..Discusses Areas of Partnership for Professional, Effective, Digitalized Policing Services.

 

Pastor, three other persons caught with human skull, one big calabash.

A pastor with the Christ Liberty Evangelism Church, Rosco, Iyana Iyesi, Ota, Oyenekan Oluwaseyi, and three others have been arrested with a human skull in the Saje Area of Abeokuta, the Ogun State Capital.

   

On Sunday, Oluwaseyi and the three others, 30-year-old Ibrahim Agbowewe,

40-year-old Suleiman Ogunbunmi,

and 57-year-old Gafari Akinsanya, were arrested by men of the state police command in the early hours of Saturday.

A source in the Command said the suspects claimed they had intended to use the skull for rituals. The source added that the arrest was made following a tip-off from members of the public about the suspects’ suspicious movement and activities in the area.

Following the intelligence, policemen were said to have stormed the area and arrested the suspects. Other items such as one big calabash, one black Toyota Camry car and one ram found with the suspects had been recovered and taken to the police station.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Omolola Odutola, who confirmed the arrest, said that the four suspects had confessed to the crime.

“We arrested the four of them. They have since confessed that they wanted to use the head for blessings and money rituals. The investigations are ongoing to unravel more details about the incident,” Odutola stated.

LASG Issues A 7-Day Vacation Order To Motorists/Commercial Bus Drivers On Bridges In Lagos.

The Lagos State Government today issued a 7-day ‘Vacation Order’ to motorists/commercial bus drivers operating on top of bridges across the State.

The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Transportation Hon. Sola Giwa today issued this 7-day ‘Vacation Order’ based on the need to remove every infraction impeding free flow of traffic on bridges across State.

 

Hon. Giwa disclosed that despite several warnings, motorists/commercial bus drivers have continued to defy government order and causing serious obstructions around these bridges with great negative impacts on the integrity of the bridges and traffic.

He confirmed that the present administration is expending huge resources for constructing standard bus terminals/garages for commercial activities in every part of the State.

According to the Special Adviser “Every motorist/commercial bus driver operating along ‘Apongbon’ and ‘Idumota’ (Cater) Bridges, ‘Elegbata:, ‘Ebute-Ero’ and ‘Ejalonibu’ must as a matter of urgency vacate these areas as LASTMA would commence strict enforcement operation immediately after the expiration of this ultimatum until zero tolerance is achieved across the state”.

 

He added that activities of these motorists/commercial bus drivers on bridges are contrary to provisions of the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law 2018 as amended.

Hon. Sola however affirmed that after the expiration of the ultimatum, any vehicles contravened would be immediately charged to the Lagos State Mobile Court for prosecutions.
This 7-day ‘Vacation Order’ takes immediate effect from Monday, 16th of October, 2023.

APAPA GRIDLOCKS :  LASG Begins Removal Of Illegal Parked/ Abandoned Trailers Off Appa-Oshodi Expressway, Lagos.

Lagos State Government in conjunction with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and Nigeria Police began strict enforcement operations on all illegally parked or abandoned trailers within Apapa and its environs.

In a statement issued by the Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA Mr. Adebayo Taofiq explained that the decision which was taken after the expiration of a ‘Removal Order’ issued to trailer drivers would ensure general safety of motorists and allow unimpeded free flow of traffic around the entire Apapa axis.

 

The General Manager of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Mr. Bolaji Oreagba, who led the combined enforcement team which commenced  on Tuesday, 10th of October, 2023 disclosed that over 18 trailers have so far been removed in accordance with the government’s zero tolerance for gridlocks and indiscipline.

Mr. Oreagba added that the enforcement operations which would be a continuous exercise was to checkmate the excesses of these trailer drivers and restore sanity around Creek Road, Etisalat Corridor, Trebor Junction, Liverpool, down to Tin-Can first/second Gates to Coconut, Trinity, Sunrise and Mile 2 axis.

 

Oreagba said, “The Lagos State Government, being a responsible and responsive one, will ensure that every motorists have a smooth ride from the Port Gate inwards Apapa-Oshodi Expressway and not only trailers carrying containers.”

The General Manager said efforts had been made in the past to restore sanity and bring back the glory of Apapa, which had been truncated by the indisciplined attitude of trailer drivers.

According to Oreagba “Series of meetings have been held with the Petroleum tanker/trailer drivers branch of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, other transport stakeholders to educate their members and ensure that they desist from indiscriminate parking and being indiscipline on the road.

“All tanker/ trailer drivers are advised to adhere strictly to the new directive, as the government will not hesitate to enforce traffic rules and regulations to the letter.”

