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Tag: Ondo state

  • Ondo, police differ on reported attack by suspected herdsmen

    Ondo, police differ on reported attack by suspected herdsmen

    Ondo State government and the Police Command have differed on reported attack on four communities in Akure North local government area.

    The State Government dismissed report that four communities in Akure North local government area were attacked with several persons killed.

    It described the report as an absolute falsehood and attempt by sponsors of the fake news to create panic among residents.

    Senior Special Assistant to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Security Matters, Gbenga Atiba, in a statement, advised purveyors “of this hoax to desist from such an act that is capable of creating chaos, disunity and distrust between the people and the government.

    But Regent of Ademekun Community, Princess Adelowo Adekemisola, called on the State Government to protect her people.

    She said her people were killed during an attack last Friday..

    “It is public knowledge that the government of Ondo state, efficiently-led by Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, prioritises the security of lives and property of every resident of the state where they live, work and play. 

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    “We, therefore, enjoin our people in the state to continue to go about their lawful businesses without fear, as the state government has created a peaceful and safe ambience for all and sundry. “

    Ondo Police Command, in a statement on Monday night, confirmed attack 

    at Sunday Camp, a settlement along the boundary of Ondo and Edo States, on March 8, 2025.

    It, however, said it never confirmed the killing of 20 farmers in the attack on four communities. 

    According to spokesman, Funmilayo Odunlami, 

    “The Command is aware of the attack on Sunday Camp and the Commissioner of Police, CP Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi, has directed that the ongoing covert operation being carried out across the state to rid the command of bad elements be intensified.

    “The Command urge journalists and media outlets to verify information from official source before publication to prevent misinformation and unnecessary panic in the State.”

  • Abductors of Ondo farmer demand N100m ransom

    Abductors of Ondo farmer demand N100m ransom

    Abductors of a farmer, Mr. Olanrewaju Oyeleye, 50, in Ondo State and his farm manager at Oba-Ile near Akure Airport, Akure North Local Government Area are asking for a ransom of N100million before before they can release them.

    Several persons, including a nine-year old boy, have been abducted along Akure Airport axis in the last three months.

    It was gathered that Oyeleye returned to the country four years ago to establish a farm.

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    Commander of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, who confirmed the incident, said it happened last Thursday.

    He said: “The kidnapping of the farmer and his manager happened in the early hours of Thursday, and we have been on it ever since.

    “Our men are working tirelessly to ensure the victims are rescued from the abductors, as we are tracking their location.”

    Last week, the Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi, blamed rising kidnapping in Ondo State to the influx of migrants to the state.

  • Kidnappers abduct farmer, manager in Ondo

    Kidnappers abduct farmer, manager in Ondo

    …demand N100m ransom

    Suspected kidnappers have abducted 50-year-old Mr. Olanrewaju Oyeleye and his yet-to-be-identified farm manager at Oba-Ile, near Akure Airport in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State.

    Several individuals, including a nine-year-old boy, have been kidnapped along the Akure Airport axis in the past three months.

    Oyeleye, who returned to Nigeria four years ago to establish a farm, was taken by the abductors, who have reportedly demanded a ransom of N100 million for their release.

    Commander of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, confirmed the incident, stating that it occurred on Thursday.

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    He said: “The kidnapping of the farmer and his manager happened in the early hours of Thursday, and we have been on it ever since.

    “Our men are working tirelessly to ensure the victims are rescued from the abductors, as we are tracking their location.”

    Last week, Ondo Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi, blamed rising kidnapping in Ondo State to influx of migrants to the state.

  • Ondo hails old students for developing alma mater

    Ondo hails old students for developing alma mater

    The Ondo State Ministry of Education has praised United Grammar School Old Students Association (UGSOSA), Ode Irele, for its commitment to the school’s development.

    Speaking through its Area Education Officer, Mr. Oloyede Akinbuwa, at the week-long diamond jubilee celebration of the school on Tuesday, it commended the ex-students for renovating and furnishing five classrooms in the school.

    It stated that the state government cannot handle infrastructural development of schools alone, but can be supported by other stakeholders.

    Chairman of the Diamond Jubilee Celebration, Sir Wunmi Akinmoju, said scores of its alumni around the world converged on the school since Monday, to renew their commitment to infrastructural and human development in the institution.

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    The event is featuring quiz competition for secondary schools’ pupils, cultural display and inter-house sports.

     On Saturday, the school, which was established on February 21, 1965, will hold a public lecture, titled: “Education and National Development: The Role of Alumni Association,” to be delivered by the former Vice Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, and an alumnus of the school, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun.

