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Don calls for state policing as a way of tackling insecurity

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Nigerian military receives tanks, artillery from China. Nigeria’s military has taken delivery of VT-4 main battle tanks, SH-5 self-propelled howitzers and other equipment from China in an effort to strengthen its land forces in the battle against Boko Haram militants. The equipment was acquired from China’s Norinco after being ordered last year under an apparent $152 million contract. The equipment was unloaded on 8 April and included VT-4 main battle tanks, SH5 105 mm self-propelled artillery and other items. Nigerian Army Chief of Policy and Plans Lieutenant General Lamidi Adeosun said, “The process of acquiring this has been on for some time but thank God they are coming in now. From this, you can see how serious the Federal Government of Nigeria is in making sure that the Nigerian Army is not only equipped, but contains problem of insecurity we are having across the country. “This is being tackled with trained personnel and required equipment. What you are seeing here is just a tip of the iceberg. Others are still coming but it is very important that we all see that both the military and the government are really very serious to tackle the security problems across the nation.” Adeosun said the delivery from China includes main battle tanks, light tanks and two types of artillery. He added that personnel have been trained in China to operate the equipment. According to Nigerian media, 17 vehicles were offloaded on Wednesday, including VT-4 main battle tank and ST1 light tanks. Photos confirm VT-4 and SH-5 vehicles were delivered. In May 2019, Minister of Defence, Brigadier General Mansur Dan-Ali, said the Nigerian government had provided funding for the acquisition of modern equipment for the Nigerian armed forces, with some in service and others on the way. This included 35 main battle tanks, 25 Typhoon MRAPs (mine-resistant, ambush protected vehicles), 10 Spartan armoured personnel carriers, 20 Armoured Guard Booths, five armoured mine-clearing vehicles, 50 troop-carrying vehicles and 40 Buffalo vehicles, among others for the Nigerian Army. In addition, four Ships, 182 rigid hull inflatable and Epenal boats, four inshore patrol craft, two STAN Patrol Vessels and one helicopter were procured for the Nigerian Navy. The Nigerian Air Force has benefited from the acquisition of 25 fixed wing aircraft and 12 helicopters, Dan-Ali said at the time. The VT-4 (MBT-3000) main battle tank was built by Norinco for the export market and unveiled internationally in 2012. The 52-ton vehicle has a crew of three (commander, driver and gunner – an automatic loader reduces crew numbers). It is armed with a 125 mm smoothbore cannon, a remotely operated 12.7 mm anti-aircraft machine gun and a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun but can also fire guided missiles. It can be fitted with a GL5 active protection system. The vehicle’s fire control unit also comprises roof-mounted panoramic sights, a laser warning device, and a digital gun control system designed to support day and night operation. A 1 200 hp turbocharged diesel engine gives a maximum speed of 70km/h and range of 500 km. The SH5 self-propelled artillery system is a development of Norinco’s SH2. It is armed with a 105 mm gun on a 6×6 platform. The gun has an elevation of zero to 70 degrees with traverse being 30 degrees left and right. Range of the weapon is around 18 km. The SH5 is fitted with a computerized fire-control system, including GPS navigation and positioning, targeting, and communications systems. The SH5 has an armoured crew compartment, which is protected again small arms fire and shell splinters. The vehicle has a top speed of 100 km/h and range of 800 km.

Don calls for state policing as a way of tackling insecurity By Ifeoma Ikem

Prof. Raph Akinfeleye, senior lecturer University of Lagos, Unilag said that Nigeria needed to be restructured because there was no way democracy could work without decentralizing the police system.

 

 

Don calls for state policing as a way of tackling insecurity

 

 

Akinfeleye, the chairman of the occasion, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Lagos State Council Public Lecture held at Combo hall Lagos state Television, said there is a need to have state policing, local government policing in order to guarantee peace, freedom, and the corporate existence of Nigeria.

 

 

 

 

According to him, there is a need for us to change the whole system where the police system is over-centralized.

 

 

 

He also pointed that the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC) who were meant to be the regulators of the media space was overregulating to the point that their judgment was no longer regulatory.

