Bring proof of your assassination attempt, police tell Osun Amotekun boss

 

 

Osun State Police Command has invited the Osun State Commander of the Amotekun Corps, Isaac Omoyele, to bring proof of an alleged attempt on his life by some yet to be identified people.

 

The spokesperson of Osun Amotekun Corps, Idowu Yusuf, had announced early on Tuesday, announced that Omoyele was attacked by gunmen while driving home after the close of work on Monday.

 

Yusuf said the incident occurred at about 10:05pm, adding that Omoyele was attacked along Ikirun Road in Kobo Area, Osogbo, while driving home in his private vehicle.

 

“I had left the office, driving home with my two-door vehicle. When I got to Kobo, some armed men suddenly appeared in a moving vehicle, double side by side with my car and started firing.

“Their faces were covered, and before I could react, they opened fire on my vehicle. Bullets riddled the car. I didn’t stop. I kept driving through the hail of gunfire. I was hit, but I managed to escape,” Omoyele said in the statement.

 

Amotekun spokesperson further said the incident had been officially reported at the Ota-Efun Police Division in Osogbo.

 

When contacted by PUNCH Online for updates, Osun Police Command spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, said the incident was reported by Omoyele.

 

Ojelabi, however, said the investigation has not commenced as Omoyele has not come up with proof that an attempt was made to kill him.

 

He said, “According to the report he (Omoyele) made that he was attacked, the police have gone to the scene and we have told him to come along with the vehicle.

 

“He will have to produce the vehicle and other things to prove the incident before we can talk of an investigation.”

 

The alleged assassination attempt of Omoyele had happened barely one week after operatives of the Amotekun Corps in the state invaded Akinlalu Community and shot some residents, reportedly killing three people.

 

The incident which led to public condemnation of the mode of operations of the Corps, also led several people to demand the arrest and prosecution of those operatives who perpetrated the act.

The PUNCH reports that relations of those who lost their lives in the mayhem, while speaking with our correspondent, demanded justice for their loved ones.

 

Osun State Police Command, in a report made available to our correspondent after the incident, listed Ibrahim Oyebamiji (m), 26 years, Sefiu Oyebamiji (m) and Abiola Olutayo (m), as those killed in the mayhem.

Those injured include, Adeagbo Kadijat ‘f’ 22yrs, Oke-Ila Oyebamiji ‘f’ 60yrs and Fayomi Toheeb ‘m’ 19yrs. ‎

 

The police also confirmed that Amotekun operatives took away the corpses of the deceased after the incident.

 

But the leadership of the Amotekun Corps in the state, though admitting to killing three people, said those killed had engaged its operatives in an exchange of gunfight.

 

The Corps said its operatives were ambushed by hoodlums, who had gone to Akinlalu to retrieve two rifles forcibly taken away from its operatives.

 

On Sunday at the palace of the Alakinla of Akinlalu, Oba Oluwabusola Oloyede, the Deputy Speaker of Osun State House of Assembly, Oyewusi, while speaking, assured residents of the Akinlalu community that the State Government would ensure justice for the victims.

 

Oyewusi, who is representing Ife North State Constituency, appealed to the youths in the community not to take the law into their hands, but to allow proper investigation of the incident.

 

“We are here to commiserate with the families and the town over what happened. We also want to beg the youth of Akinlalu to allow peace to reign.

 

“Ife North is a peaceful region. We don’t have power over what has happened, but we want to assure our people that the State Government and the police have already started an investigation into the matter, and I am assuring my people that justice will be served.

 

“We are waiting for the report of the police and the committee set up by the state government and by God’s grace, the perpetrators will not go freely. We will ensure justice for the victims,” he said.

 

The Deputy Speaker, who also visited the families that lost people in the incident alongside other members of the Assembly, also promised that the state government would provide needed support for the families of the deceased.

NIWA appoints 20 safety ambassadors, distributes life jackets in C’River

 

 

 

The Calabar Area Office of the National Inland Waterways Authority has donated 200 life jackets to beach operators, boat owners, and other stakeholders operating within the Calabar Section of Calabar-Oron Waterways to enhance safety.

