Oduduwa News

Tragedy struck in Ibadan as a journalist, Ojo Peter, was shot dead by suspected armed robbers along the Molete–Oke Ado axis on August 18, 2025. According to reports, the attackers demanded his bag, but after he insisted it contained no money, he was shot in the back.

The Oyo State Police Command has however confirmed the arrest of one suspect, Lateef Atanda, while another gang member, identified as Monday, was killed during a gun duel with officers. Police spokesperson, CSP Adewale Osifeso, said investigations are ongoing to track down others involved.

The International Press Centre (IPC) and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) have condemned the killing and called for justice, stressing the need for improved security to protect journalists and residents across Oyo State.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has grilled Sijibomi Ogundele, Chief Executive Officer of Sujimoto Construction Limited, over allegations of diverting ₦5.7 billion from an Enugu State government contract.

Ogundele, who was earlier declared wanted, surrendered to the EFCC in Abuja where he is being interrogated. Investigations revealed that the developer secured a 50 percent upfront payment—about ₦5.7 billion—on an ₦11 billion contract meant for the construction of “smart schools.” However, state officials allege that work executed so far is valued at only about ₦750 million.

The EFCC has frozen Ogundele’s bank accounts and seized his passport as part of the probe. He has not been granted bail as questioning continues. Ogundele, in a video released before his surrender, insisted the matter is a contractual dispute rather than a criminal case, stressing, “I’m not a thief, I’m not a fugitive.”

Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, has dismissed claims that President Bola Tinubu’s administration introduced a new 5% surcharge on petroleum products.

Oyedele explained that the levy is not a fresh policy but a provision of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) Act of 2007, which was only restated in the recently gazetted tax laws for harmonisation and transparency. He stressed that the surcharge was not part of the original tax bills presented by the government to the National Assembly.

The tax expert also clarified that the surcharge does not automatically take effect in January 2026 as widely speculated. According to him, it can only commence when the Minister of Finance issues an official order in the government gazette.

Oyedele further noted that the surcharge is earmarked for road infrastructure funding, not general taxation, with exemptions granted for household kerosene, LPG, CNG, and renewable energy products. He assured that the measure is intended to improve Nigeria’s road network and ease transportation costs rather than impose hardship on citizens.

The wife of DSP Adama Adekunle Emmanuel, an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) allegedly killed in Abuja, has cried out over the hardship her family now faces following his death.

Mrs. Titilayo Adams, the widow, lamented that her husband’s sudden death has left the family stranded, with expired house rent and two children who were due to resume school.

“My husband left behind his parents and two children who were supposed to resume school today, and our house rent has also expired. I have no job to cater for the children. All I want is justice for my husband,” she said.

DSP Emmanuel was reportedly shot dead by a colleague under circumstances the family has described as suspicious. The incident occurred in the morning at a hotel in the Life Camp area of the Federal Capital Territory.

Mrs. Adams alleged foul play, insisting that the explanations offered so far do not add up.

“From his body, we can visibly see gunshots at his shoulders and nothing strong indicating that it’s accidental fire. They want to cover up what actually occurred,” she claimed.

She also expressed displeasure that the corpse was moved to Maitama General Hospital without the family’s consent.

The widow further disclosed that her husband, who was attached to a politician in Life Camp, had left home on Sunday, August 31, with plans to return later that day.

According to her, the family has since received three conflicting accounts of how the officer died, an accidental discharge while fixing his rifle, a colleague’s stray fire, or a ricocheted bullet.

Despite the confusion, she lamented that no official statement has been communicated to the family by NSCDC authorities.

Veteran juju musician, Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi, has once again debunked widespread rumours claiming that he had passed away. The false report, which surfaced barely five months after a similar hoax, caused panic among fans and admirers before Obey himself set the record straight.

Speaking through his media team, the music legend urged the public to disregard such unfounded claims, describing them as misleading and distressing. He reaffirmed that he is alive, in good health, and grateful to God for the gift of life.

