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Carnival: Youths Clash In Ondo, Many Feared Killed

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Social and business activities were halted in Ikare Akoko in the Akoko North-East Local Government Area of Ondo State on Wednesday following the clash among youths in the town.

It was gathered that many people were feared killed, shops and vehicles allegedly vandalised and burnt down by some hoodlums while banks and other organisations did not open for business for fear of being attacked.

A source who spoke with our correspondent said five people lost their lives in the crisis with several others injured.

According to the source, the crisis erupted in the community during a new year carnival organised by the youths on Monday evening as two youth groups engaged in a fight.

The source said, “The crisis started on Monday evening during the new year carnival which was organised by the youths and it later degenerated till this (Wednesday) morning. There were gunshots everywhere. There is tension all over the town as I am speaking with you, nobody could go to the shop or market in Ikare.

“Banks too did not open for their customers for fear of hoodlums. Commercial activities in the central areas like Osele market, Obada Market have been paralysed. Okoja Area, Oloko junction, and Post Office Area up to Lokoja Garage have been deserted while shops and businesses have been closed down. Banks customers particularly those who came to Ikare from outside towns were lamenting the bank closure.”

Another source attributed the crisis to the ongoing cold war between the two traditional rulers in the community- the Olukare of Ikare and Owa Ale of Ikare – saying the two warring groups were alleged loyalists of the two monarchs.

He said, “You know Ikare is divided and Okoja is like a centre between the two. The Owa Ale people wanted to use the place but Olukare youths stopped them.

“When the Olukare wanted to use the place for the carnival on Tuesday, the Owa Ale people stopped them and there was a crisis. The shooting was much that the town became deserted.

READ ALSO: Just in: Gunmen Abduct Four Kogi Poly Students In Ondo

“This morning (Wednesday) the youths mobilised for another attack and the shootings continue. Many shops have been closed down but the police have intervened. I saw at least two people shot dead during the fracas and many others injured but I learnt some more people have been killed too.”

When contacted, the state Police Command Public Relations Officer, Funmilayo Odunlami, who confirmed the development, said policemen and other security agents had been deployed in the town to restore normalcy.

The PPRO said, “The warring parties have been warned to maintain peace. Police and soldiers are now patrolling the town to ensure law and order within the area.”

Metro

Delta Police Kill Suspected Kidnapper, Rescue Victims, Arrest Armed Robber Cultist

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Operatives of the Delta State Police Command in collaboration with vigilante and hunter groups, have neutralized a suspected kidnapper during a fierce gun duel and rescued two abducted victims in Ughelli Local Government Area of the state.

Spokesperson of the command, SP Bright Edafe, who made this known in a statement on Sunday, April 28, 2024, said the suspect sustained gunshot injuries when he and members of his gang engaged the security operatives in a shootout in their hideout.

The suspect was rushed to a hospital where he died while receiving medical treatment. Other members of the gang escaped from the scene.

On 26/4/2024, at about 0900hours, the command received an intelligence report that some suspected kidnappers were hibernating in Okuno, Orogun, where they were hiding alongside some kidnapped victims, the Commissioner of Police Delta State CP Abaniwonda Olufemi directed the DPO Abraka Division SP Fabian Ayameh to lead police operatives to their hideout,” the statement read.

READ ALSO: Gunmen Assassinate Governor Aiyedatiwa’s Campaign Coordinator In Ondo

The DPO swiftly mobilized police operatives alongside members of the Abraka vigilante, and hunters group, stormed the bush, and engaged the suspected kidnappers in a fierce gun duel during which one of the suspects sustained serious gunshot injuries while others escaped. One AK-47 rifle and eleven (11) rounds of 7.62mm ammunition were recovered.

“The two kidnapped victims (name withheld) were rescued unhurt and have been reunited with their families, while the injured suspect was taken to the hospital where he gave up the ghost while receiving treatment. Manhunt for the other fleeing suspects is ongoing,” the statement added.

The PPRO further disclosed that police arrested a motorcycle rider, Orji Timothy with illicit drugs, two cutlasses and a locally made double barrel pistol with two live cartridges along Ovirigor Road in Ughelli.

On 24/04/2024, at about 1445hrs, Eagle Net Special Squad Surveillance team while on routine patrol along Ovirigor Road Ughelli, flagged down a motorcycle. Upon search, a sizeable quantity of weeds suspected to be Indian Hemp was recovered. This necessitated the arrest of the 38-year-old motorcycle rider, Orji Timothy of No. 21 Olotu Street Ughelli,” the statement read.

