Outrage As Police Allegedly Escort
Asiri Eniba To Invade Ile-Ife Park
•Military Foils Takeover Attempt, Restores Calm
COMMUTERS , traders and residents around the Mayfair Motor Park in Ile-Ife, Osun State, scampered for safety on Sunday following a reported attempt by a fac onal transport leader, Kazeem Oyewale, popularly known as Asiri Eniba, to take over the park.
alongside the convoy conveying Asiri Eniba and his supporters.
The incident, which reportedly triggered sporadic gunshots, threw the busy commercial area into confusion as passengers abandoned vehicles while traders hurriedly shut their shops to avoid being caught in the violence.
Eyewitnesses told OSUN DEFENDER that Asiri Eniba and a large number of his supporters arrived at the park in what appeared to be an a empt to assert control over the facility.
According to residents, tension immediately heightened around the garage, forcing motorists to seek alterna ve routes while commercial ac vi es were temporarily disrupted.
A trader, who declined to be named for security reasons, said, “People started running immediately they heard gunshots. Everybody was afraid
because nobody knew what was happening.”
Another eyewitness said, “The whole place became chao c. Passengers ran in different direc ons while shop owners hurriedly locked their stores.”
Meanwhile, a video that surfaced on social media on Sunday showed what appeared to be a police patrol vehicle moving
The footage has since sparked controversy, with many social media users alleging that the police escorted the group to the park. However, the authen city of the claims and the exact circumstances surrounding the presence of the police vehicle could not be independently verified by OSUN DEFENDER
As of the me of filing this report, re-
peated efforts to obtain the reac on of the Osun State Police Command were unsuccessful as calls and messages sent to the Command’s spokesperson were not responded to.
Sources in the area, however, disclosed that military personnel later arrived at the scene and prevented the alleged takeover.
An eyewitness told OSUN DEFENDER that the interven on of the soldiers immedi-
•Continued on page 2
•A scene of the incident as seen in the widely circulated footage, yesterday
MONDAY, JULY 27, 2026
Osun 2026: Political Violence, Reflection Of
THE governorship candidate of the African Democra c Congress (ADC) in the August 15, 2026 Osun State governorship elec on, Dr. Najeem Salaam, has described the recent wave of poli cal violence in the state as a reflecon of what he termed the despera on of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Accord Party to win the elec on at all costs.
Salaam stated this while receiving representa ves of three civil society organisaons – Insight Ini a ve for Community and Social Development (IICSD), AdvoKC Founda on and the Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) – who paid him an advocacy visit as part of stakeholders’ engagement ahead of the forthcoming governorship elec on.
Speaking during the mee ng, Salaam expressed concern over the rising poli cal tension in the state, warning that the violence and growing crisis within the Na onal Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) could undermine the credibility of the electoral process if not properly managed.
According to him, the struggle over the leadership of the transport union is not unconnected with attempts by poli cal interests to gain control of one of the cri cal stakeholders engaged by the Independent Na onal Electoral Commission (INEC) for the move-
ment of sensi ve and nonsensi ve elec on materials during elec ons.
“The NURTW crisis is another way of ensuring that either side takes control of one of the most crical stakeholders that INEC engages to move its elecon materials during the elec on period. That development should worry every stakeholder because it has
serious implica ons for the credibility of the elec on,” Salaam said.
He warned that con nued poli cal violence and the contest for strategic ins tu ons were capable of jeopardising the safety of voters and frustra ng the genuine desire of the electorate to freely choose the next governor of Osun State.
APC, Accord’s
The ADC standard-bearer called on all governorship candidates and poli cal actors to conduct their campaigns peacefully and allow the elec on to be decided on the strength of ideas, policies and programmes rather than violence and poli cal theatrics capable of crea ng fear and voter apathy.
“We must allow the
people to make their choice without in mida on. Polical par es should campaign on their manifestoes and compe ng ideas instead of resor ng to violence and unnecessary drama that may discourage cizens from par cipa ng in the electoral process,” he added.
Salaam also used the occasion to restate his ad-
THE Osun State Police Command has confirmed that officials of the Independent Na onal Electoral Commission, INEC, came under a ack on Sun-
•Continued from page 1 •Reiterates ADC’s Commitment To Securing Osun, Stable Electricity
ministra on’s commitment to tackling insecurity and improving electricity supply across Osun if elected governor.
