Ondo Monarch Killed as Bandits Strike Akure North

Oba Kehinde Falodun, the traditional ruler of Agamọ Community in Akure North Local Government Area, has been killed following a violent bandit attack on his palace, escalating concerns over rising insecurity in Ondo State.

According to community and security sources, the incident occurred on Wednesday evening when armed men invaded the monarch’s residence in what was described as an attempted kidnapping. Residents said the attackers operated in numbers, causing panic within the community and surrounding villages.

The traditional ruler was later found dead close to the palace, prompting immediate intervention by security agencies. The Ondo State Police Command confirmed the incident and said a full investigation had commenced.

Police spokesperson Abayomi Jimoh said operatives were swiftly deployed to the area, with tactical teams working alongside local security outfits to track the suspects. He added that surveillance and patrols have been intensified to prevent further attacks and restore calm.

Security operatives from the police, local hunters, vigilantes, and Ondo State Security Network Agency (Amotekun) were involved in combing nearby bushes and forest corridors believed to serve as escape routes for criminal gangs.

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The killing has triggered widespread condemnation from residents and traditional leaders, who described the attack as a grave threat to grassroots leadership and a sign of worsening rural insecurity.

The incident comes amid a spate of violent crimes in Akure North, including recent abductions and armed raids that have unsettled communities and disrupted farming and trading activities. Residents are now calling for sustained military-style operations, improved intelligence gathering, and a stronger security presence in forest-bordering settlements.

Why Akure North Is Under Threat

Akure North Local Government Area, which surrounds the Ondo State capital, is largely rural and dotted with thick forests, farmlands, and isolated communities. These geographic features have increasingly been exploited by bandits and kidnappers, who use forest routes to launch attacks and evade arrest.

In recent months, Akure North has recorded:

• Kidnappings for ransom, including the abduction of residents from farming communities
• Attacks on villages near forest boundaries
• Arrests of suspected bandits following joint operations by security agencies

Despite periodic arrests, residents say criminal groups often regroup and return, raising concerns about porous security coverage and the need for long-term security infrastructure, including permanent patrol bases and aerial surveillance.

The killing of a sitting monarch has intensified calls for federal intervention, as community leaders warn that continued attacks could undermine local governance, traditional institutions, and economic activities in the area.

Ondo Monarch Killed as Bandits Strike Akure North

Court Adjourns Trial of Ex‑JAMB Registrar Ojerinde, Others

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday adjourned the trial of former JAMB Registrar Prof. Dibu Ojerinde, his children, and several corporate entities on charges of official corruption and abuse of office until April 30, 2026.

The matter was before Justice Mohammed Umar, but proceedings could not take place due to the judge’s absence on another official assignment. Consequently, the case was rescheduled for later in April.

Prof. Ojerinde, who previously served as Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), is being prosecuted alongside four of his children — Mary Ojerinde, Olumide Ojerinde, Adebayo Ojerinde, and Oluwaseun Ojerinde — as well as six companies linked to him.

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The companies named as co‑defendants in the case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/119/2023, are: Doyin Ogbohi Petroleum Limited, Cheng Marbles Limited, Sapati International Schools Limited, Trillium Learning Centre Limited, Standout Institutes Limited, and Esli Perfect Security Printers Limited.

The charges were filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and relate to alleged corruption and abuse of office during Prof. Ojerinde’s tenure as JAMB Registrar.

In addition to the current corruption trial, Ojerinde is facing a separate 18‑count charge alleging the diversion of funds during his time as Registrar of the National Examinations Council (NECO) and later at JAMB. That matter is before a sister Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, and is scheduled to resume on March 25, 2026.

Legal experts say the multiplicity of charges reflects increased enforcement efforts by anti‑corruption agencies against high‑profile public officials accused of financial misconduct. Ojerinde’s legal team had sought additional time to prepare their defence, a request accommodated by the court’s adjournment.

The adjournment comes amid heightened public interest in accountability within Nigeria’s public institutions, particularly concerning the management of examination bodies and the oversight of funds in federally funded agencies.

Observers note that the outcome of the Ojerinde trials could set an important precedent for prosecuting alleged financial crimes by senior public servants, especially where family members and associated businesses are implicated.

Court Adjourns Trial of Ex‑JAMB Registrar Ojerinde, Others

Troops Kill Five Kidnappers, Rescue Abducted Woman

Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have successfully neutralised five suspected kidnappers and rescued a woman who had been abducted in Plateau State, security officials confirmed on Wednesday. The operation, described as intelligence‑driven, took place at a criminal hideout in Angwan Boka, Sopp District, within the Riyom Local Government Area.

According to Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, spokesman for the Joint Military Task Force, the raid was prompted by actionable intelligence provided by two individuals apprehended on February 16, who were later identified as members of a local kidnapping syndicate. Troops swiftly mobilised to the hideout, where they engaged the kidnappers in a firefight, resulting in the death of five suspects and the safe rescue of the victim, identified as Hauwa Suleiman. She was found unharmed and has since been reunited with her family.

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During the operation, security forces also recovered evidence linking the suspects to criminal activities, including three mobile phones, ₦17,600 in cash, and substances suspected to be illegal drugs. Captain Oteh emphasised the importance of community cooperation in fighting crime, urging residents to provide credible information that would help security agencies locate and dismantle criminal networks. “Even though we will do our best, with credible and actionable information, we can know where criminal elements are and deal with them so that there will be peace,” he said.

Community members, including John Mairiga of Riyom, attested to the success of the raid and praised the troops for their swift intervention. Authorities described the operation as part of ongoing efforts to combat kidnapping, banditry, and violent crime across Plateau State and the broader Middle Belt region. The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that citizens can return to their farms and businesses without fear of attacks.

The operation underscores the growing effectiveness of intelligence‑led military operations in tackling organised crime in Nigeria and highlights the critical role of community engagement in supporting security agencies. Residents are encouraged to continue providing information to security operatives to sustain the momentum of peace and stability across affected areas.

Troops Kill Five Kidnappers, Rescue Abducted Woman