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UPDATED: Councillor, 3 Others Die In Ondo Land Crisis

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The age-long crisis in Kuseru, over ownership of land between the Ikale’s in Okitipupa and the Oyo/Osun farmers living in Odigbo council area in Ondo state, weekend turned bloody as no fewer than four persons, were murdered.

One of the casualties include a Councillor representing Oyo/Osun axis, whose identity could not be readily ascertained.

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Vanguard gathered that the fresh crisis erupted when a woman in Kajola was shot.

Speaking on the killings, the Special Adviser to the governor on security matters, Chief Adetunji Adeleye, confirmed only two deaths during the crisis.

Adeleye said that “There has been an age-long crisis in Koseru between Oluku family of Ikale in Okitipupa and the Oyo/Osun farmers living in Odigbo local government.

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“The Oyo/Osun are predominantly cash crop farmers. They have been fighting over ownership of the land.

READ ALSO: Policemen, Residents Feared Killed In Ondo Communal Clash

“The fresh crisis erupted when a woman in Kajola was shot.

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“We are suspecting a reprisal attack of some Ikale youths who mobilised themselves and launched attack on the unsuspecting Osun/Oyo farmers.

“There is a Councillor representing Oyo/Osun axis that was killed in the fracas. A vigilante member, not Amotekun, was killed.

“Their corpses have been deposited at the hospital.

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“Amotekun, Police and the Army maintain vigilance overnight to ensure peace returns. The attackers destroyed more of farmlands.”

Police story

However, in a swift response to the killings, the state police commissioner, Yemi Oyediran, has ordered the arrest of the culprits involved in the killings and arsons.

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A statement issued by the state command spokesperson, Omisanya Funmilayo, said that “On the 9th December, 2022, a case of attempted murder was reported at Kajola Division, that a woman Julianah Alaba Abejoye was shot by two masked men on her farm at Ogbontiba via Kuseru with locally made double barrelled gun and escaped.

“She sustained injuries on the arm and thigh and was rushed to the hospital.

“On December 10, at about 10pm, in what seemed to be a reprisal attacks, Aiyetoro boys, in their numbers, attacked Kuseru village, set ablaze the motorcycle parks, killed livestock, destroyed motorcycles and cut down plantain trees.

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“Police contingents were quickly dispatched to the scene.

READ ALSO: Fire Guts Anambra Market, Destroys Shops

“Corpses of vigilantes were met at the Palace of Bale of Kuseru Village who were said to have been ambushed and killed.

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“The Commissioner of Police, Yemi Oyediran, visited the scene, urged all parties involved to sheathe their swords and allow police carry out a thorough investigation on what really happened.

“He further ordered that the area commander and DPO of the area to ensure all culprits involved in the arson and murder be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.”

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Metro

Vietnam Returnee Stabbed To Death In Abia

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A Vietnam–based Nigerian, Samson Nwaubani, has been killed in a communal clash between the Okwu and Umuajata communities in Umuahia, Abia State.

According to The PUNCH, the incident occurred on Tuesday, August 27, during the annual New Yam festival held in Olokoro, where both communities are located.

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It was gathered that tension had built up before the festival after a confrontation between a resident of Umuajata and another from Okwu degenerated into a fight.

The crisis reportedly escalated when youths from Okwu allegedly stormed the Umuajata community and destroyed some properties.

On the day of the New Yam festival, Samson and some Okwu youths were said to have passed through Umuajata while en route to the celebration grounds.

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READ ALSO:Man Stabs Colleague To Death In Lagos Over Money Dispute

A source privy to the incident told our correspondent on Sunday that they were ambushed by suspected Umuajata youths, thereby resulting in a violent clash.

The source said Samson was stabbed in the process, after which he slumped and died on the spot.

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The New Yam festival holds in phases, and the one held last Tuesday was ongoing when a fight broke out between youths around the Umuajata area. We were later told that Samson and some men from Okwu were heading to the festival when some members of Umuajata attacked them. It was during the fight that he was stabbed in the neck and also macheted in his arm before he bled to death.”

Another source privy to the incident told newsmen  that some elders had intervened earlier when the crisis began.

What happened was as a result of a lingering dispute between the Okwu Olokoro and Umuajata Olokoro communities. When the problem started, the elders reached out to them to settle their differences. They also warned them against engaging in an act that could escalate the matter. Aside from the person who was killed, some people were also injured during the ambush,” the source narrated.

