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Groups demand justice after pastor, others attack Iseyin family

Published

2 years ago

June 26, 2024

Groups demand justice after pastor, others attack Iseyin family

A resident of Iseyin, Oyo State, Mr Sulaimon AbdulAzeez, has pleaded for justice following the assault meted on him, his veiled wives and other family members on Eid ul adha day by soldiers hired by his neighbour, who is a pastor.

In a chat with Daily Trust, Mr Sulaimon lamented the impunity which Pastor Busari Stephen, who heads the Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Imuse, Iseyin, enjoys despite the ongoing suffering inflicted on his family.

He added that the pastor who heads the church opposite his house had involved his son, a soldier named Damilola Stephen (aka recruit soldier), who led 17 other soldiers to unleash havoc on them for allegedly slaughtering a ram while facing their church.

Busari’s church was some 20 meters away from Sulaiman’s house even with a road separating them.

Newstrends reported that Busari and Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Imuse, Iseyin were sanctioned by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) after bloody attacks which resulted in the hospitalisation of the man and some members of his household.

Sulaimon said he was severely beaten and wounded while his pregnant wife was also beaten and dragged to the church premises by soldiers hired by Busari. Similarly, his other wife’s head was smashed. He added that his son was taken away by the soldiers while his mother and wife’s brother were also beaten.

The old woman was reportedly manhandled by one of the soldiers while another soldier slit open, with a knife, the palms of Daud Abdulazeez, Sulaimon’s brother.

While Apostle Sunday Ogundairo, CAN chairman in Iseyin Local Government Area, assured that the pastor had been sanctioned by CAN and was asked to relocate his church from the area, Sulaimon bemoaned the improper handling of the reported case.

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He said, “The town authorities have taken over the case; they want to ensure peace. We are still receiving treatment and I want peace too. I do not want the case to escalate yet; I want justice. The pastor came to evacuate his properties from the church two days ago. No church activity occurred here on Sunday but he is going about his business as usual. We reported the case at Iseyin Divisional Police headquarters but he has since been released by the police. My lawyer petitioned the IG, copied the High Court and the civil defence. I have heard nothing from the police. Only the civil defence people called me.

“The police have denied me my rights since the inception of the case with Pastor Busari. Sometime in December, his soldier-son came to assault me in this house. It was at midnight and I made a report to the police but he wasn’t arrested and they were silent on the issue. Either Christian or Muslim, all rights ought to be protected under the law, but the police have not been fair to me.”

According to reports, the crisis resulted from a series of misunderstandings between Sulaimon Abdulazeez and Pastor Busari over the noise that usually comes from the latter’s church during their late-night vigils.

The matter was reportedly looked into by the Aseyin of Iseyin, who ruled that Pastor Busari should abate the noise pollution coming from his church by any means possible. Sulaimon added that the Aseyin suggested the use of sound acoustics to prevent noise pollution but Busari claimed that he could not afford it.

Daily Trust contacted Pastor Busari but he refused to comment on the issue, saying his lawyer had instructed him not to say anything as the case was going to court. He simply said, “Did they say that I was the one who invited the soldiers? Anyways, I have nothing to say; my lawyer has told me to say nothing; the case is in court.”

However, the lawyer to Sulaimon, Barr Abdulwaheed A. Olowonjaye, during a chat with Daily Trust expressed optimism that the police authority would treat the matter promptly and expedite investigation so that justice can be delivered.

“It is left to the police to act fast; we have done all necessary documentation and reporting. On the other hand, we have information that there are moves to charge the pastor with lesser offences, so that he could get away with the crime. I, as the legal counsel to the assaulted family, and the complainants are not aware, and we expect the institution of criminal prosecution against all the parties involved in the attack. We want the police to file this case as early as possible because justice delayed is justice denied. To achieve this, we are following up with the matter and hope that something meaningful will come out of it during the week,” he said.

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Meanwhile, the Oyo State branch of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has urged the security operatives to arrest the suspects without further delay. The Islamic human rights organisation called for the arrest and prosecution of those involved in the attack and cautioned that the case must not be swept under the carpet.

Ambassador Mallam Ibrahim Agunbiade who chairs MURIC, Oyo State, noted that Busari’s son was earlier reported to the police by the community for noise pollution and environmental disturbance.

Similarly, the Amir of Organisation of Tadhamunil Muslimeen (OTM), Oyo State chapter, Ustādh Kamaludeen Udhayfah, described the inhumane action of the Iseyin pastor as callous.

The Amir called on the authorities to carry out a thorough investigation on the matter and if the pastor is found culpable, he should face the wrath of law so as to serve as a deterrent to others.

Also, the Oyo State chapter of Federation of Muslim Women Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN) denounced the incident which it described as senseless.

FOMWAN in a statement issued and signed by its Amirah, Dr Lateefah Dairo, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, condemned the fact that the perpetrators acted on the instruction of a Christian cleric.

