NEWS
Osun Decides: Observers witnessed high level of vote-buying, bribery
Eunice Oluwafunmilayo
The committee of election observers has stated that while the Osun governorship election is still going on, it has been marred by irregularities, including a high level of inducement and compromising of the voting booths.
This announcement was made in separate speeches by Dr. Hussaini Abdu, the board chairman of YIAGA Africa, and Ene Obi, the coordinator of the Situation Room for Nigerian Civil Society in Osogbo.
YIAGA Africa reports that an election monitoring organization has advised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to protect ballot confidentiality in the nation’s future elections.
YIAGA Africa Board Chairman Hussaini Abdu emphasized that the electoral umpire should audit the newly established Polling Units and make sure that they are distributed evenly while evaluating the system.
Voter intimidation by All Progressives Congress (APC) thugs was carried out in Iragbiji, according to information from YIAGA Africa’s monitors on the ground, who were watching acts of vote buying in the towns of Akinlalu and Iree.
Additionally, it claimed that thugs from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) threatened to sabotage the election in Ogbaagba town.
Abdu made a recommendation regarding the conduct of security officers during the voting on Saturday in relation to their assistance.
Yiaga added that for violations of the electoral legislation, suitable punishments should be applied.
According to Ene Obi “The BVAS were deployed according to the number of registered voters. In polling units with over 1,000 voters, INEC kept to its promise to deploy two BVAS machines. The machines functioned credibly well. There were issues with the fingerprint verifications, however the facial capture worked very well recording approximately one minute for accreditation and voting in Osogbo and in outside areas, it took longer.
READ ALSO: Just in: Adeleke defeats Oyetola in Osun governorship election
“Yiaga Africa received and verified the following critical incident reports: Voter Inducement/Bribery: Yiaga Africa received reports of acts of vote buying perpetrated by agents of the APC and PDP in some polling units.
“For instance, PU 009, Akinlalu Commercial Grammar School, Ward 01 in Ife North. The party agents strategically positioned themselves by the voting cubicle to see how voters marked their ballots.
“In PU 003 Opp. Olomu Mosque in Osogbo, PDP party agents were seen handing out between N2000 and N5000 to induce voters. Also, in Disu Polling Unit 003, ward 7 in Orolu LGA, APC agents were seen distributing N4000 to voters who voted for the party while PDP party agents were seen distributing N2000 to induce voters.
“There was open negotiation of buying and selling of votes well-coordinated by the polling agents in many of the polling units. There were no complaints from any of them against each other. Codes and coupons were used to extract commitments from voters as opposed to the blatant money exchanging hands observed in the Ekiti State Governorship election.”
However, the organisations applauded the residents of the State of Osun for turning out early to cast their ballots, especially the elderly who patiently waited in lines.
“INEC’s deployment of materials and personnel should also be commended. Vote trading was recorded in most of the areas observed particularly outside Osogbo. As voting continues, we call on all stakeholders to maintain the peaceful atmosphere recorded so far”.
NEWS
Salvation for All Souls Global Outreach Provides Free Medicals at Osun
The Salvation for All Souls Global Outreach, SAFAS, a leading evangelical ministry with a focus on delivering free humanitarian and robust healthcare for the less privileged in the society has concluded its one-day free medical outreach in Ifewara, Osun State, where hundreds of residents benefitted from various healthcare services.
The outreach, which was held on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at Akinyemi Memorial Grammar School, offered free medical consultations, health screenings, surgeries, dental care, medications, eye care services including free glasses, as well as health education.
The ministry also provided financial support to widows and widowers in the community.
The initiative, carried out in collaboration with the Christian Medical and Dental Association, Osun State chapter, forms part of SAFAS’ established model of combining medical intervention with a follow-up crusade, a structure the organisation has previously implemented in Lagos, Abeokuta and Ibadan before extending to Ifewara.
Speaking on the development, the President of SAFAS, Apostle BOT Adeyemi, said the outreach reflects the organisation’s commitment to meeting the holistic needs of communities, noting that the model has consistently delivered impact across different locations as it addresses both physical and spiritual concerns.
