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The Ondo State Police Command has neutralised two suspected kidnappers following a fierce gun battle with operatives at Ilu-Abo along the Akure–Owo Expressway.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, disclosed this in a statement, explaining that the incident occurred after officers attached to the Federal Highway Patrol Unit, Ilu-Abo, responded to a distress call over the activities of suspected armed men at Olaiya Block Industry, located beside Ilu-Abo High School.
According to the statement, about seven masked gunmen stormed the block industry and demanded to see the owner before the police patrol team arrived at the scene.
On sighting the operatives, the suspects allegedly opened fire, prompting a fierce exchange of gunfire. During the encounter, two of the suspected kidnappers were fatally shot, while the remaining members of the gang fled into the surrounding bush with suspected gunshot wounds.
Items recovered from the scene include a locally fabricated pistol, live cartridges, four mobile phones, several face masks, and two ATM cards believed to belong to the suspects or their victims.
The police said the bodies of the deceased suspects have been deposited at the State Specialist Hospital, Akure, while the case has been transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.
The command added that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and appealed to healthcare providers and members of the public to report anyone seeking treatment for gunshot wounds or displaying suspicious movements.
The Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Felix Ohagwu, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to combating kidnapping and other violent crimes through intelligence-led policing. He urged residents to continue providing credible and timely information to assist security agencies in protecting lives and property across the state.
The Nigeria Police Force categorically disclaims the false and misleading narrative accompanying a viral video circulating on social media which alleges that a uniformed police officer was seen interacting with armed bandits in Katsina State.
For the avoidance of doubt, the individuals featured in the video are not bandits. They are duly recognized members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) and registered hunters who are actively supporting ongoing security operations in collaboration with security agencies in Musawa and Matazu Local Government Areas of Katsina State.
The video captured a routine interaction between a police officer and these security volunteers as they proceeded to a designated operational area in support of efforts to combat criminality and enhance public safety. Any claim suggesting otherwise is entirely false, malicious, and intended to mislead the public.
The Nigeria Police Force strongly condemns the deliberate distortion of facts and the circulation of misinformation capable of causing public anxiety, undermining confidence in security institutions, and frustrating ongoing security operations.
Members of the public are urged to disregard the misleading claims attached to the video and rely only on information disseminated through official channels of the Nigeria Police Force and other authorized government sources.
The Force warns individuals and groups engaged in the creation, publication, or dissemination of false information capable of prejudicing public peace and security to desist immediately, as appropriate legal action may be taken against violators.
The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to working with legitimate community-based security stakeholders and other relevant partners in the collective effort to protect lives, safeguard communities, and combat crime across the country.
CSP ANIETIE OKOKON EDEM INIEDU Force Public Relations Officer Force Headquarters, Abuja 24th June, 2026.
In a decisive move to strengthen security and deny criminal elements safe havens within Ondo State, the Commissioner of Police, Ondo State Command, CP Felix Ohagwu, psc, mnips, mspsp, personally led a team of tactical commanders and operatives on an extensive operational sweep of the Ilu-Abo Forest and adjoining communities.
The operation, which forms part of the Command’s sustained offensive against kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and other violent crimes, involved a thorough combing of identified flashpoints, forest corridors and suspected criminal enclaves believed to be used as hideouts by criminal elements operating within the axis.
During the operation, several suspected hideouts were located and dismantled. Makeshift camps and structures believed to have been used for criminal activities were destroyed, while operatives conducted intensive searches of the surrounding forest to prevent the re-establishment of such camps. The exercise was aimed at disrupting criminal networks, denying criminals freedom of movement and reinforcing the confidence of residents in the security architecture of the State.
Addressing operatives during the exercise, CP Ohagwu reiterated the Command’s commitment to proactive and intelligence-driven policing, emphasizing that forests and remote locations within the State will not be allowed to serve as sanctuaries for kidnappers and other criminal elements. He assured law-abiding residents that the Police Command will continue to sustain aggressive operations across all identified criminal hotspots.
The Commissioner of Police further stated that the operation aligns with the strategic directives of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM, aimed at strengthening internal security and combating violent crimes nationwide. He commended the dedication and professionalism of the operatives involved and charged them to maintain the momentum until all criminal threats within the State are effectively neutralized.
The Ondo State Police Command remains resolute in its determination to protect lives and property and urges members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information that will aid ongoing efforts to keep the State safe and secure.
E-Signed
DSP ABAYOMI JIMOH anipr, mnisma Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Ondo State Command 18th June, 2026
An unknown assailant has reportedly beheaded an 18-month-old girl at a farm settlement in Idanre, the headquarters of Idanre Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The victim’s father, Mr. Bright Kalu, said the tragic incident occurred at Agoti Settlement, Idanre, on June 8, 2026.
