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Stay away from Ilorin, Islamic council warns Isese traditional worshippers
Stay away from Ilorin, Islamic council warns Isese traditional worshippers
The Council of Ulama (Islamic clerics) in Kwara State on Tuesday warned those planning to celebrate traditional religion or Ifa festival in Ilorin, the state capital, to retrace their steps.
The council warned that Ifa festival, under any guise, would not be allowed in any part of Ilorin Emirate, comprising Asa, Moro, Ilorin East, Ilorin West and Ilorin South local government areas.
The executive secretary of the council, Justice Salihu Mohammed made the position of the council known at a press conference held in Ilorin.
Mohammed, a former Grand Khadi of Kwara state Sharia Court of Appeal spoke on behalf of the chairman of the Council of Ulama and Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheik Bashir Salihu.
The Secretary who said that Ilorin, Kwara State capital was known as sanctuary of Islam for more than 200 years and renowned for Islamic faith, practice, Spirituality and Knowledge stated that the insistence of the youth wing of the International Council for Ifa Religion( ICIR) to hold their festival in Ilorin on August 20th 2023, posed danger to the security of lives and property across the state.
“It is in the light of this that we have found it extremely necessary to plead with the Kwara State government and all stakeholders to appeal to the ICIR and similar interest groups to stay away from Ilorin as available evidence convinced us that the staging of the event in Ilorin would have a serious negative consequence on the peace of Kwara State.
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“We are not unmindful of the pillage of aspersions and insults mounted on our father, the Emir of Ilorin and chairman, Council of Emirs and Chiefs in Kwara State, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari by individuals that are expected to know better, which are unfortunate, condemnable and inexcusable.
“We don’t think any individuals or group has anything to gain from destruction of the harmonious coexistence. The people of Ilorin Emirate, particularly the Kwara State Council of Ulama cannot be coerced by any person or group of persons claiming to be representing intellectualism or atheistic practices to destroy what our forefathers have fought for.
“As community and opinion leaders in our various places of abode, we are not unaware of the readiness of various youth groups never to allow the staging of the so called ‘isese’ festival anywhere in Ilorin .
“To them, such activities would pollute the peace and tranquillity of the community as it is also been seen as invasion and an act of cultural imperialism.
“We as leaders, see merit in the position of the Muslim youths. We sincerely believe that it is unwise and wrong for non residents of a community to forcefully impose imported thoughts or practices on their hosts .This is repugnant to natural justice and it will certainly lead to the brake down of law and order.”
“We must make it abundantly clear that we are not against the celebration of isese festival. What is important to let the whole World know is that we , the people of Ilorin, have absolutely nothing to do with it. We understand the motive of their sinister and abominable move but warn that Ilorin have moved on.
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“The Emirate might be a Yoruba speaking city, it must be realized that its present culture is no longer that of Yoruba, Hausa, Fulani, Nupe or any other, but purely an Islamic culture. We therefore advise that they should allow peace to reign across Nigeria. All we are saying is that it should not be held where the celebrators and celebration would not be welcomed. Ilorin is certainly not among the places that should be considered for such a festival if the organisers are patriotic and well meaning”, Mohammed said.
While appealing to Muslim youths and other stakeholders to exercise patience, Mohammed appealed to Kwara state governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, ” to direct all the security agencies in the state to take note of this threat to the peace and security of the state .A stitch in time saves nine.”
At the press conference were the Imam Gambari, Ajanasi Agba, Sheikh Yusuf Pakata, Professor Badmas Yusuf, two former grand Khadis, Justices Idris Haroon and Ola AbdulKadir; former president of Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU), Alh AbdulHamid Adi; and representatives of Imams and Alfas from all the 16 local government areas of the state.
Recall that the Kwara state Police Command had advised the. International Council for Ifa Religion (ICIR) who are behind the planning of holding the Isese festival to relocate the event to another state as the security report did not favour the celebration of the festival in Ilorin.
“Vigilante, local hunters, community policing members, and the leadership of the traditional worshippers in Kwara, along with some of their leaders from adjoining states, have also been dialogued with and made to understand that the intelligence available to the Police Command does not favor the kind of celebrations being planned by one of the religious sects in the state; they have been advised to relocate their celebration to another state pending a favorable security situation in the state, the Police Command said in the statement signed by SP Okasanmi Ajayi, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) on behalf of the state Commissioner of Police, Mrs Ebbunoluwarotimi Adelesi.
Stay away from Ilorin, Islamic council warns Isese traditional worshippers
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Kano Police Trace 12 Stolen Vehicles, Arrest 10 Suspects
Kano Police Trace 12 Stolen Vehicles, Arrest 10 Suspects
The Kano State Police Command has arrested 10 suspected members of an alleged interstate car theft syndicate and recovered 12 vehicles linked to the group.
Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Adamu Bakori disclosed this on Wednesday during a briefing at the Tarauni Area Command.
According to him, five suspects were first arrested in Adamawa on September 7, leading to the recovery of a Mercedes-Benz GLK 350. Further investigation resulted in the recovery of 10 additional vehicles from Kano and neighbouring states.

Five more suspects were arrested on September 12 at Kwankwasiyya City Quarters, Tarauni, where police allegedly recovered a stolen Toyota Hilux.
