Crime
Abducted Students: Oyo Assembly refuses to negotiatie with bandits
It, however, called for intensified rescue operations to secure the release of victims abducted during the attack.
This resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by the lawmaker representing Oriire State Constituency, Johnson Ogundele, during plenary, shortly after the House resumed from the Eid-el-Kabir (Sallah) recess.
The motion highlighted growing insecurity in parts of the Oriire Local Government Area of the state.
Presenting the motion, Ogundele recounted the May 15 attack on Ahoro-Esienle, Oyo and Yawota communities, where bandits invaded during school hours, killing a teacher, a student and an okada rider, while abducting dozens of students, pupils and teachers.
The lawmaker expressed concern over the recurring attacks in the area, saying “Oriire had witnessed increasing bandit activities since January, including the attack on the National Park Service office at Oloka village, where five forest guards were killed.
“Let me use this period to call on Governor Seyi Makinde for his swift response, deployment of security operatives, rescue efforts and personal visit to the affected communities.
“I want to equally urge the state government to intensify support for security agencies and establish a permanent military base within and around vulnerable communities and forest corridors in the area.”
The Assembly also called on the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and the State Universal Basic Education Board to immediately conduct security audits of schools located near forests and border settlements across the state.
It said, “The Assembly also urges the government to expedite the installation of solar-powered security lights, perimeter fencing and CCTV cameras in vulnerable schools and to develop a comprehensive Safe School Emergency Response Protocol for public and private schools across Oyo.
“The Assembly equally rejects suggestions and calls that the State Government should negotiate with the bandits who abducted teachers and students during the coordinated attack at the community in Oriire Local Government Area of the state, on Friday, May 15, 2026.”
Seconding the motion, the Majority Leader, Sanjo Adedoyin (Ogbomoso South), renewed calls for the establishment of state police, urging the Federal Government to remove all obstacles delaying its creation.
Adedoyin said the recent rescue operations exposed the challenges conventional security agencies face while navigating dense forests, forcing them to rely heavily on local vigilantes and operatives of the state Western Nigeria Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun Corps, to penetrate difficult terrains.
He argued that the security realities confronting states had further justified the need for state police and urged the Federal Government to expedite action on the initiative.
Contributing to the debate, Olubisi Oluranti (Ogbomoso North) commended the efforts of Governor Makinde and security agencies but stressed the need for increased deployment of personnel to vulnerable communities to prevent future attacks.
Also, Gbenga Oyekola (Atiba) blamed part of the security challenge on poor management of the expansive forest reserve owned and maintained by the Federal Government.
He lamented that despite the vast forest stretching across several parts of Oyo State and neighbouring states, security presence within the reserve remained inadequate.
Oyekola further expressed concern that despite reports of mining activities in parts of the forest, including sightings of helicopters landing and departing from the area, adequate security measures had not been put in place to protect residents and legitimate operators.
Also speaking, Babajide Gabriel (Ibadan North II) called for far-reaching structural reforms of Nigeria’s security architecture.
He recalled Makinde’s previous concerns about the limitations faced by governors who are constitutionally regarded as chief security officers of their states but lack direct control over security agencies.
Gabriel appealed to the governor to recruit more personnel into the Amotekun Corps to strengthen local security operations and condemned attempts by some individuals to politicise the insecurity situation for partisan gains.
He urged all stakeholders to approach the challenge collectively, stressing that insecurity had become a national concern requiring unified action.
Dawood Olalere (Ibadan North-West) observed that kidnapping had evolved beyond forest-based criminality and was increasingly affecting urban and semi-urban communities.
He cited the reported abduction of the sister of former Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, and her two sons earlier on Wednesday as evidence of the widening threat posed by kidnappers.
Olalere called for better equipment and improved weaponry for Amotekun operatives, arguing that personnel armed with locally fabricated weapons could not effectively confront heavily armed criminal gangs operating in forests and remote locations.
The House subsequently adopted several resolutions, including a call on the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Defence and relevant agencies, to establish a permanent military base in Oriire LGA.
Lawmakers also urged the Oyo State Emergency Management Agency to provide trauma counselling, psychosocial support and relief materials to affected families, while calling on traditional rulers, community leaders and local government authorities to strengthen intelligence gathering and community policing initiatives.
The Assembly further directed its Committee on Security and Strategy to undertake an oversight visit to Oriire LGA to assess the security situation, engage stakeholders and recommend urgent legislative interventions.
In his remarks, Speaker of the House, Adebo Ogundoyin, firmly “dismissed calls for the state government to negotiate with terrorists and kidnappers,” warning that “such a move could embolden criminal elements and encourage further attacks.”
While acknowledging the frustration, anxiety and impatience of families whose loved ones remained in captivity, the Speaker urged residents to continue supporting security agencies and the state government in ongoing rescue efforts.
