News
Gunmen Kill Ekiti Councillor
Unknown gunmen last Friday night murdered the councillor of Ward 9 in Ado Ekiti Local Government Area of Ekiti State.
The deceased, Hon Deji Akeredolu, was also an aide to Mr Deji Ogunsakin, the running mate of the Ekiti PDP gubernatorial candidate, Prof Kolapo Olusola.
Father of the deceased, Jacob Akeredolu, a 72-year-old retiree, told journalists at his residence at the Bojuri area of Ado Ekiti yesterday that the victim had been buried on Saturday.
The bereaved father said that after the victim, who was his second son, was certified dead at the hospital, policemen from Okeila Division in Ado Ekiti brought the remains to his house on Friday night.
The father, who described the slain son as breadwinner of the extended family, said: “Deji was an easy-going, kind-hearted and lovely son. I don’t know why this should happen”.
In a telephone chat with our source, Mr Deji Ogunsakin described the deceased as an easy going person, saying it was a sad development.
Ogunsakin decried the security situation in the state, saying that: “The crime rate in the state is at alarming rate, within a week, four different killings of innocent people by bandits have occurred, another still happened in Ikere Ekiti.
“The state governor, Kayode Fayemi should ensure the situation is tackled.
“I am also calling the state Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Bello to address the situation as Ekiti is no longer safe for the residents.”
Mr Ogunsakin, while speaking with journalists on phone, from outside the state, described the deceased as a vibrant young man full of energy.
“He was a man of many parts. Trained in fashion designing (tailoring), he recently informed me he has even set up a fashion house to engage his wife and himself. He never deserve such a painful death,” he said.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Caleb Ikechukwu, told journalists on phone yesterday that he had not been properly briefed.
Ikechuwu said: “I’m yet to be briefed. Once I am briefed, I will let you know. I am not telling you that I am not aware, but I am yet to be properly briefed. This is my response as the PPRO of the state command.”
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.