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Chief Imam drags Soun of Ogbomoso, Council to court over alleged plan to sack him

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The Chief Imam of Ogbomoso, Taliat Yunus Olusina Ayilara has dragged the Soun of Ogbomoso land, Oba Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye and the Soun In- Council to court over plans to remove him from the office.

The suit marked HOG/7/2024 is to be decided at the Oyo State High Court, Ogbomoso Division.

The Chief Imam was installed in November 2021 during the reign of the immediate past Soun of Ogbomoso land, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi while the new Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye was installed by the kingmakers led by the Are Ago of Ogbomoso, High Chief Sobalaje Otolorin in September 2023.

The Imam had claimed that the defendants threatened to remove him as the Grand Chief Imam of Ogbomoso.

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Ayilara, who is the 13th Chief Imam of Ogbomoso land in the affidavit in support of the motion on notice sworn to at the High Court Registry, Ogbomoso, on February 12, said he was appointed by the Surah committee of the Muslim Community in Ogbomoso land.

In the documents obtained by DAILY POST on Saturday, Ayilara insisted that the defendants were appointed to rule under the laws and customs of Ogbomoso to the traditional titles they hold and have no power to remove him from office.

He added that the Central Mosque in Ogbomoso land and other mosques and the administration of the mosques is the responsibility of the Muslim community, headed by the Chief Imam.

The Chief Imam maintained that the appointment of Imams anywhere in the world is regulated by Islamic rules, adding that the right to appoint a Grand Chief Imam of Ogbomoso land is the prerogative of Muslims in the Ogbomoso community and the appointment is done in accordance with Islamic rules.

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He said the Grand Chief Imam of Ogbomoso land is not a chieftaincy or traditional title and as such, is not subject to the control or supervision of the traditional council.

He then urged the court to stop the defendants from removing him from the office.

Ayilara said, “I say that the central mosque in Ogbomoso land and other mosques and the administration of the mosques is bestowed on the Muslim community headed by Imam, Chief Imam or Grand Chief Imam which I am one. I know that the appointment of an Imam anywhere in the world is regulated by Islamic rules and tenets as it is not a chieftaincy or hereditary title.

“I also say that the right to appoint Grand Chief Imam of Ogbomoso land is the prerogative of Muslims in the Ogbomoso community and the appointment is done under Islamic rules. I know that based on settled Islamic rules, the Imam is appointed by the entire Muslim members of the community through a committee called the Surah Committee.

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The Surah Committee is a screening committee constituted by Muslim elders/leaders in the Muslim community to make decisions on Muslim affairs which include the appointment of Imams.

“Following the demise of the immediate past Grand Imam of Ogbomoso land, Sheikh Al Aman Yekeen Adegboyega Asafa, sometime in October 2021, the need to appoint a new Grand Chief Imam for Ogbomoso land arose and I was considered suitable for the position of Chief Grand Imam of Ogbomoso land after a screening exercise conducted by Surah Committee led by Alhaji Alimi Surajudeen, the Parakoyi Adini of Ogbomoso land.

“I was appointed the Grand Chief Imam of Ogbomoso land in November 2021 and since then, I have been discharging my responsibilities as Grand Chief Imam under Islamic rules and tenets. However, the defendants, particularly the 1″ Defendant who is a Christian, sometime in January 2024, a few months after his installation as the new paramount ruler of Ogbomoso land, threatened to remove me as the Grand Chief Imam of Ogbomoso land.

“That the threat of my removal became more pronounced when 1 approached the Honourable Court to restrain the Inspector General of Police and the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State from removing or suspending me as the Grand Chief Imam of Ogbomoso land and an interim order was granted to that effect”.

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SAD! Varsity final year student takes own life in Ondo

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A 28-year-old final year student of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo (RUGIPO), Precious Arobo, has reportedly taken his own life in Ondo.

