The Ekiti State Police Command has identified and arrested six suspects in connection with the kidnapping and murder of the former Deputy Vice Chancellor of the Ekiti State University, EKSU, Professor Femi Olaofe.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Sunday Abutu, made this known in a statement in Ado-Ekiti.
The incident occurred on July 9, 2024, when an armed gang stormed the professor’s residence at 15th Avenue, Federal Housing Estate, Ado-Ekiti, abducting him and his security guard, Abdul Opotu.
Abutu said upon receiving the distress call, the Rapid Response Squad, RRS, was dispatched to the scene. However, the perpetrators had already fled with the victims in the professor’s Toyota Camry. The vehicle was later recovered in a forest between Ado-Ekiti and Afao-Ekiti.
He maintained that the state Commissioner of Police, CP Akinwale Adeniran, ordered an immediate and thorough investigation which led to the arrest of Omowaye Ayodele, also known as A.Y, at Bencom Guest House in Akure, Ondo State.
During interrogation, Ayodele confessed to the crime and implicated several accomplices, including Kenneth, Amodu Gbenga (a.k.a Toro), Nnamani Chukwuka (a.k.a Amechi), and Ojo (a.k.a Ojo Ijan).
According to the PPRO, Ayodele revealed that the security guard, Abdul Opotu, had orchestrated the kidnapping, making the operation easier for the gang.
He said further investigations led to the arrest of Amodu Gbenga, who confessed to supplying food and water to the gang at their hideout behind Government College, Off Ijan Road, Ado-Ekiti, adding that the suspects led police to the hideout, but the gang had already relocated the victim.
“On July 30, 2024, a shallow grave was discovered in a bush off Afao Road, behind the new airport site in Ado-Ekiti. The following day, the police, along with the Ministry of Environment and medical practitioners, exhumed the body, which was identified as Professor Femi Olaofe. The corpse has been deposited at Ekiti State Teaching Hospital Morgue for autopsy”. Abutu said.
The police spokesperson noted that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the remaining gang members, including the security guard who masterminded the crime, while the six arrested suspects are currently in custody undergoing investigation.
Protesters reject Gov Fubara’s offer to provide money for ‘bread, pure water’
Protesters reject Gov Fubara’s offer to provide money for ‘bread, pure water’
Russia frees US reporter in major prisoner swap with West
US journalist Evan Gershkovich and former US marine Paul Whelan were released Thursday, the Turkish government announced, in one of the biggest East-West prisoner swaps since the Cold War.
Prisoners from the United States, Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway, Belarus and Russia were involved in the swap “carried out” by Turkey’s MIT intelligence service, Turkey’s presidency said.
There was no immediate confirmation from US officials, although the swap was widely reported by US television networks. The Kremlin declined to comment on any exchange.
Wall Street Journal reporter Gershkovich, 32, was detained in March 2023 and convicted in July on spying charges in a fast-track trial denounced as a sham by the United States.
Signs of an imminent prisoner swap had picked up momentum earlier Thursday, amid reports a plane used in a previous exchange deal had landed in the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad.
Hopes had also risen in recent days after a number of high-profile prisoners in Russia, including Whelan, went missing from prisons where they were serving long terms, fueling speculation they were being moved ahead of a swap.
As a rule, swaps can only happen after a conviction in Russia, and the disappearance of several high-profile political prisoners at once is extremely rare.
Among those expected to be returned to Russia in exchange is Vadim Krasikov, a Russian citizen imprisoned in Germany for killing a former Chechen rebel commander in a brazen assassination.
The exchange would be a victory for President Joe Biden, whose vice president, Kamala Harris, faces Republican Donald Trump in the November election.
This would be the first prisoner exchange between Russia and the West since star US basketball player Brittney Griner was swapped in return for convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout in December 2022.
It would also be the biggest exchange since 2010 when 14 alleged spies were exchanged between Russia and the West. They included double agent Sergei Skripal, who was sent by Moscow to Britain and undercover Russian agent Anna Chapman, sent by Washington to Russia.
