A coalition under the aegis of Yoruba Appraisal Forum (YAF), has accused those agitating for the secession of Yorubaland of plans to cause violence and chaos in the South West and other parts of the country aimed at truncating the conduct of the 2023 general elections.
YAF claimed that some disgruntled persons in the South West, their allies in other parts of the country and in the Diaspora, had been engaging in “clandestine activities” to cause violence that will spark off killings, arson and mayhem to undermine the electoral process and ultimately truncate next year’s elections throughout the country.
It further revealed that the violence, planned in two phases to coincide with the campaigns by political parties in the six south west states, also has the objective of “re-enacting the arson and killings that characterised the unfortunate “Operation Wetie” violence that took place in the region in the First Republic” that spread to the North by the northern collaborators of the planners to spark off reprisal violence and killings.
The masterminds of the violence, according to YAF, had begun the distribution of arms to their foot soldiers posing as Yoruba nation agitators, cultists and hoodlums in the South West in their alleged plans to instigate violence and cause chaos in the region and subsequently all over the country.
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YAF National Coordinator, Adesina Animashaun, made the allegations in a statement issued after a well-attended meeting held in Lagos.
According to the forum, “it is a known fact that the agitators for the phantom Yoruba nation, who are known to be sponsored from within and outside Nigeria, have sinister and very dangerous agenda towards the country, particularly as it concerns the 2023 general elections.
“There are plans by these groups of Yoruba nation agitators to cause violence and mayhem during the political campaigns for the 2023 elections.
“These groups of Yoruba nation agitators have lined up various rallies and protests in all the six southwest states to coincide with the political parties’ campaigns with the sole aim of disrupting the political process, instigating violence and chaos, and truncating the conduct of next year’s general elections
“It has come to YAF’s notice recently that some so-called Yoruba nation champions and agitators as well as disgruntled politicians, working in cahoots with their allies in other parts of the country, have been planning violent and unpatriotic activities in the South-West with the ultimate ulterior motive of truncating the forthcoming 2023 general elections.”
Wike Clarifies ‘Shoot’ Remark About TV Anchor
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has moved to quell the controversy trailing his recent remarks about Seun Okinbaloye of Channels Television, insisting that his comments were taken out of context and never intended as a threat.
Wike had sparked public outrage after stating during a media engagement that he would have “broken his TV screen and shot” the television anchor over comments suggesting that a one-party system could undermine Nigeria’s democracy. The remark drew swift condemnation from civil society groups, including Amnesty International, which described the statement as “reckless and violent.”
However, in a statement issued on Saturday and signed by his media aide, Lere Olayinka, the minister said the comment was merely a figure of speech expressed in anger and not a literal threat.
According to the statement, Wike had already clarified his position during the same live television programme where the remark was made, stressing that he had no intention whatsoever of harming Okinbaloye.
“The minister never meant that he would shoot Seun Okinbaloye,” the statement read. “They even spoke on the phone today, and he (Okinbaloye) clearly understood what the minister meant.”
Olayinka explained that Wike’s frustration stemmed from what he perceived as a departure from journalistic neutrality by the anchor, whom he said the minister holds in high regard.
“What the minister meant, which he made clear during the media chat, was that he was displeased seeing Okinbaloye—whom he respects as a journalist—descending into the political arena by speaking as an interested party, rather than maintaining the role of an interviewer,” the statement added.
The aide further described the controversial remark as “hyperbolic,” noting that it was an exaggeration used to emphasise the minister’s displeasure and not an expression of violent intent.
He also pointed out that other journalists present during the interview, including Chamberlain Uzor, reportedly treated the comment lightly, with laughter following Wike’s clarification on air.
“Even after the minister explained himself during the live programme, including stating clearly that he did not mean he would carry a gun to shoot the anchor, the context was well understood by those present,” Olayinka said.
The statement accused critics of deliberately misrepresenting the minister’s words for political purposes, warning against what it described as attempts to weaponise the comment for “blackmail and propaganda.”
“The public is therefore urged to disregard attempts by individuals or groups to twist the minister’s statement out of context in pursuit of political gains,” the statement concluded.
The incident has continued to generate debate within Nigeria’s media and political space, raising broader concerns about the tone of public discourse and the responsibilities of public officials in their engagements with the press.