 

 

 

 

They need to reorganize themselves by giving defaulters early warning signals rather than fining them.

 

 

 

 

“Because it can’t work, you can not fine a station five million nairas who is owing their staff for over one year,he added.

 

 

 

Akinfeleye added that leaders needed to listen more to their followers so that they could solve the challenges at the grassroots.
“It appears many of our leaders do not listen to their followers, they just take everything for granted and make decisions on their own.
“The masses are in the right position to give them the correct information for national development and peace,” he said.

 

 

 

Director of Special Programme, Nigeria Institute of Journalism (NIJ)
Mr. Jide Johnson said that the challenge of overcoming insecurity was to involve everyone in the decision-making process.

 

 

 

 

Speaking on the theme: Nigeria and Nation Building: Overcoming The Challenges Of insecurity, Restructuring and Self Determination For Progressive Development,he stressed the need why more effort should be looked at the security situation of the nation, and it is not diverse enough but concentrated at a particular region.

 

 

 

 

“For us to have peace and stability, there must be unity and that unity of purpose comes from the inclusion of every element that constitutes the Nigerian nation in the management of the nation.

 

 

 

“Once we allow every segment of the nation to be involved in the decision-making process, then all of us can come up with an idea on how we can solve insecurity,” he said.

 

 

 

 

Johnson said that engaging community policing, state policing, or recruiting police based on local government had its advantages because they understood the language, terrain, and culture of the community better.

 

 

 

 

“For instance, you cannot bring someone from the North to come and solve insecurity in the East, an area where he has little or no knowledge regarding the people.
“How will he be able to resolve the issue of insecurity in that community but if we go by community policing, we will be able to solve some of our problems,” he said.

 

 

 

 

 

Another speaker, Mr Olusegun Adeniyi, Chairman, Editorial Board, Thisday Groups of Newspapers said that governors could not do anything about insecurity because their control over the police and other sister agencies was limited.

Everyone has been calling for the establishment of state police but nobody seems to consider this.
“As challenging as the times may be, what we face today is as a result of the bad choices made at different epochs and at all levels.
“Sadly, we have carried this systemic management to the security sector,” he said.

Adeniyi said that the failure of the police in their constitutional responsibility has dragged the military into roles for which they are not trained.
“Roles such as quelling civil disturbances, manning roadblocks, combating banditry, providing security for the conduct of elections among others are not challenges that can be resolved by soldiers.
“These roles are mostly law and order issues primarily within the purview of the police,” he said.

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“ Life Has Been Hard For Us” – Widow Of Murdered LCDA Staff, Idowu Keshinro Cries Out

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The widow of Idowu Keshinro, the murdered Ota Ikosi Ejinrin LCDA staff has cried out for justice following the gruesome killing of her husband whom she had three children with.

The widow, Funke Keshinro stated that since her husband was killed, life has not been the same for her and the children because the deceased was the breadwinner of the family.

She revealed that she had to change the schools of the children because it’s been difficult to afford the private schools their father had enrolled them in before he died.

‘’Since my husband died, life has not been easy at all because when he was alive, he never joked with his children but now, it’s just me alone and it’s not easy. Since he died, I had to change the schools of the children to government-owned schools from private schools because I can’t continue all he used to do.’’

While speaking on what she wants from the government, Funke asserted that she wants justice for deceased husband. She mentioned that she doesn’t want the person that killed her husband to live because there are rumours that the arrested suspect would be released at the next court sitting slated for November 26.

Some of the suspects involved in this murder include Mukaila Salau, Tiamiyu Ahmed, Waliu Suleimon, Ibrahim Ekemode, Akande Ahmed Omogbemi, Abubakar Suleiman Mayaki, and others who are currently at large.

Funke tearfully noted that the children can’t recognize their father because they are still small, explaining how it’s been difficult raising them alone because their father’s life was cut short.

