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Tag: Insecurity

  • Ethnicity Debate Sparks Reactions as Lady Claims Nigeria Would React Differently Under Igbo President

    A Nigerian lady has stirred fresh controversy online after alleging that public reaction to the country’s insecurity crisis would have been far louder if a president from the South-East region was currently in office.

    Her comments, made during an online discussion on national leadership and security challenges, have since triggered heated conversations across social media platforms.

    “Reaction Would Have Been Different”

    In the viral remarks, she argued that religious leaders and influential voices in the country would not remain silent if the presidency were occupied by an Igbo politician under the same security conditions.

    She insisted that protests and public condemnation would have been more intense if the situation involved a leader from that region.

    “If it was an Igbo man that was the president of the country and the country was facing this level of insecurity we have now, Nigerians would have flooded the streets with protest. Pastors and Daddy G.Os would have been calling him names from the pulpit, but now all of them have gone mute and silent. Everybody knows what they are doing,” she said.

    Social Media Division

    Her statement immediately sparked mixed reactions online, with users split over her claims.

    While some agreed that ethnic and political bias often shape public criticism of leaders, others argued that insecurity in Nigeria has remained a national issue affecting multiple administrations regardless of region.

    The debate quickly widened into broader conversations about leadership accountability, ethnic representation, and how Nigerians respond to government failures.

    Recurring National Conversation

    Similar arguments have surfaced repeatedly during different administrations, especially when issues of insecurity, economic hardship, and governance challenges intensify.

    Observers say such discussions often reflect deeper tensions around trust in leadership and national unity.

    As of the time of filing this report, the lady’s identity had not been confirmed, and there has been no official response from any government or religious body regarding the comments.

  • Oyo Police Break Silence on ‘Rescue’ Claims as Abducted Pupils, Teachers Remain in Captivity

    The Oyo State Police Command has denied reports claiming that pupils, students and teachers abducted during last Friday’s attack on three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of the state have regained freedom.

    The command clarified that the victims are still in captivity, adding that security agencies are intensifying efforts to rescue them and arrest those responsible for the attack.

    Police dismiss viral rescue reports

    The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, made the clarification in a statement issued on Friday in Ibadan.

    According to the police, information circulating online about the release of the abducted victims is false and should be ignored by the public.

    “The Oyo State Police Command wishes to inform the general public that the abducted students, pupils, and teachers in Orire Local Government Area are yet to be released, as intensive efforts by security agencies continue to ensure their safe rescue and the arrest of those responsible for the criminal act,” the statement read.

    “The Command hereby debunks the rumour currently circulating that the victims have been rescued.”

    Residents urged to remain calm

    The police appealed to residents to stay calm and support ongoing security operations in the affected communities.

    The command also warned Nigerians against spreading unverified information, stressing that fake reports could create panic and distract security agencies from ongoing rescue efforts.

    “Members of the public are urged to remain calm, support the ongoing efforts of the joint security team, and verify every piece of information before sharing it.

    “The spread of fake news and misinformation only creates unnecessary panic, heightens tension, and diverts limited security resources that are critically needed for the ongoing operations,” the statement added.

    Fear grows after school attack

    The attack in Oriire Local Government Area has continued to trigger fear and outrage across the country after gunmen stormed schools and abducted pupils, teachers and residents.

    One of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was later killed, further deepening concerns over worsening insecurity in parts of Oyo State.

    The police assured residents that verified updates would be communicated as investigations and rescue operations continue.

  • DHQ Says Oyo School Abductors Were Displaced Terrorists Fleeing Military Operations

    The Defence Headquarters has said the terrorists responsible for the recent abduction of pupils and teachers in Oyo State were criminal elements displaced from other parts of the country following intensified military operations.

    The military made the clarification on Thursday while reacting to reports surrounding comments credited to the Defence Headquarters over terrorist activities in the South-West region.

    In a statement signed by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Michael Onoja, the Defence Headquarters said the attackers belonged to the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) terrorist group.

    Military links Oyo attack to displaced terrorists

    According to the statement, the terrorists were forced out of their former strongholds due to sustained military offensives across different parts of the country.

    “The recent incidence of kidnap in Oyo State was clearly perpetrated by terrorists of the JAS Group that have been dislodged from other parts of the country due to high-intensity operations being conducted all over,” the statement read.

    The military maintained that troops remained actively deployed in affected areas alongside other security agencies and local stakeholders to track down criminal groups.

    DHQ reacts to controversy

    The Defence Headquarters also dismissed what it described as misleading interpretations of its earlier comments regarding insecurity in the South-West.