Before then, major swaps involving more than a dozen people had only taken place during the Cold War, with Soviet and Western powers carrying out exchanges in 1985 and 1986.
– ‘Pushing hard’ –
An aircraft already used in Griner and Bout’s exchange flew from Moscow to Kaliningrad on Thursday morning, according to flight tracking website Flightradar24. The flight was later tracked taking off from Kaliningrad two hours later.
Gershkovich was arrested in the city of Yekaterinburg while on a reporting trip. He, his employer and the US government all strongly denied the espionage allegations against him.
Biden had said after the sentencing that he was “pushing hard for Evan’s release and will continue to do so.”
Media rights group Reporters Without Borders said it was “hugely relieved.”
“The Russian government’s continued policy of state hostage-taking is outrageous. Journalists are not spies, and they must never be targeted for political purposes,” the group said.
Washington has also been working for the release of jailed former Marine Whelan, 54, who was arrested in 2018 in Moscow and charged with espionage.
Whelan was working in security for a US vehicle parts company when he was arrested in Moscow in 2018, and has always asserted that the evidence against him was falsified.
Also among those who disappeared was journalist and activist Vladimir Kara-Murza, a 42-year-old joint Russian and British citizen. His lawyers said on Wednesday that they did not know his location after being twice denied access to the facility where he was meant to be held.
Kara-Murza, who spoke out against the Russian invasion of Ukraine, is serving a 25-year sentence in Siberia for treason and other charges. He suffers from a nerve disease and was moved to a prison hospital earlier this month for medical checks.
Adding to the intrigue was a case in Slovenia, where a court sentenced two Russians suspected of spying for Moscow to more than a year and a half in prison — but then ordered their expulsion from the country.
Arrests of US citizens in Russia have increased in recent years, in what Washington sees as a Kremlin attempt to secure the release of Russians convicted abroad.
AFP
Minister laments looting of Kano Tech Hub by alleged #EndBadGovernance protesters
The Minister of Communications, Bosun Tijani, on Thursday, decried the destruction of the Nigeria Communications Centre in Kano by alleged #EndBadGovernance protesters.
The incident, which occurred amidst the ongoing nationwide protests, has dealt a severe blow to the government’s ambitious plans to cultivate a robust tech ecosystem in the country.
Tijani tweeted, “Sad to learn that our Digital Innovation Park in Kano slated for launch next week to support our 3 million technical talent accelerator (3MTT) has been set ablaze and looted by protesters.
Read Also: Senate President’s Office debunks reports of ‘eating while protesting’ comment
“Alongside #3MTT, this building is set to host our buildathon holiday maker programme for secondary school kids starting next week. A slight setback for our journey to deepening our workforce for technology while creating job opportunities for the youth. Millions of Naira down the drain.”
Tijani’s tweet, expressing disappointment over the loss of a facility intended to nurture young tech talent, has struck a chord with many Nigerians. However, the minister’s statement has also raised eyebrows, with some questioning the timing and the extent of the damage.
The destruction of the Kano tech hub is undoubtedly a setback for the tech industry in Nigeria. The facility was poised to become a catalyst for innovation and job creation, providing a platform for young people to develop their skills and contribute to the nation’s economic growth.
The post Minister laments looting of Kano Tech Hub by alleged #EndBadGovernance protesters appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.
Kano: Police nab several protesters, recover looted items [VIDEO]
![Kano: Police nab several protesters, recover looted items [VIDEO]](https://tvn.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Police-768x512.jpg "Kano: Police nab several protesters, recover looted items [VIDEO]")
Police operatives on Thursday arrested several protesters who looted the Barakat Store in Kano.
TVN reports that many protesters participating in the ongoing nationwide protest had invaded the Barakat Store in Kano and carted away several items, including foodstuffs.
The peaceful protest eventually turned chaotic when security agencies used teargas to disperse the crowd.
The mass nationwide protest was organized to demand government reforms over the recent hardship in Nigeria.
