TheNewsGuru

Tag: Kwara State

  • Gunmen abduct APC chairman’s wife, daughter in midnight raid

    Gunmen abduct APC chairman’s wife, daughter in midnight raid

    Suspected bandits have abducted the wife and daughter of the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Sakpefu community, Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State, Muhammad Swasun.

    TheNewsGuru.com(TNG) reports that the gunmen stormed the community on Sunday night shooting sporadically to instill fear among residents.

    Sources told newsmen on Monday that the victims were Hajiya Fatima, the party chairman’s wife, and Amina, his daughter.

    While stating that the gunmen operated for several minutes before whisking away their victims, a source said: “The bandits abducted his wife, Haja Fatima, and his daughter, Amina, and took them to an unknown destination.”

  • SAD! Three Killed as bandits ambush motorists in Kwara

    SAD! Three Killed as bandits ambush motorists in Kwara

    Suspected armed bandits on Thursday attacked motorists along Rore and Aranorin communities in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, killing at least three people.

    The incident caused widespread panic among residents and travellers after news of the killings spread.

    A video showed the victims lying lifeless by the roadside, their bodies partially covered by sympathisers who arrived after the assailants fled.

    Eyewitnesses said the gunmen, believed to be operating from nearby forests, opened fire on unsuspecting motorists in what appeared to be a coordinated ambush.

    It was not immediately clear whether any victims were abducted, as details were still emerging on Friday morning.

    The latest attack comes amid a surge of violence in Kwara’s Ifelodun and Irepodun local government areas, where communities such as Babanla, Shegbe, Ologomo, Alabe, and Oreke have suffered repeated raids.

    Residents say many people have been killed or kidnapped for ransom, forcing hundreds to abandon their homes.

    Community leaders have called on state and federal authorities to deploy more security personnel, warning that villages remain vulnerable as attacks continue.

    The Kwara State Police Command has yet to issue an official statement, though security operatives were reportedly deployed to the area to prevent further violence.

    The incident occurred just days after Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq visited Babanla community in Ifelodun to reassure residents of improved security.

    Hours after his departure, however, suspected bandits abducted two people in the same area, deepening fears and heightening tension across the region.

  • Tension in Kwara community as gunmen kill 5

    Tension in Kwara community as gunmen kill 5

    The Kwara Police Command has confirmed the death of five people, including Police Inspector Adejumo Wasiu, following an attack by unknown gunmen in Babanla, Ifelodun Local Government Area.

    This is contained in a statement issued on Sunday in Ilorin by the Command Spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi.

    She said scores of armed criminals, and riding motorcycles, invaded Babanla on Aug. 8, attacking the Divisional Police Headquarters and raiding the market.

    According to her, the assailants fired sporadically, killing five people, including Inspector Wasiu.

    She said a swift joint response by Police, Nigerian Army personnel, vigilantes, and local hunters repelled the attack, restored order, and began a full-scale manhunt.

    On Sunday, Commissioner of Police, CP Adekimi Ojo, and the Kwara DSS Director visited Babanla for an on-the-spot security assessment.

    They met traditional ruler, Oba Yusuf Aliyu Arojojoye II, holding high-level talks to consolidate peace and strengthen inter-agency and community-security collaboration.

    The joint delegation toured key locations, including the market, Police Headquarters, and surrounding areas, to ensure stability was fully restored.

    The Commissioner ordered sustained armed patrols, continuous intelligence gathering, and deployment of specialised tracking teams.

    Ejire-Adeyemi added that the DSS also pledged ongoing intelligence support to apprehend those responsible for the attack.

    She reiterated the command’s commitment, in synergy with other security agencies, to protecting lives and property in Kwara.

    She urged residents to remain calm, vigilant, and cooperative with security agencies by providing credible information.

  • Islamic cleric sentenced to death by hanging

    Islamic cleric sentenced to death by hanging

    A High Court in Ilorin on Thursday sentenced an Ilorin-based Islamic cleric, Abdulrahman Bello, to death by hanging for the murder of a final year student of the Kwara College of Education, Ilorin, Hafsat Lawal.

    Delivering judgment, Justice Hannah Ajayi, discharged and acquitted  Ahmed Abdulwasiu, Suleiman Muhydeen, Jamiu Uthman and Abdulrahman Jamiu of the murder charge.

    Ajayi, who described the offence committed by the prime suspect as the highest degree of human wickedness and cruel act, held that his defence in court showed that he had the intention of killing the victim for money making ritual.

