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Tag: The Goverment of Ondo State

  • Ondo killings: Survivors narrate ordeals

    Ondo killings: Survivors narrate ordeals

    Akure—Survivors of the massacre by herdsmen in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, have narrated their ordeal.
    Recall that some bandits invaded and sacked four communities in the council, killed 20 persons.

    The four attacked communities were Aba Pastor, Aba Sunday, Ademekun Camp and Aba Alajido Camp within Ala Elefosan.
    According to the survivors, the bandits who they described as armed herders stormed the community in the dead of the night unprovoked.

    They said that many residents were injured during the attack, and are presently on admission at different hospital while the communities have been deserted.

    According to them, many of the residents fled into the forest.

    Speaking with newsmen at the hospital, two siblings, John and Solomon Simon, who were shot during the attack at Sunday camp, said they escaped by whiskers.

    The survivors who are recuperating from bullet wounds and on admission provided insights into what happened during the attack.
    John Simon, who was shot in one of his hands, said: “At least nine bodies were recovered after the attack. The bandits operated unchallenged and without mercy.

    “I was sleeping when I heard gunshots. It was when I suddenly woke up that I realised that the person who was sleeping beside me had already been shot.

    “It was in the process of trying to escape that I was shot in the hand. I was able to run into the bush before entering a cocoa plantation where I was able to hide till daybreak.

    John added: “I struggled with the hand that was shot, and I made it back in the morning, where I was quickly rushed to the hospital. Nine people were killed in our camp.

    “Those that I saw were Fulani people. This is my fourth year in Sunday Camp, and we have never, for once, killed any of the cows belonging to Fulani people, so, we did not understand the reason for the attack.”

    His brother, Solomon, while narrating his ordeal said: “The attack happened about 2a.m. I was not deep asleep.

    “They made a very loud call before they opened fire all round the camp. I summon courage to flee the house before they could get to my place. But two of my friends did not make it as well as they were killed in the house.

    “They are herdsmen. We were able to retrieve nine bodies.”

    Meanwhile, the state Police Commissioner, Wilfred Afolabi, who visited the scene of the attack and the surviving victims, has ordered the deployment of the command’s homicide department to the area.

  • Bandits’ influx: Ondo Amotekun arrests 300 suspects

    Bandits’ influx: Ondo Amotekun arrests 300 suspects

    THE Ondo State Security outfit, codenamed Amotekun, said it has arrested and paraded over 300 suspected criminals in the last three months.

    Amotekun Commander, Chief Adetunji Adeleye, said the suspects were arrested across 15 locations in the 18 council areas of the state.

    Adeleye said the development followed the increased influx of bandits into the South-West region, which has kept Ondo State authorities on high alert to ensure the safety of lives and property.

    He said: “We rely heavily on grassroots intelligence. In the last three months, we arrested and paraded over 300 suspects across approximately 15 locations in the 18 local government areas of the state.

    “Most of them were apprehended in connection with crimes such as kidnapping, armed robbery, housebreaking, and other minor offences.

    “Some of these suspects have been prosecuted in court, while others had their cases resolved. Many of them remain in correctional centres across the state.

    “We also have what we call Amotekun ambassadors, who operate discreetly within communities as part of our intelligence unit.

    “These ambassadors move across towns and villages, gathering grassroots information to help identify bad actors who collaborate with criminals.

    “This system has been yielding remarkable results for us. All the criminals we have apprehended so far were a result of the grassroots intelligence reports we received from villages and towns within the state.

    “We have put in place some strategy that will make the state too hot for them to stay.”

    Ondo youths lash Senator over silence on insecurity

    Meanwhile, the Ondo North Youth Alliance, ONYA, yesterday, lashed the lawmaker representing the Ondo North Senatorial District, Senator Jide Ipinsagba, for being insensitive to the security challenges faced in his constituency.

    They, however, threatened to mobilise his recall over his failure to attend to the development of the area since his inauguration two years ago.

    ONYA’s President, Ojo Bright Eniafe, expressed concern that the senator “has been insensitive to the rising insecurity caused by cultists in Ondo North, particularly Owo town, our lawmaker has been insensitive to the killings in the ancient town.”

    Eniafe said: “The Senator’s silence on this issue is deafening, and shows his lack of concern and care about the welfare and safety of his constituents. As youths, we are tired of living in fear and uncertainty.

    “We demand that Senator Ipinsagba show a modicum of responsibility to the wishes and aspirations of our senatorial district by playing a pivotal role and collaborating with institutions to ensure his constituents are safe.

    “A little show of concern can be the deal breaker. We are poised to ensure that our communities, local government and the senatorial district are safe and secure.”

    Speaking on the non-performance of the lawmaker, the youths alleged that he failed to execute meaningful projects in the constituency.