Oduduwa News

… Command assures residents of sustained security, warns against panic

The Ogun State Police Command has reassured residents of Ajebo community in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area that there is no imminent threat of attack, despite a viral video circulating on social media suggesting that herdsmen were preparing to launch violence in the area.

In a prompt response, the Commissioner of Police, CP Lanre Ogunlowo, deployed the Command’s tactical team, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), to conduct an extensive security assessment. The operation was carried out alongside the Amotekun Corps, So-Safe Corps, Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), local hunters and the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN).

Findings revealed that the Fulani settlers in Ajebo are long-standing peaceful residents with no trace of hostility or criminal activity. Women and children were seen within the settlement, and no weapons or suspicious movements were detected. The absence of adult males was explained by their routine travel to Oyo State for trading—a long-established economic pattern. Officers also confirmed the presence of an extended RUGA settlement that has reportedly existed for over a decade.

For further clarity, the Kabiyesi, Oba Rueben Oluwole, said to have allocated the land to the settlers, has been invited by the Command. The Baale of Alapako, where another cluster of huts was found, has also been summoned for a meeting with the Commissioner of Police.

Meanwhile, the combined security team is maintaining ongoing surveillance within the forest area, approximately 10km from the main community. Authorities emphasised that the deployment is purely precautionary, as no threat was established.

The Ogun State Police Command urged residents to remain calm and vigilant, while cautioning the public against spreading unverified information capable of causing unnecessary panic.

“No group is guiltless, no community is without pain,” says Executive Director, Abdulrazaq Hamzat

Nigeria’s long-ignored wounds were thrust into the national spotlight yesterday as the Foundation for Peace Professionals (PeacePro), led by its Executive Director, Abdulrazaq Hamzat, unveiled a groundbreaking and controversial blueprint for national healing, one that demands a rare, honest confrontation with the country’s painful past.

In a bold statement, Hamzat warned that Nigeria cannot continue to “patch over deep scars” while expecting unity to magically emerge. According to him, “True reconciliation begins with truth, acknowledgment, and the courage to say, we are sorry.”

The PeacePro blueprint calls for a series of symbolic yet powerful apologies across regions, communities, institutions, ethnic blocs, and religious groups, a move that has already ignited intense national debate.

The proposal outlines a sweeping set of restorative gestures.

The South East should apologize to the Niger Delta for political maneuvers that heightened tensions leading to the iconic 12-Day Revolution.

The South East should also apologize for the 1966 first military coup, an event that reshaped Nigeria’s political trajectory.

The North must apologize for the pogroms against the Igbo, one of the most tragic and haunting chapters in Nigeria’s history.

The Federal Government should apologize to every Nigerian for decades of insecurity, corruption, economic hardship, and consistent governance failures.

The Federal Government should also apologize to the South East for the massive human and economic losses suffered during the Nigerian Civil War.

Fulani leadership should apologize to victims of banditry and herders-related violence, which have devastated entire communities.

The three major ethnic groups, Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo, must apologize to the minority groups for decades of political and cultural marginalization.

Christians and Muslims should apologize to each other for mutual intolerance, while both faiths should also apologize to traditional worshipers for decades of discrimination and exclusion.

“This is not blame, this is leadership”

Hamzat emphasized that the blueprint is not designed to provoke division, but to liberate Nigeria from decades of denial, silence, and unaddressed trauma. “An apology is not weakness,” he said. “It is leadership. It is maturity. It is the first step toward healing.”

He stressed that for Nigeria to truly move forward, every region and group must interrogate its role in the nation’s troubled history. “No group is guiltless. No community is without pain. Every side contributed to where we are. Every side must contribute to where we’re going.”

PeacePro’s blueprint concludes with a powerful appeal for national forgiveness, not as a dismissal of the past, but as a requirement for the future.

According to the organization, Nigeria stands today at a historic crossroads, one where truth, courage, and collective forgiveness may finally build the united and peaceful nation that generations have long imagined.

With this bold intervention, PeacePro has thrown a challenge not just to government, but to every Nigerian, asking them to choose healing over hurt, and unity over division.

The Federal Government has ordered the immediate closure of 41 Federal Unity Colleges following the escalating wave of kidnappings targeting schools across the country.

The directive was contained in a circular issued on Friday by the Director of Senior Secondary Education in the Federal Ministry of Education, Binta Abdulkadir, who said the move was necessary to prevent further security breaches.