    She also held that the confession of love by the prime suspect for the victim with the intention to marry her, as said in his defence, was all concocted lies to deceive the court.

    The judge also said that attitude of the convict after committing the crime and before his arrest by law enforcement officers, showed that it may not have been his first time of engaging in the act.

    The court also held that video and written evidences taken by the officers of the DSS and police from the convict duly complied with law of the state.

    It also held that no evidence showed or substantiated beating of the convict or blood stain sustained due to police beating.

    The judge said that the convict did not show himself as a witness of truth, “because all what he said to deny allegations against him were afterthought”. as a book containing secret of money making charms was found in his apartment.

    Justice Ajayi, advised members of the public to be wary of the bad influence of social media.

    ”The victim would have been alive if she had informed members of her family, friends or relatives of her movement or visit to a Facebook male friend before she was killed,” she said.

    Bello was also charged with rape, an offence punishable under section 283 of the Penal code CAP P4, Laws of Kwara.

  • Kwara govt postpones BECE

    Kwara govt postpones BECE

    The Kwara Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development has postponed the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), originally scheduled for Tuesday, to Thursday.

    A statement from the Commissioner, Dr Lawal Olohungbebe, on Monday, said the rescheduling followed the Federal Government’s declaration of a public holiday in honour of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Olohungbebe assured stakeholders, including students, parents, and school administrators, that the decision was necessary due to the unforeseen holiday.

    He said the ministry expressed regret for any inconvenience and thanked the public for their understanding and cooperation.

  • Troops nab 8 kidnap suspects, rescue 2 victims in Kwara

    Troops nab 8 kidnap suspects, rescue 2 victims in Kwara

    Troops of the 22 Armoured Brigade, deployed at the Forward Operation Base (FOB) Patigi, in Kwara have nabbed eight suspected kidnappers and rescued two victims.

    This is contained in a statement signed by Lt. Stephen Nwankwo, Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations of the Brigade in Ilorin on Sunday.

    “Acting on credible intelligence, troops launched a tactical operation on Saturday, targeting a hideout on the outskirts of Latandaji Village in Patigi Local Government Area.

    “During the engagement, troops encountered mild resistance, but swiftly subdued the criminals with superior firepower,” he said.

    Nwankwo said that the operation led to the rescue of two kidnap victims, identified as Amos Moses and Philip Michael, while eight suspected kidnappers were arrested.

    He, however, said that one Mohammed Mohammed sustained gunshot wounds during the exchange of fire and had been taken to hospital for medical attention.

    The brigade spokesman said that further operational exploits in the area led to the recovery of two motorcycles and two expended cartridge shells, believed to be used by the suspects.

    “All arrested individuals are currently in military custody for preliminary investigation and will be handed over to relevant authorities for prosecution,” Nwankwo said.

    He said that the operation underscores the Nigerian Army’s unwavering commitment to ensure safety of lives and property across the country.

    “We urge members of the public to continue providing actionable intelligence to security forces in order to dismantle criminal networks.

    “The Nigerian Army remains resolute in its mission to safeguard communities and restore lasting peace in all regions of deployment,” he said.

  • Man dies after drug-induced fall into well on Eid day

    Man dies after drug-induced fall into well on Eid day

     A 43-year-old man, identified as Kazeem, has died after jumping into a well on Eid day at the Alapo Compound in the Edun area of Ilorin, Kwara State.

    According to reports, the deceased had just returned from the Eid prayer ground on Friday, June 6, when he began acting strangely, with movements that raised alarms among neighbours.

    Many feared he had taken a psychoactive substance commonly referred to as ‘Colorado’ or ‘Colo’.

    Efforts to restrain or calm him were unsuccessful. In a shocking turn, Kazeem suddenly leapt into a well located within the compound.

    Neighbours’ rescue attempts were unsuccessful, leading to an emergency call to the Kwara State Fire Service.

    Confirming the incident on Saturday, June 7, fire service spokesperson Hassan Adekunle said the team received the distress call at around 10:29 a.m. and responded immediately.

    Sadly, by the time firefighters reached the scene, Kazeem had already died.

    His body was recovered from the well and handed over to the appropriate authorities.

    “We were notified that someone had plunged into a well in the Edun area. Our operatives moved to the site without delay and carried out the recovery operation. Sadly, the man had died before we arrived,” Adekunle said.

