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Bandits Burn Niger Primary School After Collecting N10m Protection Levy
Bandits Burn Niger Primary School After Collecting N10m Protection Levy
- Gunmen emerge from Kainji Lake National Park to torch Central Primary School, Dekara, despite receiving payment meant to secure peace; separate attacks in Shiroro LGA leave one dead and another abducted
Suspected bandits have reportedly set ablaze a primary school in Dekara town, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, despite allegedly collecting a N10 million levy from communities in the area who hoped the payment would prevent attacks . The incident occurred on Wednesday when the assailants emerged from the Kainji Lake National Park and invaded the district headquarters, torching the Central Primary School, Dekara .
Residents told Daily Trust that villages and communities in Dekara District had recently raised and paid the N10 million demanded by the bandits after they threatened to attack them if the levy was not paid . The payment was made following assurances from the bandits that residents would be allowed to remain in their communities without further attacks .
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, expressed shock at the betrayal. “The bandits imposed a N10 million levy on communities in the district. The money was paid because they threatened to attack us if we failed to comply. But despite receiving the money, they still attacked the district headquarters and burnt down the primary school,” the resident said . Another community source added, “We contributed the money because they promised not to attack us again. Instead, they returned and burnt our school after receiving the levy” .
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In a related development, bandits reportedly launched fresh attacks on Dnakau, Lanta and Unguwan Kawo communities in Shiroro Local Government Area . Residents said one person was killed while another was kidnapped during the attacks. The abducted victim was identified as Moses Joseph of Unguwan Kawo, while Emma, a resident of Bagna community, was reportedly shot dead during the raid .
Efforts to obtain the reaction of the Niger State Police Command were unsuccessful. The command’s spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, neither answered phone calls nor responded to a text message sent to him as of the time of filing this report .
The attacks are the latest in a series of violent incidents that have plagued Niger State, one of the hardest-hit states by banditry in Nigeria’s North-West and North-Central regions. The destruction of the Central Primary School in Dekara adds to the growing toll on educational infrastructure in the region, where attacks on schools have become increasingly common as armed groups target educational institutions to spread fear and exert control over rural communities.
The fresh incidents have renewed concerns over the worsening security situation in Niger State, with residents calling for sustained military deployments and long-term measures to restore peace to the region. The state has witnessed numerous deadly raids, mass abductions, and extortion campaigns by armed groups who frequently operate from remote forest and park areas, including the Kainji Lake National Park, which serves as a hideout for bandits launching attacks on surrounding communities.
Bandits Burn Niger Primary School After Collecting N10m Protection Levy
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FRSC Confirms 15 Dead, 25 Injured in Enagi-Mokwa Road Accident
FRSC Confirms 15 Dead, 25 Injured in Enagi-Mokwa Road Accident
FRSC confirms Saturday evening accident along Enagi-Mokwa Road, blames overspeeding and wrongful overtaking
Fifteen travellers were burnt to death and 25 others sustained injuries in a fatal road crash along the Enagi-Mokwa Road in Niger State on Saturday evening. The Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in the state, Aishatu Sa’adu, confirmed the incident in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna on Sunday.
According to Sa’adu, the crash involved two commercial buses travelling in the same direction. She said the buses collided head-on after one of the drivers allegedly attempted to overtake wrongly at a bend, resulting in both vehicles catching fire. “Fifteen people were burnt to death in the crash, while 25 others sustained injuries,” she stated. The injured victims were evacuated to the Federal Medical Centre in Bida and the General Hospital in Kutigi for treatment.
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Sa’adu attributed the accident to overspeeding and wrongful overtaking, advising motorists to always maintain a good speed limit and avoid dangerous overtaking. “The accident was a result of overspeeding and wrongfully overtaking. I advise motorists to always maintain a good speed limit and avoid wrongful overtaking,” she said. The FRSC commander also urged commercial drivers to exercise greater caution when navigating sharp bends, especially during the rainy season when road conditions can become hazardous.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that the crash occurred at a sharp bend around Costain Duma, where the bus reportedly caught fire, trapping passengers inside. An eyewitness, Ahmed Ndagana, said the vehicle was engulfed in flames shortly after the crash, leaving occupants with little chance of escape. The tragic incident has renewed concerns over the dangers posed by sharp bends and difficult road conditions in the region.
It also highlights the persistent challenge of road safety in Nigeria, where speed violations and reckless driving frequently lead to fatal accidents. At the time of filing this report, further details from the police were not immediately available.
