Cult Clash Prompts Osun Poly Closure, Matriculation Delay

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  The management of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, on Wednesday announced the closure of the institution a day after suspected cultists clashed near the entrance of the school. The PUNCH had earlier reported that one man was feared killed in a violent clash involving members of two rival cult groups on Tuesday. In a video shared by Lamina Omotoyosi, a Facebook user, said to have been purportedly recorded, while the incident was going on, a man wearing a white shirt was filmed hitting someone lying down with a hammer on the head, while two other people watched from close distance. It was also learnt that, after the perpetrators of the crime had fled, operatives of the Anti-Cultism Unit of Osun State Police Command were deployed to the institution to restore normalcy. The Dean, Students Affairs of the Polytechnic, Dr Tope Abiola, who confirmed a clash of some hoodlums near the school gate, added, “We were inside campus when we started hearing gunshots. From the findings, one person was critically injured. I am not aware that anyone died. “The person who was critically injured is an ex-student of the polytechnic. He did his National Diploma here and completed the program about 2 years ago. One of the other three people who were injured was hit by stray bullets.” Also, commenting on the incident, Osun Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, said those who sustained injury in the clash were receiving treatment in a hospital. Apparently, to prevent aggravating tension that the development caused, the management directed the students to immediately proceed on mid-semester break. The management, in an internal memorandum signed by the Registrar, Abiodun Oloyede, dated April 9, 2025, also announced the postponement of matriculation for the new students, earlier slated for Thursday, indefinitely. “Given the pleas and appeals received from some set of students who have not been able to pay their school’s fees and had not completed their registration formalities, Management has magnanimously granted a week mid-semester break from Thursday, April 10 to Wednesday, April 16, 2025. “This is to allow all defaulting students to pay their school fees and complete their registration procedure. Consequently, the Matriculation Ceremony for the 2024/2025 Academic Session, earlier scheduled to hold tomorrow, Thursday, April 10 2025, has been postponed. “A new date shall be announced in due course. All students are therefore enjoined to avail themselves of this break and pay all their fees and complete their registration as no further appeal shall be entertained,” the memo read.

Plateau Killings: IG Orders Deployment Of Assets, Tactical Squads

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  The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the immediate and comprehensive deployment of police tactical assets to troubling communities in Plateau State. In a statement on Wednesday morning, the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the deployment was in response to the series of attacks and killings that have plagued some communities in Bokkos Local Government Area since March 28. Adejobi said the decisive action underscores the Nigeria Police Force’s resolve to restoring peace, ensuring the safety and security of all residents, and bringing perpetrators of these heinous crimes to justice. He said the IG has tasked the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Department of Operations, DIG Kwazhi Yakubu, to lead and coordinate this critical intervention with significant reinforcements, including additional units of highly trained tactical personnel, state-of-the-art drones for enhanced surveillance, Armored Personnel Carriers units of Police Mobile Force, helicopters, and specialised platoons from the Special Intervention Squad. Adejobi said these resources will be strategically deployed to conduct special operations aimed at effectively curbing the incessant attacks which have tragically resulted in the loss of innocent lives. The statement added, “The recent escalation of violence began on March 28, 2025, when some armed assailants launched a brutal attack in Bokkos, resulting in the deaths of some individuals and serious injuries to many others. “This initial incident tragically marked the beginning of a series of attacks that have since claimed the lives of scores of people, leaving communities devastated and gripped by fear. “Recognising the gravity of the situation, the IGP has directed DIG Kwazhi and the deployed security forces to undertake a multi-faceted approach, focusing not only on suppressing the ongoing violence but also on proactively preventing future attacks. “Upon arrival in Plateau State on Tuesday, 8th April 2025, DIG Kwazhi paid a courtesy visit on the Executive Governor of Plateau State, His Excellency, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang. “During this meeting, DIG Kwazhi conveyed the IGP’s sincere condolences to the affected families and communities, as well as to the entire people of Plateau State. “The meeting also served as an opportunity to assess the situation firsthand, delve into the root causes of the attacks, and collaboratively develop a sustainable, long-term solution to these senseless killings. “The Nigeria Police Force, under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, remains fully committed to working in close collaboration with the Plateau State Government, community leaders, security agencies, and all relevant stakeholders to restore lasting peace and stability to the region. “The NPF urges residents to cooperate with the police and other security agencies, providing any information that may assist in the ongoing investigation and efforts to maintain peace on the Plateau.“ Punch  

