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Tag: Ekiti State

  • Insecurity: Police Confirm Killing Of 2 Ekiti Royal Fathers

    Insecurity: Police Confirm Killing Of 2 Ekiti Royal Fathers

    Some dare-devil kidnap suspects, on Monday evening, shot and killed two traditional rulers said to be returning from a security meeting in Irele-Ekiti.

    The Police Public Relations Officer,  ASP. Sunday Abutu, confirmed the killing to reporters in Ado-Ekiti but said that details about the incident were still sketchy.

    Abutu said that necessary action was ongoing, saying that the Tactical and Intelligence teams of the command had been deployed to the area of the incident.

    The deceased included the Elesun of Esun-Ekiti, Oba David Ogunsakin, and Onimojo of Omojola-Ekiti, Oba Olatunde Olusola.

    It was learnt that they were killed between Oke-Ako and Ipao-Ekiti, located in Ajoni Local Government Area (LGA).

    It was further gathered that the Alara of Ara-Ekiti in Ikole LGA escaped when the armed men accosted them and attempted to forcefully take them away.

    In a reaction to the incident, the Chairman of Ajoni Local Council Development Area, Micheal Ogungbemi, said the gunmen tried to abduct the three traditional rulers.

    Ogungbemi said it was “quite unfortunate that two of the Obas lost their lives during the incident.”
    (NAN)

  • INEC Certifies Tinubu’s Victory In Ekiti

    INEC Certifies Tinubu’s Victory In Ekiti

    The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, has won Ekiti State with 201,494 defeating his closest rival Alhaji Abubakar Atiku of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, who scored 89, 554.

    The Collation Officer for the just concluded Presidential election in Ekiti, Prof. Akeem Olawale Lasisi, who is the Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Health Sciences, Ila Orangun, Osun State, disclosed the results at the national collation centre, Abuja on Sunday.

    He said the APC won after the collation of the results from across the 16 Local Government Areas of the state.

    Lasisi explained that the total votes cast during the election were 314,472, while the total valid votes stood at 308,171, just as the total rejected votes is 6301.

    He said 1703 votes were cancelled due to the bye-pass of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and over-voting.

    READ ALSO: Bamidele Emerges Winner Of Ekiti Central Senatorial Election

    Meanwhile, the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu announced the suspension of collation, noting that only Ekiti State result was available at that moment.

    He, therefore, disclosed that the collation of results will resume on Monday (tomorrow) at 11 am. (The Guardian)

  • New Speaker: Police Take Over Ekiti Assembly Complex Over Fear Of Attack

    New Speaker: Police Take Over Ekiti Assembly Complex Over Fear Of Attack

    Less than twenty-four hours after the election of Gboyega Aribisogan as the new speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, a major crisis is brewing in the legislative arm following the taking over of the complex by armed police operatives on Wednesday.

    Nigerian Tribune reported on Tuesday that Aribisogan (Ikole 1) believed to be the choice of the governor, Biodun Oyebanji was elected by majority members of the house with 15 votes to defeat his challenger, Bunmi Adelugba (Emure constituency) who scored 10 votes.

    It was further reported that the results of the speakership election were allegedly against the choice of the former governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi who was said to have preferred the female lawmaker Adelugba to take over from the former speaker, late Funminiyi for the remaining months of the sixth Assembly.

    The majority of the lawmakers had voted against Adelugba on Tuesday as a payback for the former governor who allegedly denied them return tickets for the 2023 elections and as well to “guarantee their freedom from him.”

    When our correspondent visited the Assembly complex on Wednesday, it was observed that workers and some lawmakers were seen hurriedly leaving the house to avoid being trapped over the planned invasion of the complex by hoodlums.

    The security personnel, drawn from the anti-riot squad, regular policemen, and counter-terrorism unit were strategically stationed on the four routes leading to the state House of Assembly complex.

    A source in the Assembly told Nigerian Tribune that the results of Tuesday’s election was a shock to the camp of some individuals in the APC and were doing everything possible to frustrate the leadership of Aribisogan in the Assembly.

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    He said: “Let me be sincere with you, the outcome of the speakership election on Tuesday was clearly against the choice of the former governor, hence the unrest in the house. All of us including members scampered to safety when the report of invasion got to us.

