OCTOBER 06,
More Nigerians Die Daily As Insecurity Worsens Under Tinubu
●Kwara, Kogi, Others Under Siege Despite Heavy Military Deployment
●Bandits Approach S/West As Govs Strengthen Measures
Kazeem Badmus
Hbehind a trail of bloodshed, fear and mass exodus of indigenes from several rural communi es.
●We Are Winning Counter-Insurgency War – Tinubu •Continued on Page
UNDREDS of Nigerians in different parts of the country again lost their lives as the worsening security situa on of the country under President Bola Tinubu’s administraon heightened in the last week weeks, OSUN DEFENDER reports.
From Kwara to Kogi, Kaduna to Abuja, Maiduguri to Yola, Sokoto to Borno, ci zens have connued to become so targets for criminals who have taken over the country, especially the Middle Belt, with several people being murdered every day alongside many who have been abducted.
Findings by the medium revealed that the increasing rate of insecurity in the country ranking from kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery, burglary and the sacking of communi es becoming the most prominent news
item.
Despite relentless efforts of the Nigerian security agencies to rid parts of the country where safety of lives and property are under a serious threat off criminals and protect ci zens, the situaon has plummeted, with more people being killed and abducted lately.
An analysis by OSUN DEFENDER showed that the month of September 2025, there was a no ceable spike in killings and abduc ons on villages across Nigeria’s Middle Belt and parts of the North.
The situa on has led to outcry from both local and interna onal communi es, with people now demanding that the federal government sit ght and ensure it performs one of its core du es as enshrined in the Cons tuon.
Kwara Bleeds As 52 Killed, Thousands Displaced, Communi es De-
serted
Once regarded as one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria, Kwara State has been in the eye of the storm lately as attacks on residents by bandits and kidnappers have surged.
In the last few weeks,
men of the underworld have targeted residents in the northern and southern parts of the state.
OSUN DEFENDER reports that at least eight local governments across the three senatorial districts of the state have been under siege as the
bandits caused havoc in communi es in the areas.
In the last few months, at least 25 people, including a tradi onal ruler, police officers, vigilantes and civilians have been killed, with several communi es and villages displaced.
The a acks have le
The latest tragedy struck on September 28, 2025, in Oke-Ode, Ifelodun Local Government area of the state, where armed men stormed the Ogbayo area around 7 a.m., opening fire on members of the local vigilante. By the me security
MONDAY, OCTOBER 06, 2025
More Nigerians Die Daily As Insecurity Worsens Under Tinubu
•Continued from front page
opera ves arrived, 12 vigilantes, including the village head of Ogbayo, were killed, while several others sustained bullet wounds.
According to the state police command, 12 people, including hunters, newly recruited forest guards, vigilantes, and civilians, were injured during the bloody incident.
A vic m of the a ack, who lost her husband to the incident was seen in a viral video beside two male corpses – her husband and his friend.
Speaking in the video, the woman said, “They have killed my husband and I cannot run from his corpse. I have no other person. He was coming home when they broke the glass of the vehicle he was in and killed him and his brother. They also killed 10 vigilantes and abducted a husband and wife.”
Just weeks earlier, on August 11, 2025, Babanla town and its surrounding communi es in the same local government were thrown into mourning a er bandits believed to number over 200 invaded the area on motorcycles.
In a coordinated raid that lasted nearly two hours, the a ackers stormed the Divisional Police Headquarters, looted shops in the market, abducted residents, and killed five people, including a police officer idenfied as Adejumo Wasiu.
- District Head, Residents Flee To Cameroon As Terrorists Launch Mayhem In Borno Community
Another state witnessing steady insecurity is Borno. Recently, Boko Haram insurgents have launched a renewed attack on residents of the state, with thousands now taking refuge in Cameroon.
Recently, Boko Haram insurgents a acked Kiwara, a border community in Gwoza Local Government Area, with several houses, including the monarch’s palace, burnt.
The District Head of Kirawa, Alhaji Abdulrahman Abubakar, as well as residents of the community, have fled to neighbouring Cameroon a er the a ack.
According to reports, large numbers of residents boarded trucks to seek refuge in Cameroonian villages, while others fled to Maiduguri, the state capital, and Pulka, a nearby Nigerian com-
munity where soldiers are sta oned.
The Chairman of the Kirawa Development Associa on, Yakubu Mabba Ali Kirawa, called for the urgent establishment of a military brigade in the area.
“I was informed that many of our people boarded trucks to Cameroon communi es, par cularly in one market there. While some returned to Pulka, a Nigerian community where there are soldiers.
Being a border community where it is just a river that separates us and Cameroon, we are reques ng the Federal Government to establish a brigade and increase military deployment,” he said.
- Sokoto Residents Cry For Help Over Deadly Bandits A ack
Residents across several communi es in Kebbe Local Government Area of Sokoto State have raised concerns over a surge in deadly bandit a acks, which have led to killings, abduc ons, displacement, and widespread fear.
The communi es, led by Alhaji Adamu Haruna from Kebbe town, while addressing newsmen last Saturday, described the deteriora ng security situa on as dire, warning that lack of government interven on might push ci zens to take the law into their own hands.
“Our lives are in danger. They have taken our property, our livestock, and now they have started abduc ng people,” Haruna lamented.
He added, “We’re no longer allowed to farm, and our belongings are being confiscated. People are ge ng desperate.”
In Dukura, a man was
reportedly killed for resis ng abduc on.
“In Dalijan, bandits drove away with herds of ca le, and later ambushed animals at a local watering point. The a ackers moved through mul ple communi es, including Ingushi and Gwalli, leaving destruc on in their wake before security forces could respond.
“People are living in fear. These criminals are threatening to stop us from harves ng our crops.
“There is another group called Lakurawa who everyone fears — their grip on the region is growing,” Haruna added.
- Arewa Defence League Chides Govt Over Insecurity
Meanwhile, the Arewa Defence League (ADL), has decried the spate of insecurity in the Northern region, calling on the government to rise to its responsibili es.
ADL President, Murtala Abubakar, stated this in a statement issued at the end of the group strategy Seminar at Arewa House, Kaduna.
The group said it has adopted the Kaduna October Declara on on the Rights of the People of Northern Nigeria.
According to Abubakar, the declara on was a result of extensive consulta ons with state coordinators, na onal directors, subject-ma er experts, and key stakeholders represen ng all nineteen Northern states.
The statement noted that the Northern region is beset by overlapping challenges in security, economics, and social cohesion which it said had formed a cycle of hardship and disillusionment.
“There has been a near-total loss of state control over violence, with rampant insurgency, banditry, kidnappings, and communal clashes. This collapse of safety is a profound failure of the state’s most essen al responsibility.
“Government exists to provide security, freedom, and prosperity for its people. The current system has not fulfilled this core func on, necessita ng a restructuring of priori es and decentraliza on of powers to guarantee effec ve governance and development,” the statement added.