    According to a statement by the association’s National President, Elder Bayowale Iji and General Secretary/Publicity Committee Chairman, Dr. Biyi Adegoroye, UGSOSA seeks to raise N250 million School Development Fund in addition to the classrooms they have renovated and furnished in the last five years.

    The  old students will also honour the Speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly, Olumide Oladiji, Iji, Sir Martins Akinmoju, Pastor Sam Odimayo, the Deputy Editor of Sunday Telegraph, Dr. Biyi Adegoroye, Mrs. Beatrice Obanla and many others.

    The event will climax with a thanksgiving service at the Methodist Church, Ode Irele.

  • Aiyedatiwa–the world is his now

    Aiyedatiwa–the world is his now

    Aiyedatiwa — what’s in a name?  A lot!  This particular name affirms something.  The bearer is willing it to life, against all odds!  Ayedatiwa — the world is all ours — indeed!

    This affirmation is all reminiscent of darker parts of Nigerian political history.  The great Chief Obafemi Awolowo was on trial for treasonable felony, a trial that started in November 1962, and closed, with a conviction, in September 1963.

    Part of the “proof”, at least tendered by the prosecution, was that Awo did constant affirmations to become Prime Minister!  But who wouldn’t affirm such things, before working toward them?  At the end, it was unclear what probative value the court gave that “proof”!

    Back to Governor Aiyedatiwa.  It’s a family name, with Lucky and Orimisan, his self-reinforcing two names: the one in English, the other in his native Ilaje Yoruba dialect, have all come to catapult him to the apex of power in Ondo State!

    Again, even that reminds one of the evil Lady Macbeth, in that Shakespeare tragedy, Macbeth: to be thus is nothing but to be safely thus — she warned her regicidal husband, after he had killed the ill-fated King Duncan of Scotland.

    No, this is far from any evil plot.  After the tempestuous Ondo APC primaries, Ayedatiwa won the ticket.  He would later help himself to the most thumping win in Ondo’s gubernatorial history, trumping and drubbing his opponents in all of Ondo’s 18 local governments areas!

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    The Ondo APC just added another sweet bit to the happy propaganda, even if steeped in historical facts: for the first time in Ondo history, a “progressive” government is handing over to another one, after completing its first eight years!

    That’s true.  After Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu’s eight years — which Deputy (later) Governor Aiyedatiwa completed because the one they called “Aketi” died in office — Aiyedatiwa is succeeding him for own fresh four years.  That’s sweet!

    But it would all amount to nothing if, at the end of his tenure, he didn’t add tremendous value.  It’s then he would know that the world wasn’t really his own, as his surname suggests; and folks would flatly tell him he wasn’t so lucky; and that his “fortune wasn’t excellent”, as “Orimisan” had suggested!

    To cut out the verbiage: Governor Aiyedatiwa is condemned to succeeding.  Otherwise, things could go real bad for him and his legacy.

    The governor should have taken that to heart, as he took his oath of office yesterday.  The likes of Betty Akeredolu, Aketi’s outspoken widow, are waiting for him to trip, so they could declare him a never-do-well, and gloat over his political grave.

    But aside that negative motivation, powered by fear, the great Awo had set an all-time gold standard for governance in the Western Region, inside which Ondo is today.  He must follow the Awo exemplar and build a worthy legacy for himself.

    Then, and only then, would the world have well and truly become his own!

  • JUST IN: Protesters set police station ablaze in Ondo

    JUST IN: Protesters set police station ablaze in Ondo

    Angry youths have allegedly set fire to a police division in Ifon, the headquarters of Ose Local Government Area in Ondo State, following the reported death of a boy in police custody due to alleged torture. 

    According to sources, the protesters carried out the act after learning of the victim’s death, while his friend remained in a coma at a hospital.

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    It was gathered that another building in the area was also reportedly set ablaze during the unrest. 

    In response to the escalating tension, Ondo State Police Commissioner Wilfred Afolabi has departed Akure for Ifon to restore order and prevent further violence in the area.

  • We will never be part of Ijebu State, Ondo monarchs vow

    We will never be part of Ijebu State, Ondo monarchs vow

    The Ilaje Council of Obas in Ilaje Local Government of Ondo State has vowed never to be part of the proposed Ijebu State.

    It said it would not also be part of any other state being proposed in the east and west of Ilaje land.

