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Tag: ONDO

  • Ondo cleric, wife held over fake kidnap

    Ondo cleric, wife held over fake kidnap

    Operatives of the Ondo State Police Command have apprehended a cleric, and his wife in Ondo, the headquarters of Ondo West Local Government Area, for allegedly staging a ‘fake kidnap’ to extort money from their relatives.

    The suspects, Pastor Sanmori Olubumi Joshua (62) and Mrs Sanmori Taiwo (42), residents of Road 5, Powerline in Ondo, were apprehended after their plot was uncovered.

    In a statement yesterday in Akure, the spokesman for the state Police Command, Olayinka Ayanlade, said the incident occurred on August 23, between 4:00 p.m and 5:00 p.m.

    According to Ayanlade, Taiwo hid in a room in their house while her husband (the cleric) used her mobile phone to contact relatives, claiming she had been abducted by gunmen.

    He said the suspect allegedly demanded N10 million ransom for the release of his wife.

    READ ALSO: Echoes of terrorism

    The police spokesman added that one of the relatives, Fasegha Joseph, became suspicious of the claims and petitioned the Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, who assigned the case to the Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad.

    He added that a joint team from the squad and the Enu-Owa Division stormed the couple’s residence in Ondo, where the pastor’s wife was found.

    “She initially lied that she had been released after a ransom of ₦5 million was paid,” Deputy Superintendent of Police Olayinka said.

    “However, upon further interrogation, she confessed that the self-kidnap was staged in connivance with her husband to extort money from her relatives abroad.”

    The police spokesperson added that the suspects admitted their motive was to settle debts and cater for their needs.

    Both suspects are in custody and will be charged to court.

    Lawal warned against such criminal antics, stressing that the command would not tolerate any form of crime, whether genuine or staged.

    “This case shows that the police will unravel any plot meant to disturb public peace. We urge members of the public to continue to give credible information, which will always be treated with confidentiality,” he added.

    The command commended the residents for their cooperation and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property across the state.

  • Ondo bans graduation parties in nursery, JSS3 classes

    Ondo bans graduation parties in nursery, JSS3 classes

    Ondo State Government has announced the abolition of graduation ceremonies in nursery schools and Junior Secondary School III (JSS3) across the state.

    The Nation reports that the ban, which affects public and private schools, was part of new reforms introduced to reposition the state’s education sector under the Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa administration.

    Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, made this known yesterday after a stakeholders’ meeting with proprietors and owners of private schools from the 18 local governments.

    He said the move was a deliberate step to regulate and sanitise school operations.

    Read Also: ASUU rejects FG’s loan scheme for lecturers, others 

    “To reposition the education sector to its former enviable pedigree, the ministry has made some critical decisions to sanitise private school activities. Part of these decisions includes the prohibition of illegal and unregistered schools, banning of graduation ceremonies for nursery and JSS3 classes, and the re-accreditation of private schools for quality assurance,” he added.

    The commissioner said private schools played a critical role in education, but noted that things had deteriorated, requiring urgent reforms.

    He urged strict compliance with ministry’s directives on the use of recommended textbooks, adherence to the approved curriculum, observance of the official school calendar and respect for public holidays.

    Ajibefun announced a six-month grace period for unapproved schools to secure government approval, saying conditions for registration would soon be reviewed to make the process easier.

    He cautioned against the use of unapproved or foreign curricula, underage admissions, excursions without clearance and compulsory extra lessons.

    He frowned at exploitative practices such as compelling parents to buy new textbooks every year, stressing that siblings should be allowed to reuse books for a reasonable period.

    The commissioner said the ministry was working on digitising education system, with plans to migrate primary and secondary school students in the state to a digital learning platform.

    He said schools unable to meet the “irreducible minimum” standards set by the government should “find another business.”

  • Ondo institutions lament non-payment of salaries

    Ondo institutions lament non-payment of salaries

    • Only AAUA affected, says commissioner

    Workers in Ondo State-owned tertiary institutions have cried out to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa over the non-payment of their accumulated salaries and allowances.

