The Western Nigeria Security Network, codenamed Amotekun Corps, has expressed confidence that the schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oyo State will be rescued safely, saying coordinated security operations are already underway across the South-West.
The Chairman of the South-West Amotekun Commanders’ Forum and Commander of the Ondo State Amotekun Corps, Adetunji Adeleye, gave the assurance on Tuesday while parading 28 suspects arrested for various criminal offences at the corps headquarters in Akure.
Mr Adeleye said Amotekun personnel, working with local hunters, youths and community leaders familiar with the forests, had intensified search operations to track down the abductors.
Lagos State has recorded the highest number of new HIV infections in Nigeria, accounting for 10,430 of the 102,025 cases reported nationwide in 2025, according to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
The figures, contained in the ministry’s State of the Health of the Nation Report 2025, highlight the continued challenge posed by HIV despite ongoing efforts to expand testing, treatment and public awareness across the country.
According to the report, Rivers State ranked second with 6,287 new infections, followed by Kano with 6,106 cases. Akwa Ibom recorded 5,413 new infections, while Taraba and Benue reported 4,854 and 4,804 cases respectively. Anambra also recorded a high burden with 4,468 cases.
Kaduna registered 3,659 new infections during the period, while Adamawa and the Federal Capital Territory recorded 2,989 and 2,764 cases respectively. Cross River, Sokoto, Abia, Imo, Delta, Borno, Ogun, Plateau, Niger and Ebonyi each reported more than 2,000 new infections.
At the lower end of the scale, Ekiti recorded the fewest new HIV infections with 462 cases. Bayelsa reported 982 cases, while Gombe, Osun, Kwara, Enugu, Yobe, Katsina and Kebbi all recorded fewer than 1,600 infections.
Public health experts say the figures reflect the need for sustained investment in HIV prevention, early diagnosis and access to treatment. They also stressed the importance of combating stigma, which remains a major barrier preventing many Nigerians from seeking testing and care.
Although Nigeria has made significant progress in expanding access to antiretroviral therapy and reducing AIDS-related deaths over the past decade, health authorities warn that new infections remain a major concern, particularly in densely populated and economically active states.
The Federal Ministry of Health reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening HIV response programmes through collaboration with state governments, development partners and community-based organisations. It urged Nigerians to embrace regular HIV testing, adopt preventive measures and support people living with HIV to accelerate progress toward ending AIDS as a public health threat.
JUSTICE Oyeyemi Ajayi of the Oyo State High Court, Ibadan, has adjourned the murder trial of former chairman of the Disciplinary Committee of the State Park Management System, (PMS), Mukaila Lamidi, popularly known as ‘Auxiliary,’ to July 9, for judgment.
The court fixed the new date on Wednesday after the state counsel failed to file the necessary trial documents, stalling proceedings in the case instituted by the Oyo State government.
Justice Ajayi said the court would deliver its final judgment on the adjourned date, bringing the trial to a close.
Lamidi is standing trial on a one-count charge of murder. The prosecution alleges that he caused the death of one Wonuola Ayinde by knocking her down with his vehicle.
According to the prosecution, the incident occurred on September 23, 2023, at about 4:30pm at the Government Reservation Area, Agodi, Ibadan.
The offence is said to contravene section 325 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State, 2000, which prescribes punishment for murder.
Lamidi, a former ally of Governor Seyi Makinde and a prominent figure the state’s transport union sector, has been in and out of court since his arraignment. He was first arrested in May 2023 after a raid on his residence, during which firearms and charms were allegedly recovered.
The Nigeria Police Force has intensified efforts to combat kidnapping and other violent crimes with the launch of Operation Kosaye, a special security operation targeting criminal hideouts in the forests bordering Lagos and Ogun states.
The operation is aimed at flushing out suspected kidnappers and dismantling criminal camps believed to have been used to coordinate abductions and other criminal activities in the region. Police authorities said the initiative forms part of ongoing measures to strengthen security and reassure residents of their safety.
According to the police, tactical teams, intelligence officers, and other security personnel have been deployed to strategic locations, with sustained patrols and surveillance across identified forest areas. The operation also involves collaboration with other security agencies and local stakeholders to enhance intelligence gathering and ensure effective policing.
The Force noted that the operation is designed not only to arrest fleeing kidnappers but also to prevent future attacks by denying criminal groups safe havens in the forests.
Residents of Lagos and Ogun states have been urged to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information that could assist ongoing operations. The police assured the public that every effort is being made to restore confidence and improve security across the affected areas.
Authorities reaffirmed their commitment to tackling kidnapping and other forms of violent crime, stressing that those responsible for criminal activities would be tracked down and brought to justice.
President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians that the teachers and pupils abducted in Oyo State will be rescued safely, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to protecting the lives and property of citizens.
