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The Osun State Police Command has confirmed the release of the state Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Moyowa Adejoorin, who was arrested in connection with a shooting incident at an All Progressives Congress, APC, rally in Ilesa.

The incident occurred on Saturday and reportedly left four people injured, including a teenager identified as Tobi Ilesanmi.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said Adejoorin was taken into custody after police officers arrived at the scene, secured the area and began collecting evidence.

According to Ojelabi, the commissioner’s vehicle was stopped at the location, where an Amotekun operative allegedly linked to the shooting was also found.

“Immediately the incident was reported, our personnel moved to the scene and cordoned off the area before some exhibits were recovered, which included expended cartridges and Amotekun personnel caps.

“Also, Mr Adejoorin was arrested at the scene and taken to the command for questioning as part of the investigation process,” Ojelabi said.

The development came amid heightened attention to the incident after a video circulated on social media on Sunday showing Adejoorin leaving the police command.

Confirming the development, Ojelabi told Vanguard that the commissioner had been released on bail but said he was still awaiting clarification on the status of the Amotekun operative who was arrested alongside him.

“It is true that the commissioner has been released on bail today, but I am yet to clear the situation with the Amotekun personnel arrested with him,” he said.

Police investigations into the circumstances surrounding the shooting are ongoing.

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The Majority Leader of the Benue State House of Assembly, Thomas Dugeri, has left the All Progressives Congress (APC) and joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Dugeri, who represents Kwande West State Constituency, was formally received into the PDP by former Benue State Governor and party leader, Samuel Ortom, in Abuja.

The presentation was made at Ortom’s residence during Dugeri’s first meeting with the former governor since announcing his defection.

The lawmaker was presented to Ortom by the deputy chairman of the PDP in Benue State, Adzua Ashongo.

Dugeri expressed appreciation to Ortom and other PDP leaders for the welcome given to him and his supporters since they joined the party.

He also thanked party members in Kwande and other parts of Benue for accepting him, describing the reception as encouraging.

“I remain committed to the PDP and will work with other party leaders and members to strengthen the party ahead of the 2027 elections,” he said.

He said his move was based on his decision to work with the PDP and other stakeholders to achieve the party’s objectives in the next election.

Receiving the lawmaker, Ortom welcomed Dugeri and his supporters into the PDP, assuring them that the party would provide equal opportunities to both new and existing members.

Ortom described the PDP as a broad political family where every member has a role to play in building the party.

The former governor urged Dugeri and other members to work together to strengthen the PDP and support its efforts to regain power in Benue State in 2027.

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The Federal Ministry of Works has launched the Coastal Highway Guards, a dedicated security and monitoring team established to protect critical infrastructure along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.

The initiative was formally launched on Sunday by the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, with the initial deployment of 40 officers tasked with maintaining a visible presence along the highway and supporting existing security agencies.

The guards are expected to monitor activities along the highway, identify and report suspicious movements, prevent vandalism and help safeguard the infrastructure against activities that could undermine its safety, functionality and longevity.

According to the Federal Ministry of Works, the officers will work closely with relevant security agencies to ensure effective surveillance of the highway.

Their responsibilities will include reporting suspected acts of vandalism and other security threats, while helping to prevent activities considered detrimental to the smooth use of the road.

The guards will also enforce restrictions against hawking, loitering and the use of commercial motorcycles, popularly known as Okada, as well as tricycles, or Keke, on the highway.

The ministry said the measures are intended to maintain order, protect road users and prevent avoidable damage or obstruction along the strategic infrastructure corridor.

Retired General to lead Coastal Highway Guards

The newly established team will be led by retired General Adekunle Shodunke.

The guards will operate in conjunction with relevant security and law-enforcement agencies, with the aim of creating a coordinated system for monitoring the highway and responding to emerging security concerns.

The deployment is expected to provide a stronger security presence along sections of the coastal road while also supporting efforts to preserve government infrastructure.

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Speaking at the launch, Minister of Works David Umahi clarified that the initiative was not designed as an empowerment programme.

According to him, the Coastal Highway Guards are being engaged as full-time employees specifically to protect national assets and critical infrastructure.

Umahi said the initiative reflects the Federal Government’s determination to ensure that massive investments in road infrastructure are properly protected from vandalism, misuse and other threats.

He linked the programme to the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stressing the importance of safeguarding infrastructure being developed with public resources.

The minister’s position comes amid growing concerns over the security of major infrastructure projects across the country, particularly roads and other public assets that can be exposed to vandalism and unauthorised activities.

The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is one of the Federal Government’s flagship infrastructure projects.

The highway is designed to stretch through several coastal states, providing a major transportation corridor along Nigeria’s coastline.

The project is expected to improve connectivity between communities and states along the coastal belt while supporting trade, tourism, investment and other economic activities.

The Federal Government has repeatedly described the highway as strategically important to Nigeria’s long-term transportation and economic development plans.

The introduction of the Coastal Highway Guards is therefore expected to complement construction and maintenance efforts by providing dedicated monitoring and protection for the road infrastructure.

With construction and related development activities continuing along the coastal corridor, authorities are expected to maintain close coordination between the highway guards and conventional security agencies.

The government is also expected to continue monitoring activities along the route to ensure that the highway remains safe and accessible to authorised road users.

The Federal Ministry of Works said the initiative forms part of broader efforts to protect critical national infrastructure and ensure that public investments deliver their intended benefits to Nigerians.