metro
Osun 2026: Police declare ‘Emir,’ four others wanted over alleged political violence
Osun 2026: Police declare ‘Emir,’ four others wanted over alleged political violence
The Osun State Police Command has declared five suspected political thugs wanted over their alleged involvement in a series of violent attacks across the state, as security agencies intensify efforts to prevent a breakdown of law and order ahead of the 2026 Osun State governorship election.
The move comes amid growing concerns over escalating political violence in several communities, where recent clashes have resulted in deaths, injuries and widespread tension.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, the command identified the wanted suspects as Dauda Olamilekan, popularly known as Emir, Taoreed (alias Small Rugged), Adetunji Kamoru Olatunde, Saka Afees (alias Terror) and Adeyemi Saheed.
According to the police, the declaration followed weeks of intelligence gathering and investigations into violent incidents allegedly linked to political thuggery in different parts of the state.
The command alleged that the suspects are among the principal actors responsible for the recent wave of killings, assaults, intimidation and other criminal activities that have heightened political tension ahead of the governorship poll.
The command wants to declare the suspects wanted for various offences after an in-depth intelligence-led investigation identified them as key figures behind the increasing spate of political violence and thuggery in the state.
The police appealed to members of the public, community leaders and the media to assist security agencies with credible information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects.
It also urged the wanted individuals to surrender themselves at the Osun State Police Command, warning that officers have already commenced efforts to track them down and that anyone found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
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The declaration forms part of a broader security strategy by the Nigeria Police Force to curb election-related violence and reassure residents that adequate measures are being taken to safeguard lives and property before political campaigns gather full momentum.
The police have repeatedly warned political actors, supporters and youth groups against sponsoring or participating in violence, insisting that anyone involved in criminal activities will face prosecution irrespective of political affiliation.
Political tension has continued to rise across Osun State since June, with several deadly attacks reported in different communities.
Among those reportedly killed are Olapade Ezekiel, a teenager from Ilobu; Comrade Abdullateef Olamilekan; 70-year-old Kazeem Akande in Osogbo; Ajayi Aderogba in Esa-Oke; and Eluyera in Ikire.
The recurring violence has heightened fears among residents and prompted renewed calls from civil society organisations, traditional rulers and community leaders for stronger security measures to guarantee peaceful political activities ahead of the election.
Governor Ademola Adeleke has repeatedly condemned political violence and directed security agencies to arrest and prosecute anyone found sponsoring or participating in attacks, regardless of political affiliation.
The governor has maintained that the state government remains committed to ensuring a peaceful and credible governorship election, while urging political stakeholders to embrace dialogue instead of violence.
NURTW crisis adds fresh security concerns
Meanwhile, the security situation has been further complicated by the leadership crisis rocking the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Osun State.
The National Executive Council of the NURTW has rejected the Osun State Government’s directive suspending the union’s activities across motor parks, insisting that the state government lacks the constitutional authority to halt the operations of the union.
The union also inaugurated a seven-member caretaker committee to oversee its affairs in Osun pending the resolution of the leadership dispute.
The committee is chaired by Kazeem Oyewale, popularly known as Asiri Eniba, with Sunday Oludare serving as secretary, Lukman Ahmed as treasurer, while Ismaila Abdurahim, Adebayo Tajudin, Tajudin Akin and Ayinde Mutiu will serve as members.
The development followed the Osun State Government’s suspension of NURTW activities in motor parks after violent clashes between rival factions disrupted commercial activities and raised fresh security concerns.
The state government also ordered an immediate halt to the collection of levies in motor parks and directed security agencies to arrest anyone parading himself as a union executive in defiance of the directive.
The crisis escalated after supporters of rival factions clashed in Osogbo, with reports of gunfire triggering panic among residents and businesses.
Reacting to the suspension, NURTW National President Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, through the union’s Deputy National President, Aliyu Ore, maintained that no state government has the legal authority to suspend the activities of the union because it was established under Nigerian law.
Ore explained that the inauguration of the caretaker committee became necessary because the Osun chapter had operated without effective leadership for several months.
He also disclosed that the union has an existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the transportation of election materials, making it essential to maintain a functional leadership structure ahead of the governorship election.
According to him, the caretaker committee will administer the affairs of the union until all pending leadership disputes are resolved.
