Connect with us

News

Over a Month and a Half After Abduction in Kwara, Oba Aweda of Olayinka Community Still in Bandit Captivity

Published

on

Over a Month and a Half After Abduction in Kwara, Oba Aweda of Olayinka Community Still in Bandit Captivity

By:Bodunrin Kayode

Over a month and a half after the traditional ruler of Olayinka community of Kwara state Oba Salman Aweda was abducted by dangerously armed bandits on the 18th of April this year, the security agencies are yet to bring him back home.

The attackers had stormed the palace of the monarch on that fateful morning of the 18th of April at about 1.40 am grabbing him, his wife and brother with the intention of dragging them into the bowels of the savannah.

The 10 heavily armed criminals surrounded the Palace in a commando styled attack firing shots at random to render messages of resistance to nearby hunters and picked the three of them out of the palace with intention to make money as they are known for.

Days after the traditional ruler was abducted from his palace by the bandits who have kept them in the bush in captivity a bounty of N400m was placed on his head.

On that fateful dark morning of the abduction of the monarch, his senior brother who is a retired military personnel refused to follow them into the savannah barefooted as they demanded so they had no choice but to leave him along their trail tied to a tree at the mercy of the pitch darkness of the morning.

However, reliable sources close to the monarch equally hinted that Kabiyesi’s wife who is also the Olori of the palace was equally left behind by the bandits out of providence.

“They mercilessly beat up the Monarch’s brother before tying him to a tree where he survived and was actually rescued by the villagers at about first light that fateful morning.” Said the source.

Meanwhile, the release of the monarch is actually tied to the payment of the 400 million naira demanded or a reciprocate commando styled strike into the savannah by Nigerian security forces to liberate Oba Aweda who is the only one they took away from Olayinka almost two months ago.

Igbomina/Kwara South Delegation Meets IGP in Abuja on Security Solutions

Meanwhile, a powerful delegation of Igbomina sons and daughters, alongside stakeholders from Kwara South senatorial zone, recently visited the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, Abuja, to register their concerns and to find lasting solutions to the rising criminality in the North and South senatorial zones of kwara state.

During the strategic engagement, frank discussions were held with the Inspector General of Police, Olayinka Disu, and agreements were reached on both sides on short and long-term solutions to minimize or end completely banditry and insecurity in Kwara.

Members of the high-powered engagement included DIG Umar Nadada, CP Martins Nwogoh in charge of Air-wing Operations, Chueze, a drone expert, and other senior management staff of the Police.

Others included Elder Olaitan Oyin-Zubair, Dr. Dele Gege, seasoned administrator and Acting Chairman of Omo Ibile Igbomina, Abuja Branch; Dr. Femi Atoyebi, former Director, NCC; and Hajia Risikat Lawal, former Council Boss, respectively.

Earlier, Elder Olaitan Oyin-Zubair commended the Police Management for caring for the security needs of Igbominaland and Kwara South citizens as a whole.

He declared that the Police had been more effective and on ground to fight banditry activities and other forms of criminalities, both now and before.

Elder Oyin-Zubair however appealed to the Management to do more in the areas of bandit attacks, where these notorious criminals have been using Igbominaland and Kwara-Ekiti axis as land mines to make their money.

He also went further to reveal the situation where ransoms were taken by some of the bandits, yet they refused to release the abductees, citing examples of Omugo 8 Abductees after payments of N20m, bags of rice, chicken, palm oil, motorcycles etc.

Elder Olaitan Oyin-Zubair, who coordinates the Joint Security Watch in Kwara South, explained that the mission of the team was to appreciate the efforts of the Police Management under IGP Disu as well as to assure the Police of continued support of the people of Igbomina, Ibolo and Ekiti of Kwara South.

“Whatever efforts we have made or will make will be to complement the Kwara State Government under Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, who is the Governor of Kwara State.

“As always, IGP Disu received us warmly truly at home with his Kwara brothers and sisters. His commitment to securing our communities was clear and reassuring.

“We are confident that the outcome of this meeting will translate to immediate action on the ground, including tactical deployments and technology-driven interventions for Igbominaland and Kwara South.

“We will keep our people updated as implementation begins. Visits continues to other security agencies.” Said Elder Oyin-Zubair.

The Nigerian government has been fighting a long battle with bandits and insurgents and have been relatively unable to end their atrocities which started in the northern part of the country before 2009 and now is stretching to the southern axis.

Calls for the increase of security personnel in the uniformed services which is grossly inadequate for over 200m people has equally fallen into deaf ears rendering residents helpless in the face of this lingering torment by cheap criminals in our bushes.

Desperate calls by concerned Nigerians for the speedy establishment of state police which would be populated by residents who know their terrains to fight back has also not been responded to by the National Assembly expected to tinker with the Constitution for its existence.

Nigeria with a population of almost 250 people is expected to have nothing less than a million federal and State police personnel manning the entire length and breath of our free for all borders where these criminals come in and go out with impunity.

Over a Month and a Half After Abduction in Kwara, Oba Aweda of Olayinka Community Still in Bandit Captivity

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Zulum Delivers Relief, Cash Support to 434 Ngoshe Residents Rescued from Boko Haram

Published

on

Zulum Delivers Relief, Cash Support to 434 Ngoshe Residents Rescued from Boko Haram

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Government has distributed relief materials to 434 indigenes of Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area who were recently rescued by security agencies after spending three months in Boko Haram captivity.

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum visited the victims in Pulka on Monday and directed the immediate distribution of food and non-food items to support their recovery and reintegration.

In compliance with the Governor’s directive, the Director General of the Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Alhaji Ali Abdullahi Isa, promptly supervised the distribution exercise.

