Metro

Osun Communities Trade Blame Over Communal Clashes

Published

2 years ago

October 4, 2023

Ifon and Ilobu communities in Osun State, on Wednesday, traded blame following deadly clashes involving the two towns.

The Osun State Government has imposed a curfew on the Irepodun and Orolu local government areas after communal clashes were witnessed on Wednesday.

While security men have been mobilised to the scene of the clashes, the Regent of Ifon, Chief Babatunde Oyetunji, in a statement by his media aide, Mufutau Muideen, accused the people of Ilobu of attacking Ifon.

The statement further read in parts, “It is unfortunate that two people have been shot by suspected gunmen who shot two people at Gbere-Odofin – Oba Road after they were identified as indigenes of Ifon and Erin-Osun communities. Unfortunately, Mr Taiwo Adetoyese, an indigene of Erin-Osun, has been confirmed dead while the other victim from Alasangbe’s compound Ifon-Osun is responding to treatment.

“Thereafter, we called the attention of the Osun State Commissioner of Police to further threat by the Ilobu community that they are ready for war by killing our people. Moments later, the security team arrested two armed fighters from the Ilobu community and they were taken to the Headquarters of Osun State Police Command. Consequently, we are experiencing sporadic shootings at the same place where they were arrested.

“The true position is that the police have not mobilised enough personnel to curtail the situation while our people are living with fear. We are appealing to the Osun State Government and security agencies to hold Oba Ashiru Olatoye Olaniyan, The Olobu of Ilobu, responsible for the ongoing crisis that is unsettling the people of Erin-Osun and Ifon-Orolu Kingdom. As of now, we cannot estimate the value of damaged properties and burnt houses!

“Orolu stakeholders are looking for an immediate intervention of the Osun State Government to guarantee the lives and property of the people.”

But while reacting, the Public Relations Officer, Ilobu Development Union, Tairu Babatunde, accused the Ifon people of sponsoring attacks on Ilobu which has left many people injured and displaced.

“What started like a rumour in the early hours of Wednesday has finally become a reality. People of Ilobu, especially those living at Oke-Ima, Idire, Apiponroro, Ganga, Oke-Awesin and Council Road woke up to a rumour of a planned attack by the Babatunde Oyetunji-led Ifon-Osun, but many ignored as they believed that the crisis that Oyetunji ignited about a month ago has been laid to rest.

“However, against their beliefs, armed thugs who have been identified as people of Ifon-Osun invaded their communities and started shooting sporadically. As of 7 pm on Wednesday, thousands of Ilobu people who are residents of Oke-Ima, Apiponroro, Idire, Council Road, Ganga and Oke Awesin areas have been displaced as armed hoodlums have started shooting at their houses.

“We again call on the security agencies to immediately put an end to this incessant attack on Ilobu by the people of Ifon-Osun. Arresting Oyetunji and Akinyooye will be a perfect beginning to end these unwarranted attacks”, Babatunde said.

PUNCH

Metro

JUST IN: Hausa, Benin Youths Clash Over Killing Of Suspected Yahoo Boy

Published

5 hours ago

October 29, 2025

Editor

Photo: file copy

Several persons were on Wednesday night injured in a clash between Hausa and Benin youths, in Ogheghe community, Egor Local Government Area of Edo State, over the killing of a suspected yahoo boy identified as Chizi Benz.

According to sources, Chizi Benz was said to have been stabbed to death by a Hausa youth over a sour deal.

Though details of the deal were not available as at press time, the killing of Chidi Benz sparked outrage as youths stormed the streets with dangerous weapons in a revenge mission.

According to sources, many ‘Abokis’ were injured in a reprisal attack while others fled for safety.

News of the killing was to have spread to nearby communities of Uwelu along the Siluko Axis, forcing Hausa youths who do petty trading and rides okada closed their businesses and fled for safety.

According to sources, policemen who were deployed to the area fired tear gas to disperse the angry youths.

Edo Police Spokesman, Moses Yamu, who confirmed the incident, promised to send a detailed statement.

He was yet to do so as at press time.

