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Soun’s Palace Refutes Lere Paimo’s Claims, Says Ogbori Elemoso History Is Public Domain

Published

1 week ago

December 20, 2025

Soun’s Palace Refutes Lere Paimo’s Claims, Says Ogbori Elemoso History Is Public Domain

The Palace of the Soun of Ogbomosoland has dismissed as misleading claims credited to veteran filmmaker and thespian, Chief Lere Paimo, regarding an alleged remaking of the Ogbori Elemoso film, describing the assertions as inaccurate and capable of causing unnecessary public speculation.

In an official statement issued by the Media Assistant to the Soun, the Palace said it was compelled to address the matter to set the record straight, despite its long-standing tradition of avoiding public controversies—particularly one involving Baba Lere Paimo, a respected palace chief and the Aare Arobajo of Ogbomosoland.

The statement explained that His Imperial Majesty, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, Orumogege III, had earlier contacted Baba Lere Paimo to inform him of plans to creatively reinterpret aspects of Ogbomosoland history into a movie project designed to meet global storytelling standards, with possible distribution on platforms such as Netflix. As part of the initiative, the monarch invited the veteran actor to participate as both an actor and a creative contributor.

According to the Palace, the ₦7.5 million offered to Baba Lere Paimo was strictly an engagement fee for his participation in the project and not payment for the acquisition of any copyright. It added that findings confirmed that the Ogbori Elemoso story is in the public domain and not subject to exclusive ownership.

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“For the avoidance of doubt, Baba Lere Paimo was offered the sum of ₦7.5 million, which was significantly higher than what was offered to other contributors,” the statement said.
“The offer was unfortunately misconstrued as payment for copyright ownership, which was never intended.”

The Palace further emphasized that no individual can claim exclusive ownership of a town’s history, noting that the film currently in production bears a different title, storyline, and plot structure, although it draws inspiration from the historical heritage of Ogbomosoland.

“As custodian of the people’s culture and history, His Imperial Majesty maintains that history is dynamic and open to diverse interpretations,” the statement noted, adding that the project was never meant to distort or appropriate historical facts.

While acknowledging that Baba Lere Paimo had previously narrated his version of the Ogbori Elemoso story in past engagements, the Palace stressed that the forthcoming movie, scheduled for release next year, is not an exclusive retelling of any single individual’s account.

The Palace clarified that the issue does not amount to a legal dispute and would have been better resolved through private engagement rather than public commentary. However, it said the clarification became necessary to curb the spread of misinformation.

The statement concluded by reaffirming the Palace’s commitment to preserving Ogbomosoland’s heritage while encouraging creative expressions that project its history to a global audience with accuracy, dignity, and respect.

Soun’s Palace Refutes Lere Paimo’s Claims, Says Ogbori Elemoso History Is Public Domain

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Gunmen Attack Gebbe Community in Kebbi, Many Feared Dead

Published

15 hours ago

December 29, 2025

Trends Admin

Kebbi State Commissioner of Police, Bello Muhammad Sani

Gunmen Attack Gebbe Community in Kebbi, Many Feared Dead

Suspected gunmen have launched a deadly attack on Gebbe community in Shanga Local Government Area of Kebbi State, leaving an undisclosed number of people feared dead and several others injured.

Eyewitnesses said the assailants struck suddenly, firing sporadic gunshots that threw the community into panic, forcing residents to flee to neighbouring villages and nearby bushes for safety.

Local sources disclosed that the exact number of casualties could not be immediately ascertained due to the scale of the attack and the displacement of residents. The incident has reportedly left the community, which has not experienced such violence in years, in a state of shock and trauma.

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Confirming the incident, the Kebbi State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, said police operatives have been deployed to the area to assess the situation.

“The police are currently on ground to determine the number of casualties and injured persons. An official statement will be issued as soon as investigations are concluded,” he said.

Some residents, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that security agencies have mobilised to restore calm in the area.

Meanwhile, community members have appealed to the Kebbi State Government and security agencies to provide urgent intervention, describing the attack as unprecedented in the history of Gebbe community.

