Metro

Osun Ex-LG Boss, Others Jailed Four Tears For Arson

Published

2 years ago

June 6, 2024

Editor

An Iwo Chief Magistrates Court sitting in Osogbo on Thursday sentenced a former Local Government chairman, Mr Tajudeen Babatunde, to four years imprisonment for offences bordering on conspiracy, malicious damage, and arson.

Babatunde had previously served as caretaker chairman of Iwo West Local Council Development Authority.

Others that were sentenced alongside Babatunde after their trial in suit number: MIW/68c/2019, include three Beninois citizens namely; Sunday Ajoko, Jonas John, and Kohonu Deboye, while Adeoye Alabi and Kasumu Ajao.

All six defendants were arraigned on four counts bordering on conspiracy, malicious damage, and arson. They were found guilty on all the counts and subsequently sentenced to a four-year jail term.

The presiding magistrate, A. Famuyide, however, gave Ajao an option of an N80,000 fine, considering his age and ill health.

The defendants and others yet to be apprehended were said to have, on or before the 16th day of February 2019, at Ayigbiri Orupekere farm located along Iwo/Ibadan road in Iwo, Osun State cut down about 400 palm trees and other economic trees valued about N10 million.

They were also accused of setting the farm ablaze after the trees were cut down.

The nominal complainant in the matter, the Oosa Olaniyi family in Iwo, through its counsel, Mr Dele Abbas, had written to the Osun State Ministry of Justice to take over the prosecution of the matter from the police, the request that was granted by the government.

Upon concluding hearing on the matter, Magistrate Famuyide had on Wednesday convicted all the defendants but delayed reading the sentencing till Thursday.

Reading the sentencing of the defendants during the proceedings attended by the six defendants, their counsel, Mr Laide Yekini, prosecuting counsel from the Ministry of Justice, Mikaheel Idris, and counsel to the nominal compliant, Abbas on Thursday, Famuyide held that the prosecution proved all the allegations levelled against the defendants beyond doubt.

She, however, declined to award compensation to the complainant, suggesting that the family could pursue matters around compensation before another court of competent jurisdiction.
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Metro

Ex-convict Arrested In Edo For Armed Robbery, Possession Of Firearm

Published

12 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Security Corps (ESSC) has arrested a 45-year-old ex-convict, Owen Osas, for alleged unlawful possession of firearms and suspected involvement in a robbery incident.

Osas was reportedly arrested with a cut-to-size single-barrel gun during a covert operation along Fishpond Road in Eyean, Uhunmwonde Local Government Area.

The arrest reportedly comes barely a year after he was released from prison, where he had served time for illegal possession of firearms and other criminal offences.

Osas, who confessed to the latest crime, also admitted to being a member of the Eiye Confraternity.

READ ALSO:Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo
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Consequently, a victim of an alleged robbery incident, Reginia Izy, identified Osas as the person who robbed her a day before his arrest.
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The victim narrated that the suspect had approached her residence around 8 p.m., pretending to be familiar before carrying out the attack.
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‎The Deputy Commander Operations of ESSC, Richard Balogun, said the arrest was part of intensified efforts to rid Edo State of criminal elements.

READ ALSO:Edo South Senatorial Seat: Nothing Wrong Seeking Wike’s Support – Ogbeide-Ihama
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‎Balogun explained that operatives conduct both overt patrols and covert operations to track and apprehend suspects.
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He said, ‎“Our men are always on patrol. Some operate in plain clothes as part of covert strategies, while others are stationed at strategic locations.

“Osas, who is a former convict, was arrested with firearms and he also confessed to be a member of the Eiye Confraternity.”
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Metro

Gunmen Kidnap Businessman In Ibadan

Published

2 days ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a 60-year-old man in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The victim was kidnapped on Saturday while on his way to his residence.

The incident occurred at Jinarere, Alakia in Ibadan.

Public Relations Officer of the State Police command, Olayinka Ayanlade, when contacted, confirmed the incident.

Ayanlade in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Sunday, explained that efforts are ongoing to rescue the victim.

Ayanlade said, “Preliminary information reveals that the victim, a 60-year-old male and building materials trader, was accosted while returning home along the Jinarere axis of Alakia Road by four masked armed men, who forcefully whisked him away in an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla vehicle”.

Metro

Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo

Published

3 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

A 30-year-old entrepreneur and CEO of Principle Takeout, Justice Abu Oshioke, has been killed by suspected kidnappers in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

He was reportedly attacked by the suspected kidnappers on Saturday while on his way to pick up an order made for his child’s dedication on Sunday morning.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers attempted to force him into a nearby bush in a kidnapping attempt. However, he reportedly resisted and tried to escape.

In the course of the struggle, the assailants opened fire, shooting him multiple times.

Concerned residents quickly rushed him to a nearby medical facility, but he was confirmed dead on arrival.

The deceased was said to have recently gotten married and welcomed a baby boy.

The tragic event has turned a joyous occasion into a moment of grief for the family.

The shocking development has left the Ekpoma community in deep sorrow, with many residents expressing outrage over the growing insecurity in the area.

Edo State Police Command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem confirmed the incident and said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika has ordered a “full-scale investigation and intensified manhunt for those responsible.”

According to her, the Police, in collaboration with the military, local vigilantes, and hunters, are actively pursuing the perpetrators through coordinated operations.