    They were last paid in June.

    It was learnt that the subvention given to the schools by the state government is unable to cover salary payment.

    Besides, the schools are not generating enough funds to augment the subvention.

    Those affected are workers in four tertiary institutions – Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH) Okitipupa, University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo; and Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, (RUGIPO).

    According to them, the non-payment has affected their personal and social life.

    Commissioner for Education Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun said only the workers in AAUA are still being owed. He said workers of the other tertiary institutions have been paid up to date.

    Speaking on behalf of the workers, the Chairman of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the state-owned tertiary institutions, Comrade Olutayo Ogungbeni, said they are dying of hunger as result of the non-payment of their salaries.

    He decried that the situation was getting worse for the tertiary institutions workers, stressing that many could no longer feed their families and offset their children’s school fees with the existing cost of living crisis.

    Appealing to Governor Aiyedatiwa to facilitate immediate payment of their salaries, Ogungbeni said the subvention to the school, particularly Adekunle Ajasin University, is no longer sustainable to pay workers’ salaries and arrears.

    Read Also: Ondo tertiary institution workers lament unpaid salaries, appeal to Aiyedatiwa

    “As of today, we are yet to receive the July salary. So, if we should count August, which will end this week, it shows we are automatically being owed two months’ salaries.

    “And as I speak, there’s no hope that by this week they will pay us the salary. I remember during our struggle; an increase in subvention to the schools, especially AAUA, was a major issue we discussed with the governor.

    “N560 million monthly subvention to AAUA where salary would be paid including for pensioners, but the state government is releasing only N223 million, thereby leaving the school to augment it. You can imagine that the margin is far,” he said.

    Ogungbeni added: “Apart from AAUA, the challenge with other state owned-institution, especially in RUGIPO and UNIMED, is that they are yet to be paid the 2024 National minimum wage.”

    He called on Governor Aiyedatiwa to help the workers in the payment of their salary, saying there are those who depend solely on them to survive financially.

    Ogungbeni said: “As I speak with you, some of our colleagues (university workers) are ill. They don’t have the money to buy drugs or pay for hospital treatment. Many can’t even afford food. We go to school hungry and return hungry.

    “Although we know the problem confronted by the state is the issue of the multi-tertiary institutions, but the state is capable if you are to consider the increase in the federation account allocation to the state every month.”

    Prof. Ajibefun said the institutions have been paid, except workers of the AAUA, whose arrears are still outstanding.

    Ajibefun confirmed that some of the state owned-institutions are finding it difficult to pay salaries because of the subventions accruable to the schools, noting that the government would soon address the wide margin created by the fund.

  • Okada rider murdered, dumped inside well in Ondo

    Okada rider murdered, dumped inside well in Ondo

    Tragedy struck in Ore, headquarters of Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, after a commercial motorcyclist, popularly known as Okada rider, Isah Ibrahim, was found dead inside a deep well.

    The Nation learnt from witnesses that the deceased was attacked by unidentified persons behind the stadium area along Okitipupa road in Ore on Thursday. 

    One of the witnesses, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, revealed that the Ibrahim’s attackers also carted away his red Bajaj motorcycle. 

    His remains were later recovered from the well, causing tension in the community.

    According to the witness, the attackers murdered Ibrahim and disposed of his body in the well.

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    “The incident occurred after the motorcyclist carried a passenger to the area.

    “The assailants allegedly killed him and threw his body into the well. The motive behind the attack is yet to be ascertained, but it is suspected to be a case of motorcycle snatching, which has been on the rise in the area,” the source narrated.

    A security source confirmed the occurrence, adding that detectives had begun a manhunt for the perpetrators.

    The killing has triggered anxiety among commercial motorcyclists in the town, many of whom expressed worry over recurring attacks on their colleagues while on duty.

    Olayinka Ayanlade, the spokesman for the police in the state, confirmed the incident but could immediately give details when contacted via phone. 