Oreagba however called on motorists including other road users to take possession of the road and not hesitate to inform LASTMA of any broken down or abandoned trailers/ tankers via the Agency hotlines. (08100565860, 08129928515, 08129928593)

He maintained that all contravened trailers/ tankers would be immediately charged to court for prosecutions in accordance with the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018.

Staff of Federal Agency reject CEO appointed by President Tinubu, shut down head office.

Workers of the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) have shut down the head office of the service in Abuja, protesting against the appointment of Tola Odeyemi as Chief Executive Officer/Post Master General.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Presidential spokesman, had announced last week that President Bola Tinubu made some changes in the leadership of communication agencies, including NIPOST.

However, moments after the news of Odeyemi’s appointment broke, there were reports that Adeyemi Adepoju, the sacked Post Master-General had been reinstated.

In a viral video, Adepoju was seen addressing some workers who claimed Tinubu had reappointed him.
But on Monday, the protesting workers denied entry to the newly appointed NIPOST CEO, saying her appointment was against their wish.

The workers, who said they preferred Adepoju, chanted solidarity songs and wielded placards.

Intrigues, repositioning in PDP: Why Saraki, Wike met in Abuja.

The social media went abuzz last Tuesday after former President of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki, visited the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike at his Abuja residence.

 

Recall that in a viral video on social media, Wike entertained Saraki in his Abuja residence.The FCT Minister was seen in the kitchen showing his skills to welcome the former Senate President.

While it is speculated that the visit is unconnected with the chairmanship tussle of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Sunday Vanguard was informed that it was part of ongoing moves to reconcile aggrieved PDP leaders and members.

The visit, however, elicited mixed reactions online as some social media slammed Wike for cooking for Saraki after he did the same for Femi Gbajabiamila when he also visited him recently.

Recall that both Saraki and Wike contested the PDP presidential primary, but lost to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. While the former Senate President was appointed into the PDP/Atiku’s campaign team, Wike and his G5 governors worked against the interest of Atiku and the party in the 2023 presidential election.

The former Rivers State governor, who worked for President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, APC, was appointed FCT Minister. Wike has declared that he remained a member of the PDP only working with Tinubu to transform Nigeria.

Tussle for PDP chairmanship
However, a source privy to the meeting told Sunday Vanguard that while the “Wike group has defined that they will not leave the party, they must work to retain their influence in the party.”

There were also insinuations that last week’s meeting was connected with Saraki’s ambition to become the National Chairman of the party.

The source privy to the meeting explained that following Wike’s group’s decision to remain in the PDP, “one of the ways to do so is to be part of the power groups that will determine the future of the party by influencing who leads the party from next year. Saraki is moving fast and getting more passengers, the Wike group needs to quickly jump on it and be part of the forces that will propel the train to a successful destination.”

Another source warned that failure by the Wike group to join the reconciliation team may lead to the emergence of “a hostile Chairman who may move against them.”

On the reconciliation move by the former Senate President, the source said: “They know Saraki as a reconciliation, a bridge-builder, somebody they can trust to be neutral and had the capacity and resources to rebuild the party.”

The meeting with Wike, the source said “is the first step the Wike group is making. More governors and senators in the group will openly canvass support for Saraki and even visit. Many have silently visited him.”

On insinuations about Saraki’s chairmanship ambition, the source said: “As for Saraki, he has not made up his mind on the chairmanship.

“His position is that we should wait till after the Supreme Court verdict on the Atiku case. Either way the case goes, the next assignment for PDP is resolving leadership issue and reconciliation”.

However, when contacted for reaction, Saraki’s media aide, Yusuph Olaniyonu, described the visit as a “friendly visit.”Vanguard

Guber polls: Use Kogi, Imo, Bayelsa to redeem your image, PDP urges INEC.

The People’s Democratic Party, PDP, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to use the forth coming governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States to redeem its image.

It also demanded that the commission should replace the Resident Electoral Commissioner in charge of Imo State, Prof. Sylvia Agu, to avoid a repeat of the electoral chaos recorded in Adamawa State during the last governorship election.

National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, said this at a press conference, in Abuja, on Sunday.
He said, “The PDP has noted the statement by INEC Chairman that INEC will make full use of its Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal for uploading and electronic transmission of results in the November 11, 2023 governorship elections in Imo, Bayelsa and Kogi States.
“The PDP has reviewed issues relating to the conduct of the November 11, 2023 elections in the three States and states as follows:

“The PDP notes that the INEC Chairman has confirmed that the use of BVAS and IREV in this election and even in previous election is a mandatory statutory requirement of the law
“The PDP holds INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu directly responsible and accountable to his pronouncements and that INEC is bound by Law to electronically transmit results directly from the polling units using these technologies.

