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.

Despite public outcry and condemnation, Nigerian authorities have concluded plans to integrate another set of terrorists, tagged ‘repentant’ into the nation’s military.

The latest group consist of at least 40 “repentant” Boko Haram insurgents who have been shortlisted for the Nigerian Army’s 91st Regular Recruits Intake (RRI 91).

According to SaharaReporters which quoted multiple sources, the shortlisted candidates were said to be part of the 3,740 repentant members of Boko Haram reintegrated into society by the Borno State government.

The Nigerian Army’s 2026 recruitment for the 91st Regular Recruits Intake (RRI) is actively underway.

The screening exercise, which commenced on June 9, 2026 is being conducted in accordance with established military standards. Both the application and screening processes for the main intakes took place in the first half of the year.

A military source told SaharaReporters that 40 ex-Boko Haram fighters sponsored by the Borno State government underwent medical examinations on Wednesday at the Nigerian Army 7 Division Military Hospital, Maimalari Cantonment, in Maiduguri as part of the screening process to join the Army.

“I can categorically confirm to you that the Borno State government brought forty repentant Boko Haram fighters who were shortlisted by the Army for their medical examinations during the week. Though some of them were rejected as not medically fit, most of them were screened to the next stage. It happened here at the 7 Division medical centre,” a serving Army Major told SaharaReporters.

“It seems the repentant Boko Haram fighters are so special to the Borno State government. We are still surprised how they were shortlisted, because to join the Army, you need to provide documents such as a birth certificate or age declaration, educational certificates, a certificate of state of origin, and a recommendation letter or attestation from government officials, but these guys have none of this.”

“You can’t recruit people who haven’t finished secondary school simply because you want to compensate them. We hope the Borno State government hasn’t provided them with fake certificates to force them in as soldiers.”

Another officer, a Lieutenant, wondered how they were shortlisted in the first instance by the Nigerian Army.

“Yes, they all came for medicals this week, and this raises concern about the shortlisting process. It simply means convicted criminals can join the Army easily. They were all brought in by a bus provided by the Borno Government.”

Boko Haram and its offshoot, Islamic State West Africa Province, have killed thousands and displaced millions in northeastern Nigeria.

The terrorists also attack critical infrastructure, and the insurgency has spread to other parts of the country, including Adamawa, Yobe, Abuja, and Kano.

The Nigerian military has repeatedly claimed that the insurgency has been largely defeated and frequently downplays any losses.

In recent months, soldiers have been targeted by insurgents.

More than 1,000 soldiers and officers have reportedly been killed since January 2021.

Earlier, SaharaReporters reported how some soldiers battling Boko Haram insurgents in the North-East accused the Borno State government of issuing a fresh directive compelling them to work alongside ‘repentant’ terrorists who were recently reintegrated into society under the state’s controversial deradicalisation programme.

The development, according to serving military personnel who spoke to SaharaReporters, triggered unease within frontline formations, with many soldiers expressing fears that the arrangement could expose military operations to renewed sabotage and intelligence leaks.

Sources told SaharaReporters that some of the former Boko Haram fighters who publicly pledged loyalty to the Nigerian state during recent reintegration exercises have now been mobilised and attached to local security groups that support military operations against insurgents across parts of Borno State.

The soldiers alleged that the move was part of efforts by the state government to justify its rehabilitation and reintegration programme, which has come under criticism from members of the public, including victims of insurgency and some security personnel.

According to the sources, military authorities and troops on the ground remain sceptical about the sincerity of several former insurgents despite undergoing rehabilitation programmes.

“The government wants to prove that the reintegration programme is working, so some of these ‘repentant’ Boko Haram members are being attached to security groups that work with troops in operations,” one soldier told SaharaReporters.

“But many of us are uncomfortable with the arrangement because there have been cases in the past where information leaked and operations were compromised. Trust is a major issue.”

Another source said soldiers have deliberately kept some of the former insurgents at separate locations within military facilities because of fears that they could still maintain links with active terrorist cells operating in the region.

“We don’t trust them completely. There have been too many incidents in the past. That is why they are often given separate accommodation. Yet now there is pressure for us to work closely with them during our missions,” the source said.

“You can see how these Boko Haram fighters have been killing our commanders. That should tell you there is a leak in information about their movements. Yet the government is asking us to trust these people and work with them. It won’t work,” the source said.

The soldiers argued that instead of compelling troops to collaborate with former Boko Haram fighters, the Nigerian government should focus on providing better equipment, intelligence support, and welfare packages for personnel risking their lives in the fight against terrorism.

According to them, the latest directive has generated anxiety among troops who fear that operational details could once again find their way to insurgent groups still active in parts of Borno and neighbouring states.

The concerns come barely two weeks after the Borno State government reintegrated 720 ‘repentant’ insurgents, alongside 992 spouses and 2,050 children, into various communities under its “Borno Model” deradicalisation and rehabilitation programme.

The beneficiaries were among former insurgents who surrendered to security forces and subsequently underwent rehabilitation at the Hajj Camp in Maiduguri before being formally returned to society.