Pure chaos erupted across Ogbomoso on Monday as terrified parents flooded schools to pull their children to safety. The frantic rush was sparked by rising rumors of impending bandit attacks and the shocking recent abductions of dozens of students and teachers across several schools in the Oriire Local Government Area. Gunmen heavily attacked Baptist Nursery and Primary School (Yawota), Community Grammar School (Esiele), and LA Primary School, leading to the abduction of a school principal, multiple teachers, and at least 45 schoolchildren. The initial kidnappings—along with the tragic killing of at least one assistant headteacher and a local motorcyclist during the raid—sent shockwaves across Ogbomoso. Speculation of further incursions quickly went viral, emptying classrooms as parents abandoned work to secure their children. The atmosphere has remained tense. Aggrieved teachers and union members launched a peaceful protest, completely paralyzing academic activities and marching to the TESCOM office to demand immediate government intervention. Following widespread outrage, President Bola Tinubu publicly condemned the "barbaric" attacks. Federal and state authorities have assured residents that security operatives are working around the clock to rescue those held captive and neutralize the bandits.

A non-governmental organisation, ActionAid Nigeria, has lamented that with Nigeria’s rising debt profile, a new born baby begins life with a loan to the tune of N691,000. Country Director of the organization, Andrew Mamedu, said this on Monday while fielding questions in an interview on Arise Television. He was speaking on the current Nigeria’s rising debt regardless of the removal of fuel subsidy and floating of the naira. “With Nigeria’s rising debt now, it means that a new born baby already starts life owing about N691,000. “There is nothing wrong with responsive borrowing. Governments worldwide, from China to the US, borrow, sometimes above their annual budgets. “But responsible borrowing depends on clear purpose and accountability, as outlined in fiscal responsibility principles. “Borrowing should not be for consumption, and the key concern is transparency in how funds are used. “Ideally, it should follow a clear fiscal plan and be directed only to productive capital projects that can generate returns and repay the debt,” he said.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice have asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss a suit by an Abuja-based lawyer seeking to stop Jonathan from contesting for President in 2027. This is as Justice Peter Lifu on Monday, fixed May 26 for composite judgment, which would include a ruling on the application by the plaintiff, Johnmary Jideobi, asking him to recuse himself. In the originating summons, Jideobi requested, among others, that the court determines “whether in view of the combined provisions of sections 1(1), (2) and (3) and 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution, the 1st defendant is eligible, under any circumstances whatsoever, to contest for the office of the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.” Jideobi argued that Jonathan had exhausted the constitutional limit allowed for a president, having completed the tenure of the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua before serving another full term after the 2011 election. In an affidavit filed in support of the suit, Emmanuel Agida, who deposed on behalf of the Jideobi, averred that Jonathan was sworn in as president on May 6, 2010, following Yar’Adua’s death and another oath on May 29, 2011, after winning the election Jideobi, on Monday, also brought an application, asking the judge to recuse himself in the matter for alleged bias, because the court shortened their 14 day requirement to reply to Jonathan’s counter-affidavit and preliminary objection. Earlier, counsel to Jonathan, Chris Uche, SAN, in arguing both his counter-affidavit and preliminary objection, asked the court to dismiss the suit with a cost of N50 million. He cited two previous judgements, such as the Federal High Court between Andy Solomon and Jonathan; and that of the Court of Appeal between Cyracus Njoku and Jonathan, which he said were dismissed. Uche further submitted that the amendment to the Section 137(3) of the Constitution, which bars officials who had sworn to an oath previously more than twice, from seeking the same office, cannot be applied retroactively against Jonathan, who contested in 2015. He argued that Jideobi was trying to weaponise litigation as a means of political exclusion when the Nigerian constitution grants every qualified citizen the right to seek for the highest office in the land. “He has no locus standi to bring this action and no cause of action has crystallised,” he said. He expanded that for Jideobi to have locus, he must demonstrate how it affects him directly, and show he is a registered voter to show he is interested in who governs him. Similarly, the Director of Civil Litigation and Public Law of the Ministry of Justice, Dr Maimuna Lamin Shiru, asked the court to dismiss Jideobi’s claim in its entirety. In objecting, Ukpai submitted that the issue of being a registered voter is never a condition for bringing the suit before the court, while urging the court to dismiss objections and the counter-affidavit of Jonathan and the Ministry of Justice.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has condemned the killing of an assistant headmaster who was said to have attempted to protect children during an attack, alongside other victims, during coordinated assaults on schools in Ahoro-Esinele and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. CAN observed that the sacrifice made by the assistant headmaster must not be forgotten and called for those responsible to be identified, apprehended, and prosecuted. In a statement issued on Monday by its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, CAN condemned the abduction of schoolchildren, teachers, and school officials during the coordinated attacks on schools, describing the incident as a national disgrace and a frightening sign of worsening insecurity. Okoh decried the invasion of schools by armed criminals, describing the attacks as a direct assault on the nation’s conscience and evidence of a troubling collapse of security. He stressed that the abduction of children and educators in broad daylight, coupled with the reported killing of innocent citizens, underscored the growing threat posed by organised criminal groups. According to him, “It is intolerable, disgraceful and utterly unacceptable that Nigerian children can no longer sit safely in classrooms without the fear of being kidnapped by armed gangs.” CAN expressed concern that armed attackers allegedly stormed multiple schools, terrorised communities, and escaped with dozens of pupils and teachers, saying the incident was more than a routine security breach, but evidence that violent criminal activity is spreading into areas previously regarded as relatively secure. The association lamented what it described as the “national humiliation” of seeing teachers and parents pleading for mercy while victims remained in captivity, stressing that no parent should ever have to watch helplessly as their child is dragged into the forest by gunmen, or a teacher should have to choose between educating children and risking abduction or death. CAN stated that persistent kidnappings and the inability to dismantle criminal networks were gradually normalising terror across the country, lamenting that insecurity, once concentrated in parts of northern Nigeria, is now spreading dangerously into the South-West and other regions, threatening public confidence and national stability. The association appealed to the Federal Government, security agencies, and the Oyo State Government to intensify efforts towards the immediate rescue of the abducted victims and called for the deployment of all available security and intelligence resources to secure the unconditional release of those abducted and ensure perpetrators face justice. CAN also called for stronger protection for schools, particularly in rural communities, urging increased surveillance and security operations around forests and known criminal hideouts.

