Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi Donates N2.5m To Victims Of Bode Market Fire

While many are still reacting to today’s devastating fire outbreak at Ibode Market in Ibadan, Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi has become the first governorship aspirant to visit the scene, standing with affected traders in their moment of pain.

As a proud son of the soil, he didn’t just pay a sympathy visit, he donated ₦2.5 million to support victims and provide immediate relief.

Bode Market is one of the largest commercial markets in Ibadan and serves as a major centre for the sale of herbs, animal skins and other traditional products. The market attracts traders and buyers from Oyo State, neighbouring South-West states and other parts of the country.

In times of crisis, leadership is measured by action, not words.

With the governorship race gathering momentum, many residents will now be watching to see whether other aspirants and political leaders will also step forward to support the traders and families affected by this tragic incident.

Dangote crashes petrol price to N1,075/litre, opens sales to all marketers

Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals has announced another reduction in the ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), marking its fourth price cut within a month as the company said it continues to pass lower production costs to consumers despite still processing crude oil purchased at significantly higher international prices.

The latest N50 per litre reduction brings the cumulative decrease in the refinery’s PMS ex depot price to N200 per litre since May 30, 2026, reducing the gantry price to 1, 075. Over the same period, the refinery has reduced the ex-depot price of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) by N300 per litre and Jet A1 aviation fuel by N520 per litre.

The company said the successive reductions demonstrate its commitment to ensuring Nigerians benefit from favourable market developments while maintaining the long-term sustainability of domestic refining operations.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the refinery explained that petroleum product pricing cannot mirror daily movements in international crude oil markets because crude is purchased weeks, and sometimes months, before it is processed. According to the refinery, the petroleum products currently being supplied to the market are being produced from crude inventories acquired during periods of substantially higher prices.

It disclosed that the average landed cost of crude processed stood at approximately US$124.80 per barrel in May and US$95.25 per barrel in June, compared with the current international benchmark of about US$71.01 per barrel.

The refinery also clarified that its crude procurement costs are not based solely on the headline ICE Brent benchmark commonly quoted in the media.

Rather, crude is purchased on a Dated Brent basis together with applicable market premiums, freight and logistics costs, resulting in actual feedstock costs that differ materially from benchmark prices.

Despite the sharp increase in crude acquisition costs during the period, Dangote Refinery said it deliberately refrained from transferring the full impact to consumers, choosing instead to absorb a significant portion of the additional costs in order to support market stability and cushion Nigerians from the volatility in global energy markets.

The company noted that this pricing approach has helped to keep petroleum product prices in Nigeria below those prevailing in neighbouring countries, even after accounting for applicable taxes. It added that as lower priced crude cargoes progressively enter its production cycle, the refinery has begun systematically passing the benefits to the market through phased price reductions.

“Today’s N50 per litre reduction is the fourth price cut in one month, bringing cumulative reductions to above N200 per litre on PMS. This approach ensures that pricing decisions are anchored on actual production economics and inventory costs rather than short term fluctuations in international oil markets,” it said. “Nigeria today benefits from the stabilising role of domestic refining capacity. The Dangote Petroleum Refinery currently supplies volumes sufficient to meet national demand, helping to strengthen energy security, eliminate dependence on imports, conserve foreign exchange and provide greater price stability for consumers and businesses”.

The company expressed confidence that if international crude prices remain favourable and lower cost feedstock continues to replace higher priced inventories, Nigerians should expect further moderation in petroleum product prices.

Dangote Petroleum Refinery reiterated its commitment to supplying high quality, internationally certified petroleum products at competitive prices while supporting Nigeria’s economic growth and the long-term development of the country's downstream petroleum sector.

BREAKING: US withdraws troops from Nigeria

The United States, on Thursday, withdrew most of its forces deployed for a joint counterterrorism operation in Nigeria’s Lake Chad Basin. However, the country continues intelligence sharing and other forms of security cooperation with Nigeria.

