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Amotekun is shaping up well—Makinde

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Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde said on Thursday that the South-West security initiative, Operation Amotekun was shaping up well.

The Governor made the declaration while attending the 80th Annual General Conference of Cherubim and Seraphim Unification Church of Nigeria, held at Ashi, Orita Bashorun, Ibadan.
He equally reiterated the determination of his administration to ensure a peaceful, safe and secure Oyo State.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, also quoted the Governor as calling for more prayers for leaders in positions of authority by religious leaders across the faiths.
He said: “I was with the Inspector General of Police yesterday and we had close to 30 minutes deliberation back and forth on how to make our State and country secure.

“We also discussed on how Amotekun is not supposed to replace the function of the Nigerian Police and the community police they are setting up. They are to complement those efforts to make our society safer. Very soon, we will begin to reap the reward of Operation Amotekun.

“All the issues before us are being addressed right now; Amotekun is definitely here to stay.”
He further stated: “I will continue to work for the benefit of all to provide a peaceful, safe and secure State where we can all worship without fear. All of us cannot worship God in an atmosphere of fear. I am happy that Amotekun, the regional security outfit to which Oyo State subscribes to, is shaping up brilliantly.

“Today is not for proverbs, it is a day for speaking clearly and openly about the role that religion and worship play in our lives. As I am standing before you today, Oyo State needs prayers. Some elements have threatened to disrupt the peace of local government councils so that a state of emergency can be declared in the State but with our prayers, their plans will not come into fruition.”

The Governor commended the Church for the continuous prayer for the success of his administration and urged them to have deliberations on how the Church would move forward.

“This year’s annual general conference theme “Enlarge The Place Of Thy Tent” as taken from Isaiah Chapter 54 verse 2, is a testament of how God blesses his people and continues to bless them with growth. I heard about the conference that was held last year in Lagos and how it made waves. I have a message for you; last year, you made waves in Lagos but today, you are in the Pacesetter State. So, by virtue of the fact that this conference is taking place in Oyo State, I believe it will create a benchmark of how future conferences will look like. Not just in terms of attendance but miracles that will occur while the conference is going on.

“The Bible records that where two or more gather in God’s name, God is there with them. If God will be with two or three, how much more will he be with a multitude that is here. So, God is definitely here with us. My message to you this day is that you may hold fruitful deliberations and conversations that will move this church forward.”

Governor Makinde charged everybody to see themselves as one irrespective of the religious differences and pledged to take the dividend of democracy to the door steps of all and sundry.
“When I was on the campaign trail, seeking to be the Governor of Oyo State, I fellowshipped with you and spoke to you about my dreams for this beloved state. Today, I am thankful that we are here through the efforts of our numerous people across all faiths. This actually tells us something; that all of us, irrespective of our religion, want good government. That was why you voted for me. All of us want to live a good life and desire the development of our communities, local councils, State and Nigeria. So, we must not allow religion to divide but unite us.”

Speaking on the local government crisis rocking the State, the Governor said: “The LG dissolution case is before the court. There is a court injunction against the people who are trying to foment trouble. For me as the chief security officer, we will definitely not allow lawlessness.”

Speaking earlier, the Supreme Head of the C&S Unification Church Worldwide, Dr. Solomon Adegboyega Alao, called on the National Assembly to immediately amend the Constitution to ensure that general elections are held in November such that all legal entanglements would have been resolved before the inauguration of the President and Governors in May.

According to him, it does not make sense to elect a Governor only to have him removed six months after.

“Now that all petitions have ended in courts, I think the government should consider a constitution amendment to ensure that elections are held in November so that all the cases would have been disposed of.

“It doesn’t make sense to elect a governor and five or six months after you have him removed,” he said.

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IGP Steps In: FCID to Investigate Death of Man Detained Over N220,000 Debt

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IGP Kayode Egbetokun during his visit to the family of late Jimoh Abdulquadri in Kwara

 

The Kwara State Police Command has confirmed the death of a 35-year-old man, Jimoh Abdulquadri, who passed away in police custody in the early hours of Friday.

 

Abdulquadri, who was arrested on December 19, 2024, reportedly died under controversial circumstances, with his family accusing police operatives of subjecting him to brutal treatment during his detention. Reports indicate that the deceased had been detained over an alleged debt of N220,000 owed to an individual identified as Peter.

