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Why ‘Amotekun’ May Be Unconstitutional ― Police Minister

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The Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Maigari Dingyadi, Saturday, said Operation Amotekun is unconstitutional if it differs from the support rendered by the Federal government on security.

Dingyadi noted that the governors in the south-west zone had good intentions but the constitution bestowed the responsibility of national security on the Federal Government.

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”The intentions of the Southwest governors are good. However, some people have expressed fears on the regional security force.

READ ALSO: Ahead S’Court Judgment: Maintain Calm, Lawyers Urge Bauchi Residents

”Security is an exclusive responsibility of the Federal Government being supported at times by state governments and other organisations.

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”If Operation Amotekun differs from the support being rendered by state governments to the Federal Government on security matters, then it is unconstitutional,” Dingyadi stated.

The Minister of Police Affairs, also advised Nigerians to reduce desperation for money as a way of minimising cases of kidnappings and other crimes in the country.

READ ALSO: Read How Barack Obama Celebrate His Wife As She Turns 56

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Dingyadi, who gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Sokoto, noted that it was worrisome identifying close relations among the gangs perpetrating kidnappings.

“It is beyond doubt that some children, couples and relatives are discovered to have participated in the kidnap of their associates.

“All these occur in order to get money, and such magnitude of desperation is beyond ordinary crime.

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”Though we have cases of kidnappings and other crimes in our society, the dimension it is now taking is worrisome,” Dingyadi said.

The minister, who said that the police were doing well in tackling the menace in all forms, enjoined Nigerians to support them in order to ensure maximum success in that regard.

He said that the border closure by the Federal Government had yielded result regarding the nation’s security aside from the achievements recorded in economic activities across the country.

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Dingyadi further stated that the police would perform efficiently if the military personnel were withdrawn from areas affected by insurgency, saying that managing internal security was their primary responsibility.

READ ALSO: No Problem If Power Shifts To South-East In 2023, Says Gowon

According to him, the military is involved in tackling insurgency because some national-territorial areas were taken over by the insurgents, adding, however, that the police are capable of containing the situation.

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[NAN)

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Why We Refused To Vote, Opted For Football – Lagos Youths

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While election officials and stakeholders made repeated calls for civic participation in the ongoing local government polls in Lagos, some young residents of Alausa, Ikeja, chose football over voting.

Between 9am and 2pm on Saturday, during the peak of the electioneering process, groups of youths were seen at three different spots in Alausa engrossed in football matches instead of heading to polling units.

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When approached by our correspondent, many of them cited a lack of trust in the electoral outcome as the reason for staying away from the polls.

“You can’t force me to vote. I chose to play ball, and why will I vote?” said Ayomikun Ola, one of the youths.

READ ALSO: What May Change As Lagos Tenancy Bill Passes Second Reading

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Another young man, Opeyemi Omoemi, was blunt in his response: “We all know that it’s the APC that wins all, as usual. So there is no need for me to disturb myself.”

Wasiu, also found on the field, said, “Bro, there is no need. I am satisfied with the football than the vote.”

Bayo, who joined the game, explained that he was underage. “I haven’t clocked 18, that’s why I didn’t vote. The best is to play football,” he said.

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A young woman, Seriki Ganiyat, attending to customers at her shop nearby, said she could not afford to leave her business for the election.

READ ALSO: LASIEC Releases Validated Candidates’ List Gor Lagos LG Polls

It’s not necessary. I have children to feed. Imagine if I had to leave my shop to go and vote. What for and what will my children eat this night?” she asked.

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Their views reflect a broader pattern of low voter turnout and widespread apathy observed across many polling units.

At Polling Unit 003, Ward 7, only 61 out of 1,000 registered voters had voted as of 1:05pm.

READ ALSO: JUST IN: Vote Counting Begins In Yaba

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Similarly, at PU 007 of the same ward, only 30 people had cast their ballots by 1pm., while PU 031 had recorded just four voters out of 29 by 1:12 p.m.

At PU 026, only one voter had shown up out of 21 registered. PU 027 recorded just five votes from 62 registered voters by 1:43pm.

In Ward F, PU 011, 45 voters turned up from a total of 908. PU 085 had no votes cast at all by 1:45pm, despite having four registered voters.

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Ward C’s PU 004, with 913 registered voters, recorded just 30 ballots as of 1:47pm. At Ward F, PU 036, only 50 out of 986 had voted by 1:51pm.
(PUNCH)

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JUST IN: Vote Counting Begins In Yaba

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Vote counting has officially commenced at Polling Unit 024 in Ward B, Makoko area of Yaba, Lagos, marking the winding down of the 2025 local government election across the state.

However, the conclusion of the poll has been overshadowed by a pervasive low voter turnout, raising questions about the exercise’s overall impact.

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The lack of voter enthusiasm could impact the credibility and inclusiveness of the exercise,” an election observer noted, reflecting a sentiment shared by many watching the democratic process unfold.

READ ALSO: Lagos Police Deploys 30,000 Officers For LG Polls

This concern comes as officials at Polling Unit 002, located in the same Ward B, continued to await the arrival of voters even as counting began elsewhere.

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Despite a generally peaceful atmosphere reported across various polling units, voter turnout remained significantly low in many parts of Yaba.

At Ward F, 012, situated along Iwaya Road, voting was still ongoing as of press time, with officials describing the turnout as notably lower than anticipated.

READ ALSO: LASIEC Releases Validated Candidates’ List Gor Lagos LG Polls

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Similar reports echoed from other sections of Iwaya, where Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission officials observed a sluggish pace of voting activity throughout the day.

In contrast, Ward G at St. Timothy College presented a more active scene, with multiple polling units—including 001, 002, 003, 004, and 005—conducting voting in an orderly manner.

This provided a glimpse of the organised process, even amidst the broader challenges of voter engagement.

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Election observers, while commending the largely calm and disruption-free process, reiterated their concerns that the palpable lack of voter enthusiasm could indeed impact the credibility and inclusiveness of the local government elections.

LASIEC officials have continued their efforts to encourage eligible voters to come out and cast their ballots before the scheduled close of voting at 3pm.
(PUNCH)

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Delta Community King Joins His Ancestors

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The traditional ruler of Olomu Kingdom in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, His Royal Majesty, Ovie Macaulay Popo Ovbagbedia, Uhurhie-Osadjere II, also known as the Ohworode of Olomu, has passed away.

The official announcement was made at the royal palace in Ovwor-Olomu by the kingdom’s spokesperson, Olorogun Albert Akpomudje (SAN), who was joined by members of the Olomu Traditional Council and the late king’s family.

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As part of the tradition, the announcement was accompanied by cultural rites, including a performance from Ema dancers and the firing of 21 cannon shots to symbolise the king’s journey to the afterlife.

READ ALSO: Bill To Establish Federal Oil And Gas Hospital In Delta Scales Second Reading In Senate

Following customs, all markets within the kingdom are to remain shut, and no burial or marriage ceremonies will take place during the mourning period. Shops may only open partially.

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A one-month mourning period has been declared, from July 12 to August 12, 2025.

During this time, all chiefs of the Olomu Kingdom are required to wear black armbands on their left arms and are not allowed to wear the traditional red Olomu chieftaincy cap, as a sign of respect for the late king.

In remembrance, a five-minute silence was held to honour the monarch, who began his reign on May 20, 2023.

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