Metro

EFCC Arraigns Three Over 25m Petroleum Theft In Lagos

Published

6 hours ago

October 29, 2025

Editor

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, arraigned a vessel, MT Ostria, and three individuals before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, over alleged petroleum theft involving over 25 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit belonging to NNPC Retail Limited.

In a statement posted by EFCC on Wednesday on X, the defendants — Captain Raymundo A. Panaligam, Chief Officer Roneno Villarin, and Mr. Vincent Wayas — were charged alongside the vessel on a four-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

The charges state that the defendants conspired to steal 25,354,000 litres of PMS, an offence contrary to Sections 411 and 280 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, and punishable under Section 287 of the same law.

One of the counts reads: “MT Ostria, Captain Raymundo A. Panaligam, Chief Officer Roneno Villarin and Mr. Vincent Wayas sometime in January 2024 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, conspired amongst yourselves to commit felony, to wit: stealing of Thirteen Million, Five Hundred and Fifty Four Thousand (13,354,000) litres of Premium Motor Spirit, property of NNPC Retail Limited.”

Other counts outline alleged thefts of 9 million litres and 3 million litres of PMS on or about January 17, 2024.

All defendants pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them.

Following their plea, EFCC prosecuting counsel, Bilikisu Buhari, prayed the court “to set a trial date and remand the defendants in a correctional facility. She prayed the court not to grant them bail, that the applicant was a flight risk, that they had nothing to lose if they jump bail or abscond from trial.”

The statement stated that: “However, the defence team informed the court that bail applications had already been filed and urged that the defendants be allowed to continue under the bail conditions earlier granted by the EFCC.”

Justice Dada subsequently ruled, “That the defendants should continue on the existing EFCC bail conditions and subsequently adjourned the case to November 17 and 27, 2025, for the commencement of trial.”

Metro

NSCDC Arrests Five Fake Security Operatives In Anambra

Published

7 hours ago

October 29, 2025

Editor

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Anambra State Command, has arrested five suspected illegal private security operatives and recovered a pump-action rifle during a series of coordinated raids in Awka.

The State Commandant, Maku Olatunde, disclosed this on Wednesday while parading the suspects at the command headquarters in Awka.

Olatunde said the operation, conducted across several hotels and grocery stores in Awka on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, around 11 am, followed credible intelligence reports.

He explained that the intelligence indicated the presence of individuals wearing uniforms resembling those of legitimate security outfits, allegedly hired by political actors to cause unrest ahead of the November 8 governorship election.

He said, “In a bid to rid Anambra State of individuals masquerading as private security operatives, the NSCDC, Anambra State Command, has apprehended five suspected illegal private security operatives and recovered a pump action rifle during a series of raids conducted in Awka.

“The raids conducted across various hotels and grocery stores in Awka on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at about 11:00hrs, were based on credible intelligence indicating the presence of individuals dressed in attire resembling that of a security outfit, who may have been hired by political actors with the intention of utilising them to cause chaos during the election.”

He listed the suspects as Mmeka Ekene (43), Peter Detuchi Kelvin (28), Sunday Akpan Idiong (45), Enemuo Ifeanyichukwu (26), and Francis Ugochukwu Nwosu (28).

Olatunde explained that the operation, which was carried out by the Private Guard Companies Department, was aimed at flushing out undesirable elements, criminal gangs, and irredentists, as well as preventing emerging security threats, illegal possession of firearms, and any form of violence or intimidation that could undermine the peaceful conduct of the election.

He continued, “We are resolute in our commitment to providing a secure environment for the conduct of the forthcoming governorship election, slated for November 8, 2025. We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that Anambra State remains peaceful and secure.”

The Commandant further stressed that the NSCDC would not be swayed by the antics of individuals pretending to be private security operatives in a bid to disrupt the electoral process.

“The Command, in collaboration with other security agencies, will take all necessary measures within its operational guidelines to counter and suppress any act that could potentially destabilise the peace enjoyed in the state,” he said.

Olatunde also revealed that the Command had strengthened surveillance and enhanced intelligence gathering to thwart any attempts by “disruptive elements or desperate politicians” to compromise the electoral process.

He stated, “The arrested suspects are currently being interrogated and will be charged in court upon conclusion of the investigation,” The PUNCH quoted him.