₦airaland Forum

The Senator representing Ondo North Senatorial District, Distinguished Senator Olajide Ipinsagba, today paid a condolence visit to the Alale of Akungbaland, His Royal Majesty, Oba Oseni Isiaka Adu, Agure I, following the tragic accident that occurred in Akungba-Akoko on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, which claimed several innocent lives.

Senator Ipinsagba expressed deep sorrow over the painful incident, describing it as a monumental loss not only to Akungba community but to Ondo North at large. He noted that no community deserves to experience such frequent tragedies, especially within the same axis where heavy-duty vehicles have caused recurring destruction in the past.

The Distinguished Senator commended the efforts of the state government, the Palace, the University community, and security agencies in enforcing the earlier road closure to safeguard lives. He however stressed that all stakeholders must double efforts to ensure that the directives restricting heavy trucks on that route are strictly obeyed to prevent further occurrences.

He assured the Alale and the grieving families of his full legislative and developmental support, including engaging relevant government agencies to fast-track workable and permanent solutions that will guarantee the safety of students, residents, and motorists plying the area.

Senator Ipinsagba prayed for the peaceful repose of the souls of the departed and for divine comfort for their families, stating that their painful deaths must become a turning point toward decisive and lasting action for the protection of Akungba-Akoko and its people.

The Senator representing Ondo North Senatorial District, Distinguished Senator Olajide Ipinsagba, on Friday paid a condolence visit to the Alale of Akungbaland, His Royal Majesty, Oba Oseni Isiaka Adu, Agure I, following the tragic accident that occurred in Akungba-Akoko on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, which claimed several innocent lives.

Senator Ipinsagba expressed deep sorrow over the painful incident, describing it as a monumental loss not only to Akungba community but to Ondo North at large. He noted that no community deserves to experience such frequent tragedies, especially within the same axis where heavy-duty vehicles have caused recurring destruction in the past.

The Distinguished Senator commended the efforts of the state government, the Palace, the University community, and security agencies in enforcing the earlier road closure to safeguard lives. He however stressed that all stakeholders must double efforts to ensure that the directives restricting heavy trucks on that route are strictly obeyed to prevent further occurrences.

He assured the Alale and the grieving families of his full legislative and developmental support, including engaging relevant government agencies to fast-track workable and permanent solutions that will guarantee the safety of students, residents, and motorists plying the area.

Senator Ipinsagba prayed for the peaceful repose of the souls of the departed and for divine comfort for their families, stating that their painful deaths must become a turning point toward decisive and lasting action for the protection of Akungba-Akoko and its people.

BELOW IS THE OFFICIAL STATEMENT RELEASED BY THE ALALE OF AKUNGBA PALACE ON THE 16TH OF SEPTEMBER, 2025

TIME: 06:25PM


SAFETY FIRST: ALALE CLARIFIES POSITION ON OKERIGBO HILL BARRICADE

The attention of the Alale Royal Palace, Akungba-Akoko, has been drawn to the growing controversy surrounding the barricade at Okerigbo Hill. This barricade was mounted by the Ondo State Government as a preventive measure to curb recurring accidents caused by articulated trucks descending the steep Okerigbo slope, accidents that had claimed numerous innocent lives in our community.

Recently, disturbing reports have emerged alleging that certain individuals are collecting bribes from trailer drivers to unlawfully bypass the barricade. We wish to state categorically that:
1. The barricade remains a state government safety project and not a local community initiative for personal gain.

2. His Royal Majesty, the Alale and paramount of Akungbaland, has not, at any time, ordered the barricade opened for profit. Such allegations are false, malicious, and should be disregarded by the general public.

3. The Alale has directed all residents and road users to keep away from the barricade opening and has further ordered that trailers must not bypass the barricade until the dualisation project of the Akungba–Ikare road is duly completed. This directive is in the best interest of the safety and welfare of our people.

It is important to note that construction companies engaged in the ongoing dualisation project, as well as relevant government officials, may be granted passage strictly for project-related and official purposes. These exemptions are not to be confused with illegal or unauthorized access granted to heavy-duty vehicles.

We call on law enforcement agencies, transport unions, and community members to cooperate in ensuring strict compliance with this directive. Any individuals found tampering with the barricade, engaging in bribery, or aiding trailers in violating the restriction are acting against the safety of Akungba people and will face the full weight of the law.

The Palace remains committed to protecting the lives and property of all residents, students, and visitors in Akungba-Akoko. We urge the public to remain calm, law-abiding, and supportive of measures that prioritize collective safety.


ISSUED:

MEDIA AND PUBLICITY
THE ALALE ROYAL PALACE

The Ondo State Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal, Psc(+), MNIPS, on Monday, 21st of October 2025, paid an official working visit to the Ikare Area Command, where he held a crucial security meeting with Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) across the Akoko region. The meeting focused on strengthening inter-agency collaboration, sustaining peace, and addressing emerging security challenges in the northern senatorial district of the state.

