Category: PM News

The Mining Marshals of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) are to intensify operations to dismantle illegal mining cartels and disrupt illicit financial flows sustaining banditry, kidnapping and terrorism.

The Commander, Mining Marshals, Mr John Onoja, made this known in Abuja on Thursday when members of the Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DECAN), led by its President, Mr Odita Sunday, paid him a courtesy visit.

Onoja said the Mining Marshals remain uncompromising in enforcing mining laws and restoring sanity to a sector whose activities had increasingly assumed security dimensions.

He said illegal mining was not only an economic and environmental threat but could also provide funding for criminal and terrorist groups.

‘It is not necessarily about picking up weapons and fighting bandits or kidnappers. We must ask: how do the people in those forests feed? How do they get money?’ he said.

The commander said disrupting illicit financial flows to criminal groups would weaken their operational capacity and make banditry and terrorism less attractive.

‘We want to make criminality less lucrative. You can only make it less lucrative if the illicit flow of finances to terrorist groups is disrupted,’ Onoja said.

He said the Mining Marshals had adopted intelligence-led operations involving identification, arrest, investigation and prosecution of offenders to ensure perpetrators faced justice.

Onoja said the operation would maintain its presence across mining communities as part of its deterrence strategy, despite manpower and logistics challenges.

He urged the media, particularly defence correspondents, to support the campaign through accurate, responsible and sustained reporting on illegal mining and its security implications.

‘I do not take your role for granted. The sanitised mining sector of our dream will be achieved through collaboration, and the major stakeholder in that collaboration is the media,’ he said.

The commander also urged journalists to assess the performance of the Mining Marshals against available logistics, saying inadequate resources remained a major constraint.

He identified alleged collusion between compromised officials and illegal miners as another major challenge undermining efforts to sanitise the sector.

‘The major bottleneck we face today is not necessarily the number of illegal miners out there, but the number of compromised officials of institutions and agencies that are supposed to be partners in the fight against illegal mining,’ he said.

Onoja alleged that some compromised officials had resorted to blackmail and petitions against the Mining Marshals to frustrate their operations.

‘That is corruption fighting back,’ he said, stressing that the campaign against illegal mining must be genuine, deliberate and enforced without bias.

Earlier, Odita said DECAN recognised the critical security and economic implications of illegal mining and commended the Federal Government and NSCDC for establishing the Mining Marshals.

He said illegal mining threatened the environment, national revenue and increasingly national security, making stronger collaboration among security agencies, the media and other stakeholders imperative.

Odita assured the Mining Marshals that DECAN would give appropriate attention to their activities while ensuring that reports did not compromise operational security or personnel safety.

He called for stronger professional engagement between DECAN and the Mining Marshals through regular briefings, field visits and other activities to improve mutual understanding.

The DECAN president said timely access to verified information was critical to countering misinformation and helping Nigerians understand the dangers posed by illegal mining.

He stressed that the fight against illegal mining was a collective responsibility involving security agencies, government institutions, the media, traditional authorities, mining communities and other stakeholders.

Factional National Chairman of Accord, Prof. Chris Imumolen has said the crisis over the national leadership of the party will not be determined by the outcome of the Osun election, political pressure, media propaganda or unilateral declarations.

Imumolen ????????stated this at a news conference on Friday in Abuja while vowing that the ongoing internal leadership dispute over the leadership of the party will be pursued to its logical and lawful conclusion in court.

He therefore cautioned politicians and interested parties against conflicting the party’s internal leadership with the outcome of Osun governorship election.

‘We should allow the courts to do their work. Nobody should attempt to settle the national leadership question through the outcome of the Osun election, political pressure, media propaganda or unilateral declarations.

‘Our commitment to Accord remains intact. Our commitment to the rule of law remains absolute.

‘We shall continue to pursue the judicial process until the legitimate leadership question is finally settled,’ he said.

According to him, the dispute predates the Osun governorship election and the entry of Gov. Ademola Adeleke into the party, noting that the matter has been subject to judicial proceedings since 2024.

He recalled that on Aug. 29, 2024, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, presided over by Justice M. M. Adamu, had issued an interim order in the suit involving himself against Maxwell Mgbudem and others.

