Metro

UPDATED: Four Arrested As Yoruba Nation Agitators seize Radio Station In Ibadan

Published

2 years ago

May 28, 2023

Some Yoruba Nation agitators, on Sunday morning, seized Radio Nigeria, Amuludun FM 99.1 in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, taking over broadcast for more than one hour.

A source told The PUNCH that the agitators, who besieged the station around 5:40 am in an 18-seater bus, were armed with dangerous weapons and charms, threatening to deal decisively with any staff member who refused to cooperate with them.

However, four out of the agitators, among whom was a woman, were arrested by the police with the assistance of the Nigerian army, while others ran into different directions to evade arrest.

One of the arrested agitators, who sustained gunshot wounds, had rushed into the studio to tell others that security operatives had taken over the nooks and crannies of the station. The blood stain was seen in the studio.

An investigation revealed that after holding some night duty staff and security guards hostage, the agitators hijacked the studio and announced live on radio “Welcome to Yoruba Nation.”

An impeccable source further said they continued threatening staff members to remove all Nigeria flags in the station and replace them with Yoruba Nation flags as they have already taken over the Government Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.

It was further learnt that they initially hijacked some commercial vehicles (Micra) to block the main road.

When The PUNCH correspondent visited the station at J&P Bus-stop, Moniya in Akinyele Local Government Area of the state, more than 20 operational vehicles of security agents, including Department of State Services were sighted at strategic locations to forestall any eventuality.

Confirming the invasion, the most senior staff on duty, Ajayi Omotola, stated that, “They told us that they are Yoruba Nation agitators. And in their T-shirt, there was that inscription there. They wrote Yoruba Nation. Only six persons came inside the studio with different charms threatening to kill us if we failed to cooperate. Others were outside manning security at different areas within the premises.

“They collected all our phones and threatened to kill us if we made any noise or phone calls. They said they wanted to broadcast live that Yoruba Nation has taken over. We should remove all Nigeria flags in our studio and replace it with their own. They didn’t allow anybody to go outside. The Area Commander came, addressed and even pleaded with them but they ignored him. We later heard sporadic shooting outside. So, one of our staff members then came inside to inform us that police and soldiers had arrived,” Omotola stressed.

As of press time, normalcy had returned while stern-looking security operatives were still manning the station.

The PUNCH Metro reports that the radio station was established on October 10, 2007, and commenced transmission in pure and undiluted Yoruba language on October 22, the same year.

Metro

Police Foil Robbery Attacks On Anambra Roads, Recover Vehicles

Published

22 hours ago

September 6, 2025

Editor

The Anambra State Police Command said it has repelled armed robbery attacks in Oba and Awka areas of the state, with two stolen vehicles earlier snatched by the robbery gang recovered.

The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed in a statement on Saturday that the police patrols have continued to foil plans of criminals following the security and safety measures put in place by the Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu.

Ikenga added that the swift response and coordinated chase by police operatives attached to the Central Police Station, Awka and police operatives attached to Oba Division, led to the recovery of the snatched vehicles from the criminals at different operations.

The statement read in part, “Police operatives have recovered two abandoned, but suspected snatched vehicles in Oba and Awka, respectively. Efforts are, however, ongoing to apprehend the culprits.

“The swift response and coordinated chase by Police Operatives attached to the Central Police Station, Awka, led to the recovery of a snatched Lexus ES 350 car with registration number Lagos – BDG 350 JR, along Parkers Road, Awka, on September 4, 2025, at about 10.10 pm.

“Four armed men, operating in a tricycle without a registration number, had earlier blocked the victim along Ifite Road, Amaenyi, forcing him to abandon his vehicle before they fled the scene with it.

“Similarly, in the early hours of September 5, 2025, police operatives attached to Oba Division received information that a black Lexus RX 300 Jeep with registration number Anambra – AWK 31 DU, had been abandoned by yet-to-be-identified persons around Mummy Hotel axis, along Owerri–Onitsha Expressway, Oba.

“Upon receipt of the information, police operatives moved swiftly to the location and recovered the vehicle, which has since been towed to the station for safekeeping.

“To this end, the command appreciates the good people of Anambra for their timely and useful information, noting that effective collaboration between the Police and the public remains a key strategy in combating crime.”

Metro

Gunmen Kill NSCDC Personnel In Edo, Abduct Expatriate

Published

22 hours ago

September 6, 2025

Editor

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have killed eight personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC) attached to the BUA Cement Factory located in Okpella, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State.

The gunmen also abducted one of the Chinese expatriates, and injured four persons.

An officer of the agency who disclosed this to journalists in Benin on Saturday on the condition of anonymity, said the persons injured were currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

According to him, four Chinese expatriates were rescued unhurt.

He said the incident happened at the company’s entrance, on Friday, September 5, 2025, at about 10PM, when the officers were escorting five Chinese expatriates after a routine patrol at the company’s entrance.

He said: “The suspected kidnappers, armed with sophisticated weapons, ambushed the NSCDC personnel attached to BUA Cement Company, Okpella, Etsako East LGA, Edo State.

“The attackers laid an ambush at the company’s entrance. They opened fire sporadically, engaging NSCDC operatives in a gun duel. Despite the loss of personnel, NSCDC operatives successfully rescued four expatriates.

“The armed group escaped into the bush with one abducted expatriate.

“The surviving NSCDC personnel repelled further assault and secured four expatriates safely.

“The injured officers were evacuated and are receiving medical care,”

The officer said that the Edo State Commandant of the agency, Agun Gbenga, had visited the scene of the crime and the hospital where the injured are being treated.

He also disclosed that joint security operations with sister agencies have commenced, combing the surrounding forest in pursuit of the perpetrators.

“As I speak with you, our personnel and other security agencies are combing the bush through which the kidnappers escaped. We are making every effort to ensure that the abducted expatriate is freed unhurt and the perpetrators are brought to justice,” he noted.

Metro

New Edo Line Passengers Abducted

Published

22 hours ago

September 6, 2025

Editor

Now fewer than 18 passengers of the New Edo Line and Toyota Corolla car were on Friday reported abducted.

The victims, said to be Abuja bound passengers, were forced into the bush by the kidnappers before men of the Nigerian Police Force arrived the scene

A viral video from the scene of the incident showed a long queue of vehicles parked on both sides of the express road.

Contacted, Edo tate Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Iyamu confirmed, the incident, stressing that sixteen of the victims have been rescued so far.

He noted that police have intensified search in collaboration with local vigilante and hunters to ensure the release of the other passengers in the kidnappers’ den.