Herdsmen destroy 30 hectares of cassava farm in Ondo – Newstrends
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Herdsmen destroy 30 hectares of cassava farm in Ondo

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Herdsmen have reportedly destroyed 30 hectares of cassava farm at lgbaraoke, in lfedore council area of Ondo State.

The cassava farmland, estimated at over N10 million, belongs to the former Information and Orientation commissioner in the state and former National vice chairman (South) of the People’s Democratic Party, Dr. Eddy Olafeso.

Olafeso, who was close to tears, yesterday, when he spoke with newsmen in Akure, lamented the destruction of his farm.

His farm manager, Adeola Ariyo, while narrating his ordeal, said that the 30 hectares of cassava farm were destroyed by the cows brought by the herdsmen.

Cassava uprooted for cows to feed on

Ariyo said that the herdsmen uprooted the whole cassava for their cows to feed on.

He explained that workers on the farms concluded the weeding of the farm, after spending about N600,000 before going for Christmas break, only to return to find the entire farm destroyed.

Ariyo said they discovered traces of the footprints of the cows and the herdsmen at the farm.

“The cassava were uprooted and given to the cows to feed on them.

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“We had planned to embark on the harvesting of the cassava and reinvest the money on more capital projects, but that hope had been dashed with the destruction of the cassava farm

“We have officially reported to the headquarters of Amotekun in Ifedore local government.

“The cows have turned the 30 hectares of land into a grazing field. The herdsmen destroyed the entire farm and destroyed our means of survival.”

He said the colossal damage done on the farm by the herdsmen and their cows affected the health of his principal.

“I was dazed when I got to the farm and saw the destruction and I have to call my master to inform him and he was devastated by the news. The incident has been reported to the office of the Amotekun Corps.”

Olafeso writes Akeredolu

Meanwhile, Olafeso has written to the state Governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, to intimate the state government about the development, saying his 30 hectares of cassava farm under the Ondo State Agribusiness Empowerment centre in Igbaraoke had been destroyed by herdsmen.

Olafeso, in the letter, addressed to the governor, the Senior Special Adviser to Governor Akeredolu on Agriculture, Mr Akin Olotu and the Commander of Amotekun, Chief Adetunji Adeleye, lamenting that over N10m worth of cassava have been lost to the invasion of his farm by the herders.

The letter read, in parts: “We arrived at our farm in Igbaraoke this morning, 11th January 2023 to witness the destruction of our cassava farm by herdsmen.

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“I went to inspect our farm on the 23rd of December, 2022 after we completed the weeding of the entire plantation. We were expectant of good harvest but between Christmas and New Year, our farm has been plundered.

Laments pains, millions of Naira loss

“The pain inflicted on the family and the millions of naira lost can only be imagined. Our sweat for over one year was taken away just like that.”

Olafeso added that “this case was reported to the Amotekun station at Igbaraoke this morning. These evil herdsmen must be brought to book, otherwise, the effect of this insanity will shake the state to its foundation.

“We had planned to embark on the harvesting of the cassava and reinvest the money on more capital projects, but that hope had been dashed with the destruction of the cassava farm. We have officially reported to the headquarters of Amotekun in Ifedore local government. The cows have turned the 30 hectares of land into a grazing field.

“The herdsmen destroyed the entire farm and destroyed our means of survival.”

He said the colossal damage done on the farm by the herdsmen and their cows affected the health of his principal.

“I was dazed when I got to the farm and saw the destruction and I have to call my master to inform him and he was devastated by the news. The incident has been reported to the office of the Amotekun Corps.”

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Man gets four-year jail for sexually assaulting teenager in Lagos

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Man gets four-year jail for sexually assaulting teenager in Lagos

One Onyeka Ubaka has been sentenced to four years imprisonment for sexual assault and maltreatment of a 16-year-old girl in Lagos State.

He was convicted and sentenced by an Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court on Tuesday.

Justice Rahmon Oshodi convicted him after he pleaded guilty to the two amended charges brought against him by the Lagos State Government.

Ubaka was initially arraigned on January 12, 2024, and was initially charged with defilement through one-count information filed on October 26, 2023, to which he pleaded not guilty.

In the court proceedings, the prosecution counsel, B. E. Okeowo, presented a single witness, the prosecutrix, whose testimony proved particularly significant in establishing the case against the defendant. The prosecutrix who provided a testimony, identified the defendant as her boyfriend and disclosed that she was 16 years old in 2023 and that her relationship with the defendant began in her mother’s shop.

The victim testified to the court that the defendant had multiple instances of sexual intercourse with her, which resulted in pregnancy and childbirth.

“The defendant is the father of my child. He impregnated me, and the child is five months old.”

According to PUNCH, the victim, during cross-examination, gave testimony evidence that incriminate the defendant.

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In one instance, she disclosed that the defendant took her to a bar, gave her yogurt to drink, and after she drank it, she lost consciousness. She further disclosed that she woke up in a hotel room and realised that the defendant had non-consensual sex with her and told her to keep the incident a secret.

