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The Commander of the Osun Amotekun Corps, Adekunle Isaac Omoyele, narrowly escaped being killed on Monday evening by unknown gunmen who waylaid him while he was returning home after closing from duty at the Corps Headquarters in Osogbo.

The incident, which reportedly occurred around 10:05 p.m., according to the Command’s spokesperson, Yusuf Idowu Abass, saw the assailants, who were heavily armed and masked, perpetrate the act along Ikirun Road, near Kobo area, beside Charity Hotel in the town, while he was driving home in his private vehicle.

‘The attackers reportedly opened fire on his car, leaving it riddled with bullets. The Commander sustained gunshot wounds but managed to escape from the scene and was later rushed to a hospital for urgent medical attention.’

Abass confirmed that Omoyele is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed medical facility and remains in stable condition under close observation.

It was gathered that the matter has been reported to the Ota-Efun Police Division, and security agencies have launched an investigation into the incident.

In another development, the state governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has vowed to apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators of the Akinlalu killings, as the people of Akinlalu town in Osun State cry out for justice after a tragic incident in which seven individuals were killed.

The Governor made the statement on Monday through the Honourable Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, when the government delegation visited the town. The incident has sparked widespread outrage and concern among the community, with calls for swift action to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

In response to the crisis, the Osun State Government has sent a delegation comprising the Special Adviser on Security, the Commissioner of Police, the Department of State Services (DSS), and other security agencies to investigate the incident and fish out the culprits. The government’s prompt response has been welcomed by the people of Akinlalu, who are eager to see justice served.

Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, delivering the message of Governor Adeleke, condemned the incident and assured the people of Akinlalu that the Adeleke-led government is a listening government that does not support criminality. He promised that justice would prevail and that those responsible for the killings would face the full wrath of the law.

Alimi further emphasised that the government will conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into the incident. He urged the people of Akinlalu to remain calm and patient, assuring them that justice would be served in due course.

Hon. Alimi appreciated Oriyomi Hamzat and other bloggers for their concern over the situation, stating that their voices had brought attention to the plight of the people of Akinlalu.

Ibrahim Gothan, the Commissioner of Police, also assured the people of Akinlalu that justice would be served, revealing that the police force swung into action immediately after the incident occurred.

He disclosed that three suspects had already been apprehended and detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Osogbo, promising that the remaining culprits would soon be brought to book.

Barr. Jimi Bada, the Attorney General of the state, also weighed in on the incident, expressing sympathy with the affected families and praying for God’s comfort during this difficult time. He promised that justice would prevail, warning that those found guilty would face severe consequences, including imprisonment or even death.

The monarch of Akinlalu, Oba Oloyede Aborisade, representing the people of the town, pleaded with the government to ensure that justice is served, describing the incident as extremely painful and hazardous to the community.

The king also appealed to the Osun State Government to come to the aid of the victims’ families by providing them with adequate compensation.

Adeboye Musbau, the Youth Leader of Akinlalu, speaking on behalf of the angry youths, called for immediate action from the Osun State Government to thoroughly investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice.

‘We cannot afford to suffer in vain,’ he said, adding, ‘We appeal to the government to do the needful and compensate the affected families generously.’

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Barrister Samuel Ojo, thereafter appealed to the youth to remain calm and assured them of justice.

Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, has officially resigned from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s cabinet.

This was disclosed in a statement on Tuesday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.

According to the statement, Nnaji resigned from his role following allegations against him.

‘President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has accepted the resignation of Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, following some allegations against him.

‘President Tinubu appointed Nnaji in August 2023. He resigned today in a letter thanking the President for allowing him to serve Nigeria.

‘Nnaji said he has been a target of blackmail by political opponents.

‘President Tinubu thanked him for his service and wished him well in future endeavours,’ the statement reads.

Tribune Online gathered that the former minister has been in the news lately for allegedly forging the certificate he submitted to the government upon his appointment in 2023.

However, Nnaji had, through his spokesman, Dr. Robert Ngwu, at a media briefing in Abuja on Monday, denied the allegations, insisting that he bagged a BSc. degree in Microbiology/Biochemistry with second class honours (lower division) in 1985.

The former minister therefore called on the authorities of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, to release his academic transcript without further delay and stop playing further politics with the vital document, accusing the university of trying to dent his image by issuing two conflicting reports regarding his certificate.

The Niger State Independent Electoral Commission (NSIEC) has announced that 805 candidates from 10 political parties will contest in the Local Government Council elections scheduled for November 1, 2025.

The breakdown of candidates by party is as follows: All Progressives Congress (APC) – Chairmanship: 25, Vice-Chairmanship: 25, Councillors: 274.

