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  • We will rout out kidnappers from source — FOC

    The new Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command, Rear Adm. Oladele Daji, has promised to rid riverine areas of the command of kidnappers.

    Speaking with journalists after he took over as 39th FOC of the command in Lagos on Tuesday, Daji said that the navy would do its best to rout kidnappers completely out of the area.

    “What we know about kidnapping in riverine areas is that it is on the decrease.

    “We are going to rout them out from the source because they don’t live perpetually at sea, they have somewhere that they operate from so we will rout them out.

    Read also: Navy takes war to kidnappers, others

    “What we are coming to do is to build upon what has already been done, maybe to bring fresh ideas to some of the challenges we have out there as the maritime expands,” he said.

    He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for acquiring more patrol boats for the navy.

    “This is not to say that we have enough because the past maritime expands  but with the use of the Maritime Awareness Domain facilities, we will use these assets provided for us to ensure we accomplish our tasks,” he said. (NAN)

  • Let’s kill off Man Utd tonight, Barcelona’s Pique tells teammates

    Gerard Pique warned former side Manchester United that Barcelona will put the tie to bed if they get the chance in Wednesday’s Champions League quarterfinal first leg.

    Pique, who spent four years at United as a youngster, returns to Old Trafford this week for the first time since moving back to Barca in 2008.

    Barca start the tie as favourites but United come into the clash buoyed by an impressive comeback against Paris Saint-Germain in the last round.

    Pique says he watched both games against PSG and urged his teammates to take the chances which come their way to avoid suffering the same fate as the French champions.

    “I think the PSG tie is a great example,” the defender said in a news conference on Tuesday. “I think [at Old Trafford], PSG played better. In the second half they scored and could have scored more.

    “But you can’t leave United alive. If you can beat them [by] scoring a lot of goals, you have to do it.

    “They have a great history and they showed that in Paris, even with a lot of young lads from the academy.

    “It’s a great example for us. We have to be switched on from the first minute until the last.”

    Read also: Keita, Firmino give Liverpool 2-0 win over FC Porto

    Pique, 32, spent his formative years at United under Sir Alex Ferguson.

    The Premier League side’s form has suffered since Ferguson’s retirement in 2013 but Pique still believes they’re England’s best club despite currently sitting sixth in the Premier League.

    “Since I played here, they have always been one of England’s great teams,” he added.

    “Obviously, teams have ups and downs and moments of transition but they’re the biggest team in England.

    “They consider the Premier League the same as the Champions League here — if not more important — and since the Ferguson era they’ve been the biggest team and will keep on being the biggest team. Things aren’t [going as well at the moment] but I hope they change and quickly they get back on top.

    “I spent several years here, between 17 and 21, my first as a professional. I played in good games alongside great players and also had some crazy times off the pitch.

    “I left my family and friends to come here and I returned to Barcelona an adult. It’s a special game for me.”

    Pique was briefly teammates with current United coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer during his time at United and he has fond memories of the Norwegian, who has turned the English side’s fortunes around since replacing Jose Mourinho in December.

  • Reps, PenCom tango over N33bn Remittances

    What happened to six months remittance from Pencom amounting to N33billion?

    This was the subject of contention on Tuesday at the continued sitting of the House of Representatives’ Ad Hoc Committee Investigating activities of the National Pension Commission and violation of the PenCom Act.

    Pencom stated it has no outstanding in terms of remittances to Pension Fund Custodians, PFCs and Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs).

    But the lawmakers were not happy with PenCom and accused the body of reluctance to avail the House Committee of the statement of its accounts with the Apex Bank.

    Chairman of the committee Hon. Johnson Agbonayinma, said: “We have written several letters…’submit your bank statement and all transactions with CBN.’ Up till now, no response. Every request that we have made, they are just manoeuvring.

    “Is there anything else you want us to do to get your attention to submit it?

    “Look at the CBN, everything we requested they have submitted. Also the Accountant-General’s office, everything we requested for have been submitted.

    “Office of the SGF, they have submitted. Head of Service, they have submitted. Even the Nigerian Labour Congress has brought their submission. The Trade Union Congress has brought their submission.”

    Another sticky issue was the number of accounts the organisation has.

    The issue was becoming a mystery as the CBN and PenCom were at variance on how many accounts the pension regulator has.