  • Ondo govt orders mass burial of 402 unclaimed corpses at UNIMEDTH

    Ondo govt orders mass burial of 402 unclaimed corpses at UNIMEDTH

    The Ondo state government has ordered the mass burial of 402 corpses abandoned at the morgue of the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH).

    The bodies, which had been left unclaimed for over four years, were described as a growing concern for the administration of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

    Prof. Simidele Odimayo, Special Adviser on Health Matters to the governor, disclosed in a statement issued in Akure that the corpses were deposited at the state-owned facility between 2020 and 2024.

    He said Governor Aiyedatiwa had directed their immediate burial to decongest the hospital morgue.

    Read Also: Ex-PDP chairman, LP leaders defect to APC in Ondo

    “The office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health has completed the arrangement to effect the mass burial. 

    “The general public is therefore given up to 21 days from the day of this notice to go with evidence and claim the corpses of their relatives/ loved ones before the proposed mass burial.”

    According to him, the development was to prevent any unwarranted hazardous tendencies the corpses potends for the people of the state.

    “There are a total of 146 abandoned female corpses while that of male were 256.Out of the 146 female corpses, there are 117 unknown corpses, while only 29 corpses of the total figure could be identified.

    “For the male, out of the 256 corpses, 205 are unknown while 51 could be identified. The number of unknown corpses, both for male and female, stands at 322 while the total for known corpses stands at 80.

    “From the above analyses, the total abandoned and unknown corpses expected to be given mass burial by the Ondo State government remains 402,” he said in the statement.

  • Ex-PDP chairman, LP leaders defect to APC in Ondo

    Ex-PDP chairman, LP leaders defect to APC in Ondo

    An erstwhile chairman of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akoko North-West Local Government Area of Ondo State, Alaba Arogunmolase, with some prominent leaders of the Labour Party (LP), on Monday officially joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state. 

    Other notable defectors include Chiefs Odeja, Giwa, Bolaji, Ojo Akinniyi, and Prince Adeniyi Olanipekun, as well as all PDP ward chairmen in Akoko North-West.

    The defectors said their decision to join the APC was influenced by the leadership style of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the grassroots mobilisation drive of the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

    Speaking at the defection rally at the Motor Park in Oke Agbe-Akoko, the defectors lauded Dr. Tunji-Ojo for his outstanding contributions to Akoko land, especially Oke Agbe, which they described as a source of pride to the people of the area.

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    Receiving the new members, the Ondo APC Chairman, Engr. Ade Adetimehin assured them of equal rights and privileges within the party. 

    Adetimehin was joined by members of the State Executive Committee, the local government APC chairman, Hon. Kehinde Obanla and Olumuyiwa Asagunla, who represented Dr. Tunji-Ojo at the event.

    Asagunla, who also serves as the Director General of the Asiwaju Mandate Group, welcomed the new entrants on behalf of the Interior Minister, promising them a level playing field in the APC.

    He said, “What we are witnessing today is a demonstration of faith in the visionary leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who, through the Renewed Hope Agenda, is already delivering tangible dividends of democracy to Nigerians. 

    “The APC is a home of progress, development, and inclusiveness, and your decision to join us is a step into a brighter and more rewarding political future.”

    Remarking, Adetimehin urged the defectors to spread the message of the APC’s renewed hope agenda and remain steadfast in their support for the party to ensure a stronger outing in the 2027 elections.

    The rally attracted party leaders, community stakeholders, youths, and women from across the Akoko axis, signalling the growing popularity of the APC in Ondo State.

  • Residents block federal highway, protest poor conditions of roads in Ondo

    Residents block federal highway, protest poor conditions of roads in Ondo

    Residents of Ikare, Agbaluku, Imo, and Arigidi in Akoko North East Local Government Area of Ondo State on Saturday blocked the federal highway in their community to protest the deplorable condition of the road.

    The residents, mostly youths, described the 2.5-kilometre stretch as a “death trap”, lamenting that it had become impassable for motorists.

    The protesters accused their representatives in the National Assembly- Hon. Ifedayo Ehindero, the member representing Akoko North East/Akoko North West Federal Constituency, and Senator Jide Ipinsagba of Ondo North Senatorial District, of neglect.

