The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, has passed on. Oodua News learnt that the monarch, who ascended the throne in July 2024, died in the early hours of Monday, July 7, 2025, after spending a year on the throne. Details later…
Tragedy struck on Tuesday along the Soka axis of the Ibadan-Lagos Expressway as a horrific accident involving multiple vehicles claimed four lives and left several others injured. The crash, which occurred in the early hours of the day, involved four trailers, four commercial Micra cars, and a Toyota Camry. Eyewitnesses said the chain-reaction collision began when a trailer collided with another trailer attempting to reverse out of an abandoned filling station near Soka. The impact caused three other trailers following closely behind to ram into the vehicles ahead, crushing several cars in the process. One of the Micra vehicles was completely flattened, killing all four occupants, including the driver. Among the victims was a woman who had boarded the Micra with her husband from Sanyo, just one stop before the crash site. The woman died instantly, while her husband, who was seated in the front passenger seat, survived with minor injuries. Officials of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) promptly arrived at the scene, evacuating the bodies and transporting the injured to nearby hospitals for treatment. This incident brings the total number of fatal accidents recorded on that stretch of the expressway to six so far this year, raising renewed concerns about road safety and enforcement in the area.
A suicide bomber, on Friday, killed over 10 persons and injured scores at a local food joint in the Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State. Our correspondent gathered that the incident occurred around 10pm. Confirming the bomb blast, the spokesperson for the Borno State Police Command, ASP Nahum Daso, told PUNCH Online on Saturday that over 10 people had died, while an investigation is currently ongoing to ascertain the actual number of casualties. “Yesterday, around 22:00 in Konduga, just unfortunately, somebody invaded a gathering with a bomb, killing over 10 persons,” he said. Daso confirmed that an investigation into the incident had commenced to uncover details behind the attack. “Investigation is ongoing to ascertain what actually or really happened. The detail is still scanty,” the PPRO added. Local sources, however, confirmed to our correspondent that the suicide bomber was burnt beyond recognition, while several others who were injured have been taken to the hospital. “It is a busy joint where people come together, buy food and eat. There are passersby and others. “Everything was going normal until a loud sound was heard. It was a devastating moment. Many people died,” a local source confirmed.
Four people were confirmed dead on Friday as suspected gunmen attacked Ido Ayegunle, a settlement near Esa Oke town in Osun State. The assailants also razed buildings in the community and destroyed residents’ properties during the attack. It was not immediately clear who carried out the attack, but the Obanla of Ido Ayegunle, Ibironke Adebusuyi, alleged in an interview with PUNCH Online that the assailants came from Esa Oke. The people of Esa Oke and Ido Ayegunle have been at loggerheads since January, following the appointment of Prince Oluwatimileyin Oluyemi Ajayi as the Olojudo of Ido Ayegunle by the Osun State Government. Commenting on the latest attack, Adebusuyi said the attackers covered their faces. He further said, “Our people were in the community yesterday, going about their normal activities when hoodlums numbering about 100 invaded our community. They started shooting. They covered their faces but we could recognise some of them. “They came from the Esa Oke axis, arriving on motorcycles around 10 am They surrounded our community and killed four people in a brutal manner. They cut the head off one of them and the wrist of another. “After killing them, they threw their bodies inside a well and used big stones and slabs to cover them. All those killed were from Ido Ayegunle. We are still looking for two people, but four have been confirmed dead. Their remains are at Wesley Guild Hospital morgue in Ilesa.” He urged the state government to ensure those responsible for the attack are brought to justice. The Owamiran of Esa Oke, Oba Adeyemi Adediran, when contacted, dismissed the allegations, saying those accusing his community should provide proof. “I know nothing about the incident,” Oba Adediran said. Meanwhile, Oba Adediran was sighted at the premises of the Osun Command headquarters of the Nigeria Police in Osogbo on Friday. Sources said that during the visit to the command headquarters, the royal father met the State Police Commissioner, Ibrahim Gotan, to discuss issues relating to the crises in the area. Giving an update on the security situation in Ido Ayegunle, Abiodun Ojelabi, the police spokesperson in the state, said the crisis was caused by a disagreement over boundaries. He confirmed the death of four people. “It is a continuation of the previous clash; the people have not relented. As of yesterday (Thursday), when it happened, the police swung into action. Our men went to the scene, but the perpetrators fled when they saw the police. “The CP visited the place today; we have just returned. Four people were killed in the clash. Those deaths were probably caused by the delay before they were taken to the hospital. “Some houses were burnt, and properties including bikes, generators, and streetlights were damaged. Nobody has been arrested yet, but we have recovered some items that could help in our investigation. We are on it, and by God’s grace, those responsible will face the full wrath of the law. Our men are on the ground; the DPO, Area Commander, and tactical team are present,” Ojelabi said.
