Former Edo State Governor and African Democratic Congress (ADC) national leader Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, along with Labour Party stalwart Peter Obi, narrowly escaped an attack by suspected hoodlums at Oyegun’s residence in Benin City.

The incident occurred while key political figures, including Peter Obi, were reportedly engaged in a meeting at the residence. Eyewitnesses described a sudden assault that left visible signs of violence, including broken bottles scattered around the premises, bullet holes on the gate, and damaged vehicles parked nearby.

The attack followed closely on the heels of a separate invasion at the ADC secretariat in Benin, where hoodlums vandalized party property shortly after activities linked to political realignments, including reported defections and alliances involving opposition figures.

No casualties were immediately reported from the residence incident, and both Oyegun and Obi are said to be safe. The timing has raised concerns of targeted intimidation amid growing speculation about opposition coalitions ahead of the 2027 elections, including potential ADC-Obidient (supporters of Peter Obi) collaborations that Oyegun has publicly endorsed as a pathway to challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Chief John Odigie-Oyegun reacted to the development, describing it as “deeply troubling and unacceptable” in the context of recent threats to the party.

He called for a thorough investigation to identify and prosecute those responsible, emphasizing that such acts undermine democratic processes and must be deterred.

Security operatives have yet to provide an official account or confirm arrests related to the attack.

The incidents have heightened tensions within Edo’s political landscape, where the ADC has been positioning itself as an alternative platform attracting defectors and opposition voices.

Party sources described the events as attempts to disrupt emerging alliances and stifle political momentum.

Further details on the meeting’s agenda and any official police investigation are awaited as the situation develops.

Fresh violence erupted in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State on Sunday night, claiming at least 10 lives in near-simultaneous attacks on the communities of Jol and Dorowa Babuje (in the Rob District).

The assaults, which occurred between 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., were carried out by armed bandits who struck in coordinated fashion, according to local leaders.

Barrister Solomon Dalyop, National President of the Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYMA), confirmed the fatalities in a telephone interview, stating that nine people were killed in Dorowa Babuje, while one person was killed in Jol.

In Jol, attackers reportedly arrived on motorcycles from the Manga axis, despite prior warnings to security agencies about suspicious movements in the area. Personnel from Operation Rainbow, the state’s security outfit, were already deployed and managed to repel the assailants, preventing a higher casualty count.

In Dorowa Babuje, the gunmen emerged from the Jong-Wereh area, where they are believed to have been camping for some time. The military was alerted promptly and responded quickly, which local leaders credit with limiting further deaths.

These latest killings fit into a persistent pattern of night raids, ambushes, and displacement plaguing farming communities in Riyom, one of Plateau State’s most volatile areas in recent months.

Community leaders have highlighted the recurring nature of attacks often conducted after dark along known routes and called for enhanced surveillance, proactive patrols, and the dismantling of suspected camps in nearby forests.

Residents of both affected communities are now living in heightened fear, with families grieving their losses and demanding a sustained security presence to avert more bloodshed.

Youth groups and local leaders have renewed urgent appeals to federal and state authorities to shift from reactive measures to comprehensive, long-term strategies for security and peacebuilding in Riyom and surrounding areas.

Mexican defense officials announced on Sunday that Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, alias “El Mencho,” the founder and longtime leader of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), was killed during a military operation.

Oseguera, widely regarded as Mexico’s most wanted drug kingpin and one of the highest-profile fugitives in the country, had evaded capture for more than a decade despite a multi-million-dollar bounty from both Mexican and U.S. authorities.

The CJNG, under his command, rose to become one of Mexico’s most violent and expansive criminal organizations, responsible for trafficking massive quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin into the United States. The cartel has been linked to thousands of homicides, territorial wars with rival groups, and high-profile attacks on security forces.

The operation marks a significant victory for Mexico’s armed forces and comes amid intensifying pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly demanded stronger action from Mexico against drug cartels fueling the American opioid crisis.

Mexican officials described the killing as the result of targeted intelligence and a swift military engagement, though specific details of the location, circumstances, and any casualties among security personnel were not immediately released.

The death of El Mencho is expected to trigger intense power struggles within the CJNG and could reshape the dynamics of Mexico’s organized crime landscape.

U.S. officials have long listed Oseguera as a top-priority target, with the DEA offering up to $10 million for information leading to his capture or conviction. His elimination is likely to be welcomed in Washington as a concrete step in bilateral efforts to dismantle transnational drug networks.