Crime
Unmask illegal miners behind Ibadan explosion, Sowore tells Makinde
The 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, has asked the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, and security agencies to answer nagging questions about the explosion that rocked Ibadan late Tuesday evening.
According to Sowore Governor Seyi Makinde, and security agencies have to answer questions concerning the alleged illegal miners responsible for the deadly explosion.
Makinde issued a statement stating that the explosion was caused by illegal miners.
Sowore, however, in a series of tweets he shared on his X handle (Formerly Twitter) on Wednesday wondered who the miners were, what they were mining, and why are they in possession of such powerful explosives.
His tweets titled, Posers For The Governor Of Oyo State #seyimakinde And Security Agencies Regarding The Deadly #IbadanBlast Last Night, read, “Even in developed countries, it takes nothing less than 48 hours before government agencies make a categorical statement about such a massive explosion. These include cordoning off the area, obtaining evidence on the scene, and analyzing it before telling the public what exactly happened.
“In less than 10 hours, Governor @seyimakinde already “investigated” the incident and submitted it was “Illegal Miners.” Who are the illegal miners? What do they mine, and why are they in possession of such powerful explosives?
“Is there any explosives dealer known to security agencies in a high-brow neighborhood in Ibadan that the govt had long been aware of and did nothing about?
“Again, who is that miner? What is the miner’s name, and what do they mine in Oyo state? Is it gold, silver, cobalt, uranium, or what? A release should be done immediately to reveal the identity of the miner!
“Mining and using explosives has a procedure and rarely explodes without a trigger, especially dynamite. You have to ignite it automatedly or use fire. Was the building rigged with explosives? If so, why so?
“Is the governor or Oyo state government aware of mining in the Agodi residential area? Is the governor aware of it, or is his or the state carrying out rock blasting in a residential area?
“The DSS is saddled with approving the use of explosives around Nigeria. What is their public position on what happened? At least citizens need a preliminary report from the DSS on this matter immediately.”
On Tuesday night, panic gripped Ibadan residents over an explosion that occurred at Dejo Oyelese Street in the Bodija area of the city.
Meanwhile, the National Emergency Management Agency has disclosed that over 20 houses were affected in the Tuesday night explosion.
“Over 20 houses were affected. Casualty figures can not be ascertained for now. Search and rescue operation is still ongoing,” the agency said.
Crime
Police Arrest 32 Suspected Bandits in Kwara Forest Crackdowns
the operation targeted criminal hideouts in forest areas around Awi, Kaiama, Patigi, and Babanla, where the suspects were allegedly involved in kidnapping, cattle rustling, and other violent crimes
Photo: IGP Tunji Disu
The Kwara State Police Command has arrested thirty two suspected bandits during intelligence-led operations targeting criminal networks operating in forest corridors across the state.
The police said that two of those arrested are foreign nationals from Niger Republic who are suspected to have collaborated with local bandits in cross-border criminal activities.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, disclosed that the suspects were apprehended during coordinated raids carried out by operatives of the Kwara State Police Command and detectives of the Intelligence Response Team.
The police assures that the suspects will be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted.
She explained that the operation targeted criminal hideouts in forest areas around Awi, Kaiama, Patigi, and Babanla, where the suspects were allegedly involved in kidnapping, cattle rustling, and other violent crimes.
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, during an operational visit to Kaiama, commended officers of the command and the Intelligence Response Team for what he described as a successful operation against forest-based criminal gangs.
Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) on Friday 6, at Eha-Amufu and Umuhu in Isi-Uzo Local Government Area, Enugu State, arrested a suspected notorious Eastern Security Network (ESN) commander, Sabastine Odo Odam, and Ejike Daniel, a suspected member of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Security sources revealed that the arrest followed months of sustained intelligence gathering on activities of the suspects.
The arrests came on the heels of series of violent attacks on police stations and killings between 2024 and 2026, all in Isi-Uzo LGA.
“Both men have confessed to being masterminds of a chain of attacks on police stations and carting away of weapons. The attacks include the February 26 killing of 11 labourers, and that of five policeman between December 24, 2025 and January 26, 2026.
“The arrests represent a major success for the DSS in the fight against insecurity in the southeast and country at large,” remarked the source.
Residents of Isi-Uzo LGA expressed excitement as news of the arrests filtered in. Many noted that the arrests will restore some peace to the affected communities.
Both suspects are currently in the custody of the DSS and awaiting arraignment in court, the source added.
A Federal High Court in Abuja has discharged and acquitted suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abba Kyari of a 23-count charge alleging non-declaration of assets, brought by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
In a judgment delivered on Thursday, March 5, 2026, Justice James Omotosho ruled that the prosecution failed to establish its case beyond reasonable doubt against Kyari and his co-defendants, including his two brothers.
The judge held that the NDLEA did not provide sufficient evidence to prove that the disputed properties allegedly linked to Kyari belonged to him or that he failed to declare them. He described aspects of the case as unsubstantiated and lacking credible proof.
This acquittal pertains specifically to the asset declaration and related allegations. Kyari continues to face separate ongoing charges, including those related to drug trafficking matters.
Kyari, once celebrated as a top police investigator, has been suspended amid multiple legal battles. The ruling marks a significant development in one of his high-profile cases.
2Baba in talks with Defense Minister to leverage music for Nat’l Security
Trump says he thinks Putin is helping Iran
CBN places suspicious BVNs on 24-hour watchlist
Tech Expert, Zuckerberg trains with UFC champions, Adesanya, Alexander
Organ Trafficking: Ekweremadu bags 10 years in UK prison
SAINT OBI: Between his marriage and his death
-
Business3 days agoJUST IN : Traders Resist Takeover of Lagos International Trade Fair Complex By LASG
-
International3 days agoNASA’s Satellite Crashing Back to Earth After 14 Years in Orbit
-
News3 days agoTinubu appoints Lamido Yuguda as CBN’s Deputy Governor
-
Business1 day agoSenate will pass 2026 budget after Sallah break, says Akpabio
-
News3 days agoSenate confirms Oyedele as minister
-
Entertainment1 day agoTiwa Savage foundation to train 100 African music talents
-
Politics1 day agoCourt bars Aiyedatiwa from re-contesting for third term
-
International3 days agoIEA agrees to release record 400 million barrels of oil to address Iran war supply disruptions