“Sequel to the recent security challenges in some parts of the country and the need to prevent any security breaches, the Honourable Minister of Education has approved the immediate closure of the listed Federal Unity Colleges,” the circular read. Principals of the affected schools were instructed to ensure strict compliance.

The schools ordered to shut down include: FGGC Minjibir; FGA Suleja; FTC Ganduje; FGGC Zaria; FTC Kafancha; FGGC Bakori; FTC Dayi; FGC Daura; FGGC Tambuwal; FSC Sokoto; FTC Wurno; FGC Gusau; FGC Anka; FGGC Gwandu; FGC Birnin Yauri; FTC Zuru; FGGC Kazaure; FGC Kiyawa; FTC Hadejia; FGGC Bida; FGC New Bussa; and FTC Kuta-Shiroro.

Others are: FGC Ilorin; FGGC Omu-Aran; FTC Gwanara; FGC Ugwolawo; FGGC Kabba; FTC Ogugu; FGGC Bwari; FGC Rubochi; FGGC Abaji; FGGC Potiskum; FGC Buni Yadi; FTC Gashau; FTC Michika; FGC Ganye; FGC Azare; FTC Misau; FGGC Bajoga; FGC Billiri; and FTC Zambuk.

The decision comes amid worsening attacks on schools in northern Nigeria. On Friday, several students of St. Mary’s School in Papiri, Agwara LGA of Niger State, were abducted by terrorists. Earlier in the week, 25 students were kidnapped from Maga in Kebbi State.

The situation has triggered widespread concern, prompting the shutdown of more than 50 schools in Kwara State on Thursday after bandits attacked multiple communities.

In response to the mounting insecurity, President Bola Tinubu cancelled his scheduled trips to South Africa and Angola to coordinate the government’s emergency response.

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dr. Dapo Abiodun – MFR has described the passing of Mr Olusegun Awolowo Jr., grandson of former Nigerian nationalist, and statesman, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, as a deeply profound personal loss.

Abiodun, who described the lawyer and ex- executive director of Nigerian Export Promotion Council, as a gentleman par excellence, voice of courage and consummate public servant, at 62 as a deeply shocking incident, said he received news of his passing with utter disbelief, but will however treasure memories of his acquaintance.

He said that to all who knew him, Mr Segun Awolowo was affable, highly intelligent, extremely affable and easy going, adding that he will be sorely missed.

He said: “It is extremely hard to process the news that Segun Awolowo Jr. is gone, but we submit unreservedly to the decision of the Almighty God, who has called him into His bosom.

“We are deeply heartbroken, but we will take consolation in the exemplary great lessons his life taught us, for he was such a jolly good fellow.

“Born two months after his father’s death, Awolowo Jr. was acquainted with grief from childhood, but he rose above the challenges and became an icon in his own right.

“After Awolowo working with the law firm of Abayomi Sogbesan & Co. and also with the law firm of GOK Ajayi & Co. after his call to bar in December 1989, he served in President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration as a Special Assistant on Traditional Institutions, Legal Due Diligence and Legal Matters.

“His record as Special Assistant to President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and as Secretary for Social Development and Secretary of Transport from 2007 to 2011 executive director of Nigerian Export Promotion Council from 2013 to 2021, was unblemished.

“He gave his best in advancing the fortunes of Nigeria, and it was not by accident that he was, in July 2021, he was unanimously elected as the President of National Trade Promotion Organizations (TPOs) from ECOWAS member States.

“His earthly sojourn may have been brief, but it was hugely impactful. I commiserate with his dear wife and children, the Awolowo family, and Nigerians in general. May his gentle soul rest in sweet repose.”

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a motorcycle rider, Godonu Lowe, after he was found conveying the corpse of his wife in a sack while attempting to flee Omolende Village, Idogo, in Ilaro.

The suspect was intercepted on Wednesday, 19 November 2025, at about 1:05 p.m., following credible intelligence received by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Ilaro. Police operatives, acting on the tip-off, stopped the motorcycle and discovered a tightly fastened sack on the rear seat. Upon inspection, the bag was found to contain the lifeless body of an adult woman, later identified as the suspect’s wife.

According to the police, the corpse bore visible signs of violence, including injuries and bleeding around the neck, indicating a possible homicide. A blood-stained cutlass was also recovered, further raising suspicion of foul play. The suspect was immediately taken into custody, while the body was moved to the State Morgue in Ilaro for autopsy and preservation.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Lanre Ogunlowo, commended the anonymous informant whose swift report aided the arrest. He urged residents to continue sharing timely and credible information that could help prevent and detect crimes, noting that even minor observations could be crucial to saving lives.

The Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Omolola Odutola, confirmed the incident in a statement issued from the State Command Headquarters, Eleweran, Abeokuta.

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has sharply criticized President Bola Tinubu following his decision to postpone a scheduled trip to both the G20 Summit in South Africa and the AU-EU Summit in Angola. The party argues the postponement is emblematic of what it sees as the president’s ongoing mismanagement and failure to prioritize the security and welfare of Nigerians.

According to State House sources, Tinubu delayed his departure after “security briefings” over two major security crises: the abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi State and a deadly bandit attack on church worshippers in Eruku, Kwara State. The presidency stated that Tinubu has directed the military and police to increase deployment in these troubled zones.

In its rebuke, the PDP recalled past comments where its leaders accused Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima of being “not prepared for governance,” particularly condemning their frequent foreign trips while the country grapples with worsening insecurity.

Debo Ologunagba, PDP’s spokesperson, was especially scathing in his remarks. He called Tinubu’s one-year foreign vacation and multiple trips abroad “insensitive” and a stark demonstration that the administration is out of touch with ordinary Nigerians. He also reiterated that the president should stop making “performance claims that contradict reality,” pointing out that citizens continue to endure “hardship, insecurity, and hopelessness” under his watch.

Beyond the security issue, the PDP accused Tinubu’s administration of wasteful spending — including the use of taxpayers’ money for international travel — while the government struggles to deliver on basic services.

The opposition party’s reaction suggests that Tinubu’s postponed trip could become a flashpoint for renewed political attacks, framing it as yet another example of what they call “executive rascality” amid a deepening security crisis.

Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic, Eruwa, on Thursday matriculated over 2,000 new students into its National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes for the 2025/2026 academic session.

The ceremony, held at the institution’s auditorium, marked the official induction of the students after they took the matriculation oath administered by the Acting Registrar.

The Acting Rector of the institution, Dr. ’Gbade Akinteye, in his address, congratulated the new students and described the matriculation as the beginning of an important journey in their academic and personal development. He urged the freshers to embrace discipline, focus on their studies, and make responsible choices throughout their stay on campus.

Dr. Akinteye highlighted the remarkable progress the institution has made under the administration of Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, noting that the Polytechnic has enjoyed a stable and uninterrupted academic calendar over the last few years. He added that the consistent academic schedule has strengthened public confidence in the institution and improved its national reputation.

He also emphasized landmark achievements such as the hosting of the Polytechnic’s maiden inaugural lecture, the steady increase in student enrollment, and the full accreditation and re-accreditation of several academic programmes by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE). According to him, these developments have expanded the institution’s academic offerings and improved the employability prospects of its graduates.

The Acting Rector further celebrated the Polytechnic’s national recognition, recalling that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) ranked Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic as the 3rd Best Polytechnic in Nigeria in 2024. He described the ranking as a “clear testimony of our commitment to excellence, discipline, and quality service delivery.”

Dr. Akinteye also mentioned infrastructure upgrades, including the completion of two new lecture room blocks to support the growing student population, as well as improved staff welfare and faster NYSC mobilization for HND graduates.

“As you begin your journey with us, I urge you to make use of every opportunity this institution offers,” he told the matriculating students. “Attend your classes, stay disciplined, join productive activities, and prepare yourselves for the competitive world ahead. We are committed to giving you a peaceful and conducive environment that will help you succeed.”

The event was well attended by dignitaries, including members of the Management Team, Heads of Departments and Units, Directors, and members of the Students Union Government. Also present were Mr. Ismail Babatunde from the JAMB Zonal Office, Ibadan, and CSP Oludare Julius, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Eruwa Division, who joined other guests, including parents, guardians, and members of the press, to witness the colourful ceremony.

Amotekun operatives in Ondo State have arrested a 19-year-old suspected serial motorcycle thief, Oyediran Ayomide, who fled from Omu-Aran in Kwara State after allegedly attacking a commercial motorcyclist with a sledgehammer and stealing his bike. The suspect reportedly lured the victim to a remote farm settlement under the pretense of taking a call before hitting him on the head and escaping with the motorcycle.

After committing the crime, Ayomide fled to Ore, Ondo State, where he planned to use the stolen motorcycle for commercial transport. However, as he attempted to return to the crime area believing the victim might have died, Amotekun officers on border patrol under Operation Le Won Jade tracked and arrested him in the Ajue community.