Imumolen said that the court had directed Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise him as the National Chairman pending the determination of the substantive suit.

He further stated that before Adeleke’s entry into the party, efforts were made to engage him and find a political and internal resolution to the leadership crisis, adding, however, that the efforts did not produce the desired result.

He said that he was contacted by the former Gov. Olagunsoye Oyinlola of Osun when Adeleke was preparing to join the party, but no meaningful communication was established to settle the crisis after the governor’s entry.

‘I have consistently maintained, the proper place to determine who is legally entitled to lead Accord is the court, not the street, not political propaganda and not an election campaign.

‘Let me therefore make this absolutely clear, that Osun election is an election. The Accord leadership dispute is a national party and legal matter. They are two different issues.

‘The Osun election has come and gone. The national leadership question within Accord remains a matter to be determined through the appropriate legal process.

‘Even with the conclusion of the Osun election, the Accord leadership case will continue.

‘It is therefore wrong for anyone to suggest that the outcome of the Osun election will automatically determine who leads Accord nationally.

‘Accord is a national political party. Its national leadership cannot be reduced to the political circumstances or outcome of an election in one state,’ he said.

On the 2027 presidential race, Imumolen reiterated that Accord currently has no presidential candidate, having decided to step down from the race.

He affirmed that the party maintained its political decision to support the re-election of President Bola Tinubu, stressing that declaring support for the administration did not contradict the ongoing legal suit over the party’s leadership structure.

‘Accordingly, we shall continue to openly declare our support for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu and continue to mobilise support for his national mandate.

‘There is absolutely no contradiction between supporting President Tinubu and pursuing the Accord leadership case in court. Our presidential position is a political decision.

‘The Accord leadership dispute is a legal and internal party matter. One does not cancel the other,’ he said.

Imumolen urged party members, supporters and stakeholders across the country to remain calm, law-abiding and allow the judicial process to run its course.

Troops of the 8 Division Garrison of the Nigerian Army on Thursday foiled an attempt by Lakurawa terrorist group to attack Bachaka boarder community in Gudu Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

A credible military source made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Sokoto.

The source said troops of the Forward Operations Based (FOB) Bachaka chased away a gang of terrorists and recovered livestock.

The source said that the terrorist group attempted to kidnap residents and rustle animals.

‘The gallant troops of FOB engaged the bandits in a fierce exchange of fire, which forced them to retreat in disarray and abandoned the rustled livestock.

‘The quick response of the troops and continued vigilance saved the lives and property of villagers,’ the source said.

The source said the terrorists had been pushed back to the Makera village along the boarder Nigeria with Niger Republic.

The source said the recovered were handed over to a community leader, Alhaji Aminu Bachaka for further action.

The source appreciated the cooperation of residents for sharing prompt information and urged them to sustain the effort.

‘Proactive measures have been put in place to protect lives and property.

‘The swift response, professionalism, and courage displayed by military personnel averted what could have been a tragic incident,’ the source said.

The source appealed for continued support from residents, while stressing the need for more vigilance in farming communities.

Gov. Hyacinth Alia has sworn in seven newly appointed commissioners into the Benue State Executive Council, charging them to prioritise public interest and deliver tangible results.

Performing the ceremony on Friday in Makurdi, Alia also inaugurated members of the Benue State Television (BTV) Board and a member of the Benue State House of Assembly Commission.

The new commissioners are Chief Solomon Iorpev, Mr Nicholas Eworo, Mr Kuma Yenge, Mr Roy Ashirga, Mr Angwa Egbe, Mrs Elizabeth Ogenyi, and Mr Amo Ankwa.

Alia charged the commissioners to regard their positions as responsibilities to the people, rather than opportunities to serve themselves, friends or special interest groups.

According to him, his administration is founded on renewed hope, responsible governance, development and service to the people.

‘Your ministries may differ in mandate, but our destination is one. Your work must ultimately contribute to the same objective: a strong, more prosperous, peaceful and sustainable Benue State,’ he said.

The governor further urged the commissioners to work as members of one administration, stressing that the challenges confronting the people were interconnected and required coordinated responses.

Alia also advised them to remain focused amid difficult decisions, competing demands, limited resources, criticism and pressure.

The governor assured the commissioners of his administration’s support and institutional backing but said the support came with the expectation that they would give their best to Benue people.

