Some commercial motorcyclists have reportedly clashed with the security agents attached to the Lagos State Joint Task Force enforcing ban on okada in some local government areas of the state.
It was gathered that some okada riders at the Idi Araba area of Lagos engaged the armed security men in a clash while making attempt to prevent the seizure of their motorcycles.
The recalcitrant riders reportedly made bone fires on the road and some of them were said to be armed with clubs and some dangerous weapons while trying to stop the security agents.
The state government had since June 1 banned okada operations in
Apapa, Eti Osa, Ikeja, Lagos Island, Surulere and Lagos Mainland local government areas.
Thousands of motorcycles have been seized and destroyed by the task force before today.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Police Command, Benjamin Hundeyin, however denied reports that riders fought security personnel.
The PPRO said, “The task force went for the operations well prepared. They (riders) were just causing a scene after task force left with some of their impounded motorcycles.”
Hundeyin said the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and men from the Area Command have been drafted to the scene. He added that there was nothing to worry about while urging residents to go about their businesses.
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrived at Eagle Square, the venue of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential primary.
Naija News reports that the EFCC operatives arrived the Eagle Square around 3:30pm and were seen monitoring members of the ruling party.
The anti-graft agency officials are at the APC presidential primary to curb incidents of delegates inducement, vote-buying and other electoral or financial fraud activities that may take place.
Recall that the EFCC officials were also at the presidential primary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which took place last month at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja.
Last minute consultations are still ongoing to reduce the number of aspirants contesting for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential ticket.
Naija News reports that northern APC governors had asked President Muhammadu Buhari to select one out of five names given to him as the party’s consensus presidential candidate.
The five aspirants are Bola Tinubu, Rotimi Amaechi, David Umahi, Kayode Fayemi and Yemi Osinbajo.
Of the five aspirants, Osinbajo, Tinubu and Fayemi are all from the South-West.
According to Vanguard, South-West leaders including traditional rulers are said to be pressuring Osinbajo to step down for Asiwaju Tinubu.
It was also gathered that there are also moves to get Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State to step down for Osinbajo.
Fayemi, the current chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, NGF, is said to be banking on the support of his brother governors in the APC to grab the party’s ticket.
However, some governors reportedly eyeing the vice presidential slot have already thrown their weights behind Tinubu and Osinbajo.
Sources said the South-West leaders want one candidate from the zone hence the pressure on Osinbajo and Fayemi to step down for Tinubu.
A top party leader said: “A lot of meetings are going on. If the meetings yield result only two aspirants will remain and the primaries will not take long to conclude.”
Sources close Tinubu said the former Lagos Governor is not ready to step down for any aspirant, including the VP.
“If there is going to be a consensus, he said he is the consensus candidate otherwise let’s go for primaries,” a member of the Tinubu Campaign also disclosed.
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has accused Fulani terrorists of attacking worshippers at St Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State.
In a statement, IPOB spokesman, Emma Powerful, urged Christians to take their safety and security personally and stop depending on the Nigerian Government.
The statement by Powerful reads partly: “We the global movement and family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) under the command and leadership of our great leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu condemn the Fulani terrorist’s attack on Catholic Church in Owo Ogun state today been Sunday 5th of June 2022.
“IPOB had repeatedly suggested that Christians should stop their dependence on the Government of Nigeria for the security of life and properties; the reason is that the current regime has only one interest and that is Fulani’s interest. Fulani terrorists masquerading as politicians and security agents are the ones heading Nigeria Army, Police and other security agencies and are responsible for the recruitment of terrorists who were massacring innocent Christians, Muslims and Non-Muslims.
“We are equally advising the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, to stop condemning attacks from these terrorists from the Sahel or praying for God’s intervention and start acting in defence of Christians in Nigeria. “CONDEMN” do not raise people from graves; therefore, we suggest again to the Christian Association of Nigeria CAN that the only remedy is to be prepared to withstand the terrorists and jihadists who were sponsored by unfortunate politicians and the Government of Nigeria to eliminate every citizen in the country.”
