Oduduwa News

The President of the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Ibadan Elite, Ibukun Otesile, who was abducted by gunmen in the Akobo area of Ibadan, has been rescued safely. Otesile was kidnapped at the gate of her residence in the General Gas area, an incident that sparked widespread concern among residents, civic groups and religious bodies across Oyo State.

Her abduction, which occurred late on Thursday, prompted immediate appeals for urgent action from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and members of the JCI community, who called for prayers and intensified security intervention. The Oyo State Police Command confirmed the incident and launched an operation to secure her release.

Authorities have now confirmed that the JCI president has regained her freedom. While details of the rescue operation remain undisclosed, family members, colleagues and civic leaders have expressed relief and gratitude over her safe return.

The incident has further drawn attention to rising security concerns within Ibadan, with many residents urging law enforcement agencies to strengthen surveillance and protect vulnerable communities in the city.

Fuji music legend, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (K1 De Ultimate), has responded to critics questioning his decision to contest for the vacant stool of the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, insisting that his royal lineage is authentic and well-established.

K1 had, last week, formally declared interest in succeeding the late Awujale, joining other prominent contenders such as Prince Olaseni Ottun of the Adeberu lineage and accomplished engineer Otunba Babatunde Alatise.

In a letter dated December 3, addressed to the Chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, the Fuji maestro asserted his eligibility, describing himself as a “bonafide son” of the ruling house and tracing his ancestry to the Oba Jadiara lineage.

He wrote:
“I, Otunba Wasiu Ayinde Adewale Olasunkanmi Omogbolahan Anifowoshe, MON, hereby formally notify the Fusengbuwa Ruling House of my intention to be considered for the vacant stool of the Awujale of Ijebuland… I am a bonafide son of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House of Agunsebi Quarters, tracing my ancestry to the Oba Jadiara lineage.”

He added that he had spent more than five decades promoting Ijebu, Yoruba, and Nigerian culture through music and cultural enterprise.

However, rising criticism over his claim to royalty triggered a response from the Fuji star, who addressed the matter in a viral video on his YouTube channel.

K1 insisted that both his paternal and maternal backgrounds are rooted in Ijebu royalty.
“Those who gave birth to me know me, and I also know them. I’m from a royal lineage. I’m from the Fidipote ruling house, and also from the Fusengbuwa ruling house of Ijebu-Ode,” he said.

Dismissing allegations of false claims, he noted that the late Awujale, Oba Sikiru Adetona, had conducted detailed investigations before conferring on him the titles Olori Omo-Oba and Otunba Afidipotemole of Akile Ijebu in 2023.
“If I’m not from a royal lineage, I wouldn’t have been installed,” he emphasised.

Calling for calm among Ijebu people, K1 stressed that the succession contest should not breed conflict.
“The matter on ground does not call for a fight. When a good thing is coming, controversies may arise. Anyone who eventually emerges, we’ll all work together for the development of Ijebuland.”

He concluded that this would be his final public statement on the issue.
“All princes, we are all one. We shouldn’t be at war with ourselves.”

A tragic road accident on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway has claimed the lives of three family members, a father, mother and their young child while leaving at least two others seriously injured.

According to the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the crash occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, near the Secretariat heading inward the Otedola Bridge.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the collision involved multiple vehicles — including an Audi, a Toyota Camry and a Toyota Corolla. The incident was triggered when a heavily loaded truck, reportedly travelling at excessive speed, rammed into one of the vehicles from the rear. The impact caused the struck car to lose control and collide with two other moving vehicles, leading to a fatal chain-reaction collision.

The truck driver allegedly fled the scene immediately after the crash, leaving the victims behind.

Emergency responders including LASTMA, the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), police, SEHMU and other relevant agencies arrived at the scene swiftly. The injured were rushed to hospital, while the deceased were recovered and handed over to the appropriate authorities for evacuation.

Motorists have been urged to exercise caution along the expressway, especially around the Otedola Bridge corridor, and to avoid reckless driving and excessive speed.

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has reacted to the social media backlash trailing her request for Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke to conclude his remarks during the Ooni of Ife’s coronation anniversary ceremony. The incident, which occurred during the weekend celebration, sparked widespread debate online, with many Nigerians describing her intervention as abrupt and disrespectful.

In a statement shared on her official platform, the First Lady described the controversy as an example of how “followers and critics often amplify minor missteps,” stressing that those entrusted with leadership understand their roles and responsibilities. She suggested that the public overreacted to what she considered a simple procedural correction at a formal event.

Her comments, however, have done little to quell criticism, as several social media users maintained that her approach was inappropriate and undermined the governor. The incident has continued to trend, with many Nigerians debating issues of protocol, courtesy, and respect among government officials.

Meanwhile, the Osun State Government has yet to issue an official response regarding the matter. Governor Adeleke has also not commented publicly on the incident, leaving the public to speculate on the administration’s stance.

The episode has further fueled discussions about conduct in public office, especially at culturally significant events such as the Ooni’s coronation anniversary.

The Oyo State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to accelerated development across all zones of the state, with Governor Seyi Makinde pushing forward new multi-billion naira projects despite having only 17 months left in his second term. According to Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, the administration remains focused on defying the typical second-term slowdown through renewed energy and strategic investments.

Following the latest Executive Council meeting, the government approved the construction and rehabilitation of the 45.3km Saki–Ogboro–Igboho road at a cost of ₦18.14 billion, along with the Ogboro–Agbonle road to support farmers. Ongoing works were also confirmed on the Igboho–Kishi and Okaka–Igbojaye roads, as well as the Kunle Afolayan Film Village in Komu. The long-abandoned Kishi Fire Station will also be completed at ₦141.86 million.

