Metro
Ogun Monarch Sacks 10 Chiefs Over Land Sale
Published
10 months agoon
By
Editor
The Olu of Orile Ilawo, Abeokuta, Oba Alexander MacGregor, has dismissed 10 chiefs for allegedly selling 1,600 acres of community land in Alagbagba and surrounding areas within Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun State.
Those dismissed include the Oluwo of Ilawo, Chief Oluwole Dosunmu; the Balogun of Ilawo, Chief Abraham Soyoye; and the Jagunna of Ilawo, Fatai Sodimu, along with seven other chiefs.
Addressing journalists on Saturday at his palace, the monarch, accompanied by other chiefs, expressed his dismay over what he described as the chiefs’ disregard for his authority as the Olu of Orile Ilawo.
According to him, the dismissed chiefs had been acting solely in their own interest, selling communal land without proper authorisation from the prescribed authority, which he claims resides solely with him.
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Oba MacGregor explained, “These chiefs have been selling land — over 1,600 acres—without my authorisation. They are not representing the interests of Ilawo but rather their own, engaging in illegal land sales that deprive people of their rightful heritage.”
The monarch further highlighted the historical significance of the Ilawo stool, noting that it predates the establishment of Abeokuta.
“The Ilawo stool is ancient, dating back before the formation of Abeokuta in 1830. Ilawo has always been a community united by shared customs and traditions. It is not subordinate to the Osile of Oke Ona Egba.
“I am the Olu of Orile Ilawo kingdom and the prescribed authority over all areas associated with Ilawo, whether in Odeda, Abeokuta North, Ewekoro, Ifo, or Obafemi. Our people have settled in these areas for generations, observing our customs, and I am responsible for overseeing these lands and their people,” he stated.
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He also warned the dismissed chiefs to stop using titles such as Oluwo, Balogun, and Jagunna of Ilawo, asserting that they no longer hold legitimate recognition under his authority.
The monarch condemned the actions of the dismissed chiefs, saying their behaviour undermines the “Omoluabi” values of the Ilawo people.
“I cannot stand by and allow the reputation of Ilawo to be tarnished by land-grabbing activities,” he said.
In response, the Oluwo of Ilawo, Chief Oluwole Dosunmu, speaking on behalf of the dismissed chiefs, denied any wrongdoing. He claimed that any actions taken by the chiefs had the full approval of the community.
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Dosunmu stated, “We have done nothing wrong, and whatever we have done has community backing. We hold certificates as recognised chiefs from the Osile of Oke Ona Egba, Oba (Dr) Adedapo Tejuoso.”
He expressed surprise at the allegations, stating that the chiefs only learned about them through the media. “We were surprised to hear on the radio that we’ve been accused of selling land at Alagbagba. We haven’t received any official communication from the monarch regarding these allegations.”
He concluded, “I have spoken to the other chiefs, and we will decide how to respond, either by holding a meeting with journalists or releasing a statement to clarify our position.”
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The Anambra State Special Anti-Touting Squad has apprehended four persons in Achalla, Awka North Local Government Area, for allegedly impersonating SASA operatives and conducting illegal operations.
The suspects, who were reportedly parading the streets of Achalla wearing uniforms and carrying fake anti-tout identity cards, were arrested following complaints from residents who claimed they had been harassed and extorted.
Speaking to journalists on the development on Wednesday, the Director General of Anambra State Special Anti-Touting Squad, Monday Onwe, condemned the alleged impersonation, stressing that his office did not know about any anti-tout initiative in Achalla.
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Onwe emphasised that the authority to establish such a formation rests solely with the state governor, Chukwuma Soludo.
He said, “The alleged activities of this group, including intimidation and extortion using dangerous implements, are unacceptable and damaging to the integrity of the original Anambra State Special Anti-Touting Squad.
“We remain committed to a full investigation, and anyone found culpable will be prosecuted in a competent court of law.”
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He further warned that fraudulent use of the Anambra State Special Anti-Touting Squad name to defraud the public would not be tolerated, assuring residents that the state government remains determined to protect communities from criminal exploitation.
“If you wish to become a member of the anti-touting squad, please be informed that you must undergo mandatory training before acceptance.
“No individual will be admitted into the squad without completing the required training and meeting the set standards.
“This process is for discipline, professionalism, and efficiency in service,” The PUNCH quoted him.
Metro
Police Arrest Pastor, Wife Over Staged Self-kidnap In Ondo
Published
4 hours agoon
August 28, 2025By
Editor
The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a 42-year-old woman, Mrs Sanmori Taiwo, and her 62-year-old husband, Pastor Sanmori Joshua, for allegedly faking her abduction to extort N10m from relatives abroad.
