Metro

I Don’t Know How To Advise Nigerians On Current Hardship – APC Leader, Bisi Akande

Published

3 years ago

July 23, 2023

The National Leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande has said that he would not advise Nigerians on the current severe hardships being faced on all fronts as a result of the removal of the fuel subsidy because he is not in government.

Recall that since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s removal of fuel subsidy in his inauguration speech, the living conditions of Nigerians have started growing from bad to worst based among others on the progressive increment of prices of PMS from N185 per litre to N515 Per litre and now to N585 per litre and beyond.

Chief Bisi Akande spoke in Oro in Irepodun Local Government rea of Kwara State on Saturday on the sideline of the reception organised by the Oro community to honour the immediate past Minister of Information and Culture, Alh Lai Mohammed for doing the community proud during his eight years in office.

Speaking with journalists in the private resident of the former minister on his advise to Nigerians based on the hardship they are currently facing, he said: “I’m sorry,I’m not in the position to advise Nigerians because I’m not in government and I don’t want to make mistake. Only members of government who are reading files that know a lot of things about the country can do that.im in a position like you and I will see it the way you will see it.”

He nevertheless extolled the virtues of the former minister particularly while he served under him as the Publicity Secretary of Alliance for Democracy (AD),Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN)and All Progressives Congress (APC).

“He served Alh Muhammed Buhari for eight years that’s not my business because I wasn’t part of the government but while serving under me as the Publicity Secretary of the AD,ACN and APC I found him to be a diligent people’s servant,” he said.

“I know him to be a great man a very honest individual always willing to learn.He does his job according to rule and I’m happy that he has such a wife that can allow his husband to move among others and be great so I’m happy,” The elder statesman enthused.

Chief Akande also urged the people of Oro to shun “Bad mouthing “syndrome and unite with whoever has the opportunity to be great in order to reproduce many great sons like Alh Lai Mohammed.

“I want to advise our people in Oro to be united because I know they belong to the minority in Kwara state due to the wickedness of the colonial masters who splitted the people of Igbomina and the Yoruba between the old western region and the old northern region.

“So today I can see my people being in minority also in Kwara state and I begin to say that our people must be united in everything they do.When they see anyone of them moving forward in a race they should support him and not say I think I can do it better and then begin to badmouth or pull down.

“The pull down syndrome must not be allowed among Oro people or Igbomina people so that they could produce many more of Lai Mohammed. ” he said.

In his his own remark, the former minister Alh Lai Mohammed said “there is no honor more valued than the one you are given by your own people.”

“Whatever might be their reasons for honouring me I can only thank them for the honour they have done to me its very rare not common because the common parlance is that a prophet is not honoured by his own people.” he added.

Speaking on the current situation in Nigeria the former minister also declined comment.

“I am today Lai Mohammed,a private citizen like you,so what do I know about government?”

He also declined comment about his trying period during the eight years as a minister saying this is not a forum for that,” there will still be fora that we’ll discuss that.

He however commended the people of Oro community for their religious tolerance that bound them together in unity and urged others to emulate them.

He said, “All over the world one of the greatest challenges humanity is facing today is extremism and extremism could come through political groups or religious abuse and in most cases one overlap the other. For those of us familiar with Boko Haram insurgency it was purely intolerance and extremism on the part of some people and this is what I find unique about my community because my people always live in harmony in respective of your religion affiliation.”

Earlier, President of Oro Community Prof Olabode Bojuwoye in his address said the ceremony was a well-deserved homecoming,” for our illustrious son Alh Lai Mohammed.”

“We thank him for his numerous services while in lagos state as Chief of staff then as National Publicity secretary of APC then as Minister for eight years.

“We are extremely happy at home because as they say charity begins at home.

“His contributions to Oro community are immense and cannot be forgotten. “he added.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq who was represented by his Deputy Mr Kayode Alabi at the occasion also commended Alh Lai Mohammed for serving the nation meritoriously and make kwara state proud.

He urged politicians and other stakeholders to live in unity and peace among themselves so that the state can continue to witness development.

