News
Heroic homecoming: Mammoth crowd storm Okene streets to welcome Yahaya Bello

…….Thank him for sterling achievements, making them proud
In what they described as a celebration of “eight years of unprecedented strides”, indigenes and residents of Okene in Kogi State, on Sunday, trooped out in their thousands to welcome the immediate past Governor of the state, Yahaya Bello, back home after two impactful tenures.
They treated the White Lion, as he is fondly called, to a heroic homecoming ceremony at the ancient town, Okene, where Bello hails from.
With loud cheers, pomp and pageantry, the jubilant residents heaped praises on the immediate past governor over his sterling performance in office, with different clans performing with their masquerades amid the thick crowd that thronged the streets.


Before former Governor Bello arrived Okene, a crowd of residents of Lokoja, the state capital, had assembled on the highway linking the former governor’s country home to bid him farewell after successfully handing over to his successor, Governor Usman Ododo.
They lined up at the roadside and expressed gratitude to Bello, saying he had successfully transformed Kogi beyond their expectations in his two terms in office.
Some of the citizens who spoke after Bello’s convoy pulled over to acknowledge their greetings, said the former governor had left an indelible mark of achievements in the Confluence State.

When Bello’s convoy arrived at the entrance of Okene town, enthusiastic and proud indigenes/residents were seen waving at their kinsman in excitement.
As the convoy journeyed deeper into the heart of Okene, the town erupted in jubilation as the former governor’s kinsmen who adorned in ceremonial attire, accompanied by drums and trumpets, danced along the streets, saying Bello had elevated Okene and Kogi State to an enviable height.
The former governor visited his maternal ancestral home, where special prayers were offered in honour of the memory of his departed mother, seeking divine blessings for him as he returned home.

Also, Bello stormed the palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, along with the new Governor of the state, Usman Ododo, where he was given a rousing welcome. The mammoth crowd seen at the palace was unprecedented.
The traditional ruler, HRM, Alhaji Ahmed Tijani, hailed former governor Bello’s transformative impact on Kogi state’s infrastructure and economy and congratulated Governor Ododo on his inauguration.
Meanwhile, former Governor Bello expressed his profound gratitude to the people of his hometown and Kogi State in general for the overwhelming reception accorded him.
While addressing his admirers, he urged citizens of the state to support the administration of Governor Usman Ododo for the continued development and transformation of the state.
“I am filled with joy over this overwhelming show of gratitude, happiness and love. It further attests to the impacts our government has made in the lives of Kogites. I humbly return all thanks and praises to the Almighty God. He alone is the Doer of everything we can lay claim to have done in office as a government. Without His enablement we would have been both helpless. To God be the Glory!
“Now, we can live with a clear conscience, confident that we did our best for Kogites within the time and resources available to us.
“I have successfully handed over to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo. Ododo will need our support to succeed in the overall interest of the state. Once more, I want to thank you for this honour,” the former governor stated.
News
LASPA and LASBACA Seal BetterMart Supermarket Ajah Lagos
The facility manager and the workers were wisked off by the agencies.

•Rowdy scene of LASPA Enforcement officers seal Better Mart/ Ohibaba.com
Lagos State Parking Authority (LASPA) and its still sister agency, Lagos State Building Control Authority , on Monday at 11.45am , swoop down and sealed Better Mart, a supermarket on Badore road, Ajah , Lagos; claiming regulatory infractions.
The facility manager and the workers were wisked off by the agencies.
Ohibaba.com scoops that the property ,owned by a business woman was purchased at the cost of over N170 million, then refurbished.
One of the agencies enforcement officer prattled that the owner of the supermarket had been invited to their office Alausa, Ikeja, adding that she will likely pay N20 million as regulatory infraction before they unseal the property.
Crime
BREAKING: Many shot dead as gunmen hit Yelwata in Benue

Tension has gripped Yelwata community in Benue State after gunmen reportedly people in the early hours of Monday.
Eyewitnesses said the renewed attack triggered a protest by local women, who took to the streets demanding that soldiers stationed in the area be withdrawn to their barracks.
The aggrieved residents also called for immediate transportation to Makurdi, insisting they no longer feel safe in the community.
“They should take us to Makurdi because the government cannot protect us,” one protester said.
The attack is coming barely two months after gunmen, believed to be herders, on June 13, stormed the community and killed between 200 people, including internally displaced persons, with many burned alive during a night of brutal violence.
Crime
DSS Arraigns Owo Boming Suspects

…..As Court fixes August 19 for start of trial
The Nigerian government has arraigned five persons who allegedly carried out the mass shooting and bombing at a Catholic Church in Owo Ondo state on June 5, 2022, where over 40 persons were killed.
The five defendants who were arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja pleaded not guilty to the 9-count charge bordering on terrorism.

The defendants are Idris Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris and Momoh Abubakar.
During the proceedings, counsel for the defendants, Abdullahi Muhammad, informed the Court that his clients have been in DSS custody since 2022. He adds that their families and lawyers have been prevented from accessing them. Muhammad thereby prayed the court that they be granted access.
In his response, Callistus Eze, who is the prosecutor, informed the Court that he was unaware that the defendants had not been allowed access to families and lawyers. He assured that a formal written request by those affected before visitation will not be turned down by the DSS.
Justice Emeka Nwite thereby ordered that defendants be allowed to access their families and lawyers. The judge had made this order after earlier granting an application for the matter to be heard during vacation.
Justice Nwite further ordered that the defendants, having given a not guilty plea, be remanded at the DSS facility. The judge then fixed August 19 for the commencement of trial.
As contained in the charge sheet, the five and others at large, sometime in 2021, allegedly became members of the Al Shabab Terrorist Group, with a cell in Kogi State, an act that is in breach of Section 25(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
They allegedly met on May 30, as well as 3 and 4 June 2022 at the Government Secondary School, Ogaminana, Adavi Local Government Area, Kogi State and behind Omialafa Central Mosque, Ose Local Government Area, Ondo State.
It was during these meetings, according to the charge sheet, that they hatched the plans to attack the St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State on 5 June 2022.
On the day of the incident, the attackers used AK-47 and improvised explosive devices IEDs to attack the worshippers during the Sunday service after shutting the doors. They used the IEDs and shot at the worshippers, including many children. The assailants also surrounded the church to shoot at those who attempted to escape the scene.
THE BACK STORY
On June 5, 2022, a mass shooting and bombing took place at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, during a Sunday service. The attack claimed at least 40 lives, with some reports suggesting the death toll could be as high as 80, including many children. Dozens more were injured in the assault.
The incident began around 11:30 AM when armed gunmen, disguised as worshippers, entered the church while others positioned themselves outside.

They detonated improvised explosive devices near the church and opened fire on people both inside and outside the building. The attackers locked the main entrance, shooting anyone attempting to escape. The brutal assault lasted between 15 and 30 minutes before the assailants fled the scene.
No organization immediately took responsibility for the attack. However, the Nigerian federal government suspected the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) of orchestrating the massacre.
Some local residents blamed herdsmen, though these claims remain contested. Authorities made arrests following the attack, including suspects believed to be linked to ISWAP and plans for additional assaults.
This massacre shocked the southwestern region of Nigeria, which is typically more peaceful and rarely experiences violent attacks on churches compared to other areas of the country plagued by insurgencies and banditry.

The Owo church attack stands as one of the deadliest assaults on a place of worship in Nigeria’s recent history, highlighting the ongoing security challenges the nation faces despite ongoing efforts to combat insurgent and militant groups.
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