    Agbonayinma noted that there were inconsistencies between the information provided by PenCom and the statement of account of the commission provided by the CBN.

    CBN said the organisation has five accounts with it.

    Head, Contributory Bond and Redemption Department of PenCom Mr. Lana Loyinmi, who stood in for the the Acting Director-General, Aisha Dahir-Umar said: “I think it is about three.”

    However under further questioning Loyinmi said, “I don’t know the exact number.”

    The information, according to him, could be provided by Director of Finance of PenCom, who unfortunately, was not at the hearing.

    The Rep members said the presentations and defences filed by other stakeholders were satisfying but the statement of account provided by the CBN had contradicted the earlier submission by the commission on its remittances.

    Read also: Make details of NASS budget open, Saraki orders

    “The PFAs came at the last hearing. When they came, this is what they said: ‘PFAs confirm that for over six months – to the end of last year, they did not get remittance from CBN.’

    “There are so much issues: when we ask them (PenCom) for this, they will say something else.”

    The members accused PenCom of failing to provide series of documents demanded.

    On the accounts, Loyinmi said what PenCom presented to the panel was a remittance schedule and not account statement.

     “I am not aware that we submitted a specific account, what we submitted is a schedule.

    “If your letter had asked for bank statement, he would probably have reproduced this from CBN for you,” he said.

    But Agbonayinma was not happy with the inconsistencies and said: “We have the CBN here. We asked them and they told us the number.

    “During the last public hearing, the Acting DG also specified it. In her submission, she told us they had one.

    “But the CBN came and told us that you have five accounts. You (Loyinmi) said they are three;

    “If you don’t know, you don’t know. Don’t assume. If you are here to represent the Acting DG and you don’t know how many accounts PenCom operates with CBN, there is a problem.”

    Speaking on whether or not Pencom owes outstanding remittances the panel chair said: “The CBN statement also shows that there were no disbursements to PFCs and PFAs.

    ‘’That means there is evidence that the Accountant-General’s office remitted to CBN. Why was there no remittance to PFAs for over six months?”

    Loyinmi however insisted that the organisation has no outstanding.

    “As to the document relating to the bank account, we will submit it to the committee.

    ‘’Concerning the comment that people did not receive disbursements for six months, it depends on what we were asking people for.

    “The monthly pension contribution have been up to date, no money is missing. Let me add that, to date, contributions into the Retirement Savings Account of employees have been up to date; up to February. No month is missing in their Retirement Savings Account.

    “In specific reference to the N33bn you were talking about, the transactions had started since March 2017 even with the approval of the last management. But before it hit the account of CBN as debit, it was April because of the processes.”

  • Abuja carnival to gulp N82.109m, says Lai Mohammed

    The 2019 edition of Abuja cultural carnival will gulp N82.109 million, Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said.

    The yearly carnival meant to showcase the country’s rich cultural heritage is coordinated by the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism.

    The minister said that Cultural Centres established by Nigeria in China and Brazil were good for marketing the image of the country to further make the outside world appreciate Nigeria and Nigerians better.

    Mohammed stated these on Tuesday in Abuja while making presentation on 2019 budget proposals of his Ministry.

    Apart from the presentation, the minister also defended the 2019 budget estimates before the Senate Committee on Culture and Tourism.

    Chairman of the Committee, Senator Fatimah Raji –Rasaki, had taken on the minister on the N82million proposed for the Abuja Cultural Carnival 2019 when the carnival did not hold last year despite N62 million appropriated for it.

    The Minister responded that the N62million appropriated for the carnival in 2018 was not fully cash backed.

    Read Also: APC’s victory in Kwara for Nigerians, says Lai Mohammed

    He noted that besides, the fund was lumped together with other items on capital component of the budget which were not adequately funded.

    He said: “Money for cultural carnival of national magnitude ordinarily, should even be more than N82million but because of synergy the ministry is having with the Federal Capital Territory and other sponsors in terms of accommodation for participants from the various states, feeding, transportation, make us to make modest proposal of N82million.”

    Mohammed said that the Cultural Centers established by the Federal Government in China and Brazil which had budgetary allocation of N25million in 2018 and N35million proposal for 2019, were  necessary for positive projection of the country’s image abroad.

