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Inside bandit bloody attack that emptied Kwara community

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On Sunday, September 28, residents of Oke-Ode, a quiet agrarian town in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, woke up to the staccato of gunfire.

What followed was not just another bandit attack, it was a massacre that shattered the town’s soul.

When the smoke cleared, no fewer than 15 people were confirmed dead— hunters, vigilantes, traders, a traditional leader and young men who had been the community’s first line of defence.

Families were kidnapped, entire compounds emptied, and hundreds of residents fled in panic.

They abandoned farmlands, shops, and schools.

Oke-Ode, once considered the safest town in the Igbomina axis, is now deserted.

Markets that once buzzed with traders are silent, sachet water sellers have disappeared, and bread is no longer available.

Fear is now the only currency that circulates in the town.

Some of those who died in the incident were identified as the Baale of Ogba Ayo, Abdulwasiu Abdulkareem; his brother, Fatai Abdulkareem; a prince from Agunjin, Ishola Muhammed; and Abdulfatai Elemosho from Babaloma.

Others are Salaudeen Bashir from Babaloma; Saheed from Abayan; Olowo-Ila  from Oke-Ode, Oluode Ologomo, Oji and Saheed Matubi.

We gave the attackers fire for fire  – Hunter

Amid the grief, survivors pointed to what they described as a suspicious security lapse.

It was first a grieving widow who accused men of the Department of State Services of complicity in the attack.

She alleged that the operatives disarmed the hunters and gave the guns to the herdsmen.

 

 

But Rafiu Ajakaye, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, said there was no truth to the claim.

He also noted that the leadership of the forest guards had disputed the claim.

But a local hunter, who narrowly escaped death and spoke on condition of anonymity, insisted that their guns were taken away before the bandits struck.

He also narrated how hunters confronted the hoodlums, who carried sophisticated guns.

The hunter said, “It is someone who has not seen a real fight that calls himself a man. It was a tough battle. Those people came with sophisticated weapons. We tried our best, but we were overwhelmed. We gave them fire for fire; the bandits were many.

“A military officer had collected most of our guns the previous day, saying he wanted to service them. Immediately, he collected the guns, he kept them in the house with bullets. He slept at Ajase, and maybe it was one of those supplying the guns that hinted them that the guns had been recovered from us, and that they should start coming.

“That was the way I thought about it because since the guns were given to us, nobody attacked us. But it was the day he collected the guns and bullets for servicing that those people attacked. That looked suspicious.

“The remaining guns we had to protect ourselves were not enough at all. If the guns had not been collected and everything was available, they wouldn’t have been able to do that. They were able to attack us because we had insufficient guns and bullets.”

‘I hid in the roof while baale, brother were killed’

At Ógba-Ayo Quarters, one of the bloodiest flashpoints of the invasion, tragedy struck at the home of Abdulwasiu, the leader of the community.

A relative, who asked not to be named for security reasons, recounted the horror in a trembling voice.

“It was early in the morning, and I was sleeping when I started hearing gunshots,” he said.

“I quickly climbed the roof to hide. After about 30 minutes, I came down and saw my brother — the baale – his younger brother, and son lying dead in a pool of blood. Their bodies were riddled with bullets.”

The local chief left behind two wives and six other children, all now in hiding.

“There is no one left in Ógba Ayo. We don’t know if we will ever return to our homes or what the future holds for us,” the source lamented.

From hiding, another resident, Gbemisola Muhammed, popularly called Yeye Oge, still trembles when she recalls her husband’s final words.

“On Saturday night, he told me not to travel after dark because he had a premonition,” she told Saturday PUNCH.

“He went for a hunters’ meeting the next morning. He was not on duty that day, so he didn’t carry a gun. That was the last time I heard his voice.”

By Sunday, her husband, Prince Ishola Muhammed, was dead.

He was ambushed alongside his younger brother and brother-in-law. The attackers were said to have attempted to abduct his sister-in-law, who narrowly escaped.

“My mother-in-law had just returned from hajj. The bandits asked after her too. They eventually left with my sister-in-law’s bag and phones,” Gbemisola said.

“Now, I am a widow,” she said.

For 27-year-old Rilwan Tajudeen, the pain of loss remains raw.

His father, a charcoal dealer, had only gone to Oke-Ode to buy goods when the bullets found him.

“My father was not a hunter. He was returning from the market when they shot him and the motorcycle rider carrying him,” Rilwan said.

“I carried him in a pool of blood. Six bullets were removed from his body. He died in my hands. I don’t know how to continue without him.”

Rilwan has since abandoned the only home he knew.

Families wiped out, babies kidnapped

Saturday PUNCH gathered that in Dabu village, a man identified as Taiye, his wife, and their two-month-old baby were kidnapped.

A popular doctor known as Baba Gold was also abducted along with his wife and two children.

“They killed Oluode Ologomo, a powerful hunter whose charms used to protect him. They stripped him of his amulets before shooting him. They wanted to make a statement that nobody is safe,” another resident said.