“The PDP is fully prepared for these elections and in line with the commitment of INEC will not accept any other means of transmitting results in these elections except as this manner pronounced by the INEC Chairman in line with requirement of Electoral Act, 2022.”

Ologunagba stressed that the PDP has commenced training of its polling agents at all levels to ensure total compliance to the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) Electoral Act, 2022, INEC Guidelines and Regulations especially as confirmed by the INEC Chairman.

The PDP Spokesman said the party  remains confident of victory in the three states because all of its candidates in the affected states: Duoye Diri (Bayelsa), Senator Samuel Anyanwu (Imo) and Senator Dino Melaye, have proven track records of public service and are popular with their people.

On the demand for the sack of the Imo State REC, he said, “The PDP for the umpteenth time demands for the immediate removal of the (alledgedly) openly compromised Imo State INEC REC, Prof. Sylvia Agu.

“The PDP and other political parties had written several letters to INEC. Recently the political parties including the PDP, LP, YPP, ADC, AA among others staged a peaceful protest to INEC demanding for her immediate removal.”

According to him, the PDP does not have confidence in the ability of Prof. Agu to be fair to all parties contesting in the November 11, 2023 governorship elections.

This, he explained was based on her conduct in the 2023 National and House of Assembly elections where “she allegedly manipulated and brazenly assisted the APC in rigging the elections, are in the public domain.

Ologunagba, a lawyer by training also alleged that Prof Sylvia Agu is a direct relation of a national officer of the APC and there are allegations that she is being further compromised to assist the APC to rig the Nov. 11 Governorship election in Imo State.

He noted that her continued stay in office of as Imo REC is provocative, inciting and amount to testing the Will of the people of Imo State and daring them to do their worse.

Ologunagba further said, “INEC has a lot of RECs from which the INEC Chairman can choose to replace Prof. Sylvia Agu and avoid a scenario that could be worse than what happened in Adamawa State Governorship election where INEC refused to change the compromised REC.
INEC Chairman must note that the integrity of an election process is directly relation to the confidence of the electorate.”

Akeredolu will be in our midst in days time —Ondo APC, warns PDP elements

 

Ondo APC uncovers plans to instigate crisis by PDP.

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State has uncovered the plans by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), to instigate crisis in Akure, the State capital, on Monday.

The essence of the arrangement, it was further gathered, is to create a semblance of political instability in the peaceful State, in addition to portraying the ruling party in bad light, ahead of governorship election, coming up next year.

“It has come to our knowledge that some PDP chieftains, who have started making huge contributions, in collaboration with some players within our fold, have finalised plans to destabilise the Sunshine State,” the party alleged.

The chapter explained that Ondo State has thus far been peaceful, organized, and enjoyed enviable political stability, and industrial harmony.

It is unbelievable that the main opposition party, PDP, that is engulfed by leadership turbulence in Abuja, will prefer to go into unholy alliance with some elements in APC to foment avoidable crisis in Ondo State.
Disturbed by the information, the State chapter, in an emergency meeting on Sunday, condemned in strong terms such thoughts and plans to instigate political upheaval and create disaffection among the people.

Ondo APC argued that the Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has been discharging his official duties and responsibilities without any hitch, irrespective of his location.
The party also expressed appreciation for the understanding and prayers of the good people of the State for the admirable governor.

“We are very optimistic that our Governor; your performing Governor, will be in our midst in a matter of days,” the party assured. It is imperative to state that any political gathering or activity at this time could easily be hijacked beyond the control and capacity of the organizers.

We therefore call on security agencies to be vigilant and ensure that every gathering is well guided, and closely monitored for compliance.

The party is confident that the APC-led government in Ondo State will continue to invest in projects that have direct bearings on the welfare of the public.

We will also not relax our commitment to the State workforce.
Alex Kalejaye,
Publicity Secretary,
Ondo APC.

Ondo PDP Reaction.

However, the PDP Publicity Secretary, Kennedy Peretei, described the allegation as laughable and said the ruling party is only afraid of its own shadow.

Peretei urged the ruling party to address Akeredolu’s absence from the state and stop the diversionary tactics.

He noted that Akeredolu has been back in the country for over a month and expressed dismay over the Governor’s refusal to return to the state, stating that his absence has caused a total collapse of governance in the state.

He said, “The APC is populated by shameless people. The governor has been absent from his duty post since April this year, yet they are comfortable with the total collapse of governance in the state. The Governor has not been seen in the state since April this year.”