FRSC Confirms 15 Dead, 25 Injured in Enagi-Mokwa Road Accident
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Family Recounts Temitope Osoba’s Last Moment, Says Actress Repeatedly Predicted Her Death
Family Recounts Temitope Osoba’s Last Moment, Says Actress Repeatedly Predicted Her Death
Aunt reveals fiancé told actress she would die that day as family calls for police investigation amid conflicting accounts surrounding her passing
The family of late Nollywood actress Temitope Osoba has recounted her final moments, revealing that she repeatedly expressed fears that she would die on the same day she eventually passed away. Osoba’s maternal aunt, Pejuola Ogunesan, made the disclosure during an interview with actor Kunle Afod and another family member, Dupe, on Sunday. According to Pejuola, Osoba told her at a police station that her fiancé, Prophet Itunu Onadeko, had previously told her that she would die that day. The revelation comes amid controversy surrounding the circumstances of the actress’s death, with conflicting accounts emerging from the family and her fiancé. Temitope Osoba, a Yoruba Nollywood actress who survived breast cancer, died at the age of 40 on August 4, 2026. Her final public message was “Ogo Tuntun” (A New Glory), which she posted on WhatsApp.
Pejuola said she had been estranged from Osoba since 2023, when the actress left Evercare Hospital, Lekki, where she was receiving treatment for breast cancer, with Onadeko and actress Foluke Daramola. She explained that the relationship deteriorated after Osoba accused the family of taking her phone away while she was preparing for surgery. “She had told them that she didn’t want to see us because we collected her phone when she was supposed to focus on the surgery for her breast cancer,” Pejuola said. “We tried calling her and discovered that she had blocked all of us. Since then, I swore never to have anything to do with her again. I called my elder sister, whom she had also called, and we headed for the police station where she was.” When Pejuola and her sister arrived at the police station, Osoba recognised them and introduced them to the Divisional Police Officer as her aunties. “She (Temitope) would complain of not being able to sleep, seeing monsters and the fiancé. Now that Aunty Peju is here, she would die. She mentioned that the fiancé had told her that they would post her obituary that day,” the aunt said.
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The aunt further alleged that Osoba jumped out of a vehicle after officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority stopped another vehicle travelling ahead of them. Osoba told one of the officials that she did not know where they were taking her and demanded that they be taken to a police station. At the police station, Osoba allegedly made several allegations against Onadeko. Pejuola claimed that the prophet had relationships with multiple women and had asked Osoba to leave his home and pretend that they had ended their relationship for two months, which eventually led her to stay with her hairstylist. The aunt also said Osoba told her that she had suffered three miscarriages despite being advised against becoming pregnant within five years of her surgery.
Pejuola explained that Osoba had planned to visit a prophetess, Kehinde Osoba, whom she considered a family member, after being advised to seek spiritual help over strange dreams that had reportedly affected her ability to eat. However, when the family contacted the prophetess, she reportedly asked them not to bring the actress to the church, promising instead to pick her up after her programme. After waiting for several hours, the family found the church locked and the prophetess could no longer be reached. The family then took Osoba to another church, where prayers were offered after the actress became increasingly distressed. “She was just saying that the guy said she would die today,” Pejuola added.
Osoba later stayed with the family, but her condition continued to worsen. She made a social media post titled “Ogo tuntun” (new glory), sent messages to several people and complained of feeling uncomfortable. As her condition deteriorated, the family rushed her to a hospital. Pejuola said they were referred to the Ogun State University Teaching Hospital, but Osoba died shortly after arriving. “When we got there, they referred us to OSUTH. Suddenly, she just defecated in the car. Her head suddenly dropped. Before we could get to the emergency, she was confirmed dead,” she said.
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Prophet Itunu Onadeko, Osoba’s fiancé, has given a different account of events. In an interview with the Celestial Reality Check, Onadeko alleged that Osoba died at a police station in Ikorodu, Lagos State, and dismissed claims that she died from cancer complications, poisoning, or maltreatment. He said he was informed of her death through a phone call around midnight. “It was a random person that called me around 12 am that she died in a police station in Ikorodu,” Onadeko said. He said he did not know the particular police station where Osoba died but reported himself at a nearby station. Onadeko said Osoba had gone to see Mrs Kehinde Osoba shortly before her death. “She had insisted to see Mrs Kehinde Osoba, she also has a church, although she said she wanted to see me too. When they left for there, I told them that I wasn’t chanced to go that day because of church programmes,” he said. The prophet also denied allegations that he had access to funds donated for Osoba’s cancer treatment or used the money to construct his church. “It wasn’t my account they sent the money to, it was hers. And I didn’t use the money to build church as rumoured. What I know is that people gave her money including Mike Adenuga who offered her a cheque. I never had access to her money,” he said. Onadeko further denied claims that Osoba was prevented from driving her car, saying she drove it herself when she travelled to Iperu shortly before her death. He also revealed that Osoba struggled with smoking and said he had encouraged her to stop. He denied allegations that Osoba was maltreated before her death, including claims that faeces or urine was poured on her body as punishment for allegedly stealing biscuits.
