Metro

Tension In Ijebu-Ode As Armed Police Lay Siege To Daniel’s Home

Published

1 month ago

April 22, 2026

Senator representing Ogun East in the National Assembly, Gbenga Daniel Senator representing Ogun East in the National Assembly, Gbenga Daniel

Armed police operatives on Wednesday barricaded the Ijebu-Ode residence of former Ogun State governor, Gbenga Daniel, disrupting a planned political gathering by his supporters.

The incident, which occurred in the Obanta Club area within the Government Reserved Area (GRA) of Ijebu-Ode, created tension across the town as heavily armed officers mounted a security cordon around the residence.

An Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) was also stationed at the scene, further heightening the show of force.
Sources said the operatives disrupted a scheduled BATOGD Community Assessment and Review rally.

BATOGD—an acronym for Bola Ahmed Tinubu–Otunba Gbenga Daniel Movement—is a grassroots political platform supporting the second-term ambition of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Daniel’s reported bid for the Senate in 2027.

An aide to Daniel, who currently represents Ogun East Senatorial District in the Senate, told journalists that security operatives prevented members of the group from accessing the venue for the planned meeting.

“Police stormed the Obanta Club area and blocked access to OGD’s residence to stop the BATOGD Community Assessment and Review Tour scheduled for today,” the aide said.

As of press time, the police had yet to issue an official statement on the deployment.

The development comes amid a deepening political rift between Daniel and Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun.
Just days earlier, tensions escalated within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun East when Daniel was denied entry to a senatorial stakeholders’ meeting held at Adeola Odutola Hall in Ijebu-Ode.

The meeting, considered crucial for decisions on the party’s senatorial ticket, turned rowdy after the former governor was stopped at the gate.

Governor Abiodun, who is also believed to be eyeing the Ogun East Senate seat, was reportedly endorsed as a consensus candidate—an outcome seen as a key trigger of the ongoing feud between the two political figures.

Daniel has previously accused the governor of using state apparatus to target him, including alleging that the APC state executive unlawfully suspended him from the party.

A video circulating on social media showed the moment Daniel’s convoy was blocked, as supporters appealed for his entry into the meeting venue.

Addressing his supporters, a visibly frustrated Daniel said he had arrived early for the caucus meeting but was denied access.

“Today is our caucus meeting in Ijebu-Ode. I arrived early, but they told me I cannot go in. If any decisions are taken here without my participation, they will not stand,” he said.

As of the time of filing this report, Daniel remained locked out of the meeting, raising concerns over the legitimacy of any resolutions reached in his absence.

Contacted, the spokesperson of the Ogun State Police Command, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said he would comment after obtaining full details of the incident.

Metro

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

14 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.