Metro

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

Published

8 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

Man Dies After Attempting To Flee EFCC Raid In Lekki

Published

5 hours ago

November 9, 2025

Editor

A man identified as Endurance Udeke has died after jumping from a four-storey building durin
g a raid conducted by operatives of Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the Lekki area of Lagos.

The EFCC confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Saturday, saying the operation, which took place on 4 November, targeted suspected internet fraudsters residing at Periwinkle Estate, Lekki Phase 1.

According to the agency, four suspects were arrested during the sting operation, while Udeke and another resident attempted to escape after learning of the EFCC’s presence.

“Udeke and one other resident of apartment W6a got wind of the operation and tried to escape arrest by jumping down from the four-storey building,” the statement read. “Udeke did not survive the suicidal effort, in spite of medical interventions made to rescue him.”

The second individual survived after receiving treatment and has since been stabilised, according to EFCC officials.

The anti-graft agency stressed that its operatives had no physical contact with Udeke before the incident, describing his action as tragic and unnecessary.

“The Commission is shocked at the suicidal action of the deceased. There was no contact between officers of the Commission and the deceased before the unfortunate incident,” the EFCC said.

The agency added that the case has been handed over to the police for further investigation into the circumstances surrounding Udeke’s death.

The EFCC urged the public to remain calm and cooperate during its lawful operations, insisting that its raids are conducted in accordance with due process.

The incident comes amid growing scrutiny of EFCC operations following several controversial raids in recent months.

In September, the agency faced backlash after an early morning operation at a hotel in Lagos led to the arrest of 11 people, including guests not linked to fraud.

Earlier this year, the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Ogun State also accused the EFCC of an unlawful raid on its facilities, demanding ₦3.5 billion in damages and a public apology.

Despite public criticism, the EFCC maintains that its anti-corruption drive remains a key pillar in Nigeria’s efforts to curb cybercrime and illicit financial activities.

While expressing sympathy to the family of the deceased, the Commission reiterated that its operations are conducted lawfully and urged members of the public not to panic or resist EFCC operatives when they act within their mandate.

“While we await the outcome of the investigation, it is important to remind the public that no one with nothing to hide has reason to be afraid of EFCC sting operations,” EFCC noted.

Metro

Ex-convict Stabs Police Officer In Ogun Over Alleged Affair With Wife

Published

5 hours ago

November 9, 2025

Editor

There was pandemonium in the Panseke area of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, when an ex-convict stabbed a police officer in the forehead.
The incident occurred in the early hours of last Friday.

According to The Guardian, the ex-convict came to Panseke and attempted to retrieve an AK-47 rifle from one of the Ogun State police officers attached to an armoured vehicle in Panseke.

Eyewitnesses said that the aim of the ex-convict, who came on a motorcycle, was to use the rifle to shoot the other police officer, whom he accused of sleeping with his wife and sending him to jail.

He said that the ex-convict, seeing that he had lost his grip on the rifle, engaged the officers in a scuffle and, realising he could not overpower them, removed a knife from his trousers and stabbed the one he accused.

The witness said that the incident drew the attention of other police officers attached to the armoured vehicle at Panseke, who overpowered the ex-convict and tied both his hands and legs before taking him away.

The source said: “What really happened is that he came with his Okada and went to meet those police officers close to the armoured vehicle and started dragging a gun with one of them, hoping to collect the gun and kill the other person.”

“He accused one of the policemen of sleeping with his wife and sending him to jail, and because he could not get the gun, he removed a knife from his trousers and stabbed the police officer he claimed was having an affair with his wife.”

“Later, other policemen came to join those he was fighting, and they tied both his hands and legs before carrying him away.”

Recall that in January 2025, the Social Orientation and Safety Corps of Ogun State, popularly known as ‘So Safe,’ arrested a 54-year-old ex-convict, Adelani Oriyomi, in the Kere area of Obada-Oko, Abeokuta, for allegedly attempting to exhume a human skull.

Commander of the Corps, Soji Ganzallo, confirmed the arrest in a statement issued through the Director of Information and Public Relations, Assistant Commander Moruf Yusuf. “The suspect, Oriyomi, was spotted trying to hide before he was caught by the men of the corps. Once the coast seemed clear, he resumed digging the tomb to allegedly retrieve a human skull. However, the officers returned to the scene, apprehending him before he could escape,” Ganzallo said.

Oriyomi, a resident of Kere in the Obada-Oko area of Ewekoro Local Government Area, reportedly confessed to the offence. He also admitted that he had previously exhumed a skull behind his residence on 18 January 2025. The suspect revealed that he had served over six years at the Oba Correctional Centre for a similar crime.

Ganzallo stated that Oriyomi has been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for further investigation. The case underscores ongoing vigilance efforts by the Corps to prevent grave desecration and other criminal activities in Ogun State.

Metro

Police Evacuate Expertriates As Thugs Invade MOWAA In Benin

Published

5 hours ago

November 9, 2025

Editor

Pandemonium erupted on Sunday when thugs invaded a private exhibition hosted by the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) in Benin City.

The event, organized as an exclusive viewing for select investors, artists, and international dignitaries, was violently disrupted when the thugs forcefully stormed the premises, saying “say no to MOWAA.”

The exhibition was ahead of the scheduled commissioning of the museum on November 11, 2025.

In a video that has gone viral, a fair in complexion middle-aged man is seen with others saying
“We are illustrious sons and daughters of Benin Kingdom, standing right here to say no to MOWAA.

“Politicians cannot stand against the kingdom of Benin.

“We are joining all the socio-cultural groups to ensure MOWAA does not stand in the Benin Kingdom.

“We come in peace; harmless, we are standing for justice to stop MOWAA.”

The thugs in the video are heard chanting songs in their local language seems to be solidarity songs.

Also, in another video that surfaced online on Sunday, policemen are seen seeing expertriates out of the MOWAA building; a scene seems to be a forceful eviction.

But reacting to the incident, Edo Police Command’s Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, said operatives of the command went to the scene to restore normalcy and to safely evacuate the expertriates to their respective hotels, and not forceful eviction.

“Intelligence was received regarding a planned protest aimed at disrupting the official launch of the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) in Benin City. In response, the Command made adequate security deployment to the venue to forestall any breakdown of law and order.

“The protesters were addressed by the Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika, fdc, thereby de-escalating the tension.

“Normalcy was immediately restored, while expatriates and other guests at the venue were safely evacuated to their respective hotels without any hitch,” she said.

Efforts to get reaction from representative of MOWAA proved abortive as he number was busy. Message sent to him was I replied as at press time.