Metro

Tension In Osun As Armed Police Guard LG Secretariats

Published

1 year ago

February 12, 2025

Editor

Heavily armed police officers took over local government secretariats across Osun State on Tuesday.

This followed the Court of Appeal ruling in Akure, which upheld appeals by the chairman elected under the All Progressives Congress in the October 15, 2022, local government elections.

These chairmen and councillors had been removed by Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel of the Federal High Court, Osogbo, in November 2022.

However, the Appeal Court ruled in their favour.

Following the judgment on Monday, there were disagreements over its interpretation.

APC members claimed the ruling reinstated the sacked officials but the state government, through the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, insisted the judgment did not restore them.

Alimi urged security agencies to prevent any threats to public peace and safeguard residents’ lives and property.

The PUNCH correspondent observed armed police officers stationed at local government secretariats in Osogbo, Egbedore, and Ejigbo. At Olorunda LG secretariat in Igbona, people moved in and out while police officers checked those entering.

A similar security presence was seen at Osogbo LG secretariat in Oke Baale, where National Union of Local Government Employees officials helped identify staff members.

At Ejigbo LG secretariat, sources said police arrived around 8:30 am, initially locking the gate before reopening it.

A NULGE official, who wished to remain anonymous because he was not authorised to speak on the issue said, “Police operatives suddenly showed up at the entrance. Our colleagues contacted NULGE officials when they weren’t allowed in. Eventually, workers were permitted inside. We were told police were deployed because some people threatened to resume work.”

Osun Police Command spokesman, Yemisi Opalola, confirmed the deployment.

“We acted to prevent any breakdown of law and order. This is related to the Appeal Court verdict on the last local government election. Though we haven’t received any court ruling, we are monitoring the situation,” Opalola said.

Meanwhile, the state Attorney General, Oluwole Jimi-Bada, clarified that the Appeal Court did not reinstate the sacked chairmen.

Jimi-Bada stated, “The court did not examine the APC’s re-appeal on merit. It only struck out the PDP’s case against OSSIEC, citing a lack of cause of action at the time it was filed. The Court of Appeal never ruled that any chairman should return to office.”
(PUNCH)

Metro

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

Published

21 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.