Kalu, a peasant farmer from Abia State, is demanding justice over the gruesome killing of his daughter.
According to him, the child was left in the care of her mother at the farm camp while he was working on another farm located some distance away from the settlement.
Narrating the incident, Kalu said he was returning from a nearby camp where he had gone to purchase food items when he met his wife in a distressed state.
“On Monday, June 8, 2026, I was returning from a nearby camp where I had gone to buy food items when I met my wife looking troubled and distressed,” he said.
“When I asked what had happened, she told me that someone had come to the camp and attacked her. She managed to rescue three of our children, but one was missing.
“My elder brother, Mr. Ifeanyi Kalu, and I immediately followed her to the camp and searched the area.
“We did not find anyone, but we later discovered the lifeless body of my daughter behind our house. Her head had been severed.”
The grieving father appealed to the Ondo State Government, security agencies and human rights organisations to ensure that those responsible for the crime are apprehended and prosecuted.
He said the matter was initially reported at the Olofin Police Station in Idanre before it was transferred to the Ondo State Police Command headquarters in Akure for further investigation.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Ondo State Police Command, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said a suspect had been arrested in connection with the case.
Jimoh stated that investigations were ongoing and assured that the suspect would be charged to court upon conclusion of the investigation.
Prince Emorioloye Owolemi has reaffirmed his apology to the Minister of Interior, Hon. Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, while appealing to Nigerians to understand the circumstances that led to his decision to seek reconciliation and an amicable out-of-court resolution of the issues between them.
In a statement shared on his official Facebook account, Owolemi said he had taken note of the reactions, criticisms, insults and comments that trailed his public apology to the minister.
According to him, although everyone is entitled to his or her opinion, those who have experienced detention, incarceration or the realities of the criminal justice process would better appreciate the difficult circumstances that informed his decision.
He described his experience as painful and traumatic, saying it subjected him to conditions that tested his strength, courage and faith.
“My experience was a painful one. I was subjected to conditions that tested my strength, courage and faith. It was an ordeal I would never wish upon anyone, including those who have spoken harshly against me. I sincerely pray that no one will ever have to endure even a fraction of what I experienced. I saw death physically,” he stated.
Owolemi urged Nigerians to exercise caution, restraint and responsibility in their public utterances, both online and offline, noting that laws relating to cyberbullying, defamation and related offences apply equally to all citizens.
He warned that careless statements could attract legal consequences, emphasizing the need for citizens to be mindful of their words and actions in the public space.
The social commentator maintained that his decision to apologize was neither influenced by fear nor made under coercion or intimidation.
“My decision to apologize was not made out of fear, coercion or intimidation. It was a deliberate decision taken in good faith, after careful reflection and with a sincere desire for peace, reconciliation and mutual understanding,” he said.
Reaffirming his position, Owolemi reiterated his unreserved apology to the Minister of Interior and expressed his commitment to pursuing reconciliation and the amicable settlement of all outstanding issues.
He said the decision was guided by his conviction that peace remains preferable to conflict and that reconciliation reflects wisdom, maturity and strength.
Owolemi concluded by praying for God to grant Nigerians the wisdom to embrace peace, understanding and unity at all times.
The Executive Chairman of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC), Prince Olabiyi Olaleye Poroye, has called for urgent local and international intervention to address the devastating effects of sea incursion and climate change threatening the existence of Aiyetoro and other coastal communities in Ondo State.
Speaking at the 2026 World Environment Day celebration held in Aiyetoro, Ilaje Local Government Area, Poroye said the event was not merely a celebration of the environment but an opportunity to draw global attention to the environmental catastrophe confronting the riverine communities of Ilaje and Ese-Odo.
He commended the Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, for his commitment to the development of the oil-producing mandate areas and environmental sustainability, while also appreciating the Ondo State Ministry of Environment for its partnership in promoting environmental protection across the state.
The OSOPADEC Chairman noted that the theme of this year’s World Environment Day, “Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future,” resonates strongly with the realities facing Aiyetoro and other coastal settlements battling the effects of climate change.
According to him, Aiyetoro has suffered some of the worst environmental devastation in recent history, with the Atlantic Ocean swallowing more than 80 per cent of the community’s original landmass, displacing thousands of residents and destroying homes, schools, businesses and other critical infrastructure.
Poroye lamented that the environmental and socio-economic challenges confronting communities such as Awoye, Gbagira and Mese are even more severe, warning that some coastal settlements face the threat of extinction if urgent action is not taken.
He disclosed that between 500 and 700 houses, including the community’s historic church and technical college, have been lost to the ocean, while over 80 per cent of Aiyetoro’s original streets have been submerged.
