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Yoruba Descend on Benin Republic: ‘They padlocked Igboho for 7 months’

Published

3 years ago

February 6, 2022

Trends Admin

Sunday Igboho

•Ask Ooni, Alaafin, Awujale, Owa Obokun, Alake, Deji, Ewi, other monarchs to intervene

By Yinka Ajayi

Some Yoruba people under the aegis of Yoruba Global Alliance have launched attack on Benin Republic, saying the continued incarceration of Chief Sunday Adeyemo, alias Sunday Igboho, by the country’s authorities, allegedly with the connivance of their Nigerian counterparts, “has become a huge embarrassment not only to those who padlocked him but also to all people of conscience all over the world”.

They called for Igboho’s immediate release

In a position paper titled ‘Release Igboho now’, and signed by Dr Amos Arogundade Akingba, Yoruba Global Alliance National President, and Chief Tola Adeniyi, Chairman of Council, the group described Igboho as a successful businessman and philanthropist.

“He got drawn into activism in response to the nefarious activities of terrorists who were tormenting his ancestral community”, it said.

It continued, “He also felt concerned about the second-class citizen position his Yoruba people were reduced to in their land and thought he could do something to redress the humiliating situation especially when his people ran to him for help.

“That was the genesis of Igboho’s fray into populism and the iron-fist response of those who believed Nigeria was their property to bedraggle and plunder.

“Adeyemo, accompanied by unprecedented mammoth crowds of supporters, admirers and the ordinary people, went round the nooks and crannies of Yoruba kingdoms in peaceful processions.

“This must have provoked the displeasure of the powers-that-be which, in Gestapo style, brutishly invaded his residence in the deadness of night to kill him and wipe out the entire families resident there”.

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Saying it was a miracle Igboho survived the onslaught, Yoruba Global Alliance said two unarmed people were murdered while all the buildings and vehicular properties and other valuable items were destroyed beyond repair.

“About 17 days after the carnage of July 1, Igboho, in keeping with the UN charter, fled the country that was after his life and was about to escape to Germany when Nigerian authorities, suspected to be led by General Buratai recently planted in Benin, ambushed him in the neighbouring Republic”, the group narrated.

Yoruba leaders

While calling on Yoruba leaders to summon up courage and deploy all the political machineries at their disposal to get Igboho out of prison to reunite with his family, the group said: “Our traditional rulers especially the Oonirisa, the Alaafin, Orisa-Ijebu the Awujale, the Owa Obokun Adimula, the Olubadan, the Alake, the Deji, the Ewi, the Osemawe, the Soun, the Akarigbo, the Olofa, Oba Jebba, the Obaro Kabba, the Oba of Benin, the Olu of Warri, the Alaketu and other Obas, not listed in any particular order, should call or visit President Buhari and appeal to his conscience to release your son to you.

“All the governors of the Yoruba speaking states should without further delay hold an emergency meeting and march to Abuja and Cotonou to plead for Igboho’s release.

“Yoruba Obas should not forget that the relative peace in their kingdoms today is due in part to Igboho’s awareness campaigns and but for him, maybe, today, we would be talking of Sultan of Ife and Emir of Ijebuland!”

Detention

By February 18, Igboho would have spent seven months in detention since his arrest on July 19, 2021, at the Cadjèhoun Airport in Cotonou.

Also, the Cour De’appal De Cotonou, since the arraignment of Igboho on July 27, 2021, has not sat, fuelling speculations that the detention of Igboho is laced with political undertones.

The Buhari administration had, in 2021, turned the heat on activist who agitated for the South-West to pull out of Nigeria over perceived injustice and insecurity.

On July 1, 2021, the Department of State Service (DSS) invaded his Ibadan residence, killing two of his associates and arresting 12 others.

The DSS subsequently declared him wanted for allegedly stockpiling arms to destabilise Nigeria under the pretext of secessionist agitation, something he denied.

After about three weeks underground, Igboho, 49, found his way to Cotonou and planned to escape to Germany but the trip was aborted as Interpol arrested him and his German-citizen wife, Ropo, at the behest of the Nigerian government.

The Beninese government subsequently arraigned the agitator before the Cour De’appal De Cotonou on migration-related offences and for gunrunning but the court on July 27, 2021, ordered that Ropo be released while Igboho be remanded in prison.

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‘We’re not hiring,’ NNPC denies viral recruitment adverts

Published

1 hour ago

March 21, 2025

Trends Admin

‘We’re not hiring,’ NNPC denies viral recruitment adverts

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company, (NNPC) Limited has warned the public to beware of fraudulent recruitment advertisements circulating online, stating that it is not conducting any hiring process at the moment.