    He said: “Cultural Centres are meant for foreign image of the country. They promote tourism and even the economy of the owner country

    “Though not revenue generating centres, but in the long run, they  add value to the economy and citizens of countries that established them.”

    The Minister noted the total budgetary proposals for the two arms of the Ministry (Information, Culture and Tourism) in the 2019 fiscal year , is N5.306billion out which N3.398billion is for personnel cost, N880.507million for overhead  and N1.3billion for capital expenditure of both arms .

    He said that due to the N200millionthat was removed from the overhead cost of the Ministry in the 2018 budget allocations and N1billion removed from capital votes, the Ministry is highly indebted to many of its service providers particularly electricity .

  • Police confirm killing of 21, rustling of 50 cows in Kajuru Attack

    MEMBERS of Banono and Akut villages in Kajuru Local Government Area, Kaduna State have fled the communities, for fear of further attacks following the Monday morning attacks.

    Twenty villagers were killed in early Monday morning attack by unknown gunmen, who stormed the village in military uniform.

    But, the police in Kaduna yesterday confirmed that 21 persons were killed in the attacks.

    The command, in a statement by its spokesman, DSP Yakubu Sabo, said efforts were on to apprehend the fleeing bandits, who also rustled about 50 cows.

    Sabo added that reinforcement of more police operatives have been drafted to the area for intensive combing and patrol with a view to forestall further breakdown of law and order and reprisal.

    The police statement reads: “On 08/04/19 at about 0930HRS, we received a distress call that a group of armed men in large number on motor bikes entered Banono and Anguwan Aku – both are remote neighbouring villages in Kufana district of Kajuru LGA.

    “The attackers started shooting sporadically attacking the villagers and in the process, shot and killed 21 persons,  injured three others and torched 10 houses.

    “The bandits also rustled about 50 cows. Combine teams of  PMF personnel, conventional police, Army and the local vigilance group were promptly mobilised to the area, repelled the attack and evacuated both the dead and the injured to hospital.

    Read also: Make details of NASS budget open, Saraki orders

    “While efforts are on to apprehend the fleeing criminals, reinforcement of more police operatives have been drafted to the area for intensive combing and patrol with a view to forestall further breakdown of law and order/reprisal and arrest of the perpetrators.”

    It added: “The Commissioner of Police Ahmad Abdurrahman is saddened by this attack and has reiterated the command’s commitment to apprehend the culprits. He sincerely condoled with the affected families on the irreparable losses.”

    The command appeals to members of the public to continue to assist the police with useful information that could help in addressing the security challenges and for the possible arrest of the criminals.

    However, a source from the village, Auta Bulus, told The Nation that they had fled Banono village since after the attack.

    He, however, said 27 bodies were counted after the attacks on Monday.

    But, stakeholders in the Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area, where people, including two policemen were also killed at the weekend, have asked the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, to extend the ban on mining to the council.

    The acting IGP, while addressing reporters in Abuja at the weekend, announced the ban on mining activities in Zamfara State, to checkmate armed banditry and kidnapping on the rise in the state.

  • Make details of NASS budget open, Saraki orders

    Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has mandated the Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA), Mohammed Sani-Omolori, to make details of the National Assembly 2019 budget available for passage into law.

    The mandate is contained in a letter addressed to the CNA dated 26 March, 2019.

    Saraki said that full details of the National Assembly budget with necessary line items should be made ready for passage as part of the National budget.

    Read also: Saraki: Education crucial for peace, security, rule of Law

    The letter signed by the Chief of Staff to the Senate President, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, is entitled,  “Subject: NASS budget details.”

    It reads in part, “The President of the Senate has asked me to request you to please ensure that the NASS Budget Details with all the line items are ready for passage along with the National Budget when Senate resumes next week. Thank you.”

    END

  • Insecurity: Buhari cuts Dubai trip short, returns to Abuja

    President Muhammadu Buhari returned to Abuja on Tuesday night, a day ahead of schedule.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the president was initially scheduled to return to Abuja from Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Wednesday at about 1.30a.m.

    However, the presidential aircraft carrying the president, his aides and some members of his entourage landed at the presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja at about 10.45p.m.

    NAN gathered that the president’s decision to cut short his official engagements in Dubai might not be unconnected with security developments in Zamfara, Kaduna and some other parts of the country.

