Metro

Insecurity: Protesters Barricade Akure-Owo Highway With Kidnap Victim’s Corpse

Published

2 months ago

March 11, 2026

Vehicular movement along the busy Akure-Owo highway came to a standstill yesterday as residents of Ilu-Abo and adjoining communities in Akure North Local Council of Ondo State barricaded the road with the corpse of a kidnap victim.

While protesting against the deteriorating security situation within the axis, which borders the Akure Airport, the residents lamented that they could no longer cope with the heightened insecurity in the area, which led to incessant killings and kidnappings in the past few months.

The protesters, who recovered the remains of a middle-aged man killed by suspected kidnappers, prevented the free flow of traffic, leading to gridlock along the highway connecting the southern parts of the country with the North.

On Monday, the secretary of Okeluju Local Council Development Area under Akoko North West Local Council was kidnapped in his farm along with two others.

According to the protesting youths, they would not allow vehicular movement along the road until the government addresses the insecurity rocking communities in Akure North.

The residents, armed with various placards, said they could neither go to the farm nor sleep because of the incessant kidnapping in the communities. They asked the government to help them tackle the insecurity ravaging their areas.

Some of the inscriptions on the placards included “We Are Dying, Save Our Soul”, “Mr Governor, Please Assist Us” and “Our Children Are in Danger and We Cannot Go to Farms Again”.

The protesters insisted that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa must address them to assuage their concerns.

Despite the intervention of the Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, who persuaded the residents to allow free flow of traffic, the protesting residents insisted that they would not vacate the road as their lives were in danger every time.

Lawal pleaded with the residents that the security agencies, including the State Security Network codenamed Amotekun and the police, would ensure the safety of lives and property, by beefing up security in the communities.

The police boss also visited the monarch of Ilu-Abo, Oba Olu Falae, and told him about the efforts being made by security agencies to curb insecurity in the town, promising to deploy additional policemen and tactical units to check insecurity.

Meanwhile, twenty-four hours after the abduction of the Secretary of Okeluju Local Council Development Area (LCDA) under Akoko North West Local Council of Ondo State, Joseph Aladesuyi, the kidnappers have established contact with the family, demanding N100 million for his release.

Family sources revealed that the kidnappers reached out to the family through a telephone call about 7.00am yesterday and left no room for negotiation after the demand.

Aladesuyi, who is the Managing Director of Jotina Farms, was abducted on Monday morning in his farm along with two others in the Kajola axis of the Ilu-Abo community in Akure North Local Council of the state near the Akure Airport.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a family member described the last 24 hours as a period of intense anxiety for the family, particularly because the council secretary was shot in his hand during the invasion of his farm.

“The kidnappers called this morning. They asked us to bring N100 million before they would release him. They spoke very shortly and hastily during the call, and they did not even allow us to say much.

“We have been very worried since Monday, but but the call has given us hope. We are still expecting that they will call because the money is a whole lot. How do we raise that amount as a family?

“Our concern is more about his health at the moment because we were made to understand that when they (kidnappers) arrived on the farm, he was shot in one of his hands while they were dragging him,” the family source stated.

Meanwhile, residents of the Ilu-Abo community have been thrown into heightened fear following the incessant and unabated killings and kidnappings within the axis by gunmen in the past weeks, lamenting over the deteriorating security situation as well as the continued silence on the part of the government.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, directed that all operational and intelligence resources be deployed to ensure the safe rescue of the victims and the apprehension of the suspects.

“Security operatives along with unconventional security outfits are combing nearby forests and surrounding communities as part of ongoing efforts to track down the perpetrators,” Jimoh stated.

Metro

Violence Rocks APC Reps Primary In Ekiti Ward, Exercise Declared Inconclusive

Published

1 day ago

May 16, 2026

Editor

Chaos erupted at the All Progressives Congress, APC, primary for Ward 10, Fajuyi Pavilion, Ado Local Government Area of Ekiti State on Saturday.

Electoral officials halted the process and declared it inconclusive after violence broke out among party supporters.

The primary pitted Olushola Fatoba against Tope Ogunleye, widely known as RST. Loyalists and agents of both aspirants had converged on Fajuyi Pavilion before voting was scheduled to begin.

According to eyewitnesses, tensions rose when suspected thugs allegedly backing Fatoba stormed the venue wielding canes and firearms. Their arrival appeared aimed at intimidating Ogunleye’s supporters and suppressing turnout.

Despite the hostile atmosphere, Ogunleye’s backers held their ground, chanting solidarity songs in support of their candidate. Voting eventually started under heavy tension.

Observers at the scene said Ogunleye seemed to have the larger share of support among members present, with his base visibly outnumbering the opposition.

Violence broke out after Fatoba’s camp allegedly sensed an imminent loss. Clashes between both groups forced an abrupt end to voting.

