Oyo warns against road blockades, thuggery during Egungun festival

The Oyo State Government has warned individuals and groups against road obstruction, thuggery and other acts capable of disrupting public peace during the 2026 Egungun Festival in Ibadan.

The Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Wasiu Olatubosun, issued the warning in a statement , stressing that the government would not tolerate any conduct that threatens public safety or undermines the peaceful celebration of the cultural festival.

Olatubosun said reports had indicated that some individuals were exploiting the festival to block roads and impede the free movement of residents and motorists, describing such actions as unlawful and unacceptable.

According to him, while citizens are free to observe their cultural and religious traditions, such celebrations must be conducted within the bounds of the law and without infringing on the rights of others.

He urged participants and stakeholders to celebrate responsibly and refrain from actions capable of causing public nuisance or breaching the peace.

The commissioner also reiterated the government’s prohibition on the possession, display or use of weapons and other dangerous objects during the festival, warning that violators would face arrest and prosecution.

“Anyone found engaging in activities capable of threatening public safety or disturbing public peace will be dealt with in accordance with the law,” he said.

Olatubosun called on the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to ensure strict enforcement of law and order throughout the festival and take decisive action against offenders.

While wishing Egungun worshippers a peaceful and successful celebration, he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the protection of lives and property.

He added that violence, thuggery, vendetta and any form of lawlessness would not be tolerated during the festival period.

Makinde imposes curfew io 10 Oyo LGAs

Gov. Seyi Makinde has declared a 16-hour curfew in 10 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Oyo State.

According to a memo issued in Ibadan on Tuesday evening by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Musibau Babatunde, the curfew takes effect from Wednesday.

The curfew, between 4.00 p.m. and 8.00 a.m., is expected to last for two days in the first instance.

The affected LGAs border the Old Oyo National Park.

They are: Oriire LGA headquarters, Ikoyi-Ile; Orelope LGA headquarters, Igboho; Irepo LGA headquarters, Kisi; Saki West LGA headquarters, Saki, and Saki East LGA headquarters, Ago-Amodu.

Others are Atisbo LGA headquarters, Tede /Ago-Are; Itesiwaju LGA headquarters, Otu; Iseyin LGA headquarters, Iseyin; Olorunsogo LGA headquarters, Igbeti, and Atiba LGA headquarters, Offa-Meta, in Oyo town.

Traditional Ruler Allegedly Arrested in Connection to Orire Abduction

A traditional ruler in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State has allegedly been arrested in connection with ongoing investigations into the recent abduction of pupils, students and teachers in the area.

Sources familiar with the matter claimed that the monarch, Oba Tajudeen Abioye, the Eleshi Ele of Esiele, was taken into custody following allegations linking him to individuals suspected to have played roles in the school abduction that affected communities around Ahoro-Esiele, Yawota and neighbouring settlements.

The alleged development comes weeks after armed kidnappers invaded schools in Oriire Local Government Area and abducted dozens of schoolchildren and education workers, an incident that sparked widespread concern across Oyo State and beyond.

According to sources, investigators are reportedly pursuing several lines of inquiry, including allegations of local collaboration, intelligence leaks and logistical support that may have aided the perpetrators before and after the attack. The monarch’s alleged arrest is said to be part of broader efforts to uncover those behind the abduction and establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

Sources further alleged that investigators are examining communications, movements and possible connections between suspects already in custody and other persons considered relevant to the ongoing probe.

News of the alleged arrest has generated mixed reactions among residents of Oriire Local Government Area, many of whom are still grappling with the impact of the abduction. Some community members expressed surprise at the development, noting that the monarch had previously spoken publicly about the tragedy and called for efforts to secure the release of the victims.

Community stakeholders have urged that the investigation be conducted thoroughly and fairly, emphasizing the need for due process and caution against drawing conclusions before all facts are established.

The school abduction remains one of the most disturbing security incidents recorded in Oyo State this year. The attack drew condemnation from parents, education stakeholders, civil society groups and political leaders, while raising concerns about security in rural communities.