At the court proceeding on Tuesday, Justice Oshodi disclosed to the court that the prosecution counsel, B. E. Okeowo, had informed the court that the parties had entered a plea and sentence agreement dated and filed on November 25, 2024. The court then charged and convicted the defendant on the amended charge of indecent acts and sexual assault to which the defendant pleaded guilty.

Justice Ramon, in his judgment, stated that the prosecution had established beyond a reasonable doubt the charges brought against the defendant, and found the defendant guilty of indecent act and sexual assault.

“From the evidence presented by the prosecution, I am satisfied that the essential elements of indecent acts and sexual assault have been established. There is an abundance of evidence to support this conclusion. The defendant’s guilty plea further justifies his conviction for the offences contained in the amended information.

“Therefore, I find the defendant guilty and convict him under Sections 134 and 263 of the Criminal Law Supra”, he ruled.

When asked what he had to say, the defendant begged the court to temper justice with mercy.

“Temper justice with mercy so that I will take care of my responsibility,” he appealed.

It is gathered that the defendant’s father had paid the sum of N300,000 and had undertaken to sponsor the prosecutrix first degree and take full responsibility for the child until the child is eight years old.

The prosecution counsel in her final statement asked the court to convict the defendant according to the plea bargain.

“We ask that the convict be sentenced according to the plea bargain agreement starting from the day of remand, March 23, 2023, and this will pass a message to society that sexual offenders are not tolerated in our society.

“We also ask that the name of the convict be registered in the Sexual Offenders Register”, Okeowo said.

Justice Oshodi then found the defendant guilty and sentenced him to four years imprisonment.

 

Man gets four-year jail for sexually assaulting teenager in Lagos

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Lagos taskforce raids criminal hideout, arrests 53 drug peddlers

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Lagos taskforce raids criminal hideout, arrests 53 drug peddlers

CSP Adetayo Akerele, Chairman of Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Enforcement Unit, announced the arrest of 53 suspected criminals in Gowon Estate.

Akerele said this operation aimed to boost safety, security, and environmental decorum in the area.

“The agency apprehended drug peddlers, addicts; miscreants; street urchins; illegal street traders and people of shady business dealings.

“We found various illicit drugs and narcotics, including Indian hemp, codeine syrup, and colorado,” Akerele said.

The operation brings relief to residents of Gowon Estate, Ipaja, Egbeda, Idimu, and surrounding areas affected by these criminals.

“Residents have endured trauma and safety risks due to these unauthorized squatters.

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The taskforce is committed to safeguarding residents and ridding the metropolis of individuals preying on law-abiding citizens,” Akerele said.

The agency will monitor other criminal hideouts, blackspots, and abandoned properties.

“This vigilance aims to deter individuals with sinister motives.

“These arrests demonstrate our determination to maintain a safe environment.

“We will hold every individual involved in these illegal practices accountable,” Akerele said.

The 53 suspects will face charges for narcotics-related offenses.

Residents are urged to report suspicious activities through the “See Something, Say Something” initiative.

 

Lagos taskforce raids criminal hideout, arrests 53 drug peddlers

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Nigeria Customs returns 21 stolen luxury vehicles to Canada

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Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi

Nigeria Customs returns 21 stolen luxury vehicles to Canada

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) yesterday returned 21 luxury vehicles worth over N1.8 billion to Canada after they were stolen and smuggled into Nigeria by a criminal syndicate.

Speaking to Newsman in Lagos, Comptroller General of Customs, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, emphasized the seriousness of the growing trade in stolen vehicles and its impact on Nigeria’s economy and security.

According to Adeniyi, Nigeria has become a significant hub for stolen vehicles in West Africa, with syndicates exploiting the country’s ports and borders to traffic vehicles from regions such as Europe, North America, and South America.

He highlighted data from the National Bureau of Statistics indicating that only 54% of stolen vehicles were recovered between 2013 and 2015, illustrating the scale of the problem.

“This trend undermines our legitimate automotive market, strains our security infrastructure, and damages Nigeria’s international reputation,” Adeniyi said.

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He further noted that the illegal trade affects President Tinubu’s economic reforms, which aim to position Nigeria as a trusted hub for international commerce.

To combat this challenge, Adeniyi disclosed that the NCS launched Operation Hot Wheels, a collaborative initiative involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Canadian authorities, and international law enforcement agencies. The operation focused on intelligence sharing, surveillance, and interdiction to disrupt vehicle trafficking networks.

Adeniyi further disclosed that the operation uncovered sophisticated smuggling techniques, including false cargo declarations and containerized shipments used to conceal stolen vehicles.

During one operation, officers intercepted a container at Onne Port in Rivers State declared to contain used vehicles and spare parts. A physical examination revealed three undeclared 2021 Toyota Highlanders, two of which were confirmed stolen from Canada.

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