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Drama ensued at the premises of an Osun State High Court sitting in Ede on Monday as operatives of the Nigeria Police Force arrested a traditional ruler in the state, the Elegbedi of Egbedi, Oba Muideen Azeez.

Before the arrest, the monarch had appeared before Justice Kudirat Akano on charges bordering on arson.

The royal father appeared before the court alongside Akeeb Azeez Abioye, Yisa Surajudeen Akolapo, Rasidi Ayandiran and Sarafadeen Abioye.

The defendants were alleged to have, among other offences, on September 3, 2019, at a farm in Iloba within the Ede Judicial Division, while armed with firearms and offensive weapons, robbed Wasilatu Akinola and other women processing palm oil with her of about 70 kegs of palm oil, palm kernel, palm fruits, goats and other domestic animals valued at about N10m.

During Monday’s proceedings, defence counsel, M. Atobatele, called four witnesses, including three police operatives and the palace secretary.

While being led in examination-in-chief, one of the police operatives, Assistant Superintendent of Police Akindosu Olusoji, who said he served at the Ido-Osun Police Division between 2019 and 2021, told the court that it was the monarch who had called to complain that someone destroyed his farm, adding that the alleged perpetrators were arrested.

“I and one other officer visited the area in Egbedi. At the farm, I met a pastor and some other labourers using chemicals in a spraying machine to spray the maize crops on the farm and I asked who he was and he said he was the owner of the farm.

“I asked why he was destroying it if he was the owner. So, I got him and the labourers arrested. I obtained their statements and they were detained, and I continued with the investigation. I never arrested any of the defendants. They were the ones who came to complain,” he told the court.

Justice Akano, in her ruling, adjourned the matter till June 17 for continuation of hearing.

But shortly after the session, police operatives arrested the royal father within the court premises and whisked him away.

When contacted for clarification on the incident, the Osun State Police Command spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the arrest, saying the operatives executed a court order and remand warrant.

Ojelabi said, “The officers acted strictly based on a court order. There was an arrest and remand warrant issued by a court.

“He was arrested and remanded in the Ile-Ife Correctional Centre based on a court order.

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One casualty has been rushed to the hospital after a loaded 20ft container truck lost control of its brakes and eventually fell onto a mini yellow bus.

The Lagos State Transport Management Agency (LASTMA) revealed that the incident occurred at Second Rainbow, inward Oshodi, on the service lane by the police tactical team station in Lagos.

The incident also affected some roadside shops.

Men of the Nigeria Police Force are present to document the accident, while our LASTMA officials are well-positioned to manage traffic.

Two vehicles have been contacted to ensure prompt evacuation while traffic is still moving.

In February, two people were killed after a collision involving two fully laden 40-foot container trucks along the Cele inward section of the Oshodi–Apapa Expressway in Lagos, authorities said.

LASTMA confirmed that one of the truck drivers and a suspected miscreant lost their lives in the crash, which occurred around Mile 2 on the busy freight route.

According to LASTMA, the driver of one of the trucks (registration number T-392 LA) was trapped inside the cabin following the impact and was later confirmed dead.

The second victim, described as a suspected miscreant, was found beneath one of the trucks during recovery operations, though officials said the circumstances of his presence at the scene were not immediately clear.

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Bandits have launched a coordinated midnight assault on Yashikira in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, targeting both a police divisional headquarters and the palace of the Emir, which was partially razed.

The attack left residents in panic and shook the traditional institution.

The incident reportedly occurred around 2:00am on Monday.

The attackers stormed the community in large numbers, striking simultaneously at the Yashikira Police Divisional Headquarters and the Emir of Yashikira Palace.

Eyewitnesses said the assailants operated for several minutes under heavy gunfire, forcing residents to flee into surrounding bushes for safety as sporadic gunshots echoed across the community.

During the raid, about 10 persons were abducted and taken to an unknown destination by the armed group.

However, the Emir of Yashikira reportedly escaped the attack unharmed despite confusion within the palace during the invasion.

The attack has heightened fears in Baruten Local Government Area, a border community that has repeatedly come under attacks from armed groups exploiting its difficult terrain and proximity to inter-state routes.

Local authorities confirmed that some women and children were among those abducted, although the exact number of victims was yet to be confirmed as of press time.

Speaking on the incident, the Chairman of Baruten Local Government Area, Issa Jubril, confirmed that the monarch escaped during the attack.

He also confirmed that some women and children from the palace were abducted, although he said he could not immediately provide the exact number and identities of the victims.

According to him, the Emir is safe and calm has gradually returned to the community following efforts to alert relevant security agencies.

Confirming the attack, the Kwara State Police Command said suspected bandits carried out the operation in a coordinated manner during the early hours of Monday.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, had ordered a full-scale intelligence-driven operation involving police tactical teams, military personnel, forest guards, and vigilante groups.

She said the operation was aimed at rescuing the abducted victims and tracking down the attackers.

The command also assured residents that security deployment had been reinforced across vulnerable communities in the state.

Ejire-Adeyemi added that surveillance and bush-combing operations were ongoing to prevent further attacks and ensure the safe return of the abducted victims.