in Nigeria’s north yielded positive results, proved that it can be cultivated commercially in the country, and identified more than 400,000 hectares of land suitable for barley cultivation.
This was disclosed by the country’s largest manufacturer of beverages, Nigerian Breweries Plc, during its Maltina Barley Field Day programme held Friday 6 March 2026 at Ringim in Jigawa State.
According to the company, more than 1,000 smallholder farmers grew barley under its Maltina Barley Programme during this season and produced a yield of a little more than 1,000 metric tons.
Managing Director/CEO of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Thibaut Boidin, said the company’s ambition is to develop a barley value chain firmly rooted in Nigeria and aiming to support about 20,000 farmers by year 2030.
Boidin pointed out that Jigawa State showed promising potential for barley cultivation, with encouraging results also recorded in Bauchi, Plateau, Kano and Yobe states.
Research conducted in cooperation with the Lake Chad Research Institute and Secobra Research, led to the registration of 3 high-yield barley varieties named Traveler, Explorer, and Prunella, in year 2024.
Currently, Nigeria’s brewing companies import about 200,000 tons malted barley yearly, which translates to more than $150 million forex loss every year.
The Federal Government of Nigeria recently approved tax incentives for manufacturers that use local raw materials, inclusive of provisions for reduction in corporate tax for companies that deepen use of domestic inputs.
God1000: Four of six U.S. crew members have been confirmed dead after their military refueling plane crashed in Iraq on Thursday while taking part in Iran war operations, the U.S. military has said.
Central Command said in a post on X early Friday that the KC-135 plane went down at approximately 2 p.m. ET in western Iraq, with four crew members confirmed dead. The statement didn't note the status of the other two crew members but said that "rescue efforts continue."
"The circumstances of the incident are under investigation. However, the loss of the aircraft was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire," CENTCOM said.
It said earlier that two aircraft were involved in the incident and that one landed safely.
DiamondsAreFore: About 40 percent of university lecturers now sleep in their offices due to the country’s worsening housing crisis, Timothy Nubi, professor of estate management and sustainable housing advocate, has said.
Nubi disclosed this on Wednesday at the Film Screening and Conversation on Solidarity and Movement Building to Advocate for Inclusive Housing for the Urban Poor, held at the University of Lagos (UNILAG).
The event was organised by the Heinrich Boll Foundation, in collaboration with the Centre for Housing and Sustainable Development (CHSD), the African Cities Research Consortium (ACRC) and Rethinking Cities.
Speaking during the session, Nubi said the rising cost of accommodation around major urban centres, particularly Lagos, has pushed many academics into desperate living conditions.
“I stand here to tell you today that almost 40 per cent of lecturers in universities sleep in their offices,” he said.
“They sleep in their offices. You see them taking baths around the faculty every morning. That is the state of the country.”
The professor explained that the situation reflects the growing pressure the housing crisis is placing on Nigerians who traditionally belonged to the middle class.
According to him, the cost of renting even modest accommodation around the University of Lagos has risen beyond what many academics can reasonably afford.
Nubi cited a recent case in which a two-bedroom apartment around the Akoka area was rented for N3.5 million per year, noting that such prices are far beyond the reach of many professors.
“No professor will conveniently afford to pay N3.5 million for accommodation. That is about seven months of salary,” he said.
The don added that the challenge is not limited to lecturers but reflects a broader national housing crisis affecting millions of Nigerians.
Nigeria’s housing deficit, he noted, has grown dramatically over the decades. While the shortfall was estimated at about five million housing units years ago, it is now believed to be between 17 million and 22 million units.
“Instead of the problem reducing, the problem keeps increasing,” he said.
He explained that the Centre for Housing and Sustainable Development, was created partly to address this gap by producing empirical research to guide housing policy and build capacity among policymakers.
Beyond Nigeria, Nubi said history shows that societies that fail to address housing inequality risk social instability. He cited the Great Fire of London in the early 17th century, which led to the Poor Relief Act, a system where property owners contributed funds to support housing for low-income residents.