The Commander of US Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa, General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, disclosed this during a digital press briefing on the outcome of the African Chiefs of Defence Conference 2026, where he highlighted the role of US-Nigeria intelligence cooperation in counterterrorism operations against the Islamic State (ISIS/Daesh).

He explained that while the specific military operation had ended and most US personnel involved had left, Washington remained committed to supporting Nigeria through intelligence collaboration at the request of the Nigerian government.

“And so that operation in the Lake Chad Basin of Nigeria not only helped the countries in that immediate region; it also helps countries globally as that disrupts the ISIS network,” Anderson said.

“And so — and then we have withdrawn much of our forces that were just there for that operation, but are continuing the partnership that Nigeria has asked for to help continue with the intelligence sharing and the understanding that’s necessary to be able to prosecute these difficult tasks,” he added.

The US general described Nigeria as a capable partner with a strong military and said the cooperation between both countries had yielded significant results against ISIS.

According to him, US intelligence support, combined with Nigerian military efforts, led to a successful operation against the second-in-command of the ISIS global network.

“I think the partnership that we’ve shown recently with Nigeria, where Nigeria’s a very capable and large country — it’s got a strong economy; it’s got a large, educated population; it’s got a very capable military.

“But there are things that we have learned in the counterterrorist fight over several years that we were able to assist and integrate with them to help them with their intelligence and help with the Intelligence sharing that eventually led to a cooperative effort to where we were able to bring some unique capabilities that the U.S. brings and be able to prosecute together the number two leader within the ISIS or Daesh organization who is responsible for much of their global operations, their global media, and their recruiting”, he said.

Anderson stressed that the success of the operation demonstrated the value of intelligence cooperation rather than long-term foreign military deployments.

“So I think as we go forward, that is an example of how we’re looking at engaging with partners to help them be more effective by only bringing unique U.S. capabilities that allow the partner to be effective in these fights,” he said.

He also advocated stronger intelligence sharing among African countries to combat terrorism, illicit trafficking and other transnational crimes.

According to him, effective communication and established partnerships recently contributed to the interception of a record 31-ton cocaine shipment originating from South America and transiting along the West African coast.

“I was able to coordinate through our interagency in the United States, through AFRICOM, and then notify some of the partners. And eventually it was a Spanish ship that interdicted the ship that had 31 tons of cocaine on it, and it turns out is the largest interdiction of drugs at sea that we’ve ever seen,” Anderson said.

He added that sustained cooperation among African countries, international partners and the private sector would remain critical to addressing security threats while promoting economic stability and investment across the continent.

The United States deployed about 200 military personnel to Nigeria in February 2026 to support intelligence, surveillance and counterterrorism operations in the Lake Chad Basin. The deployment came amid growing security cooperation between Washington and Abuja in the fight against ISIS and other terrorist groups operating in the region.

The troop deployment followed the redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern by U.S. President Donald Trump, who had vowed to intensify U.S. support against terrorist groups operating in the country.

On December 25, 2025, the US carried out air strikes on two terrorist enclaves in the Bauni Forest in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The partnership culminated in May 2026 when a joint US-Nigerian operation killed Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, the second-in-command of ISIS, at his hideout in Borno State.

Oyo 2027: APC unveils Ali, Adedeji as governorship candidate, deputy

Senator Sharafadeen Alli, on Thursday, received the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) nomination form as the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the 2027 general election.

The Senator representing Oyo South senatorial district also unveiled Mr Michael Adedeji, a 46-year-old Economics graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, from Iwo-Ate in Ogo Oluwa Local Government Area as his running mate.

Speaking at the event, the APC Chairman in Oyo State and former Deputy Governor, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo, urged party members to remain united and work together to secure victory in the 2027 governorship election.

Adeyemo said it was better for the party to be in government than in the opposition, appealing to aggrieved members to put aside their grievances and support the APC.

“By the grace of God, come May 29, 2027, our governor and deputy governor will be Senator Sharafadeen Alli and Hon. Adesoji Adedeji. I plead with us in the name of the Lord to come together,” he said.