Ibadan Obas, Mogajis, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Baales, Ibadan Compounds Peace Initiatives (ICPI) and other stakeholders have commended Oyo State Deputy Governor, Barrister Bayo Lawal, for his maturity and patriotic approach in handling the boundary dispute between Iwo and Ibadan in Ogburo community. Recall that the dispute, which has been ongoing, recently escalated, prompting the Oyo and Osun state governments to jointly call for peace and urge the National Boundary Commission (NBC) to finalize the demarcation process. A statement jointly signed by President of Ibadan Mogaji’s, Mogaji Asimiyu Ariori and Coordinator, Ibadan Compound Peace Initiative, Mogaji Nurudeen Akinade praised Lawal’s leadership during a high-level meeting in zone 11, Osogbo, where he addressed stakeholders from both states. They appreciated his emphasis on peace and unity, noting that his approach reflects a deep understanding of the historical and cultural ties between the people of Oyo and Osun states. Lawal had urged all parties to avoid inflammatory statements and rumors that could incite violence or breed mistrust. According to the duo, Oyo State Deputy Governor’s efforts to promote peace and cooperation between the two states have been widely praised. Lawal approach has been seen as a positive step towards resolving the dispute and strengthening the relationship between Oyo and Osun states. The statement affirmed that all major federal activities like 2006 and or other Censors activities after the creation of Osun state indicate that Ogburo, Papa community were all counted as part of Oyo state “Also, Ogburo is always ward 11 unit 3 of Lagelu local government of Oyo state in federak elections held after the 1991 Osun state creation.”
MAKURDI: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has charged security agencies to work towards gathering information that would ensure that that armed herdsmen terrorizing Benue State, were flushed out of Benue State. The President who was in Benue, on Wednesday, to commiserate with the people of the state over the killing of over a hundred persons in Yelwata, Guma Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State, also urged security agencies ensure that the killings comes to an end. Meanwhile, the Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, has called for the establishment of a Special Intervention Fund for communities affected by herdsmen attacks, pointing out that such a fund would be used to support and rehabilitate displaced persons, among other interventions. But charging the police to arrest the perpetrators of the act, to serve as a deterrent, President Tinubu, told the military to put its ears on the ground and work on getting the desired information that would stop a reoccurrence of such incidences. President Tinubu, who was speaking during a town hall meeting at Government House, Makurdi, also directed that a Committee of Elders, comprising past governors and traditional rulers be established, to fashion out modalities for ending the killings and tackling other teething problems confronting the state. The President noted that as soon as the Committee was set up, he would convene a meeting that would be held in Abuja, where they would come up with ideas that would bring about lasting peace, adding that he would personally invest in the project. He further proposed the setting up of another Committee comprising the people of the state as well as non indigene, that would identify issues that would move the state forward. President Tinubu further advised Governor Hyacinth Alia, not to be deterred or distracted by comments from his critics, but should use such criticism as a stepping stone towards achieving his desired results. Equally, the President appealed to the people of Benue, to support Governor Alia, to succeed and to encourage him, in order to achieve his set goals, even as he assured Alia that he would eventually get the desired peace and a second term. While consoling families of the bereaved and the people of the state over the loss, the president said he was saddened that he was coming to the state to condole the people, instead of commissioning projects. In his address at the occasion, the State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, said “The attacks on the peace-loving and good people of Benue state have persisted for well over decade. This, we have cause to feel is a calculated attempt targeted at annihilating us and taking over our ancestral homes. “Your Excellency, this visit of yours marks the very first time, we will have the president of the nation visit us on the account of insecurity. We believe this will bring an end to the security challenges that have persisted against our people in Benue State. “Even though our eyes of full of tears and emotional grief due to the loss of our loved ones, our properties, farmlands and ancestral homes, our hopes are ignited by your visit. “Before the visit, the service chiefs and different security formations have come and we are hopeful that, this visit will bring the lasting peace the people of Benue State have long yearned for. Your presence is a form of unimaginable reassurance and we are confident that, never again will our people be subjected to this degree of underserved and barbaric inhumanity. “Your Excellency, while we continue to mourn our losses and rebuild from the ashes of pain, we humbly urge the Federal Government to consider establishing a special intervention fund for communities affected by these incessant attacks in Benue state. “Such a fund would go a long way in supporting the rehabilitation of displaced persons, rebuilding of destroyed infrastructure, and restoring the livelihoods of our farmers and families whose lives have been upended. Our administration will keep working to ensure that our people are not only safe but can thrive again on their own land. “My inestimable debt of gratitude goes to His Excellency, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his love and concern for the people of Benue State, eminently demonstrated by his prompt visit to the state in the wake of the attack on Yelwata community. “The President’s decision to cancel other engagements of state concern to personally pay us a visit is an unquestionable demonstration of true leadership. We commend the efforts of all security agencies and formations in Benue State. We sincerely wish to solicit that, these efforts be improved and more drastic security measures be taken to confront these challenges better. Earlier, the Tor Tiv, HRM, Prof James Ayatse, had informed President Tinubu, that what was happening in the state was not farmers/herders clashes, but genocidal attacks that have been ongoing for over a decade. He also noted that he was confident of the capability of the president to end the killings in the state. The Tor Tiv, condemned the politicization of the killing by Benue sons, that would lead to a declaration of a state of emergency, he appreciated the president for finding the sons of the state, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) worthy of appointments into his cabinet.