The Senate has condemned the abduction of 87 students and teachers across Borno and Oyo states within 24 hours, describing the incidents as an attack on Nigeria’s future. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, who issued the condemnation through a statement by his Directorate of Media and Public Affairs on Sunday, said the abductions were particularly troubling given that $30 million had been raised globally in 2014 to secure public and private schools across the country. Suspected gunmen had on Friday abducted 45 students and teachers from Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School and L.A Primary School in Esiele, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. Within the same period, Boko Haram terrorists attacked Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, abducting 42 students. Bamidele, who is also Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, said the twin abductions reinforced the urgency of establishing state police, a proposal currently under consideration at the National Assembly. According to him, the 10th National Assembly was at an advanced stage of amending the 1999 Constitution to pave the way for state police, adding that the process would soon be concluded before being transmitted to state houses of assembly for ratification. He explained that after the National Assembly had concluded its part, the proposal would be transmitted “to the State Houses of Assembly for consideration and scrutiny, which would require a two-thirds approval before the state police could come on stream.” He appealed to sub-national governments and legislatures to treat the state police proposal as a matter of strategic national importance, warning that it should not be subjected to partisan politics or ethno-religious considerations. Pending the establishment of state police, Bamidele urged both federal and state governments to adopt the Safe School Initiative as a stop-gap measure, noting that Nigeria currently had 18.3 million out-of-school children. He said the incessant abduction of students and teachers “is a tragic national concern that negates our national development indices,” adding that the National Assembly would use legislation to confront the trend when plenary resumed on June 2. “One of such initiatives is the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution that seeks to establish state police, which is now at an advanced stage. “Another is the amendment of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 aimed at strengthening the system of consequence in the country’s justice sector and discouraging heinous crimes nationwide,” he said.

Following the coordinated attacks on three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on Friday, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, on Sunday expressed dismay and called on state governments to act, saying, “Yorubaland is now under siege.” The organisation, in a statement released by its National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, also sympathised with families of the victims of the attacks. Afenifere’s spokesperson said the organisation’s leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, “was saddened to hear this unfortunate incident which occurred the same week he marked his 100th year on earth.” THENEWSCREDIT that terrorists on motorbikes attacked Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esinele; and L.A. Primary School, all in Oriire Local Government, on Friday, May 15. Ajayi said, “He sympathised with the victims and their families, just as he prayed for the quick recovery of those who were injured. Besides, he expressed the hope that a total stop would be put to the life-threatening insecurity situation in the country without further delay.” He declared that the latest attacks reinforced growing fears that the terrorists appeared determined to overrun the South-West and, ultimately, the entire South. The organisation’s spokesperson said, “The actions of South-West governors in recent times do not suggest that they appreciate the enormity of the responsibility they shoulder concerning the security of their land. “In view of the fact that the primary duty of government is the security and welfare of the people, governments in South-Western states of Nigeria must prove that they are alive to their constitutionally assigned responsibilities. “Everything must be done to ensure that no area in the region experiences an attack by kidnappers and bandits anymore,” he said.

