Metro

Residents Flee Kogi Community Over Fear Of Bandit Attacks

Published

3 weeks ago

September 27, 2025

Hundreds of residents of Okunran village in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State have deserted their homes following persistent attacks by armed bandits.

A viral video circulating on social media showed the once-bubbling community completely deserted, with houses abandoned and streets empty.

“Okunran, once a bubbling town, is now a ghost town,” a resident said.

The villagers said they fled to escape incessant kidnappings, killings, and ransom demands that have plagued the community.

“The government has failed us, security agencies have failed us. If we remain here, we will be consumed by bandits. We are tired of paying ransom and contributing money for bandits,” said Akin Samuel, a fleeing resident.

The Guardian learnt that neighbouring communities, including Okoloke and Egbe, are also considering leaving if the attacks persist.

The abduction of the first-class traditional ruler of Okoloke, 90-year-old Pa. Dada James Ogunyanda, in May 2025, deepened the climate of fear in the area. Although he was released after a ransom was paid, the monarch has refused to return to his palace.

A native of Okunran, Auwal Maroof, who now lives in Lokoja, said the decision to flee became inevitable.

“We have been praying for God’s intervention, but the insecurity persists to the point that fleeing was the only option to stay alive,” he said.

Egbe, the commercial hub of Yagba, is feared to be vulnerable due to its close connection with neighbouring Kwara State, where the bandits are suspected to be coming from.

Local sources report that at least 10 people, including seven police officers and three civilians, were killed by bandits in Yagba within one week this month.

The Chairman of Yagba East Local Government recently imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in a bid to contain the crisis, while the Kogi State government and the senator representing the district have pledged to rid the area of bandits.

Metro

My Husband Doesn’t Love Me, I Want Divorce —Wife

Published

2 hours ago

October 18, 2025

Editor

…I ‘m still interested in her —Husband

A woman, Mrs Hajara Busari, has asked an Area Court Centre Igboro in Ilorin, Kwara State, to dissolve her six-year-old marriage to her husband, Mr Mumini Anafi, over lack of love.

The petitioner told the court that she is no longer interested in the Islamic marriage with her husband, and urged the court to dissolve it.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), she is seeking an order for marriage dissolution, custody of their three children, as well as the sum of N50,000, being cost of maintenance of the children.

Meanwhile, the respondent told the court that he is still interested in their marriage and urged the court not to grant the reliefs sought by the petitioner.

The presiding judge, Mr Toyin Aluko, urged the husband to explore every opportunity within his reach to achieve amicable settlement of any dispute with his wife.

The court adjourned the case until December 17.

Metro

Woman Divorces Husband For Smashing Her Phone, Refusing To Repair It

Published

2 hours ago

October 18, 2025

Editor

A woman, Zainab Alhassan, has divorced her husband, Tijjani Muhammad, over his refusal to repair her damaged cell phone worth N70,000.

She told the court that she was no longer interested in their marriage and was ready to divorce him through Khul’i, (a type of divorce where a woman returns the dowry she received to her husband.)

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Alhassan told the court that she was ready to return the N30,000 dowry to regain her freedom.

She told the court that she was watching a movie on her phone when her husband started fighting her, collected her phone and allegedly smashed it.

She, however, noted that she does not have a witness to prove her claims.

On his part, the defendant said he does not have a problem with her divorce plea but disagreed with the claim that he damaged her phone.

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The judge, Malam Mu’awiyya Shehu, dissolved their marriage on the basis of Khul’i and dismissed the complainant’s plea for the repair of the phone.

Metro

I Want Divorce, N50,000 For Our Children’s Upkeep, Woman Tells Court

Published

2 hours ago

October 18, 2025

Editor

A woman, Mrs Hajara Busari, has asked an Area Court Centre-igboro in Ilorin, Kwara State, to dissolve her six-year-old marriage with her husband, Mr Mumini Anafi, over lack of love.

The petitioner told the court that she is no more interested in the Islamic marriage with her husband and urged the court to dissolve same.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), she is seeking an order for marriage dissolution, custody of her three children, as well as the sum of N50,000, being cost of maintenance of her children.

Meanwhile, the respondent, told the court that he is still interested in his marriage with his wife, and urged the court not to grant the reliefs sought by the petitioner.

The presiding Judge, Mr Toyin Aluko, urged the husband to explore every opportunity within his reach, to achieve amicable settlement of any dispute with his wife.

The court adjourned the case until December 17, for either report of settlement or for hearing.