Accepting the appointment, caretaker committee chairman Kazeem Oyewale pledged to reposition the union and ensure strict compliance with both the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the NURTW Constitution.
As preparations for the 2026 Osun governorship election gather pace, security agencies have reiterated their commitment to maintaining law and order, warning political parties, supporters and interest groups against any action capable of undermining peace.
The police stressed that ongoing investigations into recent attacks remain active and urged residents to provide timely and credible information that could assist in preventing further violence and ensuring that those responsible are brought before the courts.
Osun 2026: Police declare ‘Emir,’ four others wanted over alleged political violence
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metro
Lagos police arrest four suspected robbers, recover 25 phones in Mushin
Lagos police arrest four suspected robbers, recover 25 phones in Mushin
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested four suspected members of an alleged armed robbery syndicate operating around the Iju-Ishaga and Oke-Aro areas of Lagos State, recovering 25 mobile phones and other items during a raid on their hideout.
The suspects were arrested at their alleged hideout in Idi-Oro, Mushin, following what the police described as credible intelligence and sustained surveillance by operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU).
The suspects were identified as Damilare Oluwatobi, 28; Lekan Adenuga, 30; Haruna Sheriff, 22; and David Balogun, 24.
According to the police, the operation followed intelligence gathered on the activities of the alleged robbery syndicate, which was reportedly linked to criminal operations in parts of Lagos.
During a search of the hideout, VCRU operatives recovered 25 mobile phones, two laptop computers, gold jewellery, including a necklace and earrings, and three cutlasses.
The police described the arrests as a significant development in efforts to tackle armed robbery and violent crime in Lagos, while investigations continue to establish the circumstances surrounding the recovered items and identify their owners.
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The suspects are currently in police custody and are assisting investigators with the ongoing investigation. The Command also said efforts were being intensified to apprehend other suspected members of the alleged syndicate who may be connected to the criminal activities.
The development was confirmed by the Lagos State Police spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, who said the suspects were arrested by operatives of the VCRU following sustained intelligence gathering.
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, commended the VCRU operatives for their swift response and intelligence-led approach, describing the operation as part of the Command’s broader efforts to dismantle criminal networks across the state.
Fatai reaffirmed the police commitment to protecting residents and tackling criminal activities, particularly armed robbery and other violent crimes.
He also urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to the police through the Command’s emergency lines.
The police listed the emergency contacts as 07061019374, 08065154338, 08063299264, 08039344870, 08080193432 (Marine), and 09168630929.
The latest arrests come as the Lagos Police Command continues to rely on intelligence-led operations to identify and disrupt criminal groups operating across the state.
The four suspects remain in custody while the investigation continues, with the police expected to determine the extent of their alleged involvement and pursue other individuals suspected to be connected to the syndicate.
Lagos police arrest four suspected robbers, recover 25 phones in Mushin
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metro
Osun Police Arrest Woman After Vigilante Member Dies During Sexual Encounter in Ile-Ife
Osun Police Arrest Woman After Vigilante Member Dies During Sexual Encounter in Ile-Ife
Authorities have launched an investigation into the mysterious death of a vigilante member in Ile-Ife who died shortly following a sexual encounter, as conflicting accounts emerge about what caused the tragedy.
The Osun State Police Command has arrested a woman in connection with the sudden death of a local vigilante member, identified as Sunday and popularly known as Apetu, who died shortly after a sexual encounter in Ile-Ife. The incident occurred around 2:30 p.m. in the Ooni Ilare area, within the Odi-Olokun Division of Ile-Ife, and has generated considerable attention in the community due to conflicting explanations surrounding the man’s sudden death.
According to a situation report attributed to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) , Apetu was found in a state of severe physical distress after the encounter, gasping and screaming while pleading with the woman. A video recorded at the scene and circulated on social media shows the deceased in distress, heard pleading with the woman to give him urine. The woman involved in the incident was reportedly taken into custody at the Moore Police Division in Ile-Ife as authorities commenced inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the death.
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The cause of Apetu’s death has not been officially established, despite claims by some residents that he died from what they described as a “thunderbolt.” This belief centres on a traditional claim that a person affected by a supposed “thunderbolt” spell could harm another person through sexual contact. However, authorities have not confirmed the claim or established any link between the traditional belief and the man’s death, emphasizing that such claims remain matters of traditional belief and have not been established as a medical or scientific explanation for the death.
