Connect with us

News

Video: I Was Beaten, Threatened With Death By Ogun Monarch – 73-Year-Old Man

Published

on

A 73-year-old man, Chief Abraham Areola, who was allegedly brutally attacked in public by the Olorile of Orile Ifo in Ogun State, Oba Semiu Ogunjobi, is seeking the protection of Nigerians and relevant authorities from the monarch.

The victim, in an interview with PUNCH Metro on Sunday, claimed the monarch had vowed to “kill me,” following a video showing the elderly man being repeatedly assaulted and publicly humiliated on the street over an alleged chieftaincy dispute.

Although the monarch denied being the person seen humiliating the elderly man in the video during a separate interview with PUNCH Metro on Sunday, sources within the community, the victim, and Emmanuel Ojo, the Senior Special Assistant on New Media to the State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, confirmed the monarch’s identity in a post condemning the video.

The brief yet unsettling video captured one of the monarch’s aides snatching the elderly man’s cap as he knelt disoriented, while another struck him from behind, despite his polite attempts to ask what he had done wrong.

Shocked by the slap, the distraught chief lamented in Yoruba, “I’m not feeling well.” In response, the monarch coldly retorted, “Die if you want to die. We will bury you, and nobody will know.”

“I didn’t offend you, Kabiesi. I’ve done nothing wrong. I am not interested in any chieftaincy title. I will come to see you, Kabiesi,” the humiliated man pleaded, as the monarch, whose face was not visible in the video, continued to hurl insults and curses at him while he (the victim) was forced to lie flat on his chest.

“The entire Ifo land belongs to me. I will send you to prison. I own the entire Nigeria Police Force. I will send you to prison,” the monarch boasted.

Meanwhile, Ojo, who verified the identities of the monarch and the victim, condemned the disturbing act.

He said, “I came across a disturbing video online showing Chief Areola Abraham being subjected to public humiliation and physical assault. In the video, he was seen kneeling on the road while being slapped and verbally abused by someone identified as Oba Semiu Olawale Ogunjobi, the Olorile of Orile Ifo. This incident reportedly stemmed from a kingship supremacy dispute.

“The king allegedly took offence at Chief Areoola Abraham Love’s perceived support for a coronet Oba named Wasiu (as mentioned in the video). In response, he confronted the elderly man in his area and treated him in a manner unbefitting of a traditional ruler.

“Such an act is highly condemnable and completely unjustifiable, regardless of the underlying issues. There are more dignified and lawful ways to address disputes, especially among traditional leaders. Resorting to force, assault, and public humiliation is unacceptable and must be strongly denounced.”

In an interview with our correspondent, the elderly man emphasised that he still had not been told what his offence was and pleaded for Nigerians to come to his aid.

“I was the one being harassed in the video. The Oba of Olorile of Orile-Ifo is the one who assaulted me. It happened on January 21, 2025, around 11:00 AM. I wasn’t feeling well, so I went out to get some food when he saw me. He called me over, and that’s when the beating started.

“I didn’t offend him in any way. If you watch the video, you’ll hear me begging him to tell me what my offence was. I told him that if I had wronged him, he should have called for me. I still don’t know what my offence is.”

When asked about the steps he had taken after the alleged assault, he said, “I couldn’t do anything since he claimed to own the Nigeria Police Force and dared me to go to any authority I know. What could I do?

“I want Nigerians to come to my aid. He has vowed to kill me.”

However, in a phone conversation with our correspondent, the monarch denied the accusation, expressing frustration over the numerous petitions he had received from all sides regarding the incident.

“I’m not familiar with the video you’re referring to. I’ve been receiving numerous calls for the past three weeks regarding it.

“They’ve also submitted petitions to various authorities, including Alagbon, the Zone 2 Command, and the state governor. A newspaper has published a statement confirming that I am not the person in the video,” the monarch insisted.

VIDEO:

 

News

Tinubu The Best Thing To Happen To Nigerians, Says Lagos Assembly

Published

on

By

Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday listed some achievements of the Bola Tinubu-led administration describing the President as a blessing to Nigeria.

Speaking during plenary, the lawmakers took time to eulogise the President saying he came into office at a time when Nigerians were at a crossroads over the country’s socio-economic status before the 2023 elections.

Raising the motion, Hon. Tobun Abiodun (Epe I) told his colleagues that the policies initiated by Tinubu had begun to yield positive results in less than two years of his being in office.

