Metro
‘We can’t solve insecurity challenges with criminality’- Makinde
Oyo state governor, Mr. Seyi Makinde emphasized that his administration would not try to solve the insecurity challenges in his state by backing those bent on taking laws into their hands or carrying out jungle justice against perceived wrongdoers.
The governor stated that instead of backing a venture that is capable of throwing the country into ethnic crisis, the end of which cannot be foreseen, his administration would rather continue to support the security agencies in the state to do their works effectively.
He stressed that his government would promote good neighbourliness by encouraging the residents of the state to live together in peace and to face their common enemies, who are criminals of all shades and tribes.
Governor Makinde also stated that the administration will continue to do its best to provide opportunities for the people, as that is another way to reduce the tension in the land, saying: “One of the things we found out is that opportunities are very limited at the top. We will continue to do our best to strive to expand our economy and provide opportunities for a whole lot of our people. And we believe when we do that, the tension will definitely go down.”
The governor stated these in Akure, while addressing a meeting of South-West governors, national leadership of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders’ Association (MACBAN) and heads of security agencies on the insecurity challenges in the South-West geopolitical zone, held at the International Culture and Event Centre, Akure.
Speaking further, Makinde declares that his government had foreclosed the option of backing anyone taking up arms against other ethnic nationalities resident in the state in the name of seeking justice as, according to him, such a step would have dire consequences for the society.
He stated that if government encourages residents to mete out justice through self-help to any ethnic nationality, due to the excesses of some of its people, it would amount to solving criminality with criminality.
The meeting had in attendance Governors Rotimi Akeredolu, Kayode Fayemi and Gboyega Oyetola of Ondo, Ekiti and Osun states, while Governors Mohammed Badaru (Jigawa), and Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi) and the national leadership of MACBAN were also present.
According to Makinde, who maintained that a lot of people commenting on the security situation in Ibarapa had been displaying ignorance, his government would solve the insecurity challenge its own way by continuing to encourage residents of the state to work and live together and to face their common enemies, who are criminals, kidnappers, armed robbers and bandits from all tribes.
He added that all hands must be on deck to lawfully fight crimes, saying: “We will continue to promote good neighborliness among our people and we will ensure that all of us go after the criminals together.
“We will continue to support our security agencies because they are also trying to maintain law and order in an atmosphere of pandemic and economic challenges. We will continue to provide support for the security agencies for them to do their work.”
The governor equally warned Nigerians to deal with the menace of fake news and sieve information on social media properly, noting that the rate at which fake news is being circulated portends great danger to the society.
Makinde warned against some elements seeking political powers at all costs, who he said, have resorted to misinforming the public and causing division among them, calling on such persons to desist from the path, as it is capable of causing tension in the country.
He said: “I can tell you for a fact that when the Kisi area of Oyo State, which shares international border with Republic of Benin was invaded, all hands were on deck. MACBAN, Operation Burst, local hunters and the communities all worked together to clear the bush.
“During my electioneering, a major decision I was going to take was to scrap all the LCDAs in Oyo State and stick with only the LGAs that are known to the constitution of Nigeria. During the campaign, all the people I met at a particular LCDA (I think it is Oriire South) were Fulanis. And they told me I should not scrap the LCDA because it was the only LCDA dominated by the Fulani people.
“After I got elected, I decided I would not scrap the LCDAs again. I didn’t get such knowledge by sitting in the armchair in my house but by going out into the field and interacting with the people.
“So, when people talk, you wonder if they have done any kind of comparison with what has happened elsewhere in the world. What are we going to do moving forward in Oyo State? Well, the first thing I will say is to tell you the things that we will not do; we will not use criminality to solve another criminality, because of the unintended consequences of such an action; nobody can predict where it will end.
“Once you are drawn out to support criminality, you don’t know where it is going to end. So, what we are going to do is to continue to encourage our people to work together; to face our common enemies – the criminals, the kidnappers, the armed robbers and the bandits. Those are our common enemies.”
He equally charged his colleague governors and others in positions of leadership not to be tired or to relent, saying: “I want to end by saying that our leaders should not be tired. They will abuse us but we should continue to strive to provide the leadership that this country requires at this point in time.”
While speaking earlier, the MACBAN Secretary, Alhaji Baba Othman Ngelzarma, who noted that the Miyetti Allah was meeting the South-West governors on the escalating crisis between herders and farmers, said the body will continue to encourage herders in the Southern part of the country to live in peace and eschew criminality.
At the end of the meeting, it was resolved, among other things, that night grazing and grazing by underage children would stop henceforth.
A police inspector, Effiong Bassey, has shot three people in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, leaving one dead and two others injured.
The Cross River State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday, describing it as tragic.
