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Protesters Storm Streets In Kwara South, Lament Terrorists Takeover Of Yoruba Communities, Demand Action From Tinubu Govt
Residents of Kwara South under the aegis of the Kwara South Development Forum have staged a protest over what they described as incessant insecurity ravaging their communities, calling on President Bola Tinubu and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to act swiftly before the situation spirals further out of control.
The protesters accused armed groups, which they repeatedly described as terrorists, of taking over indigenous Yoruba communities in Kwara South, unleashing a wave of killings, kidnappings, and mass displacement of residents.
They warned that entire communities had been overrun, while local vigilante structures have been systematically dismantled.
Speaking during the protest, the Convener of the forum, Obashola Ayomide Ridwan, painted a grim picture of the security situation, alleging that informants have been aiding the attackers in targeting local defense leaders.
“Our local vigilante commanders were identified by informants, and the terrorists went after each of them and killed them one by one. After eliminating these commanders, they took over our communities, killing and kidnapping innocent people,” he said.
He added that the consequences had been devastating across the region, with families torn apart and social structures collapsing.
“Our mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers have been killed and kidnapped, while our schools have been shut down in Kwara South. We are demonstrating today to express our concerns to President Tinubu and Governor AbdulRazaq to empower the local vigilantes and other security agencies to end the kidnapping and killings in Kwara South,” Ridwan stated.
The group also urged traditional rulers across Kwara South to rise above divisions and collectively engage the presidency, stressing that urgent high-level intervention is needed to halt what they described as a “creeping occupation” of their land.
During the protest, emotions ran high as victims and residents shared personal accounts of loss and displacement.
A female protester, Adebisi Jimoh, recounted how her community, Babanla, has effectively been abandoned due to persistent attacks.
“Our community has become deserted. Our family members have been kidnapped, and we had to raise ransom to secure their release. Many of us have been chased out of our homes,” she said.
Another protester, Sodiq Amidu, who spoke through tears, narrated how two of his close associates were abducted and only released after paying heavy ransom.
He identified the victims as Abdullah Issa, who paid N10million, and Yusuf Ibrahim, who paid N5million before regaining freedom.
“They were lucky to come back alive. Many others are not that fortunate,” Amidu lamented.
Also speaking, a prominent activist in the region, Aleshinloye Saheed, alleged that the attackers were able to consolidate control after eliminating local resistance.
“Our brave vigilante commanders have been killed, and our people have become vulnerable. Communities in Kwara South have been deserted as a result,” he said.
He called for what he described as “concerted action” from both federal and state authorities.
“We are calling on President Bola Tinubu and Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to take decisive and coordinated action over the incessant insecurity in Kwara South,” Saheed added.
Another protester, identified as Ishola Kwara, appealed directly to traditional rulers and the state government, expressing deep frustration over what he described as a lack of adequate response.
The protesters maintained that without urgent intervention — including the empowerment and restructuring of local vigilante groups and stronger security presence — Kwara South risks further descent into lawlessness.
They vowed to continue peaceful demonstrations until concrete steps are taken to restore security, rebuild trust, and enable displaced residents to return to their ancestral homes.
Subscribers of MTN Nigeria have started receiving airtime credits from the telecom operator as compensation for poor quality of service experienced in January 2026.
The development became public after several users shared notifications on the social media platform X, showing that their lines had been credited with different amounts.
One of the messages sent to subscribers read: “Dear Customer, your account has been credited with N341 airtime for quality of service issues in January 2026. Thank you for your understanding.”
Findings indicate that the compensation varies across users. While some reported receiving over N300, others claimed they got smaller amounts such as N20 and N91, though these could not be independently verified.
As of the time of filing this report, it remains unclear whether all affected subscribers have received the airtime credit or if the process is still ongoing in phases.
The move follows increased regulatory pressure on telecom operators to improve service delivery and address persistent complaints from subscribers across the country.
Industry observers believe the action is linked to directives from the Nigerian Communications Commission, which requires operators to meet minimum quality-of-service standards and, where necessary, compensate customers for service lapses.
MTN had earlier signalled its readiness to comply with such directives, while also committing to further investment in network infrastructure to improve service quality nationwide.
However, the company has yet to provide details on the total number of subscribers affected or the criteria used in determining the compensation amounts.
Telecom service delivery has remained a major concern in Nigeria, with many users frequently complaining about dropped calls, slow internet speeds and network outages.