He said his government would priori se the protecon of lives and property through improved collabora on with security agencies and community-based security ini a ves while also pursuing policies that would guarantee stable electricity to support economic growth and industrial development across the state.
Earlier, representa ves of the civil society organisa ons, Sodiq Yusuf and Abdullahi Adamu said the engagement was part of efforts to promote issuebased campaigns, peaceful elec ons and greater accountability among candidates contes ng the governorship elec on. The delega on urged all poli cal par es to commit to peaceful conduct before, during and a er the elec on while encouraging candidates to present prac cal solu ons to the developmental challenges confron ng the state.
2026: Thugs Attack INEC Officials, Cart Away PVCs In Osun
day a er suspected thugs stormed a PVC distribu on centre in Odo-O n Local Government Area and made away with voter cards. In a statement signed
Outrage As Police Allegedly Escort...
ately restored calm, while residents gradually returned to their businesses a er the tension subsided.
“The soldiers came in promptly. Their presence changed the situa on, and everybody dispersed. Peace returned a erwards,” the source said.
The incident has, however, generated widespread outrage on social media, with many Nigerians quesoning the alleged role of security opera ves and expressing concerns over renewed violence in Osun State.
Reac ng to the viral video, an X user, @ mr_jaypee, wrote, “If this video is true, then someone needs to explain why police officers were seen with a man currently facing murder charges. This is unacceptable.”
Another user, @OsunCi zen, said, “This
is frightening. Ordinary ci zens cannot move freely because of poli cal thugs, yet they appear to enjoy official protec on. Osun deserves better.”
Also commenting, @AkanjiWrites posted, “The military deserves commendaon if they truly prevented a breakdown of law and order. No individual should be allowed to seize public facili es through violence.”
A Facebook user, Adewale Adeyemi, wrote, “This is exactly why people are losing confidence in public ins tu ons. Nigerians deserve answers on what happened in IleIfe.” Similarly, Temitope Ogunleye commented, “Who authorised the movement? The authori es must inves gate this incident thoroughly and make their findings public.”
Another commenter, Oluwaseun Ibrahim, said, “If security agencies remain neutral and professional, situa ons like this can be prevented before they escalate.”
Several other commenters urged the Inspector-General of Police and the Osun State Police Command to inves gate the circumstances surrounding the incident and clarify the role played by officers seen in the viral footage.
Many also called for those responsible for the violence, regardless of poli cal affilia on or status, to be brought to jus ce in accordance with the law.
It would be recalled that Asiri Eniba is currently facing murderrelated charges before an Osun State High Court, with his arraignment scheduled for August 4, 2026.
by the Police Public Relaons Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, the Command said the incident occurred at Oyinlola DC Primary School, Ward 2, where INEC officials were peacefully distribu ng Permanent Voter Cards.
According to the Command, about ten armed hoodlums invaded the centre, fired sporadically into the air and carted away three packs of PVCs before fleeing the scene.
Ojelabi said the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, has condemned the a ack and directed a comprehensive inves ga on to iden fy and prosecute
Anongovernmental organiza on, Insight Ini a ve for Community and Social Development (IICSD) and journalists in Osun State have called for greater transparency, accountability and public access to informa on on budget implementa on and project delivery across the state’s 30 local government areas.
The call was made during an interac ve session themed “Repor ng for Grassroots Accountability: Strengthening Osun Local Government Through Public Interest Journalism,” organised under the OsunOpenLG 2.0 Project at the
those responsible.
Ojelabi said tac cal and intelligence units have been deployed to apprehend the perpetrators and recover the stolen PVCs.
The Command also reassured residents of Ile-Ife, Odo-O n and across the state that normalcy has been restored in the affected areas, and that it remains commi ed to the protec on of lives and property.
It urged members of the public to remain calm and law-abiding, and called on eyewitnesses with useful informa on to report to the nearest police sta on or contact the Command through
Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Osogbo. Par cipants at the event stressed that ci zens deserve mely informa on on local government budgets, statutory alloca ons, procurement processes and the execu on of projects funded with public resources.
