Oduduwa News

Ikire, a usually calm town in Irewole Local Government Area of Osun State, was thrown into confusion on the 18th of May, 2025, after a sudden assault on the convoy of Fuji star Alhaji Wasiu Alabi Pasuma.

The mid-day ambush involved suspected thugs who targeted the convoy with stones and bullets. A black Hummer Jeep and a white Hilux truck both part of Pasuma’s entourage bore the brunt of the violence.

Eyewitnesses confirmed that the vehicles were visibly damaged. But there’s still no word on whether anyone in Pasuma’s crew was harmed.

One video, now trending across social media platforms, captured the aftermath. Screams filled the air while a panicked voice cried out in Pidgin English, “Kasala don burst for Ikire. They don attack us. They carry gun shoot us but God dey.”

Journalists tried reaching the singer or his team for a statement but got no response.

Residents say the attack shocked them and caused brief chaos in the town. Traders shut their shops. Commuters ran for cover.

Pasuma was said to be in Osun for a scheduled show, though specifics about the visit are still unclear.

At the time of this report, the Osun State Police Command has yet to comment or confirm if anyone has been arrested.

The Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) in ward 5, Ifon, Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nelson Adepoyigi who was kidnapped at his residence in Ifon few days ago, has been reportedly killed by his abductors.

The kidnappers, however, set free two individuals who reportedly took five million naira and food items to them as ransom to secure of Adepoyigi’s release.

The kidnappers had initially demanded ₦100 million but after negotiations, reduced it to ₦5 million with foodstuffs.

They also captured two persons who took the ransom and demanded a fresh ransom of ₦30 million to secure the release of the three captives which included Adepoyigi and the two ransom bearers.

The Chairman of Ose Local Government Area, Hon. Barr. Clement Kolapo Ojo confirmed the development in a statement issued by his media aide, Oluwaseun Ogunniyi on Saturday.

The statement partly reads: “While we are grateful that the two volunteers have now regained their freedom, it is deeply saddening and utterly painful that the life of Nelson Adepoyigi was brutally cut short by his captors.

“The entire leadership and people of Ose Local Government mourn this tragic loss. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and political associates of the deceased.

“We are now at a critical juncture where security challenges have become a serious threat to the safety and freedom of our people. Only a few days before this incident, another resident narrowly escaped being kidnapped while parking his motorcycle.

“This pattern of brazen abductions, even at the very gates of people’s homes, confirms that insecurity has taken a dangerous and intolerable dimension.

“We urge our people to remain vigilant, promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest security post, and stand united as we work together to overcome this threat.”

Meanwhile, Ondo State Police Commmad is yet to confirm the killing of the politician, the Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi disclosed that a detachment of police detectives have been drafted to the community to investigate the incident.

Former Lagos PDP governorship candidate and leader of the Lagos4Lagos movement, Abdul-Azeez Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, has said President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 is unstoppable.

Jandor, who officially returned to the APC on March 3 after resigning from the PDP, made this declaration during a rally in Ojo, Lagos, on Friday. He stated that his current focus is to support and work for Tinubu’s return to office in 2027.

He attributed his decision to rejoin the APC to the president’s ongoing reforms, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy, which he described as a bold and selfless move. According to him, Tinubu could have maintained the subsidy to gain political favour but chose national interest instead.

“The reforms are already showing positive results,” Jandor said. “We are committed to doing everything necessary to ensure he returns in 2027 to continue repositioning the country.”

In a very sad development, the father of a two-month-old baby reported missing in Ode Irele has confessed to selling his own child. The revelation follows intensive investigations by the Nigeria Police Force, whose efforts have been widely praised.

Authorities had initially launched a search after the infant was reported stolen. However, the investigation took a grim turn when the child’s father admitted to orchestrating the disappearance by selling the baby.

The police have assured the public that the case remains under active investigation, with more details expected to emerge in the coming days.

President Bola Tinubu on Friday said traditional institutions remain integral to the country’s development and called for more support in implementing policies that directly impact people’s livelihoods.

The President spoke when he received the 46th Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Abdulhakeem Owoade I, his wife, Abiwumi, and a delegation of other traditional rulers from Oyo State at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

President Tinubu congratulated the Alaafin for his ascendancy to the historic throne, assuring the royal father of his prayers and support.

The President noted that the “hurdles, processes, and anxiety” along the way were part of the preparation for the position.

President Tinubu commended the traditional council for the ease in nominating and crowning the 46th Alaafin following Oba Lamidi Adeyemi’s passing on April 22, 2022.

The President said his administration will continue working with traditional institutions to implement policies to protect and prosper citizens.

President Tinubu told the king that the sons of the Oyo kingdom serving in his office have done exceptionally well, including Ambassador Victor Adeleke, State Chief of Protocol, and Colonel Nurudeen Alowonle Yusuf, the Aide-de-Camp.

Yusuf is the king designate of Ilemonaland in Oyun local council, Kwara State, which traces its ancestry to the Oyo kingdom.