    According to them, the road has been in a state of disrepair for over 15 years, causing nightmares for commuters and motorists.

    They noted that the dilapidated Arigidi–Ikaram–Ajowa road had been abandoned for decades despite repeated appeals to government authorities.

    The protestors stressed that the poor state of the highway has crippled trade and economic activities between Ondo and neighbouring states while also leading to frequent accidents and loss of lives.

    Read Also: Amotekun: Ondo residents issue score card five years after

    A spokesperson for the protesters, who identified himself as Oluwaseun, said the road, which links Ondo State to northern Nigeria, has become notorious for accidents, with casualties recorded almost every weekend.

    “This road has become a death trap. Every week, we lose people here. This morning, another vehicle somersaulted because of the bad portions. Enough is enough. Travelers use this highway to access Kogi, Edo, and even Abuja,” he lamented.

    Oluwaseun added that the residents have repeatedly drawn the attention of government officials, including Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and their state and federal representatives, but no action has been taken.

    “We cannot take this any longer. It is very painful that this road has been abandoned for the past 15 years, and no effort has been made to fix it,” he said.

    He also vowed that the protesters would not allow motorists to ply the road until rehabilitation works commence.

    Efforts to reach the two federal lawmakers proved abortive.

    A text message sent to seek reactions was yet to deliver as of the time of filling this report.

  • Insecurity: Angry youths block highway in Ondo community

    Insecurity: Angry youths block highway in Ondo community

    …protest rising kidnapping cases 

    Scores of angry youths on Friday blocked the Ayede Ogbese road in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State to protest the rising cases of kidnapping in the community.

    The protest came less than 24 hours after suspected armed men killed a 34-year-old man, Okudili Okoro, and abducted a businesswoman, identified simply as Mrs. Orogun, in the area.

    The protesters said kidnappings had become rampant, leaving residents unsafe and their properties unprotected. 

    The Nation reports that the roadblock caused a gridlock that stranded travellers, including drivers of heavy-duty vehicles, for several hours.

    Read Also: FG tackling insecurity with technology – Dasuki

    Speaking during the protest, a youth identified as Justine accused the government of neglecting the community, linking the worsening insecurity to the poor state of the roads. 

    She also criticised security agents manning checkpoints in the area, alleging that they were not doing enough to curb the menace.

    “We don’t have security in Ayede Ogbese anymore. The youths are now the ones providing protection. This is sad and very shameful. 

    “Even with all the checkpoints, we are still experiencing abductions. The government should tell us what they are doing about the bad roads and these kidnappings,” she said.

    The protesters called on authorities to take urgent action to fix the roads and strengthen security before the situation worsens further.

    Addressing the youths, the commissioner of police in the state, Adebowale Lawal assured the protesters of the command action at ensuring those responsible for the kidnapping are arrested. 

    Lawal, however, promised to collaborate with other security agencies in the state in tackling the security challenges in the community. 

    “I want to assure you that we will arrest the perpetrators and even bring them to book soon,” he said. 

  • Ondo: Fake soldier, serving police officer to die by hanging for armed robbery 

    Ondo: Fake soldier, serving police officer to die by hanging for armed robbery 

    The Akure Division of the Ondo State High Court has sentenced a serving police officer, David Friday, and a self-acclaimed soldier, Innocent Victor, to death by hanging for multiple armed robbery offences in Idanre.

    The duo faced a four-count charge of conspiracy, armed robbery, and impersonating security personnel.

    Prosecution witnesses testified that on January 15, 2021, the men—one in a black police T-shirt and the other in military camouflage—used jack knives to rob victims at different locations in Idanre, seizing cash, a phone, and fuel. 

    They also assaulted victims and threatened them with a pistol.

    Akinleye said both were armed with jack knives and were flashing the headlight of their TVS motorcycle at him.

    He noted that men ransacked his vehicle, took N6,000 from him, and instructed him to fuel their motorcycle with 30 litres of petrol, which he did.

