Metro

Crisis Looms In Akure Over Appeal Court Judgement On Traditional Stool

Published

1 year ago

February 23, 2025

Communal crisis is looming in Akure, the Ondo State capital as the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, move to implement an Appeal Court judgment which declared the Iralepo of Isikan to be a Quarter Chief in Akure.

The Iralepo was upgraded to a Class C monarch under the administration of late former Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

After the death the late Iralepo of Isikan, High Chief Olu Ojo., the Akure monarch appointed Chief Henry Gbenga as the next Iralepo in line based on his power(s) to appoint Minor Chiefs in Akure kingdom but Prince Olugbenga Ojo who was picked by the Omowa Isikan (kingmakers) was installed as Oba.

In 2022, the state government issued a White Paper which recognised Iralepo stool as a Class C Oba.

However, the Court of Appeal declared that it was unlawful to admit the Chieftaincy title of Iralepo into Part 1 of the Chiefs Laws of Ondo State as a recognised Chief with the consent of the Deji of Akure.

It also granted an order of perpertual injunction restraining the Ondo State Government from appointing or installing anyone as the Iralepo of Isikan Quarters.

Less than 48 hours after the court’s ruling, the Deji of Akure ordered immediate suspension of Ojo as the Iralepo of Isikan and cautioned him to desist from parading himself under any guise.

Oba Aladetoyinbo announced appointment of Adeyeye as the new Iralepo of Isikan Quarters, Akure.

A statement by spokesman to the Akure monarch, Michael Adeyeye said Ojo was requested to vacate the traditional palace of the Iralepo of Isikan with immediate effect and hand over all palace properties within his possession to the appropriate quarters for proper documentation.

According to the statement, “In view of the installation and appointment of High Chief Gbenga Henry Adeyeye as the new Iralepo of Isikan quarters, he is now entitled to wear all paraphernalia of office attached to the stool of the Iralepo of Isikan while Mr. Gbenga Ojo is advised to desist from parading himself in whatever manner.

“We wish to inform Mr. Gbenga Ojo that any violation of the afore-stated shall be met stiffer penalties including committal proceedings.”

Oba Aladetoyinbo subsequently presented certificate to the new Iralepo and witnessed by the Omowa of Isikan.

But the Olisa of Isikan, Chief Kayode Oluyi, said the ancient throne of Iralepo was not any child’s play susceptible to the theatre of absurdity.

Chief Oluyi said the Iralepo of Isinkan has only been appointed by the people of Isinkan and never by the Deji of Akure nor subject to his approval.

“We implore our people to peacefully go about their businesses and not do or be involved in anything that would portray the great peace loving people of Isinkan as discourteous rabble rousing bumpkins.

“While we take due cognizance of the judgment of the Court of Appeal and exercising our further rights in that respect under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, we wish to assure all that the throne of the Iralepo of Isinkan is not vacant as Oba Oluwagbemiga Ajimokunola Olofin-Adimula (Arulewolasi III), the Olusi Obarisa, remains, and sits on the throne and in the palace of the Iralepo of Isinkan.”

The Olu of Aladodo, Ayodeji Fatoki, said no Deji has ever installed or removed any Iralepo of Isinkan.

He said: “Deji wants to cause crisis in the state capital”.
(NATION)

Metro

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

16 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Police Command on Wednesday said two suspected cultists were arrested in Ohonre community, off Adolor College Road, Benin.

This was disclosed in a statement by the command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, and made available to newsmen electrically.

Ikoedem said the arrest was possible due to operatives response to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

The statement reads: “The Edo State Police Command has recorded another operational breakthrough following the swift disruption of a suspected cultists’ gathering in Ohonre Community, off Adolor College Road, Benin City.

“On 21st May, 2026, at about 19:00hrs, operatives attached to Ugbowo Division who were on surveillance patrol responded to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

“Acting promptly on the information, the police team mobilized to the location. On sighting the operatives, the suspects fled in an attempt to evade arrest. The operatives immediately gave them a hot chase, leading to the arrest of two suspects identified as Victor Peter ‘M’, 21 years and Iyemoma Ogbewe ‘M’, 35 years.

“A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of one cut-to-size gun believed to have been in their possession for unlawful purposes.

“Upon investigation, the suspects confessed to being members of the notorious Maphite cult group. Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other fleeing gang members.”

She said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the swift response of the operatives and reiterated the Command’s resolve to deny criminal elements any opportunity within Edo State.

He further urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, assuring that all reports would receive prompt attention.

Metro

Troops Eliminate Two Terrorists, Foil Pipeline Attack

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Army says troops have, in the last 24 hours, eliminated two terrorists, rescued four kidnapped victims and foiled pipeline attacks in a series of coordinated military operations across Taraba, Kogi and Rivers.

This is contained in operational updates issued to reporters on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the reports, troops of 93 Battalion deployed at Akate in the Donga Local Government Area of Taraba engaged suspected terrorists in a forested area, killing two of them.

According to the report, items recovered from the scene include an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, magazines, mobile phones and other personal effects.

In Kogi, it said the troops of 21 Battalion, in collaboration with vigilantes, rescued four kidnapped passengers along the Anyigba–Itobe road in Ofu Local Government Area.

It added that the victims were reportedly abandoned by their captors while attempting to cross a seasonal stream due to sustained pressure from advancing troops.

According to the military, efforts are ongoing to rescue other victims still in captivity.

The report said that troops of 12 Brigade successfully repelled an ambush along Kabba–Okene road while withdrawing from an earlier operation, forcing the assailants to flee with gunshot wounds.

“Meanwhile, in Rivers, troops of 5 Battalion acting on credible intelligence, foiled an attempt by suspected vandals to detonate a crude oil pipeline in Ahoada West Local Government Area.

“The swift response of the troops disrupted the operation before it could be executed, with the suspects fleeing the scene,” it said.

Metro

Police Arrest Private Chef Over Alleged N150m Theft, Drugging Of Employer, Burglary

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a chef, John Cosmos Govi, over his alleged involvement in a burglary operation at a residence in Abuja, where luxury items and valuables worth about N150 million were reportedly stolen.

The arrest was announced on Monday, May 25, 2026, by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, who said the suspect was apprehended by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) after investigations into allegations of criminal conspiracy, housebreaking, theft, malicious damage and administering harmful substances.

According to police findings, Govi, who allegedly gained employment as a chef at the residence, was said to have studied the movement of occupants, internal routine and security setup before allegedly carrying out the operation on April 23, 2026.

Investigators said he reportedly worked with two accomplices identified as Peter and Moses, who are currently on the run.

Police alleged that food prepared in the house was laced with a suspected sedative substance to weaken the occupants and security personnel.

After they reportedly became unconscious, the suspects allegedly broke into the property, damaged CCTV installations and stole 20 luxury wristwatches valued at about N150 million, alongside other valuables.

Speaking on the development, DCP Anthony Placid said the suspect was intercepted around the Gwagwalada axis of the Federal Capital Territory while attempting to flee to Lagos. He added that an iPhone 17 Pro Max, believed to belong to the victim, and a suspected chemical substance were recovered.

“We remain committed to dismantling organised criminal networks and ensuring that all fleeing accomplices are brought to justice,” Placid said.

Police said efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects and conclude investigations into the case.