In his remarks, Alaafin assured the President of the traditional council’s support in delivering his mandate to the people.

The monarch said Nigerians look up to the President for a new direction.

The king commended the President for bold economic reforms, infrastructural development, instituting social welfare, youth empowerment, and improvement in security and investments in agriculture.

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has a message for critics obsessed with his dance moves: focus on the work, not the rhythm.

Tired of being judged for expressing joy through dancing, Adeleke didn’t mince words. He urged those criticising him to “desist from doing so.”

According to him, it’s unfair and shallow to dismiss his political strides simply because he chooses to dance in public.

“Stop judging me just because I choose to express myself through dancing. It is my joy, my freedom, and an essential part of who I am,” he said in a recent appearance. “If it brings me happiness and harms no one, then there is no reason it should be condemned.”

The governor, often dubbed the “Dancing Senator” before taking office, made it clear that his passion for dance doesn’t take away from his performance. In fact, he sees it as an extension of his personality open, vibrant, and deeply connected to the people.

In a viral video currently circulating on X, Adeleke challenged the double standards in political criticism: “(Babajide) Sanwo-olu is dancing. Everybody is dancing. Even Baba (Bola) Tinubu is dancing. So, no law says that just because you are a governor, you can’t dance.”

His comments drew applause from supporters, many of whom argue that Nigerian leaders should be allowed to be human, joyful, expressive, and approachable while still being held accountable for their results.

Backing Adeleke’s stance, music star Davido, his nephew, recently declared that the governor is “the best governor Osun State has ever seen.”

According to him, those who mocked Adeleke for his dancing now have to reckon with his impressive track record.

Adeleke’s administration has faced skepticism from day one, much of it centered on his public persona. But his supporters say he’s proven that competence and charisma can go hand in hand.

So, the question remains:
If a governor delivers results, does it really matter if he dances while doing it?

Vibrant colors, ancient traditions and spiritual energy united at the 2025 World Egungun Festival, held at Liberty Stadium in Ibadan.

The festival organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in partnership with several non governmental organizations was a gathering where heritage met with spectacle.

Danafojura blazes through the ongoing Egungun festival, a fiery embodiment of ancestral might, dancing untamed in flames that bow to its sacred power.

The Danafojura masquerade, a revered figure in Yoruba culture, is a powerful and awe-inspiring presence at the Egungun festival, particularly in Ogbomoso, Nigeria.

Known as “Egungun Oni Mojesin Baba Ibeji,” Danafojura is celebrated for its unique fire-resistant nature, performing mesmerizing dances amidst blazing flames, embodying the spiritual might and ancestral power of the Yoruba people.

At Oduduwa News, we are committed to capturing and sharing these sacred traditions—so the world remembers, respects, and celebrates our heritage.

Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti has called on the Nigeria Police authorities to deploy additional personnel in the state to further enhance security and address border criminal activities.

Oyebanji made the call on Thursday, when he received the new Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Zone 17, Mr Ajani Omolabi, in his office in Ado-Ekiti.

He urged the police to intensify efforts at enhancing security in the state ahead of the election season.

He expressed concern over what he described as “inadequate security coverage in many rural areas of the state”.

The governor said the unhealthy development left residents vulnerable to criminal attacks.

He, therefore, appealed to the AIG not to deplete the current strength of the force in the state.

According to him, any reduction in the size of the police personnel would further weaken the already strained security apparatus.

He commended the leadership of the Ekiti command for displaying a high sense of professionalism in securing lives and property.

Oyebanji also said that the activities of the police had helped to reduce the spate of criminality in the state, as well as create a conducive environment for investors.

He assured the command that his administration would continue to support the force to guarantee adequate security of lives and property across the state.

The Chief Judge of Ogun State, Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu, has ordered the release of 67 inmates from correctional facilities across the state as part of efforts to decongest the prisons.

A breakdown of the jail delivery exercise shows that 35 inmates were freed from the Sagamu Custodial Centre, 20 from Oba, and 12 from the Ibara Correctional Centre in Abeokuta.

Speaking with journalists on Thursday at the Oba Custodial Centre during the exercise, Justice Dipeolu explained that the periodic jail review is one of the statutory responsibilities of her office and is aimed at reducing overcrowding in the state’s correctional facilities.

She said that the inmates were released on health and compassionate grounds, with some having spent several years in custody without trial or due to stalled prosecutions.

“Some of them have been in custody since 2017, 2019, or 2020, and their cases are no longer ongoing. In some instances, their case files can no longer be located. There is no point in keeping them here, feeding them with taxpayers’ money, when they can return to society and live meaningful lives,” she said.

The Chief Judge urged the freed inmates to conduct themselves responsibly, warning that they may not be as fortunate if they return to crime.

“I have urged them to be good citizens because we have their records. They should avoid anything that could bring them back here. They might not be lucky to get this kind of grace again,” she said.