News
About 20 communities deserted in Kwara by fleeing residents from bandits
About 20 communities deserted in Kwara by fleeing residents from bandits
By: Bodunrin Kayode
About 20 towns and villages have been abandoned by residents in southern kwara state due to the heinous activities of bandits in the general area.
The residents had to flee their ancestral homes because the bandits who started pouring in from Niger state in large numbers were not just kidnapping them like animals for ransom, they shot at any living being that they sighted without mercy.
The attack reached a crescendo when even the armed vigilantes known locally as “ode” were not spared because most of them had inferior weapons to what the bandits were carrying to unleash their genocide.
Residents of igbaja town who spoke with this reporter on phone hinted that their ancestral home would have been the next destination of the bandits if not for the saving grace of the Army command which mobilized from Ibadan to save the people from these part of the state.
The bandits had had a field day of a large chunk of northern and southern Kwara before the timely intervention of the GOC 2 division Major General Chinedu Nnebeife and his troops.
Some of the names of these abandoned towns include: Ologomo, Ajegunle, Agban, Alebe Owode, Alasoro, Alawan, Bankole, Oreke,Ganmu, Babanla, Ayetoro, Budo, Arifowomo, Apata, Olosun, Oreke Isale, Sagbe, Olohun Tele, Oke Ode, Ilu Agunjin.
Investiagtion reveals that Kara markets are cattle markets mainly run by Fulanis as such a lot of the bandits use that market as the conduit to penetrate both south and northern kwara and end up killing people at nights.
The Chairmen of the 7 local government areas in Kwara state ( Yoruba Igbomina, Ekiti, and Ibolo) had earlier ordered the closure of all Kara markets in the southern senatorial zone but unfortunately the Olupo of Ajassepo
Oba Atoloye Alebiosu directed the reopening of the market in his domain which is the biggest one in the entire state and an incubating venue for the bandits.
Bandits and boko haram insurgents have been working jointly to destabilize the entire northern Nigeria starting from the north east where they have held sway for 16 years, moving to the north west and now the north central sending hundreds to their early graves.
The Governors forum in Nigeria have equally approved the creation of state police to enable them take charge of their states and police the several lacuna that the overstretched federal police cannot handle.
But politics and government red tape keeps dragging the implementation backwards with some antagonist against such a good policy claiming that the Governors will have too much powers which they actually need to assist the federal authorities fight back against such wickedness from these bandits and insurgents.
It is obvious that both the federal forces and police are very much over stretched with a total population of less than a million personnel and not being able to meet even 30% of their responsibilities to the sub nationals making it difficult for residents to sleep with two eyes closed in northern Nigeria.
If the sub regional State police takes off as alluded recently by President Bola Tinubu after some skirmishes by bandits in Katsina, every community of over 2000 residents in the country will be entitled to a major police division which the federal police cannot afford to give to Nigerians now.
The desperate imposition of forest guards by the federal government would then be permanently restricted to monitor most of our porous borders until the political leadership sees sense in building the much needed fence to ward off these foreigners who come in with their strange agenda aided by some unscrupulous politicians to destabilize the country.
About 20 communities deserted in Kwara by fleeing residents from bandits
News
Violent clash in Sabon-Titi area of Tunga Minna leaves one dead, several arrested
Violent clash in Sabon-Titi area of Tunga Minna leaves one dead, several arrested
By: Zagazola Makama
A violent confrontation among rival youths in Sabon-Titi area of Tunga, Minna, Niger State, resulted in the death of one person and the arrest of several others, security sources confirmed on Saturday.
According to sources, on Friday at about 8:00 p.m., a group of youths armed with dangerous weapons were sighted causing havoc along David Mark Road. Security operatives quickly intervened and dispersed the group.
However, at about 1:00 a.m. on Saturday, the same group engaged in a violent clash among themselves using matchets and daggers. Twelve suspects, including Ibrahim Musa, Abbah Hussaini, Babangida Gambo, and Abubakar Bala, were arrested, by the police and their weapons recovered.
Later at about 8:30 a.m., Bello Mohammed of Farm Centre, Tunga Minna, was found lying in a pool of blood. He was rushed to General Hospital Minna but was confirmed dead on arrival.
Sources said that preliminary investigations indicate that the deceased was among the suspected thugs terrorizing residents in the area.
Violent clash in Sabon-Titi area of Tunga Minna leaves one dead, several arrested
News
Young fulani man killed, six cows poisoned in separate farmland incidents in Plateau state
Young fulani man killed, six cows poisoned in separate farmland incidents in Plateau state
By: Zagazola Makama
A 25-year-old Fulani man, Yakubu Salisu of Tenti village, Bokkos Local Government Area, was killed in a violent attack, while six cows were poisoned in a separate incident in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State on Saturday, authorities confirmed.
According to sources , Salisu was stabbed at the back by yet-to-be-identified assailants suspected to be locals of Bokkos. He died instantly at the scene.
Before the attack, a farmer, Josiah Joshua, 28, said he reportedly confronted six herders rearing cows on his farm. According to him, herders allegedly refused to remove the animals and attacked Joshua, resulting in injuries.
In retaliation, Joshua mobilized his friends to attack Yakubu Salisu, stabbing him multiple times on his before and killing him instantly.
Local leaders told Zagazola that the claims by some parties suggesting the Fulani victims “invaded farmlands” are false and appear to be an attempt to justify the attacks. Investigations indicate both incidents were unprovoked and targeted.
