By Our Correspondent

Prior to today’s govership election in Osun, the palace of the Aree of Ire, Oba Muritala Oyelakin, was reportedly attacked by suspected political thugs in the early hours of Friday.

The monarch said the incident occurred at about 2am when two Sienna vehicles allegedly arrived at the palace and the occupants fired shots into the air before shooting at the gate of the palace.

Oba Oyelakin said the attackers might have been discouraged from gaining access to the palace because lights were on in the premises, where some people were observing prayers at the time of the incident.

According to him, he repeatedly switched the lights off and on to draw attention to the presence of people in the palace and scare the assailants.

A gunshot mark was reportedly seen at the palace gate following the attack.

While narrating his ordeal, he said, “the attack occurred around 2 a.m., the lights were on at the time because he was holding a prayer session, with some people still present on the premises.

“I saw two Sienna vehicles and that the assailants first shot into the air before firing at his gate. I repeatedly switched the lights off and on to give the impression that people were present and scare the attackers away.”

The monarch, who expressed concern over the incident, called on security agencies to thoroughly investigate the attack and ensure that those responsible were arrested and brought to justice.

“I want to call on all security agencies to thoroughly investigate the incident and ensure the perpetrators are arrested and brought to justice.”

Meanwhile, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Honourable Adewale Egbedun, on Friday raised the alarm over alleged attacks and abduction in his Odo Otin Local Government Area.

Speaking to Journalists in Osogbo, Egbedun alleged that reports of attacks, intimidation and threats against citizens and political actors in his council had caused panic and anxiety in the past 48 hours.

He also alleged the three armed men, who confessed to be working for the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Ifelodun/Odo Otin/Boripe Federal Constituency, Francis Eniade, had been released by the Department of State Service (DSS).

According to him, “the reports before us are deeply troubling. We have received accounts alleging that armed military personnel posted to Odo Otin Local Government led by Sikiru Adeboye have been moving through communities in Odo Otin, targeting leaders and members of the Accord political platform.

“These actions must not be dismissed or politicised. They require immediate, independent and transparent investigation by the appropriate authorities.”

By Our Correspondent

The United World Congress of Diplomats, UN-WCD, a global non-profit organisation with United Nations ECOSOC status, and IOED and diplomatic missions in 134 countries, has called on world leaders engaged in armed conflicts and all perpetrators of violence to lay down their weapons and embrace dialogue as the only path to lasting peace.

UN-WCD in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Thursday by Kelechi Esogwa-Amadi, Media Assistant to the Head of Policy and Diplomatic Relations & Director, South-South/South-East Region, H.E. Amb. Dr. Larry-Goodwill Ajiola, also charged terrorists, bandits, herdsmen, gunmen, kidnappers and all perpetrators of violence in Nigeria and other parts of the world to stop inflicting mayhem and allow peace, harmony and tranquility to reign in the society.

The statement decried the rising wave of wars, terrorism and violent crimes, warning that hostilities were undermining global development and human dignity.

They urged terrorists, bandits, herdsmen, gunmen, kidnappers and other violent actors in Nigeria and across the world to cease hostilities and allow peace, harmony and tranquillity to prevail.

The Diplomats stressed that sustainable peace could only be achieved through diplomacy anchored on justice, equity and fairness, not through war, intimidation or brute force, urging warring leaders, terrorists to down weapons for peace

“Rather than promote lasting peace, friendship, trust and healthy relationship, under which UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are achieved, war deepens crisis, enmity, hate, bitterness, xenophobia, rancour, acrimony, suspicion and distrust, which all strain international relations and impede trade, thereby depressing the economy of nations, investment, growth and development,” the statement added.

Citing SDG 16 on Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, UN-WCD lamented that some world leaders have chosen war over diplomacy, plunging nations into incessant crises and socio-economic uncertainty.

The statement read: “It’s important to re-emphasize that the United Nations underscored the essence of Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions in the quest for socio-economic development around the world by including them as SDG 16.

“It is therefore unfortunate that rather than follow this path charted by the United Nations for global peace, harmony and socio-economic sustainability, some world leaders have decided to tread the path of war, which is hostile, inhumane, selfish and brutish, relegating diplomacy to the background and plunging their countries in particular and the world at large into incessant crises, tension and uncertainty.

“Thousands have died as a result of these inhumane hostilities: Mothers, fathers, youths, children, babies, the sick, the healthy, the elderly, soldiers, civilians. Enough of this carnage! Enough of this evil bully called WAR!! Enough of global geo-political tensions and socio-economic uncertainty!!!”

