VIDEO: Suspected Bandit in Full Army Camouflage Arrested in Osogbo

A suspected bandit operating in full military camouflage was apprehended on Wednesday in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, sending shockwaves through the community and raising fresh alarms over the increasing criminal tactic of using military attire to evade security checkpoints. The suspect, whose identity has not yet been officially released by security agencies, was intercepted by a joint team of local vigilantes and eagle-eyed residents who noticed suspicious movements in a busy quarter of Osogbo. Witnesses at the scene reported that the individual was dressed entirely in standard Nigerian Army camouflage, a tactic increasingly deployed by criminal syndicates across the country to bypass security and infiltrate urban communities.

According to eyewitness accounts, local vigilantes and intelligence officers in Osun State grew suspicious when the individual failed to display the typical discipline or credentials of an official military officer. Upon interception, the suspect was immediately disarmed, subdued, and bundled into a security vehicle to prevent an angry mob from carrying out jungle justice. The incident marks a chilling escalation in the security dynamic of the Southwest, a region that has historically remained largely insulated from the overt, daylight bandit operations common in the Northwest and North-Central zones. The arrest in Osogbo highlights an ongoing national security challenge regarding the easy accessibility of military gear to non-state actors.

The suspect has been moved to an undisclosed high-security facility for deep interrogation. Operatives are currently working to establish three critical pieces of information: the source of the military gear and whether an internal logistical leak exists within military supply chains; the suspect’s mission and whether the individual is part of an advanced scout team planning coordinated abductions or armed robberies within Osun State; and network affiliations, including whether there are active local collaborators providing safe houses for criminal elements within the state capital.

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The arrest comes amid heightened tensions across Osun State following days of conflicting reports about bandit activity. Just one day before the apprehension, on Tuesday, there was widespread panic in four local government areas of Osun State following rumoured presence of bandits in communities, leading parents to withdraw their children from schools and disrupting academic activities. The unverified claims on social media raised panic that bandits were attempting to infiltrate Ila, Ifelodun (Ikirun), Osogbo and Olorunda local government areas. Schools shut down immediately in affected areas, with students seen running in fear on the roads as the situation intensified.

Governor Ademola Adeleke, in a statement through his spokesman, urged residents to ignore the claims of school kidnapping, which he tagged a “false alarm,” reassuring Osun people that his government has taken proactive steps to secure schools. The governor also revealed that Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) abandoned by the previous administration have been fully refurbished and are ready for deployment to strengthen security across the state. He described the recent school kidnapping rumours as “the handiwork of evil opposition elements seeking to plunge the state into chaos,” emphasizing that fact checks from border areas and across the state confirmed there was no case of kidnappings.

The Osun State Police Command has repeatedly warned residents against spreading unverified security information. On Monday, the command dismissed reports of a banditry invasion in parts of the state, describing them as “unfounded and misleading” and warning that those spreading such alerts would be investigated and prosecuted. In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, the command said it had noted with concern the circulation of false information on social media alleging that bandits had invaded some communities in Osun. The Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan, issued a strong warning to individuals and groups behind the rumours, noting that the spread of unverified information undermines public confidence and constitutes a threat to public peace and security.

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“Extensive security assessments and intelligence gathering conducted by the Command have not substantiated the claims being circulated,” CP Gotan noted. “Anyone found spreading false information, capable of causing public disorder or inciting fear, will be investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the relevant provisions of the law.”

Wednesday’s arrest in Osogbo is not an isolated incident. Security analysts have long warned that the proliferation of counterfeit or stolen uniforms undermines public trust and complicates the work of legitimate security personnel. Kidnappers and bandits routinely use military apparel to set up illegal roadblocks, making it extremely difficult for commuters to distinguish between authentic law enforcement officers and criminal elements. The presence of an armed suspect in camouflage within the Osun State capital suggests a dangerous shift from rural forest bases toward major southern commercial centers. This urban infiltration tactic represents a significant escalation in criminal methodology.

In a similar case in June 2025, the Osun Amotekun Corps arrested a 38-year-old man, Adesina Peter, for alleged theft, impersonation, and unlawful possession of military attire. According to the Amotekun Corps Commander, the suspect donned a Nigerian Army camouflage uniform to carry out criminal activities, including robbing unsuspecting residents under the guise of military authority. The incident occurred in the Modakeke area, where Peter allegedly entered a resident’s home and stole a motorcycle. The suspect was subsequently remanded in Ile-Ife Correctional Centre. The trend extends beyond Osun State as well. In neighboring Ondo State, the Amotekun Corps recently arrested a fake military officer, a suspected spy, and 37 other individuals for various criminal offences across the state.