“The operatives further extended their search to the suspect’s residence, where a Locally Made Double Barrel Pistol with Two Live Cartridges, Twenty Sachets of 100mg Tramadol, One Sachet of Swinol, and two Cutlasses were recovered. The investigation is ongoing.”

READ ALSO: Five Injured As Vehicles Collide In Lagos

Meanwhile, police in the Ovwian-Aladja Division arrested a suspected armed robber and recovered an English Berretta pistol from him.

On 22/4/24 at about 0300 hrs, a distress call was received at the Ovwian/Aladja Divisional Police Headquarters, that one Anthony Odumegwu, a 44 yrs male indigene of Ihiala, Anambra State, was arrested in an attempt to steal a Daylong Motorcycle with from one Mohammed Yusuf of Ekete Inland Waterside. Upon receipt of the information, the DPO Ovwian/Aladja, CSP Bulus Musa swiftly mobilized to the scene of the crime, and on a thorough search of the suspect and scene of the crime, an English Berreta Pistol without a magazine was recovered. The investigation is ongoing.”

CP Abaniwonda Olufemi noted that the swift and decisive action of officers of the command serves as a testament to the commitment to curbing criminal activities in the state and ensuring the safety of the state.

The commissioner further encourages the public to never hesitate to call the Control Room Numbers: 08036684974; 08125958005; and 09053872287; to report criminal activities or assist the police by giving credible information.

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Gunmen Assassinate Governor Aiyedatiwa’s Campaign Coordinator In Ondo

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Unknown gunmen have killed Alaba Excel Abbey, one of the campaign coordinators of the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the incumbent governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

It was gathered that Abbey was also the Returning Officer for Ward 10 in Supare Akoko, Akoko South West Local Government Area of Ondo State in the recently concluded All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election.

The deceased who served as a ward coordinator for the Lucky Aiyedatiwa Campaign Organisation Foot-Soldiers (LACO-SF), was shot dead in front of his house.

READ ALSO: Trouble Looms As OAU Students Threaten Shut Down With FG Over Fuel Crisis

The deceased’s elder brother, Samuel Abbey, who confirmed the incident to Leadership, said Alaba was assassinated around 9 pm on Saturday, April 27, 2024, shortly after returning home.

In a statement released by its State Information Director, Mr Kayode Fasua, the group revealed that the late Abbey was actively involved in campaigning for the election of Governor Aiyedatiwa until his untimely demise.

Spokesperson for the State Police Command, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya said an investigation has begun into the case.

“In brief, the command is aware of the incident at Supare, and the investigation is ongoing to unravel all that happened,” she added.

 

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Five Injured As Vehicles Collide In Lagos

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Five yet-to-be-identified persons have sustained varying degrees of injuries in an accident that occurred around 6:00 p.m. at Gbagada Bridge in Lagos State.

This was disclosed in a statement made available to journalists by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq, on Sunday.

According to the statement, a three-year-old suffered a head injury, while the four other individuals had fractures in different parts of their bodies.

READ ALSO: ‘I Can’t Breathe’ – Black Man Cries As US Police Handcuffed, Pinned Him Down Till He Dies [VIDEO]

Taofiq added that a preliminary investigation revealed that the driver of a Benz car with registration number JJJ-219 XU lost control while using a mobile phone and collided with a Volkswagen Commercial bus with registration number APP-46 GZ parked on the roadside for battery repair.

He noted that the driver of the Mercedes car had been turned over to police officers from the Alonge Police Station and that the victims had been taken to Gbagada General Hospital.

The Special Advisor to the Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, expressed condolences for the injured victims while urging motorists to drive safely.

READ ALSO: Lagos, Ondo, Taraba Top In Highest Okada Fares In March – NBS

The statement partly reads, “Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) operatives responded swiftly today at 6:00 PM to a collision on Gbagada Bridge heading towards Gbagada Express Way, Lagos, rescuing a 3-year-old girl and four others.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that a driver of a Benz car (JJJ 219 XU) lost control while using a mobile phone and collided with a Volkswagen commercial bus (APP 46 GZ) parked on the roadside for battery repair.

“Mr Adebayo confirmed that the 3-year-old girl sustained a head injury, while the four others, including the commercial bus driver, suffered fractures in various parts of their bodies.

“The rescued individuals were promptly taken to Gbagada General Hospital by LASTMA officials and Lagos State Ambulance Service personnel.”

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