During the unrest, Ogunleye’s agent, Mr. Sunday, was assaulted. Another member, Mr. Femi Ogunleye, was reportedly beaten and his Tecno Spark 9 phone seized. A female supporter, Mrs. Oluwaseun Osamuwa, was also attacked and her Apple Smart Wrist Watch stolen. Both Mr. Femi Ogunleye and Mrs. Osamuwa sustained injuries and were rushed to hospital.

As of press time, no winner had emerged and the Ward 10 primary remained inconclusive.

The violence has renewed concerns over thuggery and intimidation in internal party elections. Party members and political observers say the incident raises serious questions about voters’ ability to freely choose candidates without fear.

Stakeholders are calling on security agencies and electoral authorities to probe the disruption, ensure justice for those attacked, and safeguard the credibility of future primaries.

Metro

My Wife Destroyed My Property, Instigated Our Children To Beat Me, Man Tells Court

Published

1 day ago

May 16, 2026

Editor

The Grade A Customary Court, Court 2, sitting in Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, has delivered judgment in a divorce suit filed by a man, Theophilus, against his wife, Aina, whom she accused of lack of affection, frequent quarrels, and domestic violence.

According to Theophilus, Aina was stubborn and always insisted on having things her own way.

He further said that she was disobedient and refused to listen to him.

The plaintiff also told the court that the defendant was hostile towards their friends and neighbours, which often led to conflicts between them.

He further claimed that Aina was violent and would attack him with any object within her reach during disagreements.

In addition, he accused her of destroying his property whenever they had differences.

Theophilus also explained that Aina turned their children against him.

He stated that they assaulted him and damaged his belongings.

He told the court that he eventually left their home because he feared for his safety and believed that the defendant intended to harm him.

The plaintiff therefore appealed to the court to dissolve their marriage and also requested an order restraining Aina from threatening him or interfering with his privacy.

Aina was absent from court despite being served court summons.

Theophilus, while giving his testimony before the court, stated, “I have not enjoyed peace or rest of mind since I married my wife.

“I paid her bride price to her family, but they rejected it.

“My wife is far from being a virtuous woman.

“She was never submissive and was always full of herself.

“She had no respect for me and disobeyed my instructions whenever she wished.

“She neither listened to me nor accepted my advice.

“My wife was also violent.

“During disagreements, she attacked me with any dangerous object she could lay her hands on.

“On three different occasions, Aina destroyed my property.

“Our neighbours and friends were not exempt from her hostility.

“She was constantly at loggerheads with them and fought with them on several occasions.

“My wife also turned our children against me.

“They beat me mercilessly and nearly killed me.

“They also destroyed my belongings.

“I left the house after the incident because it became obvious that my wife wanted me dead.

“I came to court to seek the dissolution of our marriage because my wife’s presence in my life has brought me nothing but pain and suffering.

“I sincerely appeal to the court to dissolve our marriage.

“I also request an order restraining her from threatening me or interfering with my privacy.”

The Court President, Mrs. O. E. Owoseni, while delivering judgment, stated that there was no valid marriage to dissolve because no marital rites were performed, and no bride price was paid.

Owoseni also issued an order restraining the defendant from threatening or interfering with the plaintiff’s private life

Metro

‘I Have Nowhere To Go, He Married Me At 14yrs Old, Now He Wants Divorce 30yrs After’

Published

1 day ago

May 16, 2026

Editor

A 44-year-old woman, Zainab Isah, has told a Shari’a Court 1 sitting at Magajin Gari, Kaduna, Kaduna State, that she had nowhere to go after her divorce from her husband, Alhaji Abdulhamid.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Zainab told the court that Abdulhamid married her when she was 14 years old.

“I have been married to him for 30 years now and our union is blessed with 10 children,” she stated.

She further said that her husband divorced her on January 1.

“I am yet to complete my waiting period (Iddah), as required under Islam.

“I lived in peace with my co-wives but I can’t leave my children for them; three of my children are sick,” she said.

Earlier , Abdulrashid Musa, counsel to Abdulhamid, prayed the court to compel Zainab to leave his house since they were no longer married.

He said he had issued two pronouncement of divorce to the defendant.

The first, he said was pronounced on December 29, 2025, adding that she had finished her Iddah.

He stated that all efforts made by him to ensure she leaves his house, failed.

He alleged that she was causing trouble for his other wives.

The complainant however, told the court that he was ready to pay for his ex wife’s rent when she gets a new place to live with her children.

The judge, Malam Mu’awiya Shehu said the rights of a woman for shelter, feeding and other provisions by the husband ends when divorce occur adding that only the children have the right to be taken care of .

He adjourned the matter to June 1 for the defendant to find a new place she can relocate to with her children.