 

The Calabar Area Manager of NIWA, Stanley Onuoha, while presenting the items on Monday in Calabar, named over 20 ambassadors to help enhance waterway safety in Cross River State.

 

Onuoha said, “The ambassadors comprise the chairman of the maritime workers union, councilors of Calabar LGA, traditional rulers, and House of Assembly members.”

 

He also noted that the donation of life-saving items is in line with the quarterly sensitisation engagement programme with maritime stakeholders at the Safe Journey Beach in Calabar South, Cross River State, aimed at educating commuters on the need to use a life jacket, urging all stakeholders to carry out sensitization to the grassroots.

“They are to help us carry this message to the grassroots and make sure that every passenger wears a life jacket while on board”, he said.

 

He further disclosed that the sensitisation is the third quarterly engagement within the year and is in line with the mandate of the CEO/Managing Director of the authority, as well as the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.

He expressed optimism that the gospel of safety is on track and they will continue to do this until everybody completely complies with safety standards.

 

He added that NIWA is happy that the stakeholders are embracing the message, saying “we have had little or no boat mishap within the area.”

 

The life jackets were gratefully received by beach operators and boat owners, who acknowledged the critical role they would play in preventing water accidents.

 

One of the ambassadors, Effiong Ekarika, member representing Calabar South in the State Assembly, welcomed the appointment, saying, “They will help take the message to the grassroots.”

 

Beaches within the area that received the life jackets include Safe Journey Beach, Henshaw Town Beach, Nsidung Beach, Abitto Ferry and Sea Express, Afikpo Beach, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, including other dedicated operators.

Lagos dismisses demanding N700m bribe to stop demolition

 

 

Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, has dismissed reports that the Ministry demanded payments from property owners to stop the demolition of houses at Oral Estate, Ikota.

 

The commissioner was reacting to a viral video wherein a woman was heard saying Wahab and other officials from the ministry had agreed to stop the demolition after requesting ₦1 billion and later settled for N700 million.

 

She said, “Thank God for today. We have peace of mind. We’re not hearing an excavator tearing people’s houses down, people crying. The Commissioner, Ministry of Environment came and we had an agreement that my estate is going to pay N1 billion for shit piling, It ended in N700 million for shit piling. My estate is trying to gather the money and give them this month.”

 

However, in a statement posted to his official social media accounts on Sunday, the commissioner said neither he nor any official from the ministry requested or received money, “whether ₦1 billion, ₦700 million, or a single kobo.”

He described the video as a deliberate attempt to blackmail the government and a dangerous distraction from efforts to prevent flooding and protect Lagos residents.

 

He said, “My attention has been drawn to a circulating video containing false and malicious allegations that the Ministry demanded money from property owners to pause the ongoing removal of structures on drainage setbacks at Oral Estate, Ikota.

 

“I must state categorically that these claims are entirely false and a deliberate attempt to blackmail the government.

“Neither I nor any official from the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources has ever requested nor received any payment, whether ₦1 billion, ₦700 million, or a single kobo, from any property owner.”

 

Wahab explained that “the operation to clear the Right of Way and Setbacks to different channels, and canals of illegal obstructions is a public safety imperative, and it has not been paused for any form of negotiation or payment. Our work continues.

 

“This propaganda is a dangerous distraction from our critical mission to prevent flooding and protect the majority of Lagosians.”

 

He added that the ministry takes the defamatory allegations “with the utmost seriousness” and will pursue the matter through the courts.

 

“We shall be pursuing this matter legally, and the individual behind these claims will be required to provide proof to the appropriate authorities,” the commissioner said.

 

The denial comes amid visible enforcement action in parts of Ikota and neighbouring estates, where government teams have removed structures found within river setbacks and drainage corridors, actions Wahab said are necessary to prevent recurrent seasonal flooding.

The state ministry of environment has warned residents against entertaining intermediaries or paying money to forestall statutory enforcement.

Insecurity: Sokoto community demand right to bear arms for self-defence

 

 

Amid a surge in deadly attacks by suspected Lakurawa bandits, residents of Kebbe Local Government Area in Sokoto State have called on the Federal Government to permit them to bear sophisticated weapons for self-defence.