He urged them to remain accessible, visit communities, engage stakeholders and understand realities on the ground instead of relying solely on official reports.

Alia further challenged them to deploy technology, data, creativity and modern management approaches to improve public service delivery.

‘Our people deserve results. Give us results. At the end of your tenure, what will matter is not the number of meetings you attended or the length of your speeches but the difference your ministry made in the lives of ordinary Benue people,’ he said.

The governor reminded the commissioners that public office was temporary, while legacies created through service could endure for generations.

He urged them to be ‘ministers of service, not merely holders of office’ and conduct themselves in ways that would make their families, communities and the state proud.

Responding on behalf of the commissioners, Eworo thanked Alia for finding them worthy of the appointments.

He assured the governor that they understood the responsibility placed on them and would work to meet the administration’s expectations.

Eworo acknowledged that public office came with criticism and pressure but pledged that the commissioners would remain focused and work with the governor to achieve his vision.

‘We assure you that we will not disappoint you. We take this burden with you and, at the end of the day, by the grace of God, the Benue citizens will be happy with us,’ he said.

He pledged the commitment of the commissioners to work together and contribute to the development of Benue.

The Citizens Forum for Energy Accountability and Development (CFEAD) has commended the leadership of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) for what it described as ‘remarkable progress’ in restoring confidence, increasing production and attracting fresh investment into Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

The group said the recent achievements announced by NNPC Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari, and NUPRC Commission Chief Executive, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, demonstrated that sustained institutional reforms and stronger operational discipline could reposition the petroleum industry as a major driver of economic growth.

In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by its Executive Director, Patriot Unazi Gideon, CFEAD said the reported $20 billion worth of gas sale and purchase agreements secured by NNPC in the past year represented a significant vote of confidence in Nigeria’s energy market.

‘The signing of gas sale and purchase agreements worth more than $20 billion is not simply a commercial achievement for NNPC. It is a strong signal to the international investment community that Nigeria remains open for business and is capable of providing the policy direction, resources and commercial opportunities required for long-term energy investments,’ Gideon said.

Ojulari had disclosed that the agreements covered 1.29 billion standard cubic feet per day of long-term LNG feed gas and 750 million standard cubic feet per day of domestic industrial gas supply to DFL FZE and Dangote Refinery, with seven additional commercial transactions in the pipeline.

The group also praised NNPC for reducing operating costs by $3.4 billion through contract restructuring and optimisation, while recording a six percent increase in crude oil production and an 8.1 percent increase in gas production.

CFEAD said the reported increase in crude production to about 1.71 million barrels per day, the highest level in five years, was particularly significant given the challenges that have historically constrained Nigeria’s petroleum output.

‘The increase in crude production to about 1.71 million barrels per day should matter to every Nigerian because production is directly connected to national revenue and economic stability. When the industry produces more efficiently, the country has greater capacity to earn revenue, fund public services, support infrastructure and create opportunities for businesses and workers,’ Gideon declared.

The group also highlighted the record production of 365,000 barrels per day by NNPC Exploration and Production Limited and the reported 98 percent average recovery across NNPC’s five crude oil export terminals between April 2025 and May 2026.

According to CFEAD, such improvements were evidence that operational efficiency could recover value previously lost through production disruptions, infrastructure challenges and inefficient processes.

It said the performance of the NUPRC was equally deserving of recognition, particularly its role in implementing policies designed to unlock investments in deep offshore oil and gas projects.

The group welcomed the Deep Offshore Oil and Gas Project Incentives (Tax Remission) Executive Order 2026, which the NUPRC said could unlock about $50 billion in investments and increase crude oil and condensate production by an additional one million barrels per day over the coming years.

‘The deep offshore incentive is potentially transformative because it addresses one of the biggest problems facing the petroleum industry: the enormous capital requirement and long investment cycle associated with offshore developments. If properly implemented, the policy can unlock projects that have remained on the drawing board, attract billions of dollars in capital and create thousands of direct and indirect jobs,’ the statement said.

CFEAD said the projected additional production should also be viewed within the broader context of Nigeria’s economic needs, arguing that increased output must ultimately translate into tangible improvements in citizens’ lives.