The Chairman further explained that the persistent sea incursion has triggered severe coastal erosion, wetland inundation and saltwater intrusion into freshwater sources, resulting in the loss of biodiversity and worsening living conditions for residents.
“Aiyetoro was once a thriving and prosperous community, but today its economy, infrastructure and social fabric have been severely impacted by the advancing ocean,” he said.
Poroye stressed that the crisis extends beyond Ondo State and should be viewed as a global environmental challenge requiring collective action from governments, international organisations, development partners, oil companies, financial institutions, philanthropists and local communities.
He urged stakeholders to intensify efforts towards climate adaptation and resilience by investing in shoreline protection, environmental restoration, tree planting and other sustainable interventions capable of safeguarding vulnerable communities.
While reaffirming OSOPADEC’s commitment to improving the lives of people in the mandate areas, the Chairman called on all stakeholders to join hands in rebuilding a resilient, sustainable and prosperous Aiyetoro.
He expressed optimism that through collaboration and sustained intervention, the community can overcome its environmental challenges and secure a better future for generations yet unborn.
For many, the dream of owning a piece of the earth is more than a financial aspiration; it is a quest for security, dignity, legacy, and a place to call home. From generation to generation, land has remained one of mankind’s most treasured possessions—a symbol of stability and prosperity.
Yet, in many parts of Nigeria, the journey from aspiration to ownership has often resembled a walk through a minefield. What should have been a straightforward transaction frequently becomes an exhausting encounter with deceit, intimidation, and endless litigation. Unsuspecting investors, hardworking families, and non-indigenes seeking opportunities have often found themselves trapped in the web of fraudulent land dealings.
Ondo State was not spared from this troubling reality. In Akure and several other communities, stories abound of innocent buyers who paid for land only to discover that it had been sold to multiple persons. Others who acquired property lawfully found themselves besieged by self-appointed custodians of ancestral entitlement, demanding one levy after another. The notorious menace of land grabbing became a dark cloud hanging over property ownership, investment, and development.
For years, that cloud seemed immovable.
Then came a ray of legislative sunshine.
The Anti-Land Grabbing Law signed by Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa on December 30, 2024, has emerged as a powerful instrument of reform—a magic wand sweeping through a sector long plagued by uncertainty and abuse.
Like a skilled surgeon removing a malignant growth, the law confronts the entrenched culture of illegality that had taken root in land administration. It draws a bold line between legitimate ownership and criminal opportunism, replacing confusion with clarity and fear with confidence.
At the heart of this transformation is the visionary work of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Kayode Ajulo, SAN, whose commitment to legal reform has helped usher in a new era for land administration in Ondo State. Through this landmark legislation, a clear message has been delivered: the era of impunity is over.
Across the world, meaningful land reforms have always been catalysts for economic growth. Nations prosper when property rights are protected, investments are secured, and citizens have confidence in the sanctity of ownership. Ondo State is now positioning itself firmly within that progressive tradition.
One of the greatest strengths of the law is that it does not merely condemn wrongdoing; it defines offences with precision and prescribes corresponding penalties. In doing so, it gives practical effect to Section 36(12) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, which requires that offences and their punishments be clearly established by law.
The result is a legal framework that no longer leaves room for ambiguity.
The law speaks with unmistakable firmness.
It prohibits the sale of family land without the consent of the family head, secretary, and accredited principal members. It criminalizes the resale of land that has already been legitimately transferred. It protects government property from unlawful transactions. It closes loopholes that fraudsters previously exploited and erects legal barriers against sharp practices.
For offenders, the consequences are severe.
A person who unlawfully resells land may face up to twenty-one years imprisonment. Land grabbers who employ forceful entry risk ten years behind bars. Illegal occupiers face imprisonment or substantial fines, while violators of real estate transaction regulations are similarly exposed to stiff sanctions.
These penalties are not merely punitive; they are deterrents designed to restore order to a system that desperately needed protection.
Perhaps most importantly, the law strikes at the heart of the infamous “Omo-Onile” culture that has burdened countless landowners with multiple and illegal demands. For years, many developers approached construction sites with apprehension, unsure of which group would emerge next to demand yet another payment.
Today, the law stands as a shield against such exploitation.
By restricting the preparation of critical land documents to qualified legal practitioners, it also elevates professionalism and safeguards purchasers from the dangers posed by quacks and impostors.
Recognizing that laws are only as effective as their enforcement, Governor Aiyedatiwa moved swiftly to establish a high-powered task force to drive implementation. The body, chaired by Dr. Kayode Ajulo, SAN, and comprising respected legal, security, and community leaders, underscores the seriousness with which the administration views this reform.
The impact is already evident.
High-profile individuals, including traditional rulers, have been brought before the courts under the provisions of the law. Such actions reinforce an enduring democratic principle: no individual is above the law, and justice must wear the same face for both the powerful and the ordinary citizen.