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Related Topics:#Tinubu Bisi Akande subsidy

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Metro

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

17 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Police Command on Wednesday said two suspected cultists were arrested in Ohonre community, off Adolor College Road, Benin.

This was disclosed in a statement by the command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, and made available to newsmen electrically.

Ikoedem said the arrest was possible due to operatives response to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

The statement reads: “The Edo State Police Command has recorded another operational breakthrough following the swift disruption of a suspected cultists’ gathering in Ohonre Community, off Adolor College Road, Benin City.

“On 21st May, 2026, at about 19:00hrs, operatives attached to Ugbowo Division who were on surveillance patrol responded to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

“Acting promptly on the information, the police team mobilized to the location. On sighting the operatives, the suspects fled in an attempt to evade arrest. The operatives immediately gave them a hot chase, leading to the arrest of two suspects identified as Victor Peter ‘M’, 21 years and Iyemoma Ogbewe ‘M’, 35 years.

“A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of one cut-to-size gun believed to have been in their possession for unlawful purposes.

“Upon investigation, the suspects confessed to being members of the notorious Maphite cult group. Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other fleeing gang members.”

She said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the swift response of the operatives and reiterated the Command’s resolve to deny criminal elements any opportunity within Edo State.

He further urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, assuring that all reports would receive prompt attention.

Metro

Troops Eliminate Two Terrorists, Foil Pipeline Attack

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Army says troops have, in the last 24 hours, eliminated two terrorists, rescued four kidnapped victims and foiled pipeline attacks in a series of coordinated military operations across Taraba, Kogi and Rivers.

This is contained in operational updates issued to reporters on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the reports, troops of 93 Battalion deployed at Akate in the Donga Local Government Area of Taraba engaged suspected terrorists in a forested area, killing two of them.

According to the report, items recovered from the scene include an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, magazines, mobile phones and other personal effects.

In Kogi, it said the troops of 21 Battalion, in collaboration with vigilantes, rescued four kidnapped passengers along the Anyigba–Itobe road in Ofu Local Government Area.

It added that the victims were reportedly abandoned by their captors while attempting to cross a seasonal stream due to sustained pressure from advancing troops.

According to the military, efforts are ongoing to rescue other victims still in captivity.

The report said that troops of 12 Brigade successfully repelled an ambush along Kabba–Okene road while withdrawing from an earlier operation, forcing the assailants to flee with gunshot wounds.

“Meanwhile, in Rivers, troops of 5 Battalion acting on credible intelligence, foiled an attempt by suspected vandals to detonate a crude oil pipeline in Ahoada West Local Government Area.

“The swift response of the troops disrupted the operation before it could be executed, with the suspects fleeing the scene,” it said.

Metro

Police Arrest Private Chef Over Alleged N150m Theft, Drugging Of Employer, Burglary

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a chef, John Cosmos Govi, over his alleged involvement in a burglary operation at a residence in Abuja, where luxury items and valuables worth about N150 million were reportedly stolen.

The arrest was announced on Monday, May 25, 2026, by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, who said the suspect was apprehended by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) after investigations into allegations of criminal conspiracy, housebreaking, theft, malicious damage and administering harmful substances.

According to police findings, Govi, who allegedly gained employment as a chef at the residence, was said to have studied the movement of occupants, internal routine and security setup before allegedly carrying out the operation on April 23, 2026.

Investigators said he reportedly worked with two accomplices identified as Peter and Moses, who are currently on the run.

Police alleged that food prepared in the house was laced with a suspected sedative substance to weaken the occupants and security personnel.

After they reportedly became unconscious, the suspects allegedly broke into the property, damaged CCTV installations and stole 20 luxury wristwatches valued at about N150 million, alongside other valuables.

Speaking on the development, DCP Anthony Placid said the suspect was intercepted around the Gwagwalada axis of the Federal Capital Territory while attempting to flee to Lagos. He added that an iPhone 17 Pro Max, believed to belong to the victim, and a suspected chemical substance were recovered.

“We remain committed to dismantling organised criminal networks and ensuring that all fleeing accomplices are brought to justice,” Placid said.

Police said efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects and conclude investigations into the case.