Suspected armed bandits have killed a traditional ruler, Oba Kehinde Falodun, the Alagamo of Agamo community, during a violent assault on his palace in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The attackers, reportedly about 10 in number, were said to have stormed the monarch’s residence on Wednesday evening in what residents described as an attempted abduction of the royal father and members of his household.

According to the Olori (Queen), who narrowly escaped, the gunmen initially attempted to whisk the monarch away but encountered resistance before the situation escalated.

“The bandits just came and started shooting. They were about 10. Three stayed at the entrance while others came inside. I ran into the bush. They shot at me, but it did not affect me,” she said.

She added that when the kidnappers failed to subdue the monarch, they resorted to violence.

“They kept dragging my husband, and I kept shouting for help. Later, they hit something on his head and stomach. He has been killed,” she said.

Confirming the incident on Thursday, spokesman for the Nigeria Police Force in Ondo State, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said the command received distress information around 7:50 pm from a community leader.

He said about six armed men invaded the palace, forcefully took the monarch from his compound, and fled.

“The victim was later found a few metres away with gunshot wounds. He was confirmed dead at the scene,” Jimoh stated.

He disclosed that the Divisional Police Officer, alongside tactical teams, immediately mobilised officers and local security groups, including Amotekun Corps, hunters, and Atuluse vigilantes, to comb nearby bushes in search of the attackers.

According to him, surveillance has been intensified across the area while efforts continue to track and apprehend the suspects.

“The Command assures residents that no stone will be left unturned in bringing those responsible to justice,” he added.

Meanwhile, elders and traditional chiefs in Agamo have condemned the killing, describing the late monarch as a peace-loving leader who played a major role in resolving disputes and promoting development in the community.

A community leader, who asked not to be named, said the attack has created fear and a leadership vacuum.

“This is a painful loss to us. Kabiyesi was very close to the people. We appeal to government and security agencies to act fast and ensure those behind this are arrested,” he said.

The incident adds to growing security concerns in the state, where kidnappings, attacks on farmers, and assaults on rural communities have increased in recent months.

The Lagos State Government has declared that the restriction of unregulated minibuses, popularly called Korope, along the Lekki-Epe Expressway is a permanent, data-driven policy, following a protest by the drivers.

In an official rejoinder on Tuesday, signed by the Special Adviser on Transportation to the Governor, Sola Giwa, the state condemned the blockade of the Ajah axis, describing the drivers’ actions as “economic sabotage” and a threat to public safety.

The statement read: “The attention of the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation has been drawn to reports of a protest by operators of Korope minibuses which temporarily obstructed movement along the Lekki–Epe Expressway, particularly around the Ajah axis.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Lekki–Epe corridor has formally transitioned into a Mass Transit and Regulated Transport Corridor under the Bus Reform Initiative (BRI) framework of the Lagos State Government.

“This transition is deliberate, data-driven, and in alignment with the State’s long-term vision for a safer, more efficient, and economically viable transport ecosystem.”

“The restriction of unregulated Korope operations on that expressway is not sudden, arbitrary, or targeted,” the statement continued.

“Stakeholder engagement preceded enforcement. Multiple consultations were held with transport unions, corridor operators, and relevant associations. Sensitisation exercises, public advisories, and structured notifications were issued well ahead of enforcement to ensure clarity and compliance,” it noted.

Giwa condemned the protest, which saw several of minibus drivers use their vehicles to obstruct the expressway, and left thousands of commuters stranded.

He wrote: “It is, therefore, unfortunate that despite being fully aware of the policy direction and the regulatory position of government, certain operators chose to disrupt public order by blocking a critical expressway that serves thousands of commuters daily. Such actions undermine public safety, economic productivity, and the collective progress of the corridor.

“The Lekki–Epe Expressway is a strategic economic artery linking residential, commercial, industrial, and maritime assets including the Free Trade Zone. Allowing unregulated operations that compromise traffic flow, safety standards, and structured mass transit reforms would reverse the gains already recorded on the corridor.”

He confirmed he had engaged directly with the Commissioner of Police and Area Commanders to ensure “heightened enforcement, proactive patrol, and sustained vigilance” to prevent further breakdowns of law and order.

The state government urged the protesting drivers to align with the new regulatory framework rather than resorting to chaos.

The statement read: “We urge all operators to align with the regulatory framework guiding the corridor and embrace structured participation within the formal transport system.

“Reforms under the Bus Reform Initiative are designed to improve safety, predictability, and dignity within the transport ecosystem. Lawful engagement remains welcome. However, disruption of public infrastructure will not be tolerated.”

Muslims and Christians in Nigeria, on Wednesday, February 18, joined their counterparts globally to commence the Islamic holy month of Ramadan and Lent respectively, in a rare convergence of spiritual observance.

Leader of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, and the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, made the announcement on Tuesday, following the sighting of the crescent moon in various places in the country.

“The Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs in conjunction with the National Moonsighting Committee received reports from various Moonsighting Committees across the country confirming the sighting of the new moon of Ramadan 1447AH, on Tuesday,” a statement signed by the Chairman Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs of the Sultanate Council, Sambo Wali Junaidu, said.

The Sultan congratulated the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria and urged them to use the holy month to pray for peace and progress of the nation.

“His eminence, the Sultan felicitates with the Nigeria Muslim Ummah and wishes them Allah’s guidance and blessings. The Sultan while urging the Muslim Ummah to continue to pray for peace, progress and development of the country also wishes all Muslims a happy Ramadan kareem. May Allah (SWT) accept our religious deeds. Amen.”

The ICIR reports that Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar.

During the period, Muslims are required to spend a period of 29 or 30 days abstaining from food and drink, including water, during daylight hours, as a means of celebrating and reflecting on their faith.

The Holy Month usually ends with Eid-al-Fitri.

Lent

Lent, a significant season in the Christian liturgical year, begins today with Ash Wednesday.

The liturgical year is the Church calendar observed by Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans, Orthodox Christians, and several other denominations.

On Ash Wednesday, worshippers receive a cross-shaped mark on their foreheads made from ashes. These ashes are obtained by burning palm fronds from the previous year’s Palm Sunday, according to the Catholic News Agency.

The 40-day duration mirrors the fasting periods of Jesus Christ before his public ministry, as well as those of prophets Elijah and Moses, who each fasted for 40 days at different times.

The devotion progresses into the Palm Sunday, the Sunday before Easter. It is marked by the use of palm fronds, which worshippers wave during processions or fashion into crosses to take home.

This tradition marks Jesus Christ’s Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem when his followers laid palm branches before him, as recounted in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

The week ushers in the Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Monday, when faithful commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Source: ICiR