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FG not sincere to end insecurity in Nigeria – Gov Ortom

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…Reads riot act to kidnappers

The Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom says the Federal Government is not sincere to ending insecurity in the country.

Governor Ortom spoke Thursday, December 8th, 2022 when he paid a sympathy visit on his Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Chief Ekpe Ogbu who was recently kidnapped by herdsmen but released unharmed.

He reiterated his stance that the Federal Government was complicit in the lingering insecurity in the country involving terrorism, armed banditry, herdsmen militia, kidnapping and other crimes.

The Governor insisted that “others who are in Government today can pretend about this but Government is complicit at the Federal level. They are part of it. Whatever they are saying now is pretence. They are telling lies and they do not want to give attention to the insecurity situation.”

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According to Governor Ortom, “If the Federal Government whose responsibility is to provide security for lives and property and who have the coercive forces of the security architecture of the country decides that terrorism, kidnappings and evil should end today, it will end.”

He maintained that, “If the Federal Government is in doubt, let them make an executive order just like the President makes executive orders in other areas and give me the responsibility to look after the coercive forces that are in Benue State. Tell them to take instructions from me, we will end the evil, armed robbery, banditry and everything, we will end it today in Benue State.”

Governor Ortom explained that “the problem is that the Federal Government is complicit, they are part of it and I accuse them. Why do herdsmen bring their cows in Benue State again when there is a law prohibiting open grazing. Is democracy not anchored by the rule of law?,” he queried.

While rejoicing with the Commissioner and his family over his release from the kidnappers unharmed, Governor Ortom vowed not to allow kidnappers in the state have a field day.

He warned that kidnappers will not be allowed to have a field day in Benue State, stressing that the state will not be a safe haven for kidnappers and other criminal elements.

Governor Ortom vowed that the State Government will never accede to kidnappers’ demand for ransom, emphasising that the provision for death penalty in the law criminalizing kidnapping in the state has been activated stressing that, houses used as kidnappers den will be demolished.

In his words, “We are not going to relent on this war and there is no way we will compromise and allow kidnappers to have their way in this state. I challenge our people to rise up and not to allow kidnappers in their communities. When you suspect them, don’t hesitate to involve the security agencies so that they will not come back again.

“There is no way we can add value to the development of our state when we have kidnappers all over the place terrorising our communities. There is no way foreigners will come here and invest in our state with challenges like this. There is no way we can do everything on our own and make things work. So we must stop this.

“I want to use this medium to send a message to the kidnappers. Benue State will not tolerate this and we are going to move very hard.”

Governor Ortom further stated that for the kidnappers to have dared to kidnap a Government official, it was a clear indication that they have declared war on the Government and charged communities to rise up in support of Government’s effort to declare war on the kidnappers and armed robbers in the state, adding that anyone apprehended will be dealt with according to the law.

He charged communities in the state not to accommodate kidnappers and must step up intelligence gathering and report suspicious persons to security agencies.

While recounting his ordeal in the hands of kidnappers, Chief Ogbu disclosed that from interaction with his abductors, the mission was solely to kill him.

He particularly noted that his driver became the most targeted when the kidnappers discovered that he was Tiv and is from the same tribe with the Benue State Governor but for the mercies of God they had returned alive.

According to Chief Ogbu, although the identity of the kidnappers who were heavily armed could not be known to them since they had disguised in camouflage of conventional security agencies and masked their faces, they constantly communicated in Fulfude, a language spoken by the Fulani, and were freely traversing Ado, Ogbadibo to Oju and seemed to be in control of the forests in the axis.

He expressed gratitude to Governor Ortom for his love and for standing to protect Benue territory and enjoined him not to back down from sensitizing Nigerians on the need to escape from the looming national catastrophe no matter the victimization, blackmail and attacks on his person and office.

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Butcher Stabs Colleague To Death Over Disagreement On Market Sanitation In Ogun

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A 21-year-old butcher, identified as Selim Ayodele, has allegedly stabbed his 26-year-old colleague, Ibrahim Wasiu, to death following a disagreement over sweeping their workplace in Ogun State.

The incident reportedly occurred on Sunday, October 18, at a cow meat-selling outlet in the Alagbole area of the Akute/Ajuwon satellite towns in Ifo Local Government Area of the state.

According to reports, trouble started after the day’s business activities when the two colleagues disagreed over the cleaning of their sales outlet, with the argument allegedly escalating into a fatal confrontation.

The Ogun State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, confirmed the incident to journalists in Abeokuta on Friday, disclosing that the suspect had been arrested.

Babaseyi said the incident was reported at the Ajuwon Police Divisional Headquarters on Sunday night, prompting police operatives to commence an investigation.

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He explained that preliminary findings indicated that the disagreement began after the two men had concluded their day’s work at the meat-selling outlet.

During the altercation, Ayodele allegedly picked up a knife and stabbed Wasiu in the left side of his chest before twisting the weapon.

The victim was reportedly rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention but was pronounced dead on arrival.

The police spokesperson added that the suspect remained in custody as investigations continued ahead of his prosecution.

He further disclosed that the deceased’s body had been deposited in the morgue of a private hospital for an autopsy.

The Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, Bode Ojajuni, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to prompt response to criminal incidents, thorough investigations and the prosecution of offenders in accordance with the law.

The police commissioner also urged residents to exercise restraint, resolve disagreements peacefully and promptly report criminal incidents to the appropriate authorities.

