Metro

Osun Communal Crisis Worsens, Ex-councillor Killed, Houses Razed

Published

6 months ago

March 21, 2025

A former councilor from Ifon Orolu in Osun State identified simply as Azeez has been reportedly killed as the boundary disputes involving Ifon and Ilobu communities resurged.

It was not immediately clear how the deceased met his death.

But a resident of Ifon, who spoke on condition anonymity for fear of attack, said Azeez was confirmed dead at the Osun State University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, early on Friday.

Also, during the bloody clashes involving the communities, several houses were reportedly razed.

Media aide to Olufon of Ifon, Yusuf Adekunle, who confirmed the incident, accused Ilobu community of sponsoring the attack.

The allegation was, however, dismissed by the Otun Jagun of Ilobu, Adegoke Ogunsola, who said Ifon people launched attacks on the residents of the town, during which many people were injured.

Commenting further, Adekunle said, “The deceased is Hon Azeez, ex-councillor. Ilobu people have made several attempts to attack us, and we reported to security operatives on different occasions. From the 13th to the 20th of this month, we’ve written petitions to the governor and also the security agencies.

“All of a sudden, in the middle of the night yesterday around 11 o’clock, we started hearing sporadic gunshots again. They started burning our people’s houses.

“As I am speaking with you I can’t ascertain the number of our people they have killed already and I can’t even say this is the number of the houses they have destroyed they threw a woman inside her house and set the house on fire.

“They affected areas like Akinponroro, Odo Oje, and all those border areas in our community. They even burnt government-owned primary health care in Akinponroro area.”

Speaking on behalf of the Ilobu people, Ogunsola said many residents of the community were attacked by hoodlums from Ifon.

He said, “The truth of the matter is that they started about five days ago, that was on Monday, to attack our people on the farms at Gbere Onireke, and Opapa.

“They attacked one Liasu Ishola who is a Baale of Opapa on Tuesday and they attempted to kidnap him from his house, but he called for help and the farmers around and the bricklayers who were helping him to rebuild his collapsed building rescued him from the hoodlums from Ifon Osun.

“On Wednesday, they went to Gbere Onireke to attack one Oseni Salawudeen and members of his family and one Prince Gbadamosi where he was working on his farm.

“He was shot but was lucky to survive the gunshot. We cried to the police but they said they could not go inside the bush and as a result of that, we mobilised our people to go to the farm to bring the carcass of the motorcycles that were burnt and they are currently at the police station.

“Very late in the evening yesterday, they went to Oke-Ebutu at Ilobu and started destroying peoples’ houses. Though we are seeing some security agencies now, they have not been able to curtail the spread of the clash. So, we call on security agencies to move in to stem the tide of the crisis.”

Meanwhile, Osun State Governor, Ademola, has directed immediate security operations to restore peace between Ifon and Ilobu communities, urging the peace committee to revive the peace deal.

In a statement signed by this spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke enjoined the joint security task force to step in immediately and stop the clashes.

The governor, who decried the politicisation of the crisis, tasked the task force to go after the ring leaders and ensure they face the full wrath of the law.

He further urged the peace committee to ensure immediate cessation of hostility to preserve lives and properties.
(PUNCH)

Metro

PICTORIAL: Many Feared Trapped As Three-storey Building Collapses In Anambra

Published

15 hours ago

September 25, 2025

Editor

A three-storey building with four suspended floors located behind the Anambra State House of Assembly, off Ekwueme Square, Okpuno Awka, the Anambra State capital, has collapsed.

It was gathered that the building, still under construction and at the roofing stage, suddenly caved in at about 11:40 am on Thursday.

The development threw residents and passers-by into panic as it was gathered that some yet-to-be-identified number of occupants, especially construction workers, were trapped in the rubble.

Eyewitnesses near the scene said the structure suddenly caved in without any prior sign, adding that the number of workers and other occupants trapped could not be ascertained yet.

The cause of the collapse and casualty figure has yet to be ascertained, but some officials from the state Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria and the materials testing department are already on the ground to ascertain the cause of the collapse.

