The Western Nigeria Security Network also known as Amotekun Corps on Saturday rescued nine persons who were kidnapped by unknown gunmen along Ipetumodu-Ilesa expressway in Osun State.

The victims were rescued by the joint patrol team of the corps in Ondo and Osun states.

Speaking on the development, the Chairman of the Council of Amotekun Commanders in the South-West region and Ondo State Commander of the corps, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, stated this at the Ondo headquarters of the corps in Akure, the state capital.

Adeleye stated that after the victims had been rescued, efforts were ongoing to arrest the perpetrators.

According to him, the corps responded to a distress call at about 1am on Saturday and immediately they moved into the forest to rescue the victims, who were travellers.

He said, “Around 1am, we got a distress call from one of the families of the kidnap victims that the kidnappers called, asking for ransom. We thereafter moved into action. We were able to track the kidnappers. The victims were rescued and some of their valuables were retrieved but the kidnappers ran away.

“It was along Ipetumodu axis in Osun state and when we got to a village about 10km away from the road, we found out that the den is a regular dump area for kidnappers because we found so many items which show that it is a permanent place where they keep kidnap victims.

“However, we were able to rescue nine victims and a vehicle. Our men are there in the bush trailing the kidnappers but our major concern was to rescue the victims.

“Our medical team have been attending to them and after completion, we would take them to their various destinations so they can reunite with their families”

Adeleye noted that the move was to further reassure, specifically, the people of Ondo and Osun states, that Amotekun would stop at nothing in joining forces with other security agencies at ensuring that criminals are driven away from the states.

One of the victims, Ife Balogun, while narrating her ordeal, said they were traveling from Lagos to Ekiti state before the unfortunate incident.

She further narrated that their abductors kept them in the forest for several hours before the Amotekun corps invaded the camp and rescued them.

Nigeria has recorded 4,035 new cases of the Covid-19 infections, its highest single daily tally since the outbreak of the virus in February 2020, according to the daily report of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

Wednesday’s record of 4,035 infections from 15 states showed a 1,912 increase over the 2,123 infections recorded on Tuesday.

According to the NCDC figures, Lagos State, which remains the country’s epicentre of the infection, led the new infections table with 1,552 cases. It was followed by the Rivers state with 260 cases and Edo with 62 infections.

Others are: Akwa Ibom (42); Kaduna (39); Ekiti (38) and Oyo (38); Delta and Kano (31); Ogun State (30); Abia (26); Bauchi (15); Ondo (14); Enugu (9); Kwara (7) infections.

NCDC also announced that the country recorded two related deaths raising the mortality figure from 2,989 on Tuesday to 2,991 on Wednesday.

It stated also that Wednesday’s 4,035 infections took Nigeria’s tally to 231,413 out of which 211,853 persons were treated and discharged.

Nigeria has tested 3,751,696 samples since the virus was announced on February 27, 2020, it added.

The Osun State Police Command has frowned at any protest in commemoration of the one year anniversary of ENDSARS saga which is scheduled to hold tomorrow 20th October, 2021 will not be allowed in the State.

In a press statement e-signed and released to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP) by the Command’s Spokesperson SP Opalola Yemisi Olawoyin stated that, “The intelligence that availed the police command revealed clandestine plans by some youths/group of people to embark on protest in commemoration of one year anniversary of ENDSARS saga which is scheduled to hold tomorrow 20th October, 2021.”

According to Opalola, In view of this, the Commissioner of police CP Olawale Olokode, psc, warned individual or group of individuals that are planning such in the state and their sponsor(s) to stop the plan or any of such action (s) forthwith as the Command will not allow a repeat of last year ENDSARS saga and is fully prepared to use all legitimate means to avert such intending protest.

Consequently, the State Police Command will not tolerate any unlawful protest/gathering or assembly that will jeopardize the peace of the state as the last year ‘ENDSARS saga protest’ still lingers in the minds of Nigerians especially the Police and other security agencies which caused pain, anguish, needless loss of lives and wanton destruction of public and private property.

Therefore, the Commissioner of Police has given marching order to the Area commanders, Divisional Police Officers and Tactical units to be at alert and nip in the bud any act capable of truncating the peace of the state.

The CP advised parents and guardians to warn their wards to be law abiding, and desist from such planned protest/gathering/ assembly as the State Police Command will arrest and prosecute defaulters.

The CP advised the good people of the state to go about their lawful daily activities while the Command has taken necessary security measures to forestall any likely breakdown of law and order.

The federal government has declared October 19th, 2021 as public holiday to mark this year’s Eid-ul-Mawlid celebration.
This is in commemoration of the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad.
Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, disclosed this on behalf of the federal government.
In a statement signed by Shuaib Belgore, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Aregbesola congratulated all Muslim faithful, both at home and in the diaspora, for witnessing this year’s occasion.
He enjoined all Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of love, patience and perseverance which are the virtues of the holy prophet, as only that would guarantee peace and security in Nigeria.
Aregbesola implored Nigerians, particularly Muslims, to refrain from violence, lawlessness and other acts of criminality.

Aregbesola urged all to avoid divisive tendencies , imploring youth especially to embrace the virtues of hard work and peaceful disposition to fellow humans, irrespective of faith, ideology, social class and ethnicity and cooperate with President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration in its effort to build a progressive and enviable nation that all citizens would be proud of.

The All-Progressives Congress has announced October 2 as the date for its State Congresses.