Arobo, a Higher National Diploma (HND) II student, was found dead in a bush near his residence by local residents. Sources said he allegedly left behind a suicide note before hanging himself, although the exact circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear.

According to sources, the suicide note hinted at emotional distress believed to be related to a troubled relationship.

It was gathered that his grieving parents have since buried him, with friends and colleagues describing him as a kind and well-loved individual.

“He has been buried, and the parents were heartbroken over his death,” a source told The Nation.

Confirming the incident, the Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ayanlade Olayinka, said the command has commenced an investigation and assured that the true cause of the suicide will be uncovered.

This tragic case came less than a year after a similar incident involving a female student of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA), Modupe Ayandare, who also reportedly died by suicide after a church vigil.

Like Arobo, she was said to have left a suicide note before taking her life in an uncompleted building near the church.

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Troops raids kidnappers’ den in Ilorin, arrests 8 rescues 2 victims

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The Nigerian Army said on Sunday that troops of the 22 Armoured Brigade, deployed at Forward Operating Base (FOB), Patigi, successfully raided a notorious kidnappers’ den in Ilorin, Kwara State, arrested eight suspected kidnappers, and rescued two kidnap victims.

According to the Army, the coordinated raid on the suspected kidnappers’ enclave was part of sustained efforts to rid Kwara State of criminal elements and ensure public safety.

It stated:

“Acting on credible intelligence, troops of the 22 Armoured Brigade launched a tactical operation on Saturday, 21 June 2025, targeting a hideout on the outskirts of Latandaji Village in Patigi Local Government Area.

“During the operation, the troops encountered mild resistance but swiftly overpowered the criminals with superior firepower.

“The raid resulted in the rescue of two kidnap victims, identified as Mr Amos Moses and Mr Philip Michael, and the arrest of eight suspected kidnappers.”

“However, one individual, Mr. Mohammed Mohammed, sustained gunshot wounds during the exchange of fire and was promptly evacuated to Bachita Teaching Hospital for medical attention.

“A further search of the area led to the recovery of two motorcycles and two expended cartridge shells, believed to have been used by the suspects.

“All arrested individuals are currently in military custody undergoing preliminary investigation and will be handed over to the appropriate authorities for prosecution.

“This operation underscores the Nigerian Army’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the country.

“Members of the public are encouraged to continue providing timely and actionable intelligence to security agencies, as we collectively work to dismantle criminal networks.

“The Nigerian Army remains resolute in its mission to protect communities and restore lasting peace in all areas of deployment.”

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Police nab five over theft of NSCDC rifles

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The Bayelsa State Command of the Nigeria Police Force has arrested five persons allegedly linked to two missing rifles belonging to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps.

Operatives of Operation Puff Adder, a tactical team of the command, recovered the two rifles stolen from NSCDC officers who were on guard duty at the Airtel Office in Yenagoa.

Those arrested are Tijani Nuhu (23) from Kaduna State, Bello Mohammed (27) from Zanfara State, Ebi Collins (26) and Godspower James (37) both from Bayelsa State, and Happy Friday (25) from Edo State.

The state Commissioner of Police, Francis Idu, gave the marching orders to the operatives of Operation Puff Adder to search and ensure the recovery of the riffles, Sunday PUNCH learnt.

Police investigations showed that Nuhu stole the rifles, hid them in a dustbin at Yenezue-Epie in Yenagoa and contacted Friday to search for buyer.

However, Friday went behind and stole the rifles from where they were kept and he “later contacted one Ernest Lagos, alias Five Stars, who is based in Lagos for the sale of the rifles.”

Unknown to them, operatives of Operation Puff Adder had mounted a search and reactivated intelligence gathering within the state capital, leading to some arrests.

Vigilante groups contacted over the search got wind of the alleged attempts by Nuhu and others to sell the rifles for the sum of N40,000 and N200,000 to some persons.

The state Police Commissioner, Francis Idu, confirmed the development on Friday.

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