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INSECURITY: “No One Is Safe Anymore” -Senator laments after bandits attack his convoy twice in 12 hours

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2 years ago

April 28, 2021

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Senator Clifford Ordia of Edo State has also become a victim of Nigeria’s insecurity situation as gunmen on Monday attacked the senator who represents Edo Central in the upper legislative chamber. The attack came twice along Okene-Lokoja and Lokoja-Abuja roads within 12 hours of his journey from Edo State to Lokoja.

Ordia told newsmen in Abuja that the gunmen opened fire on his convoy while returning to Abuja from his hometown in Edo State.

According to the senator, the first attack happened along Okene-Lokoja road in Kogi, while the second in Abaji, Abuja all on Monday.

He said the security officers attached to him engaged the criminals in crossfire.

Ordia escaped the attack unhurt though his personal vehicle was riddled with bullets. Tthree of the security officers sustained gunshot injuries. One of the wounded policemen is in a critical condition, but responding to treatment in a hospital in Abuja, he added.

He said: “We were coming from Edo State, somewhere between Okene and Lokoja, when we met these suspected bandits. They opened fire on my convoy. The gallant policemen had to immediately return fire.

“The other security vehicle behind had to immediately join them and they were able to repel the suspected bandits. During the exchange, three of the policemen sustained gun wounds. One of them was critically injured. We had to immediately rush them to a Federal Medical Centre in Lokoja, Kogi State.

“They did their best and was able to stabilise them. I’d to immediately put a call across the Federal Medical Centre in Abuja to be on standby. One of the policemen had a bullet lodged close to his liver.

“We met another setback around Abaji. There was traffic because of the incidence and because we had to save the lives of the wounded policemen, we decided to make a move. They opened fire on us. Some vigilantes had to join the policemen and they were chased into the bush.

“That was how I survived that attack. If you see all my vehicles, you’ll see how the bullets damaged them. But I’m glad that we all survived. I must salute the gallantry of our policemen. If given the right equipment, they can do a lot and protect Nigerians.”

He called on the Federal Government to immediately initiate moves to restructure the security architecture of the country, warning that no one was safe anymore.

Ordia is the chairman, Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts. He represents Edo Central in the upper legislative chamber.

Oche Onu writes

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BREAKING: Gunmen attack Benue Link vehicle again, abduct passengers

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Kidnappers Demand N60 Million as Ransom

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5 days ago

September 19, 2023

Oche Onu

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Reports reaching InsideBenue reveals that some gunmen have on Sunday attacked a Benue Link passenger bus, abducting not fewer than 10 passengers.

The incident occured around Olanyega community along Otukpo-Otukpa road in Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State.

According to the Secretary General of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (Benue Links chapter), Comrade Gabriel Tachia, the fully loaded bus was on its way to Makurdi from Onitsha before it was hijacked on the Benue road.

“Four passengers were released as at yesterday night (Sunday) after the army gave the abductors a hot chase. It was a fully loaded bus (with 15 occupants). The bus was returning from Onitsha to Makurdi,” Tachia told newsmen.

Mr Omale Omale, the Commissioner for Power, Energy and Transport who confirmed the development to newsmen in Makurdi said information are sketchy.

The Makurdi Zonal Centre of Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), said among the passengers abducted was a staff of the organisation.

According to the report, the kidnappers demanded N60 million, but reduced the demand to N16 million as ransom before their victims gain freedom.

The operation which lasted over 30 minutes, according to locals, occurred at 2:30pm on Sunday, leaving motorists plying that section of the highway helpless.

A local chief in the area, who escaped being caught up in the attack, narrated that the spot – Olanyega/Okpudu – where the incident happened on the Otukpo-Ugbokolo-Enugu Expressway had over time become unsafe for commuters.

Recall that similar incident involving two buses of the transport company a fortnight ago around Ajaokuta in Kogi State. 28 people were kidnapped.

