Connect with us

Featured

Reactions Trail Murder of Fasoranti’s Daughter by Suspected Herdsmen

Published

on

Gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen on Friday killed Mrs Funke Olakunrin, daughter of the National leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, Chief Reuben Fasoranti.

According to a source, Olakunrin was killed along the Ore-Shagamu Expressway at Kajola Village in Odigbo Local Government Area of the state during an armed  robbery.

The source said the deceased  was on her way to Ondo town for a ceremony when the incident happened.

He said, “The hoodlums started shooting as they stopped some vehicles on the highway  to rob and kidnap the travellers. During the process the woman was hit by a bullet while those  who escaped sustained injuries.”

Spokesman for the police in the state, Femi Joseph, confirmed the incident, saying it was a robbery. He said three vehicles belonging to “Young Shall Grow Motors Limited, a Toyota Land Cruiser Jeep with Registration Number LAGOS AAA 147 FM and a Toyota Camry “ were involved in the incident.

He added that the deceased was in a Toyota Land Cruiser Jeep when she was shot while one traveller identified as Gerald Igbuoyikha was kidnapped by the gunmen.

He said, “Three vehicles were ambushed by gunmen at Kajola on  the Benin-Ore Expressway around 2pm.

“One woman named Funmi Olakunrin was shot but died before our men could take her to the hospital. The woman (deceased) was travelling in a Toyota Jeep.

“One man in another Toyota Camry Car was abducted by the gunmen. Our men have rescued seven men travelling in the  commercial bus belonging to Young Shall Grow Motors Limited.

“We have begun search for the man that was abducted and to get the hoodlums.”

When our correspondent visited the residence of Chief Fasoranti, the atmosphere was mournful and all efforts to reach the Afenifere leader was unsuccessful as the security man at that gate said visitors were not allowed.

Spokesman for Afenifere, Yinka Odumakin, said  they had been informed about Fasoranti’s daughter’s killing.

According to him, the 58-year-old woman was going to Ore Junction from Akure when she was shot by the gunmen.

He said, “We have confirmed the death of Mrs Funke Olakunrin, (daughter of our leader, Chief Fasoranti).

“Eyewitness accounts say she died of gunshots from Fulani herdsmen who shot her at Ore junction in Ondo State earlier today.

“She was coming from Akure when the armed Fulani herdsmen came from the bush to attack her and other vehicles.

“Her domestic staff in the car with her also sustained gunshots.

“This is one death too many and a clear we-can-take-it-no-more death.”

Funke is the second child of 94-year-old Fasoranti to die. The elder statesman had lost a daughter, Bunmi, some years ago.

Reacting, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the February 2019 election, Atiku Abubakar, on Friday condemned the killing of Fasoranti’S daughter.

Atiku on his Facebook post said the death was one too many, adding that the Federal Government should fish out the killers and bring them to book.

The Ondo State Governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, also condemned the murder of Olakunrin. In a statement issued by the state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Donald Ojogo,  the governor said, “the state commissioner of police had been directed to comb all forests of Ondo State to bring to book, the bandits.

‘There is no hiding place for such in Ondo State.”

The Punch

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Featured

Police Probe Four Officers Accused of ‘Misconduct’ in Lagos

Published

on

By

The Nigeria Police Force has launched an investigation into alleged misconduct by officers from the Satellite Town Division, Lagos State, after a viral social media video.

The Force Media Officer, CSP Aliyu Giwa, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.

The complainant, Rhapstar, posted the video on X on April 4, alleging incivility by officers on surveillance duty.

In the clip, police officers stopped a vehicle, ordered occupants out, and searched one individual away from the roadside-parked vehicle.

The incident triggered widespread reaction, amid concerns over alleged harassment during a roadside stop-and-search operation.

Speaking on the incident on Saturday, Giwa said the Divisional Police Officer and implicated officers were summoned, adding that an investigation into the incident was ongoing.

Giwa wrote on X: “When (Rhapstar) posted the viral video on 4 April 2026, alleging misconduct by officers from the Satellite Town Division, Lagos, we took the matter seriously and acted immediately.