Autopsy Confirms Destiny Boy Died from Toxic Substances
The tragic death of 22-year-old Afrofuji singer Afeez Adesina, popularly known as Destiny Boy, has been clarified following the release of his official autopsy report. The findings confirm that toxic substances, including tramadol and methamphetamine, were present in his system and played a critical role in his untimely passing.
Destiny Boy passed away on January 17, 2026, a loss that sparked intense speculation on social media, with videos circulating showing his body being transported to a mortuary. These clips fueled public concern and rumours about the circumstances of his death. (pmnewsnigeria.com)
According to the Ogun State Police Command, the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) carried out the autopsy. The toxicology report detected dangerous levels of tramadol, its metabolites, and methamphetamine in Destiny Boy’s body. The official cause of death was determined to be aspiration pneumonitis, a severe lung inflammation resulting from the ingestion of these substances. (lindaikejisblog.com)
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DSP Babaseyi Oluseyi, Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed that at least one suspect has been arrested in connection with the singer’s death and that investigations are ongoing. The police emphasized that the case remains under careful examination to determine all contributing factors.
Destiny Boy, who first gained recognition in 2019 for his Fuji rendition of Davido’s “If”, later covered popular tracks by Tekno, 2Baba, 9ice, and Small Doctor. His original songs, including Lamba, One Transaction, Gbese, Billion Dollar, Mio Gbonkankan, and Lowkey, solidified his rising fame in Nigeria’s music industry. He also welcomed his first child with partner Iremide in November 2024.
The autopsy report has provided much-needed clarity after months of uncertainty and public debate surrounding Destiny Boy’s sudden death, highlighting the dangers of substance misuse among young entertainers. Fans and industry colleagues have expressed deep sorrow while advocating for awareness on drug safety and mental health support in the entertainment industry. (tell.ng)
DHQ Reveals Over 60% of Terrorist Fighters Not Ideologically Driven
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has disclosed that more than 60 percent of terrorists and armed fighters in Nigeria are not motivated by ideology, but are individuals who were coerced, abducted, or caught up in conflict dynamics. The military says this highlights the need for tailored deradicalisation, rehabilitation, and reintegration programmes to address insecurity across the country.
Brigadier General Yusuf Ali, National Coordinator of Operation Safe Corridor (OPSC), revealed during a press briefing in Abuja that many individuals surrendering from armed groups such as Boko Haram and its splinter factions are low-risk combatants often forced into violent networks due to survival, economic pressures, or coercion. According to OPSC data, thousands of former fighters have been successfully rehabilitated and reintegrated into society since the programme’s inception in 2016.
Launched in 2016, Operation Safe Corridor is a federal government-led non-kinetic counter-insurgency programme coordinated by the DHQ in collaboration with agencies including the Ministry of Justice and Nigeria Police. The initiative encourages voluntary surrender, provides deradicalisation training, and facilitates reintegration into civilian life.
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General Ali emphasised that the programme is evolving to address regional realities and cater to the specific needs of affected communities. He said new plans include establishing Victims’ Rehabilitation and Reintegration Camps in the North-West and North-Central regions, such as the DRR camp in Tsafe, Zamfara State, and a planned facility in Benue, to help victims of violent extremism recover from trauma, displacement, and loss.
“The programme is evolving to become more victim-sensitive,” Ali said. “Sustainable peace cannot be achieved if victims of conflict feel neglected. Many live with deep psychological scars, and addressing that trauma is as important as rehabilitating ex-combatants.”
The OPSC Coordinator also stressed that misconceptions about the programme persist. He clarified that OPSC is not amnesty, not a shortcut to evade justice, and not a recruitment pathway into the Armed Forces. The government is working to enhance public understanding through stakeholder engagement, media campaigns, and partnerships with agencies such as the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy on Reconstruction and Rehabilitation.
Experts say that understanding that the majority of fighters are not ideologically committed could help shape more effective deradicalisation and reintegration strategies, addressing root causes like coercion, poverty, lack of education, and social exclusion. The DHQ’s findings underscore the importance of combining military operations with community-focused rehabilitation to achieve lasting peace in conflict-affected regions.
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