The suspect confessed to the crime during interrogation and detailed how he executed the attack. Amotekun’s Public Relations Officer, Superintendent Jimoh Adeniken, disclosed the arrest during a media briefing in Akure, noting that the operation demonstrates the agency’s increased vigilance against cross-border criminal activities.

Following his arrest, Ayomide was handed over to the Kwara State Local Government Security Initiative for further investigation and possible prosecution. Authorities in Kwara expressed gratitude to Ondo State Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa for the inter-state collaboration that made the arrest possible, stressing the importance of joint security efforts in curbing border-related crimes.

The Kwara State Government has ordered the immediate closure of schools across four local government areas following rising insecurity in the affected communities.

The directive was communicated on Wednesday through the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Kwara State Wing, which conveyed the government’s decision to school heads and teachers.

In a circular obtained by Newsmen, the NUT Chairman, Yusuf Agboola, announced that schools in Isin, Irepodun, Ifelodun, and Ekiti LGAs should shut down indefinitely.

Agboola explained that the union acted strictly on instructions from the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development after the government raised concerns about fresh security threats in Kwara South.

He said the order was urgent and necessary, noting that the region had been experiencing escalating security challenges that required immediate intervention. School authorities were urged to comply without delay.

“This decision was occasioned by the security challenges ravaging the area and the efforts of the government to control the situation,” the circular stated, assuring teachers that further information would be provided as events unfold.

The shutdown comes barely a day after suspected bandits attacked a church in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area, killing three worshippers and abducting over 35 others during a night service.

Also on Wednesday, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq announced plans to push for the establishment of a Forward Operating Base of the Nigerian Army and a Mobile Police Squadron in Eruku to strengthen security response and protect vulnerable communities.

The Oyo State Government has reiterated its commitment to the Ibadan Circular Road project, emphasising that it is being executed with a clear vision and a deliberate objective to attract unprecedented investment opportunities into the state.

In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, he explained that the current agitation is not unexpected even when it appears to have been hijacked by a few individuals with a different agenda

The commissioner said that for a defining project of this nature, avoided by past administrations, the government is left with no choice but to see the project to its conclusion

The government said that the imminent all-inclusive meeting between it and genuine land owners is what everybody should look forward to, instead of preemptive and volatile remarks that tend to confuse the citizenry.

The commissioner said as far as the government is concerned, the issue of compensation is ongoing, while the issue of resettlement is up for discussion as soon as an appointment is agreed between government officials and genuine stakeholders.

Oyelade cited examples of demolitions and compensations by the state governments paid in the past and this present administration which include dualization of Idi Ape, Bashorun, Akobo and Odogbo Baracks road; dualization of Ilorin express junction, ikoyin road, Taki leading to the Soun Palace at Oja-igbo in ogbomosho; dualization of Saki Oke-Ogun Polytechnic, Ilesha Ibaruba road; dualization of Idi Ape, Bashorun Akobo, Olurunda-Aba including the Ashi overhead bridge; rehabilitation of Bere Orita/Orita Aperin, Akanran, Gbedu and Dagbolu Road; dualization of Ibadan/Oyo Iseyin Okeho junction road; dualization of challenge/Odo -Ona Elewe Road and many more roads adding up to sixteen (16) in numbers.

According to him the compensation paid for all these combined is two billion, three hundred and twenty-six million, fifty-nine thousand, four hundred and fifty-three naira( #2,326, 059,453) for a total of 250km of roads across the state

The Commissioner said that in the first phase of the ongoing Ibadan Circular Road project spanning 32.2 kilometres from Abiola Ajimobi Technical University to Badeku Junction, only 1,354 buildings were affected out of a total of 7,340 structures for the entire 110km, noting that 5,986 buildings, representing 82%, were not affected by the exercise.

According to him, “The sensitive process of verification makes it important for the government to engage in a painstaking yet humane approach.”

” In this regard, over Eight Hundred Million (#800,000,000) has been paid to about 200 verified claimers while the process for further disbursement is actively going on.”

“Government is not unaware of the activities of land speculators who have moved in batches into the area to ply their trade irrespective of the government’s instructions to avoid new constructions /transactions within the marked corridor.”

The Information Commissioner said that the government remains optimistic in spite of the unnecessary militancy of a few, stressing that the vast majority of our people understand the bigger picture of what the State Government intends to achieve.

He appealed to the protesters to immediately stop the disruption of social and commercial activities in the city of Ibadan

He added that the Seyi Makinde Administration will remain transparent in the implementation of this inevitable project