Akeredolu’s Widow Rejects Ondo State Memorial Lecture, Alleges Exclusion

Betty Akeredolu, the widow of late former Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, has publicly rejected a memorial lecture planned in his honor by the state government, alleging that her family was excluded from the planning process.

The lecture, part of activities marking the first anniversary of Akeredolu’s death on December 27, 2023, is scheduled to take place on Friday in Akure. Renowned lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) is set to deliver the keynote address, while Bashorun Seinde Arogbofa will chair the event, known as the Akeredolu Leadership Lecture Series.

Taking to her X (formerly Twitter) account on Wednesday, Betty Akeredolu expressed her disapproval, describing the event as a propaganda-driven effort.

“Which legacy? Lecture, my foot! This is not for Aketi because my family and I are not aware. Damn it! As the saying goes: You and your co-travellers cannot shave Aketi’s head in his absence. You cannot weep more than the bereaved,” she wrote in a fiery post titled, “Re: Purported Aketi Lecture by Ondo Lucky Can’t Be Serious!”

Betty further accused the state government of attempting to exploit her late husband’s legacy for financial gain. “Anybody close to Aketi and Arabinrin becomes your enemy… Now you want to pretend by organising one yeye lecture for Aketi’s memorial as an entry point to chop money on Aketi’s head. You are on your own o!” she alleged, labeling the planned event a “#Yahoo #419 lecture.”

In response, the Chief Press Secretary to the Ondo State Governor, Ebenezer Adeniyan, refuted claims of discord between the government and the Akeredolu family. He stated that the family had been invited to the event and highlighted the state’s role in honoring Akeredolu after his passing.

“Akeredolu was not just a family man. He was the governor of Ondo State. He died while serving the state. He was given a state burial, and the state governor attended all the burial activities in Akure, Owo, and Ibadan,” Adeniyan said.

He further emphasized the purpose of the memorial lecture. “The state government is organising this lecture to mark the first anniversary of his passing, and an invitation has been extended to the family for representation. There is no dispute between the government and the family, and we are aware that there will be other events lined up to mark that anniversary,” he added.

The controversy highlights tensions over how the legacy of the late governor, fondly referred to as “Aketi,” is being handled, even as plans for the commemorative event proceed.

Christmas Tragedy: Nigerian Air Force Airstrike Kills Civilians in Sokoto State

An airstrike by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) intended to target Lakurawa terrorists in Sokoto State tragically hit two communities in Silame Local Government Area on Christmas morning, leaving several residents dead and many others injured.

The incident occurred around 7 a.m. in Gidan Sama and Rumtuwa, villages near the Surame Forest—a known hideout for the Lakurawa sect and bandits. Eyewitnesses reported that at least 10 villagers lost their lives, while numerous others sustained injuries, disrupting the holiday celebrations.

Malam Yahya, a resident of Silame, described the chaos caused by the attack. “The bombs fell suddenly while people were sitting peacefully. Many were killed or wounded in the strike meant for the terrorists,” he said.

Local government officials have expressed deep concern. The Chairman of Silame Local Government Area, Abubakar Daftarana, confirmed the incident, calling it devastating. “It is heartbreaking. These were innocent, peace-loving people with no ties to crime,” he said, adding that efforts are ongoing to determine the exact number of casualties.

While the Sokoto State Police Command declined to comment, the Nigerian Air Force pledged to investigate the civilian casualties. NAF spokesperson, Air Vice Marshal Olusola Akinboyewa, explained that the operation was based on credible intelligence and surveillance.

“We are committed to a thorough investigation into reports of civilian casualties and will provide updates once the facts are established,” Akinboyewa said.

Meanwhile, a separate attack in Borno State saw terrorists deploy armed drones against a military base, leaving five soldiers injured.

The Joint Task Force North West Operation Fansan Yamma defended its operations, emphasizing the rigorous intelligence process that underpins airstrikes. In a statement, Lieutenant Colonel Abubakar Abdullah said, “The targets struck near Gidan Sama and Rumtuwa were confirmed as connected to the Lakurawa group. While civilian harm is deeply regrettable, operations are meticulously planned to avoid such outcomes.”

He urged the public to be cautious of misinformation, warning that terrorist groups might exploit incidents like this to undermine military efforts.

As investigations continue, calls for enhanced precision in counterterrorism operations grow louder, especially in areas where civilian populations are at risk.

INTERPOL Declares 14 Nigerians Wanted for Global Crimes: Human Trafficking, Drug Smuggling, Robbery, and More”

In a shocking international development, the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) has issued Red Notices for 14 Nigerians linked to serious crimes across multiple countries. The wanted individuals face charges ranging from human trafficking to drug smuggling and organized crime, with their alleged actions sending ripples across the global criminal justice community.

INTERPOL’s website revealed the names of 14 Nigerians sought by law enforcement agencies from countries around the world. The charges include disturbing crimes such as the exploitation of minors for prostitution, drug trafficking, robbery, sexual assault, and even criminal conspiracy.

Among the most prominent figures is Felix Omoregie, who stands accused of leading a criminal network in Belgium that exploited minors for prostitution. The Belgian authorities have issued an arrest warrant for Omoregie on charges of human trafficking, sexual exploitation, and organized crime. His age is listed as 47 years old, and he remains a key target for international law enforcement.

Jessica Edosomwan, another wanted individual, is under investigation by French authorities for her involvement in human trafficking. According to the INTERPOL notice, Edosomwan is implicated in trafficking multiple victims for sexual exploitation and laundering the proceeds of her crimes through organized gangs.

Other Nigerians are implicated in a wide range of illicit activities across the globe. Uche Egbue and Jude Uzoma are wanted by Argentina and Brazil, respectively, for their alleged roles in large-scale drug trafficking operations. Chinedu Ezeunara faces similar charges in Uruguay, while Benedict Okoro is being sought by Nicaragua for involvement in organized crime.

In Angola, Ikechukwu Obidiozor, Alachi Stanley, and Akachi Vitus are wanted for a chilling series of crimes, including kidnapping, robbery, and the illegal possession of firearms. Meanwhile, Bouhari Salif is wanted by China for drug smuggling, and Timloh Nkem is being sought by Canada for sexual assault and failure to comply with legal requirements.

As the web of international crime continues to unfold, Austine Costa and Okromi Festus are under investigation by Indian authorities for serious charges, including criminal conspiracy, forgery, and cheating.

These startling revelations have sent shockwaves throughout the global law enforcement community, with INTERPOL urging the public to remain vigilant. While the Red Notices serve as a warning to those who may have information on the whereabouts of these criminals, questions have been raised about the level of coordination required to apprehend such dangerous individuals.

Could this be the tip of the iceberg for a larger network of international crime syndicates operating with impunity across borders? As law enforcement agencies work tirelessly to track down these fugitives, one thing is clear: the fight against global crime is far from over.

INTERPOL emphasized that the Red Notices are not international arrest warrants, but rather calls to law enforcement agencies worldwide to assist in the identification, arrest, and extradition of these criminals. Public cooperation is now more critical than ever. Anyone with information is urged to contact local authorities and help bring these criminals to justice.