Bandits Approach S/ West As Govs Strengthen Measures
With the events of the last few weeks, OSUN DEFENDER gathered that bandits are making moves to sneak into forests, in a bid to capture Nigeria’s South West region.
Security experts who spoke to the medium on condi on of anonymity alerted security agencies and the South West Governors Forum to beef-up intelligence around border communi es.
They also urged them to further extend the synergy between military, civil and paramilitary security ou its in their various states to ensure the safety of their people.
Efforts to reach the Public Rela ons Officer of the Eki State Amotekun Corps and Spokesperson of the State Police Command for comments on their moves on the matter proved abor ve as at the me of filing this report.
Interna onal Outcry
Amid the killings and a acks, United States and Canadian lawmakers, interna onal advocacy
groups, and faith organisa ons say Chris ans are being deliberately targeted, pressing for diploma c ac on.
US Senator Ted Cruz recently introduced a bill, “The Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025”, arguing that Nigerian Chris ans are “being targeted and executed,” and proposing accountability measures for officials who facilitate abuses.
Meanwhile, in Canada, former federal Conserva ve leader Andrew Scheer and other members of parliament have publicly condemned what they described as escalating persecu on of Chrisans in Nigeria, raising the subject in parliamentary fora and on social media.
These incidents were a ributed to heavily armed gangs, including Islamist militants (Boko Haram/Islamic States West Africa Province), bandits, and armed pastoralist mili as.
Military Fight Against Insecurity As Tinubu Vows More Clampdown
Military authori es on Saturday disclosed that the troops figh ng to rid the country of insecurity in September rescued 180 kidnapped vic ms (civilians), arrested 450 terrorists/bandits, and killed scores of terrorists, bandits, and other criminal elements.
Also, 39 terrorists surrendered to troops, while 63 assorted arms, 4,475 ammuni on, and 294 explosive items such as grenades and IED marking materials were recovered.
Speaking in Abuja, the Director of Defence Media Opera ons, Major General Markus Kangye,
said terrorist logis cs and communica ons materials, including hand-held radios, motorcycles, vehicles, and other items used in perpetra ng crimes, were also recovered.
“In the Niger Delta,” Kangye said, “troops of Opera on Delta Safe discovered and destroyed 41 illegal refining sites.
“Troops also foiled oil the worth over one hundred and twelve million, one hundred and seventy-five thousand, two hundred and twenty naira (N112,175,220.00), consis ng of 49,321 litres of crude oil, 6,970 litres of AGO, 1,900 litres of DPK, and 1,475 litres of PMS.
“Overall, troops recovered large quan es of various arms, such as automa c weapons, RPG tubes, machine guns, locally fabricated guns, and improvised explosive device-making material.”
Detailing the encounters, the DMO said, “Troops of Opera on Hadin Kai in the North-East sustained opera onal momentum by denying Boko Haram, ISWAP, and JAS terrorists’ freedom of ac on in the North-East region.
“Ground forces in conjunc on with the Air Component and Hybrid forces, as well as local security groups, conducted aggressive opera ons leading to the elimina on of several terrorists and their logis cs suppliers.
“Troops recovered weapons, dismantled their networks, and provided support for safe rese lement of displaced persons and unimpeded farming ac vi es.
“During the encounters, troops eliminated scores of terrorists and recovered arms and ammuni on, while their camps were destroyed accordingly.
“Relatedly, from 23 to 30 September 2025, troops conducted operaons in Mafa, Magumeri, Konduga, Damboa, Chibok, Kaga, Abadam, and Kukawa LGAs of Borno State, as well as Mubi North and Hong LGAs of Adamawa State. They also conducted opera ons in the Geidam and Nguru LGAs of Yobe State.”
In addi on, President Tinubu also while addressing stakeholders in Jos, Plateau State over the weekend said his administra on is winning the war against insecurity, stressing that successes achieved recently are pointers to his government’s determina on to end the menace.
•L-R: Former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja Arusa 1, Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, during a visit to the monarch in Ibadan recently
It’s Coming Home
•No Need for Complacency in the South West
RECENT events in Kwara and Kogi states have shown that criminal elements and insurgents have now strategized and are ea ng deeper into unclaimed areas. Of course, we have had warning signs in the past. A very sad and gory example was the a ack on a Catholic church in Owo, which le dozens dead. Till today, we have not had any thorough inves ga ve reports or tangible, comprehensive inves ga ve analysis of what happened on that horrible day. The governments of the South Western states, Edo, and Delta, as well as the country’s internal security landscape appears to be taken a different dimension , must now pay special a en on to the fallouts from the ravages in Kwara and Kogi. If we have not been proac ve before, we must really now be proacve. A decisive gain was made, and for this, eternal gra tude should be given to, in par cular, the late Governor Ro mi Akeredolu in Ondo state, in ge ng an agreement for the Amotekun corps. The operaon of Amotekun has brought both emo onal and opera onal relief to the landscape. We must now up the ante because it is clear now that the whole Amotekun framework must be revitalised in terms of training, equipment, opera onal strategy, and intelligence mechanisms. It is not out of hand or out of the ques on to ask how much technology is being used in the Amotekun framework. Are the Amotekun people allowed to use, for example, drones, which have now become an indispensable tool in the war against insurgency? How much training and technology have they been given, and will they now be given, in view of what is now appearing to be a deteriora ng situa on?
We must answer these ques ons because it is clear that Nigeria, in terms of its internal security mechanism, simply does not have enough boots on the ground.
We must break the mindset that we are figh ng conven onal warfare. In spite of what we have gone through over the last decade, there is s ll a mindset that we are in convenonal warfare mode. Unfortunately,
“The governors of the South West have been put on notice. We have no doubt that they will rise up to the task, but there is urgent work to be done and a unification of framework and purpose to contain the insurgency”
we are not. We are now facing a ravaging insurgency, changing tac cs all the me, without our having the boots on the ground and with a need to come up with a clear strategic impera ve to contain and eventually destroy the insurgency.
It is not going to be easy, but it will be done. We believe that the en re budget for internal security at the state level must now be revamped and made much more effec ve. The en re internal security budgets of the states in the south are largely shrouded in mystery. This is unfortunate because any budget that is shrouded in mystery is bound to become ineffec ve.
One problem with any type of warfare, both symmetrical and asymmetrical, is that warfare unfortunately leads to a framework in which people now begin to feed on the defense budgets, not to prosecute a war situa on but to feather their own nests.
A former President of the United States, President Dwight Eisenhower, famously proclaimed on his way out of office in 1959 that a militaryindustrial complex was taking root and that if not contained, could take over the en re defense structure of the United States with devasta ng results.
Unfortunately, the warning of President Eisenhower was not taken deeply enough, with consequently disastrous results, as the Vietnam War dragged on with defense industry contractors and assorted fat cats feeding on it. The consequences, such as the United States having to go off the gold standard, con nues to resonate nega vely un l today.