The police, however stormed the scene, photographed the corps and later released to relatives for burial according to Islamic rites, as the family declined an autopsy. The Authorities said they have commenced investigation, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators.
Meanwhile, in Riyom LGA, six cows were poisoned in Kwi village without any apparent provocation.
Authorities have commenced investigations into both incidents, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators.
Security officials warned residents to remain vigilant and urged communities to avoid taking the law into their own hands.
These incidents illustrate the rising tensions in Plateau State, drawing attention to the need for swift intervention to prevent escalation of communal violence over farmland disputes.
Young fulani man killed, six cows poisoned in separate farmland incidents in Plateau state
News
Silent Changes, Big Impact: Adeola Ajayi’s Transformation of the DSS
Silent Changes, Big Impact: Adeola Ajayi’s Transformation of the DSS
By: Sunday Oladapo
Leadership in the security sector often reveals itself not through grand speeches or public displays of authority, but through quiet, deliberate decisions that gradually shift systems, culture, and outcomes. Adeola Ajayi’s stewardship of the Department of State Services (DSS) exemplifies this subtle but powerful form of leadership. Though he rarely seeks the spotlight, the changes unfolding under his watch are reshaping the DSS in ways that many insiders describe as the most meaningful transformation the agency has witnessed in years.
From the moment Ajayi assumed office, it was clear he was bringing a different kind of energy—one rooted in discipline, modernization, and strategic silence. Instead of sweeping pronouncements, he focused on strengthening the agency’s foundation: its people, processes, and purpose. And this approach, though understated, is now yielding visible dividends.
Reinvigorating Professionalism and Intelligence Capacity
One of Ajayi’s most significant achievements is the recalibration of the DSS’s intelligence framework. Recognizing that modern threats—from terrorism to cybercrime—require an intelligence service that is both proactive and technologically sophisticated, he initiated targeted reforms to upgrade analytical tools, digital surveillance capacity, and field operations coordination.
Training programs have also been revitalized. Officers are now exposed to global best practices in intelligence gathering, behavioral analysis, cybersecurity, and inter-agency communication. The goal is simple but transformative: build a DSS that can prevent threats before they materialize, rather than merely responding after damage has been done.
Ajayi’s emphasis on data-driven intelligence has contributed to more efficient threat assessment, improved crisis response, and a more agile internal structure that encourages innovation instead of outdated, rigid protocols.
Strengthening Inter-Agency Collaboration
A common weakness in Nigeria’s security architecture has been fragmentation—agencies working in silos, often competing rather than collaborating. Ajayi has worked quietly but effectively to change this dynamic. His leadership has fostered smoother cooperation between the DSS, the police, the military, and other national security institutions.
By prioritizing information-sharing, joint operations, and coordinated strategy development, Ajayi has positioned the DSS as a core driver of national security synergy. This shift may not be flashy, but its impact on operational success is already becoming evident.
Humanizing the Service and Rebuilding Public Trust
For many years, perceptions of the DSS fluctuated between respect and apprehension, largely due to concerns over transparency and human-rights practices. Ajayi has taken deliberate steps to address this by promoting a more professional, rights-conscious operational culture. Officers now undergo enhanced training on ethical conduct, community engagement, and communication.
While the DSS is not—and cannot be—a public-relations-driven institution, Ajayi understands that a modern security service must maintain a level of trust with the citizens it protects. His reforms are gradually helping to redefine the agency’s public interface, balancing its mandate for secrecy with an improved commitment to professionalism and accountability.
Internal Welfare and Institutional Stability
Security agencies perform best when their personnel feel valued, motivated, and well-equipped. Ajayi has strengthened internal welfare systems, ensuring officers receive improved support, clearer career growth opportunities, and the tools they need to perform effectively. This has boosted morale and reduced internal friction—two factors crucial for operational efficiency.
His quiet stabilizing influence has also brought a sense of predictability to DSS operations. Under his leadership, the agency appears more insulated from political turbulence, allowing it to focus squarely on its mandate.
A Leadership Style Rooted in Strategy, Not Spectacle
In a time when some leaders rely on bravado or theatrics to appear effective, Ajayi stands out for his disciplined restraint. His philosophy seems guided by a fundamental principle: a security agency’s success is measured in outcomes, not headlines. The calmness of his leadership style has enabled him to pursue reforms without unnecessary noise, distractions, or politicization.
And this may be the true hallmark of his impact—delivering change through consistency rather than controversy.
Looking Ahead: A Long-Term Blueprint for the DSS
If the momentum of Ajayi’s reforms is sustained, the DSS could emerge as a more modern, reliable, and globally respected intelligence service. His agenda sets a foundation for:
A culture of professionalism over patronage
A stronger intelligence-driven approach to national security
A more integrated and collaborative security environment
A service that balances secrecy with lawful, ethical conduct
A stable institution that prioritizes national interest above all else
His leadership demonstrates that meaningful reform does not always come with fanfare. Sometimes, it comes quietly—through silent changes that produce big, enduring impact.
In transforming the DSS with such strategic subtlety, Adeola Ajayi is not only redefining the institution but also showing that a new era of thoughtful, modern security leadership is both possible and already taking shape.
Sunday Oladapo is a public analysts from Abuja
Silent Changes, Big Impact: Adeola Ajayi’s Transformation of the DSS
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