Author: Taiwo Ismael

The Osun State Police Command has arrested four suspected criminals found with dangerous weapons in a vehicle branded with the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) presidency plate number.

The suspects, identified as Adewale Kehinde (25), Adebayo Ayuba (22), Olasupo Abeeb (23), and Adeniyi Mustapha (21), claimed to be students when apprehended.

Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan, told journalists in Osogbo on Thursday that the suspects were intercepted on June 24, 2025, around 8:30 p.m. by the CP’s Surveillance Squad along the Osogbo-Ilesa road.

The suspects were driving a Toyota Camry with registration “PRESIDENCY NANS 27ZD.” A search of the vehicle uncovered an English Beretta pistol, two empty magazines, a cutlass, and criminal charms concealed in a box.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the group had been terrorizing Ilesa, Osu, and surrounding areas with their criminal activities.

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In a separate operation, the Swift Action Squad (SAS) arrested two suspects, Usman Abubakar (25) and Bashiru Garuba (26), alleged scrap dealers caught with stolen Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) cables and wires near Modakeke along the Ile-Ife/Ibadan expressway.

The operation also led to the recovery of seven motorcycles—three registered and four unregistered—as well as two sacks of stolen IBEDC cables and two saw blades.

The police further arrested two suspected cultists, Adeparusin Kehinde (23), alias “Kehinde Mansion,” and Ariyibi Dada (25), alias “Enu-Ose,” linked to the killing of one Awoniyi Kazeem during the Osogbo masquerade festival on June 1, 2025. Items recovered from them included two unregistered Qlink motorcycles and three English-made Beretta pistols.

Osun State College of Health Technology hosted historic Student Barrister Association and Student Union Judiciary Council Day and First Ruling Book Launching.

In a milestone event, the Osun State College of Health Technology Ilesa recently hosted its first inaugural Student Barrister Association and students union judiciary council Day and the launch of its first Ruling Book. The event marked a significant step in the institution’s commitment to fostering student leadership and excellence in governance.

The Student Barrister Association and student union judiciary council brought together students, faculty members, and stakeholders in likes of Comr Anwo Sunday, Comr Amuda Lawal, Comr Adekunle Habeeb, Comr Lawrence Olatunde and Comr Oyedele trust who discuss pertinent issues affecting students and the college community on the theme; The Intersection between Health and Justice: The relationship and Importance of law for Health Personnel in maintaining standard and ethics of the profession. The launch of the Ruling Book, a symbol of the Student Barrister Association’s constitution and guiding principles, underscores the institution’s dedication to promoting student governance and leadership development.

The event was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the college administration, student leaders, and stakeholders. It serves as a platform for students to engage in meaningful discussions, build relationships, and develop essential skills in leadership and governance.

The Osun State College of Health Technology congratulated the Student Bar Association on this achievement and looks forward to continued success in promoting student welfare.

The Lagos State Police Command says it has arrested Wasiu Akinwande, who is the most wanted hired killer in the recent history of the state.

44-year-old Akinwande, popularly known as Olori Eso, it was learnt, was arrested during a coordinated tactical operation code-named ‘Silence, Speed and Surprise’ carried out by the Command’s Tactical Squad in his hideout in the Agbado area of Ogun State.

Lagos State Police Command spokesman, Benjamin Hundeyin, revealed this in a statement on Friday.

The statement said, “Arrest of most wanted vicious and notorious hired killer and head of killers gang in the history of Lagos State in recent time, Wasiu Akinwade a.k.a. Olori Eso, and recovery of nine (9) sophisticated firearms, ammunition, magazines, dagger, walkie-talkies and international passports.

“This serial killer suspect is the most wanted suspect in Lagos history in recent time.

“His arrest marks a huge success in the ongoing fight against violent crimes that are threats to security and safety of residents in Mushin and some other parts of Lagos State.