The governors of the South West have been put on no ce. We have no doubt that they will rise up to the task, but there is urgent work to be done and a unifica on of framework and purpose to contain the insurgency. It is clear that they are creeping down south, and we must now be proac ve and not just contain but also wage a counter-offensive. A s tch in me saves nine. Nobody wants this kind of situa on, but unfortunately, it’s here now, it’s threatening, and it must and will be contained and then destroyed.
The Discourse
Why Are Only Female Council Officials Dying In Lagos?
By Olufunmilayo Ojo, PhD
Tof deaths
Five women, Oluwakemi Rufai, Zainab Shotayo, Princess Oluremi Ajose, Basirat Mayabikan, and Adebimpe Akintola, have all died within just two months of assuming office.
Each was reported to have died a er a “brief illness.” But beyond the grief lies a bigger ques on: why is it only women? It is easy to dismiss the ma er as coincidence, but five deaths in such a short span, all involving women, is too significant to ignore.
This pa ern forces us to ask whether there are deeper issues at play, health, social, or ins tu onal, that uniquely affect female public officials.
Firstly, there is the stress factor, women in leadership o en face double pressure; the demands of poli cal office and the unrelen ng expectaons from family and society. Unlike their male counterparts, they may not always have the same support systems, and the cultural burden of “proving themselves” in maledominated poli cs can silently erode their wellbeing. Secondly, there is the healthcare ques on, were these women adequately screened before taking office? Were there systems in place to monitor and manage their health once they assumed office?
The fact that all were said to have died a er “short illnesses” suggests
“At a time when Nigeria is pushing for more women in governance, losing five female leaders so suddenly and successively sends a chilling message. If nothing else, it highlights the urgent need for stronger institutional care for female politicians, routine health checks, mental health support, and deliberate efforts to reduce the crushing weight of expectation”
that there may have been underlying condi ons overlooked or untreated. It raises concern about whether female officials receive the same medical atten on and poli cal protec on as their male colleagues.
Thirdly, we must confront the gendered reali es of poli cal par cipaon. Women in poli cs in Nigeria often navigate harsher condi ons, less access to resources, lower networks of support, and some mes even subtle hos lity in their workspaces.
Could it be that these deaths reflect, in part, the hidden vulnerabilies women face when stepping into posi ons of power? While there is no confirmed evidence of foul play, the op cs of this tragedy are troubling. Let us not shy away from the gendered nature of this tragedy, if five male councillors had died back-to-back, Lagos would be in uproar. Commi ees would be set up while inves ga ons would be launched. Instead, because they were women, their deaths are being quietly folded into the news cycle, treated as personal misfortunes rather than a public concern.
OSUN DEFENDER
At a me when Nigeria is pushing for more women in governance, losing five female leaders so suddenly and successively sends a chilling message. If nothing else, it highlights the urgent need for stronger ins tu onal care for female poli cians, rou ne health checks, mental health support, and deliberate efforts to reduce the crushing weight of expecta on.
Publisher – Moremi Publishing House Ltd.
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OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing House Limited, Behind Oranmiyan Building, Gbodofon, Off Gbongan Road, Osogbo, Osun State.
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All correspondence to the above email addresses.
The deaths of these five women should not simply be marked as unfortunate coincidences, they should serve as a wake-up call, if we truly value inclusion, then we must also value the wellbeing of the women we encourage into poli cs. Otherwise, tragedies like this will con nue to reinforce the silent barriers keeping women out of leadership.
•Olufunmilayo Adebomi Ojo , a Doctor of Philosophy in Mass Communication is a seasoned journalist and academic.
HE recent spate
among female council officials in Lagos State is both tragic and unse ling.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 06, 2025
Grief Deepens In Akinlalu After Amotekun’s Bloody Raid
Hafsoh Isiaq Sodiq Yusuf
FOR years to come, the sleepy town of Akinlalu, a small community in Osun State, and the Oyebamiji family may not easily forget the events of
•Tales of Sorrow: How Community Lost Four Promising Sons In One Swoop
•Survivors Lament Horror, Demand Unveiling Of Killers’ Identities
•Osun APC, Omoluabi Progressives Bash Osun Govt, Demand Full Probe
•As Adeleke Promises Justice, Sends Delegation To Akinlalu
Tuesday, September 30, 2025, when tragedy struck their peaceful existence.
Located in Ife North Local Government Area of Osun State, the agrarian community, known for its serenity and hardworking residents, was turned into a scene of chaos and bloodshed a er an alleged assault by operaves of the Amotekun Corps, leaving three brothers and another youth dead, with several others grievously injured.
The once-quiet village now bears the stains of sorrow with its air thick with grief, its silence broken only by the wails of mothers and the lamenta ons of fathers who watched their sons fall lifeless in a storm of bullets that no one saw coming. The bloodsoaked ground now stand as haun ng reminders of the horror that unfolded on that ill-fated day.
Residents said the a ack began without warning. On the ill-fated day, the sound of gunfire ripped through the s llness of the town, sending terrified villagers scampering into nearby bushes. By the me the smoke cleared, lives had been lost, dreams shattered, and a family reduced to complete shreds.
Eyewitnesses recounted that the operaves arrived in the community in a convoy, shoo ng sporadically. Some vic ms were reportedly chased, cornered and shot at close range. Others, in their desperate bid to escape, fell by the roadside, with their lifeless bodies later retrieved by grieving rela ves.
When OSUN DEFENDER visited the community, the atmosphere was heavy with sorrow and grief. The once peaceful and close-knit town had become what residents described as a scene of horror. Bloodstains marked the spots where the vic ms fell, and the air s ll carried echoes of panic and mourning. Women clung ghtly to their children in fear, while men stood helplessly, watching young lives cut short by those meant to protect them.
The pain of the incident is felt most deeply in the Oyebamiji family, where three brothers — Ibrahim, Ismaila, and Sefiu, who in their prime were murdered in cold blood. Their deaths have thrown the en re household into mourning, leaving their stepmother, Mrs. Fausat Oyebamiji, struggling to come to terms with the loss.
Speaking to OSUN DEFENDER , Mrs. Oyebamiji sobbed uncontrollably as she recalled the moments before the carnage.
“Ibrahim was humble, easygoing, and respec ul — every youth in Akinlalu knew that. He was a barber and had just returned home a er his father asked him to run an errand at the farm. That day, he gave me ₦2,500 for food for his younger siblings working on the farm,” she said, wiping her tears.
“Ismaila was a bike rider. He heard his brother had been killed and rushed to confirm it. But as soon as the Amotekun youths from our community iden fied him as one of the ‘Aro boys’, they began shoo ng at him. He tried to hide inside Pa Makanju’s house, but they kept firing un l a second bullet hit him. He died right there in front of Jelli’s shop,” she cried, her voice breaking with grief.