This was made public by the National Secretary of the Caretaker/Extraordinary National Convention Planning Committee, Sen. John Akpanudoedehe, in a terse statement, title, ‘APC Schedules State Congresses for Saturday, October 2, 2021, in Abuja, on Monday’.

Subsequently, the party has said it would commence the sale of nomination forms on Wednesday.

Akpanudoedehe told all interested aspirants to purchase their forms in the various state APC Secretariats and in the unlikely event that they are denied, they are at liberty to approach the National Headquarters to obtain same.

Recall the party held its Ward congresses on July 31 and local government congresses on September 4.

The State of Osun Executive Council on Monday granted authority to Chief Oladipo Olaitan the Alaago of Kajola Alago-Ijesha in Atakumosa East Local Government to wear beaded crown. The approval is with immediate effect.

According to a statement made by Osun Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mrs Funke Egbemode, shortly after the State Executive Council Meeting, the step is in line with Section 28, sub section 1 of the Chief’s Law Cap 25 Laws of the State of Osun.

The statement added that the authority to wear beaded crown on the throne of Alaago of Kajola Alaago Ijesha in Kajola town of Atakumosa East Local Government Area of the state is with immediate effect.

According to the statement,” The Council today granted authority to the Alaago of Alago-Ijesa in Atakumosa East Local Government Area of the state, Chief Oladipo Olaitan to start wearing beaded crown with immediate effect.

“This is in line with Section 28, sub section 1 of the Chief’s Law Caps 25 laws of the State of Osun”.

The State Government of Osun has sympathised with the State’s Commissioner of Police, Olawale Olokode over the fire outbreak that razed his building in the early hours of Monday in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen on Monday by the Osun Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mrs Funke Egbemode.

Mrs Funke Egbemode described the fire incident as very unfortunate and saddening, while thanking God that no life was lost through the inferno which destroyed properties worth millions of naira.

The statement read in part, “On behalf of the Government and the good people of the State of Osun, I sympathize with our own Commissioner of Police, Olawale Olokode on this very unfortunate incident, we are indeed pained by it.

“But we must also thank God that no life was lost in the incident which lasted for about two hours. We know that God who is the provider of all things will surely return everything lost in the inferno in double fold”. The Commissioner stated.

The Osun State Commissioner of Police, CP Olawale Olokode, has assured residents of adequate security and a peaceful celebration of this year’s Democracy Day.

In a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Yemisi Opalola, the Commissioner said the Police is working with other security agents to guarantee safety of lives and properties in all parts of the State during this period and beyond.

The CP, while assuring residents of effective visible policing and constant vehicular patrols, appealed to members of the public to cooperate and collaborate with the security personnel detailed for this special assignment and vehicles on patrol duties put in place to curb any act of crime and criminality.

He enjoined members of the public to conduct and comport themselves within the ambit of the law and avoid all forms of rumours of insecurity being peddled, as the police in synergy with other security agents are ready and capable to deal decisively with any act of criminality that might arise.

Olokode advised parents and guardians to warn their wards against any unnecessary protest and procession in the State that could cause break down of law and order, adding that the Command will not tolerate any act of lawlessness.

He enjoined citizens to be vigilant and promptly report any suspicious movement or infraction of the law to the Police for immediate action through emergency lines: 08039537995 & 08123823981.

The Federal Government has declared Wednesday 12th and Thursday 13th May, 2021 as Public Holidays to mark the year’s Eid el-Fitr celebration.

The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, while making the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government in Abuja, on Monday, congratulated Muslim faithfuls on successful end of the year’s Ramadan.

He charged Nigerians to seize the moment to pray for peace, stability and economic transformation in the country.

Aregbesola, who believes that development cannot thrive in a rancorous atmosphere, urged Nigerians to be law-abiding and embrace the spirit of love, self-discipline, kindness and tolerance, as taught by the Holy Prophet.

He also called on security agencies in the country to be more courageous and patriotic to surmount the ongoing battle against resurging insecurity and activities of criminal elements in Nigeria.

He assured that the resolve of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to end the scourge of crime and criminality in the country and restore peace to every nook and cranny of Nigeria was sacrosanct.

“This administration will not be deterred in its efforts, until every Nigerian and resident of the country, is free to move around without fear of any threat to his/her life and property. We are therefore putting necessary measures and strategies in place to strengthen the stability of the country as well as ensuring economic prosperity of our dear nation,” he emphasised.

The family of Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God Worldwide, has announced the funeral rites of their deceased son, late Pastor Dare Adeboye.

Dare died in his sleep on Tuesday, aged 42 years, at Eket, Akwa Ibom State, where he served as a youth pastor.

In a statement by the signed by Leke Adeboye, the younger brother of the deceased and also the Personal Assistant to the General Overseer, a special service would be held on Sunday, May 9, at the City of David Youth Church in Eket, Akwa Ibom in Dare’s honour.

It added that thanksgiving songs and tribute would be held on Monday, May 10, between 4pm and 6pm, at the RCCG House of Favour, Redemption Camp, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, which will be followed by a farewell service on Tuesday, May 11, at the Youth Centre, RCCG Redemption Camp.

“With our hearts full of gratitude, we appreciate you, for standing by our family in this period of trial. We are consoled, no doubt, by the fact that our beloved son has returned home, to rest in the bosom to his maker and father.

“Our confident assurance is rooted in the life of selflessness and sacrifice our son lived for Jesus Christ, our Saviour.

“Thank you so much for your prayers and words of encouragement.

“Our prayer is that we will all make it to that glorious home, in Jesus mighty name,” the statement added.