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Osun boils as Gov orders operatives to secure LG secretariats as five die

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Five people were reportedly feared killed and many others injured in Osun on Monday as a power struggle over control of local government secretariats between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) turned deadly, sparking panic and tension across parts of the state.

The crisis stemmed from last Monday’s Court of Appeal judgment in Akure, which purportedly reinstated the APC-elected chairpersons and councillors who were sacked in 2022.

While the APC maintained that the judgment explicitly reinstated the local government officials, the state government argued that it did not restore them to office.

However, attempts by some APC members to forcefully take over council secretariats led to violent clashes with PDP supporters who resisted the move, escalating tensions in several local government areas.

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In Irewole Local Government Area, Ikire, the situation worsened when hoodlums allegedly killed former council chairperson Remi Abass during a confrontation. According to credible sources, Mr Abass and some APC members attempted to seize the Irewole Local Government secretariat to enforce the court ruling but were met with armed resistance. A gun battle ensued, resulting in his death and leaving many others critically injured.

Meanwhile, the state commissioner for protocol and government affairs, Soji Ajeigbe, alleged that two PDP members, identified as Ege and Igara, were killed by gun-wielding thugs working for the APC.

He claimed that “six others were killed while they were attempting to take over the secretariat. We have deposited the bodies in the morgue while the injured were receiving treatment at the hospital.”

Sources informed us that two persons were allegedly killed in Iragbiji, headquarters of Boripe Local Government Area, when supporters of APC and PDP clashed, just as two other persons were also killed in Olaoluwa and Isokan local government areas.

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When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of Osun State Police Command, Yemisi Opalola, said police officers had been deployed to the affected areas, adding that an investigation was already ongoing.

Similarly, there was tension and chaos in some other local government areas, namely Osogbo, Olorunda, Ilesa East, Boripe, and Ayedaade, as members of the APC attempted to take over the councils’ secretariats to enforce the Court of Appeal’s judgment.

When our correspondent visited the Irewole Local Government Secretariat, located in Ikire, on the Ibadan-Ife expressway, about 30 armed police officers and five patrol vans were sighted at the council’s frontage, just as a vandalised black Toyota Camry was stationed at the main gate.

At the Ayedaade Local Government Area, a sizeable number of youths converged on the front of the council building just as some operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were spotted a few metres away.

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Meanwhile, Osun State governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has said that at least five members of the PDP were killed on Monday during the attempt by the APC to take over some local government areas forcefully.

He also directed Osun residents, including politicians, across political divides to stay away from the local government secretariats to protect public properties and avoid further bloodshed.

In a statement signed by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke said, “I, therefore, direct all law-abiding Osun residents to stay away from the council secretariats, especially as they are expected to be under lock and key

“I equally condole families of victims of the APC’s illegal takeover bid, and the chaos unleashed across the state by the APC and their hired thugs. PDP lost five members, with several others wounded. Two of those members are from Iragbiji, Boripe local government. Another two were killed at Ola Oluwa Local Government. Another one was lost at Ikire. We must stop the bloodshed,“ the statement added.

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The governor, however, assured residents of their safety and protection of lives and properties, affirming that he had directed security agencies to take charge of all local government secretariats.

Also, while addressing a press conference in Osogbo, an APC chieftain, Jamiu Olawumi, said, “Today our chairmen and councillors resumed in 15 out of 30, including Ilesha, Ife North, and Irewole, among others; even Ede South, which houses the governor’s private apartments, has resumed before 9 a.m.

He stated: “Surprisingly, the PDP started mobilising hoodlums to the secretariats to attack the chairmen who resumed offices at their various locations. The SSG also led thugs to the Osogbo Local Government area.

The Executive Director of Project Implementation at the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), Remi Omowaiye, said on Monday he narrowly escaped an assassination attempt along the Osogbo/Ilesa road.

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He disclosed that the incident occurred around 2:05 p.m. when he was travelling to Osogbo in front of the Ilesa West local government area.

Mr Omowaiye mobilised members of the APC in Ilesa to the Police Command Area Command to seek their protection so that the reinstated local government executives could resume councils.

Speaking to journalists, he said his driver and a police officer attached to him sustained gunshot injuries, stressing that “I was returning to Osogbo from Ilesha when we ran into an ambush in front of the Ilesa West Local government. They shot at where I was sitting on the bus, but the bullet shattered the side windscreen.

“My driver and police orderly sustained serious gunshot wounds. They have been taken to the hospital for treatment,“ Mr Omowaiye stated.

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DSS intercepts arms shipment bound for bandit kingpin, nabs suspect

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Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested a suspected arms courier in Kano State allegedly transporting weapons intended for delivery to a notorious bandit leader operating in Zamfara.

An operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Saturday said the suspect was apprehended on Friday in Gezawa Local Government Area following actionable intelligence.