Obey, who has enjoyed a decades-long career as one of Nigeria’s most respected music icons, also appealed to those behind the repeated death speculations to desist from spreading fake news capable of causing unnecessary anxiety to his family and followers.

The 82-year-old musician assured fans that he remains committed to his ministry and music, while calling for prayers for long life and peace rather than rumours of death.

The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday staged a peaceful protest at its Secretariat in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, over the alleged victimisation of Hon. Ibraheem Shittu, a lawmaker representing Saki West State Constituency.

Shittu, elected on the APC platform in 2023, had raised alarm over the approval of a ₦300 billion loan by the Oyo State House of Assembly for Governor Seyi Makinde. Following his statement, the lawmaker reportedly received threats, prompting the party to rally in his defence.

Addressing journalists during the protest, Oyo APC Chairman, Alhaji Olayide Abas, said the party stood firmly behind Shittu’s stance against what it described as reckless borrowing. He urged Governor Makinde to account for previous loans before seeking new ones and warned against any attempt to intimidate or silence the opposition lawmaker.

The party also submitted a formal protest letter, stressing that the governor should not “send Oyo State into perpetual debt.”

The Oyo State Police Command has confirmed the discovery of a liquid substance suspected to be Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), also known as diesel, in a well at Omikunle, Yemetu area of Ibadan.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the command said the incident was first reported to the Yemetu Police Division at about 6:50 p.m. on Saturday, September 6.

A team led by the Divisional Police Officer, a Chief Superintendent of Police, immediately visited the scene and found the well filled with the suspected petroleum product.

Police noted that several residents had gathered with containers, apparently preparing to scoop the liquid, before officers secured the area with armed personnel and members of the local neighborhood watch.

The statement explained that the Oyo State Ministry of Environment has been contacted to ensure safe handling and disposal of the substance.

According to preliminary investigations, the contamination may have resulted from a leakage in a nearby underground storage tank.

“As of now, the situation in the area is calm, and our investigation is underway. The Oyo State Police Command is fully committed to protecting the community, and we will keep you updated as we learn more,” the statement said.

The command urged members of the public to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activities to security agencies.

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has urged the Federal Government to step in and address Dangote Refinery owner Aliko Dangote’s alleged plan to compel newly hired drivers to sign contracts that bar them from joining established unions within the oil and gas sector.

On Friday, NUPENG announced that its members would cease work and begin seeking alternative employment starting September 8.

The union stated that this action is a direct response to Dangote Refinery’s alleged efforts to bar its compressed natural gas (CNG) tanker drivers from affiliating with labor unions.

Both the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) and the Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association (DTCDA) have declared their refusal to participate in the strike organized by NUPENG.
READ ALSO: NUPENG Insists On Strike, Tells Nigerians To Ignore Truck Drivers’ Association.

Meanwhile, the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) declared its intention to halt the lifting and dispensing of petroleum products for three days starting September 9, in solidarity
with NUPENG’s strike.

Despite opposition from the Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association (DTCDA), NUPENG reaffirmed its commitment to proceed with the planned industrial action.

Reacting to the development in a statement issued on Sunday, Falana asserted that the Dangote Group’s policy violates Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution, Section 12 of the Trade Union Act, and Article 10 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act.

He added that the policy breaches several international agreements Nigeria has ratified, including the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention (1948, No. 87), the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention (1949, No. 98) of the International Labour Organization, as well as the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The statement reads, “The National Union of Petroleum and Gas Workers has directed its large members in the oil and gas industry to embark on indefinite strike on Monday, September 9, 2025. The strike is a protest against the plan of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery to force newly recruited drivers to sign an undertaking not to belong to any existing union in the oil and gas industry in the country.

“The policy of the Dangote Group contravenes section 40 of the Constitution, section 12 of the Trade Union Act as well as article 10 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act.

“Furthermore, the policy is a breach of the provisions of the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention 1948 (No. 87) and the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention 1949 (No. 98) of the International Labour Organisation as well as the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which have been ratified by Nigeria.

