Muslim Group Condemns Demolition of Baptist Primary School 1, Idikan, Alleges Religious Bias - Newstrends
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Muslim Group Condemns Demolition of Baptist Primary School 1, Idikan, Alleges Religious Bias

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Mallam Ibrahim Agunbiade
Mallam Ibrahim Agunbiade

Muslim Group Condemns Demolition of Baptist Primary School 1, Idikan, Alleges Religious Bias

The Muslim Community of Oyo State (MUSCOS) has strongly condemned the demolition of Baptist Primary School 1, Idikan, describing the action as an act of injustice, religious bias, and a direct assault on public education and communal coexistence in Oyo State.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, an executive member of MUSCOS, Mallam Ibrahim Agunbiade, accused those behind the demolition of deliberately disrupting the education of children from the Idikan community, noting that the majority of pupils of the affected school are Muslim children from the host community.

Demolition

Demolition

Agunbiade described the school as a historic public primary school that has served Idikan for decades, stressing that its destruction goes beyond the loss of infrastructure and represents an attack on the future of vulnerable pupils.

The MUSCOS leader further expressed outrage over reports that the demolished school premises had been converted into a religious crusade ground, calling the development “morally indefensible” and a clear indication of religious marginalisation.

“A public school was demolished, yet the same space is now being used for religious activities. This contradiction raises serious concerns about the motives behind the demolition,” Agunbiade said.

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He argued that if the action was based on legal or ownership issues, the appropriate approach should have involved dialogue, due process, and lawful resolution, rather than what he described as forceful demolition followed by religious appropriation.

According to him, the incident threatens peaceful coexistence and deepens religious divisions in a state known for tolerance and pluralism, warning that no religious institution should advance its interests at the expense of children’s right to education.

MUSCOS has therefore called on the Oyo State Government to provide a clear and transparent explanation on how the demolition was approved, as well as to ensure full accountability for all parties involved in authorising and executing the action.

The group also demanded the urgent provision of alternative learning facilities for displaced pupils before January 5, 2025, the reconstruction of new classrooms on the demolished site, and firm assurances that public schools and public assets would be protected from arbitrary destruction or religious repurposing.

Demolition

Demolition

Agunbiade reaffirmed MUSCOS’ commitment to peaceful advocacy, justice, and the defence of the educational rights of Nigerian children, regardless of religious background.

“The destruction of a school is the destruction of opportunity. Society is poorer when education is sacrificed,” he added.

The Oyo State Government and the Baptist Church are yet to officially respond to the allegations at the time of filing this report.

Muslim Group Condemns Demolition of Baptist Primary School 1, Idikan, Alleges Religious Bias

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Amotekun Arrests 39 Suspected Terrorists Fleeing Sokoto After US Airstrikes

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Paraded 100 suspected criminals
Paraded suspected criminals

Amotekun Arrests 39 Suspected Terrorists Fleeing Sokoto After US Airstrikes

The Ondo State security outfit, Amotekun, has arrested 39 suspected terrorists who reportedly fled Sokoto State following the Christmas Day airstrikes conducted by the United States military in Nigeria’s North-West.

Speaking during the parade of 100 suspects across the state, Amotekun Commander Chief Adetunji Adeleye said the 39 suspects claimed to have relocated to the forests of Ondo State after fleeing the northern part of the country.

“A couple of days ago, 39 suspects were arrested, all claiming that as a result of the heat turned on them in the northern part of the country, they relocated into the forest,” Adeleye said. “We are still profiling them, and after profiling, those found with incriminating equipment and materials will be prosecuted.”

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The commander emphasized that anyone residing in Ondo State forest areas must obtain official permits, warning that the sudden influx of such elements raises serious security concerns.

Adeleye further revealed that synergy with neighboring state security outfits, including Ekiti, Osun, and Ogun, has led to significant arrests. Some suspects are still under investigation and were not paraded.

Regarding other suspects, Adeleye disclosed that of the 100 arrested, 61 were paraded:

  • 50 for general law and order violations
  • 2 for anti-open grazing offences
  • 6 for kidnapping-related cases
  • 3 for gender-based abuse and rape

The suspects ranged in age from 18 to 45 years. On the rape cases, Adeleye identified three suspects: 19-year-old Daniel Ojo, 33-year-old Usman, and 41-year-old Bejide, arrested in the Isinkan area of Akure, the state capital.

He commended Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for providing an enabling environment for security operations and thanked all state security agencies, including the police, civil defense, army, DSS, and local vigilantes, as well as the public, for their support.

Amotekun Arrests 39 Suspected Terrorists Fleeing Sokoto After US Airstrikes

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Malami, Son, Wife Remanded Over ₦Billions Money Laundering Charges

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Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN)

Malami, Son, Wife Remanded Over ₦Billions Money Laundering Charges

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), at the Kuje Correctional Centre, pending the hearing of his bail application.

The order also applies to Malami’s co-defendants — his son, Abubakar Malami, and one of his wives, Bashir Asabe. The directive came from Justice Emeka Nwite after hearing arguments from the defense led by Joseph Daudu (SAN) and the prosecution team of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), represented by Ekele Iheneacho (SAN).

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Malami and his co-defendants are facing a 16-count money laundering charge. According to the EFCC, the defendants allegedly conspired to conceal, retain, and disguise the proceeds of unlawful activities totaling several billions of naira.

The charges reportedly span several years and include the use of companies and bank accounts to launder funds, the retention of cash as collateral for loans, and the acquisition of high-value properties in Abuja, Kano, and other locations. Some of the offences allegedly occurred while Malami served as Attorney-General, in violation of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 (as amended) and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.

The defendants pleaded not guilty. While the defense urged the court to grant bail on liberal terms, the prosecution opposed it, citing the seriousness of the charges and the magnitude of the alleged financial crimes.

Legal observers describe the case as a high-profile anti-corruption trial in Nigeria, marking one of the most significant prosecutions involving a former chief law officer of the federation. The matter has been adjourned for the hearing and determination of the bail applications.

Malami, Son, Wife Remanded Over ₦Billions Money Laundering Charges

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Mrs. Regina Akume Urges SGF George Akume to Return to Christianity Amid New Marriage

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Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume

Mrs. Regina Akume Urges SGF George Akume to Return to Christianity Amid New Marriage

Mrs. Regina Akume, member of the House of Representatives representing Gboko/Tarka Federal Constituency, has publicly urged her husband, Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), to “come back to Christianity,” emphasizing the role of faith in his achievements.

The remarks were made during the wedding reception of the SGF’s son on Sunday in Makurdi, Benue State, and a video released by Idoma Television on Monday quickly went viral on social media.

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In the clip, Mrs. Akume prayed for her husband’s long life and good health while advising him not to abandon Christian values. She said:

“I pray that the Lord will increase his years and give him good health of mind and body and clarity in thinking and doing things right. And he should remember that he is a Christian, and it is Christianity that brought him this far… my advice to him is to come back to Christianity and follow the line of Christ.”

The call for renewed faith comes shortly after Senator Akume, a former governor of Benue State, married Zaynab Ngohemba-George, the former wife of Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife.

The union, publicly announced on December 26, 2025, via Facebook by a member of the Akume Dajoh family, was confirmed by Akume’s spokesman, Yomi Odunuga, who clarified that the marriage has been ongoing for over a year.

Zaynab previously married the Ooni of Ife in a traditional ceremony in March 2016, which ended in August 2017. The marriage to Senator Akume has stirred discussions online about faith, family, and the personal lives of public figures.

Mrs. Regina Akume Urges SGF George Akume to Return to Christianity Amid New Marriage

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