However, in a trending video sighted by TVN on X, policemen were seen with some of the recovered items as they arrested several protesters, who looted the items.
TVN reports that the protest is expected to last for days having been slated for the 1st to the 10th of this month.
VIDEO…
Police have arrested many protesters looting House Baraqat in Kano state. Many items were recovered. God bless our security agencies. pic.twitter.com/riVU2L8rsz
— Kawu Garba (@KawuGarba) August 1, 2024
Kano: Police nab several protesters, recover looted items [VIDEO]
Rains, armed security operatives, police restrictions ruin protests in Akwa Ibom
Early morning rains of Thursday and Police restrictions have botched the nationwide planned hunger protest in Akwa Ibom State.
The protesters were meant to kick off at the Unity Park, Udo Udoma in Uyo, the approved venue by the Akwa Ibom State Police Command, however, the rains and heavy presence of the security operatives scared away a few protesters who turned up at the venue.
It was also gathered that the operatives restricted the protesters from moving to other locations amid the downpour which lasted till late afternoon.
Most roads in Uyo, the state capital and other major cities of Eket and Ikot Ekpene were deserted with many passengers stranded due to the presence of few vehicles.
Most civil servants did not turn up for work while markets, banks and most businesses were closed for fear of looting.
A visit to some strategic locations in Uyo metropolis where protesters usually converge such as Nwaniba Water Fountain, popular Ibom Plaza, Secretariat roundabout, and circus among others was visibly bereft of protesters but had security operatives including the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence and the local security outfit, Ibom watch patrolling the area.
Meanwhile, a few protesters who went home disappointed accused police of restricting them to only the Unity Park which they described as remote.
One of the protesters who identified himself as Mfon said today was only the first day of the ten days of the planned protest and they would remobilize to carry out the exercise which he described as ‘a mandate.’
“The protest is not just for today, it’s for ten days, we will mobilize elsewhere and we will carry out this mandate peacefully.”
Recall that Governor Umo Eno had earlier held a stakeholders forum where leaders of some organisations like NLC and NANS backed out of the protest.
Another group, Niger Delta Ex-Agitators, Akwa Ibom State chapter last night warned youths against participating in the protest.
Rains, armed security operatives, police restrictions ruin protests in Akwa Ibom
Protesters dare Asari Dokubo, turn out enmasse in Port Harcourt, Yenagoa (Video/Pictures)
Aggrieved Nigerians protesting against hardship and hunger as a result of the policies of President Bola Tinubu on Thursday, defied threats from former Niger Delta militant leader, Mujahid Asari-Dokubo, and turned out in their thousands in Port Harcourt, Rivers State and Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, on the first day of the #EndBadGovernance protest.
Dokubo had, on Wednesday, warned organisers of the protest to stay away from the Niger Delta or they will “collect” in hot measure.
In a video message, Dokubo said the agenda of those behind the protest do not capture the problems of the people of the Niger Delta and if they dared to protest in the Niger Delta region, he would personally lead his men to resist them.
“I and all those who believe in me and those of you who are committed to the interest of the Niger Delta, we are not going to be part of any protest. It is as clear as that,” Dokubo had said in the video.
“If anybody has the right to protest, I also have the right to resist protest. Where your right stops, that is where my right begins.
“I will not be part of it. These are anarchists. When you lose the election, wait for another election season. It is four years. Sell yourself to the people, but you don’t want to.
“Don’t bring your protest here. This protest does not concern us, and anywhere you are doing your protest, if I’m there and you bring your protest, I know you’re a threat to me. And I will be a threat to you. That is it.
“I’m not doing it because Tinubu is my friend. I will stand firm because if I don’t do it, my life will be in danger, the lives of my children will be in danger, and the lives of my compatriots. All of you who are here will be in danger.
“It is wrong for us to be part of or even conceive this protest. Those who have lost election should prepare for 2027,” he added, among other things.
READ ALSO:Police teargas #EndBadGovernance protesters at Lekki toll-gate
But on Thursday, the protesters dared Dokubo and his threats and went all out to be part of the protest.