    President Buhari had on April 4 departed Abuja for Amman to honour an invitation by King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein of Jordan to participate in the World Economic Forum (WEF).

    REad also: Buhari condemns Kaduna violence

    He delivered an address at the opening of the plenary alongside King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein and United Nations Secretary General, António Guterres.

    The president, who on Sunday moved to Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), participated in the ninth edition of the Annual Investment Meeting.

    While in Dubai, President Buhari also held bilateral talks and met with different groups of investors at the sidelines of the Annual Investment Meeting.(NAN)

  • We can’t be intimidated by the Egyptians – Solanke

    Aware of the continued dominance of Egypt in Africa, Team Nigeria captain, Azeez Solanke has said that they would not be scared of taming the North African in the junior boys’ team final at the ITTF African Junior and Cadet Championships in Accra, Ghana.

    Also yesterday, Egypt joined Nigeria as the second-best team from Africa to qualify in the boys’ event for the 2019 ITTF World Junior Championship in Thailand.

    Read also: 2019 ITTF African Junior and Cadet Championships: Egyptian Messi idolizes Aruna Quadri

    Solanke who has remained unbeaten in the competition told NationSport that he is poised to lift his team against the rampaging Egyptians.

    “I am sure the Egyptians have been watching our game and they are also afraid of us. The fact that we have not been playing in the competition for the last two years has given them hope that they can ride over every team. But I must tell you that they are going to meet their waterloo in the final as we are ready for them. We have gone far to lose the final to Egypt and we want to leave Ghana with the giant trophy this weekend,” Solanke said.

  • Fear over 23 Nigerians on death row in Saudi Arabia

    How ministry’s late response led to execution of Nigerian

    Consul-General writes minister

    JAILED IN SAUDI ARABIA

    • Halimat Oyebanjo Oyaya 10yrs
    • Sherifat Shawni 4 yrs
    • Limata Ahmad 10yrs
    • Halimat Isah 5yrs
    • Olubumi Adejarani Olaniyan 10yrs
    • Omobolanle Funke 15yrs
    • Nuratu Bolanle Yusuf 15yrs
    • Maryam Ibrahim Tanko 7yrs
    • Rahma Abdulkarim 20yrs
    • Nuratu Yusuf Abike 20yrs
    • Bolaji Kehinde 10yrs
    • Yasirat Abolanle Salau – awaiting trial 

     

    Twenty-three Nigerians are on the death row in Saudi Arabia. They may be beheaded any time from now, The Nation has learnt.

    Besides, 11 are serving various jail terms for drug trafficking in the kingdom.

    Another suspected trafficker is awaiting trial.

    The 23 death row inmates could not be named for “diplomatic and sensitivity” reasons.

    Unless President Muhammadu Buhari intervenes, the death toll could be higher, a source said.

    The “late” response of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to a memo from the Nigerian Consul-General, Amb. M. S. Yunusa, is believed to have contributed to the execution of a Nigerian woman, Kudirat Adeshola Afolabi about two weeks ago.

    It was learnt that the ministry had been “diplomatically slow” in responding to issues connected with Nigerians.

    No ministry official was willing to comment on the allegation yesterday.

    The Consul-General wrote twice to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Geoffrey Onyeama, on December 3, 2018 and February 6, 2019, raising the alarm over the plight of Nigerians in Saudi Arabia.

    He said the nation should endeavour to use its diplomatic bond with Saudi Arabia to seek pardon for all our compatriots condemned to death and for those serving various jail terms.

    But more worrisome to the Consul-General is what he believe is the security lapse at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano, which is being used for massive drug trafficking.

    The envoy admitted that there is a drug syndicate at the airport.

    He alleged that the syndicate in cahoots with greedy airline officials at MAKIA were checking in extra bags containing prohibited drugs.

    He said members of the syndicate had been using particulars of innocent passengers and baggage tags to smuggle drugs leading to the arrest of Nigerians who had no links with drug trafficking.

    One of the memos said: “Furthermore, it is with humility that I bring to the Honourable Minister‘s knowledge that, sadly, there are a number of Nigerians arrested for alleged drug related offence who are currently in detention at Dhahban Prison (Male Section) and Madina Prison (Male & Female Sections). Mission was unable to gain Consular access to them as the host authorities have flatly refused to grant permission for such despite several requests to that effect.