Temitope Kofoworola Osoba was born on December 2, 1985, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, and raised by her grandparents after losing both parents at a young age. She began her acting career in 2005 after being discovered during a movie rehearsal in Lagos and went on to appear in productions including Gucci Girls, Igboro Ti Daru, Oogun Mi, Ifedolapo, and Accident. In late 2024, Osoba discovered a lump in her breast during a routine self-examination and went public with her diagnosis immediately. Her corrective surgery carried a price tag of N12 million, and actresses Foluke Daramola and Iyabo Ojo spearheaded fundraising efforts that helped cover her bills. She underwent surgery in November 2024 and announced her recovery in August 2025. In December 2025, she turned 40, describing the milestone as “a victory, a blessing and a reminder that miracles happen.”
The family of the late actress has announced that Temitope Osoba will be laid to rest on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at Saint James Anglican Church, Iperu Remo, Ogun State. The family has also requested that mourners wear white attire for the burial service. Friends and colleagues have announced a candlelight procession and artistes’ night tagged “An Evening of Love, Music & Memories” scheduled for Tuesday, August 11, at LTV 8 Blueroof, Ikeja, Lagos. Meanwhile, the family has urged the public to ignore rumors surrounding her passing and requested privacy as they mourn her loss.
Family Recounts Temitope Osoba’s Last Moment, Says Actress Repeatedly Predicted Her Death
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“President Eats Once a Day” — NRS Boss Dismisses Tinubu’s Extravagant Lifestyle Claims
“President Eats Once a Day” — NRS Boss Dismisses Tinubu’s Extravagant Lifestyle Claims
Zacch Adedeji defends President’s lifestyle amid economic hardship, says Tinubu does not live extravagantly
The Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) , Zacch Adedeji, has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu walks to his office and eats only once a day, while dismissing claims that the President lives an extravagant lifestyle amid Nigeria’s economic difficulties. Adedeji made the remarks during an interview with Channels Television’s Sunday Politics programme, while responding to questions from journalist Seun Okinbaloye about the lifestyles of political office holders as Nigerians continue to grapple with rising living costs and growing economic pressures. His comments come amid public debate over government spending and the perceived extravagant lifestyles of some public officials, at a time when citizens are confronting high living costs and other economic pressures.
According to Adedeji, Tinubu usually walks from his residence to his office and only uses a vehicle when he is heading to the airport. “Mr President goes from home to office on foot, not even driving except when he is going to the airport. I don’t know where you see the convoy. Before he became president, what is he riding?” Adedeji said. He further claimed that the President eats only once daily and had not travelled outside Nigeria in the previous three months. “What is living large? In the last months, he has not even left the shores of this country, trekking and working. If you go there now, you will see him review one document or the other,” he said.
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- Sanusi needs one point for first-class degree, Kano Emirate debunks viral claim
- Osun 2026: Oyinlola Leads PDP Heavyweights to Endorse APC’s Oyebamiji
The NRS boss was also questioned about reports concerning the number of Cadillac Escalades allegedly attached to Tinubu’s convoy. Responding, Adedeji challenged the basis of the concern, arguing that the President could afford such vehicles and should not be portrayed as living extravagantly because of their use. “How much is an Escalade that the president of Nigeria cannot afford? Please don’t embarrass this country,” he said. He further questioned how frequently the President attends social events, arguing that his activities do not suggest a lavish lifestyle. “So what is living large? The president eats once in a day. How many parties have you seen him at in the last three years? Tell me where you have seen him, whether on holiday or anywhere?” Adedeji asked.
His comments follow President Tinubu’s own admission in May 2026 that he had lost weight and sleep since assuming office, which he attributed to the demands of his reform agenda. Speaking after securing the APC presidential ticket, Tinubu said: “I know what it takes to reform this nation we met in tatters. If you lost sleep, I’ve lost some too. If you’ve lost weight, I’ve lost some too.” Critics have however pointed to what they describe as the disconnect between Adedeji’s description of Tinubu’s lifestyle and the visible security presence and protocol that typically accompany a president.
The discussion comes against the backdrop of rising food inflation at 17.52 percent and headline inflation at 15.91 percent, alongside a N70,000 minimum wage that many Nigerians argue is inadequate amid the current economic climate. The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) has warned that rising food prices continue to erode household purchasing power, worsen poverty and food insecurity, and weaken the inclusiveness of the current reform programme. Nigerians on social media have also reacted with skepticism to Adedeji’s claims, with some describing his comments as insensitive given the economic realities facing ordinary citizens.
“President Eats Once a Day” — NRS Boss Dismisses Tinubu’s Extravagant Lifestyle Claims
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