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JUST IN: President Tinubu Mourns Late Pa Ayo Adebanjo
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has mourned the death of a profound leader of the Afenifere, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, saying that he received the news of the late Icon in shock.
President Tinubu also said Nigeria has lost a political leader whose decades of unwavering struggle for justice, democracy, and national unity have left an indelible mark on the nation’s history.
The President’s statement reads:
” I received the news of the passing of one of the Afenifere leaders, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, with profound sorrow.
Nigeria has lost a political leader whose decades of unwavering struggle for justice, democracy, and national unity have left an indelible mark on our nation’s history.
According to the family, Baba transitioned peacefully on Friday, February 14, 2025, at his home in Lekki, Lagos.
All who knew Baba Adebanjo drew from his boundless wisdom and cherished the democratic ideals he tirelessly campaigned for.
His principled voice, which resonated through decades of political activism, will be deeply missed.
“As a nation, we will miss his regular interventions in national affairs, which enriched our political discourse” .
Though we mourn his departure, we are also grateful to God for blessing him with a long, remarkable, purposeful life—96 years of unrelenting advocacy for progress and equity.
Baba, as a lawyer, statesman, and politician, stood among the last of a generation of nationalists and independent heroes who shaped the foundation of our country.
A devoted disciple of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, his contributions spanned political eras, from his role as Organising Secretary of the Action Group in the First Republic to his leadership in the Unity Party of Nigeria during the Second Republic.
In moments of national crisis, Baba’s courage shone brightest. When democracy hung in the balance after the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, he joined the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) as one of the leading voices against military dictatorship, helping to galvanise a movement that became the bedrock of our collective struggle to reclaim democratic governance.
His unwavering commitment to truth and justice extended to my journey as a governorship candidate in 1999.
Baba Adebanjo’s steadfast support was instrumental in my election as Governor of Lagos State under the platform of the Alliance for Democracy.
Though our political paths diverged in later years, my respect and admiration for him never wavered. Until his death, I shared a deep personal bond with Baba Adebanjo; he was like a father figure.
I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, the Afenifere family, the governors of the Southwest, past and present, and all Nigerians who shared his vision.
Let us take solace in the enduring legacy of a man who dedicated his life to the service of others—a legacy that will continue to inspire generations to come.
May the soul of this great patriot find eternal rest, and may his ideals, which he so passionately envisioned, forever resonate in our country.
News
Tunji Disu Takes Over from Egbetokun as Nigeria’s new IGP
Before his elevation, Disu was the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Annex, Lagos.
• IGP Tunji Disu
Tunji Disu, has been appointed as Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police, subject to confirmation by the Nigerian Senate.
Before his elevation, Disu was the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Annex, Lagos.
He took over from the former IGP, Kayode Egbetokun.
Over the course of his career, he has held several sensitive and strategic roles within the Nigeria Police Force, including leadership positions in the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), anti-kidnapping units and state criminal investigation departments.
Below are five notable facts about the new police chief:
1. A people-centred approach during the EndSARS protests.
During the 2020 EndSARS protests, Disu, then Commander of the Lagos State Police Rapid Response Squad (RRS), distinguished himself with a people-focused policing strategy.
Under his leadership, RRS ambulances were deployed to provide medical assistance to injured protesters. His engagement style helped rebuild trust between law enforcement and civilians, with residents willingly sharing intelligence, confident of confidentiality.Security experts later cited the RRS under Disu as a benchmark for professional, community-oriented policing.
Security experts later cited the RRS under Disu as a benchmark for professional, community-oriented policing.
2. Central role in the arrest of kidnap kingpin Evans
Disu was a key figure in the operation that led to the arrest of notorious kidnap kingpin Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, popularly known as Evans.
The suspect was apprehended at his Magodo residence in Lagos, marking one of the most significant breakthroughs in Nigeria’s fight against organised kidnapping and violent crime.
3. Decisive crackdown on violent cultism in Rivers State
As Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Disu led decisive operations against violent cult groups destabilising communities.
4. Cross-border recovery of stolen iPhones
In another high-profile operation, Disu led investigations following the burglary of a major iPhone store in South Africa.Intelligence reports traced the stolen devices to Computer Village in Ikeja, Lagos.
His swift and coordinated response led to their recovery and return, drawing commendation from South African authorities.The operation contributed to Lagos State’s recognition in 2016 by Security Watch Africa as one of Africa’s safest states, while the RRS emerged as the best anti-crime police unit in West Africa.
5. Champion judoka and decorated officer
Beyond policing, Disu is an accomplished judoka with decades of competitive experience.
At the U.S. Open Judo Championship in 2022, he won a silver medal, competing against more than 500 international athletes.He began practising judo in 1986 and has won multiple medals, including two gold medals at the National Sports Festival, as well as honours at the Nigerian Police and Armed Forces Games.
