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PDP raises concern over 507 killed by bandits in Kwara in 10 months

Published

9 months ago

December 16, 2025

Top News Nigeria

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The opposition Peoples Democratic Party(PDP)in Kwara state has expressed concern that, no fewer than 507 persons were killed by suspected bandits between January and November 2025 in the state.

Besides, the party said that, at least 377 people were abducted across major flashpoints in the state.

The state chairman of the party, Hon. Bawa Adamu who dropped the hint in Ilorin on Monday during a press conference on the state of the nation also called on the federal government to investigate allegations of state sponsorship of weapons by bandits, which the Kwara state government swiftly denied.

Adamu on the banditry crisis in the state said that, the worst development has affected the people of Ifelodun, Patigi, Edu, Ekiti, Isin, and Irepodun local government areas of the state.

According to him, “A recent study by the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) revealed that between January and November 2025, over 507 persons were killed, and at least 377 people were abducted across major flashpoints in Kwara.

“The worst-hit Local Government Areas have been Ifelodun, Patigi, Edu, Ekiti, Isin, and Irepodun. Recent tragic incidents include the brutal killing of close to 100 vigilantes in Patigi, 38 worshippers kidnapped in Eruku, several killed and kidnapped in Babanla,11 abducted in Isapa, and several others kidnapped in Agbeku community, among many unreported cases.

“The people of Oke-Ode will never forget the September 28 massacre, when bandits launched a brutal attack on their community, leaving hunters, vigilantes, traders, a traditional leader, and young men murdered in brutal manner.

“More than 15 people were killed and many properties were destroyed on that bloody day.

“A day before the attack, villagers alleged that a government agent described as a military man visited the community and disarmed local hunters and vigilantes, claiming the weapons were to be serviced. Hours after he left the community, the bandits struck”.

The chairman who was represented at the press conference by the state secretary of the party, Hon. Kayode Abdullahi Alase added that, “Every life lost to insecurity, every gunshot injury suffered by innocent citizens, every family displaced, every community abandoned, every ransom paid, and every property destroyed across Kwara State can be linked to the unchecked activities of these criminal elements”.

On the recent video being circulated on the social media on the arrest of suspected bandits at Auchi in Edo state with the vehicle van of Ifelodun local government area of the state, Hon. Adamu explained that, “We are deeply disturbed by the widely circulated video and reports of arrested bandits apprehended by men of the Nigerian Army in faraway Auchi, Edo State.

“In the said video, the criminal suspects categorically alleged that officials of the Kwara State Government supplied them with AK-47 rifles and a government-crested operational vehicle for their criminal activities.

“This development places an enormous burden of explanation squarely on the doorstep of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, who is not only the Chief Executive of the state but constitutionally the Chief Security Officer of Kwara State.

“This is a direct allegation of state-sponsored criminality that must not be swept under the carpet.

“The suspects did not claim to have stolen the weapons. They did not claim to have bought them from unknown black markets.

“They did not claim to have ambushed security operatives and hijacked them.

“The arrested criminals spoke clearly and repeatedly that the weapons came from officials of the Ilorin Government, and that the vehicle used was a government patrol van procured by the AbdulRazaq-led administration and distributed to local governments councils in the State.

“This raises a frightening question “Who has been providing weapons for those terrorizing communities and killing the innocent people of Kwara?”.

While calling the federal government to set up a probe panel to investigate the issue, Hon. Adamu said that, such investigation would go a long way of bringing those involved in the act into book.

In a statement by the state commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, the state government said that it did not give weapon to any individual, adding that, “indeed no state government has the power to arm anyone with AK-47”.

The statement, which said that the individuals mentioned in the crime did not state that Kwara State Government gave them any weapon, added that the Ifelodun Local Government Authority had clarified that the security van was given to the vigilantes initially deployed in Ifelodun to strengthen existing security.

“These vigilantes have since left Ifelodun. However, the LGA had repeatedly complained to relevant authorities that its van was not returned to its pool.