JUST IN: Ibas Appoints Administrators For 23 Rivers LGs

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  Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.) has approved the appointment of administrators for the 23 Local Government Areas of the state. This comes less that 24 hours after a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt reportedly restrained him from appointing administrators to oversea the affairs of the local government councils. The order was issued by Justice Adam Muhammed on Tuesday in suit no. FHC/PH/CS/46/2025 in the case filed by PILEX Centre for Civic Education Initiative led by Courage Msirimovu against the Sole Administrator in his official capacity. However, Ibas also approved the constitution of some boards of agencies, commissions and parastatals which he had earlier suspended. The approval was contained in a Special Government Announcement issued on Wednesday morning by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibibia Worika. Though the names of the new appointees were not listed, the statement said the appointments takes immediate effect. It reads, “His Excellency The Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas CFR, has approved the appointments of administrators for the 23 Local Government Areas of Rivers State. “He has also approved the reconstitution of some boards of agencies, commissions, and parastatals, earlier suspended. “All appointments take effect from Monday, the 7th of April 2025.” Recall that last week, the sole administrator had suspended all heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the state with immediate effect. In a seperate development, Ibas also cancelled all pending procurement and tender processes carried out by Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the state. He said the cancellation became necessary following the Supreme Court judgment and the absence of an appropriation law within the period. The sole administrator according to a previous statement also issued by the SSG, directed all MDAs that carried out such tender processes for projects in their respective offices to refund such fees to the respective contractors immediately. Punch  

Reps Caucus Leadership Not Based On Appointment, LP Lawmakers Tell Abure

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  The Labour Party caucus in the House of Representatives has laughed off the purported sack of its Chairman, Afam Ogene by the embattled National Chairman of the party, Mr Julius Abure. Ogene, a member representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency, Anambra State, had while reacting to Friday’s Supreme Court judgment which removed Abure from office, pledged the readiness of the LP House of Representatives caucus to work with the party’s National Caretaker Committee led by Senator Nenadi Usman. Abure, however, announced Ogene’s sack on Monday, in what may be another feud within the party’s fold. In a statement issued by Ogene on Tuesday, on behalf of the caucus, the lawmaker elected on the platform of the Labour Party reminded Abure that it is their duty to name their leader based on personal conviction. The statement partly read, “The Labour Party legislators have emphasised that the position of a caucus Leader is not an office based on appointment; rather the leader is chosen/elected by peers based on their own conviction of his/her leadership qualities and capacity to speak on their behalf in the overall interest of the party and the people they represent. We state this in response to several inquiries from the media and other party faithful arising from developments after the Supreme Court pronouncement sacking the LP Chairman.” “On May 6, 2023, a 35-member Labour Party caucus in the 10th Assembly of the House of Representatives elected Hon Afam Ogene as its Leader. Ogene, a ranking member from the 7th Assembly, emerged as the Labour Party leader with 21 votes, after a keenly contested election. Although 34 members-elect of the party were present at the voting session, only 31 of them took part in the exercise, with the trio of Honourables Okey-Joe Onuakalusi, Obi Aguocha and Professor Lilian Oby Orogbu abstaining, being persons who conducted the exercise. “So, it’s only the members of the caucus who overwhelmingly elected him, that have the right to remove him as leader, not “an authoritarian power thirsty individual that’s still battling, without much success, to extricate himself from the muddy waters of multiple allegations of malfeasance,” the caucus said in a statement signed by Ogene on Tuesday. He added, “If Abure’s latest ill-advised tactics is because of the stand of the caucus lauding the judgement of the Supreme court, which unequivocally declared that Abure’s tenure has long lapsed, then he is way off-mark, because that remains the majority position of LP House of Representatives members – a fact that would be reinforced on Wednesday, April 9, by the number of legislators that will attend the NEC/Stakeholders meeting convened by the Party’s National Leader, Mr Peter Obi and Governor Alex Otti. “We need to let Abure know, and boldly too, that the Labour Party is a credible organisation and not a ponzi scheme … . From Ebonyi, to Plateau, Ondo, Edo (where he embarrassed the party through his undignified episodes with the police), it’s all about slush funds and compromise of the integrity of the office of a party National Chairman. Even in Anambra last week, the mention of the name Abure has continued to emit a putrid smell of financial malfeasance. “He may wish to tell Nigerians, and the world, what is at the centre of his feud with Eze Oko Splendour of Ebonyi State, Kenneth Imasuagbon in Edo, and the aspirants that took part in last weekend’s Anambra LP gubernatorial farce. It is appalling that a man who is yet to account for party finances arising from the 2023 general elections, nor leaves any penny in the party’s account – despite raising hundreds of million naira in sale of forms and other gratifications in several off-season elections – would be so engrossed in wanting to access funds belonging to the House of Representatives caucus, which only points to the depths Abure can go… “Ironically, no sane organ of the party would entrust the Supreme Court-sacked former national chairman with money, no matter how little, at least, until he is able to cleanse himself of the twin evil of allegations of forgery levied against him by former national treasurer of the LP, Oluchi Oparah. Funds belonging to the caucus are intact, and would only be deployed in a manner prescribed by members, not by the former chairman’s discretion. The Labour Party deserves a clean break from that integrity-deficient leadership history, to a future that all party faithful will be proud to associate with.” Punch  

