Year: 2025

Last night, I had a robust engagement with my compatriots from Edu and Patigi Local Government Araas. It was an emergency meeting to review the security situation in the two LGAs and share ideas on how to better curtail very disturbing incidents of kidnapping and violent attacks on innocent people. We are exploring having our own civilian task force whose members will be recruited from our local communities, trained, supported, and allied with the security forces to strengthen our defence mechanisms in the face of the unique threats that we face. The details will be worked on, fine-tuned, and subjected to strategic consultation with different stakeholders for success and sustainability. This will complement what we currently have.

In addition to our heeding many distress calls in the past, we discussed the imperatives of supporting victims of these incidents as another token of acknowledgement of their grief and losses — human and material. This will include my personal visit to the area.

We similarly discussed the College of Education (Technical) Lafiagi, including modalities for boosting funding and infrastructure upgrades — building on our previous interventions. We also exchanged ideas on the issue of the power supply in the axis.

This meeting occurred a few hours after I returned from a visit to Oke Ode, Ifelodun LGA, following the sad incident of Sunday, September 28 in which we lost some forest guards, local hunters, and community leaders. They will not die in vain. Beyond our solidarity and planned support for their families, we will not spare the criminals behind their deaths.

As we work harder with the Federal Government and security forces to curtail these incidents, I call on every Kwaran to join this collective responsibility to defend our right to life and security.

Breaking News: Nnamdi Kanu’s son has shocked the world by becoming the first child ever to win English, Mathematics, and Russian Language in an international world brain competition.

The 11-year-old prodigy outshined the United Kingdom in their very own language, emerging as the champion. He went further to defeat some of the world’s strongest young minds, proving his brilliance on the global stage.

This historic victory has not only placed him in the spotlight but also written his name in the record books as one of the most gifted children of his generation.

Sunday Igboho’s Call to Action: Seeking Government Permission to Tackle Bandits in Nigeria’s South-West

Sunday Igboho, a prominent Yoruba nation activist, has made headlines with his appeal to the Nigerian Federal Government seeking authority to address the pressing issue of insecurity plaguing communities in the South-West region, notably areas like Kwara State. His request underscores the growing concerns about banditry and violence affecting peace and stability in parts of Nigeria.

Key aspects of Igboho’s stance include his request for authority to help eliminate Fulani bandits threatening communities, highlighting the need for collaborative efforts to tackle insecurity. He recently met with the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, who pledged to intervene in Igboho’s challenges with authorities, including his wanted status and frozen bank accounts.

Discussions touched on the insecurity situation in the South-West, including bandit threats in Kwara State, emphasizing the need for strengthened security measures. Igboho expressed willingness to work with the government to enhance security in the region, stressing peace and stability are crucial for development. Igboho faced government action in 2021, including a DSS raid on his Ibadan residence leading to deaths of aides and arrests, marking a tumultuous chapter in his activism.

The context of his appeal revolves around his activism focusing on issues pertinent to the Yoruba nation and addressing insecurity impacting communities. The Olubadan’s intervention could play a mediating role in Igboho’s situation with government authorities. The South-West region, including Kwara State, faces challenges from banditry and other security threats needing concerted addressing.

Relevant locations include Ibadan, site of Igboho’s meeting with Olubadan Oba Rashidi Ladoja and location of his 2021 residence raid by DSS, and Kwara State, part of the South-West region grappling with insecurity issues Igboho seeks to address.

Considerations include the government’s response to Igboho’s request necessitating official consideration and dialogue on security collaboration frameworks. Addressing insecurity can significantly affect community peace and development prospects. Traditional leaders like the Olubadan can play influential roles in regional peace and stability discussions.

In conclusion, Sunday Igboho’s appeal highlights the complex interplay of activism, security challenges, and traditional leadership in Nigeria’s quest for stability. The government’s response and potential collaboration with stakeholders like Igboho could shape approaches to tackling banditry and insecurity in Nigeria’s South-West.

BREAKING – THE NEW APPROVED SUBJECTS FOR SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL CURRICULUM (SS 1-3)

1. Five Core and Compulsory
   – English Language
   – General Mathematics
   – One Trade subject,
   – Citizenship and Heritage Studies
   – Digital Technologies
2. Science
   – Biology
   – Chemistry
   – Physics
   – Agriculture
   – Further Mathematics
   – Physical Education
   – Health Education
   – Foods & Nutrition
   – Geography
   – Technical Drawing
3. Humanities
   – Nigerian History
   – Government
   – Christian Religious Studies,
   – Islamic Studies
   – One Nigerian language
   – French
   – Arabic
   – Visual Arts
   – Music
   – Literature in English
   – Home Management
   – Catering craft
4. Business
   – Accounting
   – Commerce
   – Marketing
   – Economics
5. One core trade subject (Students to choose one trade subject)
   – Solar Photovoltaic installation and maintenance
   – Fashion design and garment making
   – Livestock farming,
   – Beauty and cosmetology
   – Computer hardware and GSM repairs
   – Horticulture and crop production

Gov Abdulrazaq seeks increased security deployment following Oke Ode attacks

• ⁠Mourns forest guards, residents lost in Sunday incident
• Let’s not turn on ourselves, Gov appeals to residents⁠
• Army HQ directs GOC Ibadan to relocate to Kwara

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has called for increased security deployments to the state to rout the criminals involved in attacks in parts of the state.

