NEWS
Adeleke Bars Heavy Duty Trucks From Plying Olaiya Bridge
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has directed the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure to ban heavy duty trucks from plying the Olaiya bridge at Osogbo.
Biztellers reports that Gov Adeleke cited safety reasons arising from the technical reports on the state of the bridge as informing the directive.
According to the Governor the decision became necessary to protect the bridge from possible collapse and avoid untoward happenings with continuous passage by heavy trucks.
ALSO READ: Umahi Assures Adeleke On Federal Road Corridors Across Osun
Describing the decision as a preemptive step, Gov Adeleke said the Ministry should erect barricades across the bridge to allow only cars and buses to ply through the road.
As a step towards implementing the directive, the Governor also instructed the Ministry to issue a travel advisory with radio jingles to sensitize members of the public and the transport ecosystem.
Gov Adeleke assured the public that the decision was taken to protect the public and state assets while a long lasting review of the technical status of the bridge is being conducted by the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure.
NEWS
Relatives Of Renowned Journalist Abducted In Kogi, N50m Ransom Demanded
Three relatives of Malam Ahmed Ajobe, a former Editor of Daily Trust, were abducted by gunmen on Thursday evening along the Ankpa-Adoka-Makurdi road in Kogi State.
The victims, identified as a male and two females, include Ajobe’s immediate younger sister, Halimtu-Sadiya Tahir.
The family members were returning from a market in Awo, Ankpa Local Government Area, where they had gone to purchase items for the seventh-day prayers of Ajobe’s late mother, Malama Aishetu Tahir.
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The matriarch passed away on Sunday after a protracted illness.
The abduction occurred around 3 p.m. on the deplorable Ankpa-Adoka-Makurdi road, a known hotspot for criminal activities.
According to a family source, the kidnappers contacted the family on Friday and demanded a ransom of N50 million for the release of the victims.
A close family friend, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said: “Yes, three of Ajobe’s family members were kidnapped at gunpoint at about 3 p.m. on Thursday.
The kidnappers reached out on Friday afternoon demanding for N50 million as ransom.
However, I can’t confirm what the family is offering in the negotiations because I had to leave the community for an emergency in Lokoja. What I can say is that no amount has been paid yet, and the victims are still in captivity.”
The Kogi State Police Command has confirmed the incident and assured the public that efforts are underway to rescue the victims.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), William Aya, disclosed that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the area has deployed officers to track the assailants.
“The Commissioner of Police, Bethrand Onuoha, has ordered the drafting of a tactical team to reinforce the local police. We are doing everything possible to ensure the safe release of the victims and to bring the perpetrators to justice,” Aya said.
The Ankpa-Adoka-Makurdi road has long been a source of concern for residents, who have repeatedly called for improved security and road infrastructure.
Negotiations between the family and the kidnappers are ongoing, but as of press time, the victims remain in captivity.
NEWS
I Previously Called For Simon Ekpa To Be Shot – APC Chieftain
A prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Jesutega Onokpasa, has expressed strong support for the recent arrest of Simon Ekpa, the self-styled Prime Minister of the Biafran Republic Government in Exile.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television on Friday, Onokpasa, a lawyer, described Ekpa as a dangerous figure whose actions warranted severe measures, including his elimination.
READ ALSO: Edo State Governor Sets Up Committee To Recover Missing Gov’t Vehicles
Simon Ekpa was apprehended in Finland earlier this week by the country’s Central Criminal Police alongside three other individuals.
The arrests were part of an investigation into suspected terrorist activities.
Finnish authorities confirmed the development in a statement, noting that Ekpa and others were being questioned for their alleged roles in terrorism-related crimes.
Onokpasa, who has been a vocal critic of the separatist leader, revealed that he had previously called for Ekpa to be neutralized due to his alleged involvement in violent activities in Nigeria’s Southeast.
“The case of Simon Ekpa—his arrest is long overdue,” Onokpasa said during the interview. “In fact, I had actually encouraged that he should be shot because he was killing his fellow Igbos. If the person is an enemy combatant, he is liable to be shot. I know the law. This is just intelligence stuff.”
The APC chieftain also described Ekpa as “a crazy, poorly educated fellow,” adding that his actions have led to significant bloodshed among Igbos in the region.
Onokpasa emphasized his unwavering support for Ekpa’s arrest, which he believes is a necessary step in addressing the violence linked to separatist agitation. “In that case, I am in full support of his arrest,” he added.
Ekpa has been a polarizing figure, often accused of fueling unrest in Nigeria’s Southeast through his advocacy for Biafran independence.
His arrest is being hailed by some as a crucial step toward restoring peace in the region.
NEWS
Senator Ifeanyi Ubah Laid To Rest In Nnewi Amidst Tight Security
On Friday, November 22, 2024, the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah was laid to rest in his hometown of Nnewi, Anambra State.
The funeral, held at his residence in Umuanuka, Otolo Nnewi, was attended by a multitude of mourners, including political figures, business associates, and community members, all paying their final respects to the esteemed businessman and politician.
The burial proceedings commenced with a funeral mass at 10:00 a.m., followed by condolence visits and other funeral activities. The ceremonies are scheduled to continue through the weekend, culminating in a Thanksgiving Mass and Outing Service on Sunday, November 24, at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church in Otolo Nnewi.
READ MORE: JUST IN: Anambra Senator, Ubah, Dies In London
In light of security concerns, Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, ordered the closure of schools in Nnewi for a week. This decision followed threats from separatist elements who vowed to attack those attending the burial. A circular from the state Ministry of Education directed school principals to inform parents and ensure students remained at home during this period.
The Anambra State Police Command addressed an incident that occurred on Wednesday night, clarifying that it was not related to the burial. According to the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the incident involved security operatives mistakenly engaging police personnel, leading to an exchange of gunfire. The situation has since been brought under control.
Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who represented Anambra South Senatorial District, passed away in London in July 2024 at the age of 52. His death was met with an outpouring of grief from across the nation, with many acknowledging his significant contributions to the development of Anambra State and Nigeria.
As the community of Nnewi and the nation at large bid farewell to Senator Ubah, his legacy as a philanthropist, businessman, and public servant continues to resonate, leaving an indelible mark on those he served and inspired.