 

The residents, who voiced their anguish at a press conference held on Saturday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists Secretariat, Sokoto, said they can no longer endure the incessant killings and destruction of property by the marauding bandits.

 

Led by Alhaji Adamu Kebbe, the group accused both the state and local authorities of abandoning them to their fate, lamenting that the government’s response to their plight has been slow and inadequate.

 

“We can’t sleep with our two eyes closed anymore. Our communities are being wiped out, and the government is doing little to protect us,” Haruna said emotionally.

They also urged the Federal Government to grant direct funding to local governments to enable them to equip local security outfits and respond swiftly to attacks.

 

Sokoto State has been one of the worst-hit by banditry in recent years, with emerging terror groups such as the Lakurawas and the notorious gang led by Bello Turji unleashing deadly violence across Isa, Sabon Birni, and Kebbe LGAs.

 

While the state government has acknowledged the growing threat, residents say its measures have fallen far short of what is needed to guarantee safety.

Security experts warn that the call for self-defence reflects a deepening loss of faith in state protection and highlights the urgency for the Federal Government to intervene decisively.

 

For now, the people of Kebbe say they are left with no choice but to defend themselves if the government fails to act.

 

“If we can’t get protection from the government, then we must be allowed to protect ourselves,” another resident declared.

 

In early September 2025, Sokoto youths, particularly from Shagari Local Government Area, threatened to take up arms in self-defence due to persistent bandit attacks and kidnappings.

 

They expressed frustration with government inaction and the impact of insecurity on farming, families, and local life. Former Governor Aminu Tambuwal also called for immediate federal reinforcement to contain banditry in Sokoto.

 

Sokoto has also been responding to humanitarian crises, including a deadly cholera outbreak among internally displaced persons, resulting from insecurity

NAFDAC destroys N15bn fake, expired drugs in Oyo

 

 

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control on Thursday destroyed fake, expired, substandard, and falsified drugs and products valued at N15bn in Ibadan, Oyo State.

 

This was announced by the Director-General of the agency, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, during the destruction in Ibadan, the state capital.

 

Represented by NAFDAC’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Martins Iluyomade, Adeyeye said the agency remained resolutely committed to ensuring that foods, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, chemicals, packaged water, and drinks were safe, wholesome, and effective for human consumption.

 

“There is no doubt that drugs are a critical aspect of NAFDAC’s mandate, and the agency has established strict guidelines governing the licensing, sale, and distribution of drug products.

“The products we destroyed today (Thursday) include expired, counterfeit, uncontrolled, unregistered, and banned drugs such as Analgin, Cocodamol, codeine cough syrup, tramadol, oxytocin, and various types of vaccines.

 

“The estimated street value of these products being destroyed today (Thursday) stands at N15bn only.”

She stated that the destruction of those products would eliminate the risk of their re-entry into the Nigerian market.

 

The DG appreciated the support of the police, Nigerian Army, Department of State Services, NDLEA, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria, among others.

 

She, therefore, urged stakeholders to educate their families and wards about the dangers of patronising quacks and unauthorised medicine dealers.

 

S.K. Tijani, who spoke on behalf of the Controller General of the Nigerian Customs Service, Bashir Adeniyi, stated that there was synergy between Customs and NAFDAC in the fight against fake, expired, substandard, and unwholesome drugs and products nationwide.

 

He said all stakeholders must play their part in ensuring that the nation is free from criminal activities.

NAFDAC shuts two Chinese supermarkets, shops in Abuja

 

 

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has shut two Chinese supermarkets located in the Jabi District and eight cosmetics shops at Wuse Market, Abuja, for flagrant violations of extant laws governing the sale, distribution, and labelling of regulated products in Nigeria.

 

NAFDAC disclosed this in a press statement on Friday, signed by the Deputy Director of Public Relations/Protocol, Adegboyega Osiyemi.

 

The agency said, “Acting on the directive of the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the enforcement team confiscated and evacuated offending products worth over N170m.”

