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Frenzy As PDP Big Fish, Bankole Joins APC In Ogun

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Political stakeholders, community leaders, pressure groups, opinion leaders, socio – cultural associations, leaders of thought, market men and women in Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State have hailed the defection of a former State Publicity Secretary and former Director, Media and Communication of the Peoples Democratic party (PDP), Asiwaju Akinloye Bankole, to the All Progressives Party (APC), describing the renowned politician as a big fish in Ogun West Senatorial district in particular and Ogun State in general.

 

According to them, Asiwaju Bankole’s tenure as a Personal Assistant to the Chairman, Ipokia Local Government, Chief Kayode Oke (2003 – 2004) and later Special Assistant to the Chairman (2004 – 2006), which culminated in his appointment as a Member, Ipokia Local Government Transition Committee (2006 – 2007) remained unprecedented in the history of the Local Government as it will be recalled that during the period, Asiwaju Bankole impacted on the lives and economy of his people with the little resources at his disposal, an ingenuity that traditional rulers and generality of the people had described as second to none and worthy of emulation by all serving and former public and political office holders.

Over the weekend, an interactive session of different groups of over 12,000 men, women and youths, hosted by Asiwaju Bankole at Idiroko, witnessed an unmatched multitude who had come from the 12 wards in Ipokia Local Government Area to pledge their unalloyed support for his defection to the APC, while thousands came to decamp to the APC from the PDP, ADC, NDC, Labour Party and other political parties.

Alhaja Abeni Ajenifuja, a political stakeholder and market leader in Idiroko, who spoke on behalf of the groups, noted that Nigerians were disechanted with the PDP and other parties for lack of focus and presently being in disarray and have, therefore, in Ogun West Senatorial district, decided to support Asiwaju Bankole in his new political voyage because of his track – records as a grassroot mobiliser, vibrant politician, tested and trusted leader and his zeal to provide purposeful leadership.

She pointed out that the best representation at any party’s State Executive Council Ipokia Local Government ever had since 1999 was when Asiwaju Bankole became the State Publicity Secretary and later Director, Media and Communication of the PDP as he touched the common man on the street, while he also ensured adequate representation of his people.

The market leader also noted that the people of Ipokia Local Government, no doubt, enjoyed the best of such representation because of his determination to address the issue with all available human and material resources at his disposal, adding that this gave them an assurance that Asiwaju Bankole is a leader they can trust

In his address to the teeming crowd, Asiwaju Bankole thanked them for their trust in him and their loyalty and support which made his decampment and acceptance by the APC leadership a success story, promising that he would not let them down, but endeavour to continue doing his best to better their lots.

He re – emphasised that what motivated his interest in leaving the PDP was driven by a desire to move on as political events in the PDP in the last one year had reduced the PDP to a mere support group for the APC, thereby making the PDP a thoroughly dilapidated vehicle that could no longer guarantee his personal political growth, interest and aspirations.

Asiwaju Bankole also cited prolonged, unresolved internal divisions within the PDP national leadership as another core reason for his departure

He, however, felt highly elated that he was greeted with wild jubilation, solidarity songs and drum sets by the record – breaking crowd, stressing that his joy knew no bound.

The former Ogun PDP spokesman assured the people that the Senator Adeola’s administration would do the state proud by bringing about the much expected accelerated development through preservation of the environment and in the performance of agriculture, education, improved health services and other social services and amenities.

He described Senator Adeola as not only an inspiration to many, but also a compassionate philanthropist, exceptional leader and a treasured gift to Yewa land and beyond, adding that his warmth, wisdom and unwavering commitment to the overall development of Ogun State have endeared him to all and sundry.

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Fake Fertility Doctor Nabbed In Ibadan After 7 Years Of Practice

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Police operatives have arrested a 45-year-old man, identified as Adeniyi Benjamin, for allegedly operating an unlicensed medical facility and administering treatments for about seven years without any medical qualification or licence.

The spokesperson for Oyo Police Command, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, in a statement on Wednesday said Benjamin was arrested on 2 October 2026 at about 3:00 p.m. by operatives of the Command Monitoring Unit at his clinic, ‘Life Is Good Hospital’ in the Olodo area of Ibadan.

Ayanlade said the arrest followed credible intelligence about his activities at the facility.