Following the incident, Apetu’s remains were deposited at the morgue of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife. When contacted over reports circulating on social media, a senior police officer from the Osun State Police Command said he was aware of the rumours but cautioned members of the public against spreading unverified information. The command said no conclusion should be drawn from social media accounts until investigations establish what actually happened.
The NSCDC spokesperson, ASC I Kehinde Adeleke, also confirmed the incident when contacted. Authorities have urged residents and community leaders to remain calm and avoid sensational claims capable of causing panic while allowing the police and relevant medical authorities to determine the circumstances surrounding the death. The arrest of the woman is not an indication that she caused Apetu’s death, as authorities are yet to publicly establish the cause of death or announce any criminal charge against her.
Osun Police Arrest Woman After Vigilante Member Dies During Sexual Encounter in Ile-Ife
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metro
Lagos arraigns over 100 suspects after 130 arrested in Lekki, Ajah raid
Lagos arraigns over 100 suspects after 130 arrested in Lekki, Ajah raid
The Lagos State Government has arraigned more than 100 suspects before the Lagos State Special Offences Mobile Court following a security operation that led to the arrest of about 130 people in parts of Victoria Island, Lekki and Ajah.
The suspects were brought before the court sitting in Bolade, Oshodi, on allegations bordering on breach of public peace, unlawful conversion of government property for personal use and conduct likely to cause a breakdown of law and order.
The arrests followed an early-morning enforcement operation conducted on Friday, September 4, 2026, by operatives of the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency (LNSA).
The operation, which began between 2am and 4am, was reportedly carried out along the Victoria Island-Lekki-Ajah axis and parts of the Coastal Road.
According to the state government, the operation was launched as part of efforts to address alleged criminal activities and maintain public safety in the affected areas.
The LNSA General Manager, Dr Ifalade Oyekan, led the operation, which was supported by officials of Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) and an armed detachment of the Nigeria Police Force.
The operation was also facilitated by the Chief Security Officer to the Lagos State Governor, Kunle Fagbemi.
Following the arrests, the suspects were screened and profiled as part of the process of determining those who would face prosecution.
The government had described those arrested as suspected hoodlums, but the allegations against individual defendants remain subject to determination by the court.
During the court proceedings, the prosecution was led by Oluwabusola Omotunde on behalf of the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.
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The prosecution told the court that the defendants were arrested during the overnight operation and subsequently brought before the Mobile Court to answer the charges against them.
Some of the defendants pleaded guilty to the charges, while others pleaded not guilty.
The Chief Magistrate of the Mobile Court, F.J. Adefioye, stressed the importance of deterrence while ensuring that the proceedings complied with due process.
Defendants who pleaded guilty to Counts I and II were sentenced to one month and two months of community service or imprisonment, respectively. The sentences were ordered to run consecutively.
However, defendants who pleaded not guilty were granted bail with two sureties each, pending further proceedings in their respective cases.
The arrests and subsequent arraignment form part of the Lagos State Government’s broader efforts to tackle activities it considers capable of threatening public order and safety.
The LNSA said the operation was also intended to protect residents, motorists and legitimate businesses operating along some of the state’s busiest corridors.
The agency said it had received reports of criminal activities allegedly targeting motorists, particularly during periods of traffic congestion, prompting the enforcement action.
Oyekan said the agency would continue to work with residents and other security agencies to strengthen intelligence gathering and respond to security concerns across communities.
He also indicated that similar joint operations could be sustained at strategic locations across Lagos as part of efforts to deter criminal activities.
The LNSA management has also linked its community policing strategy to the state’s broader push for stronger grassroots security and improved response to security threats.
Meanwhile, the Coordinator of the Lagos State Special Offences Mobile Court, Olufemi Adekunle, said the court would continue to handle cases brought before it in accordance with the law.
Adekunle reaffirmed the government’s commitment to maintaining law and order while protecting residents, businesses and public spaces across Lagos.
He added that similar Mobile Court sittings would continue across the state to ensure that alleged offenders were promptly brought before the court.
The latest development comes amid renewed enforcement activities across Lagos aimed at curbing public disorder and other activities authorities consider a threat to safety.
For the defendants who pleaded not guilty, the allegations remain unproven until the court reaches a final determination.
Lagos arraigns over 100 suspects after 130 arrested in Lekki, Ajah raid
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