President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has delivered a robust condemnation in the wake of the tragic killing of five soldiers in Aba, Abia State.

Recall that the soldiers, engaged in peacekeeping duties, were ambushed in what authorities suspect to be an attack by militants linked to the proscribed terrorist group, IPOB.

In a personally penned statement to reporters in Abuja on Saturday evening, Tinubu underscored the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of its security personnel.

He condemned the killings as a brazen act that will not be tolerated, reaffirming the government’s determination to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Calling for unity and resilience in the face of adversity, President Tinubu reassured the nation of the government’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and security of its citizens.

The statement reads “I have received yet another disheartening news of the killing of five soldiers by suspected militants of the proscribed terrorist organization, IPOB.

“The slain soldiers were on peacekeeping duty in Aba, Abia State on Thursday when they were murdered, just two months after a similar tragic incident happened in Okuama in Delta state. These unwarranted barbaric and evil acts stand condemned and should never be condoned and tolerated in our country.

“Our soldiers and the police have the onerous duty to protect all of us from aggressors and non state actors. Hundreds of them have paid the ultimate price in fulfilment of their duty, while some have experienced the indignity of being manhandled by the people they protect. They surely do not deserve the mindless attacks by unruly elements in our society.

“The federal government will come down heavily against those who have made it a habit to needlessly attack the officers and men of our armed forces. On no account should anyone, under any guise, have the audacity to kill agents of state.

“I want to make it clear that the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the armed forces have the capacity to crush violent non-state actors, making our communities unsafe.

“I urge security agencies not only to fish out the masterminds and perpetrators of the Aba attack, but also those calling on people to stay at home. Their action is nothing but a treasonable offence. The fact that the security forces are exercising necessary restraints should not be mistaken for weakness.

“We are working to build a peaceful and harmonious society, but nobody should be under any illusion that the government will not act appropriately when the lives of our officers and men are wantonly taken.

“While my condolences go to the families of the five slain soldiers, their colleagues and the leadership of our armed forces, I urge other men and women on peacekeeping duty not to be discouraged by the unfortunate incident in Aba.” It added

The administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has received backing from prominent citizens and monarchs in the state.

A government statement obtained by Biztellers revealed that a frontline businessman and Chief Executive, Bi-Courtney Limited, Dr. Wale Babalakin, on Friday assured Gov Adeleke of his support, particularly in administration’s drive to take the state out of the woods.

The prominent business lawyer gave this pledge while hosting Gov Adeleke in his country home, Gbongan, in the Ayedaade Local Government Area.

Biztellers reports that the governor was in Gbongan for the burial celebration of late Pa Gabriel Adegoke Ajayi and used the opportunity to appreciate the elder statesman for his numerous contributions to national development.

It was gathered that he also used the opportunity to request support for his administration, as in his opinion, “no government can develop the society alone without support from societal stakeholders”.

Senator Adeleke briefed the frontline entrepreneur on his triple-focussed agenda of soft, hard and stomach infrastructure and the successes recorded.

He gave an account of the underpinning principles of his leadership to include local content in procurement, contracting and workforce alongside financial transparency and open government.

In his words, “We call on the Osun elite to join me in this task of rebuilding the state economy first through infrastructure upgrade, agro-industrial development and restoration of workers’ dignity.

“We are open to ideas to complement our resolute determination to take Osun to greater heights.”

He made the submission to a circle of select top leaders, including the Gbongan monarch, the revered Olufi, Oba Adetoyese Babayemi.

In his remarks, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dr. Babalakin expressed delight at the quality of good governance being delivered by the Asiwaju of Edeland.

Dr. Babalakin pledged to deploy his wealth of experience and resources to support the government as it continues to steer the ship of the state to greater heights.

“I want to use this opportunity to thank Your Excellency, Governor Adeleke for leaving no stone unturned as you vigorously pursue your infrastructural development agenda”. Dr. Babalakin said.

The Olufi of Gbongan in his remarks said that Gbongan people were indebted to Mr Governor for his immediate infrastructural intervention which he said reconnected the town and boosted local commerce.

According to the royal father, “Our people are watching and they see the Governor performing, satisfying their needs. So 2026 is for the Governor by God and men.

“My people are happy and pleased with Mr Governor. He is reaching out to all local governments with projects and programmes. He is a true democrat”, the royal father affirmed.

Gov Adeleke was accompanied by the House Speaker, Right Honourable, Prince Adewale Egbedun, the publisher of Ovation, Otunba Dele Momodu who is the Akinrogun of Gbongan Land and other top officials of the state.

Ogun State is on the brink of becoming an oil-producing region, with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) set to initiate oil and gas exploration.

On Friday, prominent figures in the oil industry, including the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil) Heineken Lokpobiri, Managing Director of SHELL Petroleum Development Company Ltd Mr. Osagie Okubor, Chief Executive of the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, and Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd Mr. Mele Kyari, visited Ogun State to outline the Federal Government’s exploration plans.

Governor Dapo Abiodun and his Deputy, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, welcomed the delegation.

Speaking at the governor’s office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Lokpobiri highlighted that Ogun State is part of the Dahomey Basin, which is thought to contain substantial hydrocarbon deposits.

The Minister said: “We decided that we are going to resume exploration in the different Basins; we decided to come to Ogun State to reassure the people that we have very high potential of discoveries here.

“Ogun has always been part of the Dahomey Basin and our presence underscore the seriousness the federal government attaches to the exploration activities that we want to carry out in Ogun State.”

Lokpobiri emphasized that oil and gas are the quickest routes to Nigeria’s economic prosperity and stated that his team’s visit to Ogun State is part of an ongoing campaign for exploration activities.

He added that the visit aims to demonstrate the federal government’s commitment to increasing its revenue through the oil and gas sector.

He added “Today we are here to tell the people of the federal government’s commitment to ensuring that we continue our campaign and exploration activities across the country. We are doing this exploration activities in several places across Nigeria and today we are in Ogun after which we will proceed to Sokoto State.’

Mr. Mele Kyari, the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), noted that Ogun State is fortunate to be located in the Dahomey Basin, which is expected to have significant oil deposits.

He assured that the corporation will soon return to begin exploration activities in earnest and expressed optimism that oil will be discovered in commercial quantities.