“To win the war against banditry and other violent crimes, we urge enhanced interagency coordination, intelligence sharing, and cooperation amongst the security agencies.

“As the security forces are probing the development, we urge people, especially online media platforms and bloggers, to avoid biased assimilation of information or misrepresenting things, because such behaviour poses existential threat to human life and public peace”.

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New financial markets facility set to open in Abia

Published

14 hours ago

September 16, 2026

Top News Nigeria

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A forex trading facility is expected to open in Abia State in October, following the 2025 Abia Forex Expo, which organisers said attracted more than 1,500 participants.

The facility is being established by entrepreneur and financial markets personality, Sam Keys, as a platform for financial education, market analysis, trading activities and networking.

According to the organisers, the project followed increased interest in forex trading and other financial market activities among youths and business communities in the state.

The proposed facility will provide a physical location where traders, aspiring investors and other participants can access financial market information, take part in educational activities and interact with others in the sector.

Keys had previously organised the 2025 Abia Forex Expo, which brought together participants interested in forex trading, investment and financial markets.

The new facility is expected to complement such events by providing a permanent location for activities relating to financial market education and trading.

The October opening is expected to attract traders, investors and other individuals interested in learning about the financial markets.

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Abia debunks N50,000 akara tax claim

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14 hours ago

September 15, 2026

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Abia State Government has debunked reports that akara sellers and other petty traders in the state are being compelled to pay N50,000 as tax, describing the claim as misinformation.

The government also said it had approved the designation of some historical and natural sites as State Monuments and State Natural Monuments, while declaring Aba a Creative and Innovative City.

Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.

Kanu said the historical sites approved as State Monuments include the National War Museum, Umuahia; Ojukwu Bunker, Umuahia; and Government College, Umuahia.

Those designated State Natural Monuments are Ibom Waterfall in Arochukwu and Ulochukwu Cave in Alayi, Bende Local Government Area.

According to him, the designations would strengthen the government’s efforts to preserve the state’s cultural and natural heritage, promote tourism and open up new economic opportunities.

“These sites have been elevated to heritage sites that enhance the state’s tourism potential. With this approval, they are primed to attract recognition as UNESCO Heritage Sites,” Kanu said.

He further disclosed that Aba had been designated a Creative and Innovative City in recognition of its longstanding commercial, industrial and creative significance.

The commissioner said the retrofitting of the Ojukwu Bunker and National War Museum had reached about 80 per cent completion and was expected to be concluded before the end of 2026.

He said the projects would improve the preservation of the sites, enhance visitors’ experience and strengthen their tourism potential.

Kanu also disclosed that the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy had received approval to develop the Ibom Waterfall Tourism Corridor in Arochukwu.

He said work had commenced, including grading of access roads to the waterfall, with completion expected before the end of the year.

The commissioner added that the state government had commenced the erection of monuments at strategic locations to preserve Abia’s heritage, honour its heroes and heroines and promote the state’s cultural identity.

He cited a monument being dedicated to the heroines of the 1929 Aba Women’s Riot as one of such initiatives, saying it would celebrate their courage, resilience, resistance and leadership.

No N50,000 tax on akara sellers
On the controversy over alleged excessive taxation, Kanu said there had been no fresh increase in tax rates by the Abia State Board of Internal Revenue, noting that most of the rates being circulated were contained in tax laws enacted in 2020 under the previous administration.

He stressed that the Board could not unilaterally increase tax rates without enabling legislation.

“For starters, these rates are not new. Most of the rates are 2020 tax rates that were introduced by the previous government.

“Let me reiterate that the Board of Internal Revenue cannot raise tax rates without the backing of enabling laws. And no such increases have been introduced by the Abia State Government,” he said.

Kanu explained that demand notices issued by the BIR were provided for under the law, urging taxpayers to comply with relevant tax provisions while assuring that legitimate concerns would be addressed by the appropriate officials.

On the specific claim that akara sellers were being made to pay N50,000, he said: “This is pure fallacy. Nothing can be further from the truth. Akara sellers don’t pay tax or levies. They pay daily tolls. And none can pay N50,000.”

