Metro

JUST IN: Police Arrest Nine Suspects Over PDP Member’s Death

Published

3 years ago

December 28, 2022

The Oyo State Police command has arrested nine suspects, including a female, in connection with the killing of a member of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, Mudashiru Baraka.

Baraka was allegedly killed by rival political thugs on Wednesday morning in Oyo Town.

Baraka, a PDP grassroots mobiliser in the town, was macheted to death by his assailants at his family compound in Oyo East Local Government Area of the state.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, confirmed the arrest, adding that “preliminary investigation has it that the deceased was attacked by hoodlums who he had hitherto engaged in an heated argument.”

Meanwhile, the state chapter of the PDP had in a statement accused the All Progressives Congress of being responsible for the dastardly act.

A statement by its publicity secretary, Akeem Olatunji alleged that APC was behind the attack, adding that, “the late Baraka, who was from ward 4 Tengba, Oyo East Local Government had gone to his family house in the spirit of the yuletide to celebrate with his parents on Wednesday morning.

“The PDP members who are witnesses present at the scene of the event told the party that the deceased was waylaid and threatened by notorious thugs who are APC supporters led by their gang leader popularly known as ‘Ade Ilaka’ after which the deceased reported the threats to Operation Burst in the area.

“The security personnel of Operation Burst were said to have accompanied the deceased back to his family house to effect necessary security action but the assailants have absconded.

“After personnel of Operation Burst had departed the area, the assailants however, returned more viciously and aggressively to the family house of the deceased where he was murdered in cold blood.

“It is very unfortunate that despite the peace accord APC jointly entered into alongside other political parties in the state ahead of the 2023 general elections, the opposition party has continued in its sustained and coordinated attacks against our members in its usual manner.

“We are aware that these attacks are fully sanctioned and backed by certain individuals including some of APC candidates who are not only desperate to win the 2023 election by either ‘hook or crook’ but also do so at whatever cost.”

Also in its reaction through the publicity secretary, Olawale Sadare, Oyo APC condemned what, it described as “the ruling party’s penchant for playing politics with issues relating to security of lives and property in the state.

“Oyo Town is not a recluse as it is populated by good people who live in peace and tranquility until the present PDP administration of Governor Seyi Makinde came with its mission of domestic terrorism.

“For the avoidance of doubt, some leaders of our great party, APC, were in Oyo Town to welcome some defectors from the PDP, Accord and other parties. The ceremony went well and everybody present including the some of our candidates and leaders as well as party supporters enjoyed the atmosphere which was devoid of violence or tension.

“We do not know of any violent attack recorded in Oyo Town yesterday and as such, we urge the state police command to investigate the allegation with a view to establishing the fact and punishing the culprits particularly those making false allegations against our party.” Sadare said.

The state police spokesperson, Osifeso, in a text forwarded to The PUNCH said, “There was an unfortunate case of random violence that led to the death of one Hakeem Mudashiru ‘m’ 40 years reported by the father of the deceased, one Jimoh Agala at Durbar Divisional Police Headquarters, Oyo State today Wednesday, December 12, 2022 at about 13:35hrs (01:35pm local time).

“Preliminary investigation has it that the deceased was attacked by hoodlums who he had hitherto engaged in an heated argument.

“At the moment, nine suspects, including a female have been apprehended in conjunction with the case, which is currently being handled by the State Criminal Investigation Department.

“Lastly, ample deployments of police operatives have been sent to the area to prevent further breakdown of law and order. Updates would be provided accordingly, please.” The PPRO added.

Metro

Army, Air Force Crush ISWAP Fighters After Failed Chibok Attack

Published

2 hours ago

November 29, 2025

Editor

Troops of the 28 Task Force Brigade, Sector 4 Operation Hadin Kai, on Saturday stopped a major attack by ISWAP/Boko Haram fighters in Chibok, Borno State, before the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) moved in with airstrikes that killed many of the fleeing terrorists.

The report was contained in a post shared on X by security analyst Zagazola Makama.

According to the update, more than 300 terrorists launched a coordinated assault on Chibok around 3:00 a.m., attempting to break through military defensive positions.

Soldiers responded immediately, engaging the attackers in a fierce gunfight that lasted about two hours.

A security source quoted in the post said the troops acted swiftly and professionally.

“There was no casualty on our side, and no equipment was affected,” the source said.

As the terrorists began to retreat toward the Timbuktu Triangle, ground troops called for air support.

NAF combat aircraft were deployed to the route used by the fleeing fighters.

The airstrikes, guided by intelligence from the troops on the ground, hit several clusters of terrorists trying to escape.

Multiple waves of strikes were carried out, with both manned aircraft and an unmanned aerial platform targeting groups of fighters dispersing into the forest.

According to Makama, the combined efforts of the Army and the Air Force dealt heavy blows to the attackers, preventing them from regrouping after the failed offensive.

Metro

Tanker Crash Kills Three, Fire Razes Shops In Kano

Published

3 hours ago

November 29, 2025

Editor

Three people died on Friday after a petrol tanker crashed and caught fire in Kura Local Government Area of Kano State, while a separate blaze destroyed shops at Hamisu Plaza along Maiduguri Road.

The incidents were detailed in a statement issued on Saturday by the Public Relations Officer of the Kano State Fire Service, ACFO Saminu Yusif Abdullahi.

According to the statement, the first accident occurred around 1:30 p.m. when the agency received a call from retired Civil Defence officer Danlami Muhammad.

He reported that a tanker had fallen at the Kura market junction along Zaria Road.

Metro

Protest In Enugu Community As gunmen Kidnap Five Villagers, Injure One

Published

3 hours ago

November 29, 2025

Editor

Some women in Ezimo community, Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State, on Saturday, staged a protest over the alleged kidnap of five residents and the shooting of another during an attack on the community.

The protesters, who marched through major parts of the community, said the incident had heightened fear and insecurity in the area.

One victim of the attack is currently receiving treatment in the hospital.

A social media influencer, ‘Sen.’ Chijinkem Ugwuanyi, made this known via Facebook on Saturday.

Ugwuanyi revealed that resident who confirmed the incident said recent cases of abductions and shootings had left the community unsafe, prompting the women to demand urgent government intervention.

In a video shared on Ugwuanyi’s Facebook page, the protesters called on the Enugu State Government and security agencies to step in and restore peace, warning that residents could no longer live under constant fear of attacks.