The President gave the assurance while reacting to the abduction, describing the incident as unfortunate and unacceptable. He directed security agencies to intensify search and rescue operations to ensure the victims are freed unharmed and the perpetrators are brought to justice.
Tinubu stressed that the Federal Government would not tolerate acts of kidnapping and other forms of criminality threatening the safety of Nigerians. He urged security operatives to deploy every available resource to track down the kidnappers and secure the immediate release of the victims.
He also expressed sympathy with the families of the abducted teachers and pupils, as well as the Oyo State Government, assuring them that the Federal Government is working closely with relevant authorities to resolve the situation.
The President called on members of the public to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information that could aid ongoing rescue efforts.
He reiterated his administration’s resolve to strengthen national security and ensure that schools and communities across the country remain safe from criminal attacks.
The Oyo State Government has extended the curfew earlier imposed on ten local government areas in the Oke-Ogun zone by an additional 24 hours as part of ongoing efforts to secure the release of the abducted children and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.
Recall that Governor Seyi Makinde on Tuesday announced a 16-hour curfew affecting Oriire, Oorelope, Irepo, Saki East, Saki West, Atisbo, Itesiwaju, Iseyin, Olorunsogo, and Atiba Local Government Areas following the unfortunate kidnapping incident.
According to the government, the extension is aimed at consolidating security operations and preventing criminal elements from continuing their activities of kidnapping and extortion.
Governor Makinde appealed to residents of Oyo State to remain calm, patient, and supportive of government efforts, assuring them that security agencies are working tirelessly to bring the situation to a successful and decisive conclusion.
The Ondo State Government has withheld the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results and testimonials of some graduating secondary school students following acts of misconduct during their sign-out celebrations.
The State Ministry of Education disclosed that the disciplinary action was taken after 17 final-year students were found to have engaged in chaotic and unruly behaviour after completing their final examination.
According to the ministry, the affected students were captured in a viral video tearing their school uniforms, chanting unusual slogans, and engaging in acts considered inconsistent with acceptable standards of discipline.
The students involved were identified as being from Oyemekun Grammar School, Aquinas Secondary School, and CAC Grammar School, all located in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
The government said the sanctions were imposed to uphold discipline and discourage acts of indiscipline among students in the state’s public secondary schools.
Oil exploration activities on Eba Island in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area have recorded significant progress following the grant of Frontier Exploration Status to Ogun State by the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources.
As part of the ongoing exploration programme, key preliminary stages have been successfully completed, including the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Bathymetric, Topographical and Geotechnical Surveys. The project has also secured all necessary statutory approvals from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the Federal Ministry of Environment.
Further advancing the project, civil works have commenced on site, while well intervention and re-entry equipment have been mobilized, signaling the transition to the next phase of exploration activities.
The Ogun State Government said the initiative is aimed at unlocking the hydrocarbon potential within the state’s frontier acreage, creating employment opportunities, attracting investment, and generating additional revenue for economic growth and development.
The government reiterated its commitment to ensuring the successful execution of the project, noting that the exploration programme represents a major step towards positioning Ogun State as a key player in Nigeria’s energy sector.
Civil society organisations (CSOs) have condemned the recent killings linked to the violence in Osun State, calling for a thorough investigation and swift justice for the victims.
In response to the escalating tensions, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) announced the suspension of its campaign activities, citing concerns over public safety and the need to prevent further unrest.
The developments have heightened calls for authorities to restore calm and ensure those responsible for the violence are held accountable.
An aide to former Oyo State governorship candidate and Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has declared that no amount of blackmail or political attacks will prevent his principal from pursuing his political aspirations ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Oyo State.
The aide made the assertion while reacting to what he described as a series of coordinated attempts by political opponents to tarnish Adelabu’s reputation and weaken his growing influence within the state’s political landscape.
According to him, Adelabu remains committed to the development of Oyo State and will not be distracted by criticism, misinformation, or campaigns aimed at undermining his political future.
He maintained that the minister’s achievements in public service and his contributions to national development continue to earn him widespread support among residents and stakeholders across the state.
The aide further stated that those behind the alleged blackmail campaign were merely unsettled by Adelabu’s increasing popularity and acceptance among the people.
“Political blackmail has become a common tool in the hands of those who fear competition, but no amount of smear campaign can stop Adelabu from pursuing his vision for Oyo State,” he said.
He urged supporters to remain focused and avoid engaging in unnecessary exchanges with political opponents, stressing that the former governorship candidate would continue to engage with the people and promote policies aimed at improving governance and economic growth.
The statement comes amid increasing political activities and realignments in Oyo State as politicians and stakeholders begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Meanwhile, the aide expressed confidence that Adelabu would continue to enjoy the support of party members and residents who believe in his leadership qualities and development agenda for the state.
