Ogun State

Obasanjo advocates leadership accountability in anti-corruption fight  

By Uzair Adam 

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has emphasized that the fight against corruption in Nigeria must begin with accountability at the highest levels of leadership to inspire public confidence and ensure effective governance.  

Speaking during a virtual interactive session tagged “Boiling Point Arena” on Sunday, hosted by a private radio station in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Obasanjo asserted that leadership plays a pivotal role in combating corruption, which he described as deeply entrenched in Nigerian society.  

“The best way to fight corruption is by starting from the head. Leadership must set the example for transparency and integrity to achieve meaningful progress in this battle,” he stated.

Several private radio stations in Abeokuta broadcast the session, which focused on Obasanjo’s legacies and views on contemporary Nigeria.  

Highlighting the complex nature of corruption, Obasanjo likened it to a “babbar riga,” saying, “If you fold it on one side, it falls apart on the other side. 

It is not a one-day affair, nor is it limited to one regime. It must be a consistent and daily effort. Once any regime lets its guard down, corruption spreads.”  

The former president called for reforms in the recruitment and appointment of leaders, advocating for merit-based selections over political or tribal considerations.  

On leadership, he argued that only leaders ordained by God are likely to succeed, warning against self-made leaders or those installed through corrupt or malevolent means.  

“We must acknowledge that while some leaders are prepared by God, others may be made by Satan. The power of Satan is real, and it must not be underestimated,” he remarked. 

Obasanjo concluded by urging Nigerians to remain vigilant and committed to holding leaders accountable, stressing that corruption can only be curtailed with sustained effort and collective responsibility.

Police gun down kidnappers, rescue four hostages in Ogun

By Anas Abbas

In a dramatic turnaround, operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have killed two kidnappers and freed four captives, including a Nigerian and three Indian nationals, in a daring operation.

The rescue mission occurred on Sunday night along the Sagamu-Ijebu-Ode expressway, near Delabo Junction, after a driver was shot and travellers kidnapped by gunmen.

Police Commissioner Abiodun Alamutu briefed reporters at the state headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta, saying the anti-kidnapping squad traced the hoodlums to a bush hideout, where a fierce gun battle ensued.

“The suspects engaged our men, but our superior firepower led to the elimination of two kidnappers while others fled with injuries,” Alamutu said.

The police recovered 109 rounds of ammunition, five AK-47 rifles, eight AK-47 magazines, and two cell phones from the suspects.

The rescued hostages were reunited with their families, unharmed. The police commissioner reiterated the command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property, saying, “We will not tolerate criminality in Ogun State.”

This operation marks a significant victory in the fight against kidnapping and crime in the state.

Tragedy as landlord dies after argument with tenant over unpaid rent

By Uzair Adam Imam 

A landlord, Benjamin Apeh, has tragically died after collapsing during an argument with his tenant over unpaid rent. 

The incident occurred on Sunday at Arigbabu Village, Sotubo, in the Sagamu local government area of Ogun.

“The suspect fled the scene, but efforts are underway to apprehend him,” said SP Omolola Odutola, the Public Relations Officer, Police Command, Ogun.

According to the police, the argument started on Saturday evening and continued on Sunday morning, with the tenant threatening to kill the landlord. 

“At around 6:30 a.m., on Sunday, she (the daughter of the deceased) heard her father again arguing with the tenant, who threatened to kill him,” said Odutola.

Unfortunately, the landlord collapsed and was rushed to NNPC Hospital, Mosimi, where he was pronounced dead. “He was later confirmed dead by the doctor on duty,” said Odutola.

The body of the deceased has been deposited at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH) Morgue, Sagamu.

Police kill two suspected kidnappers in rescue operation

By Uzair Adam Imam 

In a decisive operation on the Sagamu-Ijebu Ode-Benin expressway, the Ogun State Police Command has neutralized two suspected kidnappers in a shootout, as announced by Omolola Odutola, the command’s spokesperson.

According to Ms Odutola, the suspects met their fate during a daring rescue mission executed by police personnel to liberate abducted Indian nationals. 

The successful operation, aided by local vigilantes, led to the safe recovery of the hostages.

Identified as Tejaram Chauhan, Kaduwal Pradhan, and Medani Kathiwada, the Indian nationals had fallen victim to abduction on Friday. 