    It stressed that the Armed Forces remained committed to protecting democratic institutions and supporting constitutional governance.

    “At no time did the Defence Headquarters undermine the authority of any democratically elected leader or seek to diminish the gravity of the heinous crime committed against innocent citizens by terrorist elements,” the statement added.

    Operations ongoing in Oyo communities

    The clarification comes days after terrorists attacked communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, abducting pupils, teachers and residents from Community High School, Ahoro-Esinle.

    The attacks also left several people dead, while one of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was later killed after a disturbing video linked to the incident surfaced online.

    The Defence Headquarters said the Armed Forces would continue operations aimed at dismantling terrorist and criminal networks threatening peace and stability across the country.

  • “Take Me Instead” — Oyo Teacher’s Husband Begs Kidnappers to Free Wife, Baby After School Attack

    The husband of an abducted teacher in Oyo State has emotionally appealed to kidnappers to release his wife and their 18-month-old baby, offering himself in exchange for their freedom.

    The man made the appeal after gunmen attacked schools in Ahoro-Esiele Community, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State last Friday, abducting pupils, teachers and residents.

    Speaking during an interview with media entrepreneur Chude Jideonwo, the distraught husband identified his wife as Mary Akanbi, one of the teachers kidnapped during the attack.

    “Take me instead”

    According to him, his wife was carrying their one-and-a-half-year-old baby on her back when the attackers abducted them.

    “My wife was kidnapped, her name is Akanbi Mary, she backed one-and-half-year-old baby,” he said.

    The grieving husband said the community had been left vulnerable following the attack, alleging that there was no adequate security presence to protect residents.

    “We the victims are the only people remaining in the community, with no security personnel, no protection whatsoever,” he lamented.

    Community still living in fear

    The man further claimed that some security operatives involved in rescue attempts were killed during operations in the area.

    “Most of the security personnel who tried rescue mission were all wasted,” he said.

    In an emotional plea directed at the abductors, he begged them to free his wife and child while taking him instead.

    “I will gladly give myself to them for the sake of my wife and my child. Let them free my wife and my child and just take me instead,” he said.

    “I am in the exact community where my family was taken. Let them come for me instead. They have taken everything; they have ruined my life.”

    Attack sparks outrage

    The attack on the schools in Oriire LGA has continued to generate outrage across the country.

    Gunmen had invaded LA Primary School and Community Grammar School in Ahoro-Esiele Community, killing two people and abducting dozens of pupils and staff members.

    One of the abducted teachers was later reportedly killed in captivity, further deepening fears over the worsening insecurity in the area.

  • Tinubu Says Cabals Benefiting From Subsidy, Forex Deals Want Him Dead

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said some powerful interests affected by his administration’s economic reforms are unhappy and allegedly wishing him dead over the removal of petrol subsidy and foreign exchange reforms.

    The President made the remark on Wednesday during the launch of “The NADECO Story,” a book written by Chief Ayo Opadokun in Lagos.

    Tinubu was represented at the event by former Ogun State governor, Chief Olusegun Osoba.

    Tinubu Speaks On Subsidy, Forex Reforms

    According to Osoba, Tinubu said individuals who benefited from foreign exchange round-tripping and fuel subsidy payments were resisting his administration’s reforms.

    “As for security, he says, I should let you know, that he is aware that there is a deliberate attempt to disrupt the peace of this country by people whom he knew he had offended by canceling multiple exchange rates and by canceling oil subsidies,” Osoba said.

    “He said those cabals who are doing round-tripping will wish him dead any time, but he is determined that if that is the only thing he would do, he would make sure he rearranges the economy.”

    Osoba added that the President insisted he would continue with the reforms despite pressure from affected interests.

    Economy And Security Major Focus

    Tinubu reportedly described the economy and security as the two biggest challenges currently facing his administration.

    Osoba said the President expressed concern over worsening insecurity and the gradual spread of attacks into parts of the South-West region.

    “You all can see now that the security situation is now moving gradually into the South-West zone,” he said.

    The President also defended his foreign exchange reforms, arguing that the gap between the official and parallel market rates had significantly reduced.

    According to him, predictions that the naira would crash to ₦2,000 per dollar had not materialised.

    “You all can see that the difference between the parallel market and official market exchange rate is virtually zero now,” Osoba quoted Tinubu as saying.

    Tinubu Promises More Reforms

    Osoba further disclosed that Tinubu promised to revisit some political reforms demanded by pro-democracy actors if re-elected for a second term.

    The President also acknowledged the contributions of NADECO members and democracy activists to Nigeria’s democratic journey.

