Metro

Four Killed, Homes Destroyed As Gunmen Attack Osun Community

Published

3 months ago

June 21, 2025

Editor

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 The PUNCH 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.
(PUNCH)

Metro

BREAKING: Bodies Of 8 Missing Policemen Recovered In Benue

Published

19 hours ago

September 22, 2025

Editor

Lifeless bodies of the eight policemen who were declared missing after a deadly attack on security operatives at Agu Centre, on the border of Katsina-Ala and Ukum LGAs of Benue State, have been recovered.

Dr Justin Shaku, Chairman of Katsina-Ala LGA disclosed this to reporters in Makurdi on Monday.

According to him, “this brings the number of officers killed to 11 (10 policemen and one BSCPG)”.

The unfortunate incident occurred on Friday, when a team of security operatives came under the attack of armed invaders.

Three personnel were immediately confirmed dead while eight others were declared missing.

Metro

Police Arrest Three Kidnappers Over ₦6.9m Ransom, Victim’s Murder

Published

20 hours ago

September 22, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have arrested three suspected kidnappers who allegedly killed one of their victims after collecting N6.9 million ransom.

The Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed this in a statement issued on Monday.

Iringe-Koko identified the suspects as Hassan Mohammed (20) of Wandigah Town, Mandagali, Borno State; Bello Abubakar (25) of Roundabout Maura, Sokoto State; and Yusuf Ahmed (23) of Hazari LGA, Bauchi State.

She said the arrests followed an investigation into the abduction of Humphrey Wagbara of Igwuruta-Atali.

According to the PPRO, the suspects also kidnapped one Mercy Chinyere on September 12, 2025, at the same location, where they also collected a ransom of N3,500,000 before releasing her.

The statement read, “On 26th August, 2025, the Rivers State Police Command received a distressing report, suggesting the kidnapping of one Humphrey Wagbara, m of Igwuruta-Atali.

“Operatives of the Command attached to the Anti-Cultism Unit (ACU), Emohua Annexe, acting on this information and in a daring and coordinated operation on 19th September, 2025, at about 0200hrs arrested three suspects at different locations in Obio/Akpor and Ikwerre Local Government Areas of the State in connection with the kidnapping of the victim.”

Iringe-Koko said during interrogation, the suspects voluntarily confessed to their involvement in multiple kidnappings in the State.

Among their past kidnappings are those of Onwuli Jude and Nwabueze Nchekwube on September 24, 2025, at School Road, Igwuruta-Atali, where they collected a ransom of N6,900,000 before killing the victim.

“Exhibits recovered from the suspects include one G-3 rifle with Breech Number 10398, one magazine, one Itel phone belonging to Humphrey Wagbara, a kidnapped victim, three short daggers, one jack knife and one stainless short knife,” Rivers police imagemaker said.

Iringe-Koko added that the suspects and exhibits remain in police custody while detectives track other fleeing members of the syndicate and search for additional weapons.

The Command said it arrested a 48-year-old man, Emmanuel George, for allegedly defiling a 12-year-old girl (name withheld) in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

According to Iringe-Koko, George committed the offence on September 6, 2025, after luring the minor while she was sent on an errand by her aunt.