Tobun noted that the country’s GDP had been boosted following Tinubu’s economic expertise. According to him, this is further reflecting in the current continuous strength of the Naira.

“Currently, the policies are yielding positive results and the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has increased. The value of naira is gradually gaining strength.

“There is no more fuel scarcity anymore in the country. We need to encourage the federal government to continue on the good pedestrian it started two years ago,” Hon. Tobun said.

In his contribution, the Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Adewale Temitope (Ifako-Ijaiye I) said the President’s steps had shown that he was prepared before he took the baton of leadership.

Temitope said the Federal Government under Tinubu continues to meet the yearnings of Nigerians citing the refineries that are in operation and that have led to drops in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

He re-echoed the efforts and sacrifices made by Tinubu, who he described as a true democrat, for the continued successes and strength of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) both in the state and the nation.

He said the House remains committed to the ideals of the party, its leadership and the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), a team of elders that continue to guide the party in Lagos.

On his part, Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu (Etim Osa II) praised the President for his fight against insecurity and his reducing inflation.

Contributing to the debate, Hon. Aro Moshood (Ikorodu II), commended the President for the upward review of the country’s minimum wage, his investment drive that has seen the country securing over $40 million and for assuaging the effects of the removal of subsidy.

Speaker Mojisola Meranda expressed optimism that the President would meet the yearnings of Nigerians.

“I know President Tinubu will take us to the Promised Land. When he started, it was rough but it is becoming obvious the policies are yielding results.

“This is a positive result happening within the short time Tinubu came into power. Tinubu’s investment in the security architecture is also yielding results as we have insecurity reducing,” she said.

She directed the acting Clerk of the House, Abubakar Taiwo Ottun, to send a commendation letter to the President acknowledging the positive impact of his policies and programmes.

Continue Reading

News

Tinubu Approves Retirement Age Increase For Doctors, Healthcare Workers To 65 Years

Published

on

By

President Bola Tinubu has approved an increase in the retirement age for doctors and other healthcare workers from 60 to 65 years.

Dr Mannir Bature, national publicity secretary, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), made the disclosure in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos.

Bature said the coordinating minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Pate, has been directed to formally present the approval to the council on establishment through the office of the Head of Service for finalisation.

He said the policy shift was conveyed by Pate during a high-level meeting with the

NMA President, Professor Bala Audu, and key stakeholders in the health sector.

Bature said the meeting also had in attendance the leadership of the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) and the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).

He said discussions centred on progress made regarding the welfare of doctors and other healthcare professionals in Nigeria.

According to him, the coordinating minister confirmed that the arrears resulting from the adjustment of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) are set for payment.

“The necessary funds have been secured, and disbursement to beneficiaries will commence soon,” he said.

Bature quoted the minister as saying that President Tinubu has approved the correction of consequential adjustments for both CONMESS and the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), arising from the implementation of the new minimum wage.

“The process to effect this correction is at an advanced stage, providing much-needed relief to doctors and other healthcare workers” he said.

He said following an extensive review initiated by the NMA, approval has been granted for the implementa tion of new tariffs for healthcare service providers.

“This will particularly benefit members of the Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners and Nurses (ANPMPN), ensuring better financial remuneration and sustainability for healthcare services nation-wide,” he said.

Bature said the coordinating minister expressed appreciation for the patience and collaboration of all stakeholders, reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to improving the welfare of all healthcare workers.

He said attendees at the meeting renewed their commitment to work together in advocating for the welfare of healthcare workers and ensuring the full implementation of key reforms.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NMA has championed increasing the retirement age of health workers from 60 to 65 years to address brain drain, improve knowledge transfer and for quality healthcare delivery.

Continue Reading

News

First Lady Commiserates With Families Of 17 Zamfara School Fire Victims

Published

on

By

The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has condoled with the families of those who died in a fire outbreak that affected an Islamic school in Kaura Namoda, Zamfara State, on Tuesday night.

The police in Zamfara confirmed the death of 17 almajiris (street children), while 17 others were injured in the fire incident in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area.

In a statement on Thursday, Senator Tinubu also commiserated with Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara over the tragic incident.

“I pray Allah to comfort and give the families and loved ones of the departed the fortitude to bear this painful loss.

“This, once again, brings to mind the need for precautionary safety measures in all our public facilities.

“I pray that such an incident will not recur, not only in Zamfara but in any other part of Nigeria.

“May Allah grant the souls of the departed Aljannah Firdaus,” she said.

Continue Reading

Trending