Sources alleged that several individuals believed to be connected to the incident have been apprehended as investigations continue. Efforts are also said to be ongoing to identify and apprehend all those allegedly involved in the operation.

As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official confirmation regarding the specific allegations against Oba Tajudeen Abioye. Attempts to obtain comments from the palace and individuals close to the monarch were unsuccessful.

Church leader found dead in hotel room, foul play suspected

The Ondo State Police Command has launched an investigation into the death of a 71-year-old church leader, Omotayo Ezekiel Fajana, whose body was discovered under suspicious circumstances in a hotel in Akungba-Akoko, Akoko South-West Local Government Area of the state.

Police spokesperson, Abayomi Jimoh, confirmed the development in a statement made available to journalists.

According to him, the case was reported at the Akungba Police Division by one Olaseni Sunday Olaoluwa, who said the deceased, his uncle, had travelled to Akungba-Akoko to attend a church programme where he was scheduled to be installed as the Head Baba Aladura of a faction of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church at Ogo Orimolade C&S Church, Okerigbo.

Preliminary findings by the police indicated that Fajana was found dead in a hotel in the community under circumstances considered suspicious.

Jimoh said detectives were also investigating allegations that some church officials and hotel staff moved the body to a mortuary in Ikare-Akoko without first obtaining a medical certificate of cause of death from a qualified medical practitioner.

He added that investigators were probing claims that money may have exchanged hands to facilitate the deposit of the corpse at the mortuary before the continuation of church-related activities.

Three suspects have since been arrested in connection with the incident and are currently assisting the police with investigations aimed at determining the exact cause of death and whether any foul play was involved.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Felix Ohagwu, has ordered a thorough and discreet investigation into the matter.

Oyo school kidnap: Troops block escape routes as terrorists reduce demands

The Police, reacting to viral reports and videos circulating on social media, said there was no official confirmation that the victims had been rescued, insisting there was no evidence linking Igboho to any rescue operation.

The development followed a warning by the activist, who accused criminal elements of turning Igboho into a kidnapping hub and threatened to personally confront those behind the abductions if the victims were not released within two hours.

Shortly after the ultimatum, reports emerged that the abducted victims, including a pregnant woman, her children and a sibling, had regained their freedom, triggering celebrations across the ancient town.

Residents were seen in viral videos singing, dancing and rejoicing as crowds trooped onto the streets to welcome the victims after days of anxiety over their whereabouts.

The abduction had sparked outrage in the community after gunmen reportedly kidnapped members of a family during a midnight attack and subsequently demanded huge sums as ransom.

Reports indicated that the kidnappers initially demanded N300 million before reducing the ransom to N150 million during negotiations.

Addressing Fulani leaders and traditional representatives in a viral video, Igboho said: “You can’t be kidnapping in my father’s land and expect me to keep quiet. I’m an original indigene of Igboho land.

“You kidnapped a pregnant woman, and the person who brought the ransom, you killed him and killed the pregnant woman, for what? In Igboho? You people are not even afraid of me in my father’s land?

“This should be the last, and it must end. My father has urged me to address you people patiently. What I’m fighting in other people’s land, you can’t come here and be doing it in my father’s land.”

Police fault Igboho’s claims

Reacting to reports linking the release of the victims to Sunday Igboho’s intervention, Oyo State police command maintained that there was no evidence connecting the activist to any rescue operation.

The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, in a statement, said: “The Nigeria Police Force has officially debunked claims that the hostages have been safely released. Oyo State Commissioner of Police has explicitly denied that Sunday Igboho was involved in recent rescue operations.”

The command’s spokesperson further described reports circulating online as “unsubstantiated” and urged members of the public to rely on official channels for information.

The police also stressed that they had no evidence of Igboho’s participation in any successful rescue effort, even as reports of the victims’ alleged release continued to generate reactions across the state.