NAFDAC officials are sealing one of the shops in Abuja. Credit: NAFDAC.

It noted that the enforcement exercise was carried out by the NAFDAC Investigation and Enforcement Directorate and members of the Federal Task Force on Counterfeit and Substandard Medicines and Unwholesome Processed Foods in Abuja, led by the Assistant Chief Regulatory Officer, Musa Embugushiki.

“The supermarkets, situated on Mike Akhigbe Way and Ebitu Ukiwe Street in Jabi District, Abuja, were sealed following credible consumer complaints and subsequent surveillance by the NAFDAC Enforcement Team, which revealed that the operators were engaged in the sale of unregistered food items and products labelled exclusively in the Chinese language, contrary to NAFDAC’s mandatory labelling policy requiring English translations for the Nigerian market and regulatory understanding.

 

“Despite initial resistance and denials by the foreign national at Ebitu Street that the supermarket had yet to commence operation, the enforcement team confirmed that the outlet was in full operation and selling unregistered regulated products.

“In a related operation, eight cosmetics shops within Wuse Market were also sealed for the sale of banned, expired, and unregistered cosmetics, aphrodisiacs, and aesthetic medicines.

 

“Investigations revealed that certain individuals had been illegally presenting themselves as dermatologists and pharmacists, prescribing and selling harmful products to unsuspecting consumers under the guise of body enhancement, skin whitening, aesthetic improvement for women, and manpower for men,” it stated.

 

NAFDAC highlighted that some of the cosmetics products seized include Wenicks Capsules, Maxman Capsules, Boobs Enlargement, Curvy Weight Gain, Skin Whitening Vitamin Gummies, Collagen, Royal Jelly, Glutathione Whitening Gummies, White Doll, Dr. Gallery Plus, Maiz Zaki Syrup, Original Herbal Yellow Fever, Sickle Cell Medicine, Dr. Nafisa Herbal Medicine, Dynewell Syrup, White Blinks, among others.

 

It said Prof. Adeyeye reiterated the agency’s mandate to protect the health of Nigerians against exposure to dangerous chemicals and toxic substances, which are linked to serious health risks, including skin cancer, kidney damage, irritability, and memory loss.

 

“The agency hereby reaffirms its commitment to enforcing compliance with NAFDAC regulations and advises Nigerian consumers to patronise only products duly registered by NAFDAC.

“Foreign nationals and investors intending to import or market products in Nigeria are advised to visit NAFDAC offices nationwide for product registration and regulatory guidance,” it added.

DSS arraigns Sowore over anti-Tinubu post

 

 

The Federal Government is set to arraign human rights activist Omoyele Sowore on a five-count charge for allegedly posting false statements about President Bola Tinubu intended to cause a breakdown of law and order, court papers show.

 

Sowore was sighted at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday ahead of the arraignment.

 

The suit dated 16th September,2025, was lodged after Sowore allegedly refused to delete the controversial posts about the President.

 

The Sahara Reporters publisher was accused of using his official X handle to make the post, “This criminal @ official PBAT Actually went to Brazil to state that there is no more corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly!”

The alleged offending post, said to be contrary to Section 24(2) (b) of the Cybercrimes Prohibition and Prevention Act 2024, was said to have been made on August 25 within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court.

 

The charges were brought on behalf of the DSS and the Federal Government by M.B. Abubakar, Director of Public Prosecutions at the Federal Ministry of Justice, alongside four other counsel to the DSS –M.E. Ernest, U.B. Bulla, Dr. C.S. Eze, and E.G. Orubor.

Social media companies X Inc. and Meta Platforms Inc. are listed as co-defendants.

 

Confirming the legal action in a Facebook post last week, Sowore wrote, “The State Security Service, alias @OfficialDSSNG today filed a 5-count charge at the Federal High Court in Abuja against ‘X’ (formerly Twitter Facebook, and myself. They claimed that because I called Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu a criminal, I have somehow committed a set of ‘novel’ offences they invented and spread across five counts.

 

“It’s hard to believe there’s anyone sensible left in these offices that should be making Nigeria work. Regardless, I will be present whenever this case is assigned for trial. #RevolutionNow.”