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Also, the Media Director of SAFAS, Ayomikun Bamgboye, explained that the approach goes beyond immediate relief, adding that the integration of medical outreach with a crusade ensures sustained engagement and deeper transformation within host communities, as seen in previous outreaches across the country.
One of the participating medical practitioners, who spoke on the exercise, described the outreach as timely and impactful, noting that many beneficiaries accessed quality healthcare services they would otherwise not have been able to afford.
Following the medical outreach, the organisation is set to commence a crusade in Ifewara from April 27 to May 1, 2026, aimed at providing spiritual support and reinforcing the gains recorded during the medical intervention.
SAFAS has continued to expand its outreach footprint across Nigeria through integrated programmes that combine healthcare delivery with social and spiritual support for underserved communities.
Photo Caption
Health officials offering free medicals at the event
NEWS
Horror in Kogi: Gunmen Abduct 24 Pupils in Orphanage Raid, 15 Rescued
Tragedy struck in Kogi State as armed men invaded an orphanage facility and abducted 24 persons, including 23 pupils and the wife of the school proprietor, in a violent night attack that has thrown the community into panic.
The Kogi State Government confirmed the incident on Monday, revealing that security operatives have so far rescued 15 of the victims, while efforts are ongoing to free the remaining abductees.
ALSO READ: Kogi Chamber Honours Dangote Cement over Impactful Social Performance
According to the State Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, the attack occurred on Sunday, April 26, 2026, when gunmen stormed the premises of the Dahallukitab Group of Schools, a facility located in a remote and bushy area of the state.
Fanwo explained that the orphanage was not registered with the state government, describing its operation as illegal and noting that it had no formal approval or security clearance from relevant authorities.
He said the attackers whisked away 23 pupils alongside the wife of the proprietor before security agencies swiftly responded to the distress call.
“The swift intervention of security agencies led to the rescue of 15 of the abductees, while efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the remaining victims,” the commissioner stated.
Security operatives, led by the Nigeria Police Force in Kogi State and supported by other agencies, have intensified search-and-rescue operations in surrounding forests and suspected escape routes.
Fanwo commended the professionalism of the security forces, noting that their rapid response helped prevent a worse outcome.
He also raised concerns over the operation of unregistered schools and orphanages in isolated locations, warning that such establishments expose children and staff to serious security risks.
According to him, the government has reiterated its warning to operators of educational and care facilities to ensure proper registration and compliance with safety regulations.
He added that investigations are ongoing, while assuring residents that the government remains committed to rescuing the remaining victims and bringing the perpetrators to justice.
Security has since been reinforced in the affected area as search operations continue.
NEWS
Midnight Massacre: Gunmen Wipe Out Pastor, Entire Family in Plateau
Residents of Gako Village in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State were thrown into mourning following a deadly midnight attack that claimed the lives of a pastor and his entire family.
The victims, identified as Rev. Ayuba Choji, his wife Chundung Ayuba, and their two children, Cyril and Endurance Ayuba, were reportedly killed when suspected gunmen stormed the community at about 11 p.m. on Sunday.
Eyewitnesses said the assailants opened fire indiscriminately, forcing residents to flee for safety.
SEE ALSO: Gunmen Kill Two, One Missing as Fresh Attack Hits Plateau Community
A community member, Martha Dalyop, described the attack as terrifying, noting that the gunmen invaded the village under the cover of darkness and shot sporadically.
She lamented that repeated attacks in the area have left villagers living in constant fear, with many unable to sleep in their homes or access their farms.
Confirming the incident, the publicity secretary of the Berom Youths Moulder Association, Rwang Tengwong, said the latest assault reflects a troubling pattern in the operations of the attackers.
According to him, the gunmen often split into groups during attacks, with some targeting residents, others destroying farmlands, and another group blocking roads to prevent escape or intervention.
Tengwong further revealed that within the past 48 hours, large portions of farmland in Kassa, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, were destroyed by gunmen.
Crops such as cabbage, hot pepper, and maize were affected, compounding the hardship faced by farmers in the region.
The latest killings have heightened tension across Riyom and neighbouring Barkin Ladi communities, with residents calling on security agencies and government authorities to urgently step up efforts to curb the persistent violence and protect lives and livelihoods.