In a statement following an unfortunate attack on the positions of the forest guards and surrounding areas of Oke Ode, the Governor said the state requires more military deployments to roll back the activities of the criminals in parts of Kwara South and Kwara North.

He regretted the loss of innocent civilians and the forest guards who mounted a spirited resistance to the assailants in the early morning incident on grounds of patriotism and love for their communities.

“My heartfelt condolences go to the families. No word can adequately capture the depth of my sadness and nothing can compensate the bereaved families over these incidents, in spite of our efforts and the investments in enlisting and training the forest guards to bolster the conventional forces. Our people are understandably concerned about the situation, and I wholeheartedly share in this grief,” the Governor said in the statement on Sunday.

“While we appreciate the efforts and unquantifiable sacrifices of the security forces as well as the successes so far, we definitely need to do a lot more until we are completely out of the wood.

“Finally, I urge our brave residents to remain calm and avoid the temptation to turn on ourselves. I equally commend all the forest guards and the local hunters who, though lost five of their compatriots, equally neutralised several of the attackers. We will forever be grateful to all of them as our heroes.”

The Army Headquarters, meanwhile, has directed the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Division of the Nigerian Army in Ibadan, to immediately relocate to Kwara to further coordinate and boost military response to the development.

Rafiu Ajakaye
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
September 28, 2025

Gov AbdulRazaq Seeks More Security Deployment After Sunday Killings in Kwara

Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has called for increased security deployments to the state following Sunday’s deadly attacks in Oke-Ode, Ifelodun Local Government Area, which left several forest guards and residents dead.

In a statement on Sunday made available to the Punch and signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, the governor described the incident as “unfortunate,” stressing that the state requires more military support to roll back the activities of criminals in parts of Kwara South and North.

He expressed deep sorrow over the killings, noting that the forest guards and hunters had put up a spirited resistance against the bandits out of patriotism and love for their communities.

“My heartfelt condolences go to the families. No word can adequately capture the depth of my sadness, and nothing can compensate the bereaved families over these incidents, in spite of our efforts and the investments in enlisting and training the forest guards to bolster the conventional forces,” the statement read.

The governor acknowledged public concerns about rising insecurity and assured residents of his administration’s commitment to working with federal security agencies to restore peace.

“While we appreciate the efforts and unquantifiable sacrifices of the security forces as well as the successes so far, we definitely need to do a lot more until we are completely out of the wood,” he added.

AbdulRazaq urged residents to remain calm and resist any temptation to turn against one another, praising the courage of the local security operatives who confronted the attackers.

“I equally commend all the forest guards and the local hunters who, though lost five of their compatriots, equally neutralised several of the attackers. We will forever be grateful to all of them as our heroes,” he said.

Sunday’s attack in Oke-Ode and Tsaraji in Ifelodun and Edu LGA respectively is the latest in a series of violent raids across Kwara communities, where vigilantes, hunters, and residents have repeatedly come under siege from suspected bandits.

UPDATE: Bandits Kill 10, Abduct Several in Oke Ode Community Despite Govt’s Denial

(The image contains in this report contains violent content, viewers discretion is advised)

Contrary to claims by a government source that security operatives had repelled an attack in Oke Ode, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, no fewer than 10 persons were confirmed killed on Sunday morning when bandits invaded the community.

An unspecified number of residents were also reportedly kidnapped.

A member of the local vigilante group in the town, identified simply as Ajetunmobi, told Sobi FM that the government was engaging in propaganda over the incident.

“We have been hearing that the bandits were around the community since Saturday night and we sent out messages to security operatives to be prepared. To our surprise, this morning the attackers started the attack from the duty post, targeting the vigilantes,” he said.

According to him, among those killed were community members identified as Oji, Saheed Metubi, Baale Ógba Ayo, among others.

He said the corpses had been taken to the police station while the injured were rushed to the General Hospital in Share.

He accused the government of failing in its primary duty of protecting citizens, noting that intelligence about a possible attack had circulated days earlier.

“The government failed in its primary duty. Information has been circulating for some time now that they are planning to attack Oke Ode. Why were the soldiers withdrawn?” he asked.

Meanwhile, the National President of the Oke Ode Community Development Association, Alhaji Ganiyu Ajala, while condemning the killings, urged the state government to intensify its security measures.

“While commending the government on the various security measures already put in place, we call for redoubling of efforts towards completely routing these undesirable elements from the Oke Ode axis and the entire state in general,” Ajala said.

As of the time of filing this report, the police command in Kwara had yet to release an official statement on the attack.