Gunmen Attack Gebbe Community in Kebbi, Many Feared Dead

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Three Killed, NSCDC Outpost Burnt in Katsina Youths–Police Clash

Published

15 hours ago

December 29, 2025

Trends Admin

Katsina State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Katsina State Command, DSP Abubakar Aliyu

Three Killed, NSCDC Outpost Burnt in Katsina Youths–Police Clash

No fewer than three persons were killed and several others injured following violent clashes between youths and security operatives in Katsina metropolis, Katsina State.

The unrest reportedly began late on Friday, December 27, around 10:00 p.m., when police operatives raided suspected criminal hideouts in Sabuwar Unguwa Quarters in an attempt to arrest a suspected drug dealer identified as Uzairu, popularly known as Kuda.

According to the Katsina State Police Command, the suspect resisted arrest and raised an alarm that attracted suspected gang members, who attacked the officers in a bid to free him. During the ensuing struggle, a firearm was discharged, hitting Uzairu. He was rushed to the hospital, where he was later confirmed dead.

Tension escalated the following day during Uzairu’s funeral procession, as youths allegedly clashed again with security personnel at the graveyard. Two persons were reportedly hit by stray bullets during the confrontation.

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Police authorities confirmed that one of the victims died on arrival at the hospital, while the second is currently receiving treatment.

Amid the violence, the youths allegedly set ablaze a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) outpost and attempted to burn a nearby police outpost before security reinforcements were deployed to the area.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Katsina State Command, DSP Abubakar Aliyu, said the clashes resulted in the death of two civilians, while another injured victim is responding to treatment.

DSP Aliyu explained that during the initial raid, the police team was attacked, an operational vehicle was damaged, and several officers sustained injuries. He added that one policeman was stabbed with a knife while suspects attempted to disarm him.

“During the struggle to secure the rifle, a shot was released, hitting and injuring the suspect, who later died in the hospital,” he said.

He further disclosed that on December 28, suspected miscreants hijacked the funeral procession, attacked security personnel, burned the NSCDC outpost, inflicted a deep machete wound on a policeman, and damaged a police patrol vehicle.

The police spokesperson said calm has been restored following the deployment of additional police and NSCDC personnel to the area.

DSP Aliyu added that the Commissioner of Police has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident and appealed to residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies.

Three Killed, NSCDC Outpost Burnt in Katsina Youths–Police Clash

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Two Killed, 16 Injured in Fuel Tanker Crash at Polo Roundabout in Jos

Published

15 hours ago

December 29, 2025

Trends Admin

Two Killed, 16 Injured in Fuel Tanker Crash at Polo Roundabout in Jos

At least two persons were killed and 16 others injured following a fuel tanker crash in Jos, the Plateau State capital, on Sunday evening.

The accident occurred near the Polo Field Club Roundabout, close to St. Louis College, when a laden fuel tanker reportedly lost its brakes shortly after the Plateau State Specialist Hospital Roundabout and rammed into several vehicles.

Confirming the incident on Monday, the Public Education Officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Peter Longsan, said emergency responders swiftly arrived at the scene to prevent further casualties.

According to Longsan, 18 persons were involved in the crash. Two male adults died on the spot, while 16 injured victims were rushed to the Plateau State Specialist Hospital and Bingham University Teaching Hospital (BUTH) for medical treatment. The corpses of the deceased were deposited at BUTH.

He explained that the accident was reported to the FRSC at about 6:49pm on December 28, 2025, prompting immediate rescue operations by the FRSC in collaboration with other security and emergency agencies.

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To avert a possible fire outbreak, the area was cordoned off and traffic diverted, while security agencies prevented looting. Fortunately, Longsan said there was no spillage of petroleum products, significantly reducing the risk of explosion.

Agencies involved in the operation included the FRSC, Nigeria Police, Nigerian Army, Federal Fire Service, NSCDC, Operation Rainbow, Nigerian Red Cross Society, Vehicle Inspection Officers, and the Vigilante Group of Nigeria.

Following the rescue operation, the petroleum product was safely transloaded, damaged vehicles were removed, and the road was fully cleared, restoring traffic flow by Monday morning.

Commending the coordinated response, FRSC Plateau Sector Commander, Olajide E. Mogaji, praised stakeholders and community members for their cooperation and reiterated that road safety is a shared responsibility.

He urged motorists to drive cautiously, especially during the festive season, and advised the public to report emergencies using the FRSC emergency number 122.