In a statement issued on its official X handle on Friday, the state-owned oil company cautioned job seekers against falling victim to fake recruitment schemes, emphasizing that all legitimate job openings would only be announced through its official channels.

“The general public is hereby informed that NNPC Limited is not recruiting.

“Official recruitment announcements will only be made through our website and verified social media platforms,” the statement read.

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The company reiterated that its recruitment process is “transparent, merit-based, and requires no external assistance.”

The company urged Nigerians to disregard any unofficial job advertisements that claim to be from NNPC Ltd., as they could be attempts to defraud unsuspecting applicants.

The management further assured the public that it remains committed to upholding the integrity of its hiring process and would notify Nigerians whenever recruitment officially commences.

“We advise the public to always verify information directly from our official platforms to avoid being misled by scammers,” the company stated.

The company urged individuals to report any suspicious recruitment advertisements falsely linked to NNPC Ltd. to the appropriate authorities.

‘We’re not hiring,’ NNPC denies viral recruitment adverts

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Communal Clash: Gov Adeleke imposes new curfew on Ifon, Ilobu communities

Published

1 hour ago

March 21, 2025

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Governor Ademola Adeleke

Communal Clash: Gov Adeleke imposes new curfew on Ifon, Ilobu communities

In response to the resurgence of hostilities between Ifon and Ilobu communities, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has imposed curfew on Ifon and Ilobu communities in Orolu and Irepodun Local Government Areas, respectively.

Kolapo Alimi, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, announced the new directive in a statement issued in Osogbo on Friday, emphasizing the government’s determination to prevent further escalation of the crisis.

“Following a resurgence of the crisis between Ifon and Ilobu communities, Gov. Ademola Adeleke, in a move to curb its further spread, has announced a new curfew time frame from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. daily, until lasting peace is restored,” he said.

Expressing deep concern over the renewed violence, the governor condemned the fresh outbreak of communal clashes.

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“Gov. Ademola expressed unhappiness and dissatisfaction with the breakout of fresh communal crises in Ilobu and Ifon.

“To this end, the governor has directed that the initial 10:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. curfew on the communities now be extended to 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., effective today, Friday, March 21, until further notice,” Alimi stated.

The commissioner further revealed that a joint security team, comprising the Nigerian Army, Police, and Civil Defence, had been instructed to sustain 24-hour surveillance in the affected areas to uphold law and order.

“In addition, the governor directed that an immediate stakeholders’ meeting, including the Olufon of Ifon, the Olobu of Ilobu, and other stakeholders from both communities, be held tomorrow, Saturday, to discuss further resolutions of the conflict,” he added.

Governor Adeleke called on residents, traditional rulers, and all stakeholders to embrace peace.

Communal Clash: Gov Adeleke imposes new curfew on Ifon, Ilobu communities

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BREAKING: IGP redeploys 38 police commissioners

Published

2 hours ago

March 21, 2025

Trends Admin

Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun

BREAKING: IGP redeploys 38 police commissioners

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Adeolu Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the immediate posting of 38 Commissioners of Police to various State Commands and Police Formations.

The deployment comprises 9 commissioners of police to key state commands and an additional 29 CPs to various police formations across the country.

A statement signed by Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Friday, said the commissioners of Police deployed to state commands include CP Ibrahim Balarabe Maikaba to Zamfara State, CP Bretet Emmanuel Simon to Taraba State, CP Christopher Ado Emmanuel to Yobe State, CP Olusegun Eyitayo Omosayin to Cross-River State, CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman to Niger State, CP Sani Omolori Aliyu to Bauchi State, CP Bello Shehu to Katsina State, CP Saka Adewale Ajao as Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and CP Ojo Adekimi to Kwara State.

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“In addition to these State Command appointments, the deployment also includes the posting of 29 CPs to various police formations as part of a broader effort to address rising security challenges and ensure effective policing that is responsive to community needs. Each CP will be tasked with implementing tailored strategies that reflect the unique requirements of their respective formations, ensuring that policing is both proactive and effective.

“The IGP charges the newly deployed CPs to prioritize their responsibilities in curbing insecurity and misconduct, reinforcing the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to uphold law and order through robust intelligence-led policing. This deployment reflects the dedication of the new Police leadership to ensure that the Nigeria Police Force is well-equipped to address the challenges of maintaining peace and security in the country,” the statement said.