‘The real test of every petroleum reform is not how impressive the figures look at a conference. The real test is whether the benefits eventually reach the ordinary Nigerian. More production should mean stronger government revenue, more jobs, greater energy security, increased industrial activity and a more stable economy. Nigerians must be able to feel the impact of these reforms beyond the oil industry,’ the statement reads.

The group specifically identified the $10 billion Bonga South project, expected to commence production in 2027, as an example of the scale of investment that could emerge from a more predictable regulatory environment.

It said the wider benefits of deep offshore developments could extend beyond crude production to the marine economy, logistics, engineering, technology transfer and skills development.

‘Projects such as Bonga South are important not only because of the barrels they will produce but because of the ecosystem they can create around them. Nigeria needs a petroleum industry that builds Nigerian expertise, strengthens local businesses, develops technology and creates sustainable employment rather than one that simply extracts crude and exports value,’ Gideon said.

CFEAD urged NNPC and NUPRC to sustain the reform momentum while ensuring that transparency, accountability and institutional independence remain central to their operations.

The group also called on oil-producing communities, operators, investors, security agencies and other stakeholders to support efforts to increase production and attract investment.

‘Nigeria cannot afford another cycle of reform followed by policy reversal. The progress currently being recorded must be protected from political interference, institutional rivalry and unnecessary bureaucracy. What the country needs now is consistency, transparency and collective support for reforms that are delivering measurable results,’ he stressed.

The group said the achievements recorded by NNPC and NUPRC should encourage the Federal Government to deepen reforms across the petroleum value chain and maintain an investment-friendly environment.

It also urged the two institutions to communicate their achievements more effectively to citizens, arguing that public understanding and confidence were essential to sustaining support for the reforms.

‘Nigerians have heard promises about the oil sector for decades. What makes the current moment different is the emergence of measurable indicators of recovery in production, investment and operational efficiency. We commend the leadership of NNPC and NUPRC, but we also expect them to remain accountable to the Nigerian people and ensure that the gains being recorded become a foundation for broader prosperity,’ the group emphasised.

International Republican Institute (IRI) has commended Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the peaceful conduct of the Aug. 15 governorship election in Osun, even as it called for ballot secrecy to curb vote trading.

IRI ????????President, Daniel Twinning, gave the commendation at a news conference on Friday in Abuja, while reading the institute’s statement of findings and recommendations of its Election Assessment Mission to Nigeria.

The statement was jointly read by Twinning, National Endowment for Democracy Board Member and former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Amb. Jendayi Frazer and IRI Regional Director for Africa, Jenai Cox.

The institute commended INEC for successfully distributing revised electoral materials ahead of the election.

It noted that the commission had undertaken a major reprinting exercise, following a court decision that added Social Democratic Party (SDP) to the ballot.

The institute said the ability of the commission to produce and distribute the revised materials on time was commendable.

IRI, however, identified challenges relating to BVAS technology, vote buying, security and misinformation during the election.

It stated that significant vote buying was noted during the exercise, attributing it the highly competitive nature of the election.

‘Vote buying is a much worse problem in Nigeria than it is in many other developing countries. And one recommendation that would be very simple but would make a real difference is ballot secrecy.

‘When you observe elections here, you can see how people vote and they can flash their completed ballot to show that they voted the way perhaps they were paid to vote.

‘In part, this is related to polling station set-up, right? Your ballot should be secret and you should be able to cast a vote in an environment in which that ballot remains secret.

‘In many countries, there is vote buying. There is attempted vote buying and people accept the money, but because they have ballot secrecy, they then still vote for whoever they want,’ it said.

The institute, therefore, advocated for stronger ballot secrecy, saying voters should be able to cast their ballots privately without proving to sponsors how they voted.

It also described polling stations visited as generally orderly, noting significant improvements compared with elections previously it had been observing since 1999.

However, the institute identified reliability of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) as an area requiring urgent attention.

Speaking on the BVAS, IRI Regional Director for Africa, Jenai Cox, called for the update of the technology.

‘The technology being used in the BVAS, I think, needs to be updated. We continue to see the BVAS tablets not always being able to perform.

‘They go down for a while, maybe several hours, maybe a short incident. But I think there’s still a concern there of how reliable the BVAS technology can be,’ Cox said.