Delivering the keynote address, the Execuve Director of IICSD, Jare Tiamiyu, said transparency and accountability remain the bedrock of democra c governance, par cularly at the local government level where public services have direct impact on ci zens.
According to him, the OsunOpenLG Project was conceived to bridge the informa on gap surrounding
its emergency lines.
The police warned that anyone found exploi ng the incident to cause violence or disrupt public order would be dealt with in accordance with the law.
Also, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Oluwatoyin Babalola, during a town hall mee ng in Osogbo, confirmed the incident. Babalola, however, said she is s ll awai ng an official report from the field to ascertain the number of PVCs carted away.
The REC assured residents of the state of a peaceful, fair and credible poll.
local government administra on by making governance informa on more accessible through research, media engagement, civic technology and ci zen parcipa on. He noted that the second phase of the project had focused on strengthening media engagement and deploying innova ve tools to improve public access to governance informa on.
Tiamiyu said, “The people deserve to know how much their local governments receive, how budgets are prepared, what projects are approved and how public funds are spent. Accountability is not op onal; it is a
•Members of the civil society organisations in a group photograph with Dr. Salaam, after the meeting
WITH the clock cking towards both the Osun State governorship elec on and the na onal elec ons early next year, Nigeria stands at another defining poli cal moment. The coming polls will test not only the resilience of the Nigerian people but also the independence, credibility and capacity of democra c ins tu ons. It is, therefore, a period demanding close a en on to the mood of the electorate.
In every democracy, understanding public sen ment is essen al. As the saying goes, the voice of the people is the voice of God. Before scien fic opinion polling became widespread in Britain, observers o en gauged public feeling through conversa ons on the famous Clapham Omnibus; a metaphor sugges ng that the ordinary commuter represented the average ci zen. In contemporary Nigeria, the equivalent may well be the conversa ons inside a korope, a keke napep or at the local motor park. While hardly scien fic, these interac ons o en provide valuable insights because they cut across social classes, occupa ons and demographics.
Markets offer an even more revealing barometer of public opinion. They bring together traders, ar sans, transporters, farmers, civil servants and consumers from virtually every segment of society. More importantly, market communi es tradi onally record high voter par cipa on, making them useful indicators of electoral trends.
Today, the markets across Osun present a microcosm of the widespread economic frustra on evident across the country. The prevailing mood is one of cau ous pessimism. For traders and consumers alike, the economic climate has become increasingly punishing.
Purchasing power has declined drama cally. Consumers are cu ng expenditure on virtually everything, including essen al household items and, alarmingly, even pharmaceu cal products. Traders, on the other hand, have been forced into a business model characterised by high sales volumes but razorthin profit margins, making long-term sustainability increasingly difficult.
There is also a growing yearning for fresh economic momentum. An emerging consensus within market circles is that the con nuous erosion of purchasing power must be halted before it becomes irreversible. For many traders, this is no longer simply an economic concern—it is an existen al one. Businesses are surviving on subsistence
Nostalgia, Cautious Pessimism In The Markets
margins while capital con nues to depreciate. Access to credit remains severely constrained and, where financing is available, puni ve interest rates discourage investment and expansion.
The recent increase in fuel prices and the corresponding rise in transporta on costs have compounded these challenges. Higher logis cs costs affect every stage of the supply chain, from moving agricultural produce to urban markets to transpor ng goods between wholesale and retail outlets. Consumers inevitably bear these addional costs.
Consequently, market operators are increasingly demanding prac cal, people-centred interven ons rather than abstract economic promises. They seek comprehensive market transforma on programmes that improve logis cs, reduce transporta on costs, modernise market infrastructure and expand storage capacity. Of par cular importance is the provision of solar-powered cold storage facili es to reduce post-harvest losses and preserve perishable goods. Such investments would directly improve profitability for traders while modera ng prices for consumers.
Amid this widespread disenchant-
“The party that most convincingly addresses the immediate concerns of traders, transporters, artisans and consumers could gain decisive electoral momentum. In that regard, a grassroots campaigner with strong market appeal such as Rauf Aregbesola may possess a comparative advantage, particularly if the campaign centres on practical solutions rather than rhetoric”
ment, there is also a no ceable sense of nostalgia. Many traders increasingly reflect on previous administra ons they believe demonstrated greater empathy towards ordinary ci zens.
