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IGP Redeploys Osun CP to Force Headquarters Ahead of August 15 Governorship Election

Published

3 months ago

July 31, 2026

Osun Murder: Three Arrested as Police Recover Weapons, Link Suspect to Earlier Killings

IGP Redeploys Osun CP to Force Headquarters Ahead of August 15 Governorship Election

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has ordered the immediate redeployment of Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, to the Force Headquarters in Abuja, less than three weeks before the state’s August 15 governorship election. The directive, contained in a police wireless signal marked “Most Immediate” and dated July 30, 2026, was circulated to police commands and specialised units nationwide for immediate compliance. The internal police communication stated that Gotan had been posted to the Commissioner of Police, Communications Operations, Force Headquarters, Abuja, on special duty. The signal read: “INGENPOL HAS ORDERED THE POSTING OF COMPOL IBRAHIM GOTAN TO CP COMM OPS FHQ ABUJA ON SPECIAL DUTY W.E.F. X TREAT AS VERY IMPORTANT PLEASE”. The directive was sent to the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Department of Operations, Department of Information and Communication Technology, Assistant Inspectors-General of Police in the various zones, Commissioners of Police nationwide, and other specialised formations for immediate compliance. The development comes amid mounting political tension and security concerns ahead of the governorship election in Osun State, where Governor Ademola Adeleke and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) have traded accusations over the security situation. Governor Adeleke and his allies had repeatedly called for Gotan’s removal, accusing the police command of partisanship and failing to address rising political violence.

Reacting to the commissioner’s redeployment, Governor Adeleke’s Special Assistant on Digital Media, Oni Gbenga Lawrence, hailed the decision, describing it as a response to public demands. In a post on X, Lawrence wrote: “The Commissioner of Police in Osun State has been removed. We thank the Inspector General of Police for listening to the voice of the people. The will of the people cannot be denied. Congratulations to the good people of Osun State”. The spokesperson for the Adeleke Campaign Organisation, Pelumi Olajengbesi, also welcomed the development. The redeployment followed Governor Adeleke’s remarks at a Peace Summit on Thursday, where he alleged that there was an “active progression towards genocide” in Osun ahead of the governorship poll. The governor accused the APC and some police personnel of orchestrating violence, intimidation, and politically motivated arrests against members of his party, claiming that the state had been under sustained political tension for the past three months. He warned that the situation could deteriorate further if urgent measures were not taken to guarantee a peaceful and credible election.

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The redeployment comes after months of mounting pressure from political stakeholders who had accused Gotan of partisanship and failure to address rising political violence in the state. The Accord Party had petitioned President Bola Tinubu and the Inspector-General of Police, alleging that about 100 of its leaders, candidates, members, and supporters had been arrested and detained across the state, with some allegedly transferred to Abuja. The party claimed that the police actions were “politically motivated, to frustrate, weaken and dampen” its campaign efforts in Osun State. Accord’s National Chairman, Maxwell Mgbudem, lamented that campaigning for the August 15 poll had become increasingly difficult, alleging that arrests, intimidation, and police actions were replacing the level playing field expected in a democratic contest. The party also cited what it described as the police invasion of the residences of six commissioners and the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, whose home was reportedly raided over allegations of vote-buying and harbouring a wanted suspect. The African Action Congress (AAC) had also called for Gotan’s immediate redeployment in July 2026, alleging that the police command had lost the confidence of many residents and that there were plans to destabilise Osun State before the governorship election. The AAC claimed that the state had witnessed an increase in political violence despite the recent visit of IGP Disu, describing the security situation as increasingly volatile.

The tension surrounding Gotan’s leadership was dramatically illustrated at a stakeholders’ meeting on preparations for the August 15 governorship election, where participants openly rejected the Commissioner of Police during his address. The meeting, held in Osogbo, brought together officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, political parties, civil society organisations, and other election stakeholders. Many participants booed him, shouting derogatory remarks and chanting “Redeploy him! Redeploy him!” while accusing him of failing to discharge his responsibilities impartially. Some of the aggrieved stakeholders alleged that the police boss had displayed what they described as a lukewarm attitude towards cases of alleged killings, assaults, intimidation, and victimisation of residents in different parts of the state. They further accused him of being a biased security officer whose actions had eroded public confidence in the command’s ability to provide equal protection for all political interests.

The redeployment of Gotan is part of a broader shake-up within the Nigeria Police Force. The IGP had earlier approved a major reshuffle involving senior officers, ordering the immediate redeployment of nine Assistant Inspectors-General of Police to strategic commands and formations across the country. The directive, conveyed through a police wireless signal, was addressed to all major police departments, zonal commands, state commands, specialised formations, and training institutions across the country for immediate implementation. Among those affected in the reshuffle were AIG Polycarp Emeka Nwonyi, posted to Zone 9 Command, Umuahia; AIG Obono Nnaghe Itam, redeployed as Commandant, Police Staff College, Jos; and AIG Bassey Samuel Ewa, posted to Zone 15 Command, Maiduguri. Others included AIG Osagie John Agans-Irabor to Zone 3 Command, Yola; AIG Monday Agbonika to Zone 5 Command, Benin; and AIG Daniel Edobor Iyamah as IG, Department of Operations (DOPS), Force Headquarters, Abuja. The Force Headquarters directed all relevant departments responsible for computer records, establishment, and personnel documentation to update official records in line with the new postings.

