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Osun NURTW Crisis: Oyewale Takes Office, Declares Peace as Govt, Police Maintain Stance

Published

2 months ago

July 26, 2026

Newly inaugurated Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Caretaker Committee in Osun State, Kazeem Oyewale, popularly known as Ashiri Eniba

Osun NURTW Crisis: Oyewale Takes Office, Declares Peace as Govt, Police Maintain Stance

The newly inaugurated Caretaker Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) , Osun State Council, Alhaji Kazeem Oyewale, popularly known as Ashiri Eniba, has officially assumed office and assured residents that peace has returned to motor parks across the state, announcing the resumption of union activities following the resolution of its leadership crisis. The state council had been embroiled in a leadership dispute between the Oyewale faction and the faction led by Nurudeen Wakili, popularly known as Alowonle. The crisis resulted in protests, violence, disruption of commercial activities and the suspension of union operations in motor parks by local government chairmen across the state.

The crisis escalated on July 20, 2026, when members of the Oyewale faction staged a protest in Osogbo, alleging that the dominant faction prevented their vehicles from accessing a motor park. The protest degenerated into violent clashes, with gunshots causing panic among residents, and three security operatives sustained gunshot injuries during the confrontation. The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), comprising chairmen elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, subsequently announced the suspension of public transport union activities in motor parks across the state and appointed Oyewale as chairman of the NURTW caretaker committee. He was later inaugurated by the national leadership of the union at its headquarters in Garki, Abuja, despite the Osun State Government‘s opposition to the move.

Speaking after assuming office on Saturday, Oyewale said the newly constituted state executive members were recently invited to Abuja, where they were inaugurated to oversee the affairs of the Osun State Council. He appealed to residents not to associate members of the union with violence, describing commercial drivers as law-abiding citizens committed to their livelihoods. Oyewale also urged the police to conclude investigations into the killings of some union members during the crisis and called on members who had stayed away to return to the union. According to him, leadership changes are normal in every organisation, which is why they were invited to Abuja for their inauguration to officially take charge of the affairs of the Osun State Council. He assured the people of Osun State that commercial drivers are not hoodlums but responsible family men, expressing hope that the police would complete their investigations into the killings recorded during the crisis and ensure justice is served.

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Oyewale further stated that their doors remain open to every member because they are one family, appealing to those who have stayed away to return to the union. He also urged the Osun State Government to work with them, stressing that they are ready to cooperate with all stakeholders because they are an independent union. He assured residents that peace has returned to motor parks and all issues have been resolved, commending the Nigeria Police Force for its role in restoring peace and encouraging officers to remain committed to maintaining security. He added that commercial activities would fully resume across garages on Monday.

Also speaking, the union’s Interim Secretary and Group 2 Chairman for Ife Federal Constituency, Ayinde Mutiu, said normal activities had resumed across motor parks following the resolution of the leadership dispute. He appealed to members to embrace peace and avoid actions capable of disrupting public order, stressing that the NURTW remains one united family despite the recent challenges.

The national leadership of the NURTW, led by President Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, has backed the caretaker committee, insisting that no state governor has the legal authority to suspend the union’s activities. Represented by Deputy National President Aliyu Issa Ore, MC Oluomo argued that the NURTW is a statutory body established by law and operates independently of state governments, pointing out that the union had successfully challenged similar actions by state governments in court in the past. Ore explained that the caretaker committee was constituted to provide leadership for the union in Osun ahead of the forthcoming governorship election, citing the union’s Memorandum of Understanding with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the transportation of election materials.

However, the Osun State Government has maintained its opposition to Oyewale’s leadership. In a statement, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Alimi, clarified that the government only suspended union activities in motor parks pending the restoration of peace and did not dissolve the Alowonle-led executive. The government reaffirmed that Alowonle and his executive remain the only recognised leadership of the union and directed security agencies to remove Oyewale and his supporters from motor parks across the state. The Osun State Government further argued that the move by ALGON to appoint a caretaker committee was illegal and unconstitutional, noting that Governor Ademola Adeleke did not at any point remove the NURTW leadership. The government submitted that the tenure of the Alowonle executive is yet to lapse and that attempting to impose a suspect in violent crimes as state chairman is an affront to the law.

The Osun State Police Command has also confirmed the arrest of a suspect in connection with the July 20 clash, with Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Gotan disclosing that operatives recovered six expended cartridges, four vehicles, four motorcycles, military camouflage and suspected criminal charms from the suspects. Meanwhile, the Osun State APC has criticised Governor Adeleke’s directive suspending NURTW activities, describing the order as unconstitutional and beyond the governor’s powers. The party cited a Court of Appeal judgment involving the Oyo State Government and the NURTW, where the appellate court declared Governor Seyi Makinde’s 2019 suspension of the union’s activities unlawful and unconstitutional.