This sen ment was par cularly evident during the recent campaign visit of former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola to Lagere Market in Ile-Ife. Campaigning on behalf of the African Democra c Congress (ADC), Aregbesola a racted a crowd that appeared to exceed expecta ons.
Conversa ons with traders suggested that many had come not merely to a end a poli cal rally but to reconnect with a period they associate with more responsive governance. Several recalled social interven on programmes, including the O-Meal school feeding inia ve, educa on reforms and healthcare interven ons which they believe were deliberately designed to cushion economic hardship and improve the welfare of vulnerable ci zens. Many
EXPLAINER
•Traders and consumers alike are deeply dissatisfied with the impact of current economic policies
•Many market participants continue to associate the Aregbesola administration with people-oriented social intervention programmes.
•Beyond campaign promises, parties that present credible market transformation plans may gain a significant electoral advantage.
expressed disappointment over the discon nua on of those programmes, arguing that their benefits were prematurely abandoned.
This nostalgia inevitably carries political implica ons. With the termina on of many programmes introduced during the Aregbesola administra on and connued under his successor, Adegboyega Oyetola, the APC’s current governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), faces the challenge of overcoming percep ons shaped by that policy discon nuity. Fairly or unfairly, some voters appear to associate him with that legacy. The prevailing mood in many market circles is one of marked indifference rather than enthusiasm towards the APC candidate.
More fundamentally, traders are demanding the return of governance that directly addresses their everyday reali es. They have experienced interven onist policies before and, in their es ma on, many of those ini a ves produced measurable improvements in livelihoods. The desire is not simply for nostalgia but for the revival of programmes that can restore purchasing power, strengthen small businesses and s mulate local economic ac vity.
This is where poli cal strategy intersects with economic reality. The party that most convincingly addresses the immediate concerns of traders, transporters, ar sans and consumers could gain decisive electoral momentum. In that regard, a grassroots campaigner with strong market appeal such as Rauf Aregbesola may possess a compara ve advantage, par cularly if the campaign centres on prac cal solu ons rather than rhetoric.
OSUN DEFENDER
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As Osun prepares for another fiercely contested governorship elec on, one lesson stands out. Markets are no longer merely centres of commerce; they have become centres of poli cal opinion. They reflect the anxie es, aspira ons and frustra ons of ordinary Nigerians more clearly than many formal surveys.
For poli cians seeking victory, listening to the markets may prove just as important as speaking to them.
Analysing What’s On The Front Burner What’s On The Front Burner
MONDAY, JULY 27, 2026 VOL. 21 NO 58 www.osundefender.com, email: osundefenderbank@gmail.com
IN recent years, more women in Nigeria have turned to cosme c surgery to enhance their appearance. Procedures such as Brazilian Bu Li s (BBLs), liposuc on, and tummy tucks are increasingly common, o en performed in private clinics that adver se heavily on social media platforms like Instagram.
These clinics showcase polished before and a er photos that promise transforma on and confidence.
Some women undergo these procedures and come out fine. Some do not.
Recently, one did not.
This is not wri en to frighten anyone or to dictate what women should or should not do with their bodies. Every woman has the right to make decisions about her body. However, it is important to speak honestly about the reali es surrounding cosme c surgery in Nigeria, par cularly within a healthcare system that connues to face significant challenges.
According to reports from UNICEF, Nigeria remains among the top five countries in the world with the highest maternal mortality rates. This sta sc alone reflects the broader weaknesses within the country’s healthcare system. When complica ons arise in medical procedures whether rou ne or cosme c the system is not always equipped to respond quickly or effec vely.
For anyone considering a BBL or any major cosme c procedure in Nigeria, there are cri cal things to understand before signing any consent form.
The Quoted Price Is Rarely the Real Cost
The price quoted by a clinic typically reflects one assumpon: that the procedure will
“Regulatory bodies such as the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control must strengthen oversight in this growing sector. Clinics advertising surgical procedures widely on social media without visible regulatory scrutiny should raise serious concerns”
OPINION
By
IGBAYILOLA OLOWU
Clinics And The Illusion Of Perfect Results Of Bbl In Nigeria
go perfectly. But perfec on is never guaranteed in surgery.