The Osun State Police Command has urged residents to remain completely calm but highly vigilant, requesting that any individuals wearing military or police uniforms who exhibit suspicious behaviours be reported immediately to the nearest police division. The command has deployed covert operatives and Violent Crime Response Units across the state, with security agencies remaining on alert and working round the clock to guarantee safety. Residents are advised to verify security-related information through official channels before sharing on social media, as spreading false information is a criminal offence that attracts prosecution.

As of press time, interrogation of the suspect continues at an undisclosed facility, with security agencies hopeful that valuable intelligence will be extracted to prevent potential attacks and uncover any broader criminal network operating within the state.

A suspected bandit dressed in full Nigerian Army uniform has been apprehended in Osogbo

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VIDEO: Suspected Bandit in Full Army Camouflage Arrested in Osogbo

Ekiti Community Protests as 16 Worshippers Remain Captive 36 Days After N10.5m Ransom Payment

Residents of Eda-Oniyo Community in Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State staged a peaceful protest on Wednesday, calling for urgent intervention from the state and federal governments, as well as security agencies, over the continued captivity of 16 kidnapped residents despite the payment of a N10.5 million ransom. The protesters, comprising community leaders, relatives of the victims, women, and youths, said the abductees had remained in captivity for 36 days, with the kidnappers now demanding an additional N50 million for their release.

Carrying placards with inscriptions such as “President Tinubu, save us, we are perishing,” “FG, Ekiti State Government, save our loved ones from kidnappers,” and “We reject terrorism, banditry and kidnapping in Eda Oniyo,” the demonstrators blocked major roads in the community, expressing profound frustration over what they described as government abandonment despite their sacrifices. Other placards read: “Eda-Oniyo as the Headquarters of Ilejemeje Local Government deserves a functional and befitting division police headquarters” and “Eda-Oniyo needs forest guards, military base as a border community.”

The victims were abducted on April 28, 2026, when suspected bandits attacked a Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) during an evening service in the community. The attackers reportedly killed the presiding pastor, identified simply as Pastor Aregbe, and kidnapped 16 worshippers. According to residents, the kidnappers initially demanded a N1 billion ransom, which was later reduced to N150 million before being further reduced to N50 million.

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Speaking during the protest, a community leader, Ayodele Ajayi, said communication with the captives had continued intermittently, but efforts to secure their release had so far proved unsuccessful. “Our people have been in captivity for 36 days. We contributed what we could as a community and paid N10.5 million, but the kidnappers refused to release them. Instead, they are demanding more money,” he said. “There are 16 victims in total. Most of them are women, while two are young boys. We are pleading with governments at all levels to come to our aid and rescue our people.”

Ekiti Community Protests as 16 Worshippers Remain Captive

Another resident, Mrs. Bola Ajayi, made a heart-wrenching appeal to authorities, revealing the most vulnerable among those still held captive. “We have children as young as two and three years old and an elderly woman who is over 80 years old among those kidnapped. Families are suffering, and children keep asking for their mothers,” she said. “We are begging the federal, state, and local governments to help secure their release. Women are crying, children are crying, and the entire community is in pain.”

A community representative, Ayodele Oni, described the traumatic ordeal of delivering the ransom, alleging that community representatives traveled through parts of Kwara and Kogi states and trekked deep into forests before handing over the money. “We raised N10.5 million, supplied two bags of rice and several other items they requested, including fuel and cigarettes. Yet our people are still being held,” Oni said. “The process of giving them the ransom was a terrible experience. We traversed parts of Kwara and Kogi states and trekked deep into the bush. After collecting the money, they simply told us we would hear from them. Since then, they have continued making fresh demands.”

Oni added that the kidnappers had resumed contact with the community and were now insisting on N50 million. “Last night, we heard from them again. They are now insisting on N50 million despite everything we have already given them. Thirty-six days in the bush without proper shelter, bathing or medical care is unbearable. Our mothers, wives and children are suffering severe trauma,” he said.

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The community has also called for the establishment of a security post in Eda-Oniyo and a military base along the boundary between Ekiti and Kwara states, arguing that inadequate security presence has made the area vulnerable to attacks by armed groups. The protesters specifically demanded a functional divisional police headquarters, deployment of forest guards, and a military base as the community is a border area.

The Ekiti State House of Assembly has responded to the crisis, with lawmakers stating that both the state and federal governments are working “round the clock” to secure the release of the abducted persons. The lawmaker representing Ilejemeje Constituency, Iyabode Fakunle-Okieime, said the issue was raised on the floor of the house when it occurred and that a committee was constituted to address it. “That the abductees have not been rescued does not mean that the government is not doing anything about it. Ekiti State and the Federal Government are working assiduously to rescue them and security agencies mobilized to the area. All hands are on deck to ensure the safe rescue and return of the abductees,” she said.

Immediately after the abduction on April 28, the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Michael Falade, ordered a thorough investigation and a serious manhunt for the perpetrators. The police, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, the Amotekun Corps, the Agro Marshal, vigilantes, and local hunters, commenced aggressive bush-combing operations to rescue the victims. However, 36 days later, the victims remain in captivity.