Osun NURTW Crisis: Oyewale Takes Office, Declares Peace as Govt, Police Maintain Stance

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Woman dies after husband allegedly assaults her over cooking, dance class

Published

1 day ago

September 9, 2026

Trends Admin

Woman dies after husband allegedly assaults her over cooking, dance class

A 38-year-old woman, Yamini Krishna Lal Yadav, has died in Nagpur, India, after her husband allegedly assaulted her during an argument over cooking and her decision to attend a dance class.

The woman’s husband, Krishna Lal Yadav, 41, has been arrested and booked in connection with her death after a post-mortem examination reportedly revealed serious internal injuries.

The incident occurred in the Mankapur area of Nagpur, Maharashtra, where the couple lived with their two young children.

According to reports, Krishna returned home from work and asked his wife to prepare food for him and the children. Yamini, however, was reportedly preparing to attend a dance class within their housing society and declined to cook at the time.

The disagreement allegedly escalated into a physical confrontation. Police said the husband was reportedly under the influence of alcohol when he allegedly assaulted Yamini around her neck and abdomen. The incident reportedly occurred in the presence of their children.

After the alleged assault, Yamini complained of severe pain in her neck and abdomen and reportedly asked her husband to get painkillers. He allegedly went to a nearby medical shop but returned after finding it closed.

Her condition later deteriorated, with her abdomen reportedly becoming swollen. She was subsequently taken to a private hospital in the area for treatment but died while receiving medical attention.

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The case initially appeared to be an accidental death, prompting police to send her body for a post-mortem examination.

However, the examination reportedly revealed a fractured neck bone and severe internal injuries, including serious damage to the intestines. Reports also indicated injuries consistent with strangulation and abdominal trauma, prompting investigators to reconsider the circumstances surrounding her death.

Following the post-mortem findings, police questioned Krishna and subsequently arrested him. A murder case was registered against him as investigations continued.

Yamini’s brother reportedly said the family was aware that the couple had experienced disagreements in the past. He said Yamini had occasionally spoken about problems in the marriage but had asked relatives not to intervene because she feared their involvement could worsen the situation.

The family initially believed Yamini had died following a medical emergency and was reportedly shocked when the post-mortem examination revealed evidence of significant physical injuries.

Police are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of the Nagpur woman, while the accused remains in custody over the allegations.

The case has renewed concerns about domestic violence, particularly the need for victims experiencing abuse to have access to timely support and protection.

Woman dies after husband allegedly assaults her over cooking, dance class

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NSCIA warns FG against weaponising state institutions in El-Rufai case

Published

1 day ago

September 9, 2026

Trends Admin

Secretary-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Prof. Is-haq Oloyede

NSCIA warns FG against weaponising state institutions in El-Rufai case

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs breaks its silence on the former governor’s legal ordeal, citing “serious concerns” over possible sectarian agenda in the multiple prosecutions keeping El-Rufai in the spotlight.

ABUJA – The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has raised the alarm over what it described as “an extraneous involvement of an underlying religious bias” in the ongoing prosecutions of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai. The Islamic body, which had deliberately stayed out of the controversy until now, said recent developments had forced it to break its silence on the matter. In a statement signed by its Secretary-General and immediate-past Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, the NSCIA explained that its earlier restraint was based on its belief that El-Rufai’s prosecution, like those involving other political figures, was a standard judicial process and that the judiciary had the inherent capacity to uphold justice. However, the council said recent developments in the public domain had raised serious concerns that strongly suggested religious considerations might be creeping into a process that should be determined solely by law and evidence.

The NSCIA called on the Federal Government and the Judiciary to ensure that individuals with vested religious interests were strictly prevented from weaponising public institutions or the legal system to pursue what it described as a sectarian agenda against El-Rufai. “Consequently, the Council calls upon the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Judiciary to ensure that individuals with vested religious interests are strictly prevented from weaponizing public institutions or the legal system to execute a sectarian agenda against him,” the statement read. The council stressed that its position was anchored on the Islamic principle of justice and fairness, regardless of political, religious or personal considerations, and clarified that its intervention was not intended to interfere with the judicial process but to emphasise the need for justice to be administered without religious or sectarian considerations. The Islamic body also appealed to the general public to refrain from incendiary comments that could prejudice the fair trial of El-Rufai or exacerbate the security situation in the nation. “Furthermore, the Council appeals to the general public to refrain from incendiary comments that could prejudice the fair trial of Mallam El-Rufai or exacerbate the security situation in our nation,” the statement read.