Olubadan Declares Sarkin Sasa’s Title Void, Reaffirms Baale’s Authority

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  The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, has declared the title of Sarkin Sasa in the Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State as null and void and not recognised by Ibadan Traditional Chieftaincy Law. This declaration was made during the Olubadan-In-Council meeting, which was held on Monday at Olubadan Palace, Oke Aremo, in Ibadan. The PUNCH reports that the late Sarkin Sasa was the Chairman of the Council of Arewa Traditional Rulers in the 17 Southern States of Nigeria. In a swift move to fill the leadership vacuum, one of his sons, Ahmed Haruna (Ciroma), was unanimously nominated as the new Sarkin Sasa by the family and the traditional councils of the 17 Southern states without the consent of Olubadan. A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the monarch, Gbenga Ayoade, in Ibadan, the state capital, on Tuesday, said, “Chief Akinade Ajani Amusa is the recognised Baale of Sasa land in the Akinyele Local Area of the state, and the accredited representative of the Olubadan of Ibadanland. “Let it be noted that any individual or group of persons in Sasa land are under the authority of the Baale of Sasa land; Akinade Ajani. It is therefore imperative to accord him the appropriate respect and authority. Any disobedience to his directive will be met with serious sanctions as it will be considered an affront to the Olubadan stool,” Olubadan warned.  

Banana Island On Lockdown: Estate Gates Shut, Traffic Chaos Spreads To Lekki-Ajah Axis

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  The gates of the Banana Island situated in the Ikoyi Area of Lagos State was on Tuesday shut for entry and exit. This shutdown has caused gridlock on the Lekki-Ajah axis and some other parts of Ikoyi. There are speculations that the shutdown was due to the proposed demolition of the Banana Club House. In a viral video on Tuesday, vehicles in their long queues were seen stranded in the estate, with some men manning the gate to the estate. As of the time of filing this report, there were contradictory claims on the government agencies responsible for the development. While some attributed it to agencies of the Federal Government, some others said agencies of the state government were responsible. Inquiring about the blockage, our correspondent, after citing a viral broadcast message that the estate gates had been locked from residents, reached out to the Lagos State Building Control Agency, which denied being in the area. The broadcast message which circulated on Tuesday read, “Lagos State Govt agency has just shut down Banana Island — disallowing residents and visitors from entering or leaving.” Another claim corroborating the message on X by a user identified as #Nothingispromised said, “We love suffering in this country. So because government officials dey Banana Island, no car fit go in or out of the estate until they are gone? They have successfully created another crazy traffic that will affect Lekki and part of Ikoyi.” Reacting, the spokesperson for LABSCA, Adu Ademuyiwa, noted that the claim that their officials are on the ground disrupting activities in the area is unfounded. He said, “It is not true. Our men are not there. And we have not stopped any residents or visitors from entering their estate on Banana Island. When the time for the demolition of the illegal buildings in the area would be done, we will communicate it appropriately to the public.” The PUNCH recently reports that the decision to demolish illegal structures on Banana Island would be followed by the government’s commitment to enforcing urban planning laws and ensuring public safety. According to the agency’s General Manager, Gbolahan Oki, LASBCA has carried out similar actions in other parts of the state, including Abule Egba, Iya Niba, and Iyana Isheri, where illegal buildings under high-tension lines were removed. The General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency, Gbolahan Oki, made this known at a stakeholders’ meeting on Banana Island recently. He stated that structures found violating building codes, including those under high-tension power lines and within restricted shoreline areas, would be identified and subsequently demolished.  