The group specifically called for an end to the Russia-Ukraine war, US-Iran tensions, Israel-Palestine hostilities and tensions on the Korean Peninsula, urging a return to round-table diplomacy, which it said held the key to true peace and reconciliation.

“We can’t help but agree with the late former Israeli Prime Minister, Yitzhak Rabin, that peace and reconciliation are made with enemies and not with friends.”

The UN-WCD expressed its readiness to render mediatory support services if called upon, as part of its contribution to global peace, adding that its 25-member Nigerian delegation would be engaging US lawmakers soon as part of the group’s #EndWarNow global peace campaign.

BY UTHMAN BABA NASEER-,MINNA

A twenty five years old Bala Aliyu of Bosso town in Niger State was publicly administered twenty strokes of horse whip (KOBOKO), in the presence of his family in Bosso town on the order of a Minna Senior Magistrate Court.

Aliyu was earlier in the Month of June, found guilty and sentenced to 13 years in Correctional Centre in addition with the twenty stroke of the canes to be carried out in his community with a compensation of N250,000 to be paid to the victim

He was charged to the court through the office of the Director General of Niger State Child Right and Protection Agency (NSCRPA) Barrister Ummul-Kalthume Muhammed for prosecution and he was found guilty as charged.

The Director General who witnessed the flogging of the convict,described the sentencing and administering of whipping as a monumental step to send a signal that her agency does not compromise gender related cases for granted particularly child molestation and abuse.

She said the public enforcement was to send a strong warning to anyone who thinks they can abuse children and escape justice. She also called on communities to stop protecting or hiding people who commit such offences.

“ We in the Niger State Child Right And Protection Agency (NSCRPA), are prepared to go all out to take anyone involved in Gender Base Violence against Girl Child or any Domestic Violence against women or the vulnerable out of the community.

“We will not compromise in ensuring that such people face the heavy weight of the law. We will not allow such persons to move freely in our streets. The full wrath of Justice will be visited on the perpetrators of these crimes against our girl child.

“ This is a warning and a signal to any person or group that thinks that he can commit these heinous crimes and go away with that person should have a re-think that he is getting it wrong the law will surely go after him” the Director General warned.

According to Barrister Ummul Kathume Muhammed, the administering of the public punishment “ is not only about the convict. It also serves as a strong warning to any one who abuse or sexually molest girl child should expect the full consequences of the law”

She then appealed to members of the public to raise their voices by reporting suspected cases of child abuse,molestation and any gender based violences to her agency for prompt action rather than allowing the perpetrators to go scot free without allowing justice to take its cause against offenders.

The Prosecuting Counsel in the office of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Niger State Aisha Ashafa Esq,described the judgment as an important development that could set a precedent for how similar cases are handled

According to her, the victim’s mother initially considered withdrawing the case, but later decided to allow the legal process to continue after understanding the importance of seeking justice for the child and holding the accused accountable.

The case has renewed calls for parents, traditional rulers and community members to take stronger action against child sexual abuse and report suspected cases to the appropriate authorities.

She stressed the need for the community to always report any forms of abuse against children in your community to Niger State child right agency or any police division in your community for necessary action.

Bala was said to have sexually abused his neighbor’s 10-year-old daughter and was sentenced to 13 years imprisonment,with 20 strokes of the cane, and ₦250,000 in compensation for the victim by a Minna Senior Magistrate Court number nine presided by Senior Magistrate Samira Jibrin Wambai.

While serving his jail term at the Minna Medium Correctional Centre Tunga, he was brought to the Palace of the District Head of Bosso where he was publicly administered the twenty stroke of the horse whip.

She said the public enforcement was intended to send a strong warning to anyone who thinks they can abuse children and escape justice warning communities to stop protecting or hiding people who commit such heinous crimes.

The Prosecuting State Counsel in the Ministry of Justice, Barrister Aisha Shafa, described the judgment as an important development that could set a precedent for how similar cases are handled.

She called members of the public to speak out by reporting suspected cases of child abuse instead of allowing offenders to escape justice.

In an interview with reporters,the District Head of Bosso, Malam Muazu Adamu Laka, said he had never witnessed this kind of judgment being publicly enforced in his community before.

He expressed satisfaction with the decision, saying the public enforcement would help community members understand the seriousness of child sexual abuse and discourage others from committing similar offences.