According to a statement released by the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olushola Ayanlade on Wednesday, the drama played out on August 23 at the couple’s residence on Road 5, PowerLine, Ondo City.
According to him, Taiwo deliberately secluded herself in a room while her husband reached out to her relatives, claiming she had been kidnapped by unknown gunmen.
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“Suspicious of the claims, one of the relatives, Mr Fasegha O. Joseph, through a written petition, reported the matter to the Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal, who directed the Command’s Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad (SAKS),” Ayanlade said.
He explained that operatives, backed by Enu-owa Division in Ondo City, stormed the couple’s residence where the woman was found.
“She falsely claimed to have just been released by kidnappers after a ransom of Five Million Naira was allegedly paid,” the police spokesman added.
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Ayanlade further disclosed that during interrogation, the woman owned up to staging the abduction to raise money.
“Upon further interrogation at the Command, Mrs Taiwo confessed that the abduction was staged as a self-kidnapping scheme, masterminded to extort money from her relatives abroad under the pretense of securing her release. She further admitted that her motive was to settle debts and provide for her personal needs,” he stated.
The police said the couple remain in custody and would face charges after investigations.
“We will diligently unravel all forms of criminality, whether real or staged, in order to preserve peace, protect lives, and safeguard the integrity of communities within the state,” Ayanlade added.
Metro
Police Recover Eight Explosives, 8000 Ammunition, Arrest 33 Suspects In Rivers
Published
4 hours agoon
August 28, 2025By
Editor
The Rivers State Police Command said it has recovered eight explosive devices and arrested 33 suspects for various crimes, including cultism, armed robbery, kidnapping and human trafficking in various parts of the state.
The police command also said its operatives recovered about 8000 ammunition resulting from an aggressive clampdown on crime and criminality in the oil-rich city.
The State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this during a joint security briefing in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
Adepoju said the feat was achieved in collaboration with sister security operatives within the last seven months (January to August), but disclosed that most of the high-profile crimes were smashed within the period of the State of Emergency declared in the state.
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He said some of the arrested suspects include seven daredevil cutists who killed a Port Harcourt-based lawyer, Bright Owhor, in the D/line axis of Port Harcourt.
CP Adepoju stated, “In the past months, the Rivers State Police Command, working in close synergy with the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Department of State Services and other critical security stakeholders, have made remarkable progress in our sustained operations to curb criminal activities across the State.
“Through this united effort, we have intensified our crackdown on violent crimes, leading to the arrest of numerous suspects involved in heinous offences such as armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, human trafficking, and murder, as well as the recovery of vital exhibits.
“Arrest of vandals at an oil-spilled well in Kpean community, Khana Local Government Area). The crime was committed on 10th August 2025.”
READ ALSO:Uproar As Senate Okays Non-indigene As Rivers Electoral Commission Chairman
He gave the names of some of the suspected vandals as, Joseph Nsukpe, aged 38, James Nkpogio, (20), Godspower Ngbam (28), Happy Mdor (27) and Apolebabari Ibede (35) among others.
Adepoju said among the eight explosive devices recovered were ‘Three GXI Dynamites’.
He listed the suspect who murdered the lawyer and withdrew his funds after collecting his Automated Teller Machine Card as Prince Samuel, aged 30, Daniel Godwin (25), Henry Peter (24), Godfrey Emmanuel a.k.a. Ibu (30), gang leader, Chukwu Nneji (34), Justice Dimkpa (27), Promise Wikere (22).
The CP further said eleven MTN SIM cards, four locally made pistols, seven rounds of 9mm ammunition, two live cartridges, one mini bus and one Toyota Camry were recovered from the suspects.
READ ALSO:Nigerian Senate Passes 2025 Budget For Rivers State
CP Adepoju gave a breakdown of the arrest and recovery as follows: ’21 AK 47 rifles, 66 locally made guns, 800 ammunition, four magazines, eight Revolver Pistols, 115 Vehicles, 34 Pump action and two Dane guns’.
Others listed include’ Two Scorpions Sub-machine Gun, one
Lar Riffle, eight explosives, 33 arrested suspects, 10 English-made pistols, two GMP, 67 Cartridges and 15 Conventional ammunition.
Speaking further, Adepoju lauded the synergy amongst the various security agencies in the state, saying the State Police Command under his watch remains committed to the safety and security of the lives and properties of all citizens and residents.
He said, “These operations reflect a broader strategy to dismantle criminal networks and ensure public confidence in law enforcement agencies, especially as it concerns the upcoming chairmanship/councillorship elections.”
He therefore appealed to members of the public to partner with the security agencies in giving credible information to enable the outfits to serve the people better.
(PUNCH
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