    READ ALSO:

    “Those who lost out in the process might want to fight back and disrupt proceedings and activities in the house because their preferred candidate was defeated for the speakership position.”

    Reacting to the situation at the Assembly, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ekiti Command, DSP Sunday Abutu, said they took prompt action by placing restrictions to prevent the breakdown of law and order.

    Abutu told the members of the public not to entertain fear, saying the deployment was to safeguard the lives and government’s property over ominous signs that security was about to be breached at the Assembly’s complex.

    The police spokesman said: “We acted on security alert we received that some people were planning to invade the assembly, and we owe it a duty to safeguard the lives of the people and public utilities.

    “We can’t wait or tarry and allow the lives of the staff of the assembly to be threatened by any means. So, we took proactive measures by deploying our men there to secure the assembly complex.

    “Our people shouldn’t see our action as a big deal. No course for alarm. We are on top of the situation.”

    When contacted, Aribisogan said: “the leadership of the police command in Ekiti informed us this morning (Wednesday) that they had verifiable intelligence about some hoodlums were coming to attack the assembly complex and to avoid breakdown of law and order, hence the need for their presence and they have promised us to conducts an investigation on the matter and report to us as soon as possible.

    “I want to encourage my colleagues and staff of the assembly to be patient and bear with us, normalcy will soon return to the house.” (Nigerian Tribune)

  • Oyebanji Adopts Former Gov. Fayemi’s Spokesman

    Oyebanji Adopts Former Gov. Fayemi’s Spokesman

    Newly sworn-in Gov. Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti has approved the appointment of Mr. Yinka Oyebode, as his Chief Press Secretary (CPS).

    Oyebode’s appointment was announced in a statement issued at Ado-Ekiti on Sunday by the Head of Civil Service of Ekiti, Mr. Bamidele Agbede.

    Gov. Oyebanji himself was sworn in on Sunday.

    READ ALSO: IPI Nigeria Condemns Zamfara Government’s Shutdown Of Media Organisations

    Oyebode was the CPS to the immediate past Governor, Mr. Kayode Fayemi.

    Gov. Oyebanji also appointed Mrs Habibat Adubiaro as the Secretary to the State Government.

    The newly-appointed CPS, Oyebode, announced Adubiaro’s appointment.

    Oyebode stated that Gov. Oyebanji also froze all bank accounts belonging to the state government with immediate effect. (NAN)

  • Oyebanji Takes Over As Ekiti Governor

    Oyebanji Takes Over As Ekiti Governor

    At exactly 12:53 pm on Sunday, the change of leadership in Ekiti State was finally completed with Abiodun Ayobami Oyebanji taking over from Dr Kayode Fayemi whose four-year tenure ended at midnight on Saturday.

    Fayemi had served a first term from 2010 to 2014 and was Minister of Solid Mineral Development in the intervening period.

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    Earlier, 64-year-old Chief Monisade Christiana Afuye had been sworn in as the Deputy Governor.

    Oyebanji, 54, won the governorship election on 18th June on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, the same party with Fayemi.

    He had served as Secretary to the state government and Chief of Staff to the Governor.

  • COVID-19: Ekiti Records 74 New Cases – Commissioner

    COVID-19: Ekiti Records 74 New Cases – Commissioner

    Dr. Oyebanji Filani, Ekiti Commissioner for Health and Human Services, says the state recorded 74 new cases of COVID-19.

    This is contained in a statement by Filani on Sunday in Ado-Ekiti.

    He said the new cases of the virus were suspected to be recorded after the Eid-el-kabir celebration.

    The commissioner said there was significant decline in the number of positive COVID-19 cases and low occupancy in the isolation centres before the Eid-el -Kabir celebrations which occurred early in the month.

    He appealed to all residents of the state to adhere strictly to government’s public health and social measures to prevent the spread of the virus.

    The commissioner urged the residents to strictly observe the laid down COVID-19 protocols, including wearing of facemasks, proper handwashing or use of alcohol-based sanitizer, social and physical distancing.

    READ ALSO: Oshoala Wins Record 5th CAF Player Of The Year Award

    He urged people to report at the nearest health facility when sick, to get tested and isolated if positive and appeal for adherence to COVID-19 measures by banks and other institutions.

