Pandemonium in Osogbo as NURTW protest shuts motor parks, police deploy tactical teams

Commercial and transportation activities were severely disrupted across Osogbo, the Osun State capital, on Monday after widespread protests by factions of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) forced the closure of major motor parks amid allegations of escalating violence and insecurity.

The unrest, which caused panic among residents and commuters, followed reports of sporadic gunfire in parts of the city from about 10:00 a.m., prompting security agencies to deploy tactical operatives to restore order.

The protest, which began as early as 6:30 a.m., saw transport workers, civil society groups and students converge on key motor parks across Osogbo, demanding urgent intervention from the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies over what they described as persistent attacks on transport operators.

According to the protesting union members, the demonstrations were triggered by a series of violent incidents that have disrupted transport activities, forced many drivers off the roads and left passengers afraid to use public transport.

Leading the protest, the factional Secretary of the NURTW, Fatai Oyegoke, accused the Nurudeen Alowonle-led leadership of turning motor parks into “battlefields” through repeated violent clashes.

He alleged that transport workers had endured several days of attacks allegedly linked to Nurudeen Alowonle and Sikiru Oyeniyi, popularly known as Ado Igona, resulting in widespread fear and economic losses.

“Businesses have collapsed. Drivers have fled. Passengers are afraid. We are calling on the Inspector-General of Police to intervene immediately and restore peace to our motor parks,” Oyegoke said.

He further alleged that the crisis was connected to the killing of Adelodun Olamilekan Lateef, claiming the incident triggered a series of reprisal attacks across transport hubs in the state.

The protesters also claimed that an innocent child and a septuagenarian sustained gunshot injuries during the violence. However, the police had not officially confirmed those allegations as of the time of filing this report.

Carrying placards demanding the arrest of Nurudeen Alowonle and Sikiru Oyeniyi, the demonstrators called for a comprehensive overhaul of security arrangements at motor parks across Osun State, insisting that normal transport operations could not resume without adequate protection.

The Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) also joined the protest, with its factional Secretary, Akeem Kareem, condemning the worsening security situation and urging authorities to restore order.

Similarly, the Local Government Development Initiative (LGDI) criticised what it described as the failure of the state’s security architecture.

Its Director of Mobilisation, Comrade Omololu Abidoye, urged security agencies to investigate everyone allegedly connected to the violence, stressing that political interests should never be allowed to override public safety.

“Motor parks belong to the people, not to criminals. We cannot continue to witness violence while innocent citizens suffer,” Abidoye said.

Responding to the unrest, the Osun State Police Command confirmed that it had deployed tactical teams, patrol vehicles and additional security personnel to major flashpoints across Osogbo to prevent further violence.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Zachariah Ojelabi, said officers responded immediately after receiving reports of the disturbances and had restored normalcy to affected locations.

“We have swung into action immediately the incident was reported. Our officers are on the ground across strategic locations to prevent any breakdown of law and order,” he said.

Ojelabi assured residents that the command would not tolerate violence, intimidation or acts of thuggery, warning that anyone found culpable would be arrested and prosecuted.

He also urged transport unions, community leaders and members of the public to remain calm and channel grievances through lawful means rather than resorting to violence.

By Monday afternoon, heavily armed security operatives had taken positions at major motor parks and key intersections across Osogbo to reassure residents and prevent any further disruption of commercial activities.

Reacting to the crisis, Governor Ademola Adeleke condemned the disruption of public peace and called on security agencies to arrest Asiri Eniba and others he alleged were responsible for the attacks.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, the governor described the reported shootings around Old Garage and other motor parks as unacceptable and urged security agencies to take immediate action to restore order.

Governor Adeleke also alleged that videos circulating on social media showed armed individuals causing unrest in parts of Osogbo and said he had already contacted the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and other security chiefs to demand urgent intervention.

He warned that if the violence persisted, his administration might reconsider the current management structure of motor parks and restore the Park Management System previously used across the state.

The latest disturbances come amid heightened political and security tensions in Osun State, with stakeholders expressing concern that continued violence around motor parks could threaten public safety, disrupt economic activities and undermine confidence in the state’s transport system.

Security analysts say sustained intelligence gathering, prompt law enforcement action and dialogue among transport unions will be crucial to preventing further clashes and maintaining peace across the state.

Authorities have appealed to residents to remain vigilant, avoid spreading unverified information and report suspicious activities through official security channels as investigations into the incidents continue.

Pandemonium in Osogbo as NURTW protest shuts motor parks, police deploy tactical teams

Reps Probe ₦1.32 Billion ‘Fake Agency’ Scandal as Critics Slam Gbajabiamila’s Exclusion from Inquiry

The House of Representatives has launched a formal investigation into how an unestablished agency, the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), secured a ₦1.32 billion allocation in the 2026 Appropriation Act, even as some lawmakers and public affairs analysts question the credibility of the probe over the decision not to invite President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.