    “Following the outcome of investigations carried out by both the NDLEA and the Nigeria Police (Kano State Command) the Honourable Minister may wish to note that:

    “There exists a criminal syndicate collaborating with greedy officials of some airlines at MAKIA, notably Ethiopian and Egyptian Airlines, who connive to check in drug-laden bags, using passenger’s particulars without their consent or knowledge;

    “Nigerian victims of the activities of these criminal gangs were arrested and detained in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for drug trafficking offences they did not commit;

    “The outcome of investigations by the Nigeria Police and NDLEA absolved these victims of complicity in the crime of peddling drugs into the Kingdom. The investigations further established beyond reasonable doubts that the victims were unaware of the drug-laden baggage that were checked in bearing their particulars by unknown persons at MAKIA, Kano;

    “All the suspected culprits had been apprehended and a case of criminal conspiracy, breach of trust and drug trafficking has been established against them, hence, they were arraigned at the Federal High Court, Kano;

    “There are 24 Nigerians who were condemned to death between 2016 2018 for drug trafficking in contravention of the Kingdom’s Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances Control Law issued under Decree No. M/39 dated 8/7/1428AH;

    “There are 12 Nigerian women currently serving various jail terms at Dhahban prison for drug smuggling.

    “Meanwhile, the following drug traffickers are serving various jail terms:

    1. a) Halimat Oyebanjo Oyaya – 10 years b) Sherifat Shawni – 4 years c) Limata Ahmad – 10 years d) Halimat Isah – 5 years e) Olubumi Adejarani Olaniyan – 10 years f) Omobolanle Funke – 15 years g) Nuratu Bolanle Yusuf – 15 years h) Maryam Ibrahim Tanko – 7 years i) Rahma Abdulkarim 20 years j) Nuratu Yusuf Abike – 20 years k) Bolaji Kehinde – 10 years I) Yasirat Abolanle Salau – awaiting trail

    “There are a number of Nigerians accused of drug trafficking incarcerated at various Saudi Prisons but the Mission was unable to undertake consular visits due to refusal by the Saudi authorities to grant permission for such visits despite repeated requests and

    “Drug smuggling into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by Nigerians has reached an alarming proportion and all hands must be on deck to check this menace.”

    The Consul-General gave insight into how a syndicate had infiltrated the security in Kano to perpetrate drug trafficking.

    His memo drew the minister’s attention to “a frightening development that portends grave danger to passenger travelling to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano.”

    “It has emerged that some criminally minded individuals working in cohort with greedy airline officials at MAKIA, have perfected the art of checking in extra bags containing prohibited drugs, particularly Tramadol, using the particulars of innocent passengers and baggage tags presumably assigned to such passengers travelling to the Kingdom. Regrettably, this contemptible act exposes innocent Nigerians to high risk of losing their lives,” the memo said, adding:

    “As you are aware Your Excellency, drug trafficking attracts capital punishment in Saudi Arabia. It is, therefore, imperative that urgent steps are taken to checkmate the activities of these miscreants. “Certainly, failure to do so would be tantamount to allowing innocent Nigerians to face death sentences for crimes they did not commit.

    “At this juncture, it would be appropriate to mention some of these cases that were handled by the Consulate-General. For Instance, Messrs. Bashir Usman Sani, Amdani Salisu Maikasuwa and Ibrahim Abubakar Ibrahim, were arrested and later imprisoned in 2017 while Zainab Habibu Allyn and Ibrahim Abubakar were arrested on 25th December, 2018 and have remained in prison custody following date, for alleged drug trafficking.

    “However, in the case of Ms. Zainab Habibu Aliyu  and pursuant to a complaint lodged by her father, Alhaji Bashir Usman Sani (in Nigeria), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Nigeria Police (Kano State Command) have thoroughly investigated the case and six suspects were arrested and charged to Federal High Court, Kano.

    “The accused persons are, Messrs Idris Umar Shehu (Alias Umar Sande), Sani Suleiman, Nuhu Adamu, Udosen Itoro Henry, Sani Hamisu and Ms Rhoda Adetunji. They were charged with conspiring to export Tramadol to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and for illegally checking in additional baggage containing the banned substance and linking same to Ms. Zainab Aliyu and Ibrahim Abubakar, passengers on board Ethopian Airline flight ET 941/ET 402 to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on 24th December, 2018.