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The NSCIA‘s intervention comes against the backdrop of a protracted legal battle that has kept El-Rufai in the spotlight since February 2026. The former governor is facing multiple prosecutions by different agencies on charges bordering on alleged abuse of office, money laundering, breach of national security, and wiretapping. The council’s decision to speak out followed comments by the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), who accused El-Rufai of planning killings in Southern Kaduna while he was governor between 2015 and 2023. Musa had described the situation in Kaduna during El-Rufai’s administration as “toxic”, adding that many residents of Southern Kaduna remained unhappy with the former governor over killings recorded in the area.

El-Rufai, through his family, rejected the allegation and demanded that the minister withdraw the claim, with his eldest son, Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, giving Musa seven days to provide evidence supporting the allegation or publicly retract it. The controversy generated by Musa’s remarks has further widened the debate surrounding El-Rufai’s legal battles, with the NSCIA‘s intervention effectively placing the prosecution within a wider debate over the alleged politicisation and religious manipulation of state institutions. The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has taken a sharply divergent position, backing the Defence Minister’s allegations and demanding an independent investigation into alleged killings and human rights abuses during El-Rufai’s administration, with possible prosecution before the International Criminal Court (ICC). The NSCIA’s intervention, which did not identify any individual or group it accused of pursuing a religious agenda, serves as a significant development in a case that has become a flashpoint for broader debates about judicial independence, political persecution, and religious neutrality in Nigeria’s legal system.

The council concluded its statement by praying for peace, stability and security in Nigeria. “May Almighty Allah grant peace, stability, and security to Nigeria,” it said.

NSCIA warns FG against weaponising state institutions in El-Rufai case

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Bandits abduct Kaduna lawmaker’s brother, kill three KADVS operatives

Published

1 day ago

September 9, 2026

Trends Admin

Commissioner of Police, Kaduna State, CP Muhammad Rabiu

Bandits abduct Kaduna lawmaker’s brother, kill three KADVS operatives

Suspected bandits have abducted the younger brother of a Kaduna State lawmaker and killed three personnel of the Kaduna State Vigilance Service (KADVS) in separate attacks in Kubau Local Government Area of the state.

The incidents, which occurred within hours of each other, have heightened security concerns in Pambegua and surrounding communities, with the attacks taking place along the Zaria-Pambegua axis before the lawmaker’s brother was abducted from his residence.

The KADVS Public Relations Officer, Yunusa Ibrahim, confirmed the incidents in a statement issued on Tuesday.

Ibrahim identified the abducted victim as Sanusi, the younger brother of Shehu Pambegua, who represents Kubau Constituency in the Kaduna State House of Assembly.

According to the KADVS spokesman, the suspected attackers arrived at Sanusi’s residence in a Sharon vehicle at about 10pm on Monday and forcibly took him away.

The abduction came after three KADVS personnel were killed earlier in the day while carrying out a routine security operation in the area.

The deceased personnel were identified as Dallami Dantani, the Second-in-Command of KADVS in Kubau, Abdullahi Hamisu and Zakariyya Musa.

Ibrahim said the incident began when the vigilantes attempted to stop a red Volkswagen Golf Salon during a routine check, but the driver allegedly refused to comply.

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The KADVS personnel reportedly pursued the vehicle in their patrol van in an effort to identify the occupants and establish why they were travelling through the area.

The occupants allegedly opened fire during the pursuit, killing Dantani.

The attackers reportedly turned back towards the KADVS office after the initial shooting and opened fire on the personnel there, killing Hamisu and Musa before escaping towards Zaria.

The killings occurred hours before Sanusi was reportedly abducted from his residence, creating renewed anxiety among residents and security personnel in the area.

Reacting to the deaths, the Kaduna State Commander of KADVS, CP Ali Audu (rtd.), condoled with the families of the three personnel and described their deaths as a major loss to the service.

Audu praised the deceased personnel for their courage and commitment to duty, assuring their families that their sacrifices would be remembered.

He also pledged the continued support of the service to the bereaved families.

The KADVS commander disclosed that security surveillance had been intensified in Pambegua and neighbouring communities as efforts continued to locate the abducted victim and identify those responsible for the attacks.

He urged KADVS personnel to remain vigilant while carrying out their duties and strengthen collaboration with other security agencies, particularly in communities regarded as vulnerable to bandit attacks and kidnapping.

Audu reaffirmed the service’s commitment to protecting residents and property across Kaduna State.

As of the latest reports, authorities have not announced the arrest of any suspect or the rescue of Sanusi. The circumstances surrounding his abduction remain under investigation as security agencies intensify efforts to locate him and bring those responsible for the attacks to justice.

The latest incidents have further underscored the security challenges facing parts of Kaduna State, where residents have continued to contend with threats linked to banditry, kidnapping and armed attacks.