In Alade village, a Bororo man and a Hausa trader were reportedly killed before the bandits advanced into Oke-Ode.

No fewer than 15 people were killed.

A youth leader, Sesan Okeleye, lamented that the hunters died while serving without any form of remuneration.

“They were killed like chickens because their weapons were taken away under the guise of repairs. Somebody somewhere knows what is happening.”

Another indigene, Sunmonu Jamiu, added, “People here know the bandits’ hideouts. The soldiers too know. Why are they not going into the forests to flush them out? Until they do, we are not safe.”

Exodus in 200 vehicles

By midweek, Oke-Ode had emptied.

From Ajase-Ipo Junction down to the affected villages, residents carried bags of clothes and food as they boarded buses.

Commercial drivers confirmed that more than 200 vehicles evacuated residents between Sunday and Wednesday.

“The whole town has emptied,” one driver said. “It is possible the criminals will now take over after killing the Baale and the vigilantes.”

Even institutions were not spared. At the School of Nursing in Oke-Ode, where about 700 students were enrolled, classrooms and hostels stood empty.

Students were hurriedly relocated to Ilorin for safety.

“We could not take chances with their safety,” said Dr. Nasirudeen Tajudeen, a senior lecturer. “Accommodation has been secured in Ilorin. Academic work will continue there.”

The  Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, told Saturday PUNCH that the command had scaled up joint operations with other forces to restore normalcy.

She said, “We are not leaving anything to chance. The Kwara State Police Command, in synergy with the Nigerian Army, the Office of the National Security Adviser, and our sister agencies, is intensifying operations to ensure calm is restored to the hinterlands and the bandits terrorising our people are routed out.”

Kwara to set up task force, says gov

Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, vowed to ensure justice for the forest guards, hunters, and community leader killed in the attack.

The governor, in a statement posted on X on Friday, also announced plans to set up a civilian task force to bolster local security and tackle the growing wave of kidnappings and violent attacks across the state.

He said he held an emergency security meeting with stakeholders from Edu and Patigi LGAs on Thursday night.

He noted that the new civilian outfit would be drawn from local communities, adequately trained, and supported to work closely with conventional security agencies.

The governor explained that the task force would complement existing security structures, while its modalities would be fine-tuned in consultation with stakeholders to guarantee sustainability.

During the meeting, he noted that discussions also focused on supporting victims of past attacks, upgrading infrastructure at the College of Education (Technical), Lafiagi, and improving power supply across the Edu–Patigi axis.

Expressing grief over the Oke Ode tragedy, the governor described the slain men as heroes who laid down their lives for the safety of others.

“They will not die in vain. Beyond our solidarity and planned support for their families, we will not spare the criminals behind their deaths,” he said.

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Crime

Cover up! Nasarawa cops freed after murder of seven Lagos traders

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Police authorities have released the three policemen accused of killing seven traders at the Owode-Onirin Motor Spare Parts Market in Lagos State.

Our correspondent also gathered that the suspected land grabber involved in the incident had been released on bail.

Families of the deceased said they were being asked to pay huge sums for postmortems before the bodies of their loved ones could be released.

On August 30, 2025, Saturday PUNCH had reported how a suspected land grabber allegedly led policemen from the  Nasarawa State Police Command to unleash violence in the market.

About 50 vehicles were reportedly destroyed.

Sources revealed that the three policemen involved in the incident were taken to Abuja instead of facing trial in Lagos where the incident occurred.

A source said, “The policemen were from Nasarawa command. They were brought from their state to Lagos by the suspected land grabber. After the killings, they were taken to Abuja for an orderly room trial. But the Provost freed them on claims of self-defence.”

It was alleged that the provost and the Nasarawa Commissioner of Police were friends, which influenced the decision to free the cops. The claim could not be confirmed by our correspondent.

It was gathered that the alleged mastermind, identified as Abiodun Ariori, had also been released.

While in detention at the State Criminal Investigation Department, he reportedly filed a bail application at the High Court, which the police failed to challenge.

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, condemned the development, saying his chamber was ready to prosecute the suspects.

“If the police are not willing to prosecute, we will. The offence was committed in Lagos, so there was no basis for the case to be transferred to Abuja. If they are claiming self-defence, they should come and say it in court,” Falana said.

Families of the deceased also accused the authorities of neglect, injustice, and extortion.

They lamented that while the suspected land grabber had regained his freedom, their loved ones’ bodies still remained in the morgue.

Moruf Olayemi, uncle to one of the deceased, Akinboye Oluwaseyi, said the demand for payment before postmortems was an exploitation of victims.

He said, “We were told there were about 600 bodies in the morgue and that if our association pays, the process will be done quickly. But it means families will indirectly bear the cost. Meanwhile, the land grabber who was handed over to the police has been freed. It shows there is no justice in Nigeria. When you have money, you can behave anyhow. The poor are always on the receiving end. Oluwaseyi left behind three children, aged seven, five and two.”

Owolabi Ganiu, the employer of another victim, Wale Adebayo, accused the police of monetising postmortems.

Ganiu expressed anger at the silence of both state and local governments.