    The monarchs said Ilaje shall remain one and indivisible entity, with no part excised, except by creation of more local governments or administrative units within the same state.

    This was contained in a communiqué after a meeting of Ilaje Obas, held at Igbokoda and signed by its Chairman, Oba Olusegun Williams Akinyomi, the Amapetu of Mahin.

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    The communiqué called on Ondo State Government and Federal Government to ensure security of Ilaje people and advised officials, including security agencies making false territorial claims for Ogun State, to desist from creating unwarranted crises in the area.

    It said attempts to extend Ijebu or Ogun State authority to Irokun had been rejected by Irokun Obas.

  • Policemen flee after dumping colleague’s corpse

    Policemen flee after dumping colleague’s corpse

    Some policemen who took the corpse of their late colleague, Inspector Yusif Suleiman Blessing, to his residence for burial, have reportedly fled after family members requested to open the coffin.

    Late Inspector Yusuf served at Akotogbo in Irele Local Government Area of Ondo State where he died in a yet-to-be explained circumstances.

    The 50-year-old native of Ikoro Ekiti in Ekiti state was found to have been burnt to death when the coffin was opened whereas his wife was informed that her husband drowned while on duty.

    Sources said the wife received a call from the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) where her husband was serving that the husband had drowned.

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    The source said Inspector Yusuf was brought to the family in a sealed coffin, which the family demanded to open before the burial.

    “We were surprised the three officers refused and ran away. They abandoned the coffin and the vehicle in front of the family house at Osi community,” a family member confided..

    It was gathered that Yusuf’s body was burnt with a cracked skull which made the family to suspect foul play.

    Spokesman for the Ondo Police Command, SP Funmilayo Odunlami, promised to provide more details after investigations have been concluded.

  • We are still on red alert over ISWAP scare, says Ondo Amotekun

    We are still on red alert over ISWAP scare, says Ondo Amotekun

    The Ondo State Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun Corps, said its operatives were still on red alert to ward off influx of bandits into the state.

    It said its constant border patrols and grassroot intelligence have led to arrest of over 300 suspects from 15 locations across the 18 local government areas.

    Commander of Ondo Amotekun Corps, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, who spoke in Akure, said influx of bandits into the South-West region made the  state be o on high alert with a view to ensure safety of residents in the state.

    Adeleye said many of the suspects arrested  in border communities of the state were linked to criminal activities such as kidnapping, armed robbery, housebreaking, and other offenses.

    According to him: “We rely heavily on grassroots intelligence. In the last three months, we arrested and paraded over 300 suspects across approximately 15 locations in the 18 local government areas of the state

    “Most of them were apprehended in connection with crimes such as kidnapping, armed robbery, housebreaking, and other minor offenses.

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    “We also have what we call Amotekun ambassadors, who operate discreetly within communities as part of our intelligence unit.

     “These ambassadors move across towns and villages, gathering grassroots information to help identify bad actors who collaborate with criminals.

    “This system has been yielding remarkable results for us.

    “All the criminals we have apprehended so far were as a result of the grassroots intelligence reports we received from villages and towns within the state.

    By and large, addressing the issue of domestic security requires homegrown solutions tailored to tackle our perennial local criminal activities.”

  • Ondo Muslim cleric curses cultists for killing wife, son

    Ondo Muslim cleric curses cultists for killing wife, son

    `A Muslim cleric, Alhaji Abdulkareem Adedokun, has placed a curse on cultists who killed his wife, Temitope, and son, Abdul Malik, in Owo, Owo local government area.

    A cult war on January 6, 2025, in Owo led to the killing of a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Fisayo Oladipo and two others.

    Imam Adedokun, who broke his silence since the incidence occurred, said his wife was attacked at her shop.

    He said what was most painful was the manner politicians played politics with the killing.

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    The cleric invoked the authority of his grandfather, Almustaph Adedeji Jika Anabi, who is credited with introducing Islam to Owo and much of Ondo State, to curse the killers.

    According to him: “The most painful part of it is how politicians started playing politics with the death of my wife and son when they all know that no members of the Adedokun family has ever participated in cultist activities before.

    “I stand on this authority to curse the person who killed Temitope Adedokun and Abdul Malik Adedokun, all members of their cult gangs, their supporters—including politicians and traditional leaders—and those protecting them from security agents.

    “From today, every child born into their families will die a mysterious death upon reaching the age of my little Abdul Malik, who was killed. This curse will remain until they can bring my little Abdul Malik back to life. I have concluded this curse in Owo.”