Alongside their rescue, authorities seized a substantial sum of N7.9 million, along with 1,500 Indian Rupees, believed to be part of the ransom extorted by the kidnappers.

The ordeal began when the Manager of Breeze Company Nigeria Limited, situated on the Ibadan-Lagos expressway, reported an attack to the Divisional Police Officer, Mowe Divisional Headquarters. 

The incident involved gunfire directed at vehicles transporting the manager’s principals at Kajola junction along the Sagamu-Siun-Abeokuta expressway.

While the police escort accompanying the first vehicle managed to repel the assailants and safeguard all occupants, three Indian nationals in the second vehicle were abducted. 

Prompt response from the anti-kidnapping section, in collaboration with local security units, initiated a thorough search of the area.

A fierce confrontation ensued in the forest along the Benin-Sagamu Papalanto route, resulting in the rescue of the hostages unharmed. 

Two of the six kidnappers were incapacitated during the exchange of fire, with authorities recovering two AK-47 rifles, a single-barrel locally made gun, a sword, cell phones, criminal paraphernalia, and 65 rounds of ammunition.

The deceased suspects have been transferred to the public mortuary while intensive efforts are underway to apprehend the remaining members of the gang.

Armed bandits rob travellers, set bus ablaze in Ogun

By Uzair Adam Imam

Armed bandits struck terror into the hearts of travellers on their way to the southeast for Easter celebrations, intercepting an Abakaliki-bound luxury bus along the Ijebu Ode-Ore-Benin expressway in Ogun State.

The harrowing incident occurred at the Oke Ado junction at Ijebu Mushin.

Confirming the distressing event, SP Omolola Odutola, the spokesperson of the Ogun State Police Command, revealed that the criminals, armed with cutlasses, stopped the luxury Mercedes-Benz bus that originated from Maza Maza.

They proceeded to rob all 59 passengers on board, leaving them stripped of their belongings. Without hesitation, they locked the passengers inside the bus and set it ablaze.

However, by sheer willpower and determination, the passengers managed to break the glass windows and escape from the inferno before it engulfed the entire bus.

The survivors recounted the terrifying ordeal, expressing gratitude that no lives were lost despite the loss of their possessions.

The management of Ifesinachi Transport Nig. Ltd. confirmed that the attacked bus belonged to their company, expressing shock and dismay over the tragic turn of events.

In a distressing video shared on social media, survivors recounted the brutality of the bandits, who subjected them to physical assault and robbed them of everything they possessed.

Despite the trauma inflicted upon them, they expressed gratitude for their survival.

As investigations continue into this appalling incident, it serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing security challenges facing travellers on Nigerian highways.

The authorities are urged to take swift and decisive action to apprehend the perpetrators and ensure the safety of all citizens.

How woman kills landlord over dispute on electricity bill in Ogun

By Uzair Adam Imam

A dispute over an electricity bill in Ogun State has led to the murder of a 50-year-old landlord, Monday Surulere, by a female tenant, Ifeoma Ossai, on Monday.

It was reported that the woman had a fight with Surulere over the electricity bill, which led to his death after she grabbed his manhood and dragged him with it.

However, The Daily Reality gathered that the woman was arrested by the Operatives of the Ogun Police Command on Monday.

Her arrest followed a report lodged at Sango Ota divisional headquarters by one Olaleye Taiwo, the landlord’s brother.

According to the Police Spokesman, Abimbola Oyeyemi, following the report, the DPO Ota division, Saleh Dahiru, led his detectives to the scene, where the suspect was arrested and taken into custody for investigation.

He stated, “On interrogation, the suspect claimed that the deceased asked her to pay for the electricity bill, but she insisted that until water is directly connected to her apartment as promised by the landlord before she packed in, she will not pay the electricity or any other utility bill.

“This led to a scuffle between them consequence upon which the suspect grabbed the manhood of the deceased and dragged him with it.

“The deceased subsequently slumped, and he was rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead by a doctor on duty,” Oyeyemi said.

Meanwhile, the corpse of the deceased has been deposited at the hospital mortuary for a postmortem, and the suspect has been transferred to the Homicide section of the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.

Five apprehended for exhuming human bodies

By Muhammadu Sabiu 

The Ogun State Police Command has apprehended five persons suspected of being part of a group known for exhuming bodies from cemeteries and taking body parts for use in rituals.