IBADAN – The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take decisive action as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces to end the persistent killings and kidnappings in Benue, Plateau, and other parts of the country. In a statement issued on Tuesday, PFN President, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, described the situation in Benue State as a national tragedy, urging the federal government to rise to the occasion with urgent and effective intervention. Bishop Wale Oke stressed the need for the government to reclaim territories allegedly taken over by terrorists and restore them to their rightful indigenous owners. He noted that the continuous attacks on innocent civilians had led to widespread displacement and trauma, especially in Benue State. “The PFN sympathizes with the Governor and people of Benue State over the relentless killings. We are deeply concerned about the alarming state of insecurity in the nation, with Benue being a critical flashpoint that has suffered for too long,” he said. Faulting the current security architecture, the PFN President said a comprehensive overhaul is urgently needed. “The current security system has failed us. Killings are taking place across the country, and the carnage has been relentless. What is happening in Benue is not a case of two parties fighting; it is an invasion by illegally armed bandits seeking to displace and dominate indigenous communities,” he stated. Bishop Oke further condemned the repeated attacks on Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, describing them as “heinous acts” against vulnerable citizens who should have been under state protection. “This is not about Benue people killing themselves. These are external invaders committing atrocities. If any state deserves a declaration of emergency, it is Benue,” he added. While acknowledging President Tinubu’s recent directive for special security forces to move into Benue, Bishop Oke said the action appeared belated and insufficient given the scale of the crisis. “It is not enough to visit as a ‘Mourner-in-Chief.’ The President must act with the full weight of his office and protect the lives and land of the Benue people. Treating this as internal conflict is misleading and dangerous,” he warned. He also extended the PFN’s concerns to Plateau, Taraba, and other regions suffering similar attacks, urging the Federal Government to restore law and order across affected areas. “The Federal Government owes Nigerians a duty to restore peace and security. We believe President Tinubu has the capacity to handle the situation if he acts boldly and decisively,” Bishop Oke emphasized. He concluded with a call for credible, impartial leadership in the security sector, saying: “We cannot continue to ask the cat to watch over the meat. The time has come to place the right people in charge of protecting Nigerians.” The PFN reiterated its prayers for the people of Benue, Plateau, and the nation at large, while urging swift and genuine action from the presidency.
IBADAN – Director-General of the Oyo State Solid Mineral Development Agency, Mr Abiodun Oni, has warned that the state government will continue to be stern against illegal miners and individuals putting the lives of residents at risk through different activities that can degrade the environment. Oni stated this recently when the agency inspected the Ibadan Circular Road, where illegal excavation has led to the degradation of the area spanning Egbeda and Lagelu Local Government Areas. He maintained that the inspection followed an earlier visit by the governor, during which he gave an instruction that such activities should be halted in the area, noting that though the warning had been heeded, the state would not relent in ensuring that the environment is protected. He lamented that the state government would have to spend huge resources, which could be channeled to the development of the state, on fixing the environmental damage caused by the unguided excavation activities. According to Oni, the Executive Order on the Security and Protection of Mining Communities is in force in the state and the state government would leave no stone unturned towards ensuring its enforcement despite mining falling under the exclusive legislative list. He said: “About a few weeks ago, the governor had an inspection around here and discovered the kind of illegal mining activities going on here. “We found out the kind of environmental degradation happening here. So, we have come today as a follow-up to the inspection he did. We also had a team from the Ministry and Agency that came here a few days ago as well, which met with the people causing the havoc here. “The team warned those people. So, this is just a follow-up to that visitation. So far, so good, the engagement here is yielding some results, because we have travelled about 8.5 km and we have not seen anybody excavating here. “I think they are yielding to the warning but this is going to be a continuous exercise, because illegal miners don’t give up. We will continue to make sure we come around here, because we want to put a stop to the illegal activity. “If they continue to do this, we have to take action. Though the law of the land as regards mining rests with the Federal Government, we have our own laws that give us the room to act one way or the other. The Executive Order that the governor signed in 2023 takes care of some of those consequential responses and we will put them into action. We have to get hold of these guys and enforce the law. “Though they