Confusion hits Aso Rock As Nig. Police deny confirming arrest of killers of Afenifere leader’s daughter

The Ondo state police command has denied and distance itself on the report confirming that it has arrested the killers of Olufunke Olakunrin, daughter of Afenifere Leader, Reuben Fasoranti.

Spokesperson of the command, Femi Joseph told TVC news correspondent Ayodeji Moradeyo not TheNigerialawyer that the story of the arrest is untrue and misleading.

He said the command with the support of special team from the force headquarters, Abuja had embark on massive raid of Criminal hideouts especially the Forrest in Ore Oodigbo local government to fish out the perpetrators of the recent killing

According to him, those arrested in the forest are undergoing screening with a view to ascertaining what and why they live in the forest.

Olufunke Olakunrin was reportedly killed by some hoodlums along Ore road last Friday.

The police noted that its men were still in the forest, in the local government in search of the hoodlums.

Perish ideal of Ruga, South, Middle Belt won’t let off inch of land no matter the intimidation  

PAN Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, yesterday, declared that the entire South and Middle Belt would continue to oppose the sneaky implementation of the proposed Ruga settlement programme for Fulani herdsmen by the Federal Government no matter the intimidation.

The umbrella body of traditional rulers, leaders and stakeholders of the coastal states of Niger Delta stated this in a statement by the National Secretary, Dr. Alfred Mulade, reacting to the killing of Mrs. Funke Olakunrin, daughter of Afenifere leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, by suspected Fulani herdsmen at the weekend.

It stated: “While we condole with the family of Pa Fasoranti, Afenifere and indeed, the entire Southwest, PANDEF shall continue to urge and mobilize a sustained mass resistance against these enemies of Nigeria, who manifest their evil handiwork in several forms, including, Fulani herdsmen and RUGA settlement policy.”

The South-South body also said the conspirators have also shown their hands in “Radio frequency for herdsmen, the undignified, shameful and embarrassing embossing of photographs of herdsmen and cows on our precious International Passport, banditry, kidnappings and killings.”

“It is heart-broken and disappointing the path President Muhammadu Buhari’s government had resolved to surreptitiously adopt, the obnoxious RUGA Settlement program for Fulani herdsmen to enable them effectively have a field day in their colonization, Fulanization and Islamization of the entire country and killing of our people.

“It is a potent danger that the entire south and the Middle will continue to resist, at whatever cost,” the group said. PANDEF stated: “It is a matter of grave concern that the ultimatum issued by certain unknown quantities of Northern extraction with intent to compel the Federal Government to implement RUGA in Southern Nigeria is tantamount to treasonable felony, and an attempt to break-up the country.”

On the death of Mrs Olakunrin, it asserted, “It is with great sadness that PANDEF received news of gruesome   killing of Mrs. Funke Olakunrin, 58 -year -old daughter of Afenifere leader, Pa. Reuben Fasoranti, by suspected Fulani herdsmen, near Ore junction, as she was reported to be on her way from Akure, Ondo state.

“This callous and barbaric action by the Fulani herdsmen has become one too many and totally unacceptable. “It is quite unfortunate that unprovoked and unwarranted killings of this nature of well- meaning and law- abiding citizens of this country have become a daily occurrence that Nigeria has been subjected to in the hands of Fulani herdsmen,” the group said.

Insecurity: Gunmen kidnap Niger Gov. Chief of Staff’s sister-in-law, one other

Unknown gunmen have kidnapped the sister-in-law of the Chief of Staff to the Niger state Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Balarabe and one other woman in Kagara town in Niger state.

The other woman is said to be the wife of a Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Special Marshall in Kagara.

According to a source, the kidnappers have demanded ransom from both families but the sum cannot be ascertained.

A Source who spoke to The Nation said the gunmen stormed Kagara town on Saturday morning shooting sporadically before abducting the two women.

No one was said to have been injured in the attack.

It has been confirmed that the woman is the wife of the elder brother of the Niger state Governor’s Chief of Staff and the other woman is the wife of the Special Marshall of Kagara.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Muhammed said he would call the Reporter back regarding the case but he did not confirm or refute the kidnap incident.