The accused, Oshole Fayemi, 60; Oseni Adesanya, 39; Ismaila Seidu, 30; Oseni Oluwasegun, 69; and Lawal Olaiya, 50, were detained on Saturday in Odogbolu.

This was revealed by police public relations officer Abimbola Oyeyemi on Sunday.

After receiving a tip, Divisional Police Officer Godwin Idehai and his colleagues tracked them down just as they were about to leave for another human parts harvest in Ososa town.

The statement partly reads, “They said that they usually sold the exhumed body parts to their clients, who used them for money-making rituals.”

The Police PRO also revealed that Police Commissioner Frank Mba had ordered the accused to be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for additional investigation and legal action.

Police nab man for killing his 40-year-old wife 

By Uzair Adam Imam

A 51-year-old man, Oluranti Badejo, has been arrested by Police in Ogun for allegedly beating his 40-year-old wife, Folasade Badeje, which resulted in her death immediately.

On Thursday, the Police Spokesman, Abimbola Oyeyemi, confirmed the development to journalists in the state, adding that the suspect has been apprehended.

It was gathered that his arrest followed a complaint lodged at Mowe Police Divisional Headquzrter by the younger sister of the deceased.

Several reports indicated that the incident occurred at Orimerunmu, Mowe, in the Obafemi-Owode Local Government area of the state.

Oyeyemi said the husband beat his wife to death after they had a minor misunderstanding.

The DPO Mowe division, SP Folake Afeniforo, quickly dispatched the divisional detectives to the scene where the suspect was arrested.

“The lifeless body of the victim was there and then evacuated to the mortuary in Sagamu for post-mortem examination. Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect strangled the deceased during a scuffle as a result of a minor disagreement.

“Having realized that he has killed his wife, the suspect used a hot iron to burn parts of the body of the deceased so as to look as if she was electrocuted. But unfortunately for him, their 8-year-old daughter was there and witnessed the whole thing.

“It was the daughter who testified seen her father strangulating her deceased mother,” Oyeyemi said.

The Commissioner of Police, Lanre Bankole, to have directed that the suspect be taken to the Homicide section of the state Criminal Investigation Departments for further investigation.

Alumnus donates N200 million medical equipment to his alma mater in Ogun

By Uzair Adam Imam

Medical equipment worth N200 million was donoted to Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, in Ogun State, by one of the school’s alumni.

The alumnus identified as Dr. Tokunbo Ogunfemi, is a UK-based clinical scientist and lecturer at a university in London.

Ogunfemi stated that the donation was part of his efforts to give back to his alma mater.

He added that the medical instrument would allow students to gain practical knowledge in addition to theoretical aspects taught in class.

Ogunfemi was quoted to have said, “There are about 10 equipment and each is within the worth £ 23, 000. The other four set, is £20, 000, and the last set is about £15, 000. Like I said, I didn’t pay for any of them. I collected them from the hospital where I work.

“Twelve microscopes for malaria parasites; they can use it to detect if you have short blood; they can use it to test anemia, food poison, diabetes, low sugar etc.

“There is one for the detection of early cancer; there are also microscopes – for detection of microorganisms and microbes; there are instrument to check people with staphylococcus among others.

“All those instrument belong to them. They are in the range of N150 million to N200 million. I didn’t pay for it but, I used about N1.5 million to ship it.”

Ogunfemi was commended by the Chairman, Governing Council of the Polytechnic,  Dr  Veronica Ogbuagu, and the Rector, Dr Olusegun Aluko.

They disclosed that the donation was received during the council meeting to serve as honour to the donor.

Police nab father who rapes own child in Ogun

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Police Command in Ogun State has confirmed the arrest of 46-year-old Olusegun Oluwole for allegedly raping his 17-year-old daughter.

His arrest followed a complaint lodged at Ibara police station in Abeokuta by the man’s own daughter (name withheld).

This was discussed in a statement Sunday by the state Police Spokesperson, Abimbola Oyeyemi.

Oyeyemi said the father forcefully raped his own daughter and threatened to kill her if she dared to tell anyone about the incident.

He stated that, “The girl said while she was sleeping in their one room apartment at Amolaso area of Abeokuta, on a night, her father, having observed that others were fast asleep suddenly grabbed her and forcefully had sex with her.

“On interrogation, the father of six, who confessed to the crime pleaded for forgiveness, claiming not knowing what came over him when he committed the crime,” Oyeyemi said.