metro
Updated: Makinde shuts Ibadan market, imposes curfew over bloody ethnic crisis
Oyo State Government has shut Shasha market in Ibadan indefinitely and imposed a 24-hour curfew as the clash between the Yoruba and Hausa youths which started Friday in the market continued on Saturday.
The decision, according to Governor Seyi Makinde, follows the continued killings and destruction of property in the market.
Chief Press Secretary to Governor Makinde, Taiwo Adisa, confirmed the development on Saturday.
At least one person was killed on Friday and several others injured in a clash between some Yoruba youths and their Hausa counterparts in the market.
The clash, which resulted in many vehicles being vandalised, shops razed and houses destroyed, continued Saturday morning with youths unleashing mayhem on one another.
Many residents of the area were said to have fled the place Friday night for fear of being attacked overnight.
Unconfirmed sources said the clash, which had extended to the other parts of market, had claimed three lives. But the Oyo State Police Command said only one life was lost.
In announcing the curfew, the governor said the decision was aimed at urgently restoring peace to the area.
Governor said the order was to forestall a breakdown of law and order in the area, adding that the curfew on Shasha and the market area was from 6pm to 7am.
He warned residents of the affected area to go about their legitimate business peacefully, stating that anyone found perpetrating violence would face the wrath of the law.
Adisa said, “Governor Seyi Makinde has directed the immediate closure of Shasha market indefinitely following reports of a breach of peace in the area.
“The governor has also approved the imposition of a curfew on Shasha. It will run from 6pm to 7am.
“Residents of the affected area are enjoined to go about their legitimate business within the hours stipulated by the law.
“Anyone caught disrupting the peace of the community will be made to face the wrath of the law.”
Sources said despite the deployment of police and security agencies in the area, some groups razed the market overnight, destroying shops, kiosk and wares of some traders.
The source said security operatives deployed in the area could not do much as they were only stationed by the main road while the market kept on burning.
The Yoruba youths were said to be hell bent on avenging the death of a cobbler after he was reportedly hit with charm by a Hausa cart pusher.
Amid the fear of an ethic uprising, many residents of Shasha community on Friday relocated from their homes to neighbouring communities.
Although the police said on Friday that critical stakeholders had been consulted to appeal to the people, the situation reportedly degenerated on Saturday morning.
metro
Gunmen kill two soldiers in Abia checkpoint attack
Gunmen kill two soldiers in Abia checkpoint attack
Early Wednesday morning, gunmen attacked an army checkpoint in Ekenobizi, a border community between Abia and Imo states, located in Umuopara, Umuahia South Local Government Area.
The assailants reportedly arrived around 6:18 a.m. in a white Lexus SUV (model 350/400) and launched an assault that resulted in the deaths of two soldiers.
A military source, who wished to remain anonymous, provided details of the incident but could not confirm the exact number of attackers involved.
READ ALSO:
- 94 arrested as task force raids Lagos rail corridor squatters
- Two dead, buildings destroyed in American factory explosion
- Alleged fraud: South Africa FA President, Danny Jordaan, arrested
Confirming the incident in a press release on Wednesday, Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Unuakhalu of the Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA said: “In the early hours of today, 13 November 2024, troops of the Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA, deployed at a checkpoint along the Umuahia – Owerri Road in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State, came under attack by the irredentist group Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed affiliate, the Eastern Security Network.
“During the attack, the gallant troops were able to repel the assault, forcing the attackers to retreat in disarray with gunshot wounds, abandoning one Sienna and one Lexus Jeep used in the attack. However, in the ensuing firefight, two soldiers paid the supreme price.”
The Joint Task Force appealed to residents of the South East, particularly those in Abia State, for credible information to help track down the fleeing attackers and combat criminal elements in the region.
The force reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property in line with global best practices and the rules of engagement.
Gunmen kill two soldiers in Abia checkpoint attack
metro
94 arrested as task force raids Lagos rail corridor squatters
94 arrested as task force raids Lagos rail corridor squatters
At least 94 illegal occupants and squatters along the railway corridor from Pen Cinema to Fagba were arrested by the Lagos State Taskforce in an early morning sting operation on Wednesday.
During the raid, substances suspected to be hard drugs—such as Indian hemp, colorado, and other harmful drugs—were seized, along with various weapons.
It was gathered that those arrested attempted to resist the task force’s actions.
In a statement, Director of Public Affairs, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, confirmed that those arrested will face prosecution.
He added that the agency dismantled shanties and makeshift structures along the railway corridor, clearing a distance of some kilometers.
The Taskforce Chairman Adetayo Akerele explained that the eviction aimed to provide relief for residents around the Fagba, Agege, and Pen Cinema railway routes, following numerous complaints from the public about criminal activities in the area.
He noted that the squatting had violated environmental and sanitary regulations.
READ ALSO:
- Two dead, buildings destroyed in American factory explosion
- Alleged fraud: South Africa FA President, Danny Jordaan, arrested
- Okpebholo sacks all political appointees, Board executives in Edo
Akerele also highlighted the health and safety risks posed by the presence of squatters along the rail corridor.
He warned the evicted individuals not to return and assured residents and train passengers that regular patrols and surveillance would be conducted to prevent the re-establishment of shanties in the area.
“The rail tracks are not meant for habitation or the sale of narcotics. Anyone caught converting this place into a den of criminals or an area of residence will face severe consequences according to the law,” Akerele was quoted as saying.
Speaking on the raid, Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed that a locally fabricated short gun was recovered.
“94 suspects were arrested during the midnight operation; a locally fabricated short gun and several wraps of illicit substance suspected to be indian hemp, charm and a jack knife were recovered.
“The suspects will be charged to court accordingly,” Wahab stated in a post on X.
94 arrested as task force raids Lagos rail corridor squatters
metro
Okpebholo sacks all political appointees, Board executives in Edo
Okpebholo sacks all political appointees, Board executives in Edo
Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has swept out all Board, Parastatal, and Agency appointees from his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki, in a decisive move to overhaul the state’s public service.
A statement released on Wednesday by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, confirmed the immediate dismissal of all political appointees and Permanent Secretaries brought in from outside the state Civil Service.
READ ALSO:
- A’Ibom police saved man from being lynched after son’s corpse found in carton
- Oyo community leader arraigned over land-grabbing allegations
- Reps question NAHCON handling of 2024 Hajj, subsidy disbursement, others
The statement reads:
“For the information of the general public, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, Governor of Edo State, has approved the dissolution of Executives of all Boards, Agencies, and Parastatals in the Edo State Public Service with immediate effect.
“In addition, all Permanent Secretaries appointed from outside the State Public/Civil Service and all Political Appointees are hereby relieved of their appointments.”
Affected individuals have been directed to return all government property in their possession to the senior Public Officers in their respective Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.
Okpebholo sacks all political appointees, Board executives in Edo
-
Auto3 days agoToyota by CFAO surprises customers with free Hilux, motorcycles, all-expense-paid trip to Seychelles
-
International2 days agoBelgium University offers scholarship up to €12,000 for Master’s students
-
International1 day agoUK announces 45,000 seasonal worker visas for 2025
-
Railway1 day agoNigerian railway adds extra train to Friday, Saturday trips on Lagos-Ibadan route
-
Business2 days agoFinally, marketers, Dangote refinery agree on direct fuel supply
-
International2 days agoSaudi crown prince says Israel committing ‘genocide’ in Gaza
-
Business3 days agoCement price surges by 100% to N8,800 in one year
-
Politics3 days agoAfenifere, Council of Obas back Aiyedatiwa for Ondo gov
You must be logged in to post a comment Login