• Arah blames blocked drains for flooding
• Residents urged to clear waterways
• Council pledges lasting solution

Heavy flooding has affected parts of Igbokoda, the headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, prompting the council chairman, Hon. Oripenaye Maurice Ola, popularly known as Arah, to inspect the affected communities.

The chairman visited Omonira Street, Ikuemola, Ilara Street and the GRA area to assess the extent of damage caused by the flood.

During the inspection, Arah attributed the flooding largely to blocked gutters and drainage canals, describing the problem as a recurring challenge that requires the collective efforts of residents and government to address.

He appealed to landlords, landladies and other residents to immediately clear blocked drains and maintain a clean environment to prevent a recurrence, noting that environmental sanitation is a shared responsibility.

According to him, sustainable development cannot be achieved through government efforts alone, stressing that residents must take ownership of their communities.

While commending residents for their efforts at mitigating the impact of the flood, the chairman said more needed to be done to ensure free flow of water during the rainy season.

He sympathised with victims who lost property to the flood, particularly Mr. Alabama, whose residence in the GRA was affected, as well as Achiever Group of Schools in Ilara.

The chairman encouraged students of the affected school not to be discouraged, assuring them that the council would continue to support efforts aimed at restoring normal academic activities.

Arah assured residents that his administration remained committed to finding a lasting solution to the flooding challenge and would continue to monitor the situation while providing necessary assistance to affected victims.

He also urged residents to promptly report flood-related incidents and environmental concerns to the local government for swift intervention.

The inspection team included the Vice Chairman of Ilaje Local Government, Hon. Mrs. Esejuwon Oluwarantimi; the Leader of the House, Rt. Hon. Ikumehinlo Omosule; councillors, supervisors and advisers.

Others were the Secretary to the Local Government, Hon. Prince Segun Olodo; the Head of Local Government Administration (HOLGA), Engr. Akinmoyegun Olugbenga Lawrence; the Chief of Staff to the Chairman, Hon. Barr. Orire Ayo; the Chairman’s Protocol Officer, Oyenyen Benson; Personal Assistant to the Chairman, Odunmomi Adewunmi; Assistant on Media, Prince Okorisa Henry; and the Director of Works, Engr. Firopo.

Residents of the GRA area along Barracks Road in Ondo City were thrown into panic on Monday following the discovery of a decomposing female body abandoned at the GRA roundabout.

The body, which was found in an advanced state of decomposition, had the head, both hands, and both legs missing, creating a disturbing scene that attracted residents and passers-by.

Although the circumstances surrounding the killing remain unclear, some residents speculated that the victim might have been murdered for ritual purposes. However, this has not been confirmed by the police.

Eyewitnesses called on security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation to identify the victim and apprehend those responsible for the gruesome act.

Some residents also appealed to families searching for missing female relatives to contact the appropriate authorities, as the identity of the deceased has yet to be established.

Police officers later arrived at the scene, evacuated the remains, and urged members of the public to remain calm and go about their lawful activities.

According to residents, the condition of the body suggested that it had been kept elsewhere for several days before being dumped at the location.

One resident said, “The body is not fresh. Security agencies should thoroughly investigate this incident and identify those behind it. A travelling bag was seen with the body, which raises many questions. We hope the police will uncover what really happened.”

As of the time of filing this report, the Ondo State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.

By Our Correspondent

President Bola Tinubu has expressed delight over the successful rescue of the pupils and teachers abducted from Oriire community in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, commending the military, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police for securing their release after 56 days in captivity.

The President, in a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, praised the security agencies for carrying out what he described as a well-coordinated operation that led to the safe rescue of the victims without collateral damage.

According to the statement, eight suspected abductors were arrested during the operation, while others were neutralised.

Tinubu expressed sympathy with the rescued pupils, teachers and their families over the trauma they endured during the period of captivity, describing the development as a great relief to the nation.

“I am profoundly happy that our security forces successfully rescued the abducted pupils and teachers from Oriire, Ogbomoso in Oyo State today after a military, police and intelligence-driven operation that neutralised some of the terrorists that perpetrated the evil act and the arrest of eight of them.

“This successful military operation has ended the siege and standoff of over 50 days and has brought relief to the entire nation and the affected families in particular,” the President said.

He also thanked officers and men of the Armed Forces, intelligence agencies and the police for their commitment to the operation, assuring that justice would be served for the victims and the family of Mr. Oyedokun, who was reportedly killed by the abductors.

The President further commended the Oyo State Government for its collaboration with the Federal Government throughout the rescue mission and urged the state to strengthen security around schools.

Tinubu also directed relevant emergency agencies to work with the Oyo State Government to provide medical care, counselling and other relief support for the rescued pupils and teachers.

There was relief on Friday as the pupils and teachers kidnapped in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State, regained their freedom after days in captivity.

The development was confirmed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

In a post shared on his verified X account, Onanuga announced that the victims had been released by their abductors.

“Finally, the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Orire, Oyo have been freed by their abductors,” he wrote.

The victims were abducted during an attack in Orire Local Government Area, sparking widespread concern and renewed calls for improved security across schools and communities.

As of the time of filing this report, authorities had not disclosed the circumstances surrounding their release, including whether any ransom was paid or if security operatives played a role in securing their freedom.

The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a suspected vehicle thief in Abuja and recovered a stolen Hyundai saloon car in a major breakthrough in its fight against crime.

The suspect, identified as 40-year-old Adesola Ogunrotifa, was apprehended following a coordinated investigation by detectives from the B Division, Akure.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Abayomi Jimoh, the case was reported on July 5, 2026, by Mrs. Remilekun of Oba-Ile, Akure.

The complainant told police that she had employed Ogunrotifa as her personal driver in July 2025. On the day of the incident, he drove her to the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Oke Isegun, Akure, for a church service.

However, after dropping her off at the church, the suspect allegedly drove away with her Hyundai saloon car without her consent and fled towards Abuja.

The police said detectives immediately launched an investigation, leveraging credible intelligence and strategic investigative methods to track the suspect to Abuja, where he was arrested. The stolen vehicle was also recovered intact.

The command disclosed that the suspect has since been arraigned in court for prosecution.

Commending the detectives for their professionalism, the Commissioner of Police, Ondo State Command, CP Felix Ohagwu, praised the swift, intelligence-driven operation that led to the arrest of the suspect and the recovery of the stolen vehicle.

The police commissioner reaffirmed the command’s commitment to combating crime and ensuring that criminal elements have no safe haven within or outside Ondo State.

He also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest police station, assuring residents that every genuine complaint would receive prompt and professional attention.

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.