Her anguish echoed that of the Aro of Akinlalu, a community leader and rela ve of the deceased, who said the incident threw the en re village into panic.
“I was in my house when one of the boys, now dead, ran to inform me that Amotekun
opera ves were shoo ng at innocent people. Before I could make sense of it, we discovered that three of my brothers’ sons were already killed. The fourth person was from my mother’s side. It was chaos everywhere. The en re community was in disarray,” he recounted, his tone heavy with disbelief.
Survivors Recount Horror
Isiaka Adeagbo, one of the survivors, spoke from his hospital bed, with his neck bandaged and voice faint.
“We were in front of our house ea ng oranges when they came. They a acked us suddenly. One of them hacked me on the neck. We asked what our offence was, but they started shoo ng. My dad was hit by a bullet, and my younger brother was shot in the leg,” he said, struggling to sit upright.
Another survivor, Mrs. Ikeola Oyebamiji, a pepper seller, narrowly escaped death.
“I was a ending to my wares in my shop when a bullet hit me in the head. I fell, bleeding, before some people rushed me to the hospital. They claimed they came to arrest robbers, but there was no such thing. We are harmless people. We don’t want them (Amotekun) in Osun again. They are supposed to protect us, not kill us,” she said bitterly.
Background to the A ack
According to the youth leader of Akinlalu community, Musibau Adeboye, the violence stemmed from an alterca on between the Amotekun opera ves and suspected robbers believed to be sons of a re red soldier.
“We heard there was a robbery at Abaoba, near Akinlalu, involving the soldier’s sons. Amotekun opera ves went a er them but were overpowered, and their rifles were taken. They later returned with policemen, but the boys had fled. The corps then arrested the one boy’s wife and one of the mothers,” Adeboye narrated.
He added that despite his a empt to mediate, tragedy struck before peace could be restored.
“The commandant in Ipetumodu called me the next morning, he briefed me about the incident and we exchanged contact with the hope that I’ll make my findings and give him a feedback. He assured me to carry on with my findings. I was s ll trying to make inquiries about the incident only for me to hear from the farm that there were gunshots in Akinlalu. By the me I got there, it was like a slaughterhouse — blood everywhere. It’s a day I will never forget,” he said grimly.
Amotekun Corps Reacts
In its immediate reac on, the management of Osun Amotekun Corps confirmed that three people were killed during a clash between its opera ves and suspected hoodlums in Akinlalu.
In the statement signed by its spokesperson, Idowu Yusuf, in Osogbo, on Tuesday, the corps said the hoodlums had ambushed its men who were responding to a distress call in Akinlalu, forcibly taking three rifles from them.
Yusuf added that a backup team sent to the scene was also a acked at Akinlalu juncon, resul ng in a gunfight that le three people dead.
“The incident occurred on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, and led to a deadly confronta on between the Corps and suspected armed hoodlums,” Yusuf said.
”According to official reports, opera ves were dispatched from the Amotekun Command in Ile-Ife following an emergency call from residents repor ng that suspected bandits had invaded local farmlands. Four operaves mobilised on motorcycles to address the situa on and ensure the safety of the community.
“Tragically, while en route to Akinlalu, the team was ambushed by armed assailants, suspected to be the same group terrorising the community. During the sudden a ack, two service rifles belonging to the Amotekun Corps were forcibly taken,” he con nued.
He further explained that reinforcement opera ves were deployed to approach Akinlalu peacefully, including plans to pay a courtesy visit to the tradi onal ruler.
“However, at the T-junc on leading into Akinlalu, the road was barricaded by the assailants, who immediately opened fire, triggering a fierce gun ba le that lasted over an hour. Despite the intensity, our opera ves successfully overpowered the a ackers. In the a ermath, three lives were confirmed lost, including individuals believed to be among the a ackers. Three suspects were arrested, while several others sustained injuries and fled the scene.”
Police Counter Amotekun, Pledges Thor-
•Mrs. Oyebamiji, stepmother of the deceased
•Adeagbo, one of the survivors at Akinlalu
Grief Deepens In Akinlalu After Amotekun’s Bloody Raid
ough Inves ga on
In a swi response, the Osun State Police Command countered Amotekun’s release, stressing that it was actually the corps’ officials that invaded the community.
The police statement signed by DSP Abiodun Ojelabi explained that the police, while assessing conflic ng reports from eyewitnesses and the security ou it, swung into an inves ga on on the ma er.
Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan also promised to nab all culprits in the incident.
“Informa on received from Chief Oyebamiji Kamorudeen of Akinlalu that, members of Western security network also known as Amotekun came in large numbers and invaded Akinlalu community with their two official patrol and one private vehicles in retalia on for the two pump ac on guns earlier allegedly snatched from their opera ves by yet to be iden fied person(s).
“During the invasion, they shot sporadically which caused serious bullet injuries on the following people namely: Adeagbo Kadijat ‘f’ 22yrs, Oke-Ila Oyebamiji ‘f’ 60yrs and Fayomi Toheeb ‘m’ 19yrs.
“It was further alleged that, three persons lost their lives during the shoo ng, namely: Ibrahim Oyebamiji (m), 26yrs, Sefiu Oyebamiji (m) and Abiola Olutayo (m) and their corpses were taken away by Amotekun opera ves.
“On receipt of the report, Police operaves swi ly mobilized to the area, recovered thirteen (13) expended cartridges, and evacuated the injured vic ms to hospitals for medical treatment. The situa on, which inially generated tension, was brought under control by the police as angry residents were persuaded not to take laws into their own hands.
“Given the conflic ng reports, the Commissioner of Police, Osun State Command, CP Ibrahim Gotan, mnips has ordered the immediate transfer of the case to the State Criminal Inves ga on Department (SCID), Osogbo, which is the apex criminal inves gave body within the state for a discreet and thorough inves ga on.
“All claims and counterclaims — including allega ons of murder, assault occasioning harm, gun snatching, wounding, and impersona on — will be carefully verified to establish facts and ensure jus ce,” Ojelabi’s statement read.
Osun APC, Omoluabi Progressives Bash Osun Govt, Demand Full Probe
Since the incident, various stakeholders in the state including poli cal and socio-cultural groups as well as those in the civil society have lampooned the state government which supervises the ac vi es of the Amotekun corps, alleging complicity in the crime.
In its opinion, Omoluabi Progressives described the killings as barbaric and showed lack of professionalism from the Amotekun opera ves, saying the Osun State Government should be held responsible for the incident.
Abosede Oluwaseun, the group’s Organising and Publicity Secretary in the statement also demanded a full probe into the case, advoca ng jus ce for those whose lost their loved ones.
The statement reads in part, “It is most disheartening that Amotekun security ou it established to safeguard lives and property could descend into such a level of indiscriminate violence against the very ci zens it is meant to defend.