Additionally, it said 23 candidates are contesting Chairmanship positions on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), while 21 candidates are contesting Vice-Chairmanship positions on the platform of the party, just as 233 candidates are contesting as Councillors on the party’s platform.

The NSIEC Chairman further noted that under the Social Democratic Party (SDP), 16 candidates shall be contesting Chairmanship positions, while 26 others shall be contesting Vice-Chairmanship positions on the platform of the party, just as 144 candidates shall be contesting as Councillors in the party.

The NSIEC Chairman, Engr. Mohammed Jibrin Imam further explained that in the Labour Party (LP), five candidates shall be contesting for Chairmanship positions on the platform of the party, adding that four candidates are going to contest for the Vice-Chairmanship positions, while 12 candidates shall be contesting for Councillorship positions on the platform of the LP.

Furthermore, Engr. Jibrin Imam stressed that two candidates shall be contesting for Councillorship positions on the platform of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) in the upcoming elections next month, while one candidate shall emerge for the Councillorship position on the platform of the Booth Party (BP).

According to the NSIEC Chairman, one candidate shall be contesting for the Councillorship position on the platform of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), Action Alliance (AA), and Accord Party, respectively.

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has expressed his readiness to work with the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to drive the state’s development, particularly in infrastructure.

The governor made this known while briefing journalists in Benin City on the progress of various projects across the state.

Okpebholo said most of the ongoing projects in different parts of the state have reached about 80 percent completion, adding that some would be completed soon.

He said he is committed to delivering infrastructure that will improve the lives of Edo residents, including roads, schools, and other essential facilities.

According to him, ‘Most of the projects in Edo State are close to completion and will soon be visible to everyone for the betterment of residents of the state. We are here for the people of Edo State and we are poised to deliver dividends of democracy to the doorsteps of the people.’

The governor also raised concern over the alleged encroachment on land meant for the Edo Specialist Hospital, saying a large portion has been taken over by the owner of the Museum of West African Arts, leaving only about 20 percent for the state government.

The University of Benin (UNIBEN) has announced a total ban on all forms of sign-out celebrations by graduating students, warning that any violation will attract severe disciplinary sanctions

According to the university’s registrar, Ademola Bobola, in a circular on Tuesday, it was generally agreed by the university management that unauthorised activities on campus should be totally banned after a Senate meeting and final decision on Monday.

‘No sign-out celebration of any kind, including signing on T-shirts and playing of music, will be tolerated,’ he said.

Bobola stated that the decision was made to maintain order, discipline, and academic decorum on campus.

The ban upliftment was signed to totally eradicate sign-out celebrations and other prohibited activities, including signing on T-shirts, playing music, and large gatherings around faculties, schools, or institutes.

Also, the indiscriminate parading around on campuses with or in any brand of vehicle is no longer permitted, as unauthorised vehicles will not be allowed into the campuses during the last week of the second semester examination.

‘Indiscriminate parading around the campuses in any brand of vehicle will not be permitted,’ the circular warned.

Furthermore, photographers are not permitted to put up photo stands or galleries for sign-out celebrations.

‘Photographers will not be permitted to put up photo stands or galleries for the purpose of such celebration,’ he said.

Parents and guardians of final-year students are therefore advised to stay away from campus premises, especially on the last day of examination.

‘Parents and guardians of final-year students are advised to stay away from the Faculty, School, or Institute premises, especially on the last day of examination,’ he said.

The school management has vowed to punish students who violate this law. The violators, however, would risk severe disciplinary actions, including rustication, expulsion, or withdrawal of certificate.

‘Members of the university community are invited to kindly note the above position for strict compliance.

‘Any violation will attract severe disciplinary sanctions, including withdrawal of certificate, rustication, and expulsion of violators,’ he warned.

In addition, this ban is not unique to UNIBEN, as other universities like the University of Port Harcourt, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Federal University, Lafia, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, and Kaduna Polytechnic have also implemented similar restrictions.

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has flagged off a 14-day medical outreach to take place simultaneously in four hospitals in the Plateau North Senatorial District of Plateau State, with 25 foreign doctors participating.

Speaking during the flag-off of the outreach at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, the APC National Chairman mentioned that the exercise will also take place at Christian Hospital Vom and Sunnah Hospital, Angwan Rogo, allowing people from various parts of the senatorial district and beyond to have access to medical treatment.

He highlighted that the medical outreach was intended to complement and support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s healthcare reform efforts, particularly through strategic interventions that extend medical services to the vulnerable and disadvantaged.

