Metro
Oyo: How Police attacked, assaulted journalist at PDP governorship primary
The Nations Newspaper reporter attached to the Oyo State Governor’s Office, Yinka Adeniran on Wednesday survived harrasment, assault and beating by officers of the Nigerian Police, Oyo State Command.
The reporter was also teargas directly in his eyes, nose and mouth by the officer with name tag I.O Niyi.
The incident took place at the primary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) held at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex (Tennis Courts Pavillion).
The contest for the party governship ticket is between Governor Seyi Makinde and Barrister Hazeem Gbolarumi.
Trouble started after the reporter in company of other colleagues were returning to the venue after they had gone to monitor situation from the main venue.
On approaching the entrance gate, the reporters were again asked to identify themselves to which they complied.
The reporters were asked to stay by the side on the allegation that there were too many journalists covering the event.
After staying aside, the security operatives were however overpowered by many of the delegates at the entrance due to their delay.
Noticing that The Nation reporter had gained entrance, the visibly enraged officer pounced on Adeniran, ordering other officers to ‘throw’ him out.
After about five officers, armed with riffles attacked the reporter who was only armed with a jotter and phone. They succeeded in rough-handling and tearing his shirt.
Note done, Niyi went back to collect tear gas can from one of his colleagues and sprayed directly into the eyes, nose and mouth of The Nation reporter after he had been thrown out of the venue.
The quick intervention of other colleagues including the Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Demola Babalola, Chairman of Oyo State Correspondents Chapel, Oluseye Ojo, leadership and members of the Press Crew saved the situation from becoming a full blown crisis.
Also, the cameraman of the Independent African Television (IATV), Wale Fatumbi was harrassed by thugs allegedly loyal to the camp of the Governor.
He was accused of recording Hazeem Gbolarumi while he was speaking.
With the development, the journalists at the event threatened a boycott but were impressed upon by some government functionaries.
While many delegates and observers had a hectic day passing through the security gates, members suspected political thugs had a field day going in and out of venue undisturbed.
However, calm was restored on the intervention of the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operation), Executive Assistance to Governor Makinde on Security, CP Sunday Odukoya (Rtd), the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Taiwo Adisa and Ex-Senior Special Assistant to Governor Makinde on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Kunle Yussuf.
It was a night of sorrow and devastation in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, as a horrific multiple-vehicle crash along the Ibadan axis of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway claimed at least five lives and left eight others injured in a fiery chain collision involving trucks, tankers, and smaller vehicles.
The accident occurred at about 10:00 p.m. on Friday around the Satguru Maharaji Ji Village axis, just before the Ibadan Toll Gate, throwing the busy highway into chaos as flames and thick smoke engulfed the scene.
The crash involved six trucks, including gas tankers and trailer units, two Toyota Hilux vans, and two cars, according to emergency officials who described it as one of the most severe road accidents in recent times on the corridor.
Eyewitnesses said the tragedy began when one of the trucks reportedly suffered brake failure and rammed into another vehicle ahead of it, triggering a chain reaction that quickly escalated into a multi-vehicle inferno.
In moments, several vehicles were trapped in the blaze, while terrified motorists and bystanders watched helplessly as the fire spread across the expressway.
Eight persons were rescued alive with varying degrees of injuries and were immediately rushed to nearby hospitals for urgent medical attention.
Confirming the incident, the Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Service, Maroof Akinwande, said the crash was caused by brake failure which spiralled into a massive fire outbreak.
“Upon arrival, we discovered that the accident involved six trucks (gas tankers and trailer trucks) and two cars, resulting in a fire outbreak,” he said.
“Five persons were recovered dead, while eight others were rescued and handed over to the team of the Federal Road Safety Corps led by SRC Adegbite from Toll Gate, Ibadan, for further medical attention at the nearest hospital.”
Firefighters eventually brought the inferno under control after hours of operation, while security operatives and traffic officials worked to clear wreckage and restore movement on the busy expressway.
Normalcy has since returned to the road, but the tragedy has left behind a grim reminder of the dangers of mechanical failure and unsafe haulage on Nigeria’s busiest highway.
A deeply disturbing incident has left residents of Daura Local Government Area, Katsina State, in shock after a 20-year-old woman allegedly killed her 97-year-old grandmother during a family dispute.
The Katsina State Police Command confirmed that the tragic incident occurred at about 7:00 p.m. on June 12, 2026, following an argument between the suspect and her paternal grandmother at their residence.
According to preliminary investigations, the disagreement escalated into violence when the young woman allegedly struck the elderly victim on the head with a wooden chair. The blow reportedly left the nonagenarian severely injured and unconscious.
The victim was later discovered in a pool of blood after the suspect’s father reported the incident to the Sabon Garin Daura Police Station. Police operatives immediately rushed to the scene and evacuated her to a nearby hospital for urgent medical attention.
Despite efforts by medical personnel, she was confirmed dead by a doctor shortly after arrival.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the Katsina State Command, DSP Abubakar Sadiq, said the suspect was arrested in the course of investigation and had reportedly made a confession to the crime.
He added that the suspect remains in custody and will be charged to court upon the completion of investigations, assuring that justice would be served in accordance with the law.
The command also appealed for calm among residents, reiterating its commitment to a thorough and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.
No fewer than 20 shops were razed while goods valued at over ₦200 million were destroyed after a midnight fire gutted a shopping complex in the Dugbe area of Ibadan, Oyo State.
The inferno, which started around 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, affected the Nigerian Postal Service shopping complex located beside the Dugbe General Post Office.
Eyewitnesses told our correspondent on Sunday that the fire was allegedly triggered by an accident involving a Lexus saloon car.
According to residents, the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle while travelling from the Queen’s Cinema axis towards Iyaganku.
The vehicle was said to have rammed into a giant billboard situated in front of the Nigerian Railway Corporation station in Ibadan before somersaulting and splitting into two.
Witnesses said the rear part of the vehicle, reportedly carrying a Compressed Natural Gas tank and back tyres, detached and rolled into the shopping complex, where an explosion occurred, igniting the fire.
The blaze razed about 20 shops dealing in stationery, computer accessories and clothing materials, leaving traders counting heavy losses.
Men of the Oyo State Fire Service were, however, able to prevent the fire from spreading to the General Post Office and adjoining buildings.
The occupants of the Lexus reportedly escaped unhurt.
Although some eyewitnesses alleged that the occupants were heading towards the Ring Road area before the crash, authorities had yet to officially confirm details surrounding their identities and movement as of the time of filing this report.
When our correspondent visited the scene around 8 a.m. on Sunday, firefighters and security operatives were still at the complex battling the aftermath of the inferno as smoke billowed from sections of the affected structure.
Shop owners and residents gathered at the scene, lamenting the destruction of goods and property.
One of the affected traders, Kingsley Chioma, said the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Iyaganku Police Station assured victims that efforts were underway to apprehend the driver.
“We lost goods worth millions of naira to the fire. The DPO assured us that the driver responsible for the incident would be arrested,” Chioma said.
As of the time of filing this report, officials of the Oyo State Fire Service and the police had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
-
News7 days agoKola Oyewo’s family to Adeleke, Ooni, Atiku: Your condolences are our pillar of strength
-
News1 week ago
Govs Back State Police, Power Reform, Nutrition Drive, World Bank Partnership
-
Politics1 week ago
Oyo APC rejects Makinde’s planned December LG poll, vows boycott
-
News1 week ago
IGP appoints Iniedu Force spokesman, replaces Placid