“The recovered items include: Two (2) AK-47 rifles, one (1) K2 assault rifle, one (1) Red Ryder rifle, three (3) pump action rifles, two (2) locally made single-barrel pistols, five (5) magazines, fifty-seven (57) live cartridges, seventy (70) 5.56 live ammunition, twenty-seven (27) 9mm ammunition, one (1) expended 5.56 ammunition, one (1) dagger, three (3) walkie-talkies, nine (9) international passports belonging to different individuals,” Hundeyin stated.

The statement added: “Akinwande’s criminal activities have left trauma, horror, agony and pains in the families of victims of his numerous high-profile crimes under investigation by the Lagos State Police Command.”

The statement also said: “The Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) has been directed by the Commissioner of Police to lead other specially selected crack detectives to broaden the investigation of the cases and round up all other suspects linked to Wasiu.

A major political development is brewing ahead of the 2027 general elections as a coalition of opposition figures has unveiled a new political party, the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), with the goal of unseating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The new party was officially announced after a strategic meeting held in Abuja by the National Opposition Coalition Group, chaired by former Senate President, Senator David Mark. The coalition said the formation of the ADA is part of a broader plan to mobilize Nigerians and provide a viable alternative to the current administration.

Chief Akin A. Ricketts was named interim Chairman, while Abdullahi Musa Elayo was appointed interim National Secretary of the ADA.

According to a communiqué made available to the media, the coalition set up a 15-man New Platform Committee tasked with securing office accommodation, opening a bank account, and completing the formal registration process with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The committee is chaired by former Minister of Transport Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, with Dr. Umar Ardo serving as Secretary.

The coalition also approved the party’s logo, motto, and constitution, signaling serious intent to challenge the status quo.

The unveiling of ADA comes amid growing public dissatisfaction with economic hardship, insecurity, and political tensions across the country. The coalition believes the time is ripe for a new movement to reshape Nigeria’s future and provide credible leadership.

With 2027 on the horizon, Lagos Reporters will continue to monitor this emerging political force and its impact on the national landscape.

The Oyo State Government has disclosed that over 58 cows have been “arrested” in the past two years, with 0several herders prosecuted for breaching the state’s anti-open grazing law.

Speaking during an inter-ministerial press briefing in Ibadan on Thursday, June 19, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Olasunkanmi Olaleye, reaffirmed the enforcement of the anti-grazing law signed by Governor Seyi Makinde in 2019.

“The law is still in full force,” Olaleye declared. “More than 58 cows have been arrested in the last two years, while many herdsmen have been charged in court for violating the law.”

He warned that any individual found contravening the law would face strict penalties.

To bolster security, the commissioner announced the construction of a security post at the Ijaye Farm Settlement. He also assured farmers and investors of safety in the state, citing Oyo’s large arable land and the highest deployment of Amotekun personnel among southwest states.

“Oyo State is the safest place for farmers,” he said. “We are ready for large-scale commercial farming with adequate security support.”

The state’s firm stance on anti-open grazing laws is part of broader efforts to curb farmer-herder clashes and protect agricultural investments.

Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Thursday, June 19, 2025, convicted and sentenced one Olukeye Adedayo to 76 years imprisonment.

Adedayo was arraigned sometime in 2024 on an 18-count charge bordering on transmission of child pornography, fraudulent impersonation, and sextortion to the tune of N721,500.00 (Seven Hundred and Twenty One Thousand, Five Hundred Naira ) by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Count one reads: “That you, Olukeye Adedayo Olalekan (a.k.a hrm87, charlotte 708 and harlilott_ 716), on or about the 13th February, 2023 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, intentionally used the Instagram virtual network to create a group ” Expose Janjua Robin Nudes” to distribute child pornography and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 23(1)(C)and punishable under Section 23(1)(e) of the of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015”.

He pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when they were read to him, thereby leading to his full trial.