“I want the government to please fast-track justice; the person that killed him should also die. I want justice and nothing more. We have heard that they have arrested some people but we are waiting for judgement. I want a judgment that would be good for the three children and me. These children cannot even recognize their father because they are still young and I have also heard they want to release some of those who were arrested. Please, the government should help me, everyone that knows about my husband’s death should be judged accordingly.”

Meanwhile, in a petition dated October 18th 2024 written to the attorney general of Lagos state, it was noted that the suspects that have been arrested are currently boasting that they will be released at the next court sitting. They had been arraigned at Ogba Magistrate court on two occasions for their involvement in the murder of Idowun Keshinro.

The family of the deceased however, in the petition, called on the Lagos state government and Ministry of justice to ensure justice isn’t perverted for the sake of the deceased family and the peace of the community.

‘’It is our further brief that; other persons who are still at large with their syndicate are now intensifying efforts to ensure that they and the aforementioned persons escape justice by way of perversion of the cause of justice in respect of the subject matter.’’

‘’Furthermore, we have the brief of our client that the said persons and one KABIRU ABUBAKAR SULAIMON who is a brother to one of the defendants in the said charge continue to boast that the defendants would be released unconditionally as they claim to have connection to few politicians who would lead them to the office of the Attorney General and or have enough money to access same so as to ensure the Attorney General exercises his prerogative powers under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to release the Defendants in the above charge unconditionally’’

‘’We believe that the office of the Attorney General is dignifiedly sacred and clothed with Honour and same deserves utmost respect or regard from all and sundry as the case maybe. The noise cum brag of the aforementioned persons to pervert cause of justice at all cost in the above mentioned charge has now become deafening in the circumstance of our client thereof Our client and members of his family are hapless and continue to live in perpetual despair and would suffer untoward agony in the event the above mentioned persons make do of their boast and intention to escape justice in respect of the said charge’’, the petition reads in part.

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Family Appeals To Governor Sanwo-Olu For Justice Over Murder of LCDA Staff, Idowu Keshinro

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The family of late Idowu Keshinro, a former staff member of the Agbowa Council Development Area (LCDA) in Ota Ikosi Ejinrin, has made an urgent appeal to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu following fears that justice may not be served.

Although, suspects including popular land grabber, Abubakar Suleiman Miyaki, Mukaila Salau, Tiyamiyu Ahmed, Waltu Suleimon, Ibrahim Ekemode, and others have been arrested and arraigned before Ogba Magistrate court, the family of the deceased have claimed that there are ‘secret’ moves to free them unconditionally even though there is evidence that confirms the direct involvement of the suspects in the murder of Idowu Keshinro.

In a petition written to Governor Babajide Sanwoolu, the deceased’s elder brother, Akeem Keshinro explained that other suspects that are at large have been making boast of having connections with the attorney general of Lagos whom they claim will assist in releasing the arrested suspects unconditionally at the next court sitting slated for November 26.

‘’It is our further brief that; other persons who are still at large with their syndicate are now intensifying efforts to ensure that they and the aforementioned persons escape justice by way of perversion of the cause of justice in respect of the subject matter.’’

‘’Furthermore, we have the brief of our client that the said persons and one KABIRU ABUBAKAR SULAIMON who is a brother to one of the defendants in the said charge continue to boast that the defendants would be released unconditionally as they claim to have connection to few politicians who would lead them to the office of the Attorney General and or have enough money to access same so as to ensure the Attorney General exercises his prerogative powers under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to release the Defendants in the above charge unconditionally’’

‘’We believe that the office of the Attorney General is dignifiedly sacred and clothed with Honour and same deserves utmost respect or regard from all and sundry as the case maybe. The noise cum brag of the aforementioned persons to pervert cause of justice at all cost in the above mentioned charge has now become deafening in the circumstance of our client thereof Our client and members of his family are hapless and continue to live in perpetual despair and would suffer untoward agony in the event the above mentioned persons make do of their boast and intention to escape justice in respect of the said charge’’, the petition reads in part.

Furthermore, while speaking with journalists, Akeem Keshinro revealed that he can no longer sleep in his home again due to the different threats he has received for seeking justice over his brother’s death. He stated that he only stays in his house during the day but flees his home at night.

