, Akeem Yusuf, a legal practitioner said the book had contributed to the body of knowledge, noting the author had contributed his quota to the development of the community.

    Mr. Yusuf added that “the book is a challenge to all of us here to put on our thinking cap by coming up with our own books to advance the frontiers of knowledge.”

     

  • Police parade two suspected cultists in Ilorin

    The Kwara State Police Command yesterday paraded two suspected cult members for allegedly conspiring to kill a woman by drugging her drink before stealing her belongings.

    The suspects are Adeniyi Sijibomi, 18 and Tosin David of Eiye confraternity. Their victim was Bidemi Adewole.

    The police also paraded Adeniyi Sijibomi, 18 and John Onucho, 25, as some of the suspects behind last weekend’s clashes in Ilorin.

    Parading the suspects with three others arrested for criminal conspiracy and theft of vehicles, police spokesman Ajayi Okasanmi said the suspects mixed a pain killer called Tramadol with a bottle of Lacasera, which they used to drug their victim before committing the crime.

    He said: “On August 18, in a bid to arrest the perpetrators of last weekend’s cult clashes in Ilorin, which led to the killing of two young men, the command, in addition to the suspects earlier arrested, nabbed Adeniyi Sijibomi, 18, and John Onucho, 25.”

    Okasanmi said two locally- made pistols, two live cartridges and one expended cartridge were recovered from the suspects, who, according to him, “are members of the Eiye confraternity.”

    The police also paraded three suspected car snatchers, Kehinde Olumo, Alhaji Oba Suleiman and Olayinka Jimoh, who allegedly conspired to steal and buy stolen cars.

    Okasanmi said: “Through the efforts of the men of the command’s Intelligence and Investigation Department, members of inter-state vehicle thieves, especially from Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states, were arrested in Ilorin on August 17 by the anti-car theft division of the command. Investigation showed that the suspects are car snatchers.”

    He added that the suspects led the team to recover five posh cars from different locations, including Mazda 626 car registered as MUS C95 DC and Rav 4 Toyota Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) with number plate ARP 123 MY.

  • Ilorin: Police recover day old baby abandoned in a carton

    Ilorin: Police recover day old baby abandoned in a carton

    A day old baby was Monday abandoned in a carton in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital.

    The baby was said to have been found along Adelodun road, GRA in the metropolis allegedly dropped there by the mother.

    It was gathered that some good Samaritans, who discovered the baby put a call through to the distress call centre of the state police command to report the development.

    Police command’s spokesperson, Ajayi Okasanmi confirmed the incident

    It was gathered that a patrol team of the A-Division police team was sent to evacuate the baby from the spot where he was taken straight to the Civil Service Clinic for medical attention.

    A police officer who spoke on condition of anonymity said: “The baby was abandoned this morning at that spot. A good Samaritan called the distress call number of the Nigerian Police, Kwara Command and a team from A-Division was sent to the place.

    “When our officers got there, the fresh baby was found neatly packed inside the carton. And we took the newly born baby straight to the office and then to the Civil Service Clinic in Ilorin here where he was given medical attention.”

    Hospital sources said that the baby is in good condition and ready to be handed over to the Social Welfare Department of the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.

    As at the time of filing the report officials of the Department were said to be at the clinic to receive the abandoned baby.

    A nurse said; “It is sad that a lady would freely throw away the gift of the Almighty. It is one of the ills of our society. It is so unfortunate at a time when some people are praying fervently to God to bless them with a baby that their prayers have not been answered.”

  • Police probe Corps member’s death in Ilorin

    Police probe Corps member’s death in Ilorin

    The Kwara State Police Command has begun investigation into the death of a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Yetunde Shukurat Idowu, in Ilorin, the state capital.

    The deceased was a member of the 2014 Batch “B”.

    Her body was said to have been found last Sunday night near the GRA in Ilorin.

    She was said to have gone shopping at a popular shopping mall the previous Saturday.

    The late Miss Idowu lived at Tanke on University Road.

    It was learnt that the Corps member might have been given a free ride.

    But the police said it was too early in the day to make such a conclusion because they were still probing the death.

    It was learnt that her family had been contacted while her body would be released today to the family.

    The late Miss Idowu served with the State Broadcasting Corporation’s Radio Kwara.

    Police spokesperson Okasanmi Ajayi, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), said: “We are still investigating. We cannot conclusively say it is a case of abduction or ritual killing because no part of the body was missing. It could be a case of a hit and run by a careless driver or an accident.

    “I can’t confirm that she was raped because all the examinations conducted on her do not show any sign of rape. We are still investigating. So, I cannot say exactly what happened.”

    On the likelihood that she might have been given a lift, Ajayi said: “All that is guesswork. Nobody has volunteered any statement to us. If anybody has any information, maybe they would get to us.

    “As far as we are concerned, it was a reported case of someone ‘found dead’ with a broken skull and bruises. For now, I can’t tell you whether it was a case of whether rape, abduction or kidnapping.”

    He said the body would be released today while the police investigate the death.

    The State NYSC spokesperson Oladipo Morakinya confirmed the incident.

    He said: “A corps member died and her death is a natural phenomenon. We have done the needful by contacting her family.”

    “It is only a medical expert that can diagnose what actually killed her. This is beyond the scope of our scheme. The most important thing is that a corps member died and the NYSC has done the necessary thing that we are expected to do. We have contacted her family.”