“No individual or group has the right to take the law into their own hands or perpetrate violence against others, regardless of their religious beliefs or affiliations. The actions of these fake soldiers and the cleric who allegedly instigated them are a clear violation of human rights and the principles of peaceful coexistence.

“We call on the authorities to immediately investigate this incident, apprehend the perpetrators, and bring them to justice. We also urge religious leaders to promote tolerance, understanding, and peaceful coexistence among their followers,” the statement read.

A source who craved anonymity claimed that Damilola Stephen with the army registration number 23NA/85/11522 has absconded to Abuja.

In a telephone chat with Daily Trust, Apostle Ogundairo, CAN Chairman, Iseyin Local Government Area, said he has gone round pleading with the Islamic scholars in Iseyinland. He added that it was glaring that the pastor was guilty.

He said, “This evening I was with the Chief Imam of Iseyinland, he embraced and prayed for me. He said that the case would be settled and he would update me on developments.”

The Police Public Relations Officer of the Oyo State Police Command, Adewale Osifeso, said that investigation was ongoing.

Groups demand justice after pastor, others attack Iseyin family

Related Topics:Iseyin family justice pastor

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Bauchi Woman Arrested After Co-Wife Dies in Alleged Pestle Attack

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September 29, 2026

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Bauchi Woman Arrested After Co-Wife Dies in Alleged Pestle Attack

A 33-year-old woman, Hauwa’u Haruna, has been arrested by the police in Bauchi State after her co-wife, identified as 43-year-old Jamila Adamu, died following an alleged attack with a pestle.

The incident occurred at about 4:05pm on Sunday, September 27, 2026, at Tafawa Balewa Housing Estate in Bauchi metropolis, where the two women reportedly lived in the same household with their husband.

According to the Bauchi State Police Command, Haruna allegedly picked up a pestle during a confrontation and struck Adamu on the forehead.

The victim reportedly lost consciousness after the alleged assault.

Police said officers from C-Division, Bauchi, were alerted to the incident and responded to the residence. Adamu was subsequently taken to Specialist Hospital, Bauchi, where a medical doctor reportedly confirmed her death.

Her remains were deposited at the hospital mortuary pending an autopsy, while the police commenced investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.

The police said the alleged pestle used in the attack was recovered and retained as an exhibit. Haruna was also arrested and taken into custody for questioning.

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The police spokesperson, SP Nafiu Habib, said preliminary findings indicated that the suspect was allegedly acting under what the command described as hallucinations when the incident occurred.

However, the police description does not by itself establish a medical diagnosis or explain the cause of the alleged behaviour. Further investigation, including the circumstances surrounding the incident and any relevant medical assessment, would be required to establish the facts.

The Bauchi State Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for discreet investigation and prosecution.

The commissioner also expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and urged members of the public to seek timely medical and psychosocial assistance for people experiencing serious behavioural or psychological difficulties.

Police have not disclosed a specific motive for the alleged attack or provided details of what triggered the confrontation between the two women.

The incident has consequently remained under investigation as authorities work to establish the circumstances that preceded the alleged assault and the events that led to Adamu’s death.

The case is expected to be subjected to further investigation before any criminal liability is determined through the appropriate legal process.

Bauchi Woman Arrested After Co-Wife Dies in Alleged Pestle Attack

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Lagos Driver Arrested After Police Sergeant Dies During Stop-and-Search

Published

26 minutes ago

September 29, 2026

Trends Admin

Lagos Driver Arrested After Police Sergeant Dies During Stop-and-Search

A 21-year-old Lagos driver has been arrested after a police sergeant was fatally injured during a stop-and-search operation in the Egbeda area of Lagos State.

The deceased officer, identified as Sergeant Johnson Okediji, was reportedly knocked down and dragged beneath a Lexus ES 350 during the incident, which occurred at about 2:20pm on Saturday, September 26, 2026, along Olugbede Street, Egbeda.

The driver, identified by the police as Olumide Olusola, was arrested after officers pursued him following the incident. The Lexus, with registration number FKJ 223 KX, was also recovered and taken into police custody.

According to the Lagos State Police Command, officers were conducting a stop-and-search operation when they flagged down the vehicle.

The command said the driver initially stopped but allegedly accelerated as Sergeant Okediji approached the driver’s side of the vehicle.

The officer was reportedly knocked down and dragged underneath the moving vehicle for several metres despite efforts by other police officers and passers-by to stop the driver.

Okediji sustained multiple fractures and serious head injuries in the incident.

He was rushed to a nearby hospital before being referred to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

His remains were subsequently deposited at the Mainland Hospital Mortuary, while an autopsy was ordered to assist with determining the circumstances surrounding his death.

The police later arrested Olusola and recovered the vehicle involved in the incident.

However, the suspect has disputed the police account of what happened.