Ogundoyin maintained that negotiating with terrorists would send the wrong signal and potentially strengthen criminal networks, insisting that the focus should remain on sustained security operations, intelligence gathering and coordinated rescue missions aimed at securing the safe release of all victims.
He, therefore, reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to supporting measures that would strengthen security across Oyo and prevent a recurrence of attacks on schools and communities.
The command’s spokesperson, Peter Aondongu, disclosed t] is while giving an update on the incident in a telephone interview on Thursday, as he noted that the baby had been recovered.
“I can confirm to you that some suspects have been arrested in connection with the theft of a newborn baby in Gboko on Tuesday.
“Some of the suspects were earlier transferred to the state headquarters in Makurdi while other suspects are in police custody at Gboko division right now,” the PPRO said.
The baby, according to sources, was allegedly stolen from his mother in the hospital a few hours after he was delivered on Tuesday.
The incident reportedly attracted family members, sympathisers and other concerned persons to the hospital, creating tension within and around the facility. It was also gathered that security operatives were subsequently deployed to the healthcare centre to prevent the breakdown of law and order.
An eyewitness who craved anonymity told journalists on Wednesday that the alleged thief had been following the baby’s mother disguised as a nurse working in the hospital. According to the eyewitness, the baby was said not to be responding at the time he was born, which prompted the nurse to move the mother and the baby to a ward for further care.
The eyewitness alleged that shortly after they were moved to the ward, a woman, who camouflaged as a nurse, approached the mother and asked to examine the baby again.
It was later that they discovered that the newborn baby was missing.
“Immediately after the baby was born, the infant did not cry as expected. The nurse on duty reportedly intervened, and the newborn eventually responded normally.
“Thereafter, both the mother and the baby were taken to a ward. Not long after, an alleged child trafficker approached the mother of the newborn under the pretence of being one of the nurses.
“The suspect claimed they wanted to check the baby once again. The trafficker then took the baby from the mother and headed toward the labour room.
“Sensing something amiss, the mother-in-law who had been with her daughter-in-law followed and stood at the labour room’s entrance, but she was instructed to step back, with assurances that everything would be fine; so she complied. Shortly afterwards, the strange woman disappeared with the newborn baby,” the witness stated.
It was gathered that while searching for the baby, the nurses on duty reportedly denied taking the baby from the ward and also said the woman who allegedly presented herself as a nurse was not a member of their team.
The kidnappers of Jezco chief, Chief Sir Joseph Ezeokafor, have reportedly demanded N1.5 billion ransom for his release, after initially asking the family to pay N700 million.
A close source within the family, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed this, saying the kidnappers had established contact with the family following Ezeokafor’s abduction.
According to the source, the kidnappers initially demanded N700 million, a figure which the victim’s family reportedly accepted as part of efforts to secure their father’s release.
The kidnappers, however, were said to have subsequently raised their demand to N1.5 billion.
The source said the family had remained willing to negotiate with the abductors but that the kidnappers had since stopped further engagement with the family.
It was gathered that the development had left the family in a difficult position as efforts to reopen communication with the abductors had reportedly not yielded results.
The latest revelation also provides fresh details on the circumstances surrounding the abduction of the Jezco chief, which had attracted considerable concern among his associates and members of the community.
The Anambra State Police Command has, however, yet to make any official statement on the reported ransom demand. GeographicReference
When contacted, the Command’s spokesperson , Tochukwu Ikenga said he was in a meeting and asked our correspondent to send him a text message detailing the inquiry.
Our correspondent subsequently sent a text message to the police spokesperson seeking confirmation of the abduction .
As of press time, however, the message, sent about a week ago, had not received a response.
The family source did not disclose the circumstances under which the kidnappers initially made contact or why communication between both parties subsequently broke down.
The Kwara State Police Command has arrested a suspected member of a kidnapping gang, identified as Sanda Aliyu, over an alleged plan to purchase an AK-47 rifle for N1.6m in Kaiama Local Government Area of the state.Aliyu was arrested by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Section on August 3, 2026, following actionable intelligence that he was negotiating with one Aliyu Mohammed, who is currently at large, for the procurement of the firearm.The police said detectives immediately commenced an operation based on the intelligence and apprehended Aliyu before the weapon could be delivered.According to a statement issued on Thursday by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the suspect admitted during interrogation that he was involved in the attempted arms transaction.“The suspect voluntarily admitted his involvement in the transaction and disclosed that N1.6 million had already been paid towards the purchase of the rifle.“He further revealed that the purpose of acquiring the firearm was to enable him rise to the position of a ‘Boss’ within his current kidnapping gang, before ultimately breaking away to establish and lead his own criminal gang,” the PPRO said.She added that investigators had commenced further verification of the transaction to establish the identities of other individuals connected with the attempted purchase and determine the extent of the criminal network.
