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Like Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Like Nnamdi Kanu

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Eniola Olayemi

 

In the time of the pharaohs of Egypt, when African civilisation was at its apogee, dreams were considered an elemental means of communication from the divine. The story of Joseph and an Egyptian king in the Bible accents this.

In Igbo cosmology, dreams, “nlo”, are often not weighed with levity. They are studied through priestly oneirology and interpreted. And even in Pentecostalism dreams have a place.

Lately, I have been thinking pensively about the political future of the Igbo in Nigeria. And as it is, there appears to be no forecast of sunshine, but of dark clouds.

The late Emeka Ojukwu envisioned APGA to be a melting-pot for all Igbo interests and a political bargaining-asset for the south-east. But today, the party is sequestered to an insignificant corner in the region.

Since 2017, APGA has galloped from one scandal to another. The primary elections conducted by the party in 2018 soaked up lots of acrimony, accusations of fraud, extortion, intimidation, imposition and other dirt. And it keeps floundering.

Recently, the party endorsed the candidature of President Buhari. Inasmuch as I think the party is well within its rights do so, but I wonder, to what end? Is there a guarantee that there will be support for Igbo presidency in 2023? And is there a pledge to restructuring Nigeria, which the Igbo earnestly demand, by the endorsed candidate? Or is the endorsement a “personal arrangee”?

I would really like to know what informed the party’s decision, though I am not a member of the party or any political party. But Ojukwu came to me in my dream last night. He looked mournful, with tears like Kaduna railway tracks lining his face and soiling his heavy beard. And with a belaboured cadence, he uttered, “APGA!”

…I woke up….

I am not a dream interpreter. But I think the message is clear. Or could it be a function of my mind; worries?

In all, I would advise young and progressive Igbo sons and daughters to identify with a political party; a fledgling party, not the APC and the PDP, which have been tainted.

They should make the desired party their own and forge it into a strong force by reaching out to their siblings in the south-west, south-south, north, and middle-belt.

The elders have failed us. But we cannot fail ourselves. These elders fan the flames of ethnicity and religion when they want to extract political profit. But the real ethnicity of the political class is power and their true religion is money.

We cannot have a forecast of political sunshine, if we work in isolation of other stakeholders in this entity. The elders know this, but they only enter into negotiations for themselves, their families and side chicks.

We cannot fail ourselves.

Fredrick is a media personality.

 

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EFCC Arrests 17 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Kwara

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EFCC Arrests 17 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Kwara

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

Operatives of the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC have arrested 17 suspected internet fraudsters in coordinated sting operations in Ilorin and Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state.

They were rounded up at Asa Dam, Al-Hikmah University area and Gaa-Odota areas of Ilorin and in Ganmo and Amoyo areas of Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state.

The arrests which took place on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 followed actionable intelligence that linked the suspects to fraudulent internet activities in the state.

Items recovered from them upon arrest include three luxury vehicles, high-end mobile phones and laptop computers.

The latest arrests came on the heels of that of last week that involved 47 suspects, picked up in Ilorin and Ifelodun LGA on the basis of intelligence that exposed their fraudulent internet activities.

The suspects will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations.

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EFCC Nabs 47 Suspected Internet Fraudsters Across Kwara

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EFCC Nabs 47 Suspected Internet Fraudsters Across Kwara

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ilorin Zonal Directorate on Thursday, May 8, 2025 arrested 47 suspected internet fraudsters during coordinated sting operations at different locations across Kwara State.

The arrests were carried out following actionable intelligence gathered on the suspects’ alleged involvement in various forms of cybercrime. The suspects were apprehended at strategic locations, including Awolowo Road, Tanke, and Harmony Estate in Ilorin, as well as Ganmo and Amoyo in the Ifelodun Local Government Area of the State.

Upon arrest, a cache of items believed to be proceeds of cybercrime were recovered from the suspects. These include 10 luxury vehicles, 74 assorted mobile phones, 18 laptops, and a motorcycle.

The suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of ongoing investigations.

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FIVE KIDNAPPERS FATALLY INJURED IN POLICE OPERATION ON LAGOS-IBADAN EXPRESSWAY

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…As Commissioner of Police reiterates commitment to ensure safety of lives and property

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED: H&H

On January 25, 2025, at about 1900hrs, the Area Commander, Sagamu received a distress call from commuters travelling along Sagamu-Ijebu Ode Expressway of an ongoing armed robbery near Ilishan, Ogun State. Acting swiftly, the Area Commander mobilized a crack team of officers to the scene.

Upon arrival, officers discovered that a group of unidentified gunmen had set up a roadblock using an articulated truck, indiscriminately opening fire on unarmed passengers, causing widespread panic. In the ensuing chaos, three commuters – Bolaji Bilesanmi ‘m’, 65yrs Olasunkanmi Idowu ‘m’ 50yrs, and Mohammed Salisu ‘m’ (age unknown) were abducted into the forest from two vehicles (1) Honda Pilot (Registration No. Lagos EKY113GZ) and (2) Honda Accord Car (Registration No. Lagos KJA13QFA).

SWIFT POLICE INTERVENTION

The Commissioner of Police, CP. Lanre Ogunlowo, PhD. directed a covert operation led by the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit. On January 29, 2025, at about 0400hrs, operatives located the kidnappers’ hideout, and upon sighting the police squad, the gang engaged the officers in a fierce gun battle. In the exchange, five (5) kidnappers were fatally injured while others escaped with gunshot wounds.

RECOVERED ITEMS

The following items were recovered from the scene:
• One AK-47 rifle
• Ten rounds of 5.6mm calibre ammunition
• ₦5.2 million (suspected to be proceeds of crime)
• Three mobile phones

The three (3) kidnapped victims regained their freedom unhurt. Efforts are ongoing to arrest injured members of the syndicate. The Commissioner of Police strongly warns against criminal activities, particularly among young individuals seeking financial gain through high-profile crimes.

He reiterates the Command’s unwavering commitment to an aggressive crackdown on criminals preying on innocent citizens in Ogun state.

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