Speaking during the program, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Ayanlade Olushola, commended the roles of other security stakeholders, particularly the local vigilante groups, for their relentless efforts in maintaining peace across the state. He urged them not to relent but to continue supporting the police in intelligence gathering and community policing.

In his address, the Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Ondo State, Mr. Richard Akintayo, highlighted the various challenges confronting security operatives, ranging from logistics to inadequate manpower. He emphasized that despite these hurdles, peace has largely returned to the region due to collective efforts. He, however, appealed for the establishment of more police posts from Ose down to the border areas of Akoko, as well as the reopening of moribund police stations to enhance security coverage.

Representatives of other security and community groups were also present. The Nigerian Forest Rangers lauded the Commissioner of Police, the Area Commander, and other divisional officers for their continuous collaboration and coordination, which have helped sustain peace, security, and stability in the region.

Also speaking, HRH Oba Amos Sunday Ogunleye, the Eleriti of Eriti and the traditional representative in the PCRC Ondo State, commended the Commissioner for his leadership and reaffirmed the cooperation of traditional rulers in supporting security agencies. The monarch appealed for the reopening of the moribund police station in his community to further strengthen the safety of residents and non-indigenes cohabiting peacefully in Eriti.

The PCRC Chairman of Akungba, Chief Olodoode, also appreciated the efforts of the Commissioner of Police, the Divisional Police Officer in Akungba, and the Alale and paramount ruler of Akungbaland HRM Oba Oseni Isiaka Adu, Agure 1, for their proactive approach to community security. He further requested the establishment of an additional police post and one more police station to meet the security demands of the fast-growing university community.

In his remark, the representative of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Akoko called for enhanced mobility support for police patrols and solicited greater cooperation from transport operators and community members. He also appealed for more identification cards for union members to prevent impersonation and aid security operations.

In his keynote address, CP Adebowale Lawal underscored the geographical importance of the Akoko region, which shares borders with Ekiti, Kogi, and Edo States, making it a strategic area in crime prevention and intelligence operations. The Commissioner commended the Governor of Ondo State, for his unwavering support to security agencies, and also appreciated the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) for prioritizing the state’s security architecture.

The Commissioner also warned against the use of commercial motorcycles for criminal activities, urging Okada riders to always wear identifiable jackets. He called on residents to report suspicious activities promptly to the police, traditional rulers, or PCRC representatives, emphasizing the mantra: “If you see something, say something.” He noted the peculiar security needs of Akungba community as a university town, urging authorities to restrict the movement of heavy-duty trailers through the area to prevent accidents and security threats.

CP Lawal expressed appreciation to Hon. Gboyega Adefarati for donating a Hilux patrol vehicle to the Akungba Police Division, and extended gratitude to the Alale and Paramount Ruler of Akungbaland for his continuous support toward sustaining peace in the community. The Commissioner also thanked all traditional rulers, security stakeholders, and residents for their cooperation, assuring that the police would continue to work tirelessly to preserve the peace and safety of the entire Akoko region

Former Ondo State House of Assembly member, Hon. Abiodun Ogunbi, has stirred controversy within the All Progressives Congress (APC) after tactically suggesting that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has little say in determining the party’s standard bearers for the National Assembly seats ahead of the forthcoming primaries.
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‎This was contained in a video clip circulated online,where Ogunbi was Speaking at a meeting of APC members from Wards 12 and 13 in Akungba Akoko on Saturday, October 18, 2025, he asserted that President Bola Tinubu and Minister of Interior, Hon. Bunmi Tunji-Ojo, have already decided to secure a return ticket for Hon. Adegboyega Adefarati, the current lawmaker representing Akoko South West and Akoko South East Federal Constituency without considering governor Aiyedatiwa's influence
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‎The meeting, held at Community Primary School, Akungba Akoko, was reportedly convened to mobilize support for Adefarati’s re-election bid.
‎ Sources revealed that the gathering was also aimed at countering the recent defection of Hon. Tope Agbulu, the member representing Constituency 2 in the Ondo State House of Assembly, who recently crossed from the PDP to the APC.
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‎Party insiders disclosed that Ogunbi and his allies fear Agbulu’s defection could alter the political balance within the area, potentially threatening Adefarati’s return ticket. They argue that having both lawmakers Adefarati and Agbulu emerge from the same town, Akungba Akoko, can alter political calculation which is invariably likely to affect the interest of the Adefarati's group.
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‎Ogunbi, however, appeared unconcerned about Governor Aiyedatiwa’s position on the matter.
‎ In his address, he repeatedly emphasized that the decisive influence lies with President Tinubu and Minister Tunji-Ojo, subtly downplaying the governor’s role in the process.
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‎The development has reportedly heightened political tension among APC members and supporters in Akoko land, with the party now divided between camps loyal to Adefarati and Agbulu.
‎Even on Akungba Akoko WhatsApp platform serious Altercations are building up among the supporters of the two camps.
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