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While being paraded by the command, Olusola reportedly denied deliberately hitting the officer, claiming instead that the vehicle suffered a brake failure as he approached the police officers.

He said he had taken the vehicle to a mechanic the previous day to replace its brake pads and was informed that the work had been completed.

According to his account, he later noticed that the brake was still slipping after he bought fuel on the day of the incident. He said he intended to return the vehicle to the mechanic when the incident occurred.

The competing accounts have not been resolved, and the police investigation is expected to establish how the collision occurred and whether the driver’s actions amounted to a deliberate attempt to evade the officers.

The incident has drawn attention to the risks faced by police officers during stop-and-search operations, as well as the need for motorists to comply with lawful police checks.

Lagos State Commissioner of Police Fatai Tijani said the command would continue to enforce the law while ensuring that officers performing their duties operate within established rules.

The incident was disclosed during the command’s September operational briefing, where the commissioner also gave an account of other arrests and recoveries recorded during the month.

The police said 32 suspects were arrested during the period, while officers recovered 43 vehicles, five pump-action firearms, five locally made pistols, 20 live rounds or cartridges, 15 expended ammunition and about ₦2.5 million in cash, among other exhibits.

The command said investigations into the death of Sergeant Okediji were continuing.

The case is expected to determine the circumstances surrounding the officer’s death, including the suspect’s claim of brake failure and the police allegation that he accelerated after initially stopping for the search.

Lagos Driver Arrested After Police Sergeant Dies During Stop-and-Search

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Rivers Approves State Police Bill as Kano Assembly Starts Consideration

Published

37 minutes ago

September 29, 2026

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Rivers Approves State Police Bill as Kano Assembly Starts Consideration

The Rivers State House of Assembly has unanimously endorsed the constitutional amendment seeking to establish State Police Services in Nigeria, while the Kano State House of Assembly has begun considering the proposal as the nationwide legislative process gathers pace.

All 25 members of the Rivers Assembly voted in favour of the State Police Bill during plenary on Monday, September 28, following consideration of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026.

The bill was transmitted to the 36 state Houses of Assembly by the National Assembly on September 16 for consideration and concurrence.

Rivers Assembly Speaker Martin Amaewhule said the lawmakers had consulted their constituents before taking a position on the proposed constitutional amendment.

He said the proposal would create a constitutional pathway for states to establish their own police services while allowing the National Assembly to prescribe minimum standards for policing nationwide.

The Rivers Assembly’s resolution is expected to be formally communicated to the National Assembly as part of the constitutional amendment process.

Meanwhile, the Kano State House of Assembly has commenced consideration of the bill after lawmakers resumed plenary on September 28.

The Kano Assembly had earlier indicated that it would examine the proposal when it reconvened, with lawmakers expected to scrutinise its provisions before taking a formal position.

The Kano development is part of a wider process involving the 36 state legislatures. The National Assembly has clarified that the State Police Services Bill is the only constitutional alteration proposal so far transmitted to the state assemblies for consideration.

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Under Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, a constitutional amendment passed by the National Assembly requires the approval of at least two-thirds of the state Houses of Assembly before it can proceed to the next stage.

This means at least 24 of the 36 state assemblies must approve the proposed amendment.

The National Assembly has given the state legislatures a 30-day administrative timeframe to consider and communicate their resolutions, although the Constitution itself does not prescribe that period as a statutory deadline.

The state-level consideration follows the passage of the executive-sponsored State Police constitutional amendment bill by the Senate and House of Representatives earlier in 2026.

The proposed amendment seeks to provide constitutional backing for a decentralised policing structure in which State Police Services would operate alongside the existing Federal Police Service.

The proposal also contains provisions intended to establish national minimum standards and safeguards for state policing.

According to the proposed framework, the Federal Police Service would continue to operate across Nigeria, while individual states that establish state police would have their own police services subject to the constitutional and legislative requirements.

The proposal comes amid longstanding discussions about restructuring Nigeria’s policing system and bringing law enforcement closer to communities.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has previously backed the establishment of state police, saying a decentralised policing structure could complement the existing federal security architecture and strengthen grassroots policing.

The Presidency has also said that any new state policing framework would require provisions covering recruitment, training, funding, oversight, discipline, firearms control, complaints mechanisms and other safeguards before state police services begin operations.

The legislative process has already produced different responses from state assemblies. Osun and Edo have also backed the proposed amendment, while other assemblies, including Oyo, Nasarawa and Gombe, have begun or scheduled consideration of the bill.

The proposal, however, has not yet created State Police Services in Nigeria. It must first secure the constitutionally required support from at least 24 state assemblies and complete the remaining stages of the constitutional amendment process.

With Rivers having endorsed the proposal and Kano now considering it, attention is shifting to the decisions of the other state Houses of Assembly as the State Police Bill moves through the next phase of the constitutional review process.