Multiple pictures and videos shared by the protesters showed thousands on the streets of the two oil-rich states chanting songs and daring the former militant warlord to come out and stop them.
Wike, we dey your streets for Port Harcourt #EndBadGovernancelnNigeria pic.twitter.com/crGWsPbw4h
— FS Yusuf (@FS_Yusuf_) August 1, 2024
The rebellion in PORT HARCOURT never disappoints ! #EndBadGovernaceInNigeria pic.twitter.com/YxvGuIx6qe
— Omoyele Sowore (@YeleSowore) August 1, 2024
Ongoing Protest gaining momentum in Port Harcourt #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria pic.twitter.com/3yh5T7Bswv
— Ayo, the First (@aystickz) August 1, 2024
Where is that stupid Asari Dokubo.I think you say you get 7 heads.The hand of hunger for touch you today for P-town.
— 99% OPPRESSED. (@PIDOMNIGERIA) August 1, 2024
Port Harcourt is ready. #EndBadGovernaceProtest is a MUST, #WeAreNotGoingBack. Nobody has the monopoly of violence, if Asari Dokubo and his thugs do anyhow, they'll see anyhow. Abobi comot bodi o!……Guys aren't smiling pic.twitter.com/1uNRAPs3n4
— Port Harcourt Oracle (@PhCity_Oracle) July 31, 2024
"Asari Dokubo" is trending because of an Anti protest comments he made earlier, whr he claimed to hav dealt with End Sars protesters back then
Protesters who have trooped enmass in Bayelsa and other Niger Delta states have dared him 2 carry out his threats
Wike, Eagle Square pic.twitter.com/KzXYMeWatl
— Viki Trends (@Director778) August 1, 2024
The post Protesters dare Asari Dokubo, turn out enmasse in Port Harcourt, Yenagoa (Video/Pictures) appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.
Police arrest journalists, protesters in Calabar
Several journalists and activists have been beaten, handcuffed, and taken by security agents to unknown locations in Calabar, Cross River State.
Our correspondent reports that the managing editor of the online newspaper CrossRiverWatch, Mr Jonathan Ugbal, is among the arrested journalists.
It was gathered that they were taken by security personnel, along with other activists who engaged in a peaceful protest early Thursday morning, to an undisclosed location.
The journalists were following some activists around the popular Mary Slessor roundabout in Calabar, where a handful of protesters had gathered on Thursday, the first day of the 10-day planned nationwide protest.
While monitoring the protest, Ugbal had posted a video in the morning showing that the surrounding roads to the Mary Slessor roundabout were deserted.
Reacting, human rights activist James Ibor said the arrest of activists and journalists was condemnable and reprehensible.
He said that the security agents who arrested the journalists arrived in four Hilux vehicles and SUVs, heavily armed.
He said, “We challenge the authorities to produce any evidence that Ugbal and others were violent.
“I strongly suspect that the security agents are those attached to the state governor, Senator Bassey Otu.
However, we know that Governor Otu, being a people-
centric leader, would not allow his agents to be this brutal.”
“This is very sad. It is a disappointment, and we call on Governor Otu to order the release of these journalists and activists, who I strongly believe are in government custody.”
August 1: There are threats against peaceful protesters in Delta – Activist alleges
Following the nationwide protest against bad governance in the country, a human rights activist in the Niger Delta, Israel Joe has alleged threats on peaceful protesters from government officials.
Comrade Joe made the allegations during the ongoing protests in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State.
He, however, noted that a “signal” has been sent to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s led Federal Government of Nigeria.
He said after the ten days of protest, the protesters will meet with the federal government come October 1, Nigeria’s day of independence to dramatise the hardship, hunger and poverty ravaging the country.
When asked to comment on the suspension of work on-site by Julius Berger, Joe said,
“I think 10 days is not too much for us to ask for. So Julius Berger as a company construction company giant should evacuate whatever they want to evacuate from their site to protect or whatever view to safeguard their equipment just for the country to move forward in peace.
