Headlines
Afenifere Condemns Slow Pace in Unravelling Olakunrin’s Killers
- /home/rhoncare/pointblank.ng/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://pointblank.ng/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Mrs-Fasoranti.jpg&description=Afenifere Condemns Slow Pace in Unravelling Olakunrin’s Killers', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/rhoncare/pointblank.ng/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 69
https://pointblank.ng/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Mrs-Fasoranti.jpg&description=Afenifere Condemns Slow Pace in Unravelling Olakunrin’s Killers', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, has expressed displeasure over what it described as the lackadaisical gesture of the police in the investigation of the murder of Mrs. Olufunke Olakunrin, daughter of its leader, Chief Reuben Fasoranti.
In a statement yesterday, Spokesman of the group, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, said that over two months that Mrs. Olakunrin was killed around Ore in Ondo State, nothing had been done to unravel her killers.
Meanwhile, the Ondo State Police Command Spokesman, Superintendent of Police (SP) Femi Joseph, said it was not true that the Force was not acting or being lackadaisical about the matter, saying: “We are working on it and would soon address the press on how far we have gone.”
But Afenifere said it was compelled to speak out over the lackadaisical attitude of the police over the gruesome assassination.
According to Afenifere, “Mr. Kehinde Fasoranti, the junior brother of the deceased, had stated openly a day after the incident that the police in Ore told him that his sister was killed by Fulani herdsmen when he went to collect her body the day she was killed but that he challenged the police to bring out the statement he wrote at their station. They have not contradicted him till date.”
The group expressed concern that the first sign it got that there was no attempt to launch any serious investigation into the murder was when the car in which Mrs. Olakunrin was killed was released to the family from Ore police station the day after the murder without any forensic investigation into the most prized evidence at the scene of the crime.
“It was when we engaged the police high command that they came to pick the car six days later. The car has now been returned to the family with no report on the examination report.
“Indeed, there was no attempt to carry out an autopsy on the corpse until we also demanded one from the police before the burial.
“One was carried out and only that report was given to the family members when they went to collect the car. Beyond this, the police have not made any briefing to the family on their investigations into this dastardly act.
“For instance, the driver of the car in which Mrs. Olakunrin was killed has not been asked a question by the police till date. Furthermore, few days after the killing, a member of staff of the deceased husband, Bankole Olatunbosun, was arrested as he was said to be in touch with Mr. Olakunrin’s driver, Femi Ajayi, who drove the Toyota Sienna bus in the deceased convoy.
“A week after the killing, Femi was brought into the family house in Akure by police officers in the anti-kidnap unit. The story from the crime scene was that Femi got down from the bus and followed the gunmen who killed Mrs. Olakunrin. He claimed he was kidnapped but there is no evidence of ransom requested from him or his family. He and Bankole Olatunbosun are now free men. Femi even sauntered into the Fasoranti’s family house three days ago,” the statement said.
“All the above put together suggest to us clearly that the police have not done any serious investigations into this murder. And it worries us that we are seeing all the signs of lethargy that usually attend high profile murders with powerful masterminds in our country,” the statement said.
Afenifere, therefore, urged those who respect human lives in Nigeria and across the world to join it in asking the police where are the killers of Mrs. Olakunrin.
The Guardian
Jude Bellingham scored a dramatic extra-time winner as England overcame an unfortunate Norway to reach the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup.
Bellingham slid home the winning goal in the first half of extra time after a second Norway goal was ruled out by the VAR for an Erling Haaland foul.
Andreas Schjelderup had given Norway the lead, but Bellingham equalised with a brilliant finish — although England were fortunate the goal stood after the ball struck the Spidercam during the build-up.
England rode their luck at times but will now face either Switzerland or old rivals Argentina as they seek to reach the World Cup final for the first time since 1966.
New York Times
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has expressed relief and joy over the release of the abducted schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.
“It is such a big relief for all of us. Right now, I am overjoyed and can hardly say much,” the governor told Channels Television.
President Bola Tinubu has also expressed delight over the successful rescue of abducted children and teachers, commending the military, the DSS, and the Nigeria Police Force for ending their 56-day captivity.
The President said the security operation led to the arrest of eight suspected abductors while several others were neutralised, describing the outcome as a major relief for the victims, their families and the nation.
In a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu praised the security agencies for what he described as their tireless efforts in securing the victims’ release.
He also sympathised with the children, teachers and their families over the trauma they endured during the prolonged ordeal
The President further commended the Oyo State Government for its cooperation with the Federal Government throughout the rescue operation and urged the state to strengthen security around schools to prevent similar incidents.
President Tinubu also directed emergency response agencies to work with the Oyo State Government to provide the rescued children and teachers with all necessary medical care and relief support as they recover from the ordeal.
The schoolchildren and teachers kidnapped by suspected bandits in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have been rescued after about 56 days in captivity.
According to a statement by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, the victims were freed through the efforts of security agencies.
“Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Oriire, Oyo State, have been rescued by our security agencies,” Onanuga said.
He disclosed that eight members of the kidnapping gang were arrested during the rescue operation and are now in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Onanuga said the rescue operation did not involve any exchange or concession to the kidnappers, noting that a notorious gang leader whose release had been demanded by the abductors remains in custody and is being prosecuted for his alleged crimes.
He added that security agencies would provide a full account of the operation soon.
“In the course of the rescue operation, eight of the kidnappers were arrested and are now in DSS custody, while some of them were neutralised. There was no quid pro quo in the rescue, as one of the terrorists, a kingpin whose release was demanded by the kidnappers, is being prosecuted for his atrocities. The security agencies will give full account soon,” he added.
In a video shared alongside the statement, a woman believed to be one of the rescued teachers was seen thanking President Bola Tinubu for securing their release. The schoolchildren were also seen eating biscuits and joining the teacher in chanting, “Thank you, sir,” at the end of her remarks.
“Hello sir, our father, we are grateful. Mr President, sir, we are grateful. We understand your commitment to our safety and we appreciate all you did for us. We could see your hand in this. Thank you very much. Every security operative tried so much, and that is why we are still alive today. We are very grateful to you. Thank you very much,” the teacher said.
