Man Arrested For Killing Okada Rider Over Four-Year Grudge

The Osun State Police Command has arrested a 29-year-old man, identified as Adebayo, for the alleged murder of a commercial motorcyclist, Tiamiyu Afeez, in what authorities described as a premeditated attack linked to a grievance dating back four years.

The suspect was apprehended by detectives from the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Osogbo, on Saturday, April 18, about two months after the victim was killed. Police also confirmed the recovery of the deceased’s stolen motorcycle.

According to the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, the case began after the victim was declared missing by his family on February 23, 2026, after leaving home on February 21 for his commercial motorcycle work and failing to return.

He said the family later received information that an unidentified male corpse had been discovered along the Ojo/Ara-Ejigbo road, with the throat slit. The body was later identified as that of Afeez, prompting a full murder investigation which was transferred to the SCID in Osogbo for further action.

READ ALSO:

• Troops Neutralise Over 50 ISWAP Fighters In Failed Night Attack On Yobe Military Base
• Dangote Refinery Opens 2026 Graduate Trainee Programme For Young Professionals
• 2027: Support Tinubu For Stability, Omokri, FFK Tell Nigerians

Police said intelligence-led investigation and technical analysis eventually led to the arrest of the suspect, while the victim’s stolen Bajaj motorcycle and two ignition keys were recovered from him.

According to investigators, Adebayo allegedly lured the victim through phone contact and arranged to meet him in a remote area under the guise of transportation. He was said to have attacked the victim mid-journey, slit his throat with a knife, and fled with the motorcycle.

The suspect reportedly confessed that he disposed of the weapon and the victim’s phone after the attack to avoid detection.

In his account, Adebayo admitted killing the victim but said the act was motivated by a long-standing personal grievance. He claimed that four years earlier, the victim had accused him of wrongdoing and taken him to a police station, where he was detained and later released.

He alleged that during the incident, some of his belongings, including phones and money, were not returned, which he said caused him hardship and resentment over time.

The suspect further explained that he contacted the victim in February and arranged a meeting before leading him to a secluded bush path where he carried out the attack. He said he struck from behind with a knife, leading to a struggle between them.

He added that the victim attempted to escape but was eventually overpowered, after which he fled the scene. He also said he initially used the motorcycle but later abandoned it due to fear of being arrested.

The police confirmed the recovery of the stolen motorcycle and said it would serve as evidence in court proceedings alongside other exhibits gathered during investigation.

DSP Ojelabi stated that the suspect would be charged to court upon completion of investigations, adding that the Command remains committed to ensuring justice in the case.

Security officials also warned against taking the law into one’s hands, stressing that grievances should be addressed through lawful and proper channels rather than acts of violence.

As of the time of filing this report, the suspect remains in custody as investigations continue.

Man Arrested For Killing Okada Rider Over Four-Year Grudge

Troops Neutralise Over 50 ISWAP Fighters In Failed Night Attack On Yobe Military Base

At least 50 Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists have been neutralised after troops of the 27 Brigade of the Nigerian Army successfully repelled a coordinated night attack on their base in Buni Gari, Yobe State, in the early hours of Thursday, May 8.

The incident was confirmed in a statement issued on Saturday by the spokesperson for Operation Hadin Kai, Lt.-Col. Sani Uba, who said the attackers attempted a multi-directional assault but were decisively defeated by troops on ground.

The terrorists launched their attack around 2 a.m., advancing in waves from multiple directions in an attempt to overrun the military position. The attackers reportedly struck first from the western flank before reinforcing through the southern axis near Ganinga Junction, and later attempting another push from the south-western corridor in what appeared to be an encirclement strategy.

Despite the coordinated assault, troops of the 27 Brigade held their positions firmly and engaged the attackers with what military officials described as superior firepower, tactical discipline, and coordinated defensive manoeuvres. The army said the response prevented any breach of the base.

Lt.-Col. Uba explained that the troops executed an offensive-defensive battle strategy, using indirect fire support to weaken and disorganise the attackers while systematically repelling them from all directions.

READ ALSO:

• Dangote Refinery Opens 2026 Graduate Trainee Programme For Young Professionals
• 2027: Support Tinubu For Stability, Omokri, FFK Tell Nigerians
• Atiku, Amaechi, Hayatu-Deen Obtain ADC Presidential Forms

According to him, the resistance offered by troops forced the terrorists into confusion, leading to a chaotic retreat. He added that many insurgents fled while evacuating their dead and wounded, with trails of blood reportedly observed along their escape routes.

Military authorities confirmed that no fewer than 50 terrorists were neutralised, while a large cache of arms and ammunition was recovered from fleeing fighters after the engagement.

The operation also received strong backing from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), which provided continuous Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) coverage to support ground troops during the battle.

The air component conducted precision strikes on confirmed terrorist positions and retreating elements, resulting in the additional neutralisation of about 20 ISWAP fighters during aerial pursuit operations along escape corridors.