    “He is ever grateful for what all of you have done to bring this country to where we are today,” Osoba said.

    The event attracted several prominent Nigerians including Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka, Rashidi Ladoja, Olisa Agbakoba and Joke Silva.

  • Family of Slain Oyo Teacher Michael Oyedokun Breaks Silence, Reveals He Died Without a Child After Abduction

    The family of Michael Oyedokun, one of the schoolteachers abducted during the recent attacks in Oyo State, has described his killing as a devastating and irreplaceable loss, revealing that he died without a child after over a decade of marriage.

    Oyedokun was among several teachers seized by armed bandits during coordinated attacks on schools in Oriire Local Government Area, which left multiple communities in shock and fear.

    He was later killed after being held captive, in an incident that has continued to generate outrage across the country.

    Abduction during school attacks

    The late teacher was reportedly abducted alongside his colleagues from Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele, during the attack on Friday.

    Other affected schools included Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, and LA Primary School in Ogbomoso.

    The attacks also claimed the lives of an assistant headmaster, Joel Adesiyan, and a commercial motorcyclist, deepening the tragedy.

    Following the incident, the Oyo State Government ordered the closure of schools across four local government areas while security agencies intensified rescue efforts for other victims.

    Disturbing video intensified fears

    A disturbing video allegedly released by the attackers later surfaced online, showing Oyedokun tied up and forced to speak before he was killed, sparking widespread condemnation and fear over the safety of remaining abductees.

    The circulation of the footage has also renewed calls for tighter control of graphic content on social media.

    “A calm and peaceful man” — Family speaks

    Speaking on behalf of the family, Ebeni Adediran described the late teacher as a calm, humble and dedicated educator who spent over two decades in the teaching profession.

    “He was a calm person and he did not like violence,” he said.

    Adediran explained that Oyedokun had worked in different parts of Oyo State before being transferred back to his community last year, where he remained closely connected with his family.

    “He was very accommodating and since he came back to our community, he always visited his parents regularly,” he added.

    Pain over childlessness

    The family also revealed the most painful part of the tragedy was that Oyedokun died without leaving behind a child after more than 10 years of marriage.

    “And the most painful part is that he did not leave any child behind,” Adediran said.

    “He had a wife but they did not have any child after more than 10 years of marriage.”

    The family said his death has created a deep void, describing the loss as one that cannot be replaced.

  • Onisa of Esin Ele Invokes Gods After Oyo School Horror

    The Onisa of Esin Ele in Oyo State, Muraina Mutairo, has invoked traditional gods following the recent attack on schools and the abduction of pupils, students and teachers in Aholo-Esinele community in Oriire Local Government Area.

    The traditional ruler was seen in a viral video performing traditional rites while calling on the gods to go after those responsible for the attack and ensure the safe return of the abducted victims.

    Traditional Ruler Performs Rites

    During the gathering attended by residents of the community, Mutairo reportedly declared that the attackers would face severe consequences if the kidnapped victims were not returned safely.

    The incident comes days after gunmen invaded schools in the area and abducted several pupils, students and teachers, throwing the community into panic.

    The attack has continued to trigger outrage and fear across Oyo State and beyond, as concerns grow over worsening insecurity in parts of the country.

    Beheaded Teacher’s Photos Emerge

    Meanwhile, photos of one of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedekun, have surfaced online following reports of his death.

    Oyedekun was reportedly beheaded by the attackers in a disturbing video that circulated widely on social media earlier this week.

    The footage sparked grief and condemnation nationwide, with many Nigerians calling on the government to strengthen security and protect vulnerable communities.

    Family Appeals Over Viral Video

    Amid the spread of the graphic footage, a family member identified as Adesewa Oladosu appealed to Nigerians to stop sharing the video of the teacher’s killing.

    In an emotional Facebook post, she described the continued circulation of the footage as deeply traumatising for the family, especially the deceased’s children and relatives.

    She urged the public to use only officially approved family photographs whenever discussing the incident online.

    The development has also reignited conversations around the psychological impact of violent content shared on social media during national tragedies.

     

  • “I’m Coming Back to Lagos” — Lady Cries Out Over Alleged Herdsmen Attack in Imo Community

    A Nigerian lady has triggered emotional reactions online after crying out over an alleged attack by suspected Fulani herdsmen in a community in Imo State.

    In a viral video circulating on social media, the visibly distressed woman lamented the growing insecurity in the area, claiming residents were forced to flee their homes during the alleged attack.

    “People Don Scatter”

    According to her, the attackers allegedly invaded the community, kidnapped residents for ransom and destroyed properties around the local market area.