“But we are saying that peaceful protesters are not violent. Anything you see violence is being occasioned by the government so everybody must sacrifice for the nation to move forward. If you look at the road a lot of shops, businesses and companies are shut down. They are closed, that is the sacrifice everyone can make for the soul of the Nigerian States.
“The protest is peacefully holding in strategic locations across Delta state of course, for some of us who are called to come we have told protesters not to be violent and of course that everybody should remain calm. Those who cannot go for the protest should remain at home and those people who can go for the protest should do the protest within the ambit of the law peacefully.”
August 1: There are threats against peaceful protesters in Delta – Activist alleges
Address obstacles strangling revival of Nigerian refineries – Northern Coalition to Tinubu
The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address the major obstacles strangling the revival of the nation’s refineries.
The Coalition said this while welcoming the decision by the government to sell crude oil in naira to domestic refineries as against earlier arrangement of payment in the US dollar.
According to the coalition, the decision is a positive step towards strengthening the naira and the economy and ensuring self-sufficiency in oil production.
The coalition had back in April in a statement by its national coordinator, Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, called on the Nigerian Government to accept the local currency in lieu of the US dollar for the purpose of purchasing crude oil from domestic refineries.
The Coalition said it is certain that the recent approach undertaken by the government will enhance transparency, boost local capacity, contribute to the growth of our refining sector and make fuel consistently available at affordable prices.
“We believe crude oil transactions in naira in Nigeria will make the PMS permanently available and eliminate artificial scarcity that fuel importers have been using to milk Nigerians dry,” it said in a statement signed by Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, National Coordinator.
“We view this move as a win-win for Nigeria, Nigerians and the refineries.
It further called on the Tibubu administration to make genuine efforts to revamp state-owned refineries in Kaduna, Port Harcourt and Warri to deepen competition among domestic refiners to enable Nigerians access to quality and affordable fuel.
“By taking further decisions to resuscitate government refineries, the President’s resolve to provide a lasting solution to Nigeria’s paradox of an oil-producing but oil-importing country will be permanently addressed,” it added.
“The only way to address the fuel crisis in Nigeria is to refine fuel locally to completely remove the use of dollars in the process.
“The refineries must also be revitalized and upgraded to meet our local needs to exterminate the import-dependent fuel crisis that is being orchestrated by the importing cartel.
“We urge the Federal Government to sustain this momentum and continue implementing policies that prioritize Nigerian interests.
In the same vein, the CNG appeals to domestic refineries to take advantage of this opportunity to produce high-quality petroleum products that are cost-effective and make them reasonably affordable to Nigerians devoid of exploitation.
Address obstacles strangling revival of Nigerian refineries – Northern Coalition to Tinubu
LPPC set to decide fate of 98 lawyers seeking Senior Advocate Rank
The Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee, LPPC is now set to decide the fate of 98 lawyers seeking to be conferred with the prestigious rank of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN.
LPPC is the body responsible for nominating, screening and making the final selection of lawyers worthy of being awarded the prestigious rank.
TVN learned that the committee headed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola is already in a final crucial meeting at the Supreme Court to make the final selection and make the names of the lucky ones public today.
The committee had last month shortlisted 98 Nigerian lawyers comprising Professors of law for elevation to the rank.
Among the names shortlisted are former Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, National Officers, Monday Onyekachi Ubani, Kunle Edun, Dr. Rapulu Nduka and Stanley Imo.
Also shortlisted is the Chairman of NBA Bwari Branch, Paul Daudu and notable Abuja-based Senior Lawyer, Okey Ajunwa.
The advocates known as practising legal practitioners have the largest chunk of 87 nominees while the academics who are law lecturers in tertiary institutions have only 11 candidates.
Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court who also doubles as LPPC Secretary, Hajo Sarki Bello has released the names of the shortlisted candidates.
Those whose fates are to be decided today are Lateef Olaseinde Karim, Godwin Tagbo Ike, Johnson Odionu, Nnodim Marcellinus Duru, Innocent Adams Ovbagbedia, Soronnadi Anthony Njoku, Adamu Abubakar, Charles Oyaole Musa, Udochi Nunny Iheanacho, David Dare Onietan and Elele Chinatu Casmir.
