Metro

Gunmen Abduct Alao-Akala’s Farm Supervisor, Demand N100m Ransom

Published

3 years ago

July 19, 2022

The supervisor of a farm belonging to the late former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala of Oyo State, Christopher Bakare, has been abducted by some gun-wielding kidnappers.

Bakare was reportedly abducted around 7pm on Saturday by hoodlums suspected to be Fulani herdsmen.

The farm supervisor, who is an indigene of Gbongan in Ayedaade Local Government Area of Osun State, was said to have been kidnapped on the farm named TDB farms located at Jabata community in Surulere Local Government Area of Oyo State.

A source close to the farm told journalists on Tuesday that the kidnappers had since contacted the family and demanded that N100m ransom be paid to secure the release of their captive.

The source said the incident had been reported to the police and the police told them that they were working to ensure his release.

He said, “The matter was reported to the police and we have been trying to negotiate with them even though the police had been informed.

“We informed the Police Area Command in Ogbomoso about the incident and we hope he will be freed soon.”

The Police Public Relations Officer in Oyo State, Adewale Osifeso, confirmed the incident when contacted by our correspondent.

The PPRO said, “The incident is under investigation and close monitoring. Updates would be provided accordingly.”

Recall that some youths in Ogbomoso on the platform ofOgbomoso Community Youth Forum led by the President, Rev’d Peter Olaleye and Secretary, Idowu Adeniji, recently in a communique lamented the worsening insecurity in the town and called on Governor Seyi Makinde to ensure that security in the area was beefed up.

The communique read, “Farmers and people generally cannot venture out into their farms again due to fear of falling victims to these ruthless bandits.

“Herdsmen’s brutalities have now become the order of the day in areas like Federal Housing Estate, Aroje, Ogbegun, Igbo’le, LAUTECH extension, Iya-Oje, Ikoyi and Oriire Local Government Area in general.

“Our people can’t take laws into their hands as law-abiding citizens but the limitation imposed on government’s security agents is worrisome.

“The Amotekun corps, an initiative of South West states to improve the security architecture is also impeded by its operatives’ inability to bear arms. Where therefore do we go from here?

“The marauders seem to have succeeded in keeping people away from their farms; they are now turning to keeping us from worship centres.”

Metro

Police Declare Two Wanted Over Attack On Ahoada-East LGA Administrator, Theft

Published

3 hours ago

July 6, 2025

Editor

The Rivers State Police Command has declared two top officials of the Ahoada-East Local Government Area wanted over their alleged involvement in the brutal attack on the LGA’s Sole Administrator, Hon. Goodluck Iheanachor.

Declared wanted are Mr. Hector Ekakita, Chief Security Officer (CSO) of Ahoada-East LGA, and Mr. Aloni Olodi, Chief of Staff (COS) of the LGA.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the police said the duo is wanted for alleged criminal conspiracy, stealing, assault occasioning harm, and attempted murder. The offenses stem from a violent incident that occurred on June 20, 2025, at the Ahoada-East Council Secretariat.

According to the statement, Ekakita and Olodi, alongside a group of about 30 others, allegedly conspired to assault the Sole Administrator, inflicted injuries on him, forcibly obtained his signature under duress, stole his mobile phones and sensitive documents, and carted away both personal and official property from his office.

The police revealed that despite repeated invitations, the suspects have failed to appear for questioning, prompting the declaration.

“The Rivers State Police Command has declared the following individuals wanted… Mr. Hector Ekakita – Chief Security Officer (CSO), Ahoada-East LGA, and Mr. Aloni Olodi – Chief of Staff (COS), Ahoada-East LGA,” the statement read.

“Their actions resulted in bodily harm to the administrator, who continues to receive medical treatment.”

The Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga A. Adepoju, psc, mnips, has urged the suspects to report to the Police State Headquarters on Moscow Road, Port Harcourt, without further delay.

He also warned that anyone found aiding or shielding the suspects would face the full weight of the law.

“The Rivers State Police Command remains steadfast in its commitment to justice and maintaining public peace and safety,” the statement concluded.
(VANGUARD)

Metro

10 Die In Ogun Night Bus Crash

Published

8 hours ago

July 6, 2025

Editor

No fewer than 10 persons have been confirmed dead, while three others sustained injuries in a lone crash involving a Mitsubishi bus on the Ijebu-Ode–Ibadan Expressway.

Mr Babatunde Akinbiyi, spokesperson for the Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) in Ogun, confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday.

Akinbiyi said the accident occurred at about 8:30 p.m. on Friday at Ome Bridge, Awa, along Ijebu-Ode–Ibadan highway in Ijebu North Local Government Area.

He stated that the lone crash involved a Mitsubishi bus, registration number EJ829-LSR, which was conveying 15 passengers at the time.

According to Akinbiyi, seven male and three female passengers died. Three others were injured, while a toddler and one adult escaped unhurt.

He said preliminary findings indicate that overspeeding and wrongful overtaking led to the accident.

“Eyewitnesses said the driver wrongly overtook another vehicle at high speed and could not regain control after noticing an oncoming vehicle.

“The driver veered off the road, hit an abandoned gravel pile beside the bridge, and plunged the vehicle into the river,” Akinbiyi explained.

He said the deceased were taken to Ijebu-Ode General Hospital’s morgue, while the injured were also being treated at the same facility.

The spokesperson urged motorists to avoid speeding and to refrain from travelling at night, stressing the importance of road safety at all times.

Metro

NDLEA Detains Couple, 2 Daughters For Alleged Drug Running

Published

9 hours ago

July 6, 2025

Editor

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Sunday said it has arrested and detained a businessman, his wife and two daughters over alleged drug peddling.

A statement by the NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, in Abuja, stated that a family friend of theirs was also taken into custody.

Babafemi said that this came after an investigation revealed that the family ran a major illicit drug distribution network in Lagos involving a family friend.

“The couple was first arrested on Friday, June 13, by operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) in Ojo area of the state and transferred to NDLEA along with 277.5kg of skunk.

“While they were still being investigated in custody, credible intelligence revealed that the family business was going on in his house.

“This led to a raid of their home and a packing store where 231kg of the same substance was recovered on Tuesday, July 1.”

Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, on Wednesday, July 2, intercepted a frequent flyer for drug trafficking.

Babafemi said that the suspect specialised in conveying goods for customers from Nigeria to Italy and vice versa.

“He was found to have hidden 7,660 pills of tramadol 225mg and 200mg inside food items packed among other goods he was conveying to Italy.

“He claimed that he was to be paid the sum of 800 euros upon successful delivery of the drug consignment in Italy,” he said.