Metro

PHOTOS: Attackers invade Oyo ex-deputy gov residence, destroy property

Published

3 months ago

March 7, 2026

Editor

Properties worth millions of naira were destroyed on Saturday when suspected political thugs launched coordinated attacks on the private residence of former Oyo State Deputy Governor, Hazeem Gbolarumi, at Asi in Ibadan North Local Government Area, Ibadan.

Gbolarumi is a chieftain of a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party scheduled to hold its nationwide state congress on Saturday.

Investigation revealed that no fewer than ten people sustained injuries of varying degrees in separate incidents across the state.

However, when contacted, the Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, said the attack had nothing to do with the party’s state congress.

He said, “A yet-to-be-identified hoodlums launched attacks on the residence of the former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Hazeem Gbolarumi. The coordinated attacks have nothing to do with the state congress.”

The police spokesperson said the incident was under investigation and that appropriate action would be taken against the perpetrators.

Meanwhile, the chairman of one of the party factions in the state, Abdulrahman Akinoso, said similar attacks were recorded in other parts of Oyo State.

He said incidents were reported in Ibadan North, Ogbomoso South, Akinyele, and Igboora in Ibarapa Central Local Government Area.

“At least ten people sustained injuries during the violence, while several vehicles were damaged at various locations across the state,” he said.

Akinoso disclosed that three vehicles were vandalised at Gbolarumi’s residence on Are Avenue in the Bodija area of Ibadan, where members of the faction had gathered for the congress exercise.

The attacks have heightened tensions within the party as rival factions continue to struggle for control of the party structure in the state.

In another development, stakeholders of the PDP in Ogbomoso rejected what they described as attempts by some individuals to organise a congress and inaugurate factional executive members in the area and other parts of the state.

The party leaders warned that any move to constitute a parallel executive would not be recognised, insisting that the PDP structure in the state remains united under the leadership of Seyi Makinde.

In a statement made available to journalists on Saturday, the stakeholders said they were aware of alleged clandestine plans by certain individuals to conduct unauthorised congresses aimed at installing factional party executives.

“We are aware of the clandestine move by some elements to hold a congress and inaugurate factional executive members in Ogbomoso and other parts of the state,” the statement read.

The stakeholders warned that such actions could destabilise the party if not properly addressed, stressing that the party in the state had continued to enjoy relative unity.

“We are solidly loyal to Governor Seyi Makinde’s leadership and will not accept any form of factional executive in the state.”

They also warned that individuals allegedly working to destabilise the party’s stability should be prepared to face the consequences of their actions.

The stakeholders urged party members to remain calm and resist attempts to divide the party, reiterating their commitment to the stability and progress of the PDP in Ogbomoso and across Oyo State.

Related Topics:Ibadan Ibadan Thugs Oyo Thugs

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Metro

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

15 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Police Command on Wednesday said two suspected cultists were arrested in Ohonre community, off Adolor College Road, Benin.

This was disclosed in a statement by the command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, and made available to newsmen electrically.

Ikoedem said the arrest was possible due to operatives response to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

The statement reads: “The Edo State Police Command has recorded another operational breakthrough following the swift disruption of a suspected cultists’ gathering in Ohonre Community, off Adolor College Road, Benin City.

“On 21st May, 2026, at about 19:00hrs, operatives attached to Ugbowo Division who were on surveillance patrol responded to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

“Acting promptly on the information, the police team mobilized to the location. On sighting the operatives, the suspects fled in an attempt to evade arrest. The operatives immediately gave them a hot chase, leading to the arrest of two suspects identified as Victor Peter ‘M’, 21 years and Iyemoma Ogbewe ‘M’, 35 years.

“A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of one cut-to-size gun believed to have been in their possession for unlawful purposes.

“Upon investigation, the suspects confessed to being members of the notorious Maphite cult group. Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other fleeing gang members.”

She said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the swift response of the operatives and reiterated the Command’s resolve to deny criminal elements any opportunity within Edo State.

He further urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, assuring that all reports would receive prompt attention.

Metro

Troops Eliminate Two Terrorists, Foil Pipeline Attack

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Army says troops have, in the last 24 hours, eliminated two terrorists, rescued four kidnapped victims and foiled pipeline attacks in a series of coordinated military operations across Taraba, Kogi and Rivers.

This is contained in operational updates issued to reporters on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the reports, troops of 93 Battalion deployed at Akate in the Donga Local Government Area of Taraba engaged suspected terrorists in a forested area, killing two of them.

According to the report, items recovered from the scene include an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, magazines, mobile phones and other personal effects.

In Kogi, it said the troops of 21 Battalion, in collaboration with vigilantes, rescued four kidnapped passengers along the Anyigba–Itobe road in Ofu Local Government Area.

It added that the victims were reportedly abandoned by their captors while attempting to cross a seasonal stream due to sustained pressure from advancing troops.

According to the military, efforts are ongoing to rescue other victims still in captivity.

The report said that troops of 12 Brigade successfully repelled an ambush along Kabba–Okene road while withdrawing from an earlier operation, forcing the assailants to flee with gunshot wounds.

“Meanwhile, in Rivers, troops of 5 Battalion acting on credible intelligence, foiled an attempt by suspected vandals to detonate a crude oil pipeline in Ahoada West Local Government Area.

“The swift response of the troops disrupted the operation before it could be executed, with the suspects fleeing the scene,” it said.

Metro

Police Arrest Private Chef Over Alleged N150m Theft, Drugging Of Employer, Burglary

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a chef, John Cosmos Govi, over his alleged involvement in a burglary operation at a residence in Abuja, where luxury items and valuables worth about N150 million were reportedly stolen.

The arrest was announced on Monday, May 25, 2026, by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, who said the suspect was apprehended by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) after investigations into allegations of criminal conspiracy, housebreaking, theft, malicious damage and administering harmful substances.

According to police findings, Govi, who allegedly gained employment as a chef at the residence, was said to have studied the movement of occupants, internal routine and security setup before allegedly carrying out the operation on April 23, 2026.

Investigators said he reportedly worked with two accomplices identified as Peter and Moses, who are currently on the run.

Police alleged that food prepared in the house was laced with a suspected sedative substance to weaken the occupants and security personnel.

After they reportedly became unconscious, the suspects allegedly broke into the property, damaged CCTV installations and stole 20 luxury wristwatches valued at about N150 million, alongside other valuables.

Speaking on the development, DCP Anthony Placid said the suspect was intercepted around the Gwagwalada axis of the Federal Capital Territory while attempting to flee to Lagos. He added that an iPhone 17 Pro Max, believed to belong to the victim, and a suspected chemical substance were recovered.

“We remain committed to dismantling organised criminal networks and ensuring that all fleeing accomplices are brought to justice,” Placid said.

Police said efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects and conclude investigations into the case.