  • Task force arrests 22 hoodlums in Ilorin

    The Kwara State Anti-Thuggery Task Force yesterday said it has arrested 22 suspected hoodlums at various locations in Adeta and Pakata areas of Ilorin, the state capital.

    Alhaji Suleiman Abdulsalam, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security and Intelligence, spoke in Ilorin an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    He said some of the suspects were arrested at a shrine in Adeta in Ilorin, adding that some weapons and charms stained with fresh blood were recovered from them.

    Abdulsalam told NAN that a joint operation, comprising the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), vigilance groups and the police, tagged: Operation Harmony, last Friday, also arrested 32 people at an Indian hemp joint in the outskirt of Ilorin.

    According to him, all the suspects are being detained and interrogated by security agents.

    Abdulsalam urged the residents to be security-conscious and always give useful information on suspected criminals to security agencies.

    NAN reports that the task force was constituted by the state government to curb post-election violence, which led the destruction of valuable property, such as buildings and vehicles worth millions of naira.

     

  • Buhari’s wife’s convoy attacked in Ilorin

    Buhari’s wife’s convoy attacked in Ilorin

    Hoodlums suspected to be members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday attacked the convoy of All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate’s wife Hajia Aishat Buhari.

    The attack took place around Emir Road in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

    Mrs. Buhari, with her husband’s running mate’s wife, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo and other were in Ilorin to sensitise women on the general elections.

    First Lady Patience Jonathan was in Ado-Ekiti yesterday to campaign for President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Ten vehicles in the convoy were said to have been destroyed by the hoodlums.

    But Commissioner of Police Salihu Garba, who confirmed the incident, said “only one vehicle was vandalised”.

    State APC Chairman Alhaji Ishola Balogun-Fulani said: “It will be recalled that the APC repeatedly reported to the police and other security agencies about the plan by the PDP to cause violence and mayhem before, during and after the general elections.

    “A worrisome incident took place during the visit of Hajia Aishat Buhari, wife of the APC presidential candidate. Her convoy was attacked around a film house along Emir Road, Ilorin. About 10 vehicles were vandalised.

    “It was reliably gathered that this plan was hatched and executed by a chieftain of the PDP.

    “We also have it on good authority that two of the PDP thugs have been apprehended by the police.

    “We are using this medium again to call the police and other security agencies to be alert and call the PDP to order.”

    But the PDP governorship running mate Mr. Yinka Aluko described the linking of his party to the attack as “cheap blackmail”.

  • Playwrights’ conference holds in Ilorin

    Renowned playwright, Prof Femi Osofisan will be leading playwrights from across the country to the capital city of Kwara State, Ilorin. They will be attending a conference on playwriting, tagged: 2nd Playwrights’ Confab.

    About 200 delegates are  expected to attend the event, which begins on Friday to run till Sunday, March 8, according to the organisers. The conference is a follow-up to its first edition held in 2012 at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife that brought together 136 participants.

    This year’s edition, which will hold at Kwara State Council for Arts and Culture, has as host Kwara State University and the Vice Chancellor, Prof AbdulRasheed Na’Allah will be the chief host.

    The conference, its convener Prof Osofisan said, is holding in line with the decision taken to make the Confab a biennial affair, adding that it is a gathering of professional workers in literary and dramatic creativity, where common problems and challenges are discussed.

    “Let me emphasise again that this is not an academic meeting (we already have SONTA for that); and it is not meant either to compete with ANA. Pertinent to the above, we will also welcome suggestions about topics you wish us to discuss at the Confab.

    Participant will be required to pay a fee of N5,000 for registration. However, the organisers say, “there is also an additional N5,000.00 which was decided at the last conference as a regular membership fee to be paid by all members. Those, who have not, would be expected to pay is N10,000.”

    Payment should be made to: B. A. Osofisan, Account No.: 0694244874, Access Bank Plc, Ilorin.

     

  • Aircraft veers off runway at Ilorin airport

    Aircraft veers off runway at Ilorin airport

    An ATR 72 propeller aircraft belonging to Overland Airways on Saturday veered off the runway at the Ilorin International Airport, after it made a normal landing .
    There were 59 passengers and four crew members on board the aircraft .
    Confirming the incident , the General Manager Public Affairs of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA), Mr Fan Ndubuoke said the authority has launched investigations into the cause of the incident .
    He said the 59 passengers were safety evacuated from the aircraft .
    The NCAA said in a statement :” An Overland flight 1186, an ATR 72 aircraft with Registration number 5N-BPG from Abuja airport to Ilorin carrying fifty nine (59) passengers and four (4) crew veered off the runway at low speed after a normal landing at the Ilorin Airport.
    ” The incident which occurred today Saturday 29th November at 4.45pm has no casualty recorded. However, the Accident and Prevention Bureau in conjunction with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has launched an investigation into the cause of the incident.
    ” The authority wishes to use this medium to reassure Nigerians that safety of the traveling public is still paramount and cannot be compromised.”
    Speaking in a telephone interview,the chief executive officer of landover Aviation Company, Captain Edward Boyo said the airline complied with standard operating procedure .
    He said passengers were safety evacuated from the aircraft after the incident .
    Meanwhile, a source hinted that another domestic operator made an air return yesterday when the aircraft belonging to the said airline returned to the Lagos Airport about five minutes it took off from the runway .