Bakori said preliminary findings showed that the suspects allegedly operated across Kano, Katsina, Bauchi, Gombe and other states. He said the group allegedly stole vehicles, hid them at different locations and moved them across state borders for resale.
The commissioner noted that 11 of the 12 recovered vehicles were unregistered, making it difficult to trace their owners.
He urged vehicle owners to register their vehicles and display valid number plates, while warning that unregistered vehicles could make criminal investigations more difficult.
Bakori said investigations were ongoing and efforts were underway to arrest other suspected members of the syndicate.
Kano Police Trace 12 Stolen Vehicles, Arrest 10 Suspects
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Osun Govt Vows to Prosecute Those Behind Recent Killings
Osun Govt Vows to Prosecute Those Behind Recent Killings
The Osun State Government has vowed to prosecute anyone found responsible for the recent killings and violent clashes across the state.
The government also denied allegations that it was protecting those suspected of killing Olalekan Oyeyemi amid a leadership dispute in the state chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).
Speaking on Wednesday, the Special Adviser to Governor Ademola Adeleke on Security Matters, Samuel Ojo, said the administration would allow security agencies to investigate the cases without interference.
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Following the recent violence, Adeleke called an emergency security meeting attended by commanders from the police, DSS, Army, NDLEA, Immigration, Correctional Service, Civil Defence and Amotekun.
Deputy Governor Kola Adewusi represented the governor at the meeting.
Ojo said the security chiefs agreed to intensify efforts to stop further killings and restore peace across Osun.
He also dismissed claims that the government was shielding suspects in Oyeyemi’s murder, saying the police and DSS had been directed to thoroughly investigate the case.
Meanwhile, two NURTW leaders, Gbedegesin and Kareem Akeem, had alleged that Oyeyemi was killed because some union leaders opposed his proposed emergence as the next state chairman.
Transportation Commissioner Sesan Oyedele, however, denied that the government endorsed Oyeyemi for the position. He said the union leaders only informed him of their decision to choose the deceased.
About five people have reportedly been killed between August 24 and September 15 in Ikire, Ile-Ife and Osogbo in incidents linked to motor park disputes and alleged cult-related clashes.
Osun Govt Vows to Prosecute Those Behind Recent Killings
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57-Year-Old Man Arrested Over Sexual Abuse of Stepdaughter in Edo
57-Year-Old Man Arrested Over Sexual Abuse of Stepdaughter in Edo
The Edo State Police Command has arrested a 57-year-old man, identified as Kadiri Edenokun, over the alleged defilement of his six-year-old stepdaughter in Jattu, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.
The suspect was reportedly taken into custody after the alleged abuse of the child was brought to the attention of the authorities, prompting the police to commence an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the case.
Police sources said the suspect allegedly admitted during interrogation that the incident occurred on more than one occasion. However, the allegation remains under investigation, and Edenokun has not been convicted of any offence.
The case has renewed attention on the problem of child sexual abuse in Edo State, particularly allegations involving adults who have regular access to children within homes and other familiar environments.
The Edo State Government disclosed in August that more than 70 cases of child defilement had been recorded in the state between January and July 2026. The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Eugenia Abdallah, said children between the ages of two and 10 were among those affected.
The commissioner also said that more than half of the cases reported during the period involved fathers of the affected children, highlighting concerns over sexual abuse occurring within family settings.
The state government has continued to work with relevant agencies on cases of sexual and gender-based violence, including the provision of medical, psychosocial and protective support to survivors.
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The Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development has also been involved in providing temporary protective care and other forms of assistance to children and young people affected by sexual violence.
In a separate case reported recently, the ministry provided an update on a 16-year-old girl who was allegedly sexually abused and became pregnant. The ministry said the survivor was placed in a government shelter and was receiving support while arrangements were being made for her welfare and education.
The police have also reported a number of arrests involving alleged sexual offences against minors across Edo State.
The Commissioner of Police, Patrick Daaor, said the command arrested several suspects in August in connection with sexual and gender-based violence. Some of the suspects were subsequently charged to court, while investigations into other cases continued.
Among the cases reported by the command were allegations involving girls aged 13, 15 and 11. Police also reported investigations involving alleged defilement of minors in Okpella and other parts of the state.
At its August operational review, the Edo Police Command said 12 suspects had been arrested in connection with sexual and gender-based violence during the month. The command also reported arrests linked to kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, human trafficking and other offences.
The latest case involving the six-year-old girl is expected to be subjected to further investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged abuse and determine whether sufficient evidence exists to support criminal charges.
The child has reportedly been placed under appropriate care and is receiving medical attention with the involvement of the Edo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.
Child protection advocates have consistently stressed the importance of promptly reporting suspected cases of child abuse and sexual violence, particularly where the alleged perpetrator is a family member, caregiver or another adult with access to the child.
Under Nigerian law, allegations of defilement involving children are treated as serious criminal matters, with the relevant authorities responsible for investigating reported cases and presenting evidence before a court where prosecution is warranted.
The police are expected to complete their investigation and take appropriate legal steps based on the evidence gathered.
Edenokun remains an accused person at this stage, and any determination of criminal responsibility will ultimately be made through due process and, where applicable, by a court of law.
57-Year-Old Man Arrested Over Sexual Abuse of Stepdaughter in Edo
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