Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

Scores of gunmen have reportedly invaded Babanla community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, resulting in a number of casualties, including a police officer.

It was gathered that the assailants, who were said to have come on motorcycles to the agrarian community, headed to the Divisional Police Headquarters amid sporadic shootings. Investigation revealed that it was at the police station that the gunmen killed the policeman, identified as Adejumo Wasiu.

Following the successful invasion of the police facility, the gunmen, it was gathered, headed to the market where they raided the traders.

A statement on Sunday by the spokesperson of the Kwara State Police Command, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, confirming the unfortunate incident, said: “The assailants fired sporadically, killing five people, including a police officer, Adejumo Wasiu.”

She added: “A swift and coordinated response by Police operatives, Nigeria Army personnel, vigilantes, and local Hunters repelled the attack, restored order, and initiated a full-scale manhunt for the perpetrators.”
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‎However, the Commissioner of Police, CP Adekimi Ojo, accompanied by the State Director of the Department of Services (DSS), on Sunday paid an on-the-spot assessment visit to Babanla to evaluate the security situation.

SP Ejire-Adeyemi said the delegation visited the traditional ruler of Babanla, Oba Yusuf Aliyu Alabi, with whom “they held high-level discussions aimed at consolidating peace and strengthening inter-agency and community-security collaboration”.
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‎At Babanla, the joint security delegation also visited key locations in the community, including the market, the Divisional Police Headquarters, and the surroundings to ensure that stability has been fully restored.

Meanwhile, the CP has ordered sustained armed patrols, continuous intelligence gathering, and the deployment of specialised tracking teams, while the DSS also pledged continuous intelligence support to apprehend all those involved in the dastardly attack.
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‎The statement reiterated the command’s unwavering commitment, in synergy with sister security agencies to safeguard lives and property in all parts of Kwara State, urging residents to remain calm, vigilant, and cooperative with security agencies by providing credible information.

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Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Petroleum Environmental Solid Minerals Degradation Awareness Association (PESMDAA) has pledged to step up its advocacy for sustainable environmental practices, while also intensifying the fight against illegal mining in Kwara State.

Kwara State Commissioner of the association, Abdulganiyu Aleshinloye, made the commitment at the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Workshop for PESMDAA Taskforce Officers, held on Saturday in Ilorin, the state capital.

Aleshinloye described the taskforce as a critical tool in mobilising against illegal mining and environmental exploitation, warning that such activities pose serious threats to public health, biodiversity, economic stability, and climate resilience.

He said the association is committed to tackling environmental challenges through awareness creation and knowledge sharing aimed at eliminating degradation and irregularities in the petroleum, environment, and solid minerals sectors.

Also speaking at the event, the Kwara State Commissioner for Environment and Forestry, Hajia Nafisat Buge, represented by the Principal Scientific Officer, Mrs. Aliu Aminat, drew attention to the link between environmental degradation and broader crises such as drought, food insecurity, and communal conflicts.

She reaffirmed the ministry’s full support for PESMDAA’s mandate, and called for greater collaboration among researchers, local authorities, and security agencies to ensure coordinated interventions in tackling environmental challenges.

On her part, the Commissioner for Solid Minerals, Hon. Abosede Buraimoh, represented by the Director of Solid Minerals, Mr. Kunle Adimula, said the ministry is intensifying sensitisation of stakeholders on the negative impacts of illegal mining in communities across Kwara.

She noted that the campaign will empower traditional rulers to properly profile investors in mining activities within their domains, in line with existing laws.

Buraimoh also disclosed that the ministry is working on legislation to compel mining companies to reclaim degraded land for agricultural use after operations, as part of efforts to address land degradation.

In a paper presentation titled “The Role of PESMDAA Taskforce Officers in Stopping Environmental Degradation and Working with the Media for Stronger Advocacy in Kwara State”, environmental journalist Dare Akogun urged taskforce officers to see themselves as the “first eye” and “first ear” of PESMDAA in the field.

He outlined their responsibilities, including monitoring environmental activities, identifying and reporting illegal mining and environmental abuse, sensitising communities on environmental protection, and supporting law enforcement in tackling offenders.

Akogun stressed that sensitisation is key to changing harmful practices, noting that many environmental offences occur due to ignorance. Citing his field investigations in Bani, Kaiama LGA, he highlighted the dangers of abandoned mining pits filled with dirty water, which spread disease and destroy farmland.

On the legal framework guiding PESMDAA operations, Associate Professor of Law at the University of Ilorin, Ahmad Hussein, urged members to familiarise themselves with the Mining Act and other relevant legislation to ensure smooth and lawful execution of their duties.

The workshop brought together taskforce officers, environmental experts, legal practitioners, and government representatives to strengthen the operational efficiency of PESMDAA in protecting Kwara’s environment.

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Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Kwara State Commissioner of Police, CP Adekimi Ojo, has ordered the arrest of police officers, for allegedly extorting a student of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Taiwo Kayode.

It was gathered that the officers of the Anti-Cultism Unit, Kwara State Police Command, had allegedly arrested, detained and extorted the sum of N200,000 from Taiwo after refusing to unlock his phone.

Taiwo was reportedly stopped at Erin-Ile town, while heading to Osogbo in Osun State.

He was first taken to Ijagbo police division, and eventually moved to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), in Ilorin where police officers allegedly forced him to unlock his phone and transferred the N200,000 to an account named Lucy Akor.

Reacting to the unfortunate incident in a telephone chat with our correspondent in Ilorin on Tuesday, the Commissioner of Police, who confirmed the incident, expressed displeasure over the conduct of the accused officers.

Apparently angered by the incident, the CP said he has ordered the arrest of the officers involved, assuring that necessary action would be taken against them.

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