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How Buratai broke over 100-year-old Kuta’s jinx – Oba Makama reveals
A prominent traditional ruler in the Southwest, Olowu of Owu Kuta, Oba Adekunle Oyelude Makama, has said with the construction of the abandoned bridge linking his community – Owu Kuta with the outside world, Ikoyi-Ede and Osogbo, former Chief of Army Staff and Nigeria Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Tukur Buratai has broken the over 100-year-old jinx that negated development and prosperity of the town.
Oba Makama noted that the ex-chief of Army Staff helped to break the Jericho wall, adding that Kuta people will never forget his gesture in their lifetime, including the coming generations.
“We are eternally grateful to him and the Nigerian Army. If this was to be influenced by a political party, Kuta will continue to give unalloyed support to the party till eternity because the prosperity of the town is tied to that road”, he said.
The monarch, who expressed gratitude to Buratai and the Nigerian Army, disclosed this last Friday during a media chat organised by the Southwest Group of Online Publishers (SWEGOP), in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.
Narrating how military engineers constructed the abandoned bridge, the chairman council of Owu Oba lauded Gen. Buratai for his patriotism and rare commitment to humanity , stressing that he has never seen a Nigerian as detribalized as the former military chief.
In his words, “Gen. Buratai is a jinx breaker, that’s another genius, highly detrabalized, a reliable and dependable, patriotic citizen of this country. Gen. Buratai is a friend, and a reliable one for that matter.
“My community has an age long agitation, just one single thing. During the old western region , before the colonial era, because we still have some records that are dated back to hundred and something years. Our people have been agitating that there should be a road between Kuta and Ede but there is a barrier – the Osun river, which made that impossible.
” This bridge was started by previous governments, I can remember former President Olusegun Obasanjo being the Balogun of Owu, while in power flew to the town twice and included the bridge in the federal budget, but it got no cash backing.
“Also, former Governor Rauf Aregbesola, my good friend, had the bridge in the state’s budget for 8years, the bridge alone is about over N3 billion, but there was no money to construct the bridge.
“But, one day, I was dinning with the ex-Chief of Army Staff, and he asked what do I want him to do for me. I told him, I don’t want anything from him. I told him there is only one thing I want him to do for me, and I mentioned the bridge. Eventually, God raised the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai for me.
“That same day he (Buratai) gave approval to construct in case if he leaves office that day and that was the day God smiled on that community that was founded in 1427. Buratai is the angel that God used”, the traditional ruler further narrated.
Oba Makama continued, ” I was away, when my subjects called, that soldiers are everywhere , and that they have gone to the river. When I inquired, I was informed that Gen. Buratai has asked that they should get him estimate of the bridge. No sooner, that we saw heavy equipment been moved to the river. And today, the military engineers have constructed the bridge which has been lying for over 100 years.
“Nobody contributed a dime, no contract was given, it was done by military engineers. We asked for one bridge, they did two . On the day of commissioning, Gen. Buratai led the Army council to Kuta. He constructed the bridge free of charge, Kuta people will never forget this.
“So, I think my relationship with the military is ordained, it has better off my community, and my relationship with the military will continue, irrespective of any hiccup”, the custodian of culture submitted.
As a result, he, however, said today, all residents of Owu Kuta are seeing the former military chief, Buratai as their god , for breaking a jix of over 100 years .
The monarch, also canvassed increased allocation of funds to the military to further assist in ongoing fight against insurgents in different parts of the country.
The Kano State House of Assembly has initiated impeachment proceedings against Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo over allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and breach of public trust.
The notice was presented yesterday during plenary by the Majority Leader, Lawan Hussaini Dala, who said the action follows Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Dala said the allegations stem from Abdussalam’s tenure as Commissioner for Local Government (2023–2024) and his current role as deputy governor. He accused the deputy governor of diverting funds meant for the 44 local government councils.
According to the majority leader, Abdussalam allegedly received N1.5 million monthly from each council between June 2023 and January 2024, totaling N462 million. Between February and July 2024, he allegedly collected N3.255 million monthly from each council under the guise of special assignments, amounting to N726 million.
Dala also accused the deputy governor of abuse of office, claiming he facilitated payments of N10 million from each council to NovoMed Pharmaceuticals Limited, totaling N440 million, in violation of state procurement laws.
“The misuse of official capacity to confer undue advantage constitutes abuse of power and undermines public trust,” Dala told lawmakers, adding that the allegations amount to gross misconduct under the Constitution.
The impeachment notice was reportedly endorsed by 38 lawmakers, meeting the constitutional threshold to proceed. The Speaker has acknowledged receipt, and the House is expected to serve the allegations on the deputy governor.
If approved, a panel may be constituted by the state Chief Judge to investigate the claims.
As of filing, Abdussalam had yet to respond publicly to the allegations.
The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, on Wednesday inaugurated a seven-member committee on the establishment of state police, giving it four weeks to submit its report.
The inauguration was held during his maiden conference with senior police officers at the Peacekeeping Conference Centre, Force Headquarters, Abuja.
Charging members of the panel to discharge their duties with professionalism and objectivity, Disu described the assignment as “both significant and timely,” noting that it would shape the framework through which state policing may operate in Nigeria.
“In carrying out this assignment, your deliberations must be guided by professionalism, objectivity, and a clear appreciation of the unique complexities of policing a diverse nation such as our own,” the IGP said.
He stated that if properly designed and effectively implemented, state policing holds significant potential benefits for the country.
“By bringing law enforcement closer to communities, state police institutions can deepen local knowledge of security dynamics and enable quicker and more targeted responses to emerging threats,” he added.
The committee is expected to review existing policing models within and outside Nigeria, assess community security needs and emerging risks, and propose an operational framework for the establishment and coordination of state police structures.
It will also address issues relating to recruitment, training, standards and resource allocation, as well as develop accountability and oversight mechanisms to ensure professionalism and public trust.
The panel is chaired by Olu Ogunsakin, with Bode Ojajuni as secretary. Other members are Emmanuel Ojukwu, Okebechi Agora, Suleyman Gulma, Ikechukwu Okafor and Tolulope Ipinmisho.
Disu said the committee had about four weeks to conclude its assignment and submit a comprehensive report.
The move marks one of the first major steps taken by the new police chief since his appointment and confirmation a few days ago.
The development comes amid rising security concerns across the country, with several stakeholders advocating state policing as part of measures to tackle insecurity.
President Bola Tinubu had earlier asked the National Assembly to commence the process of amending relevant laws to pave the way for the creation of state police.
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday swore in Olatunji Disu as the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).
Disu took the oath of office at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, shortly before the commencement of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.
The President also administered the oath of office to six commissioners of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and two commissioners of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC).
The ceremonies were witnessed by ministers, senior government officials and family members of the appointees.
The council meeting began shortly after the swearing-in.
In attendance were Vice President Kashim Shettima; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu; and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs EsthMrs.Walson-Jack.
Disu was appointed acting IGP on February 25, 2026, by President Tinubu, following the resignation of former IGP Kayode Egbetokun.
His appointment was subsequently endorsed by the Nigeria Police Council (NPC).
The former Assistant Inspector-General of Police assumed office last Wednesday.
He previously served as Assistant Inspector-General in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, Lagos, after his promotion to the rank last year.
A former head of the Lagos Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Disu has pledged to deliver accountable, modern and professional policing.
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