Osun APC demands probe of alleged N130bn Ede Airport project

The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has intensified its criticism of Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration, alleging corruption in the execution of the N130 billion Ede Airport project and demanding the immediate publication of all financial records relating to the controversial infrastructure development.

In a statement issued by the Osun APC Governorship Campaign Council, the opposition party described the reported increase in the airport project’s contract sum from N99.5 billion to about N130 billion as “criminal,” insisting that the state government owes residents a detailed explanation for the cost variation.

According to the APC, reports indicating that a significant portion of the revised contract sum has already been paid have heightened concerns over transparency and accountability in the management of public funds.

The party argued that the reported cost of the airport project exceeds the combined 2025 budgetary allocations to several critical sectors of Osun State’s economy, including education, healthcare and agriculture, raising questions about the government’s spending priorities.

The APC further accused the Adeleke administration of withholding key financial documents relating to the project, saying the lack of transparency has fuelled public suspicion.

Quoting from its statement, the party said allegations that the contractor handling the airport project is linked to a close associate of Dr Deji Adeleke, the governor’s elder brother, underscore the need for full public disclosure.

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“If the administration has nothing to hide, it should publish all relevant financial documents and provide a comprehensive breakdown of payments made on the airport project, the stage of execution, and the basis for the reported variation in contract cost,” the APC stated.

The opposition also alleged that the airport project could be politically motivated ahead of the forthcoming Osun governorship election, claiming it had received security reports suggesting that funds tied to the project could be used for vote-buying. However, the party did not present publicly verifiable evidence to support the allegation.

The APC maintained that any government confident in its stewardship should be prepared to subject its financial records to public scrutiny, insisting that openness is essential to strengthening public trust.

The latest accusations add to the growing controversy surrounding the Ede Airport project. In recent weeks, the APC has repeatedly questioned the project’s rising cost, the contract award process and the qualifications of the company handling the construction, calling on anti-corruption agencies to investigate the matter.

The Adeleke administration, however, has consistently defended the airport project, describing it as a strategic investment that will boost economic development, improve air connectivity, attract investors, create jobs and position Osun State as a regional hub for commerce, tourism and cargo operations.

Government officials have also dismissed previous allegations by the opposition, insisting that all infrastructure projects are being executed in accordance with due process and are distributed across the state’s three senatorial districts.

As of the time of filing this report, the Osun State Government had not issued an official response to the APC’s latest allegations regarding the reported increase in the airport project’s cost or the demand for the release of its financial records.

Osun APC demands probe of alleged N130bn Ede Airport project

Delta Police Arrest Content Creator Over Alleged Rape, Death of Nursing Student

The Delta State Police Command has arrested popular content creator Ifeanyi Ogbonna, widely known as ‘Odogwu of Asaba’, in connection with the alleged rape of a 20-year-old nursing student, Favour Agbro, who later died by suicide. The suspect, 40, was arrested at his residence in Asaba on Tuesday following a petition by Warri-based human rights activist, Comrade Israel Joe, who had been championing the case and demanding justice for the deceased. Favour Agbro, a native of Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, was a practicing nurse at Wingate Hospital in Okuokoko, Warri, where she was known as a dedicated and promising young professional. According to activist Israel Joe, she travelled to Asaba on June 1, 2026, after being invited by the suspect, who had advertised a training programme on how to monetise Facebook and TikTok accounts, a lure that tragically led to her untimely death.

Upon her arrival in Asaba, the suspect allegedly took her to a hotel room where he reportedly raped and physically assaulted her, turning what she believed was an opportunity for professional development into a nightmare of sexual violence. According to activist Israel Joe, the deceased had made it clear to the suspect via WhatsApp that she was a virgin and was not interested in any form of relationship, making her intentions clear before she even travelled to meet him. “She told him she was a virgin, ‘I’ve never slept with a man. Please if that is what you are thinking, I can’t.’ He entered the room, raped the girl despite her plea. The girl even never chop. Odogwu Asaba no give this girl food,” Joe recounted, painting a disturbing picture of the callousness with which the suspect allegedly treated his victim. After the assault, the victim allegedly sustained injuries and began bleeding, a testament to the violence she endured at his hands. She contacted the suspect, who reportedly sent her N10,000 while also intimidating her, adding insult to injury and further traumatizing the young woman. She returned to Warri visibly traumatised and disclosed the incident to her twin sister and mother, who were devastated by the revelation of what had happened to their daughter and sibling.