Saudi Ban: Nigeria Not Affected, Says FG

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  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday clarified that Nigeria is not on the list of countries facing an entry ban into Saudi Arabia from April 13. Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar issued the clarification through a statement by his Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir. The minister said Saudi authorities have officially confirmed that the viral memo suggesting Nigeria’s inclusion in the ban list is false. He called the document, which named Nigeria, Egypt, India, Pakistan and others as banned, misleading and inaccurate. “The Saudi Tourism Centre confirmed no such directive exists. Current official travel guidelines only apply to the Hajj pilgrimage. “To clarify, the only restriction concerns tourist visa holders during the Hajj period,” Tuggar said. Holders of tourist visas cannot perform Hajj, enter or remain in Makkah between April 29 and June 11 (01 Thul Quda to 14 Thul Hijjah 1446 AH). “The Hajj visa remains the only valid entry permit for pilgrims during that time,” the minister stressed. Tuggar advised the public to ignore the misleading memo and confirm travel details through official sources before making plans. “Sharing unverified information causes confusion and may affect travel arrangements,” he warned. “For accurate updates, travellers should consult official Saudi sources, the Nigerian Foreign Ministry, or recognised diplomatic channels,” he added. NAN

Trump Threatens Further 50% Tariffs On China

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  US President Donald Trump threatens steep additional tariffs on Chinese imports if Beijing does not drop its retaliation plans, adding that Washington is open to negotiations with other countries. “If China does not withdraw its 34 percent increase on top of their long-standing trade abuses by tomorrow, April 8, 2025, the United States will impose ADDITIONAL tariffs on China of 50 percent, effective April 9th,” Trump writes in a Truth Social post. Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived at the White House, where he met with Trump, becoming the first foreign leader to personally plead for a reprieve from stinging US tariffs that have shaken the world. Also, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that the global economic consequences of US President Donald Trump’s tariffs “could be profound”. Speaking at the Jaguar Land Rover factory in Birmingham on Monday, Starmer reaffirmed the UK-US alliance as “special” and “close”, adding that “we have to step up. We can’t be cowed” by US tariffs. Similarly, Mexican President, Claudia Sheinbaum, said that her country, which is the top US trading partner and has been hit by tariffs on its automobiles, steel and aluminum, will “not rule out” imposing reciprocal tariffs on US goods. The New York Stock Exchange as Wall Street stocks traded mixed late morning amid speculation the market may be bottoming out following steep losses triggered by President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariff announcements. AFP  

“Kekere Jesu,” Four Other Gospel Ministers Die In Fatal Ogun Accident

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  Four popular Nigerian gospel ministers, including Evangelist Ayodeji David, popularly known as Kekere Jesu, lost their lives in a fatal motor accident along the Ikorodu–Sagamu Road in Ogun State. The Federal Road Safety Corps confirmed the incident in a statement issued by the Ogun State Commander and Public Information Officer, Florence Okupe on Monday. The deceased were identified as Evangelist Ayodeji Kekerejesu, Evangelist Iyanu Joseph, Monjolajesu Oluwapamilerin, and Opeyemi Adesina. According to the FRSC, the crash occurred when the vehicle conveying the gospel singers collided with another, resulting in a high-impact accident that killed all four occupants instantly. The accident reportedly involved multiple vehicles and claimed over 24 lives in total. Preliminary investigations attribute the crash to overspeeding and poor visibility on the highway. Evangelist Kekere Jesu was known for his dynamic street evangelism, passionate preaching, and strong presence on social media. He was reportedly en route to a ministry assignment at the time of the incident. Following the announcement of his death, tributes have poured in on social media from followers, church members, and colleagues, many of whom described him as a dedicated servant of God with a deep passion for reaching the youth and rural communities with the gospel. The founder of Christ Apostolic Church, Grace of Mercy Prayer Mountain International Ministry, Prophet Sam Olu Alo, in a statement on his Facebook page on Sunday, said, “UNQUESTIONABLE GOD!! Hmmmmnnn…..This is indeed a Rude Shock today. But Who are we to question God.. For His thoughts are higher than our thoughts, and His ways are Higher than our ways… “Rest in Peace my beloved brother @ Evangelist Ayodeji David’s [ Kekere Jesu].” Another Facebook user, Kenny John wrote, “Condolence Message: The accident that occurred on Saturday, April 5th, along the Shagamu–Ibadan Expressway claimed the lives of 22 people. Out of those, four were personally known to me: Prophet Ayodeji, also known as Kekere Jesu, Evangelist Iyanu Joseph, Prophet Ayodeji Kekere Jesu’s fiancée, The wife of Prophet Ayodeji Kekere Jesu’s elder brother. “It still feels like a dream. May their souls rest in perfect peace. “Lord, we bring before You the souls of these beloved ones who have departed so suddenly. We ask for Your mercy and grace to receive them into Your eternal rest. Comfort every heart that mourns, and strengthen the families they left behind. May their memories bring light and hope, even in this season of sorrow in Jesus’ name. “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” — Psalm 34:18 “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.” — Revelation 21:4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” — Matthew 5:4”

