Kwara

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Suspected bandits have abducted Oba Kamilu Salami, the Ojibara of Bayagan in Kwara State’s Ifelodun Local Government Area, demanding a N150 million ransom for his release.

The monarch was seized around 9:30 am last Friday on his farm by armed men wielding AK-47 rifles.

Investigations reveal the kidnappers had been monitoring the royal father’s movements for days prior to the attack.

An anonymous family source confirmed the kidnappers made contact, issuing the hefty ransom demand to secure his freedom.

A neighbouring farmer, who witnessed the invasion but feared for his own safety, confirmed seeing the armed men whisk the Oba away on a motorcycle.

Police authorities at the Ifelodun Divisional Headquarters in Share town have acknowledged the incident.

An anonymous senior officer stated that the State Police Command has been alerted and has launched a manhunt to apprehend the perpetrators and rescue the monarch.

By Uzair Adam

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has called on security agencies to investigate the killing of its Kwara State Chairman, Idrissu Abubakar, who was shot dead by unidentified gunmen.

In a statement released on Sunday in Abuja, MACBAN’s National President, Alhaji Baba Ngelzarma, through the association’s National Secretary, Malam Bello Gotomo, condemned the killing and urged authorities to ensure justice is served.

Confirming the incident, the Kwara State Police Command said Abubakar was attacked around 10 p.m. on Saturday in front of his house at Oke Ose, Ilorin East Local Government Area.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, stated that officers recovered five expended 7.62mm shells from the scene, and the victim’s remains were deposited at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) mortuary.

Describing Abubakar as the youngest state chairman in the association’s history, Ngelzarma lamented that his death marked the second killing of a MACBAN chairman within two months, following the murder of Katsina State’s newly elected chairman, Alhaji Sirajo Mairana.

The deceased, aged 33, left behind two wives, six children, and his elderly mother.

According to MACBAN, Abubakar was attacked shortly after returning from Taraweeh prayers. Ngelzarma expressed concerns over the repeated killings of the association’s leaders, revealing that in the past two years, MACBAN had lost over seven state and local government chairmen to unknown gunmen.

Additionally, the group’s National Vice President, Alhaji Manir Lamido, has been missing since 2023 while traveling between Katsina and Kaduna states.

The MACBAN president urged security agencies to intensify efforts to uncover those responsible for the attacks, assuring that the association would take necessary steps to seek justice for its slain members.

By Uzair Adam

Justice Haleemah Salman of the Kwara State High Court has convicted five individuals linked to the 2018 Offa robbery incident, sentencing them to death for armed robbery, illegal possession of firearms, and culpable homicide.

The judge, during a judgement session that lasted three and a half hours, stated that all the evidence presented by the prosecution proved the suspects’ guilt.

The robbery, which occurred in April 2018, involved the killing of over 30 people, including policemen, and the looting of several banks in the community.In addition to the death sentence, the suspects received a three-year prison term for illegal possession of firearms.

The convicted individuals include Ayoade Akinnibosun, Ibikunle Ogunleye, Adeola Abraham, Salahudeen Azeez, and Niyi Ogundiran.

A sixth suspect, Michael Adikwu, died while in custody.Speaking after the judgement, the prosecution counsel attributed the lengthy trial to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and other national assignments.

Meanwhile, the defence counsel announced plans to appeal the ruling.

The high-profile robbery case initially shocked the nation, prompting the then Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, to offer a N5 million bounty for information leading to the capture and prosecution of the suspects.

The trial, which spanned six years, saw Thursday’s judgement bringing some closure to one of Nigeria’s most infamous robbery cases.

By Muhammadu Sabiu 

Oro Umaru, a resident of Ba’abete Fulani Camp in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, found himself in legal trouble as he was arraigned before a Kwara State Magistrates Court in Ilorin on Thursday, September 21, 2023. 

He stands accused of attempted culpable homicide following an incident involving his neighbour, Abubakar Sanda, within the Fulani Camp. 

The charges against Oro Umaru are based on an alleged altercation that took place on September 8, 2023. 

According to the Police First Information Report, the case was reported by the victim’s brother, Sanda Mohammed. 

The report states that Abubakar Sanda was returning from Kaiama Kara Market to his residence when he was accosted and attacked by Oro Umaru.

In the course of the altercation, Abubakar Sanda’s right wrist was severed from his hand. A police investigation revealed a troubling background to the incident.

Oro Umaru reportedly suspected Abubakar Sanda of having an affair with his wife, Fatima Oro, dating back to 2022. Oro Umaru claimed that he had previously caught them together and reported the incidents to his father, Alhaji Hamadu, but no action was taken. 

In his confession to the police, Oro Umaru admitted to attacking Abubakar Sanda on September 8, 2023, after allegedly catching him in a conversation with his wife. 

Abubakar Sanda fled upon seeing Oro Umaru approaching, but the confrontation ultimately escalated to a violent assault. 

During the court proceedings, the plea of the accused, Oro Umaru, was not taken. Instead, the police prosecutor, Gbenga Ayeni, requested the court remand Oro Umaru in the Federal Correctional Facility pending the completion of the investigation.