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The activist further revealed that the victim approached an activist in Asaba to report the rape but was allegedly told to “let sleeping dogs lie” because the suspect was an influential person, a response that compounded her trauma and left her feeling abandoned by those who should have helped her. This setback reportedly pushed Favour into deep depression, leading her to ingest a toxic substance in a desperate act of despair. After taking the poisonous substance, she was rushed to Wingate Hospital where she worked, but she was reportedly rejected there, a cruel irony that she would be turned away from the very place where she had dedicated herself to caring for others. She was then taken to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), but hospital staff were allegedly on strike and could not attend to her, further delaying the urgent medical attention she desperately needed. She was finally rushed to Capitol Hill Hospital in Warri, where she eventually died, her life cut short at just 20 years old. She was buried about three weeks ago, but plans are underway to exhume her body for autopsy as part of the ongoing investigation to establish the full circumstances surrounding her death.

The Delta State Police Command confirmed that before her death, the victim made a video recording in which she recounted her experience and the severe emotional distress she suffered following the alleged assault, providing crucial evidence that has aided the investigation. She subsequently ingested a toxic substance and died despite efforts to save her life, leaving behind a grieving family and a community demanding justice. Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, confirmed the arrest in a statement on Wednesday, providing details of the police response to the petition. He stated that upon receipt of the petition, the Commissioner of Police, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, directed the Area Command Effurun to carry out an immediate and thorough investigation, demonstrating the command’s commitment to addressing the serious allegations. “During preliminary investigation, the suspect reportedly made useful statements to the police, while further investigation is ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the case,” Edafe stated, indicating that the suspect was cooperating with investigators. CP Yemi Oyeniyi assured the deceased’s family and the public that the case will be thoroughly investigated and that no aspect of the allegations will be overlooked, offering a measure of reassurance that justice will be pursued. He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to ensuring that the investigation is conducted professionally and that appropriate legal action is taken in accordance with the law, signaling that the police are determined to see the case through to its conclusion. According to activist Israel Joe, the suspect did not deny the allegations when confronted with evidence during interrogation, a development that suggests the strength of the case against him. The case has sparked widespread public concern and renewed calls for justice over sexual violence and the protection of young women in Nigeria, with many taking to social media to demand accountability and systemic change.

Delta Police Arrest Content Creator Over Alleged Rape, Death of Nursing Student

APC Guber Candidate Sharafadeen Alli Gifts Brand-New Toyota Camry to Rescued Oyo Principal

The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, has donated a brand-new Toyota Camry to Mrs Rachael Alamu, the principal of Community High School, Esiele, Oriire Local Government Area, following her release from captivity. The presentation took place after Mrs Alamu and other abducted victims were formally handed over to Governor Seyi Makinde at the Governor’s Office in Ibadan, where the emotional reunion unfolded before officials and family members who had gathered to receive the rescued victims. Photos shared by Ibadan-based radio station Yes FM showed Alli presenting the vehicle alongside the member representing Afijio/Oyo East/Oyo West/Atiba Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Akeem Adeyemi, as the principal received the gift with visible appreciation and gratitude. The gesture has drawn attention to the sacrifices teachers continue to make while serving in vulnerable rural communities, with many describing it as a compassionate intervention that recognizes the dedication of educators who put their lives on the line in the service of their students. Mrs Alamu was among the teachers and pupils abducted on May 15, 2026, when gunmen attacked three schools in Oriire Local Government Area—Community High School, Esiele, and Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School, plunging the entire state into mourning and sparking widespread calls for improved security in educational institutions across Oyo State. The victims regained their freedom on Friday after spending 56 days in captivity, bringing relief to their families and the entire Oyo State community, who had endured weeks of anxiety and uncertainty over the fate of their loved ones.

After her rescue, a video shared online showed the visibly emotional principal asking security operatives about her husband and her vehicle, her voice trembling with relief and concern as she sought reassurance that her loved ones were safe. She later explained that she initially believed the police had recovered her car before learning that her abductors had burnt it, adding another layer of distress to the trauma she had already endured during the long weeks in captivity. Recounting her harrowing experience after being officially received by Governor Makinde, Mrs Alamu revealed the gruesome details of their 56-day ordeal in the forest, painting a vivid picture of the suffering and deprivation they endured at the hands of their captors. She disclosed that the kidnappers repeatedly forced the captives to undertake dangerous night-time treks through forests whenever they feared security operatives were closing in on their hideouts, subjecting already traumatized victims to additional physical and psychological stress. “When the place was discovered, we had to move, and that usually started around seven or eight at night. Sometimes we walked for three to four hours. That is why you see bruises on our bodies,” she said, explaining the visible marks of their arduous journeys through difficult terrain. She explained that the younger children were carried by the kidnappers, but older pupils had to endure the exhausting journeys, often falling multiple times due to fatigue and the challenging forest conditions. “The younger ones were carried, but the older children had to walk. They fell many times. It was very difficult,” she recounted, her voice heavy with the memory of the children’s suffering during those forced nocturnal movements.