Subsequent intelligence reports, according to the military, indicated the presence of multiple bodies along withdrawal routes, further confirming the scale of losses suffered by the insurgents.

Authorities further confirmed that the military base was not breached at any point during the attack, stressing that the integrity of the formation remained intact throughout the operation.

The Operation Hadin Kai command described the outcome as a significant success in ongoing counterinsurgency operations in the North-East, where ISWAP and Boko Haram factions continue to operate in parts of the Lake Chad Basin.

Security analysts note that sustained joint operations between ground forces and the air component have continued to degrade insurgent capabilities, although sporadic attacks still occur in remote communities.

As of the time of filing this report, ISWAP has not issued any statement regarding the reported losses or the failed attack.

Troops Neutralise Over 50 ISWAP Fighters In Failed Night Attack On Yobe Military Base

2027: Support Tinubu For Stability, Omokri, FFK Tell Nigerians

Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to Mexico, Reno Omokri, and ambassador-designate to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, have openly endorsed President Bola Tinubu for re-election in the 2027 general elections, urging Nigerians across political and regional lines to support his second-term bid.

In a joint statement issued on Saturday, the duo declared Tinubu as their preferred candidate for the next election cycle, arguing that maintaining the North-South power rotation arrangement remains critical to Nigeria’s unity, stability and democratic continuity.

According to them, the zoning understanding introduced at the beginning of the Fourth Republic in 1999 has helped reduce political tension and preserve national balance since the return to civilian rule.

“In view of recent political events, it has become necessary and expedient for us, Ambassadors Designate Chief Femi Fani-Kayode and Mr Bemigho Reno Omokri, to state categorically that we believe it is in the best interest of the stability, unity, and prosperity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and in keeping with the Gentleman’s Agreement which ushered in our Fourth Republic in 1999, for there to be a balanced and orderly rotation of power in Nigeria between the North and the South,” the statement read.

The two political figures argued that Northern Nigeria had already completed two uninterrupted presidential terms under former President Muhammadu Buhari between 2015 and 2023, insisting that fairness and political balance require the South to complete a similar eight-year cycle under Tinubu.

READ ALSO:

• Atiku, Amaechi, Hayatu-Deen Obtain ADC Presidential Forms
• Fresh Crisis Rocks APC Governors’ Forum As Uzodimma, Abiodun Camps Emerge
• Nigerian Doctor, Wife Slammed With Nearly $1m Fine Over Illegal Tree Cutting In California

“We further affirm that, having completed and made full and unfettered use of two terms of four years under the Muhammadu Buhari administration, Northern Nigeria had its full, uninterrupted and undisturbed tenure in this power rotation arrangement,” they stated.

They warned that attempts to return presidential power to the North after only one southern term could destabilise the country’s delicate political balance and create unnecessary regional tension.

According to Omokri and Fani-Kayode, Tinubu also played a major role in supporting Buhari’s emergence in 2015 and therefore deserves reciprocal political backing from northern stakeholders.

“We are of the opinion that one good turn deserves another and that one good term deserves another,” they added.

The duo further praised Tinubu’s economic policies and infrastructure agenda, claiming that the administration has already recorded measurable progress despite prevailing economic hardship and criticism from opposition figures.

They credited the current administration with achieving 12 consecutive quarters of Gross Domestic Product growth, improved trade balances and increased investor confidence.

Omokri and Fani-Kayode also referenced reports projecting Nigeria as one of the world’s fastest-growing economies by contribution to global GDP expansion in 2025.

The statement highlighted several flagship infrastructure projects being executed under Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Illela-Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway and the proposed Trans-Saharan Road corridor expected to improve trade and connectivity between northern and southern Nigeria.

According to them, continuity in leadership would accelerate the implementation of the projects and strengthen Nigeria’s long-term economic prospects.

Drawing comparisons with Switzerland’s political power-sharing culture, the duo urged Nigerian politicians to embrace zoning and rotational leadership as tools for national stability and peaceful coexistence.

They argued that countries with structured political balancing mechanisms often enjoy stronger democratic institutions and reduced regional conflict.

“If we all extend the right hand of fellowship to President Bola Tinubu, we will, with the help of God, collectively see Nigeria become a $1 trillion economy by 2031,” the statement added.

Their endorsement comes amid growing political realignments and early consultations ahead of the 2027 elections, with opposition parties and coalition groups already intensifying discussions over possible alliances against the ruling APC.

The public declaration by Omokri and Fani-Kayode has generated mixed reactions across political circles, especially given their previous criticism of Tinubu and the APC before their recent alignment with the current administration.

Political analysts believe the endorsement could further energise pro-Tinubu mobilisation efforts while also reigniting debate over zoning, equity and regional power rotation ahead of the next presidential election.

2027: Support Tinubu For Stability, Omokri, FFK Tell Nigerians