A visit to the scene of the collapse, it was observed as some bystanders and other passers-by initiated some rescue efforts in a bid to see if anyone trapped could be rescued.

It was a chaotic situation at the scene as rescue efforts were being hampered by a lack of logistics and other necessary equipment, such as excavators.

One of the eyewitnesses at the scene said, “The building collapsed this morning(Thursday) as some artisans were carrying out some construction works at the roof of the structure.

“The building made some noise as it was collapsing while some construction workers were at the site. No one can say the cause of the collapse for now, but some government officials arrived at the scene shortly after, but rescue efforts have not begun, as they said they were waiting for excavators to arrive.”

The Chairman, COREN-ERM Anambra State, Sir Victor Meju, said, “It was a five-storey building, the sixth floor still under construction at its roofing stage. It is a private building. It was gathered that the structure was roofed last Thursday.

“On-site preliminary investigation revealed that it was a vertically complete collapse to the rubble. On-site preliminary investigation also revealed that the collapse occurred as a result of a poor concrete mixture and a likely foundation problem.

“The relevant agencies, such as the Ministry of Housing and the Awka Capital Territory Development Association, have been notified, and they are on the ground to monitor and offer rescue operations.”

However, when contacted on the development, the Spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said he was not aware, but promised to make enquiries and get back.
(PUNCH)

Metro

Police Rescue Mother, Baby, Five Others From Kidnappers In Kwara

Published

15 hours ago

September 25, 2025

Editor

The Kwara State Police Command has rescued a woman, Afusatu Alhaji Ladan, and her nine-month-old baby, Usman, alongside five other victims from kidnapper’s den after a gun battle with bandits in a forest near Owa-Onire, Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state.

The victims were freed on Wednesday following a joint operation by operatives attached to the Office of the National Security Adviser, police officers, and vigilante members, according to the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi.

The spokesperson who confirmed the development in a statement made available to Punch Online, on Thursday, said the rescue followed sustained search-and-rescue operations launched in response to recent abductions in the state.

“During the operation, security operatives encountered armed resistance from the kidnappers, leading to a fierce gun duel. The criminals were forced to abandon their hostages and escape deeper into the forest, while all seven victims were safely rescued,” she said.

The PPRO added that a vigilante member sustained gunshot injuries during the encounter but is responding to treatment.

Other rescued victims include Adam Khadijat, 23; Mamud Miriam, 24; Mumini Ahmed, 17; Hamadu Haruna, 44; and Abibat Umaru, 16.

Metro

Soldiers Kill Two Terror Suspects, Arrest 32, Rescue 13 Victims

Published

15 hours ago

September 25, 2025

Editor

Troops of the Nigerian Army have neutralised two terrorists, apprehended 32 suspects, and rescued 13 kidnapped victims in major operations in the last 24 hours across the country.

A credible source at Army Headquarters told the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday that the operations were carried out in the North East, North Central, North West, South East, and South-South.

In the North East, he said the troops of Operation Hadin Kai arrested three suspected ISWAP/JAS logistics suppliers in Borno and Yobe.

He added that one terrorist was neutralised in an ambush in Konduga, while another suspect was apprehended in Garkida, Adamawa, for involvement in earlier attacks.

In Benue, the source said the troops of Operation Whirl Stroke neutralised one extremist in Katsina-Ala and rescued 10 kidnapped victims in Ukum after a gun battle.

In the North West, he said the troops foiled kidnap attempts in Zamfara, rescuing three victims in Anka.

According to him, seven suspects, including a kidnap kingpin in Kaduna and three in Niger, were arrested.

“In the South East, troops of Operation UDO KA apprehended two suspected cultists with a pistol in Imo and recovered an improvised explosive device in Anambra.

“In the South South, troops of Operation Delta Safe arrested 20 suspects for illegal bunkering, drug trafficking, and kidnapping.

“They also discovered more than 1,200 litres of illegally refined petroleum products in Rivers, Bayelsa, and Delta States,” he said.

The source urged Nigerians to continue to support security agencies with timely information to sustain the momentum of ongoing operations.
NAN