Also, Aslam Ibrahim, the youth leader in the community narrated that they were celebrating Easter at the palace when the incident happened. He made it known that they are after his life and can’t conduct his daily business freely over his involvement in seeking justice.

‘’We were celebrating Easter when the incident happened. We suddenly saw people with guns and we all ran from the palace. On the fateful day, Idowu passed by us on his way to the farm before we heard he was killed. They have been calling their family members and they have gone to the attorney general’s office to release them. I can’t work freely in the community because cultists have been all over me, I am begging the government to please help us.’’

Likewise, another victim of the suspects’ gruesome acts, Saula Lateef, an elderly man, narrated how he was beaten to a pulp by the miscreants who were confirmed to be Miyaki’s boys/

‘’I went to my site on Easter Day before deciding to go to the palace. On my way to the palace, I saw everywhere scattered and unfortunately for me, I walked into the midst of Miyaki’s boys who came to cause mayhem. I was held and beaten so much that till now, I am still unable to walk. It was a MOPO who was among them that asked them to leave me. It was few hours later that I was told that they killed Idowu Keshinro who was well known to us. Among those I saw was Mukaila, Hakeem Lawal, Jamiu Adeleja, Ahmed Tiamiyi, Ibrahim Ekemode, Walia Ojoge, Fowomeye, and others that are agents of Miyaki. We want to appeal to Governor Sanwoolu to ensure that justice is served because we are not safe here. They still have boys around and they are only waiting for those in prison to be released before they strike again.’’

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Update on Amen Estate Ownership: More of Babatunde Gbadamosi’s Lies Expose, all the dirty details

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Claims made by Lagos politician, Babatunde Gbadamosi over ownership of Amen Estate and it’s holding company has been debunked by inside sources.

An insider disclosed: “Mr. Babatunde Gbadamosi is a vocal but a deceptive social media activist and politician whose writings and posts often attack the establishment. It is rather contemptuous that a person who consistently calls for justice for his political party is full of lies and fakery.

“Mr. Gbadamosi’s inability to let go of Redbrick Homes demonstrates how unhinged he has become.”

“While Redbrick Homes’ lawyers have issued a press release disclaiming Mr. Gbadamosi and his claim of ownership over Amen Estate, Phases 1 and 2, and Ashlead Homes, it is crucial to inform the public that Gbadamosi has resigned as a director and left the company, since July 2021, said the source”

Letter from the lawyers

“As stated by Redbrick Homes in 2022, Gbadamosi was never an active director. He was a passive participant who left the company of his own free will.

“At the time, Gbadamosi was married to Sade Balogun, the true owner of Redbrick Homes and Amen Estate. He made his choices and followed them.

Gbadamosi’s Resignation letter

According to the insider, “when Gbadamosi left, he signed a document in which some of his demands for spousal settlement were met. He asked for four cars and some money in dollars. He was paid the 1st instalment and given some acres of land in Epe. However, after receiving the initial deposit, Gbadamosi almost immediately greedily breached the terms of the agreement.”

“Perhaps Gbadamosi, who fancies himself an important politician, has forgotten that there are documents bearing his signature and evidence of his settlement.” She noted.

According to our source: “Ms. Balogun, then, Mrs Gbadamosi may be the only woman in Nigeria who has paid such a large spousal settlement just to protect her children, company, and clients from potential embarrassment, knowing what a character like Mr. Gbadamosi is capable of.”

“It might surprise you to know that Gbadamosi even discredited the companies on their own websites. How can someone discredit something he claims to own? It got to the point where he responded to his daughter’s comment on Amen Estate’s Google page with a scathing tone, saying nasty things about the estate he now claims as his. What kind of father does that, and how more devious and delusional can a person get?”

The public must be reminded that Redbrick Homes International Limited, Amen City Ltd, and Ashlead Estates belong to Ms. Folasade Balogun.

Anyone can verify this at the Corporate Affairs Commission.