“The DPO and the officers involved were summoned, statements were obtained, and detailed interviews were conducted.

“Preliminary findings indicate the incident occurred in May 2025. We are working to obtain additional details directly from the victims, as their accounts are central to the investigation.

“This process is not a cover-up; it is a demonstration of accountability.

“The leadership of the Force management team has emphasised that the rule of law is non-negotiable in the discharge of police duties nationwide. No officer is above accountability, and no incident is too old to investigate. The investigation is ongoing. We will provide regular updates.

“To every Nigerian who spoke up, your voice prompted accountability, as it should be.”

Continue Reading

Featured

Turaki Faction Kicks As Police Unseal PDP Secretariat

Published

on

By

The Tanimu Turaki-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Nigeria Police Force of acting in contempt of court following the unsealing of its National Secretariat in Abuja, describing the development as a partisan move that undermines the rule of law.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, said the police facilitated the takeover of the Wadata Plaza headquarters by individuals he described as “agents of the federal government and APC apologists masquerading as PDP members,” despite a pending appeal on the matter.

The PDP maintained that the judgment by Justice Abdulmalik, which the police purportedly relied upon in unsealing the premises, is already under appeal.

According to the party, the police, being a party to the suit, had been duly served and were fully aware of the appellate process.

It argued that by proceeding to unseal the secretariat, the police had “tampered with the res”, (a legal terminology referring to the subject matter of litigation) thereby risking rendering the eventual judgment of the Court of Appeal nugatory.

“It is most shameful that those entrusted with protecting the law are those disobeying the law,” the statement read.

The party expressed disappointment that the police, under the leadership of the new Inspector General of Police, has continued what it described as a pattern of partisan conduct since the crisis began.

It alleged that officers of the force had consistently acted in support of a faction it labelled as “Wike-backed APC apologists,” thereby deepening internal tensions within the opposition party.

Despite its grievances, the PDP called on its members nationwide to remain calm and law-abiding, urging them to avoid actions that could lead to a breakdown of public order.

“As law-abiding citizens, we admonish our members to continue to maintain peace and not undertake any activity capable of breaching public peace,” the statement added, while pledging to pursue all legal avenues to defend the rights of what it termed “genuine members” of the party.

The party also assured the public that it remained optimistic that the situation would be resolved in favour of democratic principles, warning against what it described as a “state-sponsored persecution and one-party drive.”

Invoking a note of hope, the PDP said the current challenges would ultimately give way to “joy and liberation,” expressing confidence in the restoration of what it called true democratic experience in the country.

The unsealing of the PDP secretariat marks the latest twist in the protracted leadership and legal tussle within the party, which has continued to generate political tension and raise concerns about institutional neutrality in Nigeria’s democratic process.

Continue Reading

Featured

Why Tinubu Was Absent at Commissioning of Sanwo-Olu’s Projects in Lagos – Presidency

Published

on

By

The Presidency has come up with reasons behind President Bola Tinubu’s absent at the commissioning of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s projects in Lagos, on Wednesday.

Tinubu was noticeably absent at the scheduled project commissioning in Lagos, sparking public curiosity.

However, Sunday Dare, his Special Adviser on Public Communications and Orientation, has clarified the reason behind the last-minute development.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, Dare revealed that the President had to prioritise urgent national security matters over the event.
According to him, although Tinubu is currently in Lagos, he has been deeply engaged in high-level State duties, particularly ongoing security briefings tied to recent developments across the country.

“The president has been busy taking constant briefs and has to prioritise when it comes to state matters, especially security,” Dare stated.

He referenced rising security concerns, including recent unrest linked to incidents in Jos, noting that the President has been closely monitoring the situation and working directly with intelligence agencies.

Dare emphasised that Tinubu remains fully engaged behind the scenes, actively coordinating with security operatives and receiving continuous updates to address emerging threats.

The absence, he stressed, should not be seen as neglect of official duties but rather a reflection of the President’s focus on safeguarding national stability at a critical time.

Tinubu skipped the Lagos commissioning not out of disregard, but to handle pressing security issues demanding immediate presidential attention.

Continue Reading

Trending