“The suspect was found attending to patients and administering treatments, particularly fertility-related treatments, despite not being a certified medical doctor,” the statement said.

The Police spokesperson listed items recovered from the premises of the suspect’s facility to include two weighing scales, four Quantum Magnetic Resonance Body Analysers, one stethoscope, a large carton of assorted medicines, and specimen bottles.

The Oyo police spokesperson added that during preliminary investigation, Benjamin confessed that he had been operating as a quack practitioner for about seven years without any licence to practise medicine.

He further stated that he specialized in fertility-related treatment, which he administered to patients at the facility.

DSP Olayinka said the confession raised concerns about potential risks to members of the public who may unknowingly seek treatment from unqualified persons, especially in sensitive areas such as fertility care.

Investigation is ongoing to establish the full extent of the suspect’s activities and determine whether other persons were connected to the operation of the facility. Appropriate action will be taken in accordance with the law, the police said.

The command advised residents to verify the professional credentials and registration status of anyone offering medical services before entrusting their health or that of their loved ones to them.

Oyo Police Command also appealed to residents to promptly report suspicious medical facilities or persons presenting themselves as medical practitioners without verifiable credentials to the police or relevant regulatory authorities.

The Command also reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property and said it would continue to collaborate with relevant regulatory agencies and members of the public to address activities that endanger residents’ health and safety.

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Police Arraign 5 Over Attack On Officers In Ogun

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Ogun State Police Command has arraigned five suspects before the Ota Magistrate Court over their alleged involvement in the assault and obstruction of police officers carrying out their lawful duties in Ota.

The suspects were brought before the court following an incident around The Bells area of Iyana-Iyesi, Ota, on October 2, 2026, according to a statement issued on Wednesday by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi B. Babasiyi.

The police said the incident occurred after a patrol team intercepted and arrested a suspect allegedly found with a large quantity of substances suspected to be Indian hemp.

According to the command, the officers were taking the handcuffed suspect to the station when they were allegedly ambushed by a group of people armed with cutlasses, stones and bottles.

The attack reportedly resulted in injuries to some of the officers, damage to the police operational vehicle and the escape of the suspect in custody.

Following the incident, the command said an intelligence-led operation was launched, leading to the arrest of five suspects identified as Morenikeji Badmus, 36; Adedoja Segun, 40; Jeremiah Odise Ugbede Onride, 49; Mike Stephen, 28; and David Odeh, 32.

The suspects were arraigned on charges bordering on conspiracy, serious assault on police officers, obstruction of lawful duty and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.

The police said efforts were still ongoing to arrest other suspects who fled the scene of the incident.

The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Bode Ojajuni, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting police officers carrying out their lawful responsibilities.

“Members of the public are urged to refrain from physical confrontation with law enforcement personnel and channel grievances through established lawful channels,” the statement said.

The command added that “the safety of police officers performing lawful duties remains a priority of the command.”

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9 Yr-Old Arrested Over Deaths Of 4 Family Members

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The Yobe State Police Command has arrested a nine-year-old boy over the alleged killing of four family members in Rugan Badali community, Karasuwa Local Council of the state.

 

The police said the child allegedly set fire to the family house while his two stepmothers and two younger brothers were asleep, resulting in their deaths.

According to report, the suspect was said to have committed the act after his father flogged him over an allegation that he had stolen a fowl.

Speaking with journalists in Damaturu yesterday, the suspect, whose name was withheld because of his age, allegedly confessed to setting the house ablaze.

He said he bought matches the following day and set fire to the house.

“I carried one of our fowls to sell. People reported me to my father, and I was beaten. The following day, I bought N50 worth of matches in the neighbourhood. While my two stepmothers and two younger brothers were asleep, I set our house on fire as revenge for what my father did to me,” he said.

The boy added: “People came to the rescue. I did not tell them that I was the one who did it until after three days of prayer. I then confessed and was later arrested by policemen and brought here to Damaturu.”

Parading the suspect alongside his father, Abubakar Idi, the police spokesperson, ASP Yusuf Ali, said the boy remained a suspect despite his age.

Ali said the case would be handled in accordance with the law, stressing that the incident underscored the need for greater attention to criminal activities involving children.

He expressed concern over the development, particularly as the state continues to recover from the effects of Boko Haram insurgency and other security challenges.

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