“In view of the legal obligation imposed on the Federal Government of Nigeria by the Constitution, Trade Union Act and international law to respect the fundamental right of workers to freedom of association and the right of trade unions to organise them, the Registrar of Trade Unions should call the Dangote Petroleum Refinery to order without any delay. At the same time, the Federal Competition and Consumer Commission should halt the monopolistic practices of the Dangote Group forthwith as they violate the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act of 2018.

An international organized criminal group (IOCG) operating between Nigeria, UK, Brazil, Australia, and the United Arab Emirate has been smashed by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) who in a two-week-long intelligence-led operations across parts of Lagos arrested three leaders of the cartel after intercepting large consignment of cocaine concealed in textile materials and local charms going to Sydney, Australia at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja Lagos.

The unraveling of the drug syndicate began on Tuesday 26th August 2025 after NDLEA officers at the export shed of the Lagos airport intercepted 76 cartons of textile materials going to Sydney, Australia. A thorough search of the shipment led to the recovery of 16 big blocks of cocaine weighing 17.9 kilograms hidden in the lace materials parked with local charms to provide spiritual cover against law enforcement detection. A freight agent and member of the syndicate, Olashupo Michael Oladimeji was the first to be arrested. The consignment was expected to fetch the syndicate an estimated street value of over 5.3 million Australian Dollars, equivalent of N5.3 billion.
Fast-paced investigation of the operations of the IOCG quickly unmasked other leaders of the group: Muaezee Ademola Ogunbiyi and Shola Adegoke.
Ogunbiyi who is the arrowhead of the syndicate in Nigeria was arrested at a hotel in Ikeja GRA on Wednesday 3rd September and swiftly taken to his house in Lekki area of Lagos where a search led to the recovery of 21 parcels of Canadian Loud, a strain of cannabis with a total weight of 10.90kg and a double-barreled pump action gun, with some cartridges.

A house located at 13 Reverend Ogunbiyi Street, Ikeja GRA, where the criminal group use to package illicit drugs for export was subsequently raided and another leader of the syndicate Shola Adegoke arrested there. A black Range Rover SUV marked RBC 459 EJ found in the compound was searched and 17 parcels of Loud weighing 9.60 kilograms were recovered. A black Toyota Venza car with registration number FST 771 JQ was earlier recovered from Ogunbiyi at the point of his arrest at the hotel.

Investigations revealed that while Ogunbiyi coordinates operations for the group in Nigeria, one Adebisi Ademola Omoyele (Mr. Bee) who is currently hibernating in Dubai, UAE is identified as the ringleader of the criminal network who coordinates their overseas operations. Shola Adegoke was found to have been jailed in the UK in 2021 for dealing in Methamphetamine and subsequently deported to Nigeria in 2024. Ogunbiyi was also found to have served a 14-year-jail term in the UK over a murder case before returning to Nigeria about eight years ago.

Meanwhile, a Milan Italy-based Nigerian Gabriel Michael was on Friday 5th September arrested by NDLEA operatives at the departure hall of terminal 1 of the Lagos airport while attempting to board an Air France flight to Italy. He was found to have concealed a total of 24,480 pills of tramadol 100mg, 200mg and 225mg, which he claimed he was going to sell for 19,520 euros.
A total of 160,200 bottles of codeine-based syrup were discovered in a 40ft container during a joint examination of the shipment by NDLEA officers and men of Nigeria Customs and other security agencies at the West Africa Container Terminal (WACT) Port Harcourt Ports Complex, Onne, Rivers state on Thursday 4th September. The container which has 220 cartons of ceramic sanitary wares used as cover for the codeine syrup was one of the shipments watch-listed and tracked by a special operations unit of NDLEA while the illicit consignment has an estimated street value of over N1.1 billion.

In the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, NDLEA operatives on a stop and search operation on Thursday 4th September arrested a dispatch rider Joel Bernard, 32, in Gwarimpa area of the FCT while conveying 3.1kg Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis.