Nollywood actress, Nkechi Blessing has said that most ladies do not undergo plastic surgery to please men.
The controversial actress explained via a post on her Insta Stories that some ladies do it to feel confident about their bodies while others want to look good in bikinis.
This is coming after the death of a popular influencer Christabel, who allegedly lost her life after undergoing a cosmetic surgery in Lagos, Nigeria.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has begun the accreditation of delegates for the Special Convention and Presidential primary election.
Naija News reports that the accreditation process is ongoing at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, the nation’s capital.
It was learned that the delegates were driven into the accreditation centre in designated buses to kick start the electioneering process to produce the party’s presidential candidate.
The Accreditation Committee is also ready to begin the screening of delegates across the country who will vote for the party’s standard-bearer in the 2023 general elections.
The major contenders for the APC presidential ticket are Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State and the immediate past Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.
President Muhammadu Buhari is currently in a closed-door meeting with Governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, from the northern region.
Naija News learnt that the meeting is being held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Reports confirmed that while other concerned governors are already on sit, Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello is nowhere to be found as of reporting time.
Naija News understands that the ruling party commenced processes for its presidential primaries on Monday ahead the 2023 general elections.
Although President Buhari has maintained his position on the consensus arrangement, there has not been any agreement among the 23 APC presidential aspirants screened last week.
Hopefully, the meeting with the APC governors from the north would ease the party’s effort to get a consensus candidate so as to reduce acrimony that may arise at the end of the convention.
Governors reportedly present at the ongoing meeting include the Chairman of Progressive Governors Forum and governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Bagudu, chairman of Northern governors Forum and governor of Plateau State, Simeon Lalong, Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa) and Babagana Zulum (Borno).
Others are Aminu Bello Masari (Katsina), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Bello Matawale (Zamfara), Mallam Nasir el-Rufai (Kaduna), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Yahaya Inuwa (Gombe), Abubakar Bello (Niger), and the Yobe State governor, Mai Mala Buni.
An aide to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has debunked reports that the convoy of the Vice President was involved in a road accident along Airport Road, Abuja.
Laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to Vice President, said in a tweet on Monday that contrary to media reports, Osinbajo’s convoy stopped to assist victims of the road crash before proceeding to Owo, Ondo State, on a condolence visit over the killing of many worshippers in the town on Sunday.
Some media reports, not THE WHISTLER, had alleged that one of the vehicles conveying the Vice President’s aides somersaulted while making its way to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
Akande, however, described the reports as untrue, saying that Osinbajo’s convoy ambulance was only used to convey the victims to a hospital.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo assists accident victims in Abuja.
“On his way to the airport this morning, VP came across a road traffic accident, stopped to lend assistance, & ensured victim was taken to the hospital with VP’s convoy ambulance. He then proceeded on his trip and is now in Ondo State heading to site of yesterday’s attack in Owo,” the tweet read.
“VP’s medical and security teams quickly intervened removing the victim from the crushed car which somersaulted on the opposite side of the road and got stuck on a tree. Victim now moved to an hospital,” he added.
Frontline presidential aspirant and former Governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu said the attack on worshippers at the St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State is highly reprehensible.
The presidential hopeful stated that the violent attack on Sunday morning shocked the conscience of the nation and shattered the peace of the ancient town of Owo.
Tinubu said in a statement by his media office in Abuja while reacting to the attack on the Catholic Church, Owa-luwa Street in Owo Local Government Area of the state.
He, however, stated that the attackers cannot break the country’s collective spirit and Nigerians’ will to live in peace and with compassion for all regardless of faith.
The APC national leader commiserated with Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, the families of the victims of the attack and indeed the people of Owo and Ondo State.
He urged the police and security agencies to do all that is within their power to investigate the attack and apprehend the wicked perpetrators and bring them to justice.
The presidential aspirant also urged the people of the state to remain calm, and peaceful and not take laws into their hands.
The statement reads: “Today’s attack on worshippers at the St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State is reprehensible in every sense of the word. There is no place for such hatred and wanton taking of innocent lives in our nation.
