• We commend your actions to restore peace, Oba tells Gov

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has toured communities in Ifelodun local government area to reassure the people of his administration’s commitment to strengthening public safety and economic activities.

In Babanla, as in Oke-ode, where he touched down, Governor AbdulRazaq commended the community folks and security forces for standing firm.

He commiserated with families who lost dear ones, reassuring them of sustained efforts to prevent further security breaches and pledging social safety supports for those affected in the recent incident.

The Governor was received in Babanla by the Oba of Babanla, Oba Aliyu Adegboyega Yusuf Arojojoye ll, and his chiefs.

On the Governor’s entourage were the Commander, 22 Armoured Brigade, Brigadier General Ezra Barkins; Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo; and Senior Special Assistant on Security Muyideen Aliyu. The Chairman of Ifelodun, Hon. Femi Yusuf also joined the trip to the community.

“We are here in Babanla today to commiserate with you over the recent incident. We reassure you and other communities and our people that we will ensure this doesn’t happen again. It is a sad incident which we are working hard to curtail,” the Governor said.

“You can see that the security commanders are also here, and you have seen activities (return to normalcy) over the past one week or two.

“It had never happened like this before. Obviously, there has been pressure on those criminal non-state actors in other regions. And that has forced them into this peaceful location. But surely they will be flushed out of this area.”

AbdulRazaq expressed satisfaction with the return of calmness to the areas, saying: “We will make sure everything is in order and you live in peace.”

The Governor said he has directed the Kwara State Social Investment Programme (KWASSIP) to extend support to the affected persons.

Oba Aliyu appreciated the Governor for the visit, and commended him and the federal government for their efforts to restore normalcy in the community and environs.

He said the attack in Babanla resulted in snatching of nine motorcycles, food items, and phones.

“I wish to thank Your Excellency profoundly for this on-the-spot assessment of the aftermath of the events. We especially appreciate Your Excellency for all the actions to guarantee peace and security of the state in general and this community in particular,” the monarch said.

He appealed to the government to consider putting the massive land in Babanla into use for economic benefits.

“It is our strong belief that putting these wide expanses of land into use will not only boost the economy of the state and provide massive employment, but also help flush out and deny the criminals of any hiding places,” the monarch said.

End

By: Fabian Apechihin

Former First Lady of Ondo State, Mrs. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, has endorsed the call by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, urging Nigerians to acquire self-defence and combat skills.

In a post on her X (formerly Twitter) handle, Akeredolu stressed that such training has become essential given the country’s security challenges.

“I stand with the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, on his call for Nigerians to learn self-defence and combat skills,” she wrote.

She recalled that her initiative, the BEMORE Empowered Girls Foundation, had long recognized this need and introduced taekwondo training at its annual summer boot camp.

“Rising cases of rape and gender-based violence pushed us to include taekwondo at our BEMORE Summer Bootcamp. Beyond physical strength, our girls have gained confidence, courage, and resilience,” she explained.

Akeredolu further urged the government and stakeholders to institutionalize self-defence training nationwide, beginning with schools and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

“A safer Nigeria begins with an empowered citizenry,” she emphasized.

Her remarks come amid heightened public concern over insecurity, with many Nigerians backing the CDS’s proposal as a proactive step toward improving safety.

Do you want me to make this rewrite short and punchy for social media headlines or more detailed for a newspaper feature?

By: Fabian Apechihin

Nigerian troops have arrested the notorious bandit leader known as ‘Mai Pankshin,’ ending months of terror in parts of Plateau and Kaduna states. The operation, carried out by forces under Operation Safe Haven, also led to the capture of 13 of his gang members, according to a report by Daily Post on Friday, August 22, 2025.

The mission targeted known terrorist enclaves and criminal hideouts, resulting in the seizure of firearms, ammunition, and motorcycles used in attacks and abductions.

Security officials described the arrest as a major step in ongoing efforts to dismantle armed groups and restore peace to the region.

For residents of the affected communities, the news offers long-awaited relief. Many have lived in fear for months as the gang carried out raids, kidnappings, and other violent crimes.

Military authorities credited local cooperation for the breakthrough, noting that community tips and support were instrumental in locating the suspects.

Interrogations are underway to extract further intelligence on the gang’s operations, with hopes that the information will lead to additional arrests and deeper disruption of bandit networks.

This success underscores the Nigerian military’s broader commitment to securing lives and property. It also highlights the resilience of affected communities, who continue to stand strong in the face of violence and remain hopeful for lasting peace.

Let me know if you’d prefer a more punchy, tabloid-style headline or a shorter, wire-style version for quick news updates.