“We hold the Osun State Government, under the leadership of Governor Ademola Adeleke, directly responsible for the misconduct of its employees. We, therefore, call on the government to immediately cau on its Amotekun opera ves, inves gate this heinous incident, and ensure that those responsible are brought to jus ce.
“The sanc ty of human life must never be treated with levity under any guise of security opera ons. To the good people of Akinlalu, we extend our hear elt sympathy. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who lost their loved ones, the injured, and all residents who have been thrown into fear and mourning.
“We demand that jus ce be served to those who lost their loved ones; that those who are receiving treatment in hospitals be given the best medical care; that families whose property were destroyed and looted by the rampaging opera ves be adequately compensated; and, most importantly, that the perpetrators of this heinous act be iden fied, prosecuted, and brought to book without delay.”
Similarly, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State berated the development, demanding the overhaul and restructuring of the Amotekun Corps.
It also carpeted the Ademola Adeleke administra on for failing to visit the affected community more than five days a er Tuesday’s extra-judicial killing, sta ng that such incidents affirm its posi on that the government is ready to unleash violence on its poli cal opponents ahead of the 2026 governorship elec on.
Osun APC Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Olabisi in a statement yesterday said,
“How could it take the state government five clear days to plan a physical visit to a part of the state, that is just an hour’s drive to the seat of government, where state agents in uniforms have been accused of shoo ng to death ci zens no fewer than ten in number?
“It is disappoin ng to note that Governor Adeleke only reacted, with a poorly wri en press statement though, to the gory incident at Akinlalu days a er he was called out by our party and prominent ci zens.
“We, as a party, are registering our dissatisfac on towards the extra-judicial killings of the innocent persons in Akinlalu for whatever reason and are calling for proper and me culous handling of the incident by the statutory security services.
“Our party now seems to have been vindicated given the fact that we registered our protest against the appointment of a controversial former Chief Security Officer of Governor Adeleke, Mr Adekunle Omoyele, as head of the Amotekun Corps as well as the mass recruitment of poli cal hoodlums into the supposed peace-keeping para-military security service.
“Under the leadership of the ruthless and pungently par san Omoyele, the Osun Amotekun is daily becoming a ready and willing tool for poli cal vic misa on and oppression.
“Therefore, for the people to regain confidence in the ou it, there is an urgent need for a dras c reforma on of the para-military force for it to operate with verifiable civility as it is the case in the other states in the SouthWest geo-poli cal zone of the na on, and this should start with sacking of the heavily indicted Omoyele and prosecu on of the Amotekun opera ves responsible for the pogrom in Akinlalu some days ago,” Olabisi stressed further.
As Adeleke Promises Jus ce, Sends Delega on To Akinlalu
Governor Ademola Adeleke has despatched top-level government delega on to Akinlalu over recent killings involving the Amotekun security ou it just as the state government has launched full inves ga on into the matter.
Governor Adeleke, in a statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, expressed deep shock at the deaths of some individuals from the town a er receiving a preliminary report from his Special Adviser on Security Ma ers.
Rasheed said, “A er receiving the preliminary report, further briefings were presented to the Deputy Governor by the security team with a State Security council mee ng now scheduled for Monday, to further deliberate on the issue and other emerging security threat in the state.
“Meanwhile, Governor Adeleke has vowed to dig into the root of the fatal encounter between the people of the town and the Amotekun security service, direc ng that a high powered delega on of government and service chiefs will visit the affected town a er the scheduled state security council mee ng on Monday.
“Those expected on the delega on includes the Special Adviser on Security Ma ers to the state governor, the Commissioner for Informa on, the Commissioner for poli cal affairs, the Commissioner for Transporta on, the A orney General of the State, the Special Adviser on Legal Ma ers to the governor and service chiefs of the various security agencies.”
A Community in Mourning
As the Oyebamiji family bury their dead, the people of Akinlalu are demanding jus ce. They said the killings were unprovoked and must not be swept under the carpet. The once peaceful community now stand with fear, mourning and the growing mistrust between ci zens and those meant to protect them.
•Gotan, Osun Commissioner of Police
•Akinboye, youth leader, Akinlalu community
MONDAY, OCTOBER 06, 2025
Ondo Residents Lament Continued Economic Hardship Under Tinubu South West
AS Nigeria marked its 65th Independence anniversary, residents of Ondo State have expressed anger and disappointment over what they described as worsening economic hardship under President Bola Tinubu’s administra on.
In separate interviews with OSUN DEFENDER, the residents said the government’s economic reforms have failed to improve their living condi ons, insis ng that official claims of reduced infla on and stabilised monetary indices are not reflected in daily life.
A trader at Owo Market, Mrs. Ajibike, said her business has been badly affected by rising prices. “Before, I could stock my shop with ₦50,000. Now the same amount buys less than half. Customers complain, sales are down, and profit is
almost gone,” she lamented.
A farmer in Akure North, Mr. Ibrahim Akeem, said the removal of fuel subsidy and the rising cost of fer lizer have crippled farming ac vi es. “Bandits don’t allow us to rest, and government support is not reaching us. Food will keep getng more expensive if nothing changes,” he said.
At the Akure Motor Park, a commercial driver, Mr. Tayo Adisa, said transporters are struggling to cope with high fuel prices. “We cannot breathe again. Petrol don climb too much. Passengers can’t pay the real fare, and at the end of the day, we go home with nothing,” he stated.
A civil servant in Ondo town, Mrs. Funmilayo Adeleke, decried the widening gap between stagnant salaries and the high cost of living. “Salaries have not increased but
school fees, food, and transport have doubled. We keep hearing about pallia ves, but ordinary people don’t see them,” she said.
A trader at Arakale Market in Akure, Miss Chika Abasi, lamented the high unemployment rate and worsening liv-
Adelabu Under Fire Over “E Mi Lókan” Declaration
MINISTER of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has come under intense cri cism following his declara on that it is his turn to become the next governor of Oyo State in 2027.
Adelabu, in a viral video released on Sunday, declared: “I contested in 2019 and 2023, so in 2027, E mi lókan (it is my turn).”
He claimed his ambi on was not for selfish reasons but driven by his love for the poor and a desire to improve the lives of Oyo people. “I have paid my dues,” he said confidently.
However, his statement immediately triggered a social media storm, with many Nigerians accusing him of arrogance, misplaced priori es, and failure to perform as Minister of Power.
One user, @Ivory ilips, fired back: “Fix electricity problem first.” Another, @ PeterLanlehin, wrote: “His E mi lókan mantra is stupid. What polical price has he paid to deserve it? Contes ng twice doesn’t make it your turn.”
@tobyy_ added: “Is he not meant to resign as minister before declaring? If he can make electricity stable, I no go mind.”
Others went further, ques oning his credibility and leadership capacity. @enythnn commented: “Adelabu should never be allowed near that seat. He’ll take us back to the Ajimobi era.”
Another user, @ Luiz_Adexx, said: “These poli cians don’t plan to govern well. They just want power because they believe it’s their turn. That’s why Nigeria can’t progress.”