In Lagos, NDLEA operatives acting on credible intelligence on Monday 1st September arrested the duo of Tunde Ayinla, 47, and Olawale Omotare, 54, while loading four distribution vehicles at their 28 Ola Street, Ijesha Surulere home. Recovered from them include: 9kg of Canadian Loud; 5kg of Colorado and 1,101 compressed blocks of Ghana Loud weighing 611kg, bringing the total weight of the combined seizures to 625 kilograms.

In another raid in Lagos, operatives on Friday 5th September arrested a couple: Andy David, 43, and Andy Esther, 44, with 24.4kg of skunk, a strain of cannabis, recovered from their home in Ajegunle area of the state.
While 45-year-old Musa Isah was arrested with 53.400kg skunk concealed in two cartons in the trunk of his Toyota Avensus car marked ABC 338 SS in Kogi state, Yunusa Zakari, 23, was nabbed in a follow up operation in Auchi, Edo state on Friday 5th September in connection with the earlier seizure of 233kg skunk in Kakau, Kaduna state.

Not less than 11,000 pills of tramadol were recovered from a suspect Ayouk Nelson, 28, when he was arrested by NDLEA operatives on Wednesday 3rd September at 61 Bida road, Onitsha, Anambra State, just as operatives on patrol along Minna-Bida road Niger state on Tuesday 2nd September intercepted a white Toyota Hilux vehicle. A search led to the seizure of 30 bags of skunk weighing 342 kilograms while the driver Afolayan Ayodele, 54, conveying the consignment was arrested.

In Taraba state, a total of 18,750 kilograms of skunk were destroyed on 7.5 hectares of cannabis plantations at Joro-Ade village, Ardo Kola, LGA on Tuesday 2nd September. Owners of the two farms: Mako Zmar, 55, and Sani Titus, 45, were arrested during the operation.

Across the country, NDLEA Commands continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitization lectures and advocacy visits to worship centres, workplaces, palaces of traditional rulers and communities all through the past week. Instances include: WADA sensitization lecture to officers and men of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Lafia, Nasarawa state; ward heads in Kano Municipal Council, Kano state; and members of traditional medicine practitioners association, Awgu local government area, Anambra state, while the Kogi state strategic command of NDLEA paid a WADA advocacy visit to the Ohi of Ihima and Chairman Okehi LGA council of traditional rulers, HRH Alhaji Abdulraheem Ahmed Ogido, among others.

While commending the officers and men of MMIA, PHPC, Lagos, FCT, Anambra, Taraba, Kaduna, Kogi, and Niger Commands of the Agency for the arrests and seizures of the past week, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) enjoined them and their colleagues across the country to intensify the ongoing balanced approach to the drug control efforts of the Agency.

The President of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed government has announced his intention to name a national monument after the late foremost Nationalist, Hon. Adegoke Adelabu popularly known as ‘Penkelemesi’ by his followers and admirers while alive.

The announcement was made on behalf of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ashiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu by one of the grandson of Adegoke Adelabu who’s also the Honorable Minister for Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu who represented the President at the book launch in commemorating the 67 years remembrance of Adegoke Adelabu, at a ceremony which held at the Best Western Plus Hotel, Ibadan.

The ceremony was put together to commemorate 67 years remembrance and launch a book titled “AHEAD OF TIME” written by Dr. Dr. Yinka Adelabu an Exposition and Analysis of Thoughts and Life of Hon(Alhaji) Adegoke Adelabu in Analysis for continued unity, peace and progress of Nigeria and Africa.

Earlier in his address, the Keynote Speaker, who also doubled as the Chairman of the Adegoke Adelabu Foundation, and the Abese Olubadan-designate, High Chief Lekan Alabi noted that despite Alhaji Adegoke Adelabu’s contribution to the Nigeria and humanity as a whole, the Federal Government haven’t deem it fit to honor the legacies of Adelabu after 67 years of his demise.

