Metro

Osun Monarch’s Burial Rites Turn Bloody

Published

9 minutes ago

December 1, 2025

Controversies over the burial rites for the 30th Owa of Igbajo, Oba Adegboyega Famodun, turned bloody on Monday as people opposed to observance of passage rites for him clashed with those that wanted honour befitting a royal father for the deceased.

In the fracas that occurred inside Iloro Market in Igbajo, on Monday, one man identified simply as Ifa was injured, while two other people reportedly sustained bruises.

The state Governor, Ademola Adeleke, had on Monday imposed a 24-hour curfew on Igbajo, amid protest, over Famodun’s death.

According to The PUNCH, a statement signed by Prince Adekunle Famodun on behalf of the family said Famodun “passed away on Friday, November 28, 2025, after a brief illness,” at the age of 67.

“As you may recall, Oba Adegboyega Famodun was installed and presented with the staff of office on November 24, 2022, by the former Governor of Osun State, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola.

“Although his position was disputed by a white paper issued by Governor Ademola Adeleke, the Osun State High Court reinstated him on January 30, 2025,” the statement read partly.

Before his appointment and installation as monarch, Oba Famodun had served as the Osun State chairman of the All Progressives Congress.

The PUNCH also reported on March 12, 2024, that Osun State Government approved the appointment of Prince Ademola Makinde as the new Owa of Igbajo, replacing Famodun.

But violent clashes erupted in the town when those believed to be loyal to late Famodun demanded that Iloro Market be shut in his honour.

But those opposed to the move, reportedly resisted the attempt to force some traders that opened for business to close shop.

In some of the video footages of the protest shared by a Facebook user, Taiwo Olaore, on Monday, unrest was observed in a market place, with some people demanding that the traders that opened for business, should shut down, as a mark of respect for the deceased.

Also, in the video, some women in white attire, bearing leave, rebuked the traders that opened for business and asked them to immediately close, and mourn the late Famodun.

Speaking further on the crises, a resident of Igbajo, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment on the matter, said “they wanted to do burial rite for Oba Famodun but another set of people insisted that the late monarch was a prince and not a king.

“In order to perform the rite, the Iloro market must be shut for three market days.

It was in the process of closing the market that the group opposed to the move mobilised to the market and insisted that they must close it.

“Three people were injured during the clash that occurred at the market. One of them is known as Ifa. His pictures with blood stained clothes circulated on the social media. The market was later shut,” he said.

Asked if the burial rites were being observed despite the curfew imposed by the State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, he said “The burial rites are ongoing. Although people didn’t come out after the governor declared a curfew but those performing the rites carried on with their duties alongside supporters of the late monarch.”

He also said there was massive deployment of security personnel to the town to prevent breakdown of law and order.

Contacted for update on the security situation in Igbajo, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, said one person was injured in the fracas that occurred in the town early on Monday, noting that normalcy has returned to the community.

“Our personnel are on the ground, but as of this morning when I communicated, no arrest has been made. Igbajo community is now peaceful. One person got injured during the clash,” Ojelabi said.

Metro

Kwara Traditional Ruler Kidnapped On His Farm

Published

1 day ago

November 30, 2025

Editor

Gunmen have reportedly abducted a traditional ruler in Bayagan community in the Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Ojibara of Bayagan Oba Kamilu Salami, on Saturday.

It was gathered that the traditional ruler was kidnapped Saturday morning on his farm, while details of the incident were still sketchy.

Eyewitness disclosed that the attack happened suddenly and left the community in apprehension and confusion. Meanwhile, the incident had triggered fresh concerns over cases of insecurity across the country.

The Kwara State Police command was yet to confirm the incident as at when filing this report.

Metro

Sokoto Police Arrest Suspected Cultists, Uncover WhatsApp Recruitment Channel

Published

2 days ago

November 29, 2025

Editor

The Sokoto State Police Command has arrested three suspected members of the notorious “Sai Malam” cult group, believed to be behind rising criminal activities in parts of the state.

The suspects, including the alleged gang leader Usman Shu’aibu, were apprehended on Friday during an intelligence-led operation executed by the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, the suspects confessed to being initiated into the group through a private WhatsApp platform called Red Chamber.

The police noted that further investigation discovered the social media channel was created to recruit unsuspecting youths into criminal activities.

These, according to the statement, include ritual practices, the pursuit of supposed demonic powers, acts of homosexuality, and violent thuggery.

The police warned parents to closely monitor their children’s online activities closely, noting that criminal groups are increasingly exploiting digital platforms to lure vulnerable youths.

Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Musa, said the arrests respond directly to public concerns about the group’s operations, adding that efforts are ongoing to track other fleeing members.

He assured residents of the command’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven policing and safeguarding lives and property across the state.

In other news, two persons suspected to be hoodlums have been arrested by the operatives of the Ondo State Police Command for allegedly stabbing a police officer to death in Akure, the state capital.

The suspects, identified as Shina Jacob, 25, and Felix Olalekan, 32, allegedly attacked the police inspector during an altercation at Oke-Arata within Arakale axis.

The killing of the police officer came a few days after a personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) was stabbed to death by a mentally unstable man in Oba-Ile area of Akure.

According to sources, after the inspector, who was recently transferred from the Anti-Cultism Unit to B-Division, was stabbed, the area was thrown into a state of panic as residents and traders hurriedly fled.

While confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Olayinka Ayanlade, disclosed that the officer was rushed to the hospital after he was stabbed but gave up the ghost while receiving treatment.

“An altercation ensued between the officer and some recalcitrant individuals, during which the officer was tragically stabbed. This unfortunate event triggered an immediate and coordinated police response.

“Acting swiftly, the Commissioner of Police deployed a team of operatives to the scene, resulting in the arrest of two suspects directly connected to the incident. They include Shina Jacob ‘m’ aged 25 years and Felix Olalekan ‘m’ aged 32 years.

“The injured officer was also rescued and rushed to the hospital; however, despite all efforts, the police inspector sadly passed away while receiving treatment. The follow-up operation conducted last night formed part of the Command’s sustained and strategic efforts to rid the state of violent criminal elements and prevent further breaches of public safety,” Ayanlade stated.”

Metro

Army, Air Force Crush ISWAP Fighters After Failed Chibok Attack

Published

2 days 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.