Netanyahu Meets Trump, Seeks Tariffs Truce, Gaza, Iran Support

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  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was in Washington on Monday to meet Donald Trump, whom he will likely ask for a reprieve from US tariffs while seeking further backing on Iran and Gaza. Netanyahu becomes the first foreign leader to meet Trump in the US capital since the “Liberation Day” tariffs announcement sent global markets crashing. He was also due to discuss the war in Gaza, following the collapse of a short-lived truce that the United States had helped broker. Arriving in Washington direct from a visit to Hungary, Netanyahu’s chief objective was to try to persuade Trump to reverse the decision or, at the very least, to reduce the 17 per cent levy set to be imposed on Israeli imports before it takes effect. Upon arrival, Netanyahu met with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, according to his office. Before leaving Budapest, Netanyahu had said his discussions would cover a range of issues, including “the tariff regime that has also been imposed on Israel”. “I’m the first international leader, the first foreign leader who will meet with President Trump on a matter so crucial to Israel’s economy,” he said in a statement. “I believe this reflects the special personal relationship and the unique bond between the United States and Israel, which is so vital at this time.” Analysts said Netanyahu would seek to secure an exemption from the tariffs for Israel. “The urgency (of the visit) makes sense in terms of stopping it before it gets institutionalised,” said Jonathan Rynhold, head of political studies at Bar-Ilan University in Tel Aviv. Such an exemption would not only benefit Trump’s closest Middle East ally but also “please Republicans in Congress, whose voters care about Israel, but are unwilling to confront Trump on this at this point,” he said. Israel had attempted to avoid the new levy by moving preemptively a day before Trump’s announcement and lifting all remaining duties on the one per cent of American goods still affected by them. But Trump did not exempt Israel from his global salvo, saying the United States had a significant trade deficit with the country, the top beneficiary of US military aid. The Israeli leader’s visit is “also a way for Netanyahu to play the game and show Trump that Israel is going along with him,” said Yannay Spitzer, a professor of economics at Hebrew University. “I would not be surprised if there is an announcement of some concession for Israel… and this will be an example for other countries.” Netanyahu will also discuss the war sparked by Hamas’s October 2023 attack, the Israeli hostages still held in Gaza, and the “growing threat from Iran”, his office said. Israel resumed intense strikes on Gaza on March 18, and the weeks-long ceasefire with Hamas that the United States, Egypt and Qatar had brokered collapsed. Efforts to restore the truce have failed, with nearly 1,400 people killed in renewed Israeli air and ground operations, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-controlled territory. Palestinian militants in Gaza are still holding 58 hostages, including 34, the Israeli military says, are dead. On Iran, Trump has been pressing for “direct talks” with Tehran on a new deal to curb the Islamic Republic’s nuclear programme. But Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghai said Tehran’s proposal for indirect negotiations was “generous, responsible and wise”. There has been widespread speculation that Israel, possibly with US help, might attack Iranian facilities if no agreement is reached. Baghai also said that Iran was ready to respond in case of attack. “Should the threats against Iran be realised, they would precipitate a swift, immediate and global response from Iran’s side,” he said. AFP

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