A devastating bandit attack on communities within the Oriire Local Government Area of Ogbomoso, Oyo State, has resulted in the abduction of 46 people. The victims include 7 teachers and 39 young students from local schools. The bandits targeted Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele and Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School. During the raid, the attackers also snatched four motorcycles from the villagers—three from the Yawota community and one from the high school. Abducted School Staff (7) Mrs. Alamu Folawe – Principal, Community High School,Mr. Ojo Jonathan – Vice Principal, Mr. Olatunde Zacchaeus – Teacher, Mr. John Olaleye – Teacher,Mr. Michael Oyedokun – Teacher,Mrs. Oladeji – Teacher, Mary Akanbi – Teacher, Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School. Abducted Students and Pupils (39) The abducted children, some as young as two years old, were taken from four distinct communities: Ahoro-Esinele Community: Rashida Tajudeen (11), Ahmed Ramoni (8), Abdulsalam Toyib (4), Baraka Abioye (16), Fatimo Jimoh (15), Hassan Azeez (14), Joshua Adeleke (13) Yawota Community: Samuel Oyedele (7), Emmanuel Oyedele (4), Idowu Taiwo (4), Christianah Akanbi (2), Juwon Sunday (7), Sikiru Salami (3), Soliu Salami (4), Ojo Joseph (8), Lydia Adewole (8), Testimony Jacob (5), Kehinde Kaosara (7), Sewa Seyi (7), Waliya Bello (4), Lydia Olohunloluwa (7), Damilare Oderinde (8), Deborah Adebowale (5), Aisha Oguntowo (10), Lege Taiwo (12), Balkis Ayanwale (8), Asa David (10) Oniya Community: Shuaibu Aliyu (10), Ahmed Aliyu (7), Muiz Aliyu (5), Jomiloju Ogunlola (6). Alawusa Community: Agune Noah (8), Elizabeth Abadi (5), Tosin Abadi (9), Pius Stephen (5), Hannah Ojo (14), Habidat Ayanwale (7), Mary Gabriel (6), Jacob Gabriel. Principal Releases Distress Video A video featuring the abducted principal, Mrs. Grace Alamu, has circulated online. Speaking from captivity, she made an urgent appeal to the government and the general public. She called for immediate assistance and urged authorities to engage in peaceful dialogue with the bandits to secure the safe release of the children and staff. Clergy and Community Leaders React Speaking on the radio programme "Niwayu-Oluwa" on BRAVE 91.1FM, Bishop Agba Akintayo Asamu Kowinrin comforted listeners by drawing strength from Psalm 91, urging citizens to dwell in the shelter of the Most High. The Bishop issued a sharp call to action, demanding that all levels of government, traditional rulers, and political stakeholders unite immediately. He stressed that leadership must harmonise their efforts to rescue the victims and bring a permanent end to the rising banditry in the region.

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has lamented that the Friday’s abduction of some pupils and students in Ahoro-Esinele community in Oriire local government area has crippled many families. Makinde expressed his concern at the launch of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU, of the State Police HCommand in Ibadan on Saturday. The event was hosted by the Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Olugbenga. THENEWSCREDIT reports that an unspecified number of students were kidnapped from schools in the community. on Friday. The Principal of a secondary school in the community was abducted, while a teacher and a motorcyclist were killed. Makinde said the incident should remind the people that security is not the business of government alone. He maintained that social and economic development cannot thrive in the presence of violence and instability, calling on the people of the state to volunteer information for security agencies to act promptly. He urged the people to report any strange movement in their vicinity, noting that the establishment of the elite unit is timely. Makinde said, “We have witnessed a series of kidnappings and various violent crimes, including the kidnapping of school children yesterday, which has crumbled many families. “This incident reminds us that security cannot be taken for granted. Social and economic development cannot thrive in the absence of peace and stability. “The inauguration is timely. Security is not the function of government alone. It is the collective responsibility of all. “We should say something in a timely manner. I will advice the people to be watchful. When you see any storage movement, please report it. “May peace and stability continue to prevail in Oyo State and Nigeria”.