 

In response to the incident, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has directed the Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID) to immediately take over the case. A statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, revealed that the IGP also visited Kwara State to meet with the bereaved family.

 

During the visit, the IGP was received by the Balogun Fulani of Ilorin, Alhaji Sadiq Atiku Fulani, who represented the family. The IGP expressed his condolences and assured them of a thorough investigation.

 

“The IGP expressed his profound condolences and assured the family that no stone would be left unturned in uncovering the circumstances that led to the tragic incident. He has ordered the FCID to handle the case with utmost diligence and ensure a conclusive and impartial investigation,” the statement read.

 

The IGP reiterated the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to upholding accountability, professionalism, and respect for human rights. He further called on all stakeholders to remain calm and allow the due process of law to take its course.

 

 

 

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FG Lifts Five-Year Ban on Mining in Zamfara, Eyes Economic Boost

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The Federal Government has officially lifted the five-year ban on mining activities in Zamfara State, citing improved security and the potential for economic growth in the mineral-rich region.

The announcement was made on Sunday by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, through his representative, Segun Tomori, during a press briefing in Abuja.

“The Federal Government has lifted the ban on mining exploration activities in Zamfara State, citing significant improvements in the security situation across the state,” the minister said in a statement.

Security Gains and Economic Promise

The ban, imposed in 2019 due to escalating insecurity and illegal mining, was described by Alake as a necessary but temporary measure to protect lives and resources. However, he noted that the ban inadvertently created a vacuum exploited by illegal miners, leading to resource plundering.

Alake praised recent security advancements under the Tinubu administration, highlighting the neutralization of notorious bandit commanders and other strategic wins, including the capture of Halilu Sububu, one of the state’s most wanted criminals.

“The existential threat to lives and properties that led to the 2019 ban has abated. The security operatives’ giant strides have led to a notable reduction in the level of insecurity,” Alake said.

He added that with the restoration of mining activities, Zamfara’s mineral wealth—ranging from gold and lithium to copper—could now be harnessed under strict regulation to contribute significantly to national revenue.

Boosting Regulation and Combating Illegal Mining

The minister emphasized that lifting the ban would pave the way for better regulation and monitoring of mining activities. This, he said, would enable authorities to tackle illegal mining more effectively and ensure Nigeria benefits fully from Zamfara’s mineral resources.

“By reopening this sector, we are prioritizing not only revenue generation but also intelligence gathering to curb illegal mining,” he said.

Addressing Controversies

Alake also addressed concerns surrounding Nigeria’s recent Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with France, which had sparked controversy. He clarified that the agreement focused solely on capacity building and technical support for the mining sector.

“The high point of the MOU is on training and capacity building for our mining professionals. Similar agreements have been signed with Germany and Australia. Misinformation about ceding control over our mineral resources is uncalled for,” Alake said.

Press as Partners in Progress

Commending the media for their role in promoting reforms in the mining sector, Alake urged continued collaboration to drive transparency and attract foreign investments.

 

 

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NNPCL Refutes Shutdown Claims: Port Harcourt Refinery Fully Operational

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The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has dismissed media reports suggesting that the recently resuscitated old Port Harcourt refinery has been shut down, labeling such claims as baseless and misleading.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday, the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPCL, Olufemi Soneye, clarified that the refinery, with a capacity of 60,000 barrels per day, is “fully operational.”

The facility resumed operations two months ago after years of inactivity.

“We wish to clarify that such reports are totally false, as the refinery is fully operational, as verified a few days ago by former Group Managing Directors of NNPC,” Soneye said.

He added that preparations for the day’s loading operation are currently underway, emphasizing that the public should disregard the claims.

“Members of the public are advised to discountenance such reports as they are the figments of the imagination of those who want to create artificial scarcity and rip off Nigerians,” Soneye stated.

The old Port Harcourt refinery is part of the country’s efforts to revive its local refining capacity. Three years ago, the Federal Government approved $1.5 billion to rehabilitate the plant, which was initially shut down in 2019 due to operational challenges.

Despite being one of the largest oil producers globally, Nigeria has long relied on fuel imports to meet its domestic needs, swapping crude oil for petrol and other refined products. This dependency, coupled with government subsidies, has strained the nation’s foreign exchange reserves.

The recent return of the Port Harcourt refinery to operation follows the commissioning of the Dangote refinery, which began petrol production in September 2024. These developments are expected to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imports and address long-standing issues in the petroleum sector.

 

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