Lagos State Governor and Chairman of the South West Governors Forum, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Friday, condoled with the newly appointed Chairman of the Governing Council of the University of Ibadan and former interim National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande, over the death of his son-in-law, Barr. Oyedele Clement Akintola.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, in a condolence message issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, also commiserated with Chief Akande’s daughter, Mrs. Bolaji Akintola, over the demise of her beloved husband.

The Governor said the demise of Barr. Akintola on Wednesday, at age 60, is an irreparable loss, which would have created a vacuum in the family. He prayed that God would give the immediate and extended family of the deceased, the grace to bear the great loss.

He said: “On behalf of my family, the government, and the good people of Lagos, I want to express our heartfelt condolences to the family of our leader, Chief Bisi Akande and the late Barr. Oyedele Clement Akintola on this great and irreparable loss.

“The late Barr. Akintola was an epitome of humility and uprightness, and he was a pillar of support for his wife and children. His family will miss him greatly, because of the vacuum his death has created. I urge family of the deceased, friends, and associates to take the death of Barr Akintola in good faith, knowing that he lived a fulfilled life.

“I pray that God will grant the late Barr. Oyedele Clement Akintola eternal rest and grant the family, particularly his wife and children, the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.”

By Titus Atondu, Makurdi

Benue State Go Governor Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyicenth Alia has disclosed that  a commission of enquiry will be set up by  the state government to investigate the remote and immediate causes of the violent protest that took place in Ukum local government of the state.

Alia made the disclosure on Thursday night during a live broadcast on the mayhem that occured in Ukum local government area, reiterated his administration’s unwavering commitment to the safety of all residents of the state.

He vowed not to sit back and allow anyone or a group of persons to frustrate the peace of the State and destabilize government activities.

The governor  sympathized  with victims of the attack, said government was intensifying efforts in collaborating with security agencies to bring the perpetrators of the violent and criminal acts to justice as well as  work on preventive measures to ensure such  incident does not reoccur.

Governor revealed that combined  security agents had raided the  hidout  of bandits in Ukum and subsequently neutralized two bandits, recovered seven motorcycle, two English pistols, a Toyota camry, and commercial tricycle and lots of charms.

He explained that as a reprisal, some bandits hit some soft target and killed six civilians at Ayati in Ukum, believing that the members of  Ayati community were responsible for giving information on their operations and hidouts.

The governor further explained that the action led to an initial protest of anger and frustration by family members and women regarding the killings of their loved ones on the Ayati-Sai road down to Sankera but Regretted that the  peaceful protests was hijacked by bandits and miscreants who had carefully planned to undertake and unleash mayhem on businesses and peace-loving people of Sankera.

He appealed to the people of Sankera and its environs to remain calm and exercise restraint,  emphasized that his administration  for the last time, extends hands of fellowship to all youths who have chosen to reside in the forests and continually launch attacks on innocent citizens.

He stressed that his government was running out of patience and shall no longer guarantee the olive leaf branch extended to them.

Nigerian NewsDirect reports that representative of Kastina-Ala, Ukum, Logo federal constituency, Solomon Wombo who was at the broadcast, thanked governor Alia for the steps taken to restore calm in the area promising to collaborate with government to find lasting solution to the insecurity in the constituency.

By Atondu Titus

Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, has assured the people of Ukum Local Government Area in the Sankera axis that normalcy will soon return to the area, following an incident involving criminal elements on Wednesday.

The Governor, represented by his deputy, Barr. Dr. Sam Ode, condemned the actions as “barbaric” and reiterated that the government will not tolerate anything less than peace and security of lives and properties.

“We are committed to ensuring that peace and normalcy return to this area. The curfew imposed on the area from 6pm to 6am daily will remain in place until further notice,” Governor Alia said.

The Police Commissioner, Mr. Hassan Steve Yabanet, also reassured residents that normalcy has returned to the area, saying, “We are on top of the situation.”

The Governor’s visit to Ukum was seen as a move to show solidarity with the affected communities and to reiterate the government’s commitment to ensuring that justice is served. During the tour, the Governor’s delegation visited several locations, including Ukum Local Government Secretariat, INEC office, Government College Zaki Biam, Benue State High Court, Benue Links Park, St Paul Nursery Primary and Secondary School, Magistrate.