To boost security in the Oke Ogun zone, Oyelade disclosed that airstrips in Otu and Igbeti have been designated for new state aircraft, while the Mobile Police base has been moved to Ago Are to curb insecurity. Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal welcomed the even distribution of projects, assuring residents that no major initiative under the administration will be abandoned.

The council further approved the dualization of the Ariyo–Amuloko–Odeyale Junction at ₦15.13 billion, positioning it as a major link to Ogun State. Additionally, ₦16.20 billion was allocated for the rehabilitation of roads in Old and New Bodija. A special ₦6.8 billion intervention fund was also set aside for the Iwo Road–Olodo–Lalupon–Iyana Ofa corridor, raising the total project cost to ₦14.53 billion.

In the education and health sectors, the government approved ₦107.7 million for science equipment in 99 public secondary schools and adopted the Oyo State Medical Residency Training Bill 2025. To strengthen project delivery, a Project Facilitation Fund was established under the Oyo State Investment Promotion Agency. Overall, the administration disclosed that it has invested over ₦1 trillion in infrastructure since 2019.

The screening committee of Accord has today cleared Ademola Adeleke, governor of Osun, to participate in the party’s gubernatorial primary poll held in Osogbo, the state capital.

In a statement, Ibe Thankgod, the screening committee chairman and national organising secretary of the party, said Adeleke has been cleared as the sole aspirant for the election.

He said the governor met all the requirements for the nomination.

A coalition of lawmakers and civil society groups has launched a major campaign demanding the removal of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Chairman, Zacch Adedeji. The group accuses him of alleged constitutional breaches, misuse of tax waivers, and mismanagement of revenue-related funds. They claim the alleged violations have weakened transparency and accountability in the nation’s tax administration.

The coalition has prepared a detailed petition outlining its allegations and plans to release it publicly by December 15. According to the organisers, the petition will reveal what they describe as systemic irregularities under Adedeji’s leadership, calling for a forensic audit and immediate government intervention. The move has stirred intense public debate, especially within the financial sector.

However, the removal push has sparked strong backlash. More than 70 civil society organisations have risen in defence of Adedeji, dismissing the allegations as politically-motivated and targeted at derailing ongoing reforms at the FIRS. These groups argue that the campaign is driven by individuals threatened by Adedeji’s efforts to modernise revenue collection and close loopholes that previously enabled corruption.

Rights groups such as the Campaign for Democracy have also condemned the demands for Adedeji’s removal. They describe the coalition behind the petition as “shadowy” and unrepresentative of legitimate civic interests. Others, including the Southwest Unity Forum, have labelled the move a coordinated witch-hunt aimed at undermining national economic stability.

As tensions rise, stakeholders are watching for the government’s next steps whether it will order an investigation, hold parliamentary hearings, or disregard the petition entirely. The outcome is expected to carry significant implications for tax reforms, political accountability, and investor confidence in Nigeria’s revenue administration.

Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka has criticised the excessive deployment of security personnel around Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu.

Speaking at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism Awards in Lagos, Soyinka described the heavy security detail as “unjustifiable” and a reflection of “distorted priorities.”

He recounted seeing about 15 heavily armed officers stationed around a hotel in Ikoyi where Seyi was present, questioning why such resources are allocated to protect a private citizen while Nigeria faces widespread insecurity.

Soyinka warned that providing state-level security to individuals based solely on proximity to power undermines equity and national safety.

No formal response has been issued by the Presidency regarding his remarks.

Ondo State Police Command has arrested a suspected armed robber and kidnapper, Godspower Cletus, while attempting to withdraw ransom money from a POS operator in Akure, the state capital.

The State Command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Olayinka Ayanlade, told newsmen that Cletus was caught while trying to access funds from the victim’s account via a POS terminal.

According to Ayanlade, the suspect had invaded the home of Mrs. Farimoyo Endurance in Odudu Community, Akure North Local Government Area, holding her at gunpoint and dispossessing her of valuables, including her phone and other goods.

Cletus allegedly forced Mrs. Endurance to call her husband, demanding a ransom of N5 million for her release. The husband reportedly transferred N1 million into his wife’s account, after which the suspect seized the ATM card and fled.

Luck ran out for the suspect when detectives, who had been tracking him, intercepted him at a POS point as he attempted to withdraw the ransom. He was immediately arrested and, during interrogation, confessed voluntarily to the crime.

Police investigations are ongoing to determine whether Cletus acted alone or is connected to other similar crimes in the state.

State Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, commended the swift action of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad, noting that the arrest underscores the Command’s improved operational capacity and proactive approach to crime-fighting.

The Command urged residents to remain vigilant, especially during the festive season, and to promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies.

“The Command reassures the public of its unwavering commitment to the safety and security of all residents, particularly during the festive season and beyond,” the PPRO added.

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has officially resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), citing persistent national leadership crises within the party. His resignation letter, dated November 4, 2025, signaled his complete withdrawal from PDP after years of political association.

Following his exit, Adeleke has now joined the Accord Party. The move comes after Accord openly courted him, describing the party as stable, free of factions and godfather influence. The party has also begun reorganizing its structures in Osun State in anticipation of Adeleke’s arrival.

Adeleke’s defection is closely linked to the PDP’s internal turmoil and the fact that he lost the party’s 2026 governorship ticket to Adebayo Olugbenga Adedamola after withdrawing from the primary. Joining Accord positions Adeleke to seek re-election in the 2026 Osun governorship race under a new platform.