    He later discovered that his Itel phone, valued at N8,500, was also missing.

    Another prosecution witness, Mr Lanre Olowogbadegun said he was on night duty at Yaba Junction in Idanre that same night when he saw two men on a black TVS motorcycle one in a police T-shirt and the other in army camouflage.

    Olowogbadegun, a security guard, added that the two men ordered him to drop his gun, but he refused. 

    “Shortly after, the men stopped an 18-seater bus, ordered the driver out, made him sit on the floor, and took all his money,” he told the court. 

    Olowogbadegun said the men beat the driver with jack knives and their fists, taking N5,000 from him. They offered him (Olowogbadegun) N2,000, but he declined.

    “Around 4 a.m., the driver returned to ask if I knew the two men, and I confirmed that I did. Together, we went to the police station to report,” he added.

    When invited by the Divisional Police Officer, the driver identified the man who had robbed him while wearing the police uniform.

    The third prosecution witness, Adeyeye Sesan, a transporter, testified that he was returning home when he encountered the two men—one in military camouflage and the other dressed like a policeman.

    Read Also: Ondo govt, police, family differ over ‘guresome death’ of UNIMED registrar 

    He said the man in camouflage demanded N10,000, and when he refused, the man slapped him, dragged him out of his bus, and began to beat him.

    The other man, in police uniform, joined in, using a pistol and sticks to assault him, according to Adeyeye. 

    He said they forcibly took N125,000 from his pocket and the proceeds of his work for the day. After robbing him, they dragged him back to his bus and injured his leg with a dagger, threatening to kill him with the pistol.

    Ilesanmi Samuel, Police prosecutor in the case, told the court that investigations revealed Friday was a serving member of the Nigeria Police Force attached to Olofin Police Station, Idanre, while Victor’s claim of being a soldier was false, as confirmed by the Owena Cantonment in Akure.

    According to Samuel, both men confessed to the crimes. 

    In his verdict, Justice Williams Rotimi Olamide held that the prosecution had successfully proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

    He, however, sentenced the defendants to death by hanging. 

  • First Lady gives 500 women cash support to boost businesses in Ondo

    First Lady gives 500 women cash support to boost businesses in Ondo

    • Senator Tinubu hails Elumelu Foundation for N1b donation

    The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has disbursed N50,000 each to 500 women in Ondo State under her pet project, the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Economic Empowerment Programme.

    Mrs. Tinubu said the financial support was done in partnership with the Tony Elumelu Foundation.

    During the disbursement of the cash at the International Culture and Event Centre in Akure, the First Lady said the gesture aimed to support 18,500 women entrepreneurs with business re-capitalisation grants across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    Represented by the wife of the governor, Mrs. Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, Senator Tinubu said: “This Economic Empowerment Programme is about supporting the entrepreneurial spirit of our women traders and small-scale business owners who wake up each day determined to provide for their families, educate their children, and uplift their communities

    “Let me emphasise that this is not a loan. It is a grant and a seed of renewed hope to help you re-capitalise your existing businesses. It is my firm belief that when you empower a woman, you empower a household, a community, and indeed, a nation.”

    The First Lady said the event followed the symbolic launch of the programme in Niger State, where 50 women received cash grants.

    Read Also: First Lady leads delegation on condolence visit to Aisha Buhari in Kaduna

    She said: “I thank the Tony Elumelu Foundation, which donated N1 billion to the Renewed Hope Initiative, to directly support 18,500 women across the country.

    “Five hundred women from each of the 36 states and the FCT will be receiving N50,000 each to strengthen and re-capitalise their existing small businesses.”

    The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. Seun Osamaye, urged beneficiaries to make good use of the funds, especially to improve their businesses and trades.

    Osamaye, who promised to monitor the beneficiaries across the 18 local government areas of the state to ensure they use the grant judiciously, reiterated that the fund is not a loan but a seed grant from the Renewed Hope Initiative.

    “This is happening to women under the leadership of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and our mothers, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu and Esther Aiyedatiwa. We are immensely grateful for this gesture,” she said.