Author name: clickreportteam

The Grand Council of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, has passed a vote of confidence in its leadership and rejected the purported removal of its chairman, Abdulateef Owoyemi, his deputy, Oladokun Ajidagba, and vice chairman, Prof. Fassy Yusuf. The three leaders were reportedly removed over allegations of financial inducement, document manipulation and other irregularities linked to the selection of a new Awujale of Ijebuland. However, the ruling house dismissed the allegations as baseless and described the committee responsible for announcing their removal as an unauthorised “kangaroo committee.” Speaking at a press briefing in Ijebu-Ode, Owoyemi said the family had previously been divided into three factions but had reconciled following the intervention of the Ogun State Government. He said he was subsequently elected chairman, with Ajidagba and Yusuf appointed as deputy chairman and vice chairman respectively. Owoyemi said the ruling house had concluded plans to take legal action against members of the opposing group over alleged defamation and other misconduct. He also urged the Ogun State Government to lift the embargo on the Awujale selection process, which has been suspended since January 2026. Prof. Yusuf also appealed to the government to allow the kingmakers to resume their constitutional role in selecting the new monarch. He argued that the government lacked the authority to halt the process and said the family could consider other options if its appeals were unsuccessful. However, the secretary of the fact-finding committee, Ridwan Oduneye, rejected the ruling house’s claims that the committee members were impostors. He said their actions were aimed at restoring due process, unity and integrity to the ruling house. Oduneye maintained that a general meeting attended by 115 family members had resolved to remove the three leaders and appoint Prince Adeleke Adeyemi as interim secretary and authorised signatory. The dispute follows the death of the former Awujale, Oba Sikiru Adetona, in July 2025 after 65 years on the throne. The Ogun State Government suspended the selection process in January 2026 following petitions from security agencies and stakeholders. A total of 95 aspirants had emerged from the ruling house’s nomination process before the suspension.

The National Human Rights Commission, Christian Association of Nigeria, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria and several political figures have condemned comments attributed to Islamic cleric Sheikh Yahaya Jingir over the 2027 general elections. The groups also called on the government to investigate and, where appropriate, prosecute the cleric over remarks they described as inflammatory and capable of deepening religious tensions. Jingir had reportedly spoken at an event in Kano last weekend, where he defended the Muslim-Muslim ticket of the All Progressives Congress and argued that Muslims should dominate Christians because they constitute a larger population. The NHRC, through its Executive Secretary, Tony Ojukwu, described the remarks as hate speech and incitement to religious hatred. The commission urged the Inspector-General of Police, the Department of State Services and other relevant authorities to take action. It warned that inflammatory statements ahead of the 2027 elections could fuel division and potentially lead to violence. CAN also criticised the remarks, saying Nigerians had the right to support any political party or candidate but should not turn political choices into religious contests. The association urged Nigerians to judge candidates based on leadership, character, competence and performance rather than religious affiliation. It also called on religious leaders to use their influence to promote peace and tolerance. Similarly, PFN President, Bishop Wale Oke, urged politicians to avoid religious and ethnic considerations when choosing leaders. He said Nigeria’s status as a multi-religious country required balance and equal treatment of citizens. Oke also condemned violence committed in the name of religion, describing acts such as kidnapping, killings and attacks on schools as criminal regardless of the perpetrators’ faith. He called on the government to take decisive action against religious extremists. Former Kano State governor and Vice Presidential Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Rabiu Kwankwaso, also condemned Jingir’s comments. He said the people of Kano did not support the remarks and urged political and religious leaders to promote unity and reconciliation. Former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, equally criticised the cleric’s comments and urged him to apologise to Christians. He warned that divisive religious rhetoric could have political consequences for the APC ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Fani-Kayode also called on the DSS to invite and caution Jingir, arguing that inflammatory statements should not be allowed to worsen religious tensions. Meanwhile, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, called on Nigerians to put aside religious, ethnic and political differences and work together to address insecurity and other challenges facing the country. Idris said Nigeria’s diversity should be a source of cooperation rather than division, warning that allowing religious differences to interfere with efforts to tackle insecurity could further worsen the situation. The reactions come amid growing political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections and renewed concerns over the use of religious rhetoric in political mobilisation.

Ten police officers and two civilians were killed during a gun battle between security forces and suspected bandits in Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State. The incident occurred around 9:25am on Monday along the Rafin Makuku axis, where security personnel intercepted the armed group reportedly moving between Zamfara and Kebbi states. The Kebbi State Police Command said at least 17 suspected bandits were neutralised during the encounter, while four motorcycles belonging to the attackers were also destroyed. The command’s spokesperson, Bashir Usman, said the casualty figure among the bandits was still being verified. He said the security forces suffered significant losses, with 10 police personnel killed and two others injured and receiving medical attention. Usman described the deceased officers as brave personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, adding that their contributions would not be forgotten. Two civilians were also killed during the confrontation, according to the police. The command said its immediate priorities were to support the families of the deceased officers, care for the injured and continue operations to track fleeing members of the bandit group. The Nigeria Police Force also confirmed the deaths of the 10 officers. Its Force Public Relations Officer, Ani Iniedu, said Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu described the incident as a painful loss to the Force and the country. The remains of the deceased officers were taken to Birnin Kebbi, while additional security personnel were deployed to the area to strengthen ongoing operations and pursue the fleeing suspects. The police said further details would be released as the situation continued to be assessed.