NEWS
Banditry Attacks: Adeleke Assures of Military Backed Operations at Ora, Other Border Towns
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has commiserated with the people of Ora Igbomina over recent the banditry attacks they experienced, and assured them of a military backed rescue and protection security operations
Gov Adeleke’s position was contained in a government house statement on Thursday in Osogbo, where he made it clear that the military operation has been underway for the past three days.
It was gathered that after an emergency security council meeting on Wednesday evening, the Gov Adeleke described the Ora incident as saddening. He described it as a major security breach even after almost all the water tight pre-emptive precautions already put in place in the last three months.
Reviewing the development with service commanders from the police, the army, the secret service and other paramilitary agencies, Gov Adeleke expressed confidence that the ongoing military backed security operations across the border towns would prevent recurrence of the attacks and also secure the release of the kidnapped retired custom officer.
He said, “From the moment of the unfortunate incident, our security forces have launched rescue and protection operations. For the past three days, both the police, the army and the DSS have been combing the areas for rescue and also reviewing the security apparatus. A delicate operation is ongoing and we don’t want to jeopardise the integrity of the process.
“As part of our security plan, we will soon deploy the refurbished armoured tanks for operations across the state. We are also procuring patrol vehicles to strengthen police and security operations in the state. Additionally, we are reviewing the joint security patrol programme. It will be unveiled at the right time to further protect our people”.
To forestall any further security breach and possible spillover from Kwara State, Gov Adeleke issued new operational guidelines for the Amotekun Security Service, directing the Amotekun leadership to ensure proper coordination with the police in their operations.
He also directed that an operational meeting be held between the police authorities and the Amotekun to ensure proper coordination in future operations, warning that working in silos will no longer be tolerated.
According to Gov Adeleke, Amotekun services should always involve the police in its operations to ensure synergy and service support, expressing happiness that the Amotekun will soon get back to the field under the new arrangement.
ALSO READ: Chinese Investors Hail Osun’s Infrastructure Growth Under Adeleke
The governor lamented the unfortunate Akinlalu incident and pointed out that the Amotekun has learnt lessons even as the law would take its course, affirming that the Amotekun is needed more than ever in view of new security challenges facing the state.
“After the security council meeting, I am happy to announce that the Amotekun Service will resume full operations under new guidelines I just issued. We are facing an emergency in our border towns and it is important to get the Amotekun back to the field as urgently as possible.
“I must however plead with members of the public to reduce late night activities. In addition to the banditry challenge, we are in the yuletide period when our people need to be security conscious. Criminals are targeting late night gatherings. We need to stick to daytime events to further protect ourselves.
“I once again commiserate with victims of recent banditry attacks. We are working tirelessly to prevent reoccurrence”, he added.
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals (DPRP) has announced a reduction in the ex-depot prices of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Automotive Gas Oil (Diesel).
A company statement on Wednesday has it that the price reduction, which is part of reaffirmation of the company’s commitment to providing affordable, high-quality petroleum products to the Nigerian market is effective Thursday 6th of August, 2026.
Under the new pricing structure, the refinery has reduced the ex-depot price of PMS to N1,165 per litre, down from N1,215 per litre, representing a reduction of N50 per litre. Similarly, the ex-depot price of Diesel has been reduced to N1,570 per litre from N1,650 per litre, amounting to a decrease of N80 per litre.
ALSO READ: NLNG: How Cooking Gas Offtakers Greed Fuel Scarcity, High Prices
The price review reflects Dangote Refinery’s ongoing efforts to enhance energy affordability, improve access to refined petroleum products, and support economic activities across Nigeria. The refinery remains committed to ensuring stable supply while leveraging operational efficiencies to deliver value to consumers, businesses, and stakeholders.
As Africa’s largest refinery, Dangote Petroleum Refinery continues to play a pivotal role in strengthening Nigeria’s energy security, reducing reliance on imports, and supporting the nation’s economic development through the supply of world-class petroleum products.
The company reaffirmed its dedication to contributing to the growth of the Nigerian economy and passing on the benefits of improved operational efficiencies to consumers whenever market conditions permit.
Three people have lost their lives, while three others sustained varying degrees of injuries following a tragic road accident involving a crane and a truck along the Sagamu-Benin Expressway in Ogun State.
The fatal crash occurred at about 5:00 a.m. on Wednesday near Babcock Junction in Ikenne Local Government Area.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), Babatunde Akinbiyi, said the accident involved a white Mercedes-Benz truck with registration number LG 59 BLF and a yellow crane without a registration number.