Tachia however added that eight of the 10 Lagos-bound passengers abducted in Kogi axis had been released remaining two victims.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for Benue Command, SP Catherine Anene, confirmed the incident.

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Reactions Trail Nomination of Nollywood Actor-Son as Late Pastor Odukoya’s Successor

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5 days ago

September 18, 2023

Oche Onu

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Jimmy Odukoya

Following the nomination of Nollywood actor and son of the late Pastor Odukoya, Jimmy Odukoya as successor of his popular father by the Board of Trustees of Fountain of Life Church on Sunday, a social media influencer, Barr. Jov Tersoo took to his Facebook page to congratulate the new overseer. But his post with different reactions from his readers:

Tersoo writes: Congratulations to Jimmy Odukoya. This is why some people keep referring to Pentecostal churches as family empires. Also a reason why no one want to serve under another person as a pastor. No matter how good and faithful you are, the general overseer’s son is prepared to take the lead when the father is gone. May his reign be great.

Below are some of the reactions:

✍ Idoko Noah Sanni commented “The hair style if not natural dada (dread) and you still remain in the church you need check up,we thank God for orthodox background”

✍ Tertindi Teeter writes: “Thanks be to God Almighty who uses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise.”

✍ Ololade Paul writes:
“With this kind of hair style? This is not how we met Christianity!”

✍ Usha Humphrey writes: “He looks like a superstar”

✍ Walter Ogar writes: “Joel Osteen took over from his father John Osteen, founder of Lakewood Church and has surpassed all expectations. Just listen to God, what is he saying?”

✍ Ishaya Danladi writes: “The founder of the Redeemed Christian Church of God followed a path that most overseers dread to take. He made someone not even related to him to take over the helm of affairs before his departure. Most presidents and founders of modern pentecostal churches start their work with the view that it is a family business.”

✍ Aondona Manta write: “Jov, Who was the leader of the Jerusalem council of elders, or if we must put it in today’s parlance, the Chairman of the Board in Jesus’ ministry after his death and resurrection?”

✍ Sammie Adoche writes: “Until you know the circumstances surrounding his nomination it’s wrong to call any church a family business. Jimmy is not someone who will normally want to take up such mantle but if it’s God’s what will he do.”

✍ Ayodele Yemitope writes “I feel that’s subjective… It’s not all churches that get another person that’s not a family member that ends up more Successful and it’s not all churches that has the son or family of the founder take over that becomes a Success. What matters is if God is leading in that direction. Jimmy has been a Pastor in TFL for a while now long before the Dad’s death. But for the Dreads that seems kind off out of place to many. Every other things is okay from man’s point of view from God side that’s for those that have heard in line. The real deal is when the Latter House Surpass the Former”

✍ Dommie Kay writes “Any man that can go sit in the salon, washing, conditioning drying and braiding, as in braiding his hair should be feared, e get why. Even women don’t enjoy the experience, we only enjoy it for the beauty of the outcome.”

Jimmy, a Nollywood actor and musician who featured prominently Netflix’s ‘Woman King’ movie as Oba Ade was announced to the church on Sunday as his father’s successor.

According to a member of the BoT, Pastor Rotimi Okpaise, the late Taiwo Odukoya confided in the board of trustees (BoT) members about the succession plan before his demise.

Okpaise said the BoT unanimously elected Jimmy as the senior pastor and chairperson of the board..

Jimmy will be formally installed on Saturday, September 30, 2023.

The former Senior pastor and founder died on August 7, Odukoya, in the United States of America aged 67.

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AFCON’23: Full List of Qualified Countries

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South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana face the big boys

Published

1 week ago

September 14, 2023

Oche Onu

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24 countries have qualified for prestigious continental Africa Cup of Nations holding in Cote D’Ivoire next year. All 24 countries will justle for the golden cup.

The tournament will feature 12 former AFCON champions with Nigeria, a three-time champion not left out.