In many ways, this legislation represents more than a legal reform. It is an economic policy. It is an investment strategy. It is a declaration that Ondo State is open for business and prepared to protect those who choose to invest within its borders.
Indeed, the Anti-Land Grabbing Law reflects the very essence of Governor Aiyedatiwa’s OUR EASE Agenda—creating an environment where security is strengthened, opportunities flourish, and economic activities can thrive without fear or intimidation.
The story of land ownership in Ondo State is gradually changing.
Where uncertainty once reigned, confidence is taking root.
Where intimidation once flourished, the rule of law now stands guard.
Where investors once hesitated, new possibilities are emerging.
And in that transformation lies the true magic of this law—not in mystery or illusion, but in the power of justice, order, and responsible governance.
The Anti-Land Grabbing Law is more than legislation; it is a promise fulfilled, a shield for the vulnerable, and a foundation upon which future generations can build with confidence.
For Ondo State, it is indeed a magic wand—one wielded not by sorcery, but by the enduring power of the law.
Allen Sowore, Esq. Special Adviser to the Governor (Communication & Strategy)
The Attorney General of Anambra State, Tobechukwu Nweke SAN, has reportedly arraigned eight pastors before a State High Court over allegations of staging fake miracles using hired actors in what investigators described as “arranged miracles.”
According to court proceedings, the defendants were accused of operating various ministries within the state and allegedly orchestrating staged healing and prophetic demonstrations to deceive congregants and attract patronage.
The court heard that the alleged scheme involved recruiting individuals to pose as beneficiaries of supernatural interventions during church services, thereby creating the impression of divine miracles.
Following their arraignment, the accused persons were ordered to be remanded in correctional custody pending further proceedings.
The court subsequently adjourned the matter to 15 June 2026 for hearing of bail applications and other preliminary motions.
The eight pastors and their respective ministries, as presented in court records, are:
Ndubisi Nnachukwu – Omega Dominion Ministry
Ekeleme Chris Ugochukwu – Cloud of Glory Prophetic Ministry
Bishop Emeka Nwamkpa – Chapel of Faith Ministry
Peter Chukwu – Messiah Adoration Ministry
Chinedu Egwuonwu – Citadel of Grace Ministry
Ebele Nnachukwu – Jehovah the Mighty Than All Ministry
Miracle Iruoma – City of Power Ministry
Chukwukadibia Ogwuama – Land of Testimony Adoration Ministry
Authorities say the case raises broader concerns about fraudulent religious practices and the need for stricter oversight of spiritual institutions, while the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty by the court.
A 38-year-old man, identified as Nsikak Kingsley, has been arrested by the Ondo State Police Command for allegedly beating his 65-year-old father, Adone Peter, to death in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
The incident, which occurred in Oda Community, Akure South Local Government Area, has sparked concern among residents of the area.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Abayomi Jimoh, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect allegedly engaged his biological father in a violent altercation on May 28, 2026.
During the confrontation, the deceased reportedly sustained severe head injuries and was rushed to a medical facility for treatment.
However, efforts by medical personnel to save his life proved unsuccessful, as he was confirmed dead while receiving treatment.
The police said the case was reported by Daniel Moses, another son of the deceased and brother to the suspect, prompting detectives to launch an investigation.
“Acting swiftly on the report, police operatives apprehended the suspect and took him into custody for questioning,” the statement said.
The remains of the deceased have been deposited in a mortuary for preservation and autopsy, while the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.
The police disclosed that the suspect would be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.
Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Felix Ohagwu, condemned the act, describing it as unfortunate and contrary to societal values.
He reiterated the command’s commitment to ensuring justice and warned against the use of violence in resolving disputes.
The commissioner urged residents to embrace peaceful means of settling disagreements and to promptly report criminal activities and threats to public safety to security agencies.
The Ondo State Government has become aware of false reports circulating on social media and messaging platforms alleging an incident of kidnapping in a school within Akure metropolis.
The Government categorically states that there is no record, report, or incident of kidnapping in any primary, secondary, or tertiary institution in Akure. All schools in the state capital are safe, open, and conducting academic activities without disruption.
Security agencies, including the Police, Amotekun Corps, and DSS, have verified all school environments in Akure and confirmed normalcy. The Government, in collaboration with school authorities and parents, has maintained strict security protocols across all schools to ensure the safety of pupils and students at all times.
We urge members of the public, especially parents and guardians, to disregard the fake news and refrain from sharing unverified information that is capable of causing panic and anxiety.
The safety of our children and teachers remains a top priority for the Aiyedatiwa administration. We encourage anyone with genuine security concerns to report directly to the nearest police or Amotekun station/post.
Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State. May 3, 2026.
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