“Not even a condolence visit has come. This is about human lives. We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene. Adebayo left behind a three-year-old child, and his mother-in-law even suffered a stroke after his death.”

Another bereaved father, Abiodun Temilola, who lost his son Abraham, described the process as unfair.

“They should release his body to us if they are not ready to conduct the postmortem. Abraham was a gentleman with no issues with the police. We cannot afford the amount they are asking for,” he said.

Similarly, Biliaminu Adeoye, father of Akeem Adeoye, said the widows and orphans left behind were struggling.

“Asking us for huge sums in this condition is wickedness,” he lamented.

The Chairman of the Owode-Onirin Motor Spare Parts Market, Abiodun Ahmed, urged families to be patient, saying the government would be responsible for postmortems.

“We were informed that some funds might help speed up the process, but it’s not as though the police are demanding money from us,” Ahmed clarified.

He also confirmed that the suspected land grabber had been released after instituting suits against the police, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, and the market.

He said, “We heard he was granted bail on medical grounds. But the police have since stationed officers at the market to protect traders and prevent further violence.”

The Lagos Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, said this was the first time she was hearing about the case and would get back to our correspondent.

She had yet to do so as of press time.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, could not be reached for comment.

But Saturday PUNCH gathered that the Inspector General of Police had ordered a review of the case.

The Lagos CP, Moshood Jimoh, is also said to be determined to prosecute the suspects.

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Crime

Founder Of US Megachurch, Robert Morris, Pleads Guilty To S*xually Abusing 12-Year-Old Girl

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Morris admitted in court to felony charges of lewd and indecent acts with a child. He was sentenced to 10 years, but will only serve six months in jail and spend the remaining time on probation.

Robert Morris, the 64-year-old founder of Gateway Church in Texas, has pleaded guilty to s*xually abusing a 12-year-old girl in Oklahoma over four decades ago.

Morris admitted in court to felony charges of lewd and indecent acts with a child. He was sentenced to 10 years, but will only serve six months in jail and spend the remaining time on probation.

He must also register as a s*x offender and pay $250,000 in restitution, per BBC.

The victim, Cindy Clemishere, now 55, was in court as Morris entered his plea. Through tears, she told him his abuse had “rippled into every part of her life.”

She also rejected Morris’ earlier claims that it was a “moral failure” with a “young lady,” saying firmly: “There was no such thing as consent from a 12-year-old child. I was not a young lady. I was a child.”

The abuse happened in the 1980s while Morris, then a traveling evangelist, was living with her family in Hominy, Oklahoma. Clemishere said she reported the abuse to her parents and church leaders in 1987, but no one called the police.

Morris, who founded Gateway Church in 2000, grew it into one of the largest megachurches in the US, with more than 100,000 members across nine locations. He also served on Donald Trump’s evangelical advisory committee in 2016.

Morris stepped down from Gateway last year after Clemishere went public with her story.

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Crime

Bishop Onyeagoziri Arrested For Having S3x With Church Member

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Police confirmed the suspect was in their custody even as an investigation was ongoing on the matter.

The General Overseer of Champion the Truth Cathedral, Bishop Ndibueze Okorie Onyeagoziri has been arrested.

Men of the Ebonyi State Police Command arrested him for allegedly having repeated s3x with a 22-year-old female sickle cell patient in the state.

It was reported that the cleric had been in the habit of having canal knowledge of female members of his church who were in one need or the other, to provide succour for them.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Joshua Ukandu, confirmed the incident to Punch.

He said the suspect was in their custody even as an investigation was ongoing on the matter.

He said, “Yes, the bishop is with us here at the police headquarters, Abakaliki. I don’t have any other information as the case is under investigation.

“On Wednesday, October 1, he was arrested by our men and brought to the state police command over the act.”

However, in a viral video on social media, the victim said that she started living with the cleric following her health condition after the decision of the cleric and her family that she should be living in the church to enable her to be healed from her illness through divine treatment.

She lamented that the “spiritual healing” failed to solve her case as it worsened. She alleged that the bishop had assured her that a seven-day s3x with him was all she needed for her genotype to change from SS to AA.

She further stated that because of her desperation to survive the sickness that had already taken the lives of her three other siblings, she gave in to the option.

She lamented that after the seven-day s3xual intercourse with the general overseer, her health issues became compounded, and she raised the alarm and informed her sister about it.

Her elder sister, according to her, stepped into the matter and insisted she must return home since the so-called divine treatment was no longer working.

The victim said, “The Bishop repeatedly threatened to upload pictures of our s3xual activities if I left him.” According to her, she later left the cleric and went back to her village, only to see her nude pictures with the cleric on social media, eliciting reactions.

Meanwhile, Onyeagoziri has denied having any s3xual intercourse with the victim, adding that his phone was stolen and those who stole the phone used Artificial Intelligence to post his “doctored” nudity with that of the girl.

He said, “My phone was stolen earlier this month, and after all efforts by those in possession of the phone to extort me failed, they resorted to denting my image. Those pictures you see are doctored. They aren’t real.”

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