The Federal Government has disclosed that necessary measures, including international collaboration, are being deployed to ensure the safe release of the 47 kidnapped teachers and students of both public and private schools in Yawota and Ahoro Esienle communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

President Bola Tinubu stated this through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, at the commissioning of the remodelled 154-bed Premier Hotel in Ibadan on Thursday.

He reassured residents of Oyo State and the South-West region that the government is intensifying efforts to tackle insecurity across the country, including the recent rise in banditry, kidnapping, and related crimes.

“I must at this point reassure the good people of Oyo State and indeed the South-West that the Federal Government is seriously addressing the upswing in banditry, kidnapping and associated criminalities across the nation.“

“I wish to assure you that every realistic measure, including international collaboration, is being taken to ensure that the kidnapped victims in Oriire Local Government are safely brought home without harm or avoidable loss of life,” he said.

He called on citizens to remain vigilant and support security agencies through intelligence sharing and community collaboration.

“I urge all citizens to remain vigilant and to work collaboratively with security agencies. There is undoubtedly a huge role for traditional and faith-based institutions to play in this regard and I urge them to take the lead through the various channels provided by government,” he added.

“The economy can only thrive in an atmosphere of peace and security,” noting that the Tinubu administration has made substantial investments in strengthening the nation’s security architecture.

“Economic development can only flourish in an atmosphere of peace, stability and security. That is why our administration has continued to invest significantly in strengthening the nation’s security architecture,” he said.

He stated that over the past three years, the government had enhanced inter-agency coordination, improved intelligence gathering, expanded technological surveillance capabilities, strengthened community-based security initiatives, and increased support for the armed forces and security agencies.

“There is an ongoing process in the National Assembly targeted at enhancing policing at all levels. We hope to roll this out in no distant future,” he said.

He noted that his administration’s efforts were yielding measurable results across several parts of the country and would continue until every Nigerian could live and conduct business safely.

“These efforts are yielding measurable results across many parts of the country. We remain committed to ensuring that every Nigerian, every investor, and every visitor can live, work, travel and do business in safety and confidence,” he stated.

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Bandits have ambushed and  attached security team of Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Igboho with several members of his private security outfit badly injured.

The incident reportedly occurred while operatives of Iru Ekun, a security outfit associated with Igboho, were carrying out an operation to track and dislodge suspected kidnappers and other armed criminals believed to be operating within the expansive forest reserve.

Sources said the team deployed surveillance drones to identify suspected criminal hideouts and monitor the movements of armed groups before advancing into the area.

However, the mission reportedly turned violent when the operatives allegedly came under attack from heavily armed men believed to be members of cross-border criminal networks.

According to the sources, the suspected bandits opened fire on the advancing security personnel, triggering a fierce gun battle inside the forest.

Several members of the Iru Ekun team were reportedly wounded by gunfire during the exchange. However, the exact number of those injured had not been officially confirmed as of the time of filing this report.

The Ogun State Police Command has disclosed that the prime suspect in the alleged killing of an ex-OGTV broadcaster, Kitan Oyesiku, and her guard, Pelumi Adetayo, said he orchestrated the plan to “teach her a lesson.”

The state Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, disclosed this on Thursday during a press briefing held at the command’s headquarters, Eleweran, Abeokuta.

The command commenced an investigation into the deaths after a resident raised an alarm over suspicious activities at the deceased’s residence.

Police detectives who visited the scene reportedly discovered signs of forced entry and disturbance.

The corpse of the security guard was said to have been found in the security post, while Oyesiku’s body was later discovered inside her apartment.

The police had also stated that Kitan’s Lexus RX300 vehicle, initially reported missing, was subsequently recovered during ongoing investigations.

Providing an update on the incident, Ojajuni stated that following the recovery of the vehicle, a note was discovered inside, which served as a major lead in unravelling the crime.

He noted that following a forensic analysis of the note, the prime suspect, identified as Sodeinde Olajuwon Philip, was arrested on Wednesday at a construction site in Ibara, Abeokuta.

He said, “Further intelligence gathering and painstaking investigation led to the identification and arrest of the principal suspect, Sodeinde Olajuwon Philip ‘m’ aged 22 years, on 24th June, 2026, at a construction site in Ibara GRA, Abeokuta, where he was working as a labourer.

“Further follow-up operations by detectives of the Command led to the successful arrest of Sakirudeen Abdulraheem Ayoola ‘m’ aged 27 years, a security guard, and Sobu Obafunsho ‘m’ aged 36 years, a bricklayer, thereby bringing into custody all identified suspects directly linked to the criminal conspiracy.”

The CP noted that following interrogation, Philip allegedly confessed that he coordinated the attack because of grievances with Oyesiku while he was working for her as a security guard and that the murder was aimed at teaching her a lesson.

The CP continued, “During interrogation, Sodeinde Olajuwon Philip made a confessional statement, admitting his involvement in the murder of Madam Olakitan Oyesiku. He further disclosed that he had recruited Sakirudeen Abdulraheem Ayoola ‘m’ aged 27 years, and Sobu Obafunsho ‘m’ aged 36 years, to participate in the crime.

“According to his confessional statement, the suspect planned and coordinated the attack following grievances with the deceased during the period he worked as a security guard in her employment.

“The suspect stated that the murder of Madam Olakitan Oyesiku was intended to ‘teach her a lesson’.”

Stressing how the suspects allegedly carried out the attack, the CP noted that the suspects’ confession indicated that they overpowered late Adetayo and used him to gain entrance into the house.

“The suspects carried out the act on Saturday, 20th June, 2026, in the afternoon. According to the statement, they first overpowered the security guard, Pelumi Adetayo ‘m’ aged 38 years, and used him to gain access to the residence. Upon gaining entry, they attacked Madam Olakitan Oyesiku and subsequently murdered the security guard.

“After committing the crime, the suspects fled the scene with the deceased’s Lexus RX 330 vehicle, which was later recovered through intelligence-led and technical tracking operations at the Onikolobo area of Ogun state.

“The criminal conspiracy involving Sodeinde Olajuwon Philip ‘m’ aged 22 years; Sakirudeen Abdulraheem Ayoola ‘m’ aged 27 years; and Sobu Obafunsho ‘m’ aged 36 years ultimately resulted in the tragic deaths of both Madam Olakitan Oyesiku and her security guard, Pelumi Adetayo ‘m’ aged 38 years,” Ojajuni narrated.

He noted that exhibits including a broken hammer, a cutlass, a plank and a black pen were recovered from various locations linked to the suspects.

“The Ogun State Police Command wishes to emphasise that while the suspects have made useful statements and substantial evidence has been recovered in the course of the investigation, all suspects remain entitled to due process under the law.

“Investigation is ongoing to consolidate all available evidence and ensure diligent prosecution of all suspects connected with the crime.

“The Command remains committed to ensuring that justice is served and that all persons connected with this heinous crime are brought to book,” Ojajuni concluded.