I’m not in supremacy battle with Ooni, says new Alaafin

Newly installed Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, has denied being in royal supremacy battle with the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, or any other monarch.

He spoke through his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, in a reaction to an online viral video

He also said at no time did the Alaafin order his men to beat up the father of a monarch of a village in the United States of America.

The statement read in part, “The attention of the Media Office of the Alaafin of Oyo has been drawn to a misleading and wicked fabrication of a video produced by an online medium, Awikonko TV, and shown on YouTube .

“In the malicious video, the anchor narrated how the Alaafin of Oyo , Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade 1, ordered his men to beat to a pulp ‘father of the monarch’ of a village in the United States of America and later handed him over to the police.

“The misguided anchor said the action was in attestation of Alaafin Owoade’s supremacy battle with the Ooni of Ife. The anchor of the video was not only a pathological liar, but should be confined to dungeon of eternity for being heartless in dishing out such lies.

“What really happened was that the ancestral lineage of descendants of Oyotunji village in the USA is Oyo town. It was more than two occasions, during the reign of the late Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III , that the people of Oyotunji village traced their ancestral home to Oyo town and were given red carpet reception.

“When a new Alaafin was appointed and after the coronation, the Oyotunji monarch thought it expedient to pay congratulations visit to his ancestral royal father, which he did.

“He was well received by the Alaafin before his departure.

“Where then did this online medium defecating the social media space get its own story, if not a cooked up one. The video shown neither correlates nor synchronises with the anchor.

“What is more? How possible is it for the Alaafin to order the beating of a monarch who paid him a visit from a foreign village and with Oyo town as its ancestral home?

“However, to those who are bereft of Yoruba history, as a purveyor of authentic Yoruba traditions and given the responsibility of the Alaafin who is expected to be diplomatic, energetic and protective of his people could not have condescended so low as to have ordered his men to beat to a pulp father of a monarch from a village that belongs to Oyo in the United States of America.”

He said further, “Alaafin Owoade 1 is a royal father who puts emphasis on his own integrity, works to develop a strong ethical foundation with an understanding of Godly behaviour.”

Bandits attack Kwara North, kill vigilante, six others

Suspected bandits killed seven people—including a vigilante—in separate attacks on Sunday, April 21, 2025, in Ilesha Baruba and Kemanji communities of Baruten and Kaiama Local Government Areas, Kwara North Senatorial District.

According to the state police spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire‑Adeyemi, “The state police command is investigating two grievous incidents that occurred on Sunday, April 21, 2025, in Baruten and Kaiama Local Government Areas of the state.”

At around 9:30 p.m., ten armed men stormed the Ilesha Baruba Motor Park and opened fire on civilians gathered at a nearby relaxation spot. Six people—identified as Alhaji Ja’awire, AbdulJabar, Mohammed Nasamu, and three others—were killed, and two more suffered serious gunshot wounds.

READ ALSO:

• Rivers: Tinubu set to emergency rule after meeting Fubara
• NNPCL: Protesters storm AGF office, demand probe of Mele Kyari
• Fresh herders’ attack claims 11 lives in Benue

“The deceased have been deposited at the Ilesha Baruba Morgue for autopsy, while the injured are receiving treatment,” Ejire‑Adeyemi said.

Earlier that day, at about 11:30 a.m., a Kemanji-based vigilante group on patrol in the Kainji National Park area came under fire from suspected bandits.

In the ensuing exchange, three bandits were fatally wounded, and vigilante member Yusuf Samba “M” was shot and later succumbed to his injuries.

Ejire‑Adeyemi added that police have arrested an informant linked to the bandit network. “This individual has proven to be a valuable asset in advancing the investigation.”

The Kwara State Police Command has activated full security measures—including tactical teams, intensified surveillance, and intelligence‑led operations—to restore peace.

Residents are urged to cooperate with law enforcement and warned that anyone aiding or abetting crime will “face the full weight of the law.”

Bandits attack Kwara North, kill vigilante, six others

Rivers: Tinubu meets with Fubara, may lift his suspension 

There are indications that President Bola Tinubu will any moment from now lift the suspension imposed on the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, in March.

This is coming after the President reportedly held a private meeting with the suspended governor.

Tinubu last month suspended Fubara, his deputy, as well as state lawmakers after slamming the state with an emergency rule.

The recent closed-door meeting took place in London last week, shortly after President Tinubu left Paris for London.

According to two presidential aides who spoke on condition of anonymity, the encounter was reportedly initiated at Fubara’s request.

“It is true. Governor Fubara held a private meeting with the President last week. Fubara has promised to make some compromises. Negotiations are ongoing, but from all indications, his suspension will be lifted before the six-month deadline,” The Africa Report quoted a senior adviser to the President.

READ ALSO:

• NNPCL: Protesters storm AGF office, demand probe of Mele Kyari
• Fresh herders’ attack claims 11 lives in Benue
• Nigerian Customs rakes in N1.75tn revenue

The suspended governor is also said to be considering a defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), in what sources describe as a strategic move to regain favour with the presidency and shield himself further.

“If Fubara joins the APC, it means the president’s chances of winning Rivers State are much higher,” another presidential aide said.

The meeting reportedly occurred without the knowledge or involvement of Nyesom Wike, Fubara’s estranged political godfather and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. Sources say Wike is displeased with the behind-the-scenes diplomacy and is wary of being sidelined.

President Tinubu is expected to facilitate a broader reconciliation meeting involving Fubara, Wike, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly in an effort to resolve the ongoing political crisis.

The unrest in Rivers State escalated on March 18 when President Tinubu declared a six-month state of emergency following violent clashes between factions loyal to Fubara and Wike. In the aftermath, the president appointed former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), as the sole administrator of the state.

Rivers: Tinubu meets with Fubara, may lift his suspension