She recommended stress-testing the technology and ensuring that its software and other components were regularly updated.

The institute also called for improved communication by INEC, particularly when technical challenges or disruptions occurred during elections.

It particularly expressed concern over disinformation, propaganda and AI-generated content, warning that false narratives could inflame tensions, suppress participation and undermine confidence.

The institute urged political parties and candidates to refrain from producing or amplifying manipulated electoral materials and AI-generated impersonations.

It also called on INEC to strengthen timely and authoritative communication to identify and counter false narratives before they spread widely.

IRI said political rhetoric witnessed during the Osun election created fear among some voters, with several citizens expressing concerns about their safety.

It urged electoral authorities, government agencies and political parties to reject rhetoric capable of inflaming tensions or discouraging citizens from voting.

The institute further recommended stronger security coordination during the 2027 general elections, based on threat assessments from government and civil society organisations.

Speaking on security, Jendayi Frazer said security personnel should be pre-deployed to areas identified as high-risk, while their welfare and logistical needs should be adequately addressed.

Frazer, who stated that electoral violence and loss of lives were unacceptable, urged stakeholders to work collectively toward peaceful, credible and inclusive elections.

IRI, a non-profit organisation founded in 1983, works globally to advance freedom, bolster democratic governance, support open elections and encourage civic and political participation.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has defended Atiku Abubakar’s decision to stay away from the National Peace Accord, insisting that merely signing agreements ahead of elections is no longer enough to guarantee peaceful polls.

The party said its decision was a deliberate message to the National Peace Committee that political leaders must move beyond ceremonial commitments and address the issues fueling electoral violence.

ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, stated this on Friday during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, arguing that previous peace accords had failed to prevent violence during elections.

According to him, politicians have repeatedly signed similar agreements before election cycles, yet cases of intimidation, harassment and violence have continued.

‘We’ve been signing this thing year in, year out, every election cycle; we sign in support of this commitment. Things still happen; people still get killed, harassed,’ Abdullahi said.

He specifically questioned the response of the Peace Committee to alleged incidents during the Osun governorship election, arguing that the body must do more than bring political actors together for agreement signing.

The ADC spokesman said the party’s position was not a rejection of peace but a demand for stronger accountability from those who violate electoral commitments.

‘It’s our way of saying no,’ he said, adding that political actors must be held responsible for statements and actions capable of encouraging violence.

The National Peace Accord was signed on Tuesday by several presidential candidates and political stakeholders ahead of the 2027 elections.

While candidates including Peter Obi attended the ceremony, President Bola Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar were not physically present. Tinubu was represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.

The accord is designed to promote peaceful campaigns and issue-based politics ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Mr Bola Oyebamiji, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the Aug. 15 Osun poll has said the party is still examining the results of the election.

He added that the party would announce its position on the results of the election as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, after completing its assessment.

Oyebamiji came second in the election won by the incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke who contested on the platform of Accord for his second term

Speaking after meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Friday, Oyebamiji said the APC was still examining the results and would announce its position after completing its assessment of the election.

‘For now, the APC is still examining the polls, and by the time we study our sheets, we’ll be able to get back to the public about the decision we want to take,’ he said.

The APC governorship candidate however appealed to his supporters to be peaceful.

He said Tinubu also emphasised the importance of conducting elections peacefully, stressing that government was ultimately about the welfare of the people.

He added that ‘President Tinubu said it is important to run every election with a peaceful mind. It’s important for us to know that government is about people.

‘And because it’s about people, it’s important that we need to be peaceful. I want to appeal to our people in Osun that they need to be peaceful.’

‘But the take-home is that they should be calm. They should remain peaceful while the party completes its review.’

Oyebamiji also appealed to Gov. Ademola Adeleke to prevail on his supporters to avoid actions capable of triggering violence across the state.

‘I want to advise the governor, too, to talk to his people. Violence is against our people. It’s not too good, and he needs to address them.

‘He needs to talk to them so that each and every one of us can be on the same page and ensure peace across Osun,’ he said.

The APC candidate alleged that some of his supporters were attacked after the election, saying that the incidents had been reported to security authorities.

‘Even in my own village, Ikire, some people were attacked. About four or five people were attacked, and they have informed the security agencies accordingly,’ he said.

