Ademola Adeleke, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has been declared the winner of the Osun governorship election.

Toyin Ogundipe, returning officer for the state, announced the result of the election on Sunday morning.

Adeleke secured 403, 371 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who polled 375,027 votes.

The PDP candidate won 17 LGAs while the incumbent governor secured victory in 13 LGAs.

Kehinde Atanda of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) placed a distant third with 10,104 votes while Yusuf Lasun of the Labour Party (LP) had 2729 votes.

The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, has ordered a total ban on all use of Police SPY Vehicle Number Plates by vehicle owners across the states of the federation without exception.

This was contained in a statement by Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Wednesday.

The statement was titled, ‘Internal security: IGP bans use of spy number plates nationwide … Directs reversal to original registered number plates, seizure of SPY plates’.

The statement read, “This is irrespective of whether it is authorised, or not, as all authorizations are hereby revoked indefinitely.

“This order is necessary to forestall the continuous disregard for traffic rules and regulations and other extant laws guiding road use by individuals hiding under the privileges of SPY police number plates.

“The IGP has therefore directed that police officers and officers of other security agencies attached to VIPs who use the SPY number plates should ensure prompt compliance with this directive or risk being arrested for violation of the order.

“Meanwhile, the IGP has directed Commissioners of Police in the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, as well as their supervisory Assistant Inspectors General of Police, to give full effect to the directives as contained above.

“The IGP specifically directed the AIGs and CPs to ensure that all SPY number plates currently in use are confiscated henceforth but the owners of such vehicles should not be arrested unless they are police officers or officers of other security agencies on escort duties.

“The IGP however warned that while carrying out these assignments, officers must ensure the rights and privileges of citizens are respected in line with the laws of the land and in accordance with international best practices.

“Other security agencies and members of the public are enjoined to cooperate with the Police in this regard as the moves are aimed at strengthening our internal security.”

The terrorists that attacked the Abuja-Kaduna bound AK9 train on March, 28 have released another set of seven hostages in their custody after more than 100 days in captivity at the forest, The PUNCH reports.

Malam Tukur Mamu, one of the negotiators and Media Consultant to controversial Islamic Cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, who disclosed this, said through his singular efforts, he successfully negotiated the release of “another seven victims.”