The public will recall that “Gbadamosi Adegoke Adelabu was one of Ibadan’s most charismatic and influential politicians of the pre-independence era. Born in 1915, Adelabu was a brilliant scholar from Government College, Ibadan, who later worked with the United Africa Company before venturing into politics. His sharp intellect, fiery oratory, and grassroots appeal quickly earned him a place in the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC), where he championed radical nationalism and social justice”

“Adelabu rose through the ranks to become Chairman of the Ibadan District Council, Federal Minister of Natural Resources and Social Services, and later Leader of the Opposition in the Western Regional House of Assembly. He was widely respected for his progressive ideas, especially his advocacy for meritocracy, sustainable development, and opportunities for all Nigerians regardless of social background. His famous phrase “penkelemesi”-a Yoruba twist on “peculiar mess”-became a household word and a symbol of his colorful political style”

“Tragically, Adelabu’s promising career was cut short in 1958 when he died in a car crash on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway at the age of 43”

In his welcome address, the author, who’s also the grandson of Hon. Adegoke Adelabu stated that the book is about correcting the errors about Adegoke Adelabu and presenting the life and life work of a man whose life work created a context in which Nigeria can think for the progress of this nation.

“Writing the book is about correcting errors. It’s about presenting the life and life work of a man whose life work created a context in which Nigeria can think for the progress of this nation. Because without active opposition, democracy will die. Without free criticism and potent opposition a nation, intellect, culture and public morality will be stagnate. And In dissecting the life of my grandfather, you know there are many lessons to learn particularly about his thoughts for the progress of this country in his book of 1952 which I used mainly in writing this book because it was an analysis of his thoughts and lessons of his life in his book of 1952 Africa in Ebullition”

Delivering the speech of the Chairman of the Occasion, Former President of Nigeria, His Excellency Olusegun Obasanjo who wasn’t in the country and represented by Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, the former Governor of Osun State stated “we are not only launching a book, we are honoring a man whose name echoes ours in Nigeria’s political skies 67 year after his exit. A man, though is time was brief but left a mark that time has not erased”
He further stated that though Adegoke’s contemporary remember him as penkelemesi but he was a people’s advocate, restless spirit who carried on his shoulder the aspirations of commoners of Ibadan and beyond.

He further described Adegoke Adelabu as Master of symbolism who branded himself in the subconscious memory of his people with songs, slogan and speeches, historians described his politics as raw, populist and rooted in the lived experiences of ordinary people.

The Book reviewer, Chief Ayo Akinyemi started by acknowledging the author’s wide mastery of queen’s language whom he has known for over 25 years.
“his strength of character, richness of his thoughts and his profound mastery of the English language, I must confess, you cannot read Yinka’s work without learning one or two grammatical expressions from his composition”

He described the book as a symbol of Alhaji Adegoke Adelabu’s political philosophy and ideology, and includes excerpts his classic book, “Africa in Ebullition,” first published in 1952.

He further stated that the book also explores his role as a grassroots politician, leader of the opposition, and national president of the NCNC, including Adelabu’s thoughts on democratic principles, governance, and the fight against corruption.

The book’s relevance to current political issues, such as defection by politicians and political intolerance, emphasizes the need for intellectual debate and vibrancy in parliamentary systems.
and finally described Adegoke Adelabu as a man of the people, loved and adored by the masses.

In attendance were: the Ooni of Ife, ably represented by Oba Adedire Adewole; The Executive Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa ably represented by Hon. Sunday Olajide the Honorable Commissioner for Urban Development in Ondo State and the Eze-Ndigbo of Yoruba land. In their separate goodwill messages, they all acknowledged the intelligence of Hon. Adegoke Adelabu and his records both as a student of Government College Ibadan and as a stateman remains unbeaten despite his short but impactful time in politics and governance.

Other important dignitaries were the families of Adegoke Adelabu and Salawu, friends, political associates and business partners of Chief Adebayo Adelabu, the Honorable Minister of Power, Federal Republic of Nigeria.