One Dead as Improvised Explosive Device Detonates in Kwara Community

An explosion caused by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) has killed at least one person and injured others in the Woro community of Kaiama Local Government Area in Kwara State, raising fresh concerns over security in the area.

The Kwara State Government confirmed the incident, stating that the blast occurred on Monday morning along a road a short distance from the community when a vehicle drove over the explosive device.

According to the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, the IED explosion went off as the vehicle passed, resulting in the immediate death of a male occupant. He added that a woman traveling in the same vehicle sustained injuries, while a child present in the car escaped unhurt.

“The IED incident occurred on a road a distance from Woro. The device went off as a vehicle rode past it on Monday morning,” Ajakaye stated, noting that the injured victim has been taken to a medical facility where she is receiving treatment and responding positively.

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The incident has triggered renewed panic among residents, many of whom say the community has remained on edge following previous security incidents in the area.

In a related reaction, the Special Assistant on Media to the Kaiama Local Government Chairman, ZulQharnain Shero Musa, confirmed that casualties were recorded, although the exact number of victims is yet to be determined. He also suggested that the device may have been planted by suspected insurgents.

“There was an explosion around Woro this morning. The explosion claimed lives, though the number of casualties is not yet confirmed,” Musa said.

He further explained that preliminary findings indicate that the explosive device may have been deliberately placed along the route, adding that authorities are working to establish the circumstances surrounding the attack.

Security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, are expected to intensify investigations into the incident while deploying personnel to secure the area and prevent further attacks. Patrols have reportedly been increased around Woro and neighboring communities as part of efforts to restore calm.

The latest explosion comes weeks after a violent attack in the same general area, during which suspected armed groups invaded communities in Kaiama LGA, killing residents, injuring others, and destroying property. That earlier incident led to displacement of families and disruption of livelihoods, prompting repeated calls for stronger security measures.

Residents have again appealed to authorities to strengthen surveillance, improve intelligence gathering, and ensure sustained protection of rural communities that have remained vulnerable to such attacks.

As investigations continue, officials say more details will be released once the exact cause and those responsible for the IED explosion are identified.

One Dead as Improvised Explosive Device Detonates in Kwara Community

5 Killed in Cult Violence in Lagos as Police Arrest 18 Suspects

At least five people have been killed following renewed cult-related violence in the Ilemba-Awori axis of Lagos State, as rival gangs clashed in parts of Ojo Local Government Area over the weekend.

The violence, which spread across the Etegbin, Ilemba, and Shibiri communities, reportedly began in Etegbin before escalating into wider confrontations that left residents fleeing for safety. Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as gunshots rang out and armed youths moved through streets with guns, machetes, and other dangerous weapons.

According to residents, the first casualty occurred on Friday at Etegbin waterside, where a young man was shot dead shortly after playing football. Witnesses said the attackers cornered him before opening fire, killing him instantly.

The clashes intensified into Saturday evening, with reports of looting and robbery accompanying the violence. Several shops were reportedly forced to shut as traders and residents ran for cover to avoid being caught in the crossfire.

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A trader identified as Esther said she abandoned her shop and fled with her child after spotting armed youths advancing along Shibiri Road, describing the situation as chaotic and frightening.

Victims of the violence were said to be young men in their 20s and 30s, and their bodies have been deposited in a mortuary as investigations continue.

The Lagos State Police Command confirmed the incident, stating that it has launched a full-scale operation to curb further escalation and restore normalcy in the affected communities. Authorities disclosed that 18 suspects have been arrested in connection with the clashes.

The arrested individuals are expected to be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Panti for further interrogation and prosecution.

Security operatives have since intensified patrols across the affected areas to prevent reprisal attacks and maintain order, while monitoring known flashpoints linked to cult activities.

Cult-related violence remains a recurring security concern in parts of Lagos, often triggered by rivalry between groups seeking territorial dominance. Authorities have repeatedly warned against involvement in such activities, stressing that perpetrators will face prosecution.

Residents have been urged to remain vigilant, avoid violent hotspots, and report suspicious movements to law enforcement agencies as investigations continue into the latest outbreak of violence.

5 Killed in Cult Violence in Lagos as Police Arrest 18 Suspects

FCT Police Arrest 7 Over NURTW Clash, Deny Claims of Shooting at Members

The Nigeria Police Force, through the FCT Police Command, has denied social media reports alleging that its officers opened fire on members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) during a violent clash at the union’s Garki II headquarters in Abuja.

Police spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, described the claims as false and misleading, stressing that officers responded strictly to restore order following a distress call about a confrontation between rival factions of the union.

According to the command, the incident occurred on Monday morning along Sapele Street at the NURTW headquarters, where a large group allegedly stormed the premises in an attempt to enforce a court order. The police noted that the group did not arrive with court sheriffs or authorized officials, a situation that contributed to the escalation of tensions.

Authorities said about 300 individuals, reportedly armed with cutlasses, bottles, bows, and arrows, were involved in the confrontation. The situation reportedly turned violent when another group resisted the attempted takeover, leading to a physical clash within the premises.

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During the operation, police officers arrested seven suspects at the scene. The individuals identified include Sularman Musa, Nasiru Ibrahim, Alhaji Sadisu Musa, Dalha Suleiman, Abdullahi Garba, Saheed Fojebi, and Ibikunle Baruwa. The suspects have since been arraigned at Magistrate Court 1 in Wuse Zone 2.

The police further disclosed that one victim sustained severe machete injuries to the neck and was rescued by operatives, while several others with varying degrees of injuries were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.

The command firmly denied allegations that its personnel discharged firearms during the incident, maintaining that officers acted professionally and focused on containing the situation without the use of lethal force.

Following the intervention, normalcy has reportedly been restored to the area, with security personnel maintaining a presence around the NURTW secretariat to prevent further disturbances.

The FCT Police Command also urged the public to disregard misinformation circulating online and to rely on verified updates from official sources. It encouraged residents to assist security agencies by reporting suspicious activities through its emergency contact lines: 08032003913 and 08061581938.

The incident forms part of ongoing tensions within the NURTW, as rival factions continue to dispute leadership and control of the union’s structures. Security agencies have maintained heightened surveillance in key areas to prevent further clashes and ensure public safety.

Authorities have reiterated their commitment to safeguarding lives and property while encouraging all parties involved in the dispute to pursue peaceful and lawful channels in resolving their differences.

FCT Police Arrest 7 Over NURTW Clash, Deny Claims of Shooting at Members