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Why Pete Edochie wept in Ghana

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Golfers converge in Enugu for maiden Pete Edochie Golf Tournament
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FRED IWENJORA reports that very brave Okonkwo of “Things Fall Apart”, Ebubedike, the Ononenyi of Nteje, Anambra State, and Ibobo Oyi na Omambala shed tears uncontrollably during this tour especially when students and pupils of Knutsford University used his name for different forms of recitations and poetry.

One may ask why Pete Edochie traveled to Ghana?

This visit was for the launching of the Pete Edochie Legacy project, themed “Celebrating the Africa legend; The lion that needs not to roar”.

It is “a cultural initiative created to honor and celebrate one of Africa’s most revered figures” according to the Ghanaian project organisers.

The Legacy project includes a biographical book, a documentary series and international tour with Ghana serving as the launch pad.

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The publishers, KPL publishers had noted that the contributions of the 79-year-old screen star to Africa cinema are very noteworthy.

At the end of it all, the star actor had, aside unveiling his autobiography in a gala event, paid courtesy calls to industry and policy makers in Ghana including the visit to Ghana’s Goldbod, the body regulating everything gold in Ghana. Organisers saw the visit as an important segment of the tour because a visit to Ghana may have been incomplete without seeing first hand the reason the country was called Gold Coast.

He had also met and greeted select fans and featured in a public lecture and colloquium in his honor before returning to Nigeria.

From when he landed at Kotoka International Airport Tuesday 29th September, 2026 till his departure from Ghana on Wednesday 7, October 2026, there was no dull moment.

Reception was top notch and indeed out of this world.

Ghanaians as well as Nigerians left businesses and trouped out to see “the president of African screen” according to Elizabeth Ama Tetteh, one of his numerous Ghanaian fans who noted that she had been resident in Enugu, Nigeria. It was indeed heartwarming to see Ghanaian as well as Igbo cultural groups on hand to welcome him to the old Gold Coast. Dispatch riders led his motorcade out of the airport.

On arrival, he first paid a courtesy visit to Eze Dr. Chukwudi Jude Ihenetu, Onyendu Ndi igbo, Ghana and sued for peace between Nigeria and Ghana. The respected Eze Ihenetu had organised a congregation of Igbo and Ghanaian leaders for a traditional cocktail reception.

According to the major propeller of the project Kelvin King Dawie of King Dawie Publishing Ltd (KPL) “When people ask why Pete Edochie, I tell them that no honor for Pete Edochie is too big. He has very much distinguished himself on the continent of Africa and beyond as a custodian of the cultural heritage of Africa and has been consistent in it for decades since mounting the stage at the tender age of 15. He is well known and received a lot of honors and awards globally including Nigeria’s national honor of merit; MON.

“We also looked at the way he has distinguished himself on stage and in communication which has warranted him receiving Honorary Doctorate in Literature and creative arts.

On this continent, Pete Edochie is one of a kind and he needs to be projected and celebrated as that icon of Africa who has held high the heritage of Africa for over six decades of his acting life.

King Dawie, an accountant, business strategist and social impact leader also hinted that “the project is in four phases, the autobiography, a 16-episode documentary to properly chronicle his life’s journey and then also the African youth mentorship initiative to help him pass on information to the next generation and an international tour. It took a lot of several efforts from several people too numerous to mention to set this ball rolling and hopefully achieving. We also remain very grateful to our star guest for accepting our proposal. ” However, there are major take-aways from these nine days Pete Edochie “Presidential visit” to Ghana.

Cultural diplomacy at its highest African peak

Years back, Africa viewers had voted Pete Edochie as their main choice in (AMVCA).

However, this Ghana visit is International cultural diplomacy at its highest African peak.

It seems first in history that a film star would make so much impression in another country that a book would be written and unveiled on him in that country.

It also reveals that Nigeria and Ghana have co-existed as West Africa’s beloved Anglophone countries despite hiccups occasioned by various ‘Ghana must go’ or ‘Nigeria must go’ agitations.

And to see both Nigerians and Ghanaians under one roof because of Pete Edochie, animosities may have been doused even if for a moment.

The unveiling of the autobiographical book; Titan of Africa, the story of Pete Edochie, published by KPL Publishers was a big attraction on its own and first of its kind for a Nigerian actor. The event which held at Kempiski Accra drew together distinguished Ghanaians with highlights including his meeting with Ghanaian legendary actress, broadcaster and musician Grace Omaboe, known to many as Maame Dokono. He also met with 102 years old Warrant Officer 1 and WW2 veteran, Pa Joseph Ashitey Hammond. Their tight hug meant that this meeting for the WW2 veteran was highly anticipated like the story of the nunc dimitis contained in the synoptics.

There are pointers to the huge respect that he commands in the so called Gold Coast and that Africa is so culturally connected in many ways.

Another take away from the tour was that the man Pete Edochie is very well blessed and his star never seems to dim as years roll by.

Despite that he is bound to the wheelchair and could barely walk or sits on the chair in his current films, fans continue to adore him from far and near. (Saturday Vanguard)

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Four Shot as NDC Convoy Attacked in Ebonyi, Campaign Vehicle Burnt

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Four people were reportedly shot when a convoy of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) came under attack in Ebonyi State, with one of the campaign vehicles set ablaze.

The incident occurred during a campaign movement in the state, according to sources familiar with the development.

The identities and conditions of those injured were not immediately available at the time of filing this report.

The motive for the attack remained unclear, while the attackers had yet to be identified.

Security agencies were expected to investigate the incident and determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting and burning of the campaign vehicle.

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Further details were awaited from the NDC, the Ebonyi State Government and the relevant security authorities.

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