Meanwhile, hundreds of women from across Osun State staged a peaceful procession to the event venue of the stakeholders’ meeting, calling on political actors, security agencies, and residents to embrace peace before, during, and after the election. Carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Vote, Not Violence”, “Peace is Our Priority”, “No to Political Bloodshed”, and “Our Votes Must Count,” the women appealed to politicians to conduct their campaigns with civility and avoid inflammatory rhetoric capable of provoking unrest. Speaking on behalf of the protesters, the group’s spokesperson, Mrs. Ogunsuada Omoriyeba, said the women were deeply concerned by the rising political tension in the state and insisted that no political ambition was worth the loss of human lives. “We are mothers, wives and daughters, and we have come together to speak with one voice. We reject violence, intimidation, hate speech and every form of acrimony associated with elections. Osun belongs to all of us, and we want an election that will be remembered for peace, not bloodshed,” she said. As of the time of filing this report, the Nigeria Police Force had not issued an official statement explaining the reason for Gotan’s redeployment or announced his replacement.

IGP Redeploys Osun CP to Force Headquarters Ahead of August 15 Governorship Election

Related Topics:Election Ibrahim Gotan Redeploys

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₦50,000 Relief Fund: FG Reveals Criteria for Selecting Beneficiaries

Published

5 hours ago

November 5, 2026

Trends Admin

₦50,000 Relief Fund: FG Reveals Criteria for Selecting Beneficiaries

The Federal Government has explained how beneficiaries will be selected for its ₦50,000 cash relief programme, clarifying that the intervention is targeted at poor and vulnerable households identified through verified national identity records and the National Social Register (NSR).

The programme, known as the National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI), is being implemented by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction to provide financial support to households struggling with rising living costs.

Under the initiative, selected beneficiaries will receive a one-off grant of ₦50,000 directly into mobile wallets operated by approved payment providers.

According to the government, the selection process involves screening information from verified national identity records and the National Social Register to identify households that meet the programme’s vulnerability requirements.

The National Social Register is a database of poor and vulnerable households across the country, while national identity records are used to verify the identities of prospective beneficiaries.

The government said the exercise is based on need and is designed to cover Nigerians across the six geopolitical zones, irrespective of their religion, ethnicity or political affiliation.

₦50,000 Relief Fund: FG Reveals Criteria for Selecting Beneficiaries

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Bandits Demand Over ₦100m Ransom for 15 Abducted Islamiya Students in Niger

Published

1 day ago

November 4, 2026

Trends Admin

Bandits Demand Over ₦100m Ransom for 15 Abducted Islamiya Students in Niger

Suspected bandits who abducted 15 students of an Islamiya school in Niger State have reportedly demanded more than ₦100 million for their release, heightening fears over the safety of the children and prompting fresh calls for urgent government intervention.

The victims were reportedly kidnapped while assisting their teacher, Malam Aminu Bako, in harvesting maize on his farm in Tungan-Bako village, Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, during the weekend.

The teacher disclosed that the armed men had contacted community leaders to communicate their ransom demand, leaving parents and residents increasingly worried about the fate of the abducted children.

According to reports, the kidnappers initially believed the victims were students of government-owned schools. However, a parent, identified as Malam Adamu, said community representatives informed the abductors that the children attended an Islamiya school.

Adamu explained that the bandits had demanded more than ₦100 million before being informed about the actual identity of the school.

The teacher, who confirmed the ransom demand, also appealed to the Federal Government and Niger State Government to urgently intervene and ensure the safe return of the students.

Bako expressed concern that the children might be facing harsh conditions in captivity, revealing that information gathered through local vigilantes suggested they were still being held somewhere within Niger State.

According to him, the students were reportedly locked inside an isolated building guarded by heavily armed men.

“We heard that they were still within Niger State, locked in a building, probably without food. We are worried; we want the authorities to come to our aid to rescue them,” he said.

The teacher maintained that the situation required urgent intervention by the military and other security agencies, warning that community vigilantes might not have the capacity to confront the heavily armed kidnappers.

He also expressed dissatisfaction with what he described as the limited government presence since the incident, saying the affected families and school management had largely been left to depend on local vigilantes for information and assistance.

Bako disclosed that the acting chairman of Rafi Local Government Area and the Divisional Police Officer were the only government officials who had visited the community following the abduction.