For @talk2mark, the issue is about polical decep on: “If Oyo
people like, make dem go mumu vote for you. Dem go suffer for another four years. APC can’t fix anything.”
Many respondents also ques oned why the minister was focused on 2027 poli cs instead of delivering on his current assignment.
@deolar_zeal wrote: “The electricity you’re minister of is s ll epilep c. Fix that first before talking about ruling Oyo.”
Poli cal observers say Adelabu’s “E mi lókan” remark may haunt him ahead of 2027, especially among voters already angered by the lingering power crisis and economic hardship across the state.
ing condi ons. “No jobs anywhere. Many young people are leaving the country. Independence Day no longer feels joyful because people are hungry and hopeless,” she said.
However, an undergraduate of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Miss
Adeo Blessing, urged Nigerians not to give up on the country. “I s ll love Nigeria, no ma er what. Things are hard, but we must keep faith. Independence Day should remind our leaders that young people s ll believe in this country,” she said. Despite widespread anger over economic hardship, a few residents expressed cauous op mism that the government would eventually deliver on its promises and restore hope to struggling Nigerians.
Two Men Docked For Stealing Two Goats In Ekiti
TWO men, Oloso Bamidele Fa u (64) and Ishola Sikiru (27), have been arraigned before an Ado-Eki Chief Magistrate Court for allegedly stealing two she-goats valued at ₦200,000 in Aramoko-Eki
The police prosecutor, Inspector Akinwale Oriyomi, told the court that the defendants commi ed the offence in July 2025 within the Aramoko-Eki Magiste-
rial District.
He alleged that the two men conspired and stole the live goats belonging to one Mrs. Akinleye Florence.
Inspector Oriyomi said the act contravened Sec ons 302(1)(a) and 421 of the Criminal Law of Eki State, 2021. He added that the prosecu on had three witnesses, including the Inves ga ng Police Officer, to prove the case.
When the two-count charge was read to them, the defendants
pleaded not guilty.
Counsel to the accused persons, Barrister Michael Olaleye, prayed the court to grant his clients bail in liberal terms, assuring that they would not jump bail and would be available for trial.
The presiding Chief Magistrate, Mr. Abayomi Adeosun, granted each of the defendants bail in the sum of ₦50,000 with one surety in like sum.
The court therea er adjourned the ma er ll November 6, 2025, for hearing.
Nigeria Can Survive With Agriculture, Says Afe Babalola
ELDER statesman and Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Eki (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola, has declared that Nigeria can survive and thrive through agriculture if properly managed, lamen ng the growing laziness and indifference of many Nigerian youths toward produc ve engagements.
Speaking over the weekend, Babalola said the country’s increasing dependence on government pallia ves was a
dangerous sign of moral and economic decay.
According to him, many Nigerians now prefer collec ng free handouts instead of engaging in meaningful labour.
He warned that it is uncons tu onal for government to encourage indolence and begging in the absence of any natural disaster such as earthquakes or floods.
Babalola also cricised the a tude of some roadside traders who cut yams into small por ons for sale, de-
scribing it as an absurd and abominable pracce that undermines agricultural produc vity.
He urged tradi onal rulers and local councils to outlaw the act in the interest of food preserva on and discipline in the sector.
Babalola reiterated his belief that agriculture remains Nigeria’s most viable path to economic stability and youth employment. “If well managed, agriculture alone can sustain this na on. It is the founda on upon which all great economies were built,” he declared.
Taiwo Akinyemi, Akure
Abiodun Ogunrinde, IbadanFrancis
Adekunle, Ado-Ekiti
Francis Adekunle, Ado-Ekiti
•The Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun, addressing constituents during an empowerment programme in Inisa, recently
2027: ADC, EU Call For Urgent Electoral Reforms
HE African Demo-
Tcra c Congress (ADC) and the European Union Elec on Observa on Mission (EU-EOM) have called for sweeping electoral reforms to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy and prevent the recurrence of irregulari es witnessed during the 2023 general elec ons.
The EU delega on, led
by Chief of Mission and Member of the European Parliament, Mr. Barry Andrews, met with the ADC leadership in Abuja as part of the mission’s postelec on review visit. The mee ng focused on idenfying systemic flaws and recommending correc ve measures ahead of the 2027 polls.
The ADC delega on was headed by its Na-
onal Chairman, Senator David Mark, and included the party’s Na onal Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. Both sides agreed that the 2023 general elec ons fell short of public expecta ons and did not reflect the will of the people.
In a communique issued a er the mee ng, the ADC and the EU-EOM jointly expressed concern
over what they described as widespread irregularies, poor logis cs, and lack of transparency in the conduct of the elecons. They noted that the lapses undermined voter confidence and weakened the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process.
The ADC par cularly faulted the Independent Na onal Electoral Commission (INEC) for its han-
dling of the 2023 polls, accusing the body of failing to deliver on its promise of real- me transmission of results from polling units through the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal. The party said the discrepancies between votes cast and results announced eroded trust in the system and represented a major setback for democracy in the
Imole Wi-Fi: Osun Residents Lament Lack Of Access To Information, Poor Connectivity
RESIDENTS of Osogbo, the capital of Osun State, have urged the Osun State Government to provide more informa on on how the Imole Free Wi-Fi, which it launched recently, would be accessed.
Speaking with OSUN DEFENDER, the residents said they have not been able to fully access the Governor Ademola Adeleke’s highly publicised Imole Free Wi-Fi project.
The residents who noted that they were eager to enjoy the Imole Free Wifi, urged the state government to simplify the process of accessing the network.
OSUN DEFENDER reports that the inia ve was launched on September 8, with promises of boosting internet access for youths and businesses in the state capital. Government announcements listed hotspots across the city.
Speaking with OSUN DEFENDER, some shoppers at Osun Mall said it was their first me hearing about Imole Wi-Fi.
Others noted that even though the Imole Free Wifi was displaying on their phones, they were not able to connect to it due to a lack of knowledge on the process.
“We’ve not used any free Wi-Fi here. In fact, this is my first me hearing about it. I will be great if it is working oooo. I will learn more about it and hopefully, when I come back next me, I will he able to access and use it,” a shopper who gave her name as
Modupe told OSUN DEFENDER.
Another shopper, Lukman Idris while lauding the state government for the ini a ve, called for more informa on on how to access it.
He said: “It is a laudable ini a ve and kudos to the state government on this. However, the informa on on how to use the Free Wifi is not enough. The Ministry in charge should endeavour to provide more informa on on how to use it.”
At the Osun State Library, which was also ed to the government’s announcement, a staff member admitted that the Wi-Fi “comes on.”
However, a library user who spoke with OSUN DEFENDER said he was scared of using the Free WiFi because of the informa on he had concerning the requirements to access it.
The library user who does not want his name in print said he was scared of connec ng to the WiFi because he feared that the state government would have access to his data if he provided the required informa on for connecting to the network.