SEE ALSO: Gas Explosion Kills 16 In Fatal Ogun Auto Crash
According to Akinbiyi, preliminary investigations showed that the crane was travelling against traffic at excessive speed when it collided head-on with the oncoming truck.
He disclosed that six people—three males and three females—were involved in the crash.
“A total of three persons, comprising two males and one female, lost their lives, while three male victims sustained varying degrees of injuries,” Akinbiyi said.
He added that emergency responders from TRACE, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Nigeria Police Force, and a rescue team known as “Papa Oscar” swiftly arrived at the scene to rescue victims and manage the situation.
The injured victims were taken to the Babcock University Teaching Hospital for treatment, while the bodies of the deceased were deposited at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH) morgue in Sagamu.
To ease traffic flow, authorities diverted vehicles from Delabo Junction to the second carriageway as efforts continued to evacuate the damaged vehicles from the highway.
Akinbiyi commiserated with the families of the deceased and cautioned motorists against dangerous traffic violations.
“Motorists should avoid route violation and driving against traffic, considering the grave consequences associated with such dangerous acts,” he said.
A businessman, Gbenga Collins, has told the House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee investigating the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) that he paid ₦400 million to the council’s embattled Director-General, Adeniyi Adeyemi, to facilitate the award of a government contract.
Collins made the allegation on Wednesday while testifying before the committee probing the establishment and operations of the controversial council.
According to the businessman, he travelled to Abuja where he was officially received by Adeyemi in what he described as an atmosphere befitting the head of a government agency, a development that convinced him the council was legitimate.
SEE ALSO: PFIPCgate: Wike Fires Back at Opposition Over Calls to Sack Gbajabiamila
He told lawmakers that Adeyemi later handed him a contract award letter, the scope of work, and an agreement authorising his company to execute the renovation and furnishing of the Director-General’s official residence.
“He gave me a contract award letter, the scope of work and, at the same time, the agreement with my company to execute that refurbishment project and asked me to pay the sum of ₦400 million for the facilitation of that project to show my strength that I would be able to handle it and that it would also fast-track the mobilisation for the contract,” Collins told the committee.
Chairman of the ad hoc committee, Yusuf Gagdi, disclosed that Adeyemi’s continued absence from the hearings was because he is currently in police custody and is also being investigated by anti-graft agencies.
Gagdi further revealed that the committee intends to meet with Adeyemi discreetly as part of its ongoing investigation.
As part of the probe, the committee also summoned the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) over the alleged use of official Federal Government number plates on vehicles linked to the disputed council.
The House panel is investigating allegations that the PFIPC operated without lawful authority despite being captured in the 2026 Appropriation Act.
The probe followed allegations by Adeyemi that the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, demanded 48 per cent of the council’s proposed ₦27.3 billion take-off grant. Adeyemi also alleged that the Chief of Staff received ₦400 million through a proxy and later requested an additional ₦200 million to facilitate presidential approvals.
Gbajabiamila has denied all the allegations, maintaining that he has no personal, official or professional relationship with Adeyemi.
He also rejected claims that he demanded or received money, interfered with investigations, or had any connection to allegations surrounding the death of Babatunde Tanimola or an alleged assassination attempt on Adeyemi.
Following the allegations, President Bola Tinubu directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the matter.
The House of Representatives subsequently constituted a 12-member ad hoc committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the establishment of the PFIPC, how it was included in the 2026 Appropriation Act, and the alleged allocation of about ₦1.3 billion to the council.
Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Tanimu Yakubu, had earlier informed the committee that none of the funds appropriated for the PFIPC had been released or spent because the statutory conditions required for their disbursement and utilisation were never met.
DPRP Tops US for Second Consecutive Month as Europe’s Largest Jet Fuel Supplier
Ugandan Football Star David Owori Dies After Violent Ambush Near His Home
DPRP Slashes PMS to ₦1,165/Litre, Diesel to ₦1,570/Litre
Wrong-Way Crane Leaves Three Dead, Three Injured in Ogun Auto Crash
Businessman Alleges Paying PFIPC DG ₦400m To Secure Gov’t Contract
Nigeria to Phaseout Crude Oil Exports
Trump’s Family Unveils New Cryptocurrency Platform
Senate Denies Receiving Petitions Against Tinubu’s Ambassadorial Nominees
Dangote Cement Lights Up Benue Host Communities With CSR Initiatives
Reps Recommend 3-year Jail Term For Aviation minister
Tems Sets New Record On Billboard Hot 100 Chart