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Ikenne Obaship tussle crisis persists leaving four injured
…No fresh attacks on Sunday — Police
Bankole Taiwo, Abeokuta
The crisis over Ikenne Remo Obaship tussle since last Friday persisted on Sunday morning as the loyalists of one of the claimants to the throne, Yomi Odeneye and supporters of the incumbent traditional ruler of the town, Oba Adeyinka Onakade were said to have allegedly clashed again.
This is coming on the heels of statement from the Spokesman of the state police command over the weekend, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi saying that the police had arrested six people in connection with the crisis.
One of the residents of the town who spoke with our Correspondent on Sunday under anonymity, however said that, loyalists of Yomi Odeneye allegedly attacked supporters of Oba Onakade again vandalising their vehicles and residential houses.
This development was said to have made residents of the town to be scampering for safety as none wished to be caught in the crossfire.
The Spokesman of the state police command, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi however told our Correspondent that there was never a report of a fracas on Sunday as the combined security team including the soldiers and the police had put the situation under control since Saturday.
Oyeyemi said that “I just called one of the people involved not long ago and I was told that normalcy had since returned to the town. All our men deployed to the town are still there including the soldiers, so I can tell you that the situation is now under control, since Saturday, there has no report of any fresh attacks.”
In a statement on Saturday, Ogun State police command said that it has arrested six susspects for unleashing terror on residents of the town over protracted Obaship tussle which is presently a subject of litigation in court.
Crisis was said to have rocked the town on Friday 5th of March, 2021 following the decision of Oba Onakade to celebrate a traditional festival known as “Jabajaba,” towards which a town crier was sent round the community for the preparatory rites.
This was said not to have gone down well with the opposing side who allegedly attacked the town crier and seized the gong. They also accused the Oba of trying to forcefully fence off a piece of land where traditional rites are performed in the town.
This was said to have led to a fracas between the two parties, following which the two sides suffered some injures and some homes damaged.
The police disclosed further that its Sagamu Area Commander was said to have quickly deployed some officers to the area and brought the situation under control.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Edward Awolowo Ajogun who was in the town on Saturday for on-the-spot assessment and peace talk was said to have met separately with the two opposing sides, warned them to eschew violence and follow the due process of the law to resolve their differences.
While the CP and his entourage were still on the peace mission within the town, information was received that some people suspected to be hired thugs and Agbekoyas, popular Yoruba hunters’ group, were shooting sporadically in retaliation against their properties allegedly damaged, and in the process, injured about four people.
The CP there and then ordered that they should be chased and brought to book.
Six amongst them, namely: Olasunkanmi Enigbokan, Oluwashina Kafisanwo, Olusegun Odukoya, Lawal Adebayo, Suraju Animashun and Qudus Mabadeje were arrested with dangerous weapons and assorted charms and have confessed to the offence.
Meanwhile, the injured persons have been taken to the hospital and are responding positively to treatment.
The police said, “it is pertinent to note that no death is recorded contrary to rumour being peddled around.”
The Commissioner of Police was said to have ordered the immediate transfer of the suspects to state criminal investigation and intelligence department for discreet investigation and prosecution.
He has further warned that anybody caught with offensive weapons or attempting to harm any person or destroy any property will be dealt with decisively.
Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Ltd., operators of Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal II (MMA2), Ikeja, says there is no ticket racketeering at the terminal.
This is contained in a statement signed by Mrs Ajoke Yinka-Olawuyi, Head of Corporate Communications of the company, on Tuesday in Lagos.
Yinka-Olawuyi also described as unfounded, an allegation that unpatriotic Nigerian were using private Point of Sale (POS) machines within the terminal to carry out fraudulent payments.
She said that the company was commitment to maintaining a secure, transparent and efficient airport environment.
There is an allegation that ticket racketeering is rampant at MMA2, with one-way ticket cost being inflated to as high as N250,000 by some staff of airlines and others.
The official said that internal monitoring systems of the company did not detect any hoarding of tickets or any collusion between airline staff and touts to inflate ticket prices.
“At MMA2, all ticket transactions are conducted at the airlines’ sales booths, using their official means of payment.
“To combat any form of touting or illegal activities, MMA2 collaborates closely with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Aviation Security (AVSEC), and other relevant authorities.
“Recently, FAAN established a joint task force specifically aimed at addressing touting activities across all Nigerian airports,” Yinka-Olawuyi noted.
According to her, anyone found engaging in illegal activities will face the full wrath of the law.
She said that the company’s commitment to passenger safety was unwavering, urging that passengers to feel free to lodge complaints.
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has said that Nigerians spends N16.5 trillion annually on fuel and the servicing of generators.
Adelabu made this known on Tuesday at the ongoing NOG Energy Week in Abuja.
The minister attributed his assertion to research in 2023. However, he did not give the exact details but rather compared the figure to the 225 per cent electricity tariff hike of April 3, 2024.
“What Nigerians spend on self-generation of power—on fueling and servicing their generators—is N16.5 trillion, according to research that was carried out in 2023. Looking at this, you will see that what Band A customers pay is still cheaper compared to this, despite having 24-hour uninterrupted supply,” he said.
He further declared that “over $1 billion in investments have been placed into renewable energy sources by foreign lenders and institutions,” adding that his ministry, under the guide and support of President Tinubu, is making giant strides in energy and gas developments.
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Hajiya Salamatu Ahmed as the new Executive Secretary of the Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board (FGSHLB).
Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HOCSF), disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.
In the statement made available to newsmen by Muhammed Ahmed, Director, Communications, HOCSF office, Yemi-Esan also handed over appointment letter to the new Executive Secretary.
She said Ahmed’s appointment was sequel to terminal leave embarked upon by the former Executive Secretary, Alhaji Ibrahim Mairiga, ahead of the expiration of his four-year tenure in September.
While congratulating the new appointee, the HOCSF charged her to leverage on the wealth of experience garnered over the years, towards ensuring the full realisation of the Board’s core mandate.
Before her new appointment, Hajiya Ahmed was the Board’s Director of Operations of the FGSHLB.
Bi-Courtney debunks ticket racketeering allegation at MMA2
Nigerians spend over N16.5trn annually on fuel, servicing generator – Adelabu
