Police arrest four over killing of worshipper in Osogbo mosque in Osun

By: Zagazola Makama

The Osun State Police Command says it has arrested four suspects in connection with the murder of a 35-year-old worshipper, Ahmed Najeem, who was attacked at the Ummu Hanni Adigun Central Mosque in Osogbo.

Zagazola Makama report that the suspects were arrested following intelligence-led investigations by the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID).

The sources said that the suspects as Abdulgafar Sakariyah (51), Kosamot Hakeem (50), Folorunsho Mukaila (57) and Sakariyau Hafeez (45).

The command said the arrests followed a review of CCTV footage from the mosque, which contradicted the suspects’ initial denials.

“Though the suspects initially denied the offence, they later confessed after the CCTV footage from the mosque was reviewed,” the sources stated.

According to the police, items recovered from the suspects include ten mosque donation boxes, three planks and a metal microphone stand, believed to have been used during the attack.

The killing occurred on Jan. 30, 2026, when the victim was attacked while worshipping at the mosque in the Ayedun Ogo Oluwa area of Osogbo.

The remains of the deceased have been evacuated and deposited at the UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital Morgue, where an autopsy has been conducted. The police said the autopsy report is being awaited.

The command added that other suspects mentioned in the course of investigation are still at large, while efforts are ongoing to track and arrest them.

It assured the public of its commitment to ensuring that all those involved in the crime are brought to justice.

Police arrest four over killing of worshipper in Osogbo mosque in Osun

Gunmen attack Fulani settlement in Niger, rustle 200 sheep, injure herder

By: Zagazola Makama

Unidentified armed men have attacked a Fulani temporary settlement along the Kontagora–Makera Road in Niger State, rustling about 200 sheep and injuring a herder in the process.

Zagazola gathered that the incident occurred at about 11 p.m. on Feb. 2.

Sources said that the attack was reported at about 8:30 a.m. on Feb. 3 by the District Head (Sarkin-Udawa), Mallam Mustapha Sani, at the ‘B’ Division Police Station in Kontagora.

According to the sources, the gunmen stormed the Fulani settlement and opened fire, shooting Dahiru Daudu, a 44-year-old man from Gada Local Government Area of Sokoto State, on the hand before making away with about 200 sheep.

“Upon receipt of the report, security forces visited the scene, and the injured victim was rushed to General Hospital, Kontagora, where he is currently responding to treatment,” the sources stated.

The sources said investigations had commenced to track down the attackers and recover the stolen livestock.

Residents have been urged to remain vigilant and to promptly report suspicious movements to security agencies as efforts continue to curb cattle rustling and violent crimes in the area.

Gunmen attack Fulani settlement in Niger, rustle 200 sheep, injure herder

Kwara reopens schools as security forces haunt bandits

By: Bodunrin Kayode

The kwara state government has directed that all schools across the State including the formerly besieged region to reopen from Monday February 2, 2026.

With the statement by the Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Dr. Lawal Olohungbebe, all schools formerly silenced due to the threat of banditry have since bounced back with activities since Monday this week.

The Commissioner in a statement made available to newsmen went on to state that “school authorities have been notified of the decision which came amid continuous security operations to neutralise all threats to the public institutions, including schools in the affected areas.

“The government deems the situation now to be a lot better than it was before. Even so, we continue to maintain vigilance,” the statement noted.

Meanwhile, security operations continue steadily to sustain the gains of the past weeks while the government builds community resilience along with the kinetic efforts.

This reporter recalls that schools were temporary closed down in kwara due to the daring rampage of terrorists which made the government to direct the closure of schools from primary to.the tertiary level.

Following the temporary shutdown of the College of Education Oro and the concerns people expressed over the issue of insecurity, the Olupo of Ajase-Ipo had summoned an emergency meeting involving the Oloro of Oro, Omo Ibile Igbomina, the management of the College, and representatives of the Kwara State Government.

The meeting, which was held at the Headquarters of the Omo Ibile Igbomina and chaired by the Olupo Oba Ismail Yahya Alebiosu, took briefings from stakeholders and the Oloro of Oro on the subject matter.

A statement signed by Bisi Fakayode who is the National President Omo Ibile Igbomina noted that the meeting had therefore observed and resolved as follows: That they commend the proactive efforts and approach of the government on the matter.

⁠That the government, in truth, acted in the best interest of the public and the decision, while painful, is proactive and inevitable in the face of the available intelligence that was communicated to the meeting.

That the school management was equally right in its assessment of the threat and its communication of same to relevant authorities.

That the current situation calls for calm and balanced assessment for residents to appreciate the weight of the situation and government’s decisions on issues of public importance.

That while they acknowledge the apprehension of members of the public on the issue, they urge them to remain calm and supportive of the government’s decision, which is the best in the circumstance.

That the closure was a temporary setback, which is a safer option than risking the lives of students, teachers, and other citizens to being cheap prey to bandits.

⁠That they sincerely express their profound appreciation to the Olupo and the Oloro for their fatherly roles in convening the emergency meeting in collaboration with the Omo Ibile Igbomina.

That they sincerely thank the management of the College of Education Oro for the mature handling of the situation, especially the proactive communication to the students and other stakeholders on the issue.

Kwara reopens schools as security forces haunt bandits