    The commissioner noted that vaccination remained the most effective means to curb the pandemic and encouraged all residents of the state to get vaccinated.

    He confirmed that 384,730 persons were fully vaccinated in the state, and urged citizens to visit the nearest vaccination post to get their complete COVID-19 jabs. (NAN)

  • 63-Year-Old Woman Gives Birth In Ekiti Through IVF

    63-Year-Old Woman Gives Birth In Ekiti Through IVF

    A 63-year-old woman, Mrs Temitope Ogundipe, has been delivered of a baby boy through In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) at Olives Specialist Hospital, Ado-Ekiti.

    Ogundipe told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Ado-Ekiti that she was full of joy because of the baby.

    She said that faith in God and support from her husband kept her going after many years of childlessness.

    According to her, she had tried to have a child for many years and had gone to many hospitals for solution to her childlessness, but all proved abortive.

    “I have tried this IVF before now and it failed. It was a friend who introduced this particular hospital to me.

    “I had to come all the way from Oyo State to Ekiti for the IVF,” she said.

    She appreciated the Medical Director of Olives Specialist Hospital, Dr. Adebayo Adeniyi, for his words of encouragement, calmness and support throughout the process of the IVF.

    Ogundipe called on women looking for “this kind of precious gift” not to lose hope and said “if God can do it for me at the age of 63 years, He can also do it for them.”

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    She advised young women with problems of childlessness to seek help from specialists as early as possible.

    Meanwhile, the medical director of the hospital has expressed happiness over the delivery of the baby, and ascribed the success to the Almighty God and the entire dedicated medical team.

    “The hospital has recorded significant successes in IVF treatment within a short time,” Adeniyi said.

    He appealed to government to subsidise IVF treatment and said infertility should be seen as a disease that deserved adequate attention like other chronic diseases through the National Health Insurance Scheme, (NHIS) coverage.

    “This will go a long way in assisting couples who are unable to access IVF because of the high cost,’’ he added. (NAN)

  • Police Arrest Sergeant Suspected Of Killing Driver In Osogbo

    Police Arrest Sergeant Suspected Of Killing Driver In Osogbo

    The Osun Police Command, on Sunday, said it has arrested a Police Sergeant suspected of shooting to death a driver at Kobogbogboe/Ota-efun Area of Osogbo on Friday.

    In a statement by the command’s Spokesperson, SP Yemisi Opalola, the suspect will be arraigned in court after completion of police orderly room trial.

    It said that the arrest and detention of the suspect was part of efforts of the command “to curtail all forms of indiscipline and acts of unprofessionalism.”

    “The Osun Police Command has arrested and detained the police officer, Sgt. Moses Samuel, who shot at one Mallam Kabiru Babai ‘m’ 33, on Friday, Dec. 3, around Kobogbogboe/Ota-efun Area, Osogbo.

    “Investigation and disciplinary actions have commenced and the suspect will be arraigned in court after completion of the ‘Orderly Room’ trial.

    READ ALSO: Late Wayas Stood For Rule Of Law, Equity, True Federalism- PDP

    “This we hope will serve as deterrent to other officers of his like.

    “The Commissioner of Police, Olawale Olokode, is using this medium to express his condolences to the victim’s family, colleagues at work, and friends.

    “Olokode also prayed to God to put an end to this kind of unfortunate incident.

    “He also assures members of the public that justice will be served.” the statement added. (NAN)