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Senator Sharafadeen Alli, has donated a brand-new Toyota Camry to Mrs Rachael Alamu

Mrs Alamu also disclosed that the abductors subjected the victims to extreme cruelty to maintain silence and avoid detection, employing harsh methods to control their captives and prevent any attempts at escape or communication with the outside world. “Personally, I was not beaten, but some of the children were beaten. What they hated most was noise because they believed it could attract attention. The youngest children suffered the most. They would tie their mouths with pieces of cloth and beat them very well,” she revealed, describing the systematic brutality directed at the most vulnerable among them. The male teachers endured even harsher treatment during the 56-day captivity, facing additional restraints and harsher conditions than their female counterparts. “The men had it worse than us. They were blindfolded, handcuffed and chained on their legs,” she said, highlighting the gender-based disparity in the treatment of captives. Despite the harsh conditions and the constant threat of violence, the principal stated that none of the victims was sexually assaulted during the period in captivity, offering a small measure of relief in an otherwise harrowing narrative of abuse and deprivation.

During her emotional account, Mrs Alamu revealed that two teachers lost their lives during the ordeal, a loss that has cast a shadow over the relief of the victims’ rescue and reunification with their families. The mathematics teacher, Mr Michael Oyedokun, was killed on the second day of their captivity, while Deacon Esiyan Adegboye was murdered on the first Sunday of June, their deaths serving as brutal reminders of the kidnappers’ willingness to commit murder to achieve their demands. “There are times when we had hope that we won’t come out alive. Mr Michael was killed on the second day we got there. Deacon was killed on the first Sunday of June. They killed them purposely because they felt that would force the hand of the government to give them whatever they wanted,” she recounted, her words echoing the trauma of witnessing colleagues murdered in cold blood. The abductors also subjected the victims to psychological torture, repeatedly telling them that the government had abandoned them and was no longer interested in securing their release, employing mental manipulation alongside physical abuse. “Many times, they used fear to subdue us. At one point they told us the government wasn’t interested in our case anymore because they didn’t value us,” she recalled, describing the psychological warfare that compounded the physical suffering of the 56-day captivity.

Senator Alli explained that the vehicle donation was in recognition of Mrs Alamu’s exceptional leadership, resilience, and motherly courage during the traumatic experience, highlighting her role in protecting and caring for the abducted pupils throughout the ordeal. A statement on his campaign Facebook page read: “The donation was in recognition of the exceptional leadership, resilience, and motherly courage Mrs Alamu displayed during her traumatic experience in the captivity of her abductors. Her composure, strength of character, and unwavering determination in the face of adversity have inspired many across Oyo State,” reflecting the admiration many have expressed for the principal’s strength under unimaginable circumstances. The APC governorship candidate described the gift as “a modest token of appreciation” for her courage and a demonstration of solidarity with victims of insecurity, emphasizing that such acts of exceptional character deserve recognition and encouragement from public figures. The statement further noted that the gesture reflected Alli’s belief that “acts of exceptional character and sacrifice deserve recognition and encouragement,” positioning the donation within a broader commitment to honouring those who display extraordinary courage in service to others.

The rescued victims were officially received by Governor Seyi Makinde at the Governor’s Office in Ibadan, where he expressed relief at their safe return and reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to protecting its citizens. Speaking during the handover, Governor Makinde called on the United Nations and international human rights organisations to conduct a full-scale independent investigation into the abduction, describing the circumstances as “sufficiently grave and unusual to warrant independent scrutiny beyond our domestic institutions,” signalling the gravity with which his administration views the incident. The governor announced that the state government would immediately strengthen oversight of all access routes leading into and out of the Old Oyo National Park through adjoining local government areas, taking proactive measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. He also directed that the rescued pupils and teachers be reunited with their families immediately, describing the reunion as a critical step towards emotional healing after nearly two months in captivity, acknowledging the psychological scars that such ordeals leave behind. The BSA Diaspora Vanguard North America Chapter praised Senator Alli for his “swift and compassionate intervention,” describing the gesture as a reflection of true leadership, empathy, and commitment to the welfare of citizens. “Leadership is about showing up for the people, especially in their darkest moments. Barr. Sharafadeen Alli has demonstrated empathy, responsiveness, and commitment to the welfare of Oyo State citizens,” the group stated, commending the APC candidate for his responsiveness to the needs of victims and their families. Residents and stakeholders in Oriire Local Government also commended the senator’s gesture, describing it as a compassionate intervention and a fitting recognition of the sacrifices and dedication of teachers serving under challenging conditions, with many calling for similar support for the families of the two teachers who lost their lives during the kidnapping.

APC Guber Candidate Sharafadeen Alli Gifts Brand-New Toyota Camry to Rescued Oyo Principal