The Commander, Ekiti Amotekun Corps, Brig. Gen. Joe Komolafe (retd), who said his men alongside men of the Nigerian Army and the police had begun search for the captives, assured that their efforts would culminate in their release.
Uncategorized
Principal, teachers, nurse abducted, community launches rescue
Gunmen on Monday kidnapped four persons along Oke Ako-Irele Road in the Ajoni Local Council Development Area of Ekiti State.
Sources said the victims included the principal of a secondary school in the area, two teachers and a nurse with a primary health care centre, who were returning home at the close of work.
The PUNCH learnt that the kidnappers waylaid the four persons and whisked them to the forest, leaving the principal’s vehicle on the road.
A source at Irele Ekiti said, “There is anger in the LCDA here. These kidnap incidents and attacks are worrisome. Nobody is sure of his safety again. We need help; something has to be done urgently to guarantee the security of our people in the homes, streets, farms and roads.”
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The Chairman, Ajoni LCDA, Michael Ogungbemi, who lamented the incident, said the security agency of the council in conjunction with men of the police, hunters and Amotekun corps had been mobilised to comb the bushes and forests in the area.
Ogungbemi said, “When I got the report, I quickly mobilised men of Operation Ebborac to begin forest combing at Irele and Oke Ako. I also reported the matter to the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Ikole Police Division; his men are also here combing the bush so that we can waylay these people in the forest.
“We have also mobilised Operation Ebborac operatives in the neighbouring towns of Itapaji, and Iyemero and hunters as well to begin forest combing so that we can nab them in the thick forest where they are keeping the people. We believe that before daybreak, we should be able to apprehend the criminals and release our people.”
Politics
Updated: Atiku, Obi, El-rufai, others form coalition to unseat Tinubu
Updated: Tinubu reacts as Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai, others form coalition
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar says he has formed a coalition with some prominent opposition leaders aimed at unseating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.
Atiku made the declaration during a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, attended by several opposition politicians, including former key members of the All Progressives Congress who have since defected.
But the Tinubu-led administration has reacted saying the coalition was driven by hate and not genuine.
The event was convened to address President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
Among those present at the event were the 2023 Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who was represented by Dr Yunusa Tanko; former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal; and former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai.
Others are a former governorship aspirant in Ogun State, Segun Sowunmi; former Director General of Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Dr Salihu Lukman; Alhaji Adamu Maina Waziri, Chief Peter Ameh and Soni Monidafe, among others.
When asked whether the emerging coalition would serve as the main opposition against the APC in the 2027 elections, Atiku said, “Yes, this is the birth of the coalition of opposition ahead of 2027.”
Many are wondering how leaders with differing ideologies, ambitions, and party affiliations can work together.
In his reaction, spokesperson for the Tinubu-led government, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement referred to the Abubakar-led coalition as “the coalition of Tinubu haters.”
“They are not politicians after the public good. It’s all about their self-interest. They are disgruntled. They are a frustrated lot. The leaders are sore losers. The coalition is an amalgam of Tinubu haters. Their agenda is to stop Tinubu,” Onanuga said.
The presidential spokesperson added that Tinubu remained focused on governance and would not be distracted by a coalition of politicians driven by selfish interests.
Politics
Senate, Reps okay President Tinubu’s emergency rule in Rivers State
Senate, Reps okay President Tinubu’s emergency rule in Rivers State
The Senate and the House of Representatives on Thursday separately approved President Bola Tinubu’s proclamation of the state of emergency in Rivers State.
They however mandated a review of the situation at any time, but not later than six months.
The National Assembly also imposed a joint committee of both chambers to oversee the administration of affairs in Rivers State during the emergency period.
The Senate resolved to establish a mediation committee consisting of eminent Nigerians to help resolve the state’s political crisis.
The House of Representatives was the first to approve the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers.
In a voice vote, the lawmakers backed Tinubu’s decision, two days after the President made the move.
A total of 240 House of Representative members attended the preliminary which was presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
While deliberating on the decision, the House made some amendments including that a committee of eminent Nigerians would be set up to mediate on the matter.
They also noted that the National Assembly is empowered to make law for a state where its house of assembly is unable to perform its functions.
This contradicts the Federal Government’s plan for the Federal Executive Council to take up that duty.
On Tuesday, President Tinubu wielded the big stick in Rivers, declaring a state of emergency in the state.
He also suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara; his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months and appointed a sole administrator to take charge of the state.
Legal experts, governors, and prominent Nigerians including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi to have condemned the proclamation, demanding a reversal.
However, the Federal Government has doubled down on Tinubu’s decision and argued that it was needed to bring peace to the oil-rich state.
metro
Natasha: Protesters at UN House demands evidence of allegation
Natasha: Protesters at UN House demands evidence of allegation
A civil society organisation, Women for Change Vanguard, yesterday held a peaceful protest at the United Nations House, in Abuja, urging Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to provide concrete evidence to prove her sexual harassment allegation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The group, led by Mrs Irene Imoh, expressed concern over the damage that has been caused by ‘unsubstantiated allegations’ against public figures in the country.
Imoh stated that while accountability was critical in cases of sexual harassment, allegations must be thoroughly scrutinised to prevent misuse of such claims.
“We gather here today at the esteemed UN House to express our support for His Excellency, the President of the 10th Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio. Over the past few weeks, he has faced significant reputational damage due to unsubstantiated allegations of sexual harassment made by his colleague, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.”
She emphasised the importance of providing evidence when making such weighty allegations of sexual harassment, noting that the burden of proof lies with the accuser.
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“It is important to remember that in any allegation of misconduct, the burden of proof lies with the accuser. If Senator Natasha claims to have been a victim of sexual harassment, we urge her to come forth with credible evidence to support her accusations. The gravity of such claims demands accountability.”
The group also warned against the potential misuse of sexual harassment allegations, expressing concerns about the #BelieveAllWomen movement being applied without due process.
“We are particularly troubled by the growing trend of misusing the #BelieveAllWomen mantra, which can inadvertently shield unfounded accusations against men. This is not the first time Senator Natasha has made serious allegations against a prominent figure. Such actions risk becoming a weapon she wields against men in power, undermining the core principles of our fight against sexual violence.”
The Women for Change Vanguard stressed that false or unverified accusations not only harm the accused but also weaken the credibility of real victims of sexual abuse.
The group further stated that their protest was not just about supporting Akpabio but about ensuring that both parties are held accountable.
“Our peaceful protest today is not merely about demanding justice, it is also about holding both parties accountable. Senator Akpabio must have the opportunity to clear his name, while Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan must show evidence that she was sexually abused.”
Chanting solidarity songs, the protesters carried placards with inscriptions, such as, “We believe in actual victims of sexual harassment not people who weaponise it” and “The burden of proof lies with the accuser”, among others.
The protesters, who submitted a petition to the UN were received by the UN Senior Human Rights Advisor, Adwoa Kufuor, who promised to channel their grievances to senior UN officials.
Natasha: Protesters at UN House demands evidence of allegation
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