    “The victim reportedly jumped into the well under the influence of a hard substance known as Colo (Colorado) shortly after returning from Eid prayers.”

    Hassan Adekunle further revealed that the victim’s body was handed over to officers from the ‘C’ Division of the Nigeria Police in Ilorin.

    He added that procedures for formal identification and release to the family were still underway.

  • Kwara govt reaffirms support for MSMEs

    Kwara govt reaffirms support for MSMEs

    The Kwara State government has reaffirmed its strong commitment to creating a supportive environment for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to flourish in the state.

    This pledge aligns with Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s broader strategy for inclusive economic development and sustainable growth across all sectors.

    Finance Commissioner, Dr Hauwa Nuru, emphasised this commitment during the ‘Ilorin Naija Brand Chick Trade Fair’ held at the Government House Banquet Hall, Ilorin, on Sunday.

    The two-day fair, backed by the state government and sponsored by Wema Bank, was organised to boost local entrepreneurship and stimulate the state’s economic activity.

    Nuru noted the event provides a vital platform for entrepreneurs to reach potential customers, enhancing market access for business growth and long-term viability.

    She stressed the importance of the Kwara State Ease of Doing Business Council in removing obstacles that hinder businesses, including improving access to finance and land administration.

    “Under Governor AbdulRazaq’s leadership, we have seen major infrastructure upgrades like innovation hubs and better transport, which help create a business-friendly environment.

    “These efforts have attracted investment and enabled many local businesses to grow and strengthen their operations,” she said.

    According to her, the state remains firm in supporting MSMEs, recognising their crucial role in creating jobs and driving economic development throughout Kwara.

    She urged stakeholders to engage in economic activities and use government-backed opportunities to showcase Kwara’s potential on the global stage.

    Exhibitors at the fair thanked the government for its support. Nifemi Olaonipekun said the initiative helped boost sales and expand customer reach.

    A shopper, Hajia Sherifat Umar praised the fair’s variety of affordable, high-quality local products, calling it a success in supporting indigenous enterprise.

  • Police arrest suspected child kidnapper in Kwara

    Police arrest suspected child kidnapper in Kwara

    The Police Command in Kwara has confirmed the arrest of a suspected child kidnapper in  the state capital, Ilorin.

    The command’s spokesperson, SP.  Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday in Ilorin.

    According to the statement, the command is aware of a video circulating in the media space of a young man who was accused and apprehended for child kidnapping in Ilorin.

    “The command wishes to inform members of the public that on May 16, 2025, at about 1900hrs, operatives of the Kwara State Police Command apprehended an adult male (name unknown) allegedly for child kidnapping in Ilorin.

    “The suspect who claimed to be from Osun state was apprehended by a joint patrol team of police operatives and community vigilante members during a routine operation.

    “He was rescued from a violent mob who had accused him of attempted kidnap of a child and were on the verge of executing jungle justice,” the statement said.

    It added that the suspect was currently in police custody while investigations continued to ascertain the facts surrounding the allegations and identify other individuals who may be connected to this incident.

    The statement said that the complainant(s) involved were yet to report at the command headquarters to provide more information to aid police detectives in unraveling the incident.

    “Further updates will be provided as investigations unfold. The Kwara State Police Command uses this medium to reiterate its stance against mob action and jungle justice.

    “Such acts are not only unlawful but can also result in the miscarriage of justice”, it added.

    The statement urged members of the public to report all suspicious activities to the nearest police station rather than resort to self-help or violence.

    She said that the Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, was committed to protecting lives and property and ensuring justice was served within the bounds of the law.

  • Kwara shuts 2 schools over student unrest

    Kwara shuts 2 schools over student unrest

    The Kwara State Government has ordered the immediate closure of Government High School and Government Day Secondary School, Adeta, Ilorin, following repeated incidents of student unrest.

    This action comes after violent clashes between students, disruption of academic activities, and vandalism of school property within the two institutions.

    Confirming the closure on Wednesday, the State Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Dr Lawal Olohungbebe, said the decision was necessary to restore order and ensure safety.

    He explained that only students currently sitting the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations (SSSCE) and their teachers would be permitted on school premises during the exam period.

    Olohungbebe further directed that all SSSCE candidates must wear their school identification cards to gain entry into the compound.

    He urged parents and guardians to ensure their children stay at home, warning that any student found flouting the directive will be apprehended by security officers.

    The government reiterated its commitment to maintaining discipline and safety across all public schools in the state.