According to the report, the suspect was intercepted while moving a cache of arms and ammunition from Maigatari Local Government Area of Jigawa to Funtua in Katsina State for onward delivery to criminal elements.

“Items recovered from the suspect include three AK-47 rifles, four rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) tubes and warheads, as well as two empty magazines.”

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The report said preliminary investigations linked the consignment to a suspected bandit kingpin believed to be operating in parts of Zamfara.

“The suspect confessed that he was contracted to transport the weapons from Maigatari to Funtua and was promised a payment of N450,000 upon successful delivery.

“Investigations are ongoing to unravel the network behind the arms movement and identify other collaborators involved in the operation,” the report said.

The report described the arrest as a major breakthrough in ongoing efforts to disrupt the supply of arms and ammunition to criminal groups responsible for violent attacks, kidnappings and other security threats in the North-West.

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It added that the suspect was in DSS custody and would face further investigation and possible prosecution in accordance with the law.

According to the report, security agencies have continued to intensify intelligence-driven operations aimed at dismantling logistics networks that sustain banditry, terrorism and other forms of organised crime across the country.

(NAN)

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Chimamanda Adichie alleges cover-up, negligence following son’s death

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Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has accused Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital of medical negligence and an subsequent attempt to cover up the circumstances surrounding her son’s death by taking her pursuit of justice for her late son, Nkanu Nnamdi, to the public.

In a four-part series shared on Instagram, Adichie detailed a devastating sequence of events. According to her, her son suffered a hypoxic brain injury caused by improper sedation administered by an anesthesiologist, Dr. Titus Ogundare, which ultimately resulted in his death.

Beyond the medical tragedy, Adichie alleges that the hospital has engaged in a pattern of dishonest practices. These include:

Issuing an inaccurate death certificate that falsely attributed the cause of death to meningitis.

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Failing to provide complete or accurate medical records to her family.

Employing heartless language in legal correspondence, including referring to her son’s death as a “dispute”.

Stalling and attempting to obstruct a coroner’s inquest, which was originally initiated by the hospital itself. Describing the immense toll this has taken on her.

She said, “I wake up every single morning with my heart racing… The ultimate and utter loneliness of grief is that only you can know the true depth of your despair. I long for, at least, peace to mourn, but Euracare Hospital has robbed me even of that”.

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The author also recounted an encounter with a senior figure in the hospital’s ownership who allegedly attempted to discourage her from pursuing legal action by suggesting her reputation could be dragged in the mud during court proceedings. Adichie said this was a manipulative and threatening message.

“An inquest is a public judicial inquiry designed to establish the circumstances surrounding a death,” she stated.

Adichie explained, that it is not a trial or a claim for damages, but simply a search for the truth. By making these details public, she hopes to demand the accountability and transparency that she feels have been denied to her family.

“I have decided to make this letter public because to keep silent about Euracare’s evil is to enable it”. She stated.

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Tinubu condemns death of retired general Rabe in kidnappers’ custody

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President Bola Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the death of retired Major-General Rabe Abubakar, who was reportedly abducted by armed criminals in Katsina State and later died while still in their custody.

According to a State House statement issued on Saturday, the president said he received the news of the former military officer’s death with “shock and sadness,” describing the incident as a tragic reminder of the security challenges facing parts of the country.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed shock over the death of retired Major-General Rabe Abubakar while in the custody of terrorists in Katsina State,” the statement read.

General Abubakar, who had retired from the Nigerian Armed Forces after a distinguished career, was said to have been travelling to his hometown when he was intercepted and abducted by armed men.

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“General Abubakar, after a distinguished career in the military, retired a few years ago. He was on his way to his hometown when the hoodlums captured him,” the statement stated.

The presidency also revealed that the late officer’s wife was taken alongside him and is still being held by the abductors, a detail that has further intensified public concern over the incident.

The president extended condolences to the bereaved family, the people of Katsina State, and the military establishment, describing the loss as painful and unacceptable.

He also reiterated the government’s uncompromising stance on terrorism and kidnapping, warning that the state would not be blackmailed into concessions.

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While condemning the attack, Tinubu declared: “Bandits, kidnappers, and sponsors of terror should now surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State. These windows of surrender will not remain open forever. And no mercy will be shown to those who trade in the blood of Nigerians.”

He further stressed national unity and resilience in the face of insecurity, insisting that the country would ultimately prevail.

“As Nigerians, we must stand united and be assured that the enemies of our nation shall soon be history. We will triumph over terror and continue to build a more prosperous nation,” the President said.

On the broader fight against insecurity, Tinubu said the tragedy should serve as a turning point in Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts, rejecting any form of negotiation with armed groups.

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“General Abubakar’s death should further serve as a defining moment in our battle against terrorists and insurgents, never to negotiate with them on any terms, but to continue to treat them as the greatest enemies of our dear nation, who should never be spared,” the statement added.

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