Regulators have in recent years intensified oversight of telecom operators to ensure compliance with service benchmarks and consumer protection guidelines.
Compensation measures such as airtime credits are part of broader efforts to rebuild trust among subscribers and enforce accountability within the sector.
Analysts say while the current compensation may offer temporary relief to affected users, long-term improvement in service quality will depend largely on sustained investment in infrastructure and efficient network management.
Confusion in parts of Edo State on Friday after a campaign event organised by the Deputy Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Osamwonyi Atu, was disrupted by protesting youths in Orhionmwon East Constituency.
The lawmaker had arrived in Abudu, the administrative headquarters of Orhionmwon Local Government Area, to formally kick off his re-election campaign when the situation took an unexpected turn.
Hundreds of youths stormed major roads in the town, effectively halting the planned rally and creating a tense atmosphere.
The protesters, who identified themselves as Concerned Orhionmwon East Youths, openly rejected Atu’s campaign, accusing him of failing to deliver on key promises made during the 2023 elections.
Chanting slogans and wielding placards, they expressed deep frustration over what they described as years of neglect.
Among their grievances was the persistent lack of electricity in the area, which they claimed has lingered for over 15 years.
They also decried the state of an abandoned comprehensive school project, describing it as a symbol of unfulfilled commitments to the community.
The demonstration disrupted movement across parts of Abudu, as protesters occupied strategic locations, forcing residents to either stay indoors or seek alternative routes. Security presence was reportedly reinforced to prevent the situation from escalating into violence.
Responding to the incident, Atu dismissed the allegations raised by the youths, attributing the unrest to opposition against the Assembly’s recent anti-cultism legislation. He maintained that the law was necessary and would remain in force.
“Those protesting are pained by the anti-cultism law. The law has come to stay,” he said.
Also reacting, the Coordinator of the Osamwonyi Atu Campaign Organisation, Martins Ozakpolor, alleged that the protest was politically orchestrated. According to him, a rival aspirant sponsored the disruption in a bid to discredit the Deputy Speaker ahead of the elections.
Ozakpolor further defended Atu’s performance, insisting that the lawmaker had delivered tangible projects in the constituency. He specifically cited the construction of a comprehensive school, countering claims by the protesters that the project was abandoned.
Despite the disruption, the campaign team said the visit recorded some level of success. They noted that Atu was received by members of the Abudu Elders Council, who offered prayers in support of his re-election bid.
The incident underscores growing political tension in the constituency as the next election cycle approaches, with competing narratives emerging over performance, accountability, and grassroots support.
The Obidient Movement has called on the Supreme Court not foot drag on the African Democratic Congress ADC matter before it.
This was contained in a statement issued and signed by Dr Yunusa Tanko. National Coordinator of the Movement stating that:
“The Obidient Movement like to make passionate appeal to the Supreme Court of Nigeria for a Swift Judicial Resolution of Opposition cases before it.
“The Movement wants to remind the apex court that justice delayed in this matter is effectively democracy denied.
” The current leadership vacuum in the main opposition coalition has left thousands of party faithful in a state of flux and risks disenfranchising a significant portion of the electorate who look toward the ADC and its coalition partners as a credible alternative for national governance.
”The apex court is the last refinery of justice, at a time when the political landscape requires absolute clarity, any prolonged delay in pronouncing a final verdict on the ADC leadership crisis provides room for mischief, fuels factionalism, and undermines the preparations for a robust multi-party contest in the coming elections”
“The Obidient Movement notes that the legal battle between the contending factions is no longer a mere internal affair as it has become a matter of national interest which the apex court should be conscious of in its decisions.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the voting public require a settled leadership to engage with, particularly as primary windows and coalition negotiations begin to take shape.
“We therefore like to make an urgent call to the Supreme Court requesting an expedited and definitive ruling on the leadership dispute currently paralysing the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
“As the 2027 electoral cycle approaches, the continued ambiguity surrounding the party’s executive structure—following the court’s decision to reserve judgment on April 22—threatens not only the internal stability of the ADC but the broader viability of opposition consolidation in Nigeria.
“A swift and clear pronouncement from the Supreme Court will stabilise the political atmosphere and allow the ADC and the wider opposition movement to focus on the essential task of nation-building.
“We remain confident in the wisdom of the apex court and trust that the judiciary will remain the steadfast guardian of our democratic process.
MTN finally begins airtime compensation over poor service rendered in January
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