“The ongoing investigation is expected to provide further leads into the circumstances surrounding the attempted acquisition, identify other persons connected with the illicit arms transaction, establish the full extent of the network, and unravel the broader criminal activities associated with the gang,” Ejire-Adeyemi noted.The development comes amid heightened security operations by security agencies in parts of Kwara State following a series of kidnappings and other violent crimes recorded in some communities.Reacting to the arrest, the Commissioner of Police in Kwara State, Ojo Adekimi, assured residents that the command would sustain its intelligence-led operations against criminal elements across the state.Adekimi, while acknowledging the strategic policing direction of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, said the command would continue to deploy its available lawful intelligence and operational resources to protect residents.“There will be no respite in the ongoing offensive against criminal elements,” the CP said.He added that the command would sustain its operations until communities across the state were sufficiently secured and residents could go about their activities without fear.The police said the suspect remains in custody as investigation continues, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend Mohammed and identify other persons allegedly connected with the attempted arms transaction.
Headline
A yet-to-be-identified 100-level student of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumeni, Rivers State, was reportedly shot on campus on Wednesday by suspected cultists.
The incident occurred barely 48 hours after suspected members of rival cult groups engaged in a shooting spree on the campus, heightening tension among students and staff.
The Monday clash was reportedly between suspected members of the Vikings and Ku Klux Klan cult groups, who were said to be engaged in a supremacy battle.
Details of Wednesday’s shooting remained sketchy as of the time of filing this report. However, a source close to the victim told newsmen that the student was rushed to a hospital, where efforts were being made to remove bullet pellets lodged in his body.
The source, who declined to disclose the identity of the victim or his own name due to the sensitive nature of the incident, said the student’s close friends were contributing money to fund the surgery.
It could not, however, be independently verified whether the victim was a member of any cult group.
A viral video circulating online showed the injured student lying on a hospital bed before being carried into the university campus by his coursemates.
The spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Blessing Agabe, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, had on Monday confirmed that the earlier clash involved two suspected cult groups and said the command was investigating the incident.
When contacted on Wednesday’s shooting, Agabe said she had seen the viral video but would obtain details from the Divisional Police Officer in the area and get back to our correspondent.
She had yet to do so as of Wednesday evening.
Meanwhile, the university management has suspended all remaining activities for the Students’ Union Government Week and directed students to return to their classrooms on Thursday, August 13, 2026, for normal academic activities.
The directive was contained in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Wednesday by the university’s Registrar, Dr Chinonye Ajie, and obtained by our correspondent.
Management warned that students who failed to attend lectures would be held responsible for their actions, while urging them to desist from activities capable of undermining their academic pursuits or threatening peace and security on campus.
The statement read:
“This is to inform the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education Community that all remaining activities for the Students’ Union Government Week have been suspended by the University Management with immediate effect.
“Students are therefore advised to return to classes on Thursday, August 13th, 2026, for normal academic activities.
“Any student who fails to attend lectures will be held responsible for their actions.
“Students are also strongly warned to desist from any action that is inimical to their academic pursuit and the peace of the University.”
Operatives of the Kwara State Police Command have arrested a suspected member of a kidnapping syndicate while allegedly attempting to withdraw ransom money from a Point-of-Sale terminal in Ilorin East Local Government Area of the state.
The suspect, identified as Muhamodu Sanni, was arrested around the Obudu/Woru axis following an intelligence-led investigation into the abduction of three persons in Obudu Village on July 28, 2026.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday through the command’s X handle.
According to the statement, the police expanded their investigation beyond the scene of the abduction to trace the communication, logistics and financial channels allegedly used by the kidnappers.
The investigation reportedly led detectives to Sanni, who was intercepted at a POS outlet while allegedly attempting to cash out proceeds linked to the abduction.
The statement read in part, “The sustained offensive of the Kwara State Police Command against kidnapping has recorded another significant breakthrough, as intelligence-led operations successfully penetrated the support structure of a kidnapping syndicate operating around Obudu/Woru axis of Ilorin East Local Government Area, culminating in the arrest of Muhamodu Sanni while allegedly attempting to cash out ransom proceeds linked to a recent abduction.”
The police said Sanni, during interrogation, allegedly provided useful information about the ransom collection process and identified two other suspected members of the syndicate as Aminu and Umar.
The PPRO said the information obtained from the suspect had strengthened the command’s understanding of the syndicate and provided fresh leads for further investigation.
She quoted the Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, as assuring residents that the command would sustain intelligence-driven operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks across the state.
Adekimi also urged residents to provide timely and credible information to the police to support efforts to prevent and combat criminal activities in the state.
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