According to the Command’s spokesperson, Ugbo Irene, the shooting occurred in the early hours of Sunday at the Divisional Police Headquarters in Atakpa, Calabar.
She explained that Inspector Bassey had returned from his night duty at Ekondo Microfinance Bank when he began exhibiting abnormal behaviour.
“Inspector Bassey refused to hand over the AK-47 rifle he was assigned and instead proceeded to block the station’s gate, preventing anyone from entering or leaving the premises. Despite attempts at peaceful dialogue to resolve the situation, the officer’s actions escalated,” the statement read.
Tactical Units and patrol teams were then deployed to the scene. However, Bassey, suspected to be mentally unstable, opened fire on bystanders who had been instructed to leave the area.
“Tragically, three individuals were struck by the officer’s stray bullets, including Ijeoma Wilson Obot, a 41-year-old female, who later succumbed to her injuries. The other two victims, Charles Mkpang and another individual, are currently receiving medical treatment and are in stable condition,” the police said.
The officer was eventually subdued, disarmed, and taken into custody. He is now undergoing further investigation.
Concerned by the incident, the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 6 Headquarters, Calabar, along with the Cross River State Command Management Team, visited the hospital where the victims were receiving treatment. The AIG also made a donation to support their immediate care.
The Command assured residents that it was working with key stakeholders to prevent any escalation of tension in the community.
It further urged the victims’ families and the public to remain calm, pledging a thorough investigation into the incident.
“The Cross River State Police Command is committed to ensuring that justice, fairness, and equity prevail, and the outcome of the investigation will be made public in due course.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased and wish the injured a speedy recovery,” the statement added.
The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed the tragic death of a police inspector, Ajele Oloyede, who passed away while on special duty at Goodwill Ceramic Company in Igbesa, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Omolola Odutola, made this known in a statement, revealing that an investigation has been launched into the circumstances surrounding the incident. Oloyede was attached to the 78 PMF in Zamfara State.
According to the preliminary report, the incident occurred on 14 March 2025 at approximately 13:20 hours. Tolorunloju Stephen, an officer attached to the Force Headquarters Annex in Lagos, who was also on special duty at the company, recounted that he had just returned from Ikeja when he entered the security office and found Inspector Oloyede resting his head on a table.
“After exchanging pleasantries and briefly inquiring about his well-being, Oloyede responded positively,” Odutola stated.
However, moments later, as Stephen proceeded to the restroom, he heard a gunshot. Rushing back, he found Inspector Oloyede lying in a pool of blood.
“With the assistance of a private security personnel, the injured officer was immediately rushed to Ota General Hospital, where he was confirmed dead by the attending doctor,” Odutola added.
She further disclosed that the firearm used in the incident has been recovered, and the deceased officer’s body has been deposited at the hospital for an autopsy.
Reacting to the development, the state Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, described the news as shocking and has ordered a full-scale investigation into the incident to determine the circumstances surrounding it, including the possibility of foul play or mental health factors.
“The police were swift in contacting the deceased officer’s family, and the case will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, for discreet investigation,” the statement read.
The Ogun State Police Command expressed its deepest condolences to the family, colleagues, and loved ones of Inspector Oloyede, assuring that all necessary support will be provided during this difficult time.
A 25-year-old man, Toye Dominic, has been found dead, hanging from a tree in a forest near Alagbadagbo village, Ijebu Igbo Local Government Area of Ogun State.
The discovery was made on Thursday by a local hunter, Kareem Oluwalose, who was on a hunting expedition in the area.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, Omolola Odutola, stated that the hunter immediately reported his finding to the Ijebu Igbo Divisional Headquarters.
“After making the discovery, he sought help from a nearby village, where he met Joseph Dominic, the elder brother of the deceased. Joseph revealed that Toye had left for the farm earlier that morning but had not returned, prompting a search, which was fruitless by family members,” the statement read.
Upon arrival at the scene, police operatives and villagers observed that the deceased had set aside his farm tools before proceeding further into the forest, where he was eventually found hanging from a tree.
No suicide note was recovered at the scene, and the deceased’s family expressed shock over the incident, insisting they had no prior indication of distress from him.
“The police have documented the scene with photographic evidence, and the body has been transferred to General Hospital, Ijebu Ode, for further examination,” Odutola added.
While the police have yet to confirm whether the incident was a suicide, the Command urged the public to remain vigilant and support individuals experiencing emotional struggles.
“We urge the public to remain vigilant and seek support for individuals experiencing distress or emotional struggles. Mental health awareness and timely intervention remain crucial in preventing such unfortunate incidents,” Odutola said, extending the police’s condolences to the bereaved family.
She also assured that a thorough investigation would be conducted to ascertain the circumstances surrounding Dominic’s tragic death.
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