Obaseki vows to comb Edo forests for killer herdsmen
• His death hit me like a tornado, says Dare • It’s another sad day, Pinnick declares, Okala mourns
EDO State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, yesterday, disclosed that the state government had concluded plans to comb forests in the state for killer herdsmen, as it intensifies efforts to weed out criminals from the state.
He stated this when he led heads of security agencies on a fact- finding visit to Ugo Community in Orhionmwon Council, where he commiserated with families who lost their relations to herdsmen attacks.
His words: “I am here with the Commissioner of Police ( CP), Philip Agbadu, and heads of other security agencies to commiserate with you. This is to tell you how serious we take what has happened in Ugo. We are here to commiserate with you, let you know that we feel your pains, and that as a government, we are concerned and worried about the situation.
“The major role of any government is to protect life and property of citizens. We are here to find out for ourselves what actually happened and to take certain decisions.
“I know this is not the first time it has happened, but we want to ensure that this sort of thing does not happen again. I thank you for being law- abiding citizens and for not taking the laws into your hands.”
Obaseki reassured the residents of commitment to check the activities of killer herdsmen in the state, noting: “I assure you that an operation will be carried out. I am happy with the number of vigilantes in the community, which means that you have enough information. We are not against the presence of anybody who wants to do legitimate business here.
“We are only saying that if they want to come and graze, they must do it legally and lawfully.”
Obaseki further explained that the state government would initiate an operation through which it would evacuate anybody who is not supposed to be in the forests, adding: “Good enough, there is information about their location and they cannot be more armed than the military.
“We cannot bring back those we have lost. All we can do is to ensure that we do not lose many more lives. We will support the Council Chairman, Sylvester Okoro, to help and support the families of the deceased.
“Rest assured that the heads of security agencies have a track record. They are senior officers with experience that will help us secure our state. We will deal with the security situation and we will identify the criminals.
“We don’t want to join issues with those who are taking advantage of the situation on the Internet, as they are posting all sorts of fake and false information.”
NIGERIAN football fraternity was thrown into another mourning yesterday following the death of former Green Eagles defender, Yisa Sofoluwe, at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital ( LUTH). Sofoluwe, who was diagnosed of mild cerebral atrophy at the Prince and Life Medical Hospital, Ikorodu, was moved to LUTH last Friday when his condition became worse. The 54- year- old former defender gave up the ghost on Tuesday night while waiting for surgery.
The news of Sofoluwe’s ailment was first broken to Nigerians last week on FUBS, a Whatsapp platform for sportsmen and women. And on Tuesday afternoon, Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, and other Nigerians initiated moves to rescue Sofoluwe from the ailment. Dare reportedly sent money through another exinternational to support his medical bill. But all the efforts failed to save the Cote d’ivoire ’ 84 and Maroc ’ 88 African Cup of Nations silver medallist.
Yesterday, Sports Minister, Sunday Dare, expressed ‘ deep shock’ when news of Sofoluwe’s demise broke.
“The news of Yisa Sofoluwe’s death is quite devastating and one that hit me like a tornado,” Dare said in a statement yesterday. “He was a great, committed, disciplined, humble and patriotic player. He came ahead of his time.
“My condolences and prayers go to his wife, children, teammates and the football community. He died just when help was on the way to pay for his surgery. His death is a huge loss. Rest in peace Dean of Defence.”
To Nigeria Football Federation ( NFF) President, Amaju Pinnick, Sofoluwe’s death came as a rude shock.
“It is another sad, sad day. Just a couple of weeks ago, we were lamenting the loss of former goalkeeper and coach Joseph Erico. Now, Yisa Sofoluwe. That man was a gem in the greenand- white and did his very best for Nigeria whenever he was on the field. Personally, I have sweet memories of Yisa Sofoluwe.
“It is more painful that he left just when help was coming to him from everywhere and the process was on to rectify his medical condition. We loved him but God loves him more. May his soul rest in peace.”
Former Green Eagles goalkeeper, Emmanuel Okala also described Sofoluwe’s death yesterday as shocking.
Sofoluwe first wore Nigeria’s colours during the qualifying series for the 1983 FIFA World Youth Championship ( now FIFA U- 20 World Cup) in Mexico. He was a key figure in that squad that became the first Nigerian team to feature at a FIFA- organised championship.
Nicknamed ‘ Dean of Defence’ by Ace sports commentator, Ernest Okonkwo, Sofoluwe was saddled with the task of marking the Dutch legendary footballer, Marco Van Basten at that World Youth Championship. The Flying Eagles defeated old Soviet Union, lost to Brazil and drew with The Netherlands, narrowly failing to make the knockout stage.
The same year, Sofoluwe made his senior debut on August 28, 1983 in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match with Morocco at the then Ogbe Stadium in Benin City, which ended scoreless. The return leg in Rabat also ended scoreless, but Nigeria triumphed 4- 3 after penalty shootout to qualify for Cote d’ivoire ’ 84.
Sofoluwe played a notable role in the Green Eagles squad that finished as runner- up in Cote d’ivoire, winning Nigeria’s first silver medal at the AFCON, and was also a force in the team that repeated the feat in Morocco four years later.