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Crossover service: Oyo, Osun relax curfew, Lagos, Ogun restrict movements
Churches and other religious centres in Oyo State planning to hold crossover night service today leading into the first day of the new year have been permitted to do so as the state government has suspended the 12 midnight to 4am curfew imposed to check the spread of coronavirus nationwide.
Osun State Government has also relaxed the curfew, permitting the crossover service to hold.
But Lagos and Ogun state governments have also insisted that the curfew must be enforced and warned people not to violate the order. The Christian Association of Nigeria and a number of churches have either cancelled the annual programme or made necessary adjustment to end the service early.
The Federal Government had in September imposed the nationwide curfew between 12 midnight and 4am as part of efforts to reduce the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
In Oyo State, a statement issued on Wednesday by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Taiwo Adisa, said crossover services would be allowed to hold in the state.
It, however, added that religious centres must ensure strict compliance with the COVID-19 safety protocols.
Nigeria is currently experiencing a second wave of infections, which has presented a significant increase in the number of new cases and deaths — over 10,000 samples were confirmed positive within the past 14 days.
Oyo currently has the fifth highest number of confirmed coronavirus infections in the country, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
As of December 29, the state had confirmed a total of 3,909 cases, out of which 3,377 recoveries and 46 deaths have been recorded.
The statement by the Oyo state government said with the suspension of the curfew, “officials of the state task force on COVID-19 will ensure strict compliance with the guidelines and advisories during the Yuletide and after.”
“Following a review of the pronouncement of the Technical Team of the Task Force on COVID-19 in Oyo State on 29th December 2020, His Excellency, the Executive Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, FNSE, has magnanimously directed that the 12 midnight to 4am curfew be lifted,” the statement read.
“The governor has also warned citizens and residents of Oyo State to ensure strict compliance with the guidelines, protocols and advisories as laid down by the Oyo State COVID-19 Task Force aimed at limiting the transmission of the disease in our communities.
“Secondly, he has directed that enforcement of these guidelines and protocols in accordance with the law, which will be applied as appropriate, enjoining individuals and organisations to comply and by so doing ensure that we all spread the joy of this season and not the virus.”
In Ogun, the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Waheed Odusile, announced on the state radio, Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation (OGBC), that there would be no movement within the curfew period and urged all worshipers to adhere to the stay-at-home order or make use of the social media platforms for the crossover night service.
A statement by Kunle Somorin, chief press secretary to the state governor, said, “In order to stem the spread of the second wave of the disease, Governor (Dapo) Abiodun advised that “there should be no gatherings of more than 50 people at any event or ceremonies, such as conferences, congresses, office events, concerts, seminars, sporting activities, cross-over nights, end of year parties, weddings, naming, birthdays, anniversaries, street carnivals, etc until further notice”.
But Osun State Government said it rescinded its earlier decision banning churches from holding crossover services in line with the mood of the season.
A statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mrs Funke Egbemode, said the government’s sensitivity to the mood of the season had necessitated a review of its earlier position.
She said, “The Government of the State of Osun has decided to allow crossover religious gatherings, But any organisation holding crossover service must note that they are expected to close the service early and everyone must be off the streets by 1:00am.
“Security operatives have been given the directive to enforce this guideline. Religious bodies and citizens are therefore advised to comply because we do not want anyone to spend the first day of the year in police custody.”
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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