Oyo Grand Chief Imam Declares Marathon Prayers Over Insecurity, Peace of Oyoland

OYO, Nigeria – Deeply troubled by the rising wave of insecurity sweeping across the nation, the Grand Chief Imam of Oyo Land, Sheikh Al-Imam Barrister Bilal Husayn Akinola Akeugberu, has declared a special marathon prayer programme to seek divine intervention for peace, unity, and sustainable development in Oyoland and Nigeria as a whole.

The announcement came through an official press release issued on Wednesday, 20th May 2026, from the Office of the Grand Chief Imam. The revered Islamic leader expressed profound concern over the persistent security challenges plaguing the country, with particular emphasis on Oyo State, stressing that the current situation demands both practical security measures and sincere spiritual intervention from all stakeholders. According to the Grand Chief Imam, the marathon prayers will feature Adhkaar (remembrances of Allah), Nawaafil (supererogatory prayers), recitation of the Glorious Qur’an, and special supplications dedicated exclusively to the peace and progress of the land. The spiritual gathering is designed to be a continuous session of worship and fervent prayer.

The spiritual gathering is scheduled to hold on Tuesday, 26th May 2026, which coincides with the blessed Day of Arafah – widely regarded as the holiest day in the Islamic calendar. The event will take place at the Oyo Central Mosque, commencing from 12:00 PM and continuing uninterruptedly until Maghrib (sunset) time, by the grace of Allah. The prayer session will focus intensely on seeking Allah’s mercy and protection for Oyoland, Oyo State, and Nigeria at large. Special attention will be directed at the rising wave of insecurity, including fear, kidnapping, violence, banditry, and social unrest that have increasingly disrupted communities across the nation.

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In a show of reverence for traditional institutions, special prayers will also be offered for the wellbeing, sound health, wisdom, and divine guidance of His Imperial Majesty, Abdul Hakeem Abimbola Owoade I, the Elewuetu the Great. The Grand Chief Imam further called for supplications for increasing prosperity, progress, infrastructural development, and human capacity advancement across all sectors of Oyoland. In a significant political declaration, the Grand Chief Imam announced that prayers shall be made for the emergence of Oyo Town as the capital of the proposed Oyo State in the coming political dispensation, by the grace of Allah. This marks a bold spiritual endorsement of long-standing political aspirations within the community.

The Grand Chief Imam called on all stakeholders, traditional rulers, religious leaders, Ustads, Afas, community leaders, youth groups, and all meaningful Nigerians to unite in prayers and collective efforts towards restoring peace, harmony, and development to the nation. He emphasized that insecurity is a challenge that transcends religious and ethnic boundaries, requiring a unified response from all citizens. He also encouraged all Muslims to observe fasting on the Day of Arafah, describing it as one of the most spiritually rewarding days in Islam and a unique opportunity for supplication, seeking Allah’s forgiveness, and obtaining divine mercy.

Adequate arrangements, according to the Imam, will be put in place to ensure comfort and convenience for all participants throughout the programme. Security and crowd management measures are expected to be established to facilitate a smooth and focused spiritual exercise without disruptions. The Grand Chief Imam concluded by praying for Allah’s divine intervention in the affairs of the nation and for lasting peace, stability, and prosperity across Oyoland and Nigeria. The press release was signed by the Office of the Grand Chief Imam of Oyo Land, for and on behalf of Sheikh Al-Imam Barrister Bilal Husayn Akinola Akeugberu, with the closing invocation: Wallahul Musta’aan (Allah is the One Whose help is sought) and Assalaamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakaatuh.

Oyo Grand Chief Imam Declares Marathon Prayers Over Insecurity, Peace of Oyoland

Son, Grandson Kidnap Father Twice for N6.5m Ransom in Kaduna

Published: May 20, 2026 | Read Time: 4 minutes

The Kaduna Police Command has uncovered a shocking case of family betrayal, revealing that an elderly man, Alhaji Rabo Jelani, was allegedly kidnapped twice by his own son and grandson. The suspects reportedly collected a total of N6.5 million in ransom and operated with multiple AK-47 rifles, one of which has been recovered by police.

The Kaduna Police Command announced on Tuesday that Yusuf Rabo (the victim’s son) and Musa Adamu (an accomplice) have been arrested following intensive investigations into the abduction of Alhaji Rabo Jelani, an elderly man from Kaduna State. Both suspects are currently in custody and have been charged with criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, armed robbery, and unlawful possession of firearms. According to police spokesperson DCP Anthony Okon Placid, investigations revealed that Yusuf Rabo allegedly conspired with Musa Adamu and Ali Haruna—the victim’s own grandson—to kidnap the elderly man for ransom. The motive was that the syndicate believed that Alhaji Rabo Jelani possessed substantial wealth and large livestock holdings.

While two suspects are in custody, police have confirmed that Ali Haruna, the victim’s grandson, remains at large. Authorities have launched a manhunt to apprehend the fleeing suspect and recover additional weapons and exhibits connected to the crimes. The Nigeria Police Force has assured the public of sustained intelligence-led operations against violent criminal groups across the country.

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Findings revealed that the victim was abducted on separate occasions and taken to forest hideouts where ransom negotiations were allegedly coordinated by Yusuf Rabo himself. In a chilling twist, the son was reportedly negotiating with his own family for the release of his father while the elderly man was held captive in the forest. The first abduction reportedly yielded a ransom payment of Two Million Naira (N2,000,000) , while a subsequent operation generated Four Million Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N4,500,000) . This brings the total amount extorted from the family to N6.5 million.