  • 2 Persons Abducted In Ekiti Regain Freedom

    2 Persons Abducted In Ekiti Regain Freedom

    Two persons abducted on Friday evening along Ayetoro-Ekiti and Ewu-Ekiti in Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti have regained their freedom following payment of ransom after four days in the kidnappers’ den.
    The kidnappers had earlier contacted the family members of their victims, demanding N50 million ransom before they could be let off the hook.
    Mr. Olusegun Erinle, a family friend of the abducted persons, confirmed to NAN the release of the people after paying ransom.
    Erinle, however, declined to disclose the amount paid, as he simply responded to NAN’s enquiry that, “an undisclosed ransom paid.”
    NAN reports that victims of the kidnapping had been in Ewu-Ekiti in Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti since Thursday for the burial of Mrs Florence Tuyole Erinle, mother of Olusegun Erinle, a former lawmaker in Ekiti.
    It was gathered that the two abductees were released on Tuesday night at about 7:50 p.m in Ikun-Ekiti, Moba Local Government Area of the state.
    The abductees were driven to the heart of the town, Ikun-Ekiti, after which they went to the palace of the Onikun of Ikun-Ekiti where the traditional ruler received them, according to reports.
    When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in Ekiti Command, ASP. Sunday Abutu, confirmed the release of the victims.
    Abutu said that he would find out to know the veracity of the claims and the circumstances that surrounded their freedom.
    Erinle, member of the Ekiti House of Assembly from 2011 to 2015, had shortly after the incident, told journalists in Ado-Ekiti on Saturday, that the abductors had reached out to them, demanding for ransom.
    The abducted persons were whisked away to the forest in the area after driver of a SUV with registration number: LAGOS- KRD 264 GV was shot dead, leaving his corpse in the vehicle parked facing the bush.(NAN)
  • Ekiti Abduction: Kidnappers Demand N50m Ransom From Victims’ Families

    Ekiti Abduction: Kidnappers Demand N50m Ransom From Victims’ Families

    The suspected kidnappers that allegedly killed one person and abducted two others on Friday night in Ekiti, have demanded for N50 million ransom to free the abductees.
    The victims of the kidnapping had been in Ewu-Ekiti in Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti since Thursday for the burial of Mrs Florence Tuyole Erinle, mother of Mr. Olusegun Erinle, their family friend.
    Briefing journalists on the incident in Ado-Ekiti on Saturday, Erinle, member of the Ekiti House of Assembly from 2011 to 2015, confirmed the demand for ransom by the abductors.
    Erinle said that the victims are his family friend.
    According to him, the victims were returning to their hotel room in Ayetoro-Ekiti, in Ido/Osi Local Government Area of the state, when the suspected kidnappers attacked them, killing one and abducted two others.
    Erinle said a motorcyclist, who was said to have been monitoring their movement wherever they went since they came, had been apprehended and handed over to the police.
    He said that the cylist was handed over to the police to explain his suspicious role of acting as informant to the kidnappers since their arrival in the town.
    ASP. Sunday Abutu, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ekiti Command, however, denied knowledge of any ransom being demanded, but confirmed the arrest of the suspected informant.
    Abutu said the suspect was arrested on the strength of information available to the command, adding that the long arm of the law would soon catch up with the suspected criminals wherever they might be hiding.
    NAN reports that the deceased victim, was said to be travelling in company of other occupants, in a Lexus 330 Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) between Ewu-Ekiti/Ayetoro-Ekiti Road in Ido/Osi Local Government Area of Ekiti, when the gunmen attacked them.
    Though, unconfirmed information had it that there were five occupants in the vehicle, but the Police PRO, dismissed the claim, saying that there were only three occupants in vehicle.
    While giving details of how the incident occured, the police spokesman, described it as unfortunate, saying that sympathisers could not do much to save the victim, as he died on the spot.
    “The report we got was that the family was travelling along that route and suddenly some suspected gunmen fired gunshots at them, killing the husband and took away his wife and their daughter.
    “The policemen have been mobilised to the spot and combing the surrounding forests with other agencies like the Amotekun Corps, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, local hunters and members of vigilance groups.
    “Killing and kidnapping are two evils that all of us, as patriotic citizens, must join hands with security agencies to defeat.
    “Those perpetrating these evil didn’t mean well for our country and we must all perceive them as enemies of this nation,” he said.
    It could be recalled that kidnapping had become recurrent in the state in recent times, with no fewer than 15 people so far abducted and about five killed.
    Only few months ago, the traditional ruler of Ewu-Ekiti, Oba Adetutu Ajayi, in Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti, had a close shave with death, as he was shot by bandits on April 10.
    Also, on June 10, two hotel workers in Ayetoro-Ekiti were kidnapped, while the hotel’s security guard, who was inflicted with machete cuts was still recuperating at an undisclosed hospital in the state.(NAN)
  • Flood Wreaks Havoc In Ekiti, Scores Displaced, Properties Destroyed

    Flood Wreaks Havoc In Ekiti, Scores Displaced, Properties Destroyed

    Floods following a torrential rainfall on Wednesday night displaced some residents of Ado Ekiti from their homes and destroyed properties.