Speaker Tajudeen Abbas inaugurated the ad hoc committee today at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, with the panel scheduled to hold its first public hearing in line with Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution, which empower the National Assembly to investigate matters relating to public institutions and the management of public funds . The investigation follows the arrest of self-proclaimed PFIPC Director-General, Adeyemi Adeniyi, who is accused of orchestrating the inclusion of the agency in the 2026 budget despite its non-existence .

The controversy has drawn significant public attention after it emerged that the PFIPC was never legally established by the Nigerian government and had no basis under any law, presidential instrument, executive approval, or other lawful government authorization . President Bola Tinubu had earlier directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to conduct a thorough investigation into the activities of the PFIPC, ordering the anti-corruption agency to submit a comprehensive report within 30 days . The ICPC has been directed to investigate allegedly forged appointment letters, the use of false claims of presidential appointment to obtain official recognition, and the opening of multiple bank accounts in the names of purported government agencies using allegedly forged documents .

The ad hoc committee, chaired by Yusuf Gagdi, has been tasked with investigating how the PFIPC found its way into the national budget with a whopping N1,302,978,784 allocation, comprising N802,978,783 for personnel costs, N200,000,001 for overheads, and N300,000,000 for capital expenditure . According to the presidency, the PFIPC was never established by the federal government, yet it reportedly secured office space within the Federal Secretariat in Abuja and operated bank accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria . The panel will trace the budgetary provision from the executive’s proposal through the legislative process to identify the exact stage at which the allocation was introduced and determine whether any government processes were compromised .

READ ALSO:

• Foreign Interests, Sahel Terrorists Fueling Nigeria’s Insecurity Crisis – Presidency
• Messi’s final World Cup ends in heartbreak as Spain sweep title, FIFA’s top individual awards
• Spain dethrone Argentina in extra time to lift 2026 FIFA World Cup trophy

A notice signed by Gagdi has invited several top government officials to appear before the committee, including the Ministers of Budget and Economic Planning, Finance, Industry, Trade and Investment, Justice, and Foreign Affairs . Others summoned include the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Chairmen of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the ICPC, the Auditor-General for the Federation, the Fiscal Responsibility Commission, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Director-General of the Department of State Services, and the Inspector-General of Police . Civil society organisations, professional bodies, development partners, and members of the public have also been invited to submit memoranda relating to the committee’s terms of reference .

However, the committee’s decision not to invite either Gbajabiamila or Adeniyi has drawn sharp criticism, with some lawmakers questioning the transparency of the investigation. A member of the committee, speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed disappointment over the omission, arguing that the two central figures in the controversy should have been among the first witnesses called. “From the notice, you will see that the two central figures are not invited. I mean Gbajabiamila and Adeyemi. There is an obvious attempt to exempt Gbajabiamila, and that is an attempt by the committee to clear him. From the notice of invitation, there is already a bias,” the lawmaker said .

Public affairs analyst Jackson Ojo also faulted the decision, arguing that inviting the Chief of Staff was necessary to ensure a transparent investigation. “The committee is starting on the wrong footing. They should have invited the Chief of Staff to clear his name. As important as the invited government officials are to the investigation, they are not as important as Gbajabiamila. The man taken into custody mentioned the Chief of Staff. So, why is he not part of those to field questions from the lawmakers?” he asked .

The controversy erupted after Adeniyi Adeyemi, who presented himself as the PFIPC Director-General, was arrested by police operatives in Osun State following a bench warrant issued by the Federal High Court in Abuja . Adeniyi had failed to appear for his arraignment on an eight-count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery, and impersonation . Police forensic analysis confirmed that the signature of the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, on the disputed appointment letter had been forged . Adeniyi is accused of forging presidential letterheads and fabricating requests for office accommodation purportedly originating from the State House .

The scandal deepened after Adeniyi allegedly claimed he paid ₦100 million through proxies to Gbajabiamila to facilitate the establishment of the agency . Gbajabiamila has denied the allegations and filed a N15 billion defamation suit against Adeniyi, seeking N10 billion in general damages, N5 billion in aggravated damages, and an order compelling him to publish a retraction and apology in five national newspapers . Both the Presidency and the Office of the Chief of Staff have denied the allegation, with Gbajabiamila stating he had never met Adeniyi .

The Nigerian Guild of Investigative Journalists (NGIJ) has called for an independent panel of inquiry, arguing that the scale of the allegations suggests official backing beyond the actions of a few individuals. The Guild noted that an account was reportedly opened for the council at the Central Bank of Nigeria, the agency was captured in the 2026 Appropriation Bill, office accommodation was allocated within the Federal Secretariat Complex, and more than 300 personnel, including eight directors, were reportedly recruited to work for the council . These developments, if established through investigation, suggest that the activities attributed to the council went far beyond the actions of a few individuals and may have involved approvals or support from influential actors within government . The Guild maintained that no public official, irrespective of rank or political influence, should be insulated from investigation where credible allegations exist .

Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu revealed during plenary that he had personally met representatives of the disputed organisation after his office received what appeared to be an official government letter. According to Kalu, the correspondence identified the organisation as both the Presidential Economic Advisory Council and the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PEAC/PFIPC) and carried the Presidency’s insignia, a Federal Secretariat address, and a “.gov.ng“ website . He said the delegation appeared more interested in taking photographs than discussing policy matters during the meeting . Meanwhile, the Senate has resolved to await the outcome of the ICPC investigation before proceeding with its own legislative probe .

Reps Probe ₦1.32 Billion ‘Fake Agency’ Scandal as Critics Slam Gbajabiamila’s Exclusion from Inquiry

Foreign Interests, Sahel Terrorists Fueling Nigeria’s Insecurity Crisis – Presidency

The Nigerian government has confirmed that foreign nationals have been arrested in connection with the country’s escalating security crisis, as cross-border terrorism from the Sahel region intensifies.

Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communications, disclosed this during a podcast interview, revealing that the military deliberately withheld the identities of the arrested foreigners to protect diplomatic engagements and enable possible prisoner exchanges. Bwala identified terrorism in the Sahel states as a primary driver of Nigeria’s security challenges, noting that militants routinely cross into Nigerian territory to attack communities before retreating across poorly secured borders. He also alleged that a reported rivalry between the Nigerian Army and Air Force under the previous administration had weakened counterterrorism operations, a coordination issue he claims has been resolved under President Tinubu.

The presidential spokesperson pointed to multiple indicators suggesting external involvement in Nigeria’s security crisis, beginning with the confirmed arrest of foreign nationals linked to insecurity. Bwala stated that Nigerian troops have made such arrests, though the military has withheld their nationalities for security reasons, noting that such individuals could be used for prisoner exchanges with their home countries. In a separate operation, troops arrested 24 foreign nationals from various West and Central African countries, including Cameroon, Togo, and Ivory Coast, during a raid in Lagos State. Beyond these arrests, Bwala cited demonstrations in northern Nigeria where protesters displayed Russian flags as evidence that the security challenge has international dimensions. He also referenced a US congressional hearing where Rep. Scott Perry alleged that the CIA had funded groups like Boko Haram and ISIS; while Bwala stressed he was neither confirming nor denying the claim, he argued that Nigeria must take such international allegations seriously. Additionally, the presidential aide raised questions about humanitarian organisations that rented houses for 10 to 15 years in Borno State when the Boko Haram insurgency began, suggesting foreknowledge of a prolonged crisis.

READ ALSO:

• Messi’s final World Cup ends in heartbreak as Spain sweep title, FIFA’s top individual awards
• Spain dethrone Argentina in extra time to lift 2026 FIFA World Cup trophy
• Just in: Senegal’s President Diomaye Faye Emerges New ECOWAS Chairman

The expansion of militant groups from the Sahel into Nigeria represents a significant and growing threat, with data confirming a dramatic escalation. A report by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED) shows that attacks by al-Qaeda and ISIS-affiliated groups in the Nigeria-Benin-Niger border zone surged by 262% between 2024 and 2025. The al-Qaeda-affiliated Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and the Islamic State Sahel Province (ISSP) have begun openly claiming operations inside Nigeria, marking a public declaration of presence in areas where activity had previously been suspected but less overt. Bwala confirmed that Islamic State fighters have been transiting through the Sahel to support the Lakurawa militant group in Sokoto State, providing equipment and training, and researchers have recently established links between some members of Lakurawa and the Sahelian branch of the Islamic State. The ACLED report attributed the escalating violence to “limited state presence and weak border control” after several Sahelian states withdrew from ECOWAS, leading to weakened regional cooperation and limited cross-border coordination.

Bwala also addressed internal weaknesses that have hampered the security response, particularly the alleged rivalry between the Nigerian Army and Air Force. He claimed that during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, disagreements between the Chief of Air Staff and the Army leadership sometimes resulted in troops being denied critical air support during operations, though he noted this coordination issue has been resolved under the current administration. While dismissing claims that military personnel deliberately shield terrorists, Bwala acknowledged that security agencies are not immune to infiltration, citing isolated cases of security personnel collaborating with criminals. The presidential aide further warned that Boko Haram and ISWAP have spread from the North-East to the North-West and are pushing toward the North-Central, with the government working to contain the situation before it reaches southern Nigeria.

In December 2025, the United States conducted precision strikes against Islamic State targets in Sokoto State with Nigerian government approval, targeting ISIS enclaves in an effort to halt the group’s movement toward coastal West Africa while preserving US strategic presence in the region. Bwala confirmed that the strike targeted areas historically known to host both armed bandits and the Lakurawa group, adding that US intelligence indicated a massive movement of ISIS members from the Sahel into the region.

Foreign Interests, Sahel Terrorists Fueling Nigeria’s Insecurity Crisis – Presidency