Each rescued person received a bag of rice, a bag of maize grits, a mattress, a wrapper, and a shadda, while children received two pairs of clothing.

In addition, 208 heads of households received N50,000 each, fulfilling Governor Zulum’s earlier pledge of financial assistance.

Speaking during the distribution, the SEMA Director General said the intervention was part of the government’s immediate response to ease the hardship faced by the rescued victims.

“I am here at the instance of His Excellency, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, who was here some few days ago, and to deliver the items he directed that it should be given to you as emergency relief,” Ali stated.

The rescued individuals are currently receiving medical care and psychosocial support at a government facility. Upon completion of the rehabilitation process, they will be reintegrated into their respective communities.

The exercise was carried out alongside the Chairman of Gwoza local government, representatives of the Ngoshe community, and other officials.

Zulum Delivers Relief, Cash Support to 434 Ngoshe Residents Rescued from Boko Haram

Continue Reading

News

Democracy Day: Zulum gives 2 MRAPs, other logistics to Army, celebrates with IDPs

Published

on

Democracy Day: Zulum gives 2 MRAPs, other logistics to Army, celebrates with IDPs

By: Michael Mike

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, marked Democracy Day with the handover of two Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and critical logistics to the Nigerian Army, after joining internally displaced persons (IDPs) for a symbolic celebration and distribution of food items to 2,500 beneficiaries.

The armoured MRAPs delivered to the Theatre Command of Operation Hadin Kai on Friday are intended to enhance troop protection against improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and ambushes which remain a persistent threat in the fight against insurgents. Additional logistics include operational Hilux vehicles and motorcycles for frontline soldiers in difficult terrains.

Zulum also marked Nigeria’s Democracy Day celebration with Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at the Madinatu camp where he distributed food supplies, non-food items, and cash gifts to thousands of beneficiaries.

The distribution, held at the Madinatu IDP camp, served to consolidate Zulum’s resettlement gains. Over the past seven years, Borno State Government has successfully resettled more than 2 million IDPs in their ancestral communities in a dignified and voluntary manner.

“It gladdens my heart today, the 12th of June, 2026, to celebrate June 12th, Democracy Day, here in Madinatu Camp, the only formal camp that is standing inside Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, today, to the glory of God and the benefit of mankind, for the distribution of food and non-food items. Inshallah, this camp will be closed this year. This will be our last distribution exercise in this camp, or the second to the last,” Zulum said.

However, Governor Zulum used the occasion to announce a timeline for the camp’s closure. The governor ordered that Madinatu camp be shut down within one month, vowing to similarly close most IDP camps across various Local Government Areas in the coming phase of his administration’s resettlement strategy.

“Democracy must translate into restoring the dignity of our people,” Zulum told the IDPs. “Living in camps is not a permanent solution. Our goal remains to return every displaced person to their ancestral homes with security and means of livelihood.”

In addition to the food items, Zulum approved N50,000 each for the 2,500 beneficiaries present at the event.

“Each of the 500 beneficiaries mentioned will receive a 25kg bag of rice and a 25kg bag of sorghum. Women will receive wrappers. I also promise to provide 50,000 naira to each beneficiary. This amount can be credited into their own individual accounts, inshallah,” Zulum said.

The exercise was attended by the APC’s State Deputy Chairman, Garba Mulima, APC State Vice Chairman (Central) Abdur Rahman Abdulkarim, Acting Chief of Staff, Dr Babagana Mallumbe, Member representing Jere at the State Assembly, Abba Kyari Kolo, commissioners and commissioner designates and several other senior government officials.

Democracy Day: Zulum gives 2 MRAPs, other logistics to Army, celebrates with IDPs

Continue Reading

News

Gov. Yusuf Commends DSS Over Arrest of Suspected Gun Courier in Kano

Published

on

Gov. Yusuf Commends DSS Over Arrest of Suspected Gun Courier in Kano

By: Michael Mike

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has commended the Department of State Services (DSS) for the arrest of a suspected gun courier intercepted while allegedly transporting weapons believed to be destined for criminal elements in Katsina State.

The commendation was contained in a statement issued by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Thursday, June 12, 2026.

Governor Yusuf described the operation as a major breakthrough in the ongoing fight against banditry, terrorism and other violent crimes threatening communities across Northern Nigeria.

According to information provided by the DSS, the suspect, identified as Muhammad Abubakar, 30, was apprehended in Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State while allegedly transporting four rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) tubes, three AK-47 rifles and two empty magazines to Funtua in Katsina State.

Preliminary investigations reportedly revealed that the suspect collected the weapons from an individual identified as Bello in the Maigatari border area of Jigawa State and was expected to receive N450,000 upon successful delivery of the arms.

Governor Yusuf praised the professionalism, vigilance and intelligence-driven approach of DSS operatives, noting that the timely interception prevented the weapons from falling into the hands of bandits and other criminal groups.

He said the operation underscored the critical role of intelligence gathering and effective collaboration among security agencies in tackling emerging security threats across the country.

The governor reaffirmed the commitment of the Kano State Government to supporting security agencies through sustained cooperation, logistics assistance and policies aimed at strengthening public safety throughout the state.

He also urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing credible information to security agencies to aid efforts to combat crime and maintain peace.

Governor Yusuf expressed confidence that ongoing investigations would lead to the arrest and prosecution of all individuals connected to the alleged arms trafficking network.

The statement was signed by Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Director General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Kano.

Gov. Yusuf Commends DSS Over Arrest of Suspected Gun Courier in Kano

Continue Reading

Trending

Verified by MonsterInsights