News
Former HoR member, TeeJay Yusuf calls on IGP, Kogi govt, other agencies to curb rising insecurity in Okun-Yoruba
A former House of Representatives member, Hon TeeJay Yusuf has called on Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, Kogi government and other security agencies to quickly curb the rising insecurity in Okun area of Kogi State.
Hon TeeJay Yusuf made this disclosure in a statement he personally signed on Monday stating that:
“Given the increasing state of insecurity across Okun Land; particularly Bunu District of Kogi State in the past few months, I wish to strongly urge the Kogi state Government, and all security agencies to urgently take more proactive measures towards addressing the precarious situation.
“According to reports, indigenes and residents of communities across the stretch of the five local government areas that make up the Okun-Yoruba axis of the state have been victims of attacks by groups of charlatans whose identities are not known.
“More so, it is very sad that people in the Bunu District within Kabba-Bunu LGA, have been subjected to perennial harassment, intimidation, and kidnapping by some hideous criminals.
“From reports, these callously wicked, and criminally-infected persons attack, and kidnap innocent people of these communities with brazenness. More intriguing is that, some victims are kidnapped directly from the comfort of their homes; while sleeping at night.
” Aside subjecting their victims to unexplainable, and pitiable shocks and pain, they; and their families, friends, and respective communities are harrowed and forced to pay huge sums of ransom; that are not readily available as the majority are peasant farmers.
“Many people believe that the unrestrained cases of kidnapping and similar attacks on the communities are not unconnected to the chequered manner in which the Kogi state government allegedly opened its borders to people of questionable characters; in the name of politics between 2020 and 2022.
“Also, some other people alluded to the fact that, given their styles of operations and idiosyncrasies, the influx of these people to different locations in Okun Land, may have contributed in no small measures to the worrying, and disturbing situation at hand.
“As a result of the frequency of these nefarious and callous attacks, the peace loving people of these communities are experiencing psychological torture, and emotional pain as they now live in perpetual fear, worries, and anxiety; not knowing who the next victim will be.
“Also, the people, who are basically farmers have practically abandoned their farmlands, out of fear of being kidnapped. This development, has brought about hunger, poverty, and untoward hardships across the communities and towns in the affected areas.
“Noting the preponderance of kidnapping and attacks on our people, I humbly call on the state government to immediately emplace result-yielding measures to effectively tackle the disturbing trend. Also, I implore various law enforcement and security agencies, with necessary support from the state government to collaborate with one another towards ensuring the protection of lives and properties in these communities.
“Finally, as I sympathise with the families, friends, colleagues, and associates of those that have been victims of these dastardly attacks, I appeal for calm, law, and order as government and relevant agencies do all that is necessary in tackling the menace.
“It is imperative to reiterate that the state government must do everything lawful to safeguard the safety of her citizens, and their properties; which is the primary function of the administration.”
Rt. Hon. TeeJay Yusuf
(3-Term Member, House of Representatives; representing Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency)
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Enugu Governor Peter Mbah has expressed deep grief over the passing away of former Super Eagles skipper and coach, Christian Chukwu, describing him as a football icon, titan, and phenomenon.
Reacting to the development on Saturday Mbah said: “I received with a deep sense of loss the passing away of Chairman Christian Chukwu. It is a personal loss to us as Ndi Enugu, his home state, and indeed to Nigeria as a nation and Africa as a continent.
“Christian Chukwu was a national icon, a football titan, field marshal, and phenomenon. His exploits as a footballer united the country across ethnic divides and creed.
He was patriotism personified, serving the nation and Africa unreservedly both as a player and coach of the highly successful Rangers International Football Club of Enugu and Super Eagles of Nigeria, which he captained to victory as Green Eagles at the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON. He also coached the Harambee Stars, Kenya’s senior male national team, among others.
“Chairman, as he was fondly called, gave his all not only to the nation but to the rest of Africa. He wrote his name in gold in the annals of the history of Nigerian and African football.
Our dear legend has gone the way of all mortals, but the fond memories and the pride he gave Ndi Igbo and Nigeria as a whole will be cherished forever.
“My heart goes out to his family, Ndi Enugu, the Nigerian sports community and the entire nation over this irreplaceable loss. May the good Lord grant his soul eternal repose.”
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
No fewer than seven people lost their lives on Saturday following the detonation of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by Boko Haram terrorists in Borno State.
The deadly incident occurred along the Maiduguri-Damboa Road, a notorious route that cuts through the Sambisa Forest—an area long plagued by insurgent activities.
The victims were part of a convoy of vehicles being escorted by the military from Damboa to Maiduguri.
According to eyewitness accounts and local sources, the explosion struck as the convoy—organized to provide safe passage through the volatile region—was underway. Several other passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries and were rushed to a hospital in Maiduguri for urgent treatment.
The Maiduguri-Damboa Road serves as a vital link between the state capital and several local government areas in southern Borno, including Chibok and Gwoza.
For years, the route remained closed to civilian traffic due to persistent terrorist threats. However, under the administration of Governor Babagana Zulum, the road was reopened, with military escorts deployed to accompany travelers twice weekly after clearing the area for explosives.
Saturday’s attack raises fresh concerns about the safety of the corridor, despite consistent military presence. The blast also comes just days after Governor Zulum publicly raised alarm over renewed Boko Haram activity in the state, highlighting the persistent threat the group poses to peace and development in the region.
Authorities are yet to release an official statement on the incident, while investigations and security operations in the area continue.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has initiated a search following the theft of a black Toyota Hilux vehicle belonging to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Nuhu Ribadu, which was stolen during Friday’s Juma’at prayers in Abuja.
It was gathered that the vehicle was parked around 1:05pm opposite the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) complex in Area 10, while the official attended prayers at a nearby mosque.
Security source, Zagazola Makama, disclosed the incident via his X (formerly Twitter) handle, revealing that the ONSA official returned from the mosque only to find the vehicle missing.
According to him, a sources said the theft was immediately reported to the Garki Police Division at approximately 2:00 p.m., leading to a swift response by law enforcement.
Meanwhile, the FCT Police Command promptly activated a stop-and-search operation at various checkpoints and across all entry and exit points in the capital city.
Police authorities confirmed that investigations are ongoing and all efforts are being made to apprehend the culprits and recover the vehicle.
The Command said it had intensified efforts to track down the fleeing suspects and recover the stolen Hilux.
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