Presenting the INEC nomination form to Alli, the APC Deputy National Auditor, Mr Gbenga Olayemi, described the governorship candidate as the party’s flag bearer rather than an individual candidate.

“You will recall that I presented the nomination forms to National Assembly candidates on Monday. Senator Alli is not just our governorship candidate; he is our flag bearer. Every APC member in Oyo State is a governorship candidate,” Olayemi said.

In his acceptance speech, Alli described his emergence as the APC candidate as a collective victory for all party members and pledged to lead with fairness, accountability and inclusiveness if elected.

He thanked President Bola Tinubu, the APC National Working Committee, the state leadership of the party, security agencies and members of the party for their support throughout the primary election.

The senator also extended appreciation to his fellow aspirants, urging them and their supporters to unite behind the party’s common goal of reclaiming Oyo State.

According to him, the task ahead requires unity, sacrifice and collective commitment, stressing that the APC must move beyond the primary election and work together to achieve victory in 2027.

“Our people are yearning for leadership that listens, unites and understands their pains. They deserve a government that works for everyone, regardless of religion, ethnicity, social class or geopolitical zone,” he said.

Alli said his administration, if elected, would focus on empowering farmers, creating opportunities for youths, improving education and healthcare, strengthening infrastructure, protecting the environment and ensuring economic growth benefits all parts of the state.vvvvvvvcv

He added that his government would align with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by promoting justice, fairness, accountability, compassion and service to the people.

“I will remain accessible, accountable and a good listener. I will never take the trust of the people for granted. Let us reject division, embrace unity and work together to restore the true Pacesetter glory of Oyo State,” he said.

Accepting his nomination as the deputy governorship candidate, Adedeji thanked the party leadership for the confidence reposed in him and expressed optimism that the APC would emerge victorious in the 2027 governorship election.

The event was attended by members of the APC State Working Committee led by Chief Moses Adeyemo, National Assembly and State Assembly candidates for the 2027 elections, party leaders and stakeholders, including Senators Ayo Adeseun, Hosea Agboola and Femi Lanlehin, Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle, Pa Timothy Jolaoso and Alhaji Olayide Abbas, among others.

Police Foil Midnight Abduction, Rescue 61-Year-Old Woman After Gun Battle in Ondo

 

Operatives of the Ondo State Police Command have foiled a midnight kidnap operation in Owo, rescuing a 61-year-old woman, Mrs. Modupe Oladele, after a fierce gun battle with suspected kidnappers.

The police also recovered the victim's stolen Toyota Matrix vehicle while several members of the criminal gang were believed to have escaped into the bush with gunshot injuries following the exchange of fire.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, the incident occurred at about 2:50 a.m. on June 23, 2026, when armed hoodlums invaded Mrs. Oladele's residence in Owo, forcefully abducted her at gunpoint, and fled with her Toyota Matrix, bearing registration number WWW-434-AG.

The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of B Division, Owo, immediately mobilised operatives after receiving a distress call and launched a coordinated pursuit of the kidnappers.

The police team tracked the suspects to the outskirts of Ojana Phase 3, where they engaged the fleeing gang in a gun duel.

Unable to withstand the superior firepower of the operatives, the kidnappers abandoned the victim and the stolen vehicle before escaping into the surrounding forest. Police said some of the suspects were believed to have sustained gunshot wounds during the encounter.

Items recovered from the scene included two expended cartridges, a sandal suspected to belong to one of the fleeing criminals, and a torchlight abandoned during the escape.

The Command said the case has been transferred to the appropriate investigative unit for further investigation, while efforts have been intensified to arrest the fleeing suspects and dismantle the criminal gang.

Commending the officers for their courage and professionalism, the Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu, praised the swift response that led to the successful rescue of the victim without loss of life.

He reaffirmed the Command's commitment to protecting lives and property across Ondo State, assuring residents that the perpetrators would be tracked down and brought to justice.

The Commissioner also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue to provide timely and credible information to security agencies, stressing that community support remains vital in the fight against kidnapping and other violent crimes.