Others are Josiah Rapuluchuks Nduka, Godwin Ikechukwu Obeta, Habeeb Orisavia Ilavbare, Moses Kolade Obafemi, Mathew Echezonam Esonanjor, Baba Fika Dalah, Babatunde Ademoye Sodipo, Mustapha Ikhegbe Abubakar, Emmanuel Ibhagbemien Esene, Henry Adedayo Bello, Boniface Chinedu Moore and Clement Amechi Ezika.
The advocate list also has Omokayode Adebayo Dada, Edwin Anikwem, Roy Ogbonnaya Umahi Nwaeze, Olumide Oniyire Olugbenga, Monday Onyekachi Ubani, Ayoola Olufemi Ajayi, Paul Chukwuma Obi, Olasupo Dominic Ati-John, Cole Segun Ololade, Charles Ayodeji Adeogun-Phillips and Okechukwu Kingsley Ajunwa.
Others are also Jacob Ocheogbu Ifere, Emmanuel Aderemi Adekile, Christopher Ehumadu Okeke, Waziri Yusha’u Mamman, Oluronke Adeyemi, Oluwole Olawale Afolabi, Toboukebide Kekemeke, Akinbamigbe Adesomoju and Victor Owarienomare Odjemu.
Also on the list are Josiah Ojochide Daniel-Ebune, Olukunle Ogheneovo Edun, Abdulaziz Enebi Ibrahim, Stanley Chidozie Imo, Charles Oladipo Titiloye, Abdulkarim Kana Abubakar, Kingsley Chuku, Adeyinka Oluwaseun Aderemi, Olaolu Akintunde Owolabi, Adedeji Sharafadeen Abdulkadir, Idowu Omotunde Benson and Kolawole James Olowookere.
Others are Chinasa Thelma Unaegbunam, Ademola Oluwawolemi Esan, Omosanya Atilola Popoola, Taiye Ayotunde Oniyide, Emonye Oga Adekwu, Aderemi Oguntoye,
Kashopefoluwa Olawale Balogun, Abdul Adamu, Theodore Okey Ezeobi, Rilwan Birnin Kebbi Umar, Chienye Ifeanyichukwu Okafor, Kaka Shehu Lawan, Abba Muhammed, Wendy Nwenenda Kuku and Ekele Enyinnaya Iheanacho.
The rest are Okechukwu George Edeze, Akinyemi Oluwole Olujinmi, Gyang Yaya Zi,
Idris Abubakar, George Ibrahim, Boonyameen Babajide Lawal, Terkaa Jeremiah Aondo,
Tochukwu Peter Tochukwu, Uchenna Uzo Njoku, Paul Babatunde Daudu, Chukwudi Kachikwu Enebeli, Yusuf Olatunji Ogunrinde, Tobechukwu Kenechukwu Nweke,
Ademola Kamardeen Abimbola, Yunus Abdulsalam, Mofesomo Ayodeji Tayo-Oyetibo and Chukwuemeka Agamadodaigwe Nnawuchi.
Those shortlisted from the academic camp are Prof. John Alewo Agbonika, Prof. Osy Ezechukwunyere Nwebo, Prof. Nlerum Sunday Okogbule, Prof. Nnamdi Onyeka Obiaraeri, Prof. Nathaniel Ahagbue Inegbedion, Prof. Collins Chijioke Obioma, Prof. Violet Aigbokhaevbo, Prof. Augustine Robert Agom, Prof. Ibrahim Abdulqadir Abikan, Prof. Chima Josephat Ubanyionwu and Prof. Ganiyu Adeyemi Oke.
Efforts by TVN to speak with the LPPC Secretary, Hajo Sarki Bello on the issue were unsuccessful as she was confirmed to be at the centre of the final selection meeting and would make a public statement later.
LPPC set to decide fate of 98 lawyers seeking Senior Advocate Rank