When told that the state government has explained that the request for NIN was a standard procedure required to align with Na onal Iden ty Management objec ves and to protect people from misuse of free internet access, and that people’s personal data cannot be stored or shared,
the library user said he was unaware of such informa on.
“I wanted to use the WiFi, but what I heard was that with the informa on we are to provide, the state government will have access to our data, and that is why I didn’t bother to connect to it.
“I didn’t know that they’ve spoken out on that. Informa on is key. It is only when the right informaon is out that we residents will know what is happening,” he said.
When contacted, the Special Adviser to Governor Adeleke on Innova on, Science, Technology, and Digital Economy, Mr Azeez Badmus,
said his office would con nue to sensise the residents on how to access the Free Wifi
Badmus said the WiFi is working at the announced locaons, adding that the state government is working to extend the loca ons to allow more residents to benefit from the ini a ve.
The governor’s aide also urged residents to listen to naysayers, parcularly the opposion people spreading misinforma on about the free WiFi.
Badmus said, “As a government, we will con nue to sensi se our people on how to access the Free Wifi. The
ini a ve is for Osun people and we want them to enjoy it.
“We will intensify efforts to let people know how to access it and I want to assure you that we are working on how to extend the loca ons for the WiFi so that more Osun people will benefit from it.
“Let me use this opportunity to appeal to our people not to listen to the misinforma on being spread around by the opposi on that the state government is saving their data. The NIN is to guide against the misuse of the free internet. Our people should connue to enjoy the ini a ve.”
‘We Have Executed Recommendations Of 2023 Education Summit’ - Osun TESCOM Chair
THE Chairman, Osun State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM, Comrade Tope Mustapha, has disclosed that the commission under his leadership has executed the recommenda ons of the 2023 educa on summit in the state.
According to Mustapha, TESCOM since he came on board has undergone radical transformaon.
He said the commission had also provided unprecedented salary increments and eliminated the psychological trauma of stagna on and deprivaon.
He made this known in a statement issued to commemorate the 2025 Teachers’ Day.
A copy of the statement made available to newsmen reads partly,: “As we celebrate Teachers’ Day on October 5th, 2025, I congratulate our noble and dedicated teachers for their reless efforts
in shaping the future of Osun State and the na on through educa on and character development.
“Under the leadership of His Excellency Senator Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke, the Execu ve Governor of Osun State, the Osun State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) under my selfless
leadership has undergone radical transformaon. We’ve executed the recommenda ons of the 2023 educa on summit, gazze ed by the execu ve council of the state, provided unprecedented salary increments, and eliminated the psychological trauma of stagna on and depriva on.”
country.
Senator Mark, in his remarks, described the performance of both INEC and the judiciary as disappoin ng, saying Nigerians were denied the assurance that their votes truly counted. He stressed the need for ins tu onal independence and accountability in managing elec ons.
To strengthen the credibility of future elecons, the ADC proposed a review of the process for appoin ng the INEC Chairman and Na onal Commissioners. The party recommended that poli cal par es with at least five elected members in the Na onal Assembly should be allowed to nominate candidates for the top electoral posions, rather than leaving the appointments solely at the discre on of the President.
The party also called for reforms in the judiciary’s role in electoral ma ers, warning that the courts must not override the collec ve will of the electorate. According to the ADC, where disputes arise over elec on results, fresh elec ons should be conducted instead of leaving the final decision to judicial interpreta on.
Other members of the ADC delega on included former governors Liyel Imoke and Emeka Ihedioha; former Secretary to the Government of the Federa on, Babachir Lawal; former Minister of Youth and Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi; Ibrahim Mani, and Chile Igbawua.
The EU team comprised Mr. Barry Andrews (Chief of Mission), Mr. Gau er Mignot (EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS), Mr. Ralph-Michael Peters (Elec on Expert and Team Lead), Ms. EiriniMaria Gounari (Elec on Legal Expert), Mr. Maros Gabriel (Elec on Administra on Expert), Ms. Laolu Olawumi (Programme Manager, Democracy and Rule of Law), Mr. Osaro Odemwingie (Poli cal Adviser), and Mr. Ruben Alba Aguilera (Team Leader, EU Delega on).
Both delega ons emphasized the importance of implemen ng comprehensive electoral reforms before 2027 to restore public confidence in Nigeria’s democra c ins tu ons. They reaffirmed their commitment to con nuous engagement and collabora on toward deepening electoral integrity and democra c governance in the country.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 06, 2025 VOL. 20 NO 48 www.osundefender.com, email: osundefenderbank@gmail.com
THERE is need to adopt Osun 2014 security architecture in order to restore peace to troubled local governments in Kwara and Kogi States. Intelligence reports confirmed that Nigerian security forces are currently engaging armed bandits and terrorists in Okunran, Okoloke, and Isanlu Esa, Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State. In Kwara State five local governments are under a ack by bandits.
There are reports that the opera on has recorded casual es on both sides, with several terrorists neutralized. This is not an isolated fight. The ripple effects are already being felt across the region.Kwara and Kogi States need Osun 2014 Security Architecture today.
Under the administra on of Governor Rauf Aregbesola, Osun State’s 2014 security architecture was known for its innova ve, technology-driven, and state-supported approach to comba ng crime. The strategy aimed to provide “home-grown solu ons” to security issues and was cited as a model for other states to emulate.
Key components of the 2014 security architecture included:
Aerial surveillance with helicopters: The state government acquired a French-made, six-passenger Eurocopter for aerial surveillance, rapid emergency response, and airliing medical supplies.
Provision of Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs): To fight, bandits, bank robberies and other violent crimes, the government procured and handed over sophis cated APCs to the state police command.
Enhanced police support: The Aregbesola administra on strengthened the Nigeria Police Force in Osun by providing crucial logis cal support, including patrol vans, communica on gadgets, and training.
Boosted community rela ons: The strategy focused on improving public trust and coopera on between law enforcement and local communi es to be er respond to cizens’ security needs.
Technology integra on: In addi on to physical hardware, the government explored integra ng Informa on and Communica on Technology (ICT) tools like CCTV, access control, and GPS trackers to aid crime prevenon.
Improved urban planning: A statewide urban renewal and structure plan was implemented, which included a comprehensive street-naming and house-numbering scheme to enhance loca on iden fica on for security opera ons.
Collabora on with vigilance groups: The state also engaged with and empowered local vigilance groups to assist the police, forming a community policing partnership.