In 2021, he also clinched gold at the Nigerian Police Veterans Championship.
News
DSS Fails to produce El-Rufai in court today
This, therefore, prompted the judge to adjourn the matter till April 23 for the arraignment.
The arraignment of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai over alleged cybercrime and national security breach has been shifted to April 23 after the Department of State Services (DSS) failed to produce him in court this morning at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
During the resumed proceeding, the prosecutor, Oluwole Aladejoye informed Justice Joyce Abdulmalik that the defendant was still in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Offences Commission ICPC where he is under investigation for alleged misappropriation of funds.
This therefore prompted the judge to adjourn the matter till April 23 for the arraignment.
The ex-governor is facing three counts for unlawfully intercepting (or admitting to intercepting with associates) the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu’s phone communications — violating the Cybercrimes Act.
He is also accused of using technical systems to compromise public safety/national security and instilling apprehension, an action that is in breach of the Nigerian Communications Act.
The charges arise from Mallam El-Rufai’s February 13 interview on Arise News, where he claimed knowledge of intercepted phone communications of the National Security Adviser allegedly used to learn of a planned arrest attempt against him.
News
Who was behind Peter Obi’s Assassination Attempt: Was it the APC or within ADC?
Odigie-Oyegun warned that the development could trigger chaos if not checked.“I am afraid that our leaders, both at the centre and in this state, are playing with fire. The consequences could be terrible, much more than any of you expect.
Photo: John Odigie-Oyegun, and Peter Obi
Edo State Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kennedy Odion, has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of having masterminded yesterday’s assassination attempt on Peter Obi Gregory, however, Edo State Commissioner for Information, Kassim Afegbua, attributed the violence to an internal crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) party.
Peter Obi paid a courtesy visit to the former Governor of Edo State, John Odigie-Oyegun- the national Chairman of ADC, when they were attacked by gunmen at Oyegun’s residence in Benin City.
Odion, said : ” We heard APC was coming to attack us. We quickly cut short the event and ended the programme at the Secretariat.
A few minutes after we ended, we heard that thugs stormed the venue. They injured three people… After they scattered the place, they came to Oyegun’s house where we were having another meeting.
All the vehicles parked outside were destroyed…”, said Odion.
On the other hand, Adegbua emphasised : “The crisis has been ongoing. Even yesterday, we had to use the police to quell the crisis… What happened was just the height of it.”
On allegations that Governor Monday Okpebholo had earlier warned Obi against visiting Edo without permission, Afegbua said: “If Peter Obi had informed the governor that he was coming, what happened today would not have happened. The governor would have provided security for him… Thank God nothing happened to Peter Obi.”
Commenting on the attack on his home, Oyegun, said: “We had a guest… the former governor of Anambra and one of the prominent leaders of the ADC, from all indications, an aspirant – former president of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, and the LP Edo 2024 governorship candidate, Olumide Akpata into the party,.
“The government here had threatened that if Obi came to Edo State without permission, his security could not be guaranteed.
He was paying a courtesy visit to me and bullets started raining all over the place… When did we degenerate to that kind of level?”
Odigie-Oyegun warned that the development could trigger chaos if not checked.“I am afraid that our leaders, both at the centre and in this state, are playing with fire. The consequences could be terrible, much more than any of you expect,” he said.
Obi said that no sooner than the leaders of the ADC party had received former president of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, and the LP Edo 2024 governorship candidate, Olumide Akpata into the party, than gunmen attacked the facility at Ogbelaka Street, Off Sokponba Road, Benin City, and the residence of the party’s National Leader, Odigie-Oyegun.
Obi, narrating his ordeal, declared: “It is time to speak up. It is time those in government act. They are not going to be there forever. What they allowed to happen in the country today will take its revenge on all of us and the country.”
Eyewitnesses said the attackers, who arrived in an unmarked Sienna bus and on a motorcycle, fired several gunshots and vandalised party property, including chairs, canopies and banners. Some members reportedly sustained injuries.
Not satisfied, the assailants reportedly proceeded to the residence of Odigie-Oyegun on Reservation Road, where more gunshots were heard and vehicles parked near the gate were riddled with bullets. A video circulating online showed damaged vehicles and a gate perforated with bullet holes.
In the video, Obi said: “This is a former governor of the state(Odigie-Oyegun). You can see what happened in front of his house where hoodlums came, shooting.Look at the gate, see the bullet holes at the gate, several cars damaged. That is where our democracy has reached.”
National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, alleged that the attackers trailed the leaders from the secretariat.
“The leadership of the ADC is under siege and attack in Benin, Edo State. Armed individuals followed us from the ADC Secretariat to the residence of John Odigie-Oyegun and shot at the gate, destroying several vehicles,” he said.
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