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Aiyedatiwa Steps In As Search For Ondo Plane Crash Victims Intensifies.

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Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has directed security agencies and other responders to intensify and sustain the search for victims and the wreckage of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft that crashed in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of the state.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Aiyedatiwa gave the directive on Wednesday when he visited the crash site, describing the incident as a national tragedy.

The military aircraft, which had 25 people on board, reportedly crashed at about 11am on Monday while travelling from Benin to Lagos.

During the visit, the governor inspected the crash site alongside personnel of the Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Air Force, divers, the South-West Director of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and local residents involved in the recovery efforts.

Aiyedatiwa described the scene as a “very gory sight,” noting that body parts, clothing, jackets belonging to Air Force personnel and fragments of the aircraft had been recovered and preserved to assist the investigation.

He said the swampy nature of the terrain had significantly hampered the recovery operation, prompting him to direct the state Ministry of Works to deploy two amphibious machines, commonly known as swamp boogies, to facilitate access to the area.

According to the governor, the main body of the aircraft had not yet been located.

He explained that the amphibious machines had allowed responders to move larger boats closer to the crash site and excavate parts of the swamp in an effort to locate the aircraft.

Aiyedatiwa added that Navy personnel and local divers were searching deeper sections of the swamp for possible bodies and the cockpit.

He noted that the depth and softness of the terrain could have caused the aircraft to sink deep into the mud.

“From construction experience and analysis of this area, for you to get to refusal level, it’ll get to about 30 metres deep,” the governor said.

Aiyedatiwa also disclosed that aviation fuel was leaking into the water, resulting in pollution around the crash site.

He expressed relief that the aircraft did not crash directly into the community, stressing that such an occurrence could have led to an even greater disaster.

The governor said residents told him that the aircraft appeared to have developed an engine problem shortly before the crash.

“Only the pilot would have been able to explain the efforts made to manoeuvre the aircraft. From accounts given by residents, they saw the aircraft descending with what sounded like an engine problem.

“It was coming down and almost appeared set to crash within the community. However, the pilot was able to manoeuvre the aircraft and bring it down about 200 metres away from the community before it went into the swampy area,” he said.

He further suggested that the soft nature of the terrain could be responsible for the aircraft remaining out of sight.

“The terrain is so soft that it appears the aircraft may have sunk deep into the mud, which is why it has not been seen,” Aiyedatiwa added.

The governor also explained that, based on construction activities in the area, reaching a firm layer during piling operations could require extensive excavation.

“From construction experience and analysis of the terrain, reaching refusal level during piling operations in this area can require going as deep as 35 to 40 kilometres,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Commander of the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base, Igbokoda, Captain Andy Alemongwa, briefed the governor on the progress of the ongoing search and recovery operation.

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‘It Is Not About What We Want To Eat’ – Yinka Quadri Explains Support For Tinubu’s Second Term,

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Veteran Yoruba actor Yinka Quadri has explained why he and other members of the Yoruba movie industry are backing President Bola Tinubu’s ambition to secure a second term in office.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Quadri said his support for the president was influenced by his personal experiences and the assistance Tinubu had extended to members of the entertainment industry over the years.

According to the actor, Tinubu’s relationship with entertainers predates his emergence as president, tracing back to his tenure as governor of Lagos State.

Speaking during an interview on the African A-List programme, Quadri recalled how Tinubu reportedly paid the medical expenses of late Nollywood actor Babatunde Omidina, popularly known as Baba Suwe, while he was battling an illness.

The actor maintained that Tinubu had consistently supported entertainers facing financial difficulties, making him a familiar figure within the industry.

Quadri said his decision to support the president was not driven by personal benefits but by his experiences of Tinubu’s assistance to practitioners in the entertainment sector.

He stated, “People do not understand it. It is not about what we want to eat. He has been taking care of those of us in the industry since he was the governor of Lagos.

“When Moji Olaiya died, I, Fathia Balogun, Yomi Fabiyi and others were trying to bring her back from abroad. We went to Bourdillon to seek financial support.

“He asked us for the cost and paid it. It was a total of $25,000. I know it is not enough, but I praise him.”

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Fresh Details Emerge As Makinde’s Chief Of Staff, Ogunwuyi, Resigns.

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The resignation of Segun Ogunwuyi as Chief of Staff to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has been linked to speculation that he may defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Ogunwuyi announced his resignation in a letter dated Monday, October 12, 2026, stating that his decision took effect from the date of the letter.

In the letter, he expressed appreciation for the opportunity to serve the people of Oyo State and contribute to the achievements of the Makinde administration. However, he did not immediately disclose a specific reason for his departure.

Following the development, a source familiar with the matter told Vanguard that Ogunwuyi’s resignation was connected to internal political disagreements within Makinde’s camp ahead of the 2027 general election.

The source also suggested that the former Chief of Staff could be considering a move to the APC in the coming days.

“There have been internal disagreements within the political camp, and Ogunwuyi’s resignation has further fuelled speculation about possible realignments ahead of the 2027 elections,” the source said.

“There are suggestions that he could be considering joining the APC, but we cannot say that definitively at this stage,” the source added.

However, as of the time of filing this report, Ogunwuyi had neither confirmed nor denied the speculation surrounding a possible defection.

Makinde Appoints New Chief Of Staff

Meanwhile, Governor Makinde has appointed Bashorun Akinwale Akinwole, popularly known as Wolekanle, as Ogunwuyi’s successor.

The governor also named Mrs Aderonke Adedayo as the new Director-General of the state’s Due Process Office.

According to appointment letters signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Musibau Babatunde, both appointments take immediate effect.

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EFCC Takes ALSCON, Director To Court In Alleged ₦582.43 Million Fraud Case.

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday, October 12, 2026, arraigned Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON) Plc and its director, Zavyalov Dmitry, before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged money laundering offences involving ₦582,430,250.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The defendants were brought before Justice O. A. Egwuatu on a six-count amended charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/644/2025. Dmitry was reportedly at large as of the time of the arraignment.

According to the charge, ALSCON, described as a Designated Non-Financial Business and Profession (DNFBP), and its director allegedly failed to report certain large single transfers from the company’s account to the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering (SCUML), as required by Section 11(1)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The alleged transactions occurred between March and July 2024 and involved payments to UDATSON Nigeria, Urico Global Services and an individual identified as Christopher Azogu.

The charge listed transfers of ₦147,515,050 in March 2024, ₦156,026,860 in April and ₦121,425,200 in May, all paid to UDATSON Nigeria. Another payment of ₦127,338,190 was reportedly made to the same company in July 2024.

Other transactions listed were ₦15,124,950 paid to Urico Global Services in April 2024 and ₦15 million paid to Christopher Azogu in June 2024.

Count one alleged that ALSCON and Dmitry failed to report a transfer of ₦147,515,050 paid to UDATSON Nigeria from an account operated by the company in March 2024.

Count two contained a similar allegation concerning the transfer of ₦156,026,860 to UDATSON Nigeria in April 2024.

Count four alleged that the defendants failed to report a transfer of ₦121,425,200 to UDATSON Nigeria in May 2024.

The EFCC accused the defendants of offences punishable under Sections 11(3), 19(2)(b) and 22 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The commission’s lead counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, informed the court that the alleged offences were covered by the provisions cited in the charge.

When the charges were read, ALSCON’s Acting Managing Director, Ime Monday Inyang, entered a not-guilty plea on behalf of the company on all six counts.

The company’s lawyer subsequently urged the court to quash the charges, maintaining that ALSCON was innocent of the allegations.

After hearing the parties, Justice Egwuatu adjourned the case until January 27, 2027, for the commencement of trial.

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