The protest in Eda-Oniyo comes amid growing concerns over rising cases of kidnapping across Nigeria. In a related development, the Ekiti State Police Command recently debunked a viral social media report claiming that a busload of passengers was kidnapped along the Aramoko-Ekiti road, describing the claim as false and a deliberate fabrication designed to create panic. The command warned that spreading false information is a criminal offence and that offenders will be prosecuted. Additionally, traditional rulers in Ekiti have renewed calls for a review of Nigeria’s anti-kidnapping laws and the establishment of state police, arguing that decentralized policing would provide states with stronger security architecture capable of responding effectively to local security threats.

As of press time, the 16 victims remain in captivity, now entering their 37th day since abduction. The community continues to wait anxiously for government intervention, with families holding onto hope that their loved ones—including toddlers and an octogenarian—will be safely returned home.

Ekiti Community Protests as 16 Worshippers Remain Captive 36 Days After N10.5m Ransom Payment

Owo Church Massacre: Court Sentences Four Terrorists to Death, Acquits One

A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced four men to death by hanging for their roles in the horrific Owo Catholic Church attack that claimed dozens of lives and left scores injured, bringing a major terrorism trial that has gripped the nation for nearly four years to a close.

Justice Emeka Nwite delivered the judgment on Wednesday in charge number FHC/ABJ/CR/301/2025, ruling that the prosecution successfully proved the allegations against the defendants beyond reasonable doubt.

The four convicted men — Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, 25, Al Qasim Idris, 20, Jamiu Abdulmalik, 26, and Abdulhaleem Idris, 25 — were found guilty on a nine-count terrorism charge filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) on behalf of the Federal Government.

The court subsequently sentenced all four defendants to death by hanging.

However, the fifth defendant, Momoh Otuho Abubakar, 47, was discharged and acquitted after the court held that the prosecution failed to establish sufficient evidence linking him to the attack.

Justice Nwite held that the convicted men were principal members of a terrorist cell that operated in parts of Kogi and Ondo states. According to the court, evidence presented during the trial showed that the group held planning meetings in Kogi and Ondo states on May 30 and June 4, 2022, before carrying out the deadly attack on St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Owo, on June 5, 2022.

The court found that the attackers stormed the church during a Pentecost Sunday Mass armed with AK-47 rifles and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), opening fire on worshippers and detonating explosives inside the church premises. The attack resulted in the deaths of at least 41 worshippers, while more than 140 others sustained varying degrees of injuries. Many victims were women and children who had gathered for the church service when the assailants struck.

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The five defendants were arrested in August 2022 following extensive intelligence operations by security agencies. Investigators told the court that the suspects were tracked using geospatial network filtering technology, which helped isolate and analyse phone activities within the attack zone.

The prosecution presented substantial evidence during the trial, including confessional statements, digital forensic reports and electronic communications allegedly exchanged among the suspects before and after the attack. In total, the prosecution called 11 witnesses and tendered 23 exhibits to support its case.

One of the exhibits was a Tecno mobile phone recovered during investigations, which reportedly contained communications linking the defendants to the planning and execution of the attack.

Among the prosecution witnesses was a Catholic priest who gave a chilling account of the attack, describing how multiple explosives were detonated within the church during worship. Another eyewitness narrated how he survived by hiding inside a restroom with several children while gunfire and explosions erupted around the church building.

The testimonies painted a grim picture of one of the deadliest attacks on a place of worship in Nigeria’s recent history.

Lead prosecuting counsel, Ayodeji Adedipe (SAN), urged the court to impose the maximum penalty prescribed by law, arguing that the magnitude of the killings and destruction warranted the full weight of justice. On the other hand, defence counsel, Abdullahi Mohammed, asked the court to acquit all five defendants, insisting that the prosecution had failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.

After reviewing the evidence and submissions from both parties, Justice Nwite ruled in favour of the prosecution and convicted the four defendants.

The Owo church massacre sparked widespread condemnation both within and outside Nigeria. The attack drew reactions from religious leaders, governments and international organisations across the world, including Pope Francis, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, the European Union and the United Kingdom government. The massacre shocked the nation and renewed calls for stronger measures to combat terrorism and violent extremism across Nigeria.

The judgment marks a significant milestone in the quest for justice for victims and survivors of the attack. For families who lost loved ones and those still living with the physical and emotional scars of the tragedy, the verdict represents a major legal victory in the fight against terrorism and impunity.

Although the convicted men retain the constitutional right to appeal the judgment, Wednesday’s verdict is being widely viewed as one of the most consequential terrorism convictions secured in Nigeria in recent years.

Owo Church Massacre: Court Sentences Four Terrorists to Death, Acquits One