NEWS
Gunmen Kill Ex-Ogun State Broadcaster, Security Guard in Early Morning Attack
Gunmen have killed a former staff member of Ogun State Television, Mrs. Kitan Oyesiku, popularly known as “Aunty Kitan,” alongside her security guard in a violent early morning attack in Agodo community along the Abeokuta–Siun–Sagamu Expressway in Ogun State.
The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday, threw residents of the area into panic and mourning as news of the killings spread across the community.
The victims were reportedly attacked inside their residence by unknown armed men who stormed the compound and carried out the operation before fleeing the scene.
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The security guard on duty was also killed during the invasion.
The attack took place within the Abeokuta axis of Abeokuta, raising fresh concerns over insecurity in parts of the state.
The bodies of the deceased have since been deposited at the morgue of the State Hospital, Ijaiye, Abeokuta.
As of press time, the motive behind the attack remains unclear, while security agencies are expected to launch a full-scale investigation into the incident.
An anonymous source who spoke on the development said the incident was discovered after concerned church members went to check on the deceased when she failed to appear at church service.
The source said: “They had come around to check on Mrs Oyesiku when they did not see her in the church. On getting to her residence, they found out that the security officer had been killed, and they later also saw that the assailants had also killed Mrs Oyesiku. That was how they raised the alarm in the community.”
When contacted, the spokesperson of the Ogun State Police Command confirmed the incident and said an official statement would be issued after preliminary investigations.
Mrs. Oyesiku, a former broadcaster with the state-owned television station, was well known in media circles before her retirement.
Her death has sparked grief among colleagues, friends, and residents across Ogun State, as calls mount for improved security in the area.
Armed gunmen have reportedly abducted a 60-year-old headmaster of Nomadic Basic School, Igbojaye, in Itesiwaju Local Government Area of Oyo State, sparking concern among residents and the education community.
The victim, Mr. Matthew Kolawale Owoade, popularly known as “Onaiye,” was allegedly kidnapped on Saturday evening, July 11, 2026, while returning from a visit to his farm.
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According to his son, Mr. Abiola Owoade, the headmaster was intercepted by unidentified gunmen between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. and taken to an unknown destination.
The kidnappers reportedly contacted the family shortly after the abduction using the victim’s mobile phone and demanded a ransom of N30 million for his release.
A search team later recovered Mr. Owoade’s motorcycle, which had been abandoned in a bush at about 8:20 a.m. on Sunday, July 12, raising further fears over his whereabouts.
The incident has thrown family members, colleagues, and residents of Itesiwaju Local Government into distress, with many calling on security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the victim’s safe return.
They appealed to the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other security agencies to act swiftly to rescue the headmaster and bring those responsible to justice.
The family also urged members of the public to provide any useful information that could aid security operatives in locating the abductors.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Oyo State Police Command, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said security operatives had already commenced efforts to rescue the victim.
“I can confirm to you that a farmer, Mr. Owoade Mathew, was kidnapped at his farm in Budo Aare, and efforts are on to rescue the man unhurt and arrest the perpetrator,” Ayanlade said.
Police say investigations are ongoing as efforts continue to secure the safe and unconditional release of the abducted headmaster.
The Wall Street Journal has reported that billionaire industrialist Aliko Dangote is among the biggest beneficiaries of the disruption caused by the recent US-Iran conflict, with his $20bn refinery enjoying rising demand for refined petroleum products.
In a report published on Friday, the newspaper said Dangote was now reaping the rewards of the refinery after enduring years of delays and cost overruns that pushed the project’s cost to about $20bn.
“The huge refinery reached full capacity in February—just in time to supply the world with diesel, jet fuel and gasoline that doesn’t need to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
“Surging demand for refined petroleum products has boosted Dangote’s wealth by some $4.86 billion since the start of the year, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, bringing his net worth to about $34.8 billion.
“Dangote’s repeated bets on the rise of Africa’s middle class, from cement to sugar to salt, have helped the 69-year-old become the world’s 65th-wealthiest person,” the report read.
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It added that output from the refinery had risen by more than 70 per cent this year, driven by stronger demand for refined petroleum products.
The newspaper quoted Dangote Industries Group Vice-President, Devakumar Edwin, as saying the company plans to list the refinery on the Nigerian Exchange later this year, targeting a valuation of at least $50bn, while also pursuing a secondary listing, likely in New York.
According to the report, the energy market disruption triggered by the US-Iran conflict has benefited producers outside the Middle East, with Nigeria recording increased demand for its crude oil and refined petroleum products.
It added that the development had supported the naira and helped moderate domestic petrol prices.
Edwin also told the newspaper that demand for the refinery’s products had increased across sub-Saharan Africa, while exports of jet fuel to Europe had grown significantly this year.
He said the company plans to expand the refinery’s capacity to 1.4 million barrels per day by 2028, an investment expected to cost about $13bn.
The report stated that Dangote Industries is planning another refinery project in Lamu, Kenya, alongside a new port, with the project estimated to cost about $15bn and take about three years to complete.
However, the Wall Street Journal noted that securing sufficient local crude oil remains one of the refinery’s biggest challenges, saying the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has been unable to supply the volumes required because of existing export obligations and oil-backed loan commitments.
The report added that Dangote also plans to expand its distribution network by acquiring vessels, establishing a distribution hub in Namibia and constructing a pipeline to supply refined products to landlocked African countries, including Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia.
Courtesy – The Punch
The pupils and teachers who were abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have finally regained their freedom following a successful rescue operation by Nigerian security agencies.
The development was announced on Friday by the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a post on X.
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Onanuga wrote: “Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Oriire, Oyo have been rescued by our security agencies. One of the rescued teachers in Oyo sends a thank you message to President Tinubu and the security agencies.”
According to information released on Friday, the rescue followed coordinated security operations carried out by federal authorities.
In a video shared by Onanuga, one of the rescued victims, Rachael Alamu, Principal of Community High School, expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu and security operatives for securing their freedom.
She said: “President sir, our father, we are grateful, we understand your commitment to our safety and we appreciate all you did for us…. And every security operatives, they tried so much and that is why we are still alive by now, God bless you.”
The successful operation brings to an end the ordeal of the pupils and teachers, whose abduction had raised concerns over the safety of schools and communities in Oyo State.
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