His words: ‘I’d like to thank everyone involved in this programme for their enormous contributions and enthusiasm to collaborate with us, particularly the donors from the U.S. and other countries. We have already conducted pre-medical outreach in the Southern and Central districts of the state. So, we have reached the point in the outreach when we need experts in specific medical areas.

‘We have medical teams from America and Canada; they came with the requisite medical equipment to handle all the referral cases recorded at previous missions in the Central and Southern zones, including heart surgeries and hip replacements, with the new cases to be recorded in the Northern zone.’

The APC National Chairman further disclosed that the doctors would also be involved in training Nigerian medical personnel and imparting the necessary skills.

He said, ‘So, we are optimistic that within these two weeks of their presence here, they will train Nigerian medical personnel and provide manpower training so that they can improve the capacity of Nigerian medical doctors to perform surgeries that would have been difficult for them before.

‘They will support nurses, private clinics, and private hospitals to ensure they provide more than just doing surgery and going back to America. So, it’s a very outstanding programme that will have an influence on people’s daily lives.

‘At the party level, the APC would undertake similar missions across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria as part of its Corporate Social Investment programmes. A timetable for this will be announced soon.’

The team lead, Dr Emeka Anyanwu, who expressed optimism that the team would try to cover all cases within the period of the programme, added that the medical specialists include trauma surgeons, gynaecologists, ophthalmologists, and orthopaedic and general surgeons.

Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has condemned in strong terms the worsening insecurity in Kwara and Kogi states, on account of persistent genocidal attacks by organised terrorists in Kwara and Kogi states.

The group expressed dissatisfaction with the manner the Federal Government had been handling the security situation in the country.

Afenifere gave this stand in a communique issued and signed by its Leader, Oba Oladipo Olaitan and National Publicity Secretary, Prince Justice Faloye, at the end of its meeting, which held in Osun State, and attended by delegates from Ekiti, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo states.

The group, while condemning what it observed as the government’s non-proactive measures over the continued attacks and killings in Kwara and Kogi states, noted that the clues to the attacks tilted towards an agenda to occupy and enshrine their socio-economic and political ideology in the land.

This was just as it disclosed that reports indicated that the series of attacks on Oke-Ode and other parts of Kwara South that recorded casualties, remained the height of sufferings to which the people of the two states had been persistently subjected.

Afenifere pointedly declared that the Nigerian state had failed in the primary duty of the collective defence of its constituent nationalities and protection of life and property of its citizens as the fundamental essence of its existence, noting that successive governments in the country ‘have been held hostage by this minority invaders obsessed with the belief of the ownership of Nigeria of over 250 million indigenous ethnic nationalities.

‘Afenifere declares that the Nigerian state has failed in the primary duty of the collective defence of its constituent nationalities and protection of life and property of its citizens as the fundamental essence of its existence.

‘As is the case in other parts of the Middle Belt, the marauders have continued to kill and generally make life difficult for the people of Kogi and Kwara states, who can no longer move freely within their territories, and their economy is being strangulated without access to their farms.

‘The unrelenting attacks by the marauding invaders are in pursuit of an agenda orchestrated by elites to conquer and occupy territories of other Nigerian ethnic nationalities as a social, economic and political ideology which must stop,’ the communique said.

‘The overwhelming majority of Kwara State citizens are indigenous Yoruba who speak the language. The people of Kwara South, particularly, have been subjected to permanent attacks, making them desert their homes. The communities include: Ologomo, Ajegunle, Agban, Owode, Alasoro, Alawan, Bankole, Oreke, Ganmu, Babanla, Ayetoro, Budo, Arifowomo, Apata Olosun, Oreke Isale, Sagbe, Olohun Tele, Oke Ode, and Ilu Agunjin.

‘The Yoruba-speaking Kogi West Senatorial District has witnessed no respite in the hands of these terrorists in most parts, which include: Eruku, Okoloke, Okunran, Egbe, Oke-ere, Odo-eri, Ejiba -Idofin, Ife-Olukotun, Itakete-Ide, Isanlu, Otafun, Igbo-ele, Itakete-Ide, Akutupa, Ofere, Odo-Ape, Obajana, Abugi, Ilafin-Isanlu, Ife-Olukotun, Ponyan, Igbo-ele, among others.’

Speaking further, Afenifere condemned in all ramifications what it termed these festivals of killings of Nigerians by organised terrorists, urging the Federal Government to consider it as the greatest assault on the continued corporate existence of the Nigerian state.

The pan-Yoruba group, while making the call, said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu cannot continue to prevaricate or be apologetic on the issue of State Police which implementation was being delayed by pretences of national consensus.