He said the absence of further engagement from the state government had increased anxiety among parents, who had continued to approach him for updates on their children’s whereabouts and safety.

“We are also worried that nobody has visited us from the state government, at least to give us hope that something is being done to ensure their release,” he added.

The teacher consequently appealed to the authorities to demonstrate greater commitment towards securing the students’ freedom, stressing that the community needed more than assurances.

Meanwhile, the Niger State Police Command has confirmed the abduction, although its preliminary account differed slightly from the number of victims identified by the teacher.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said suspected bandits invaded Tungan-Bako village and abducted some people working on a farm.

According to him, preliminary police information indicated that about 14 of the victims were Islamiya school students who had accompanied their instructor to harvest maize.

Abiodun, however, assured that joint security operations were ongoing to rescue the abducted persons.

The police assurance came amid concerns from residents, who maintained that local vigilantes were the only security personnel visibly involved in efforts to trace the abductors.

The Commissioner for Homeland Security in Niger State, Justin Maurice Magaji, was reportedly unavailable for comments when contacted, as he was attending a State Executive Council meeting.

The teacher subsequently released the names of the 15 students reportedly taken away by the bandits.

They are Hassana Isah, Aliya Ahmad, Hajara Musa, Hauwa’u Abubakar, Halima Yahaya, Asma’u Jamilu, Radiya Salisu, Aminatu Salisu, Aisha Bello, Rahinatu Sani, Aminatu Alhassan, Nafisa Ayuba, Bilkisu Adamu, Salaha Abdullahi and Hajara Salisu.

The reported discrepancy between the 15 names released by the teacher and the 14 Islamiya students mentioned in the police account has also raised questions about the exact number of victims.

The latest development has renewed concerns over the persistent activities of armed bandits in parts of Niger State, particularly attacks targeting rural communities and vulnerable residents.

For the families of the abducted students, however, the immediate priority remains the safe return of their children.

They are calling on the Federal Government, Niger State Government and security agencies to intensify rescue operations and ensure that the children are reunited with their families without further delay.

Bandits Demand Over ₦100m Ransom for 15 Abducted Islamiya Students in Niger

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FG’s N50,000 Relief: OPay Details Eligibility Check Process, Issues Strong Warning Against Scams

Published

1 day ago

November 4, 2026

Trends Admin

BREAKING: OPay Warns Customers Against Viral Shutdown Message, Threatens Legal Action

FG’s N50,000 Relief: OPay Details Eligibility Check Process, Issues Strong Warning Against Scams

Lagos, Nigeria — Following the Federal Government’s introduction of the N50,000 relief package, leading financial technology platform, OPay, has released comprehensive guidelines on how customers can verify their eligibility for the funds. The company has simultaneously issued a stern warning to users regarding the rise of fraudulent schemes targeting beneficiaries.

In a statement released on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, and reported by Punch, OPay clarified the procedural steps for Nigerians to determine if they qualify for the government’s financial intervention. The move comes as millions of citizens seek clarity on accessing the relief aimed at cushioning economic hardship.

How to Check Eligibility

According to OPay, the verification process is designed to be seamless and accessible directly through the OPay mobile application. Customers are advised to log into their updated OPay app to access the dedicated section for the Federal Government’s relief program.

The fintech giant explained that users will be required to provide specific details to verify their status. Once logged in, customers can navigate to the designated “Government Relief” or notification tab where the eligibility checker is situated. The system cross-references the user’s verified identity (such as their Bank Verification Number, BVN, and National Identification Number, NIN) with government databases to confirm qualification.

Strict Warning Against Fraudsters

In a critical advisory, OPay warned customers to remain vigilant against scammers who are leveraging the news of the N50,000 relief to defraud unsuspecting citizens. The company emphasized that it will never ask customers to pay a fee or provide sensitive information over the phone to claim the relief.

“OPay urges all Nigerians to be cautious. The N50,000 relief is a government initiative, and no fee is required to check eligibility or receive funds,” a representative stated. “We will never ask for your OPay PIN, passwords, or OTPs via phone calls, text messages, or social media. Beware of fake links claiming to be from OPay or the government.”

Security Tips for Users

To ensure safety, OPay advised users to follow these guidelines:

· Use Only the App: Only check your eligibility through the official OPay mobile application.

· Protect Your Data: Never share your ATM card details, OPay PIN, or One-Time Passwords (OTPs) with anyone.

· Ignore Suspicious Links: Do not click on links received via SMS or WhatsApp claiming to offer the N50,000 relief.

· Verify Information: Always confirm information through OPay’s official customer service channels or verified social media pages.

The company reaffirmed its commitment to the financial security of its customers and stated that it is working closely with relevant government agencies to ensure a smooth and transparent disbursement process for eligible beneficiaries.

For those who may face difficulties checking their eligibility, OPay has encouraged customers to contact their customer care team through the in-app support feature.