    “I’m coming back to Lagos. Fulani herdsmen attacked our community,” she said emotionally in the video.

    The woman further claimed that fear and uncertainty have now become part of daily life for many people living in some parts of the South-East.

    “People have to run and leave their homes. They can actually kill anybody they like and kidnap people to ask for ransom. People don scatter. I’m coming back please,” she added.

    Fear Over Rising Insecurity

    Her comments have added to growing concerns over insecurity across different parts of the country, especially attacks linked to kidnappings and armed violence.

    The video quickly gained traction online, with many Nigerians expressing sympathy and calling on security agencies to strengthen protection for residents.

    Others also lamented the increasing number of reports involving attacks on rural communities and highways across the country.

    Reactions Flood Social Media

    The incident has continued to generate widespread debate online, with users demanding urgent action from authorities to address insecurity and protect lives and properties.

    As of the time of filing this report, security authorities in Imo State have not officially reacted to the claims made in the viral video.

  • Tinubu Aide, Daniel Bwala, Says Nigerians Have Right to Self-Defence Amid Rising Insecurity

    The Special Adviser on Policy Communication to President Bola Tinubu, Daniel Bwala, has stated that Nigerians have the constitutional right to defend themselves against attackers, including using lethal force where necessary.

    Bwala made the remarks on Wednesday during an appearance on Arise Television while reacting to recent killings and abductions in parts of Oyo State.

    “Government will end killings” — Bwala

    He said the Federal Government remains committed to ending insecurity across the country, stressing that criminal elements operate globally but can be defeated through collective effort.

    “Solution is what we all look to… we will put an end to this as a people,” he said.

    He added that periods around elections often witness spikes in violence due to what he described as opportunistic criminal activity.

    Nigerians have right to self-defence

    Bwala also emphasised that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees citizens the right to self-defence.

    According to him, individuals are permitted to protect themselves if their lives are threatened inside their homes.

    “The constitution has guaranteed to every citizen of Nigeria the right to self-defence,” he said.

    He further explained that Nigerians may use necessary force to repel attackers if their lives are in danger.

    Call for collective security effort

    The presidential aide also highlighted the role of vigilante groups and community-based security structures in supporting law enforcement agencies.

    He noted that while citizens do not have unrestricted access to firearms, communities can legally organise themselves under government supervision to enhance local security intelligence.

    Context: Oyo attack and rising insecurity

    His comments come amid growing concerns over recent attacks and abductions reported in parts of Oyo State, which have sparked renewed debate on national security and self-defence laws.

    Security experts continue to stress the need for stronger intelligence coordination and improved response mechanisms to address rising criminal activity in rural communities.

  • Gunmen Kill Vigilante Officer During Fresh Attack on Plateau Community

    A 25-year-old vigilante officer, Daniel Danladi Choji, has been killed following a fresh attack by gunmen on Tanjol village in Jol District of Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.

    Residents disclosed that the attack occurred on Tuesday night after armed men reportedly invaded the community, forcing villagers to flee into nearby bushes and rocky areas for safety.

    Several residents were also said to have sustained injuries while escaping from the attackers, who were suspected to be armed Fulani bandits.

    Attackers stormed communities in groups

    The National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youths Moulder-Association (BYM), Rwang Tengwong, confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Wednesday.

    According to him, the attackers invaded Vwak and Tanjol communities in multiple groups and opened fire indiscriminately before security operatives responded.

    He explained that the deceased vigilante officer was killed while carrying out patrol duties alongside other security personnel.

    “The attackers stormed the Vwak and Tanjol communities in more than five groups, shooting indiscriminately before they were repelled by a combined team of Operation Rainbow and security operatives,” the statement read.

    BYM demands urgent action

    The youth association condemned the attack and urged the Plateau State Government and security agencies to take urgent measures to prevent further violence in affected communities.

    The group also called for restrictions on grazing activities in the area, alleging a connection between grazing movements and recurring attacks within communities in the state.

    “We also urged authorities to halt grazing activities in the affected areas as there is a link between such movements and repeated attacks,” Tengwong stated.

    The association further demanded intensified military operations in areas suspected to be hideouts for armed groups.

    “Failure to act decisively could lead to continued loss of lives in Plateau State and the wider Middle Belt region,” he added.

    Killings continue despite promises

    Plateau State has witnessed years of violent attacks, communal clashes and armed invasions that have claimed thousands of lives and displaced many residents across different communities.

    Despite repeated assurances by successive governments to end the violence, attacks and killings have continued in parts of the state.