The group affirmed that ‘multilateral security architecture is sine qua non in a federation, particularly of entrenched and diverse nationalities like Nigeria, urging that the president should ‘consider that security is at such a state of emergency that urgent steps be taken to introduce state and community policing NOW.’

Besides, Afenifere equally called on every ethnic nationality to rise to the defence of its people by procuring adequate apparatuses for the protection of its members and against invasion of its territory, including a resort to its traditional means of territorial defence.

‘Afenifere called on every ethnic nationality to rise to the defence of its people by procuring apparatuses adequate for the protection of its members and against invasion of its territory, including a resort to its traditional means of territorial defence,’ it urged.

The pan-Yoruba group, however, commended the governments of the South West states on the Amotekun Security Network and urged the governors to take all measures, including procurement of adequate weapons in the defence of the people and not allowing the Yoruba land submit itself for annihilation on the altar of one Nigeria.

On the issue of corruption in public governance, Afenifere observed increasing allegations and published evidence of corruption in government, even to the embarrassment of Nigeria internationally, calling on President Tinubu, ‘on whose table the buck stops,’ to commence a fair and transparent investigation of those allegations to clear the government of allegations and redeem the image of the country.

An interview on Arise Television’s The Morning Show between the Minister of Works, David Umahi, and anchor Rufai Oseni escalated into a heated debate.

The minister was angered by the anchor’s questions and responded with sharp rebukes, leading to a series of tense exchanges.

The discussion involved personal attacks and accusations, including allegations of the minister reporting the anchor to the President.

The Morning Show on Arise Television witnessed a heated exchange on Tuesday morning when the Minister of Works, David Umahi , became visibly agitated during an interview.

The core of the disagreement stemmed from questions posed by anchor Rufai Oseni , leading to a tense back-and-forth that captured the attention of viewers.

Umahi, at several points, expressed his displeasure with the line of questioning, which ultimately escalated into a personal dispute involving accusations and counter-accusations.

The minister’s response to Oseni’s inquiries was often delivered with a sharp tone, reflecting his frustration at the questions thrown at him by the anchor.

The interview took an unexpected turn as personal attacks and assertions dominated the discourse, overshadowing the initial focus on the Minister’s portfolio and the ongoing projects under his supervision.

The conflict further intensified when Oseni directly accused Umahi of reporting him to President Bola Tinubu over his criticism of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project.

Umahi vehemently denied this accusation, dismissing Oseni’s assertion as ‘unfounded and belittling’.

The former Ebonyi governor asserted his professional expertise in engineering, prompting further challenges from the anchor, who questioned the legitimacy of his claim of being a professor in the field.

The minister insisted on his professorship, maintaining that his extensive practical experience in engineering qualified him for the title, regardless of formal academic recognition. This assertion was met with skepticism and direct inquiry from Oseni, creating a significant point of contention between the duo.

The climax of the interaction involved several sharp exchanges, with Umahi repeatedly telling Oseni to ‘keep quiet’ and accusing him of lacking understanding of the engineering field.

The minister challenged Oseni’s qualifications to question his expertise and authority on matters pertaining to his field.

Umahi’s comments included phrases like ‘You don’t understand anything’ and ‘You are too small for me to report the President,’ reinforcing his dismissal of Oseni’s arguments.

The anchor, in turn, responded with a measure of restraint, urging Umahi to ‘keep dignifying yourself’ and allowing the audience to draw their own conclusions.

The episode left a lasting impression on viewers, who were quick to share their opinions across various social media platforms.

As part of the steps to reduce the frequency of violent clashes between farmers and herders, the Bauchi State Government has revoked all land allocations in the Aliya and Yautare grazing reserves of the Darazo Local Government Area of the state.

The development follows growing tensions between farmers and herders in the area, which have led to the loss of innocent lives and the destruction of properties.

The disclosure was made by the Chairman of the Committee set up to mitigate the development, Deputy Governor of the state, Mohammed Auwal Jatau, while briefing journalists on the outcome of the government’s review of land activities in the reserves.

He explained that the recent de-reservation of parts of the forests was originally aimed at encouraging greater community participation in farming under the Darazo Ecological Project.

However, the government observed that the implementation of the allocations was fraught with irregularities, leading to the improper distribution of land.

This, according to him, resulted in the allocation of almost the entire grazing reserves, a situation that triggered disputes between farmers and pastoralists.

The Deputy Governor stated that, ‘After carefully studying the situation – including personal visits and discussions with the parties involved – Governor Bala Mohammed ordered the immediate revocation of all the allocations.’