have done what they have done, they are not going to continue doing it. We will make sure that they don’t continue to do this excavation. Just look at the land. It is going to cost a lot more to be able to reclaim it. “So, we are going to keep spending time to let people inspect this place and make sure this act stops.” In another development, the OSMDA DG and his team equally visited Igbeti in Olorunsogo Local Government Area of the state, where they inspected the site of the recent rock weathering, which initially caused a stir before the government explained the cause of the incident. Speaking in Igbeti, Oni reiterated the state government’s position that there is no cause for alarm, noting, however, that residents should not carry out activities near the rock until they are informed it is safe to do so. He added that the state government has been on top of the situation, as it has been coordinating the local authorities including the local government and the traditional institution on necessary actions. Oni said: “From what we have seen, the rock was subjected to extreme heat and made a weak part of the rock come down. “To the glory of God, we don’t have any casualty and this is one of the reasons why the governor sent us here to calm nerves down. “We have reassured the people of the community that there is no danger but they should steer clear of the rock. This is because there may be a recurrence. “This thing is better attended to by the local authorities that we have advised from the state. I have been in touch with the elected council chairman and the king of the town. We have also advised the people to stay away as much as they can. “As I said, it is still more like an active system and we don’t want anybody to get hurt. So, I want to implore the people of the community and the farmers farming close to the rock to stay away for now.” Also speaking, the vice chairman, Olorunsogo Local Government, who spoke on behalf of the chairman, Hon. Kazeem Olayanju, said the council had taken several actions, including working with the traditional institution to disseminate information to residents on the incident and why they should stay away from the rock. He added that the government is also working on erecting a barricade to prevent people from the axis. Similarly, the Onigbeti of Igbetiland, Oba (Engr) Bashir Abioye, lauded the Oyo State Government for taking necessary steps to prevent the loss of lives, adding that he had also tasked a team of experts to evaluate the situation. He said: “This incident also occurred last year and the one that just happened was the continuation of what happened last year. The government of Oyo State has taken the necessary steps to make sure that no life is lost. “We have also asked the hunters and farmers that do use the rock to stop going there temporarily. The government has asked a team of experts to come and evaluate the rock and I believe that, with the capacity of the state government, the needful would be done, because we know that the lives of our people are important to them.”
Chief Olayinka Segelu Oladimeji, a gubernatorial aspirant under the umbrella of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has extended his heartfelt condolences to the family of Hon. Olatunji Suleiman Akande, known as Lexyman Smally, as well as to the Oluyole Local Government and the Oyo State PDP. Segelu, Germany-based entrepreneur and ICT pundit, in a statement, expressed sorrow over the passing of Hon. Akande, highlighting his contributions as a strong voice in the Oluyole Local Government. According to him, the sad news came after a conversation he had with Asiwaju Oluyole, Hon. Akeem Olatunji last night, who was in Saudi Arabia at the time, grieving the loss of his dear aide. “Unbeknown to me, he was mourning, and it was a shocking revelation,” Segelu added. Asiwaju Segelu shared in the collective sorrow of the community as they mourn the sudden passing of Lexyman Smally. He called for prayers for the deceased, stating, “May Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljannah Firdaus.” The community will continually remember Hon. Akande for his dedication and service to humanity, and his legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire many within the Oluyole Local Government and beyond.
A policeman’s stray bullet has claimed the life of a young student on his way to sit for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) exams. Eyewitnesses reported that the officer, in pursuit of a fleeing vehicle along the busy Gbagi Market Road, opened fire in an attempt to stop a suspect. One of the bullets allegedly missed its target and struck a schoolboy who was riding on his father’s motorcycle alongside his twin brother. It was gathered that the boy was immediately rushed to Welfare Hospital but was declared dead on arrival. According to bystanders, the deceased and his twin were en route to their examination center at the time of the incident. The sympathizers and market traders at the scene in a protest took the boy’s body to the Oyo State Secretariat. There, demonstrators demanded immediate justice and sought an audience with Governor Seyi Makinde. In a video presently circulating online, security personnel were seen attempting to control the growing crowd, while sympathizers called for transparency, accountability, and urgent reform in police engagement protocols in public places. As of press time, neither the Oyo State Police Command nor the state government had issued an official statement.
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