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, on Thursday backed the call by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission for the establishment of 3,000 new police stations across the country, warning that the existing security infrastructure is grossly inadequate for Nigeria’s growing population. Disu stated that the Nigeria Police Force currently operates only about 2,000 police stations nationwide, a figure he said cannot effectively serve a population of more than 200 million people. He spoke at Infrastructure Dialogue 2026, a programme organised for entrepreneurs by Deutsche Partners Holding in Abuja. The IGP, who was represented by the Commissioner of Police in charge of Works, Obiora Oranwusi, said the scale of the country’s security infrastructure deficit requires urgent intervention through public-private partnerships, development finance institutions and capital market instruments. He said, “The Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission has identified the need for 3,000 new police stations, 1,000 new prisons, and 170 new barracks—a scale of investment that necessitates PPPs, DFIs, and capital market instruments. “As of today, we have only about 2,000 police stations nationwide. These deficits directly affect operational effectiveness and must be addressed through sustainable financing models. “The Police is undergoing a strategic reorientation—one that positions us as a proactive enabler of national development. Our mandate extends beyond crime response; it encompasses the creation of a stable, predictable environment in which legitimate enterprise can flourish.” Disu lamented the poor state of policing infrastructure in the country, listing outdated communication systems, inadequate surveillance coverage, insufficient patrol vehicles, weak ICT and data systems, dilapidated police stations and barracks, limited forensic laboratories and a shortage of protective equipment among the major operational setbacks facing the police. According to him, insecurity remains a major threat to national development and investor confidence, especially where criminal activities disrupt critical infrastructure projects. “Our nation continues to confront threats to critical infrastructure—vandalism, sabotage, extortion, and disruptions by organised criminal networks. “Recent incidents, including the apprehension of vandals through advanced CCTV surveillance on the 3rd Mainland Bridge, underscore both the scale of the challenge and the necessity of technology-enabled policing,” he said. A November 2025 report by the European Union Agency for Asylum revealed that more than 100,000 officers of the Nigeria Police Force are currently assigned to protect politicians and other Very Important Persons, despite the country’s estimated police strength of about 371,800 officers serving a population of roughly 236.7 million people. The report warned that the diversion of a substantial number of officers to VIP protection has worsened policing deficits, weakened community policing and reduced security coverage for ordinary Nigerians. Reacting to the concerns raised by the police hierarchy, the Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, acknowledged the severe infrastructure gaps confronting the Force and linked the broader infrastructure crisis to issues of investment confidence and poor returns on investment. He said, “On a lighter note, I wanted to ask the IGP to pay us for the new standard bridge his men have been complimenting. That’s what I wanted to say earlier. But then, in your own speech, I started hearing you mentioning so many inadequacies the police have. You are having problems with a lack of vehicles, a proper communication system and equipment. “So, I changed my mind and said I’d better not ask for the money now. You have already complained so much about what you don’t have. “When we begin to talk about infrastructure, what most people think of are bridges, power, schools and maybe water. “People don’t understand that infrastructure goes beyond that. That was also the reason His Excellency Boni Haruna mentioned clearly that it is not just about financing because, in reality, Nigeria has so much money.” Former Governor of Adamawa State, Boni Haruna, blamed the country’s infrastructure failures on policy inconsistency, abandoned projects and weak contract enforcement. “When it comes to projects or infrastructure, there has to be preparedness on the part of the government to ensure that it’s continued. Otherwise, we will continue to experience waste of resources. That’s why we have abandoned projects all over the country today. So we need to legislate on that. “Secondly, we need to insulate technical institutions like BFIs, BOIs, and others from political control. Thirdly, the enforcement of contracts. If investors can’t trust that contracts will be honoured, capital markets will not fund it. So there must be sanctity of contracts. “We know the attitude of the government towards not respecting court judgments in this country. When we want to win the confidence of investors, our courts and arbitration must be respected. Finally, Nigeria’s infrastructure gap is not a financing gap. It is a credibility gap,” he.

The medical community in Oyo State and Nigeria at large has been thrown into mourning following the sudden passing of Dr. Sunday Oladeji, the esteemed Proprietor and Supervising Consultant at Mainsprings Hospital, Ogbomoso. Known for his unwavering dedication to community health and patient care, Dr. Oladeji’s death is a devastating blow to the healthcare sector in Ogbomoso. His departure leaves a significant vacuum in rural healthcare delivery within the region. As friends, colleagues, and patients reel from the shock of his demise, many have expressed deep sadness over the loss of such a committed professional, often describing the world as a cruel place for taking away dedicated healers in their prime. Rest in Peace, Dr. Sunday Oladeji. Your legacy of service in Ogbomoso will not be forgotten.