If a procedure costs ₦8 million, a pa ent should realiscally have access to at least ₦24 million before proceeding. Complica ons may occur, and when they do, addi onal costs arise immediately. These may include intensive care unit (ICU) admission, specialist consulta ons, emergency interven ons, medica on, and extended hospital stays.
None of these expenses are included in the ini al quote. More importantly, when complica ons happen, there is no me to begin fundraising or making fran c phone calls to secure funds. Treatment decisions must be made immediately.
If you do not have at least three mes the quoted procedure cost readily accessible, you may not be financially prepared for the reali es of surgical risk. Unfortunately, this is not something many clinics emphasize during consultaons.
A Cosme c Surgeon Is Not the Same as a Plas c Surgeon
Another crucial dis nc on many pa ents overlook is the difference between a cosme c surgeon and a plas c surgeon.
A plas c surgeon has undergone rigorous, specialized surgical training in both reconstruc ve and aesthe c procedures. A cosme c surgeon, however, may not have completed this same level of formal surgical training.
Before booking any procedure, one simple but essen al ques on should be asked:
Is this doctor a board-cerfied plas c surgeon?
Not a cosme c surgeon. Not an aesthe c prac oner. Not a nurse performing delegated procedures.
Pa ents should request the doctor’s registra on number with the Medical and Dental
Council of Nigeria and verify it independently. It is also wise to speak with former pa ents, research the doctor’s name beyond their social media pages, and review credible sources about their professional record.
If a clinic becomes defensive or resistant when asked these ques ons, that reac on itself may provide the answer about their incompetence.
The Healthcare System Is Not Always a Safety Net
Nigeria has many skilled and dedicated doctors. That must be acknowledged clearly. However, the competence of an individual surgeon and the capacity of the healthcare system surrounding that surgeon are two en rely different matters.
When complica ons occur during or a er surgery, the ques on is not only about surgical skill. It is about the system that supports emergency care.
What happens if complicaons arise at 2 a.m.?
What happens if the nearest ICU is already full?
What happens if an emergency blood transfusion is required but the blood bank is running low?
What happens if a pa ent must be transferred to another hospital without prior arrangements?
These are not hypothe cal ques ons. Families across the country have faced these realies in moments of crisis.
For those who have the financial ability to travel abroad for such procedures, it may be worth considering countries where hospitals operate under stricter legal accountability and ins tu onal safeguards. This is not because Nigerian doctors lack skill, but because emergency systems and medical infrastructure elsewhere may be be er prepared to respond when things go wrong.
The recent death that shook
Nigerian social media is not an isolated event. It reflects a pattern that has quietly repeated itself for years in private clinics across Lagos and Abuja highrisk procedures performed in se ngs that may lack adequate emergency protocols.
Reports o en follow a similar trajectory: complica ons arise, urgent financial demands emerge during the crisis, pa ents are transferred to already overwhelmed public hospitals, and outcomes occur that should never have happened.
Regulatory bodies such as the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria and the Na onal Agency for Food and Drug Administra on and Control must strengthen oversight in this growing sector. Clinics adver sing surgical procedures widely on social media without visible regulatory scru ny should raise serious concerns.
This is no longer a minor regulatory issue. It is a slowmoving public health problem.
Women deserve the freedom to make decisions about their bodies. But true freedom requires full informa on.
When risks are hidden in fine print, when complica ons are quietly handled without transparency, and when accountability is absent, pa ents are le vulnerable. Informed choices cannot exist in an environment where cri cal facts are obscured.
Before Booking a Cosme c Procedure;
Anyone considering cosmetic surgery should take a few essen al steps:
• Confirm that the surgeon is a board-cer fied plas c surgeon with verifiable credenals.
• Ensure that at least three mes the quoted procedure cost is readily accessible for poten al complica ons and a ercare.
• Ask the clinic, in wri ng, about their emergency protocol and the hospital they partner with for ICU support.
• If the answers provided are unclear, incomplete, or evasive, consider walking away.
Wan ng a dream body is not wrong. The desire to feel confident and comfortable in one’s appearance is en rely valid.
But that dream should never come at the cost of safety.
Women should be able to pursue their goals and s ll return home healthy and alive. Those two outcomes should never be in conflict.
•-Olowu is the Founder, Her Future Path Initiatives