News
Otti promises support for NDLEA in fight against drug abuse
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By Francesca Hangeior.
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has advocated a multi-faceted approach with intelligence-driven strategies in combating drug abuse.
Otti spoke on Thursday when he received a delegation of the new State Commander, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Nnadi Wilfred, in Nvosi in the Isialangwa South Local Government Area of the state.
He frowned at the evolving nature of the drug menace and its impacts on criminal activities in the country.
The governor also underscored the need for collaborative efforts between government and security agencies in combating all forms of crime and drug-related offences, assuring that the state government would give the needed support to fight all forms of criminality in the state.
According to him, the fight against drugs has metamorphosed into something a bit more difficult because society is now dealing with a wide range of issues.
“When you look at crime and drug, you’ll see that they are closely related. You will find out that in a lot of cases, people who get involved in crime and criminality start with drugs.
Your sacrifices won’t be taken for granted, Otti assures veterans, serving officers
“So, whether you are Army, Navy, DSS, we are all one. Anywhere we need to give support, you don’t even need to ask. You can count on the government to give you support so that we can rid this place of criminals” Otti stated.
The governor, who renewed his administration’s commitment and support to security agencies in their efforts to ensure a safe and secure environment, recommended that the team meet with his Senior Special Assistant on Homeland Security to collaborate, identify, and eliminate possible hotspots in the state.
The governor also emphasized the role of education in crime prevention and expressed optimism that with the free and compulsory education for school-aged children in primary and secondary school, children vulnerable to drug abuse and criminality will reduce significantly.
Earlier, the State Commander, NDLEA, said that he came on a familiarisation visit, having resumed as the NDLEA Commander last December.
He expressed his gratitude to Otti and his wife, Priscilla, for their involvement in carrying out awareness campaigns against drug abuse as well as the rehabilitation of illicit drug users.
News
DSS arrests three for assaulting operatives during LSHA crisis
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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested three persons linked to the alleged assault on its officers during the crisis that rocked the Lagos State House of Assembly, following the removal Mudashiru Obasa, as Speaker
Apparently sensing danger, some lawmakers had mobilized their supporters to the Assembly Complex, but these supporters allegedly attacked some DSS officers who were invited by the Assembly leadership to secure the facility. Security sources revealed that “after extensive analysis of CCTV footage, we were able to clearly identify three of the suspects”.
“The suspects, Ibrahim Olanrewaju Abdulkareem, a photographer and two others attached to the Assembly’s Seargent at Arms, Adetu Adekunle Samsudeen and Adetola Oluwatosin Fatimoh, a lady, were consequently tracked and arrested during the week in different parts of Lagos,” The trio have since confessed to the crime and will soon be charged to court, the source said.
It would be recalled that the Lagos Assembly had in a leaked memo dated 14th February, 2025 and addressed to the DSS Director in the State, and Heads of other Security Agencies in Lagos State, told the Security Agencies in Lagos that, there was credible information to the effect that, Obasa had planned to forcefully reinstate himself today, February 18, 2025.
Accordingly, the Assembly management, held the view that, the development posed “a potential security threat” to it and its members.
News
Police seal OSSIEC office, officials nabbed, says chairman
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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The chairman of the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC), Hashim Abioye, has claimed that the police have sealed off the headquarters in Osogbo.
In a video post on the OSSIEC X handle, Abioye accused the police of also arresting election officials and blocking journalists from covering the local government election.
According to him, several OSSIEC officials were detained while on their way to polling units on Saturday.
Attempts by our correspondent to reach Abioye for further details proved abortive as his telephone line was switched off.
The OSSIEC chair, in the post, assured voters that materials had been deployed to affected areas.
So far so good, the reports have been positive and the conduct has been very smooth and peaceful as against the false alarm raised by the police. Everywhere is calm,” Abioye said.
“The only thing is that in some of the areas in which materials are supposed to have arrived for voters to cast their votes, we had reports of police arresting our officials.
“I don’t know on whose order because there is no court order that warranted the arrest of officers of our officials.
“As it is, we have deployed materials to those units because we have enough on the ground.
For our people in the media community, I want to apologise for the inadequacy of the tags and the jackets because we have enough but the police sealed our office and that was not warranted at all.”
Abioye’s comments come after police had called for the local government election to be called off by the state government, citing a security threat.
In a statement by its Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Friday, the Police said it received credible intelligence indicating a likelihood of violence and significant security threats should the planned elections proceed.
The police explained that reports gathered from joint intelligence gathering revealed that various groups, including political elements and other interested parties, are mobilising to instigate unrest, disrupt public peace and undermine the democratic order.
However, the Osun State government acknowledged the police’s advice but insisted on going on with the election.
Channels Television reports that the election eventually went on as scheduled on Saturday.
News
I have never insulted President Tinubu in my entire life”-Gov Adeleke
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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has said he has never insulted President Bola Tinubu in his entire lifr
He praised him for his support of the rule of law during the ongoing local government elections in the state.
Speaking to newsmen in his hometown of Ede on Saturday, Adeleke emphasized the importance of maintaining legal integrity in the electoral process.
The governor also took the opportunity to clarify that he had never made any negative comments about the president. “I did not at any point make any negative remarks about Mr. President. Any news reports suggesting that I criticized him are completely false,” Adeleke stated. “I have always been supportive and cooperative with the federal government.”
Adeleke further assured the public that his past broadcasts, including two addressed to the people, did not contain any attacks on President Tinubu. He urged the public and relevant stakeholders to disregard any fake news regarding his position on the president, especially in the context of the ongoing election.
Reflecting on the local government election, the governor described the process as smooth and well-organized, offering praise to the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) for its efficient conduct.
Also commending the electorate, Mr. Teslim Igbalaye, the Secretary to the State Government, praised the large turnout of voters in the election. Speaking in Osogbo, Igbalaye highlighted the peaceful nature of the voting process and expressed confidence that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would emerge victorious.
“I want to commend the electorate for coming out in large numbers to cast their votes. The election has been peaceful, and I believe the PDP will win,” Igbalaye remarked.
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