“Gbadamosi is a low-life impostor whose mischief and determination to bring down Redbrick Homes have become his life’s mission. However, he will not succeed because Redbrick Homes International Limited, Amen City Ltd, and Ashlead Estates are thriving and remain one of the leading and most credible property developers in Nigeria,” the insider source said.

Marriage certificate to new wife

Another company source questioned why Babatunde Gbadamosi “seems to have a dead conscience: This is a man who left his marriage only to impregnate and marry another woman. Did he really think he could destroy his marriage and also take possession of his wife’s properties? May God forgive him,” she said.

The source revealed that: “Gbadamosi was married to the said woman while still married to Sade. He cannot deny this because the marriage certificate is there for all to see. Infact, even me, I’ve seen the document. That man is very dubious , you know. He has the audacity to still be claiming Sade’s company assets as marital assets. Shouldn’t he be asking his current wife for upkeep or has she dumped him after discovering what a liar he is?” the source smirked.

Lawyers representing Redbrick Homes International Limited, Amen City Ltd, and Ashlead Estates, Babalakin & Co., have issued a press statement clarifying that Mr. Gbadamosi made false claims in every respect, as he had voluntarily relinquished his shareholding interests and resigned as a director in these companies since July 2021.

Babalakin & Co., representing Redbrick and Ms. Folasade Balogun, have refuted Mr. Babatunde Gbadamosi’s social media claim that Amen Estate and Amen Estate Phase 2 on Eleko Beach Road, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State, belong to him.

Sade Balogun: Chairman/CEO Redbrick Homes

Their statement reads:

“We are solicitors to Redbrick Homes International Limited (Redbrick), Amen City Ltd, Ashlead Estates Ltd (Ashlead), and Ms. Folasade Balogun (formerly Mrs. Folasade Gbadamosi). Our attention has been drawn to a social media post authored by Mr. Babatunde Gbadamosi.

“In his post, Mr. Gbadamosi claims that Amen Estate and Amen Estate Phase 2 of Eleko Beach Road, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State, are assets of Redbrick and Ashlead. He further states that these companies belong to him and Ms. Balogun. This information is entirely false, and we advise the public to ignore it.

“Mr. Babatunde Gbadamosi voluntarily relinquished his entire shareholding interest in Redbrick and Ashlead and resigned as a director of these companies as far back as July 2021 under a notarized legal instrument. He has no interest whatsoever in these companies or any of their assets, including Amen Estate, Amen Estate Phase 2, TIARA, Emerald Bay, Emerald Park, and Amen City.

“His resignation and shareholding relinquishment have been duly filed with the Corporate Affairs Commission and are available for public verification. None of these assets are listed as ‘marital assets’ in the ongoing litigation between Mr. Babatunde Gbadamosi and Ms. Sade Balogun.”

It is also worth recalling that on February 26, 2022, Redbrick Homes management published a notice in Punch to clarify to all investors and potential investors that Mr. Babatunde Olalere Gbadamosi is no longer associated with Redbrick Homes International Ltd or its real estate projects.

“For clarity, Mr. Gbadamosi, a full-time politician, was once a passive partner and shareholder, without any financial investment, and one of the directors of Redbrick Homes International Ltd. He has since voluntarily transferred all his shares and resigned from its board as of July 1, 2021.

“The board composition, shareholding structure, and share capital of Redbrick Homes International Ltd have completely changed. Ms. Folasade Balogun remains the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, a position she has held since the company’s inception. Under her leadership, Redbrick Homes International Ltd continues to deliver quality service to its customers without interruption.

These facts can easily be verified at the Corporate Affairs Commission,” the public notice concluded.

Meanwhile customer said “Babatunde Gbadamosi keeps nagging us non stop privately via WhatsApp chats. This is a ridiculous invasion of privacy. At first, it was trying to get us to buy some land he claimed to own at Sangotedo. And now it’s to keep making ludicrous allegations against his ex-wife who has moved on. Why can’t he leave us alone? Why can’t he also move on and leave us out of all these? I thought he remarried and just had a new baby!” An exasperated staff exclaimed!

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