    Mostly affected were residents of Balemo and Tinuola areas, off Afao road, Ado Ekiti, where flood submerged over ten buildings and destroyed properties worth millions of naira.

    “There was a torrential downpour on Monday evening and again on Wednesday night, which led to flooding and some buildings submerged in water, forcing residents to temporarily flee their homes, one of the affected residents Mr Blessing Oladele said.

    Oladele told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ado Ekiti on Thursday that the rainfall led to the Elemi stream overflowing its banks, which resulted in fast-flowing flood that submerged some houses in the area.

    “It affected about ten buildings and we would have recorded casualties , but for the fact that we quickly ran out of our buildings with our wives and children to seek refuge in safe neighboring houses.

    “Apart from affecting some of the building walls and foundations, we have lost other valuables like electronics, clothing materials, beddings , chairs, rugs, kitchen utensils to this flooding.

    “The carnal was dredged during the first term of Governor Kayode Fayemi, but it has been blocked by debris Which I believe caused the blockade that led to the flood”, he stated.

    Another victim, Mr. Sunday Ojo , appealed to the government to dredge the affected carnal identified as the main cause of the destructive flooding.

    “The carnal at Tinuola area needs to be dredged to be able to contain the water from upland.

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    “I also advise that dredging of Elemi stream will help in controlling flooding because each time it overflows its bank it pushes water backward that affects that section and other adjoining areas”, he said.

    When contacted, the Chairman, Ekiti State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Capt. Sunday Adebomi, said the agency was aware of the incident.

    The SEMA boss stated that his agency would conduct on- the- spot assessment to know the extent of damage and how best to intervene to control flooding in the area. (NAN)

  • COVID-19: NCDC Reports 29 New Infections, 1 Death

    COVID-19: NCDC Reports 29 New Infections, 1 Death

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), has reported 29 new cases of COVID-19.

    This brings the total number of infections in the country to 167, 430, as of June 25.

    The NCDC disclosed this on its website on Saturday.

    It said that the 29 additional coronavirus infections and one additional COVID-19 related death were reported in seven states.

    “Lagos (16), Rivers (3), Kaduna (3), Kwara (2), Delta (2), Ondo (2), and Ogun (1).

    “States with zero cases reported (9), FCT, Plateau, Nasarawa, Anambra, Gombe, Imo, Ekiti, Oyo, and Sokoto,” it said.

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    It noted that four persons who had recovered from the disease have been discharged from isolation centres across the country.

    The NCDC said that till date, a total of 163, 937 cases had been discharged and 2,119 deaths recorded in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    According to NCDC, the nation’s active cases is put at 1,374.

  • Police Confirm Release Of Abducted Ekiti Farmer, Say No Ransom Paid

    Police Confirm Release Of Abducted Ekiti Farmer, Say No Ransom Paid

    The Police Command in Ekiti on Monday confirmed the release of a prominent farmer, Alhaji Jimoh Olodan, kidnapped at a farmstead in Iyemero-Ekiti on Friday.
    Olodan was allegedly abducted at about midnight on Friday at his Elegure farmstead, near Iyemero, by bandits numbering about 18, who stormed the community in a desperate search for the farmer.
    The command made the confirmation in a statement signed by its Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Abutu, in Ado-Ekiti and issued to journalists on Monday.
    He said that the police led the rescued team that secured the release of the farmer from his abductors.
    According to Abutu, “The police immediately swung into action upon hearing that the farmer was kidnapped from his farmstead. So, we led the search team that chased the bandits into the forest to ensure that the victim is freed unhurt.
    “We thank God that the man was released unhurt and he is in good and sound health,” he said.
    Abutu, however, denied rumours making the round that N2 million ransom was paid by the family. “The rumours that the family agreed to make instalmental payments for the balance of the N30 million ransom demanded by the kidnappers is also not true.
    A source, who pleaded anonymity, however, told NAN that a search party found the victim inside a forest around 5.30a.m on Monday at the border between Kogi and Ekiti States.
    The source commended the efforts of security agencies and others, including local hunters, vigilante groups, the Oodua Peoples Congress and Amotekun Corps. (NAN)