Headlines
Police Give Graphic Details of How Afenifere Leader, Fasaronti’s Daughter Was Killed, Say Killers Identity Yet Unknown
The police in Ondo State have given details of how suspected herdsmen in a kidnap attempt, shot and killed Funke Olakunrin, the second daughter of Afenifere leader, Reuben Fasoranti.
Police spokesman, Femi Joseph, said the incident occurred between Kajola and Ore along Ondo-Ore road on Friday.
Premium Times quoted Afenifere’s spokesperson, Yinka Odumakin, on Friday evening as saying that “Mrs Funke Olakunrin, based on accounts of all eyewitnesses, was killed by Fulani herdsmen who emerged from the bush, shot her and killed her in the process.”
Mr Odumakin said Mrs Olakunrin was travelling from Akure to Ore when her vehicle was attacked alongside others.
Mr Joseph, who confirmed the attack and the death of Mrs Olakunrin, however, said he was not aware the deceased was related to the Afenifere Chairman.
“It happened at a spot between Kajola and Ore, where some hoodlums numbering about 15, attacked two vehicles, 1 Toyota Land Cruiser and 1 Camry,” Mr Joseph told PREMIUM TIMES Friday night.
“The the Land Cruiser was carrying five passengers, including the deceased, which we later identified as one Funke Olakunrin.
“They shot the woman, we rushed her to the hospital, but we lost her.
“Other four occupants that were abducted, we have rescued them.
“Inside the Camry too, we had three occupants, they were also abducted, but we have rescued them. We have rescued a total of seven persons taken during the attack.
“There is still one person left that we are still looking for, and we are working frantically to ensure that the hoodlums are brought to justice and ensure any other hostage were rescued,” he said.
The police spokesman said he would not confirm if the attackers were Fulani herdsmen, noting that until an arrest was made, it would be difficult to identify the persons and where they came from.
“No, you can’t shave the head of a man in his absence,” Mr Joseph said. “You have to wait for us to arrest them. Somebody you have not arrested, it is difficult for you to establish his ethnicity.”
He said crime does not have colour, ethnicity or religion, adding that “crime is a crime and a criminal is a criminal.”
Afenifere is at the forefront of the campaign against the building of cattle settlement for herdsmen earlier promoted by the federal government.
The group had earlier raised the alarm over the rising wave of violent activities of herdsmen in the south west region, calling on the governors and security agencies to rise up to the situation to save the nation from an impending armed conflict.
The governors of the south west had also responded to an alarm by summoning a security summit where they had resolved to tackle the problems of herdsmen and kidnapping.
Premium Times
The first hostages freed from Gaza under a long-awaited ceasefire agreement are back in Israel. The news sparked jubilant scenes in Tel Aviv where large crowds gathered ahead of their release.
The three freed Israeli hostages – the first of 33 to be released over the next six weeks – are Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher and Emily Damari. They are said to be in good health and are receiving treatment at a medical center in Tel Aviv.
In exchange, 90 Palestinian prisoners and detainees are set to be released by Israel from Ofer Prison in the occupied West Bank.
The Israeli military withdrew from several locations in southern and northern Gaza after the truce began earlier on Sunday, an Israeli military official told CNN.
Displaced Gazans have started returning to their homes, while the aid trucks laden with much-needed supplies have crossed into Gaza. Here’s what we know about how the ceasefire deal will work.
Hamas, despite suffering devastating losses, is framing the Gaza ceasefire agreement as a victory for itself, and a failure for Israel.
One of Hamas’ main goals for taking some 250 people during its brazen October 7, 2023, attack on Israel was to secure the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. As Israel pounded Gaza in response, Hamas vowed not to return the hostages until Israel withdrew its forces from the enclave, permanently ended the war, and allowed for rebuilding.
Source: CNN
The leader of UK’s Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, has said she doesn’t want Britain to be like Nigeria that is plagued by “terrible governments.”
Speaking on Thursday at an event organised by Onward, a British think tank producing research on economic and social issues, Badenoch expressed fears that Britain may become like Nigeria if the system is not reformed.
“And why does this matter so much to me? It’s because I know what it is like to have something and then to lose it,” Badenoch told the audience.
“I don’t want Britain to lose what it has.
“I grew up in a poor country and watched my relatively wealthy family become poorer and poorer, despite working harder and harder as their money disappeared with inflation.
“I came back to the UK aged 16 with my father’s last £100 in the hope of a better life.
“So I have lived with the consequences of terrible governments that destroy lives, and I never, ever want it to happen here.”
Badenoch has been in the news of late after she dissociated herself from Nigeria, saying she has nothing to do with the Islamic northern region.
She also accused the Nigeria Police of robbing citizens instead of protecting them.
She said: “My experience with the Nigeria Police was very negative. Coming to the UK, my experience with the British Police was very positive.
“The police in Nigeria will rob us (laughter). When people say I have this bad experience with the police because I’m black, I say well…I remember the police stole my brother’s shoe and his watch.”