President Tinubu and 36 state governors in Nigeria should as a ma er of urgency study and implement the Osun 2014 security architecture to tackle kidnapping and banditry. With the Osun security architecture, Governor Rauf Aregbesola purchased a helicopter for aerial security surveillance and presenta on of more sophis cated 25
“Osun 2014 security architecture did not left issues of security at the doorstep of the Federal Government but filled the gap between the security agencies. Aregbesola used the security architecture to equip and motivate the security agencies in Osun to stop armed robbery and other security challenges in the state”
By
INWALOMHE DONALD
Kwara-Kogi Banditry, Kidnapping:
Need To Adopt Osun 2014 Security Architecture
armoured personnel carriers (APC) to the Nigeria Police Force, a feat that has never been achieved by any government in the 36 states. The procurement of the helicopter and the APCs was the security architecture that par cularly drove away many undesirable elements from the state. I challenge any state governor to prove me wrong. The lesson from Osun 2014 security strategy is that former Governor Aregbesola strengthened the effec veness of the Nigeria Police Force, which required improving trust with local communi es and be er responding to cizens’ security needs. Doing so requires systemic reforms in governance and accountability. Tackling modern security threats in Osun, then, was directly ed with improving the governance and oversight of the security sector, especially the police, in Osun State. This is the security architecture President Buhari needs now in the North West and North East.
What then followed was the procurement of five sophis cated Armoured Personnel Carriers and 125 Patrol vans and some other security equipment to combat crimes that already had an established ground in the state. The impact of this was the reducon in the crime rate, par cularly in the state capital and some other major towns.
This was a feat that had never been recorded by any government in the state. The vans were distributed among all the security agencies, including the Army, Police, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Immigra on and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) amongst others.
The state government also subsequently inaugurated a combined quick emergency response team, Swi Ac on Response Squad (SARS) which comprises security forces like the Army, Police, and NSCDC officials whose ac vi es reduced crime rate to the barest minimum in Osun.
The procurement of a French Five-PlusOne passenger Helicopter for Aerial Security Surveillance and presenta on of another set of more sophis cated 20 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) to the Nigerian Police Force, was a feat that has never been achieved by any government in the state. The procurement of the helicopter and the APC’s has par cularly driven away many undesirable elements out of the state.
It was during the presenta on of the 25 APC’s in 2014 that the then Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, who was represented by the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of zone X1,
When Justice Bows To Power
“The one place where a man ought to get a square deal is in a courtroom.” – Atcus Finch, To Kill a Mockingbird.
ATTICUS Finch also reminded us:
“Thomas Jefferson once said that all men are created equal… but there is one way in this country in which all men are created equal—there is one human ins tu on that makes a pauper the equal of a Rockefeller… That ins tu on, gentlemen, is a court.” Together, these words underscore a meless truth: the courtroom is meant to be the great leveler, the one place where jus ce does not bow to wealth, privilege, or power.
Yet in Nigeria today, many ci zens no longer believe this is true. The legal profession, once revered as the guardian of jus ce, increasingly struggles under the weight of corrup on, indiscipline, and impunity within its own ranks. At the heart of this problem lies the failure to hold lawyers accountable for misconduct.
A growing menace is the filing of frivolous cases—claims brought not for jus ce but to harass opponents or delay out-
comes. These cases clog the dockets of judges, consuming scarce judicial me and resources that could otherwise serve genuine li gants. Closely ed to this abuse is the reckless resort to ex parte orders, o en obtained under dubious circumstances and weaponized to achieve what the law would not ordinarily allow. Such tac cs undermine judicial integrity and erode public faith in the courts.
Many mes judges get pilloried for delivering conflic ng judgments, especially at the appellate level; however, the lawyers who argue these some mes-absurd posi ons of law are not subjected to equal scorn, and neither are they ques oned by the Nigerian Bar Associa on. Worse s ll, the NBA itself has been reduced to a body that bites only when the lawyer in breach is deemed inconsequen al, but somehow becomes toothless when the lawyer is a man of repute and means in the profession. This selec ve discipline reinforces the sense that the rules are nego able for the powerful, while the weak bear the full weight of regula on.
Mr. David Omojola saluted the courage of the Governor in figh ng crime in the state, saying, the Aregbesola administra on has demonstrated high sense of responsibility in keeping the state safe in line with the dictate of his office.
Osun 2014 security architecture did not le issues of security at the doorstep of the Federal Government but filled the gap between the security agencies. Aregbesola used the security architecture to equip and mo vate the security agencies in Osun to stop armed robbery and other security challenges in the state. Osun 2014 security architecture will assist President Tinubu and 36 governors to checkmate kidnapping, banditry and other crimes. Osun 2014 security architecture will tackle terrorists in the North East, bandits in North West and Central. Nigeria has, in recent years, witnessed a rise in banditry across the country, including in the northwestern states of Sokoto, Zamfara, Kwara, Kogi and Katsina.
Osun 2014 security architecture developed comprehensive strategies and homegrown solu ons towards security challenges in the state. Osun 2014 security architecture developed a security plan to resolve challenges such as robbery, cul sm, drug abuse and arms prolifera on, among others. President Buhari should deal with corrup on in the security agencies, which engenders connivance with criminal elements, must be inves gated and appropriate sanc ons imposed. The na on is at a cri cal juncture and kidnappers should not be allowed to hold the people in bondage. It is not me for sermonizing but for the President to brace up to ac on sta on.
With virtually all criminal groups, Boko Haram, bandits, ca le rustlers, Fulani herdsmen mili a, and sundry criminal gangs, getng into kidnapping, the na on is ge ng dangerously close to a state of anarchy. The greed associated with kidnapping is exemplified in situa ons where some people organize the kidnap of their rela ves, while individuals even fake their own kidnap to extort money from rela ves, all in the craze to make easy money that kidnapping has become.
•Inwalomhe Donald writes from Osogbo via inwalomhe.donald@yahoo.com
The situa on is worsened by the conduct of “big wigs” of the Bar who, shielded by rank and poli cal connec ons, rou nely flout the rules of professional prac ce with impunity. When senior lawyers treat the rules as sugges ons rather than obligaons, they set a damaging precedent for younger prac oners and signal that corrup on pays.
For the ordinary Nigerian, these patterns are devasta ng. A common man who steps into court with hope o en meets endless adjournments, compromised processes, and a percep on that jus ce is for sale. The sense that “the system is rigged” discourages ci zens from seeking redress in lawful ways, pushing disputes into the streets rather than the courtroom. Discipline, therefore, is not a luxury for the legal profession—it is its lifeline. The Bar must show that no lawyer, no ma er how senior, is above the rules. Reviving strict oversight, punishing abuse of court processes, and holding prac oners to account are essen al steps if the courts are to remain places where the poor and powerful alike can expect a square deal. A society where the interest of the common man is secured is a society des ned for greatness.
OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing House Limited, Behind Oranmiyan Building, Gbodofon, Off Gbongan Road, Osogbo, Osun State. All correspondence to the Asst. News Editor, YUSUF OKETOLA, Telephone: 0809-301-9152. ISSN: 0794-8050. Website: www.osundefender.com Email: osundefenderbank@gmail.com, osundefenderhq@gmail.com
STRIKER Striker is not the opinion of the Columnist featured above