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Peter Obi has named former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso as his running mate after emerging as the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate for the next general election.

Peter Obi has announced former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso as his running mate after securing the presidential ticket of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) ahead of next year’s general elections. Obi made the announcement on Saturday shortly after his official confirmation as the party’s presidential candidate.

The NDC had earlier declared Obi as its standard-bearer for the forthcoming polls, marking a significant development in the country’s political landscape. The presidential candidate said Kwankwaso would join him on the ticket as they seek to build a broad-based coalition capable of challenging for power at the national level.

Obi and Kwankwaso recently left the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing internal divisions and ongoing court cases within the party. Their move to the NDC has reshaped the party’s political fortunes, with both leaders expected to play central roles in its campaign preparations ahead of the election.

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A prominent Islamic cleric, Alfa Iliasu, has been killed following a violent attack by suspected Fulani assailants at his residence in Ilesha-Baruba, Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The attack, which occurred earlier on Saturday, has thrown the community into mourning as residents gathered in large numbers to grieve the cleric’s death and demand justice.

According to information obtained, the attackers stormed Alfa Iliasu’s residence and allegedly struck him on the head with a cutlass, inflicting severe injuries.

Sources revealed that the cleric was immediately rushed to a hospital for emergency treatment. However, he reportedly died before medical personnel could attend to him due to the severity of the injuries sustained during the attack.

A video obtained showed emotional scenes in the aftermath of the incident.

In the footage, residents of Ilesha-Baruba were seen mourning the slain cleric while crowds trooped out in large numbers across the community.

The video also captured the moment one of the suspects allegedly linked to the attack was lynched by an angry mob in front of a police station.

Residents were seen dragging the suspect’s lifeless body as tensions escalated following news of Alfa Iliasu’s death.

Community sources said three suspects were involved in the attack.

“One of the suspects was killed at the scene by angry residents, another was arrested and taken to the police station, while the third suspect managed to escape and his whereabouts remain unknown,” a source familiar with the incident said.

Alfa Iliasu was widely known across Baruten and neighbouring communities for his reputation as an Islamic cleric with the ability to identify individuals allegedly involved in witchcraft activities.

His work and influence made him a well-known figure throughout the region and often brought him into public attention.

His death has sparked outrage among residents, many of whom described him as a respected religious leader and community figure.

Sources confirmed that the remains of the late cleric were being laid to rest at the Ilesha-Baruba Muslim Cemetery in accordance with Islamic traditions.

Authorities have yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident, while efforts are reportedly ongoing to track down the fleeing suspect and investigate the circumstances surrounding the deadly attack.

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A 67-year-old Seriki Fulani and leader of the Fulani community in Ijebu Ode, Abdullai Muhammadu, has been linked to a kidnapping investigation after police reportedly recovered a bag used for ransom delivery from his kitchen in Ogun State.

The suspect was arrested alongside one of his sons by operatives of the Ogun State Police Command during an ongoing investigation into a series of kidnappings across Ijebu Ode and nearby communities, including Imodi, Irewon, Iwode and Okun Owa.

According to police sources, intelligence-led operations by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, headed by SP Bamidele Shittu, traced several kidnapping incidents to the suspect’s family, particularly his son, Bala Muhammadu, who was recently released from prison after serving a five-year sentence for kidnapping.

The source disclosed that the situation worsened after Bala allegedly returned to criminal activities following his release, with some of his brothers also suspected to be involved. However, the suspects reportedly escaped through nearby bush paths after receiving information about the arrival of security operatives.

One of the major discoveries during the investigation was a bag allegedly used in the delivery of ransom payments, which was recovered from the Seriki’s kitchen, raising further suspicion around the household.

Despite the allegations, Abdullai Muhammadu denied any involvement in criminal activities, insisting that he knew nothing about the bag and had no connection to his son’s actions. He stated that he had lived in Yorubaland for more than 30 years, raising children from his four wives while engaging in cattle rearing and farming.

He acknowledged being aware of Bala’s previous conviction and said he had tried to help him after his release by taking him for medical treatment because he believed he had changed.

“I know my son was once involved in kidnapping and was jailed. I took him to the hospital when he came out because he was sick and I believed he had changed,” he said, while denying knowledge of any ongoing criminal activity.

An elder son, Bello Muhammadu, who was also arrested, denied involvement in kidnapping, saying he was on the farm when police arrived at their residence.

Meanwhile, the Ogun State Police Command confirmed the operation, describing it as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle kidnapping networks operating in the state.

Police spokesperson Oluseyi Babaseyi said the success of the operation was achieved through intelligence-led policing and the support of the Inspector General of Police and the Ogun State Commissioner of Police.

He added that investigations were continuing to apprehend other fleeing suspects and ensure the complete dismantling of the criminal network.

The command assured residents of its commitment to ridding the state of kidnappers and urged members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with timely and useful intelligence.