    “ In the same token, seven other suspects, namely, Yusuf Isa Ahmad, Shaba Umaru, Diwawu Mustapha, Shafiu Musa, Murtala Muhammad, Musa Haruna and Hajiya Gawure Abba Aji were also arrested and charged to court with criminal conspiracy, breach of trust, and drug trafficking. They were also accused of tagging additional drug-laden baggages and falsely linking same to Messrs Bashir Usman Sani and Amdani Salisu Maikasuwa. Again, Messrs Rabiu Mahmud Sani and Anthony/Johnson as well as Mrs. Celestine Emanuel Yayok were also charged with fraudulency tagging and exporting a bag containing psychotropic drugs suspected to be Tramadol using the passport details of Ibrahim Ibrahim Abubakar Ibrahim.

    “Your Excellency, permit me to state that investigation carried out by both the NDLEA and the Nigeria Police have established beyond reasonable doubts the existence of some criminal syndicates masquerading as touts rendering assistance to unsuspecting passengers at MAKIA, Kano.

    “These miscreants are now endangering innocent lives and this state of affairs should not be allowed to remain unchecked.

    “ Furthermore, it is noteworthy to state that consequent upon the Mission’s relentless efforts through several notes to host Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Makkah Region Branch) and ceaseless interactive sessions with the officials of Saudi Department for combating Drugs, Food and Drug Administration as well as the offices of the Public Prosecutor, Makkah and Madinah Regions, Messers Bashir Usman Sani, Amadani Salisu Maikasuwa and Ibrahim Ibrahim Abubakar Ibrahim have all been released on 25th October, 2018 and 25/1/2019 respectively.

    “Again, it is pertinent to reiterate that peddling of drugs to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia contravenes the Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances Control Law, issuer under Royal Decree No. M/39 dated 8/7/1428AH and is punishable with death penalty. Unfortunately, between 2016- 2017 the under noted Nigerians were arrested at King Abdul Aziz International Airport. Jeddah and Prince Muhammad bin Abdul-Aziz international Airport, Madinah for smuggling narcotic drugs concealed in their rectums.

    The Consul-General made five recommendations to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, including the need to seek clemency for innocent Nigerians held for drug trafficking in Saudi Arabia.

    The recommendations are:

    • Enhancement of security surveillance by installing functional CCTV cameras at the checking-in counters and other sensitive areas of airports in Nigeria;
    • Henceforth, Nigeria Airport Management Authority (NAMA) in collaboration with other relevant security agencies should institute a compulsory baggage identification procedure before boarding for all checked-in luggage;
    • Every passenger should check in his/her luggage personally and not through third parties;
    • The trial of those found culpable for checking-in extra-baggage’s using the identities of victims should be pursued expeditiously and the attested copies of the judgments be made available to the Mission for onward transmission to our host authorities as proof that the culprits were punished in accordance with our laws; and
    • The Federal Government should henceforth, appeal for clemency and pardon for all our compatriots condemned to death and for those serving various jail terms.

     

  • Banks shut down in Ondo communities

    Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on Tuesday gave a marching order to security agencies to arrest the robbers, who attacked a bank on Monday at Idoani in Ose Local Government.

    Seven lives, including that of a policeman, were reportedly lost during the robbery.

    Security operatives said they have arrested a suspect.

    Akeredolu spoke on Tuesday when he visited the Alani of Idoani, Oba Olufemi Olutoye, at his palace.

    The governor, represented by his deputy, Agboola Ajayi, described the incident as unfortunate, but implored security agents to fish out the perpetrators.

    Akeredolu assured people that his administration would partner security agencies to tighten security.

    He urged residents to assist the security operatives by giving them information, to reduce crimes.

    Read Also: Akeredolu showcases Ondo economic potentials in Dubai

    Oba Olutoye said the hoodlums also entered his palace by damaging the entrance door, “but their efforts eventually became fruitless.”

    He appealed to the government to assist the bereaved families.

    Economic activities at the neighbouring Akoko area were yesterday paralysed.

    Commercial banks in the four local governments, especially in Ikare-Akoko, were shut down.

    Many people, who came for transactions, returned home without achieving their aim.

    Efforts to speak with the Ikare Akoko Police Area Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Razak Rauf, on this development, failed.