Oyo2027: Babaloja in Council Pledges Support for APM Guber Candidate, Adekanmbi

Market leaders across Oyo State have declared support for the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) governorship candidate, Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The pledge was made on Thursday during a solidarity visit by the Babaloja General of Oyo State, Asiwaju Yekeen Abass, and the Babaloja in Council to the APM campaign office in Ibadan.

Market leaders representing the seven geopolitical zones and the 33 local government areas of the state attended the meeting to present their demands to the governorship candidate.

Addressing the gathering, Asiwaju Abass said the market community is solidly behind Adekanmbi. He spoke through Mogaji Kamorudeen Salawudeen.

According to him, the association is convinced that continuity in governance is key to commerce and economic prosperity in the state.

Receiving the delegation, Adekanmbi described himself as “a son of a prominent trader in Bodija Market” and said he understands the needs of traders and artisans.

He urged the market leaders to return to their communities and “preach the gospel” that he would build on the peaceful environment put in place by Governor Seyi Makinde over the last seven years.

“It is only in a peaceful atmosphere that business and commerce can thrive,” Adekanmbi said. “That is why we must support the present government in the state.”

How kidnappers washed our clothes in captivity — Freed Oyo teacher

A teacher rescued after spending 56 days in the custody of kidnappers in Oyo State has revealed that their captors occasionally washed the victims’ clothes because they had become too dirty, dismissing claims that the abduction was staged.

Zachery Olatunde, one of the teachers abducted alongside pupils from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area, said the revelation was intended to counter social media allegations questioning the authenticity of the victims’ ordeal after they appeared relatively clean following their rescue.

Speaking in a video shared by Oyo Matters, Olatunde explained that the kidnappers washed their clothes whenever they became too dirty and the victims started smelling.

“The abductors are the ones that wash the clothes for us a few times while we were in captivity, when they notice that we are already smelling. Don’t they (critics) see how rough and dirty we the teachers were? Didn’t they see how rough our beards were, like that of a bush rat?” he said.

He described claims that the abduction was orchestrated as false, stressing that the tragedy claimed lives.

“Those saying the kidnapping was staged don’t know what they are saying. If it was staged, would they have killed two people? If it was staged, what we went through in that place was not good at all,” he said.

Olatunde also addressed criticism over the rescued pupils wearing matching native attire, explaining that it was in line with the Oyo State government’s directive for primary school pupils to wear traditional outfits on Fridays.

“They said the children were wearing matching ankara. Are they not in Oyo State? Don’t they know that the government has ordered that schoolchildren should be wearing native attires on Friday?

“Primary school pupils in private schools now wear native wears on Friday. We the teachers wore native attire, but secondary school pupils wore school uniform.”

He urged Nigerians to disregard the rumours, insisting the victims endured a genuine and traumatic experience.

“So those that are saying it was staged are all telling lies. It was not staged. It was real. So please stop saying those types of things.”

The victims were abducted on May 15, 2026, when gunmen attacked Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in the Ahoro-Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area.

Assistant Headmaster Joel Adesiyan was killed while trying to escape during the attack, while Mathematics teacher Michael Oyedokun was later beheaded in captivity.

The remaining victims regained their freedom on July 10 after a joint rescue operation involving the Nigerian Army, the Police, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Amotekun Corps and local vigilante groups. The Presidency said no ransom or concession was paid to secure their release.

Thousands Welcome Adekanmbi, Peller in Iseyin as APM Rallies Oyo North

The political landscape of Oyo North Senatorial District was set ablaze with immense energy on Thursday, as the Allied People’s Movement (APM) senatorial candidate, Hon. Shina Peller, mobilized thousands of passionate supporters, party faithful, and residents to accord a heartwarming, carnival-like reception to the party’s gubernatorial candidate, Bimbo Adekanmbi, in Iseyin.

The high-octane gathering, which held at the historic Iseyin City Hall, served as the latest and last stop of Adekanmbi’s statewide “Thank You” tour across all federal constituencies in Oyo North solidifying the APM’s rapidly growing momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The atmosphere inside and around the Iseyin City Hall was electric. Drumming, singing, and passionate chanting echoed through the streets as a massive crowd of party stalwarts, market women, youth organizations, and community leaders from across the Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa federal constituency gathered hours before the convoy’s arrival.

When Hon. Shina Peller, alongside the governorship candidate Bimbo Adekanmbi, stepped into the venue, the hall erupted in thunderous applause. The reception sent a clear and unmistakable signal to political observers that the APM has established a formidable, deeply rooted structure in the Oke-Ogun zone.