He said the policy later evolved into public housing schemes and mixed-income communities designed to ensure that the poor were not segregated from the rest of society.
“In some countries today, when developers build housing estates, they are required to allocate a percentage of the units for teachers, drivers and other workers who cannot afford market rents,” he said. “That is how mixed communities are built.”
Nubi stressed that inclusive housing policies remain essential for social stability, warning that neglecting the housing needs of low-income residents could have far-reaching consequences.
He called for stronger collaboration among researchers, policymakers and civil society groups to develop practical solutions to Nigeria’s housing crisis.
Civil society organisations and housing rights activists at the event also criticised the forceful evictions and demolition of homes in several Nigerian cities, citing recent incidents in the Makoko and Oworonshoki communities in Lagos State as examples of actions that have worsened housing insecurity for low-income residents.
Buhle Booi, a South African housing activist, highlighted the creative advocacy strategies adopted by the “Reclaim the City” movement in Cape Town. He explained that the campaigns were designed to push for the recovery of public land for the development of affordable housing.
According to Booi, sustainable solutions to housing displacement require legislative backing and strategic engagement with government institutions, rather than reactive measures alone.
He also stressed the importance of transitional housing schemes to reduce the immediate impact of evictions, while underscoring the responsibility of the state to provide alternative accommodation for displaced residents.
Temilade Sesan of the African Cities Research Consortium (ACRC) examined Lagos’ housing challenges within a broader African context.
Sesan compared the Lagos situation with experiences from Cairo in Egypt and Nairobi in Kenya, outlining policies and approaches that have produced varying results.
She noted that Nairobi has made notable progress in recent years, particularly through the enactment of an Affordable Housing Act, which defines housing affordability using the minimum wage of domestic workers as a benchmark.
onyxo76: which osogbo has 18 hours supply ,maybe 3 or 4 years ago. no even try defend this one, cos na Osun state I dey and I know how power supply is around here
@Onyxo76 Thanks for the current update on the power supply in Osun State. Are you in Osogbo and how many hours on average do you get daily?
However, right BELOW in italics is what I typed based on the credible power supply in Osun which we all read here on NL just 2-3 years ago, and fortunately confirmed by you here.
Osun State (Osogbo and environs) too was reported to be receiving at least 18 hours of electricity daily some time ago.
Therefore, I wasn't passing off misleading information about the power situation in Osogbo back then (3 years ago). Omoku in Rivers State is an oil and gas-rich community so the town has CONSTANT power provided by the multinational oil company. Abia State too currently has 24/7 power as confirmed in posts online.
In rounding off, the non full payment since the year 2013 of the debt on gas supplies for power generation is currently responsible for the load shedding in some areas. The debt is now cumulatively N6 trillion so President Tinubu and his economic team will have to also find ways of paying that off this gas debt piling up since 2013 like his government was able to pay off other debts in a short time such as the over 1 billion USD owed to foreign airlines whose funds were trapped in Nigeria for many years due to the multiple exchange rates and speculations in the black markets.The FX rates are now stable, and the external reserves have shot to the highest levels in 10 years under Tinubu. Any wise government that wants reelection at Federal Government level would urgently find ways of paying off the gas debt since Nigeria is more of a gas-rich country. Nigeria has more gas deposits than crude oil. There's more money to be made from natural gas and bitumen reserves (bitumen in Ondo, Edo, Lagos, and Ogun States) than crude oil reserves which would soon run out in a few years in Nigeria.
Lagos State too is a coastal State (like Ondo, Delta, Akwa Ibom, etc), and Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu and his team can build newer power generation stations such as desalination power plants and wind energy-based power plants using wind turbines. Solar energy too would be an added advantage when combined as a wind-solar hybrid for use in the day time and at night (solar energy in the day and wind energy at night). Desalination power plants will remove salt from the Atlantic Ocean waters and provide potable water (drinking water) for Lagos State residents while also generating hydroelectricity from the ocean waters. ALL the urban wastes