Crime
Suspended Oba Ogunjobi Remanded In Custody Over Viral Assault Incident
The suspended traditional ruler of Orile Ifo, Oba Abdulsemiu Ogunjobi, has been remanded at the Ilaro Correctional Centre after failing to meet his bail conditions.
Yinka Odukoya, spokesperson for the correctional facility, confirmed on Wednesday that the monarch remained in custody because he had yet to fulfill the bail requirements set by the court.
“Yes, he is in our custody, which means he has been unable to meet the bail conditions granted by the court yesterday. However, as soon as he does, he will be released,” Odukoya said
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Oba Ogunjobi was arraigned by the Ogun State Police Command on Tuesday in connection with a viral video showing him assaulting Abraham Areola, a 73-year-old man.
According to the charge sheet (MH2b8c/2025), the suspended monarch faces charges of conspiracy, assault, and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.
The charge reads:
“That Abdul-Semiu ‘m’ and others at large, on 21st January 2025, at about 11:00 hrs at Sojuolu Street, Ifo, did conspire to commit a misdemeanour, to wit: assault and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 517 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State, 2006.”
“That you, Abdul-Semiu ‘m’, and others now at large, on the same date, time, and place, did unlawfully assault one Areola Abraham by slapping him on the face and ear, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 351 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State, 2006.”
“That you, Abdul-Semiu ‘m’, and others at large, on the same date, time, and place, did conduct yourselves in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace by forcing one Areola Abraham to kneel down and assaulting him in public, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 249 (d) of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State, 2006.”
The accused monarch pleaded not guilty to all charges when he appeared before Magistrate F. A. Iroko, who granted him bail with two sureties in the sum of ₦5 million each, with the sureties required to reside within the court’s jurisdiction.
The case has been adjourned to March 6, 2025 for further hearing.
Recall that a viral video showing Ogunjobi assaulting Areola sparked outrage across social media.
In the two-minute footage, Areola is seen kneeling on the road as Ogunjobi berates him with insults, accusing him of conspiring against him and his family.
The monarch, a retired police officer, also boasted about his connections in law enforcement, threatening to have Areola imprisoned.
At one point, Ogunjobi’s aide was seen striking the elderly man and ordering him to prostrate before the monarch.
Following the incident, the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Ogun State commended the state government for swiftly suspending Ogunjobi.
In a statement signed by its chairman, Comrade Solomon Bankole, the CSOs condemned the assault and called for the full prosecution of the monarch.
The Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) in Ogun State also praised the government and the police for their prompt action.
PCRC Chairman, Samson Kunle Popoola, called for the arrest of the aide who struck Areola and reassured the public of the committee’s impartial stance on human rights issues.
Oba Ogunjobi remains at the Ilaro Correctional Centre, awaiting the fulfillment of his bail conditions.
Police Rescue Three Kidnap Victims in Taraba After Sustained Pressure
The Nigeria Police Force has disclosed the rescue of three kidnapped victims in Taraba State following sustained pressure mounted by its rescue teams.
The victims were identified as Otuwe Torhumba, 37; Kenneth Nyiutse, 35; and Michael Emmanuel, 27.
The Force made the disclosure on Saturday, October 3, 2026, in its 24-hour operational update covering security operations recorded across the country on October 2.
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According to the Police, “Due to sustained pressure by Police rescue teams, three of five kidnapped victims — Otuwe Torhumba (37), Kenneth Nyiutse (35) and Michael Emmanuel (27) — were rescued unharmed and reunited with their families.”
The Police said the three victims were rescued unharmed and subsequently reunited with their families.
The Force did not provide further details on the circumstances surrounding the abduction or the whereabouts of the remaining two victims in the operational summary.
The case is currently being investigated by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Jalingo.
The rescue was among several operational successes recorded by the Nigeria Police Force during the reporting period.
The Nigeria Police Force has disclosed the rescue of an 86-year-old man and his son after they were allegedly detained by suspected members of the Axe Men confraternity in Cross River State.
The victims, identified as Dominic Columbus Udoh, 86, and his son, Emmanuel Columbus Udoh, 40, were rescued by Police operatives on Friday, October 2, 2026.
The Police made the disclosure on Saturday, October 3, in its 24-hour operational update detailing security successes recorded across the country.
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According to the Force, Police operatives were mobilised to the scene after receiving information that suspected Axe Men confraternity cultists had unlawfully detained the two men.
The Police said the suspected cultists fled from the scene when operatives arrived.
The Force stated that officers, with assistance from neighbours, “forced open the locked apartment,” where the two victims were found.
According to the Police, both victims had sustained facial and chest injuries.
They were subsequently rescued and conveyed to the Police Hospital for medical treatment.
The Police said the incident is currently being investigated by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Calabar.
The Nigeria Police Force has disclosed that personnel of Operation Zenda Joint Task Force (JTF) repelled an ambush by suspected bandits along the Amaafu-Abaji Road in Benue State.
The incident occurred on Friday, October 2, 2026, during a routine patrol by the security personnel along the road.
The Police made the disclosure on Saturday, in its 24-hour operational update detailing security successes recorded across different states.
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According to the Police, “Personnel of Operation Zenda JTF on routine patrol along Amaafu-Abaji Road successfully repelled an ambush by bandits, neutralizing one suspect and recovering his locally fabricated gun.”
The Police added that other members of the group fled into the surrounding bushes following the encounter.
It further stated that “No Police casualty was recorded” during the operation.
The recovered firearm was subsequently taken as part of the evidence from the operation as investigations continue.
The Police said the case has been placed under investigation by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Makurdi.
The Police Force continues to urge members of the public to provide security agencies with timely and useful information that can assist ongoing operations against criminal elements.
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