Oyebamiji also met with the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima at the presidential villa.

Oyebamiji’s visit came a day after Adeleke also visited Tinubu at the Presidential Villa to thank him for ensuring what he described as free and fair election.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Maryam Ibrahim Dan’ Azumi for emerging as the winner in the women’s category at the 46th King Abdulaziz International Qur’anic Competition in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Maryam from Gombe State beats competitors from 132 other countries, earning a 300,000 Saudi Riyal prize, the equivalent of N120 million,

In a statement by his special adviser on media and strategy, Bayo Onanuga on Friday, President Tinubu commended Maryam for her exceptional performance and mastery of the Holy Qur’an at the prestigious international competition held in the holy city of Makkah. She

According to the President, Maryam’s accomplishment is not only a personal triumph but also a source of national pride, as she has placed Nigeria prominently on the global stage through her mastery of the Holy Qur’an.

The President also described Maryam and her elder sister, Hajara Ibrahim Dan Azumi, who came first in a similar competition in Jordan in 2024, as inspiration to young Nigerians.

President Tinubu particularly commended their parents, teachers, mentors and all those who contributed to their development and success, recognising the sacrifices and commitment required to attain such an exceptional level of Qur’anic scholarship.

He also appreciated the organisers and authorities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for providing a distinguished international platform that promotes excellence in Qur’anic memorisation, recitation, understanding and scholarship.

He further reaffirms his administration’s commitment to supporting initiatives that nurture the intellectual, moral and spiritual development of young Nigerians and provide them with opportunities to excel nationally and internationally.

‘Maryam Ibrahim Dan Azumi’s victory in the highly competitive category covering memorisation of the entire Holy Qur’an, recitation, Tajweed and interpretation of all 60 Hizb with Tafsir is a remarkable achievement that has brought immense honour to Nigeria and further demonstrated the excellence, discipline, dedication and intellectual capacity of Nigerian youths.

‘She has made Nigeria proud. Her achievement in Makkah is a powerful testimony to what our young people can accomplish when talent is matched with discipline, faith, hard work and dedicated mentorship.

‘On behalf of the Government and people of Nigeria, I congratulate Maryam on this remarkable victory. May Almighty Allah continue to guide, protect and increase her in knowledge and wisdom, and may her achievement inspire many more young Nigerians to pursue excellence.’

‘The President wishes Maryam continued success as she advances in her Qur’anic scholarship and in all her future endeavours,’ the statement concluded.

Two officers of Ondo State Security Network Agency, Amotekun Corps have been killed in the line of duty following an ambush by gunmen in Akure, the State capital.

The two operatives were killed on Aug.11 in a sudden gun attack when they were coming out of their base along Ago-oyinbo farming area, around Ala Daadaa, of Akure North Local Government Area of the state, Jimoh Adeniken, the spokesperson of Amotekun Corps in Ondo State said in a statement issued on Friday

‘The officers came under sudden attack by assailants, who engaged them in a fierce exchange of gunfire.

‘Despite the bravery and resistance put up by the officers, one sustained serious injury and two unfortunately lost their lives,’ Adeniken said.

He added that following the incident, reinforcements were immediately deployed to the area by the command to track down the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

According to the statement, the corps had intensified security operations, patrols and intelligence gathering within the affected area to prevent further attacks and reassure residents of the safety of their lives and property.

Adeniken explained that Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa , the corps commander and the management, commiserated with the families, colleagues and loved ones of the fallen officers.

‘We salute their courage, sacrifice and commitment to the protection of the people of the state.

‘The corps urges members of the public to remain calm and vigilant, and to provide security agencies with credible information that may assist in identifying and apprehending the perpetrators,’ he said.

According to the PRO, the Ondo State Security Network Agency, Amotekun Corps, remains resolute and will not be deterred by the unfortunate incident.

‘The corps, in conjunction with other security agencies, will continue to protect lives and property and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.

‘The families of the fallen heroe appreciate the Ondo State Government, the corps commander and the management of Amotekun for the befitting burial given to their late family members.

‘They also urged the government to remember them in the future recruitment into the corps. and other benefits due to the family members. We remain resolute in tracking down perpetrators of the bastardly act,’ he said.