Speaking at the event, Hon. Shina Peller expressed profound gratitude to the people of Iseyin and Oyo North for their unwavering loyalty. He noted that the sheer scale of the turnout was a testament to the people’s desire for refreshing, result-oriented leadership.

“What we are witnessing today is not just a political gathering; it is a movement of the people, by the people, and for the people,” Peller declared. “Iseyin and the entire Oyo North are ready for real progress. With Bimbo Adekanmbi at the helm of Oyo State and our team working relentlessly, we are building an inclusive future where Oke-Ogun and indeed all of Oyo State will thrive.”

In his remarks, a visibly moved Bimbo Adekanmbi thanked Hon. Shina Peller for his exemplary leadership and the entire Oke Ogun party faithful for their unmatched grassroots mobilization. He noted that the warmth of the Oke-Ogun people has renewed his commitment to liberating the state and delivering the dividends of democracy directly to the grassroots.

Adekanmbi emphasized that his “Thank You” tour was vital to reconnecting with the party’s foundation and listening directly to local stakeholders to ensure that the APM’s eventual roadmap for the state directly reflects the immediate needs of the populace.

The mega-reception brought together an array of highly influential political players in the region such as prominent Oyo State APM executives, youth and women leaders from all four local governments of the federal constituency and beyond.

Recall that following recent internal fractures within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), a strategic alliance was forged between Governor Seyi Makinde’s faction and the APM.

Some of the prominent personalities in attendance were the Alliance chairman, Hon. Dayo Ogungbenro, Alliance Vice chairman, Hon. Wasiu Adeleke, renowned political stakeholder, Alhaji Omokunmi Mustapha, Iseyin local government chairman, Hon. Bisi Rasaq Fadiran, Iseyin APM LGA Chairman, Alhaji Musediq Adele, APM State Assembly candidate for Iseyin/Itesiwaju Constituency, Hon. Dasola Fadiran and others.

Also, the event witnessed traditional representatives and key opinion leaders from the Oke-Ogun, as well as thousands of enthusiastic volunteers donning APM colors and carrying banners of support for both Peller and Adekanmbi

With the success of the Iseyin rally, the APM has once again proven that its coalition of youthful energy, experienced leadership, and deep local connection is positioned to be the defining force in Oyo State’s upcoming 2027 electoral cycle.

Father burns daughter’s private part as punishment for bedwetting

The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a man, Amos Paul, for allegedly burning the private part of his 10-year-old daughter with a hot pressing iron as punishment for bedwetting.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday.

Jimoh said the suspect, a resident of Unaun, Upenme in Owo Local Government Area, was arrested after the incident was reported to the police on Thursday.

According to the PPRO, the victim sustained severe injuries and was rushed to the hospital.

“The incident, which was reported to the Police on Thursday, 16th July, 2026, revealed that the suspect allegedly used a hot pressing iron to burn the private part of his daughter, as punishment for bed-wetting,” the statement read.

It added, “The victim sustained severe injuries and was immediately rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owo, where she is currently receiving medical treatment.”

The police spokesman said detectives from the ‘A’ Division in Owo responded immediately after receiving the report, arrested the suspect and took him into custody.

He added that the case would be transferred to the Gender Unit for discreet investigation and further necessary action.

The Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Felix Ohagwu, condemned the alleged act, describing it as cruel, inhumane and unacceptable.

He said the commissioner reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting children and other vulnerable members of society from abuse, violence and exploitation.

Ohagwu also urged members of the public to promptly report cases of child abuse, domestic violence and related offences to the nearest police station, assuring that offenders would be brought to justice.

Oyo demolishes suspected criminal hideouts in Ibadan

The Oyo State Government has demolished makeshift wooden and metal shanties in the Ojoo area of Akinyele Local Government Area following allegations that some of the structures were being used by criminal elements as hideouts and storage points for dangerous weapons.

The exercise followed a government directive issued after a stakeholders’ meeting convened in the wake of the violent clashes that occurred in Ojoo on July 7 and 8, which claimed two lives and heightened security concerns in the area.

The decision to remove the structures was reached during an assessment visit by the Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal, who led government officials and security agencies to the affected community.

During the visit, residents and other stakeholders alleged that some of the shanties had become safe havens for hoodlums involved in criminal activities, including the concealment of weapons and other illicit items.

Acting on the directive, a joint security team supervised the demolition of the structures as part of efforts to curb criminality and restore public order in the area.

Chairman of Akinyele Local Government, Akinwole Akinleye, said the exercise formed part of measures to forestall a recurrence of the recent violence and improve security within the council area.