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READ ALSO:Man Stabs Lover To Death In Rivers Over Cheating Allegation

Meanwhile, the Umuahia South Local Government Area of the state has suspended the celebration of a masquerader activity associated with the annual festival, citing rising cases of violence in the area.

According to a statement seen by our correspondent on Sunday, the suspension followed an emergency peace and security meeting convened on Thursday by the Executive Mayor of the Umuahia South Local Government Area, Chinedu Enwereuzo, alongside traditional rulers of the Olokoro Clan, security chiefs, and other stakeholders.

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The statement signed by Enwereuzor partly read, “The Igba Ekpe associated with Iriji (New Yam) festivals is suspended across Umuahia South LGA until further notice. This decision stems from intelligence linking certain festivities to insecurity and criminal activities.

“Ndi Eze, community leaders, and youth groups are directed to enforce full compliance, as communities or groups of persons who violate this directive will face the full force of the law. This suspension will be reviewed once risks are addressed, while cultural identity will continue to be promoted through safe and lawful activities.”

READ ALSO:Gunmen Stab Ogun Bizman To Death

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The council boss urged residents to prioritise peace and unity, especially in the Okwu and Umuajata communities of the Olokoro Clan, where the incident happened.

He added that the safety of lives and property remained the paramount concern of his administration.

When contacted on Monday, the state Police Public Relations Officer of the Abia State command, Maureen Chinaka, did not respond to calls made to her telephone line.

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A text message sent to her had yet to be responded to as of the time this report was filed.

 

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12 Saudi-bound Trafficking Victims Rescued In Kano

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The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, Kano Zonal Command, has taken custody of 12 rescued victims of human trafficking, all of whom are female and aged between 15 and 50, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

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The Zonal Commander of NAPTIP, Mr Abdullahi Babale, confirmed the development on Monday in Kano while receiving the victims from the Kano State Hisbah Board, which carried out the rescue operation in collaboration with the agency.

According to Babale, the victims were intercepted on Sunday at Karota Luxurious Park, Hotoro Western Bye-Pass, while en route to Ghana and onward to Saudi Arabia for suspected labour exploitation.

READ ALSO:I’m Not Coming, Speed Darlington Defies NAPTIP Arrest Warrant

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He disclosed that the victims, who hailed from Kano, Katsina, Borno, Jigawa, and Zamfara states, were being trafficked under the guise of seeking better job opportunities abroad.

NAN reports that one suspect, identified as Mohammed Saleh, 45, was arrested in connection with the case.

Babale said efforts were ongoing to apprehend other key suspects involved in the trafficking network.

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The rescue and arrest are in line with the directive of the NAPTIP Director-General, Hajiya Binta Adamu-Bello, to intensify intelligence gathering and crack down on suspected traffickers operating within Nigeria,” Babale stated.

READ ALSO:NAPTIP Declares Speed Darlington Wanted For Tape, Cyberbullying

He commended the Commander-General of the Kano Hisbah Board, Sheikh Aminu Daurawa, and the Kano State Government for their continued collaboration in the fight against human trafficking and the protection of vulnerable citizens.

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Babale assured the public that the victims would undergo counselling and rehabilitation before being reunited with their families, in line with NAPTIP’s victim-centred approach.

He also called on parents to be more vigilant in safeguarding their children from traffickers who exploit economic hardship and lure victims with false promises of greener pastures abroad.

We urge members of the public to report any suspicious movement or activities related to human trafficking in their communities,” he added.

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Residents Loot Foodstuffs For Distribution By Lawmaker

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Some Niger State residents on Sunday looted foodstuffs and other items meant for distribution in a programme organised by the lawmaker representing Suleja/Tafato, Hon. Adamu Tanko, to indigent constituents.

It was gathered that the incident occurred in Suleja Local Government Area of the state when the items were in an open space where people were expected to come and take their share. However, rather than the people orderly coming and collecting the relief items, they resorted to rushing to the venue and looting them.

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The PUNCH learnt on Monday that a stampede occurred as a large crowd of people were seen looting the items and running away with them. Some security personnel were seen pursuing the looters to retrieve the items from them.

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The state police spokesman, Wasiu Abiodun, who confirmed the incident on Monday, stated that the items were meant for distribution to the public.

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“On 31/8/2025 at about 4pm, during an empowerment programme of Hon. Adamu Tanko representing Suleja/Tafa, which took place at the Suleja Stadium, some members of the crowd attempted to disrupt the exercise, and began to pick some of the food items away.

“Police operatives and other security personnel deployed at the programme controlled the situation, retrieved the items, and normalcy was restored without any hitch,” Abiodun said.

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