“No one can discern the darkness in the mind of those that would kill people who were merely engaged in the harmless practice of their faith. The only thing that can be said for sure is that these perpetrators are evil and that they should be subjected to the full measure of the law and justice.
“This violent attack has shocked the conscience of the nation and shattered the peace of this ancient town. It has saddened our hearts beyond what words can say. However, those who did this have made a terrible mistake. They think they can break our collective spirit and our will to live in peace and with compassion to all regardless of faith.
“What they have done will not pull us apart. We must unite so that together we extinguish this evil from our nation. We owe it to ourselves and to those who lost their lives in this heinous attack.
“Violent extremism and insecurity want to bring us low. We must continue to do all that we can to beat the vile challenge so that Nigeria becomes its better self. The architects of violence shall only seal their own fate but not the fate of this nation or the peace-loving people who inhabit it.
“While this is political season, let us put aside partisan affiliation and politics for the moment. I ask all Nigerians to stand and commiserate with Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), the families of the victims of the attack and indeed the people of Owo and Ondo State. I too mourn and extend condolences with the pastors and leaders of St. Francis Catholic Church.
“While urging the people of the state to remain calm, and peaceful, we must also urge the police and security agencies to do all that is within their mortal power to do to get to the bottom of this attack, apprehend the wicked perpetrators and bring them to justice.
“May God watch over this republic and the people of Nigeria such that such evil is quickly and forever extinguished from the land!”
Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has expressed sadness over Sunday’s attack at the St Francis Catholic Church, Owo, and vowed to hunt down the masterminds of the assault.
He said this in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, shortly after the attack which killed many.
“It is a black Sunday in Owo. Our hearts are heavy. Our peace and tranquility have been attacked by the enemies of the people. This is a personal loss, an attack on our dear state,” Governor Akeredolu said.
“I have spoken to the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ondo, Most Reverend Jude Arogundade, who is presently on his way to Owo. Similarly, I have had to cut short my party’s national assignment in Abuja and visit Owo immediately.”
The governor, who said he had cut short his visit to Abuja ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to visit Owo immediately, vowed to fish out the culprits.
“This is an unexpected development. I am shocked, to say the least. Nevertheless, We shall commit every available resource to hunt down these assailants and make them pay. We shall never bow to the machinations of heartless elements in our resolves to rid our state of criminals,” the statement added.
“I commiserate with my people in Owo, particularly families of the those who lost their lives to this ugly and unfortunate attack. I extend my condolences to Olowo of Owo, Oba Gbadegesin Ogunoye as well as the Catholic Church.”
Governor Akeredolu called for the people to remain calm, assuring them that “security operatives would be deployed to monitor and restore normalcy to Owo kingdom”.
Read the full statement below:
PRESS STATEMENT.
Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, is deeply saddened by the unprovoked attack and killing of innocent people of Owo, worshiping at the St Francis Catholic Church, Owa-luwa Street, on Sunday.
The vile and satanic attack is a calculated assault on the peace-loving people of Owo Kingdom who have enjoyed relative peace over the years.
“It is a black Sunday in Owo. Our hearts are heavy. Our peace and tranquility have been attacked by the enemies of the people. This is a personal loss, an attack on our dear state.
“I have spoken to the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ondo, Most Reverend Jude Arogundade, who is presently on his way to Owo. Similarly, I have had to cut short my party’s national assignment in Abuja and visit Owo immediately.
“This is an unexpected development. I am shocked, to say the least. Nevertheless, We shall commit every available resource to hunt down these assailants and make them pay. We shall never bow to the machinations of heartless elements in our resolves to rid our state of criminals.
“I commiserate with my people in Owo, particularly families of the those who lost their lives to this ugly and unfortunate attack. I extend my condolences to Olowo of Owo, Oba Gbadegesin Ogunoye as well as the Catholic Church.
“I urge our people to remain calm and vigilant. Do not take laws into your hands. I have spoken to the heads of the security agencies. I have equally been assured that security operatives would be deployed to monitor and restore normalcy to Owo kingdom.” Akeredolu said.