He stressed that the decision was taken in the interest of peace, justice, and sustainable development.

The Deputy Governor further explained that even the hectares earlier approved by the Governor will be subjected to a fresh review to ensure transparency and proper land management.

Auwal Jatau also said that the decision was made due to irregularities in the allocation process, which led to conflicts between farmers and herders, resulting in the destruction of farmlands, loss of properties, and loss of lives.

He explained that the grazing reserves were designated in 1953 and gazetted in 1986; however, the allocation process was marred by irregularities, leading to the current crisis.

A high-powered committee was set up to investigate the crisis, and its findings and recommendations have been submitted to the government.

According to him, the government has decided to revoke all land allocations in the grazing reserves with immediate effect; however, farmers who have vested crops on the land will be allowed to evacuate their crops and harvests.

He further said that the government will review the allocation of 2,500 hectares in the grazing reserves and reallocate the land in line with due process.

The Deputy Governor reiterated that the present government is committed to resolving the crisis and ensuring peace and stability in the state.

He assured that the government will follow due process in allocating the land and ensure that the rights of all stakeholders are protected.

He stressed that ‘The Bauchi State Government has revoked all land allocations in the Darazo grazing reserves due to irregularities that led to conflicts between farmers and herders, and will review and reallocate 2,500 hectares in line with due process, allowing farmers with vested crops to evacuate them.’

He appealed to the people of Aliya, Yautare, and the entire Darazo Local Government Area to remain calm and cooperate with the government.

The Bauchi State Government stated that the revocation exercise is part of broader efforts to restore peace and promote harmonious coexistence between farmers and herders in the region.

The Supreme Court has reserved judgement in a suit seeking to restrain the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) from releasing the withheld Osun state Local Government funds to the disputed Local Government Chairmen and Councilors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Justice Uwani Aba’aji, who led a seven member panel of Justices of the apex court in the Tuesday’s proceedings, reserved judgement in the matter after taking arguments from counsel to the Osun state Attorney General, Musbau Adetunbi, SAN, and Chief Akin Olujimi, SAN who represented the AGF, announced that the date for the judgement in the suit Numbered, SC/CV/773/2025 would be communicated to the two parties in the matter.

In the suit, the Osun state Attorney General, who is the plaintiff in the matter, sought an order of the apex court restraining the AGF from paying the statutory allocations standing to the credit of the 30 Local Governments in Osun state to the sacked APC Chairmen and Councillors.

The Osun Attorney General also sought an order of the apex court directing the AGF to immediately release the ‘monthly allocations and revenues due to and standing to the credit of the Constituent Local Government Councils of Osun state for all the months they have been unlawfully and unjustifiably withheld by the AGF and pay same directly into the Local Government allocation accounts to be opened in favour of the validly elected Local Government Council officials elected on February 22, 2025’.

Besides, the plaintiff who invoked Supreme Court’s original jurisdiction based on a letter according recognition to the disputed APC Chairmen and Councilors, also sought an order stopping the AGF from further withholding, suspending or seizing monthly allocations and revenues standing to the credit of the Constituents Local Governments, having democratically elected Chairmen and Councilors in place.

The grouse of the Osun state Attorney General was that the AGF was wrong in his letter recognising APC Local Government Chairmen and Councilors when the matter was pending before court of records. He described the action as an attempt by the AGF to destroy the subject matter of the plaintiff.

He also hinged his case on the ground that the election that brought in the APC officials as Local Government Chairmen and Councilors had been nullified by a Federal High Court and upheld by the Court of Appeal in Abuja.

Adetunbi, while presenting the case of the plaintiff, pleaded with the seven-member panel of Justices to uphold his arguments and grant all the reliefs sought by his client.

However, in opposition, the AGF represented by Chief Akin Olujimi, SAN, argued a preliminary objection where he urged the apex court to dismiss the case of the plaintiff on various grounds.

Among others, Olujimi argued that the plaintiff lacked locus standing (Legal right) to bring the case before the Supreme Court to invoke its original jurisdiction.

He also contended that the apex court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit because the suit was not competent to be presented directly to the apex court as done by the plaintiff.

The senior lawyer argued that the suit did not disclose any cause of action, adding that the tenure of the disputed council chairmen is still running till October 22, 2025 and that the proper thing was for the statutory allocation to be released to the officials to run the Council.

Similarly, he argued that Osun state Attorney General had engaged in abuse of court processes by filing cases in about seven high courts on the same subject with the same parties.

He therefore urged the court to refuse granting the reliefs sought by the plaintiff and dismiss the suit in its entirety for lacking in merit.