During the trial that began on June 5, 2024, the prosecution counsel, Bilikisu Buhari, presented two witnesses, Wahid Hamidi, a Police Sergeant with the Serious Crime Unit of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, RCMP, and Saidu Yakubu, an operative of the EFCC.

Buhari also presented several evidence to prove the prosecution’s case against the defendant.

Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice Owoeye found Olukeye guilty of the 18 counts and sentenced him accordingly.

The Judge sentenced him to two years imprisonment on counts one to four of procuring, distributing of child pornography and cyberstalking; four years imprisonment on counts five to 14 of retention and disguising the origin of proceeds of fraud, without an option of fine; seven years imprisonment on counts 15 to 18 of obtaining property under false pretences, without an option of fine.

The sentences are to run concurrently.

The convict bagged his imprisonment when he was arrested for intentionally using the Instagram virtual network to create a group ” Expose Janjua Robin Nudes” to distribute child pornography. Local and international witnesses testified against him and the court found him guilty and convicted him accordingly.

Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to building a resilient economy, improving the quality of life for the people and securing the future for generations to come.

The governor said this on Friday while presenting a State of the State Address, held at the Oyo State House of Assembly Complex, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.

He noted that through several policies being implemented by the state government and its simple approach to solving complex governance issues, Oyo State has become an investment destination.

Governor Makinde stressed that the government’s efforts have yielded many positive results, including the designation of the Fasola Agribusiness Industrial Hub as Nigeria’s first agricultural transformation centre by the African Development Bank (AfDB), the ongoing construction of the Eruwa Agribusiness Industrial Hub and the admittance of Oyo State into the World Union of Wholesale Market, the first sub-national in Africa to achieve such feat.

Others, the governor noted, are the ongoing upgrade of the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, which first phase will be commissioned in October 2025, the fixing of the state’s infrastructure deficit, with major arterial roads across the state, inner roads in Ibadan already done and dusted and the ongoing construction of 87 kilometres of rural roads under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), while efforts are also on to complete the 48 kilometres Ido-Eruwa Road.

Drawing a comparative analysis, the governor submitted that the cost of servicing debt inherited from the previous administration is subjected to the exchange rate available at the period.

He added that the state is currently grappling with a steep increase in its foreign debt repayment obligations, which have ballooned from ₦70 billion to over ₦300 billion, due to exchange rate volatility.

Makinde who traced the root of the debt to a $200 million loan obtained from the World Bank during the twilight of the administration of his predecessor, the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi disclosed that at the time the loan was secured, the exchange rate stood at ₦350 to a dollar, bringing its naira equivalent to approximately ₦70 billion.

“Today, because of the steady depreciation of the naira since 2019, we are now servicing the same loan at a valuation of over ₦300 billion.

“When we assumed office, our monthly repayment stood at ₦700 million. But as of now, we are compelled to pay ₦3 billion monthly.”

The governor expressed concern over the state’s helplessness in the face of foreign exchange fluctuations, emphasizing that matters of currency and exchange rate fall strictly under the Federal Government’s exclusive legislative list.

“As a subnational, Oyo State has absolutely no influence on exchange rate decisions. Yet, we bear the consequences in our fiscal planning,” Makinde lamented.

Despite the financial strain, the governor announced a major development in the area of state security and strategic infrastructure.

He revealed that the government had concluded plans for the procurement of two aircraft for aerial surveillance and security operations.

“These aircraft will not only support our security architecture but will also commemorate Oyo State’s 50th anniversary since its creation from the old Western Region,” he stated, adding that the acquisition aligns with his administration’s broader strategy to ensure the safety of lives and properties across the state.

Governor Makinde’s speech drew mixed reactions from the Assembly, with lawmakers commending the transparency in financial disclosures while also urging the Federal Government to devise mechanisms to cushion the effect of exchange rate shocks on state obligations.

The State of the State address comes at a critical time, as states across Nigeria contend with dwindling federal allocations and rising operational costs due to macroeconomic shifts.