Investigations further established that the criminal syndicate procured and deployed multiple AK-47 rifles for their operations. In a shocking revelation, police allege that Ali Haruna (the grandson) supplied one of the firearms belonging to his own father —meaning the grandson allegedly took his father’s rifle to help kidnap his grandfather. Additional weapons were sourced by other members of the gang. During the police operation, authorities successfully recovered one AK-47 rifle with an empty magazine.

The police have also linked the syndicate to several other violent crimes within Kaduna State and surrounding communities. These include the kidnapping of a trader identified as Mr. Iyke and an armed robbery attack along the Kagoma axis where commuters were dispossessed of cash, phones, and other valuables. The suspects are believed to be part of a larger criminal network operating in the area.

The Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Okon Placid, reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to tackling violent crime, stating that the Nigeria Police Force remains resolute in dismantling kidnapping and armed robbery networks across the country and assures members of the public of sustained intelligence-led operations against violent criminal groups. The police have confirmed that efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspect, Ali Haruna, and recover more weapons and items connected to the case.

Son, Grandson Kidnap Father Twice for N6.5m Ransom in Kaduna

Omokri Exposes Truth Behind Peru Drug Allegations Against Peter Obi

Published: May 20, 2026 | Read Time: 4 minutes

Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to Mexico, Reno Omokri, has revealed new details from his 2022 fact-finding mission to Peru, confirming that drug trafficking allegations against Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi are completely false. Omokri’s investigation included visiting a women’s prison in Lima and meeting with Peruvian authorities.

As Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, political tensions are already rising. One of the most controversial allegations from the 2023 election cycle has resurfaced: claims that Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, was involved in drug trafficking and sponsored a female courier arrested in Peru. But now, Reno Omokri—a prominent political figure and Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to Mexico—has stepped forward with new details about his personal investigation into the matter. His findings are that the allegations are categorically false. Omokri stated, “I went to the women’s prison in Lima, Peru, with a witness who is still alive and a video camera. I also visited authorities in that country, and confirmed that the story is false.”

Reno Omokri is a bestselling author, former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, and currently Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to Mexico. Despite being a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and supporting Atiku Abubakar in the 2023 election, Omokri has built a reputation for cross-party fact-finding. In September 2022, Omokri traveled to the United States to verify President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s academic records at Chicago State University—a move that resulted in him confirming Tinubu’s attendance and graduation, even though it went against his political interests. From Chicago, Omokri proceeded directly to Peru to investigate separate allegations made by former Niger Delta militant leader Asari Dokubo against Peter Obi.

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Asari Dokubo, a vocal supporter of President Bola Tinubu, repeatedly accused Peter Obi of being a “drug baron” during the 2023 election campaign. Dokubo specifically claimed that a Nigerian woman named Chinenye Ezewuzie was arrested in Peru for drug trafficking, and that the woman allegedly confessed that Peter Obi sponsored, threatened, and forced her to carry drugs. Dokubo further alleged that Obi was implicated during her trial proceedings in a Peruvian court. Dokubo went as far as comparing Obi to Pablo Escobar, the infamous Colombian drug lord, and publicly challenged Obi to take him to court, saying: “If him be president sef, I go pursue am.”

Omokri’s investigation in Peru was thorough and on-the-ground. He revealed that he visited a women’s prison in Lima, the capital of Peru, accompanied by a witness who remains alive today, and recorded the visit with a video camera for documentation. He also met with Peruvian authorities to verify the allegations. According to Omokri, Peruvian officials confirmed that there is no record of any court case or trial in Peru that implicates Peter Obi, there is no evidence linking Obi to any drug trafficking operation in Peru, and the story of a female drug mule sponsored by Obi is completely false. Omokri granted an interview to Arise TV from Cusco, Peru, on Tuesday, November 22, 2022, where he publicly shared his findings and released video documentation from the prison visit.

Perhaps the most striking revelation is Omokri’s claim that he personally contacted Asari Dokubo after completing his investigation. Omokri stated, “I thereafter called you on the phone and told you not to make the allegation anymore, because it was not true, and it is morally wrong to accuse a man of a crime he is innocent of. You may recall that you agreed with me.” Omokri added that Dokubo initially agreed to stop repeating the allegations, which is why Omokri did not pursue the matter further at the time.

Notably, Peter Obi has never visited Peru. According to Valentine Obienyem, Obi’s longtime Special Adviser on Media, “Even before he became Governor, Obi had visited most parts of the world, but not Peru. Till today, he has still not visited the country.” Obienyem also pointed out that no one named Chinenye Ezewuzie exists among the Ezenwuzie family of Agulu, Obi’s hometown—casting further doubt on the accuser’s identity.

With the 2027 general elections approaching, Omokri is urging political actors to avoid recycling debunked allegations. He wrote, “As we approach the 2027 election, please can we all refrain from recycling these allegations, which I have already debunked. I spent my money and time to establish the facts. Nobody gave me a dime. I did this because of patriotism and commitment to justice, even when it is against my political interests.” Omokri emphasized that he personally funded both investigations—the Chicago university records verification and the Peru trip—out of patriotism and commitment to justice, not political gain.

The evidence is clear: After an on-the-ground investigation in Peru, including visits to a women’s prison and meetings with local authorities, Reno Omokri has confirmed that drug trafficking allegations against Peter Obi are false. As Nigeria heads toward 2027, voters deserve fact-based political discourse—not recycled misinformation.

Omokri Exposes Truth Behind Peru Drug Allegations Against Peter Obi