 

PUNCH Online had earlier reported that the human rights activist and African Action Congress candidate in the 2023 election vowed not to delete the controversial tweet, despite a request from the DSS to X demanding its removal.

 

Restating his stance, Sowore wrote, “This morning, X (formerly Twitter) officially contacted me about the despicable threat letter they received from the lawless DSS over my Tweet on Tinubu. One option I will NOT be taking is deleting that Tweet. Thank you, @X.”

Customs schedules online test for Superintendent Cadre on Oct 2

 

 

The Nigeria Customs Service has fixed online recruitment test for shortlisted applicants for the Superintendent Cadre for Thursday, 2 October 2025.

 

Announcing this in a statement on its X handle on Monday, the Service said candidates have been placed into three batches of A, B and C.

 

“All shortlisted Superintendent Cadre candidates should log in with their NIN via (https://updates.customs.gov.ng) to check their Batch, Date, and Time,” the statement read.

 

NCS warned that strict compliance with assigned batch and time is mandatory and that failure to sit at the allotted time will result in disqualification.

Other instructions include, “Candidates are strictly warned against the use of calculators and other devices during the test.

“Indiscriminate log-in or switching of browser windows may also prevent further sign-in attempts.

 

“Applicants of the Inspectorate and Assistant Cadres will be contacted later for their Pre-Test and Online Test.

 

“Inspectorate & Assistant Cadre applicants should NOT log in at this stage.”

 

PUNCH Online reports that the exam follows the superintendent cadre candidates conducted pre-test over the weekend.

Fail three times, face retirement, PSC tightens police promotion

 

The Police Service Commission on Monday subjected 30 senior police officers to a compulsory promotion examination in Abuja, warning that those who fail the test three times will be retired.

 

The exercise, held at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, involved one Assistant Inspector General of Police, two Commissioners of Police, 11 Deputy Commissioners and 16 Assistant Commissioners.

 

Chairman of the Commission, retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, Hashimu Argungu in a statement, said the exam was now a permanent feature in police career progression.

 

“This exam is not going anywhere; it has come to stay.

“Any officer that fails it three times will have to go home. We can’t continue to carry people who are not competent,” Argungu said.

 

He explained that the new system was designed to improve standards in the Nigeria Police Force and restore public confidence.

“The world has changed, it is a skill-driven era.

 

“If our officers want to rise, they must be ready to show capacity.

 

“Otherwise, we can’t justify promoting them,”Argungu added.

 

The PSC Chairman also noted that the Commission was tightening procedures to avoid errors in promotions.

 

“We are paying attention to details, no dead or retired officer should ever appear on a promotion list again,” Argungu said.

 

Other commissioners of the PSC, including retired Supreme Court Justice Paul Adamu Galumje and retired DIG Taiwo Lakanu, were present during the examination.

Police seek help to rescue three-year-old stolen in Anambra

 

The Anambra State Police Command has appealed to members of the public for information that could help rescue a 3-year-old boy, who was allegedly stolen by an unidentified woman in Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area.

 

In a statement on Monday by the command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the child, identified as Chimaobi Nwadike was stolen while in the custody of his mother.

 

The statement read, “The Anambra State Police Command seeks assistance from members of the public, especially residents of Anambra State, regarding a case of child stealing that occurred on 26th September 2025 at Obosi, Idemili North LGA.

 

“Preliminary information reveals that the victim, Master Chimaobi Nwadike, a 3-year-old boy, was stolen by an unidentified woman while in the custody of his mother.

“The Command is calling on anyone with useful information on the whereabouts of the child or the suspect to kindly report to the nearest Police Station or call the Command’s emergency numbers.”

 

In related incident last week, the Command has arrested one Okwuchukwu Ezimuo, male, aged 45 years, for allegedly stabbing his relative to death over a family land dispute in Umunocha Village, Awka-Etiti, Idemili South Local Government Area of the state.

 

The suspect struck the deceased, identified as Joseph Dike, a 65-year-old, on the chest during a quarrel over the land dispute on Monday evening, said the Command.

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