The Chairman of the Abia State Board of Internal Revenue, Mr Uche Elekwachi, corroborated the clarification, saying there was no revenue window under the state’s tax laws requiring akara sellers to pay such an amount.

Elekwachi said the Abia Internally Generated Revenue Service Law establishing the applicable framework was enacted in 2020, before the present administration came into office.

“This whole thing has always been in existence. The Abia Internally Generated Revenue Service Law was enacted in 2020 long before this government came onboard, so we need to make that clarification,” he said.

Gratuity: 2011–2025 retirees next.

On outstanding gratuities owed retired workers, Kanu disclosed that the government had completed payments covering 2001 to 2010 and was preparing for the next batch covering 2011 to 2025.

He said the next payments would commence after the completion of ongoing internal verification and other necessary processes.

The commissioner dismissed claims that the government had only commenced gratuity payments because of pressure from the opposition, explaining that the huge financial commitment involved made payment in batches necessary.

“The payments will be in batches. The funds involved are huge for one balloon payment,” he said.

Kanu also clarified reports suggesting that gratuity payments would continue only until 2031, explaining that such reports are incorrect.

He explained that the State Gratuity Committee had recommended the inclusion of gratuity provisions in the state’s 2026–2031 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and subsequent annual budgets to ensure that gratuity obligations were systematically provided for and prevent the accumulation of fresh arrears.

“That does not translate to payments being terminated in 2031. As the internal processes and verification of beneficiaries of these payments continue, due payments would still be made in batches,” he said.

He added that the government remained committed to clearing the outstanding liabilities and expressed optimism that the process could be completed earlier than anticipated.

“The conclusion of payment of outstanding gratuities may happen earlier than we ever imagined. Let us therefore wait and see how the next batch of payments will unfold,” Kanu said.

The Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Mr Matthew Ekwuribe, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Internally Generated Revenue, Dr Emmanuel Okpechi, were also present at the briefing.

Source: Vanguard.

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‘I have no objection’ – Obi urges UNN to release his academic records

Published

15 hours ago

September 15, 2026

Top News Nigeria

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Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) Peter Obi has said he has no objection to the release of his academic records amid reports of a legal action seeking certified true copies of his certificates and other educational documents.

Obi stated this in a statement posted on X on Tuesday, saying he had given consent for the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, to make available his academic records and other official documents relating to his admission and studies, subject to applicable laws.

His statement followed reports circulating on social media concerning a legal action by an individual or group seeking certified true copies of his Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy and other academic credentials relating to his admission into the university.

He wrote, “I wish to state clearly that I have absolutely no objection to the release of these records.

“I respectfully request that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, within the limits permitted by law, make available, upon legitimate request, my academic certificates, records, and other official documents relating to my admission and studies at the University. I equally have no objection to other educational institutions, within and outside Nigeria, which I attended, making my academic records available in accordance with applicable laws and procedures.”

Obi said he believed strongly in transparency and accountability, particularly for individuals seeking public office, but stressed that public scrutiny should be fair, lawful and consistently applied to all presidential candidates.

“As a presidential candidate seeking the trust of Nigerians to lead our country, I welcome legitimate public interest in my background, qualifications, and record. I am prepared to subject myself to the level of scrutiny that should reasonably be expected of anyone seeking the highest office in our country,” he said.

Obi said candidates seeking the nation’s highest office should be willing to subject themselves to reasonable scrutiny and demonstrate that they had nothing to conceal from the people they sought to serve.

He subsequently challenged other presidential candidates to make their educational qualifications and relevant records available for public scrutiny.

“Doing so should not be regarded as an inconvenience or an attack. Rather, it is an opportunity to strengthen public confidence, promote accountability, and rebuild the trust of Nigerians in those who seek to govern them,” he said

Obi added that transparency, integrity and accountability should begin with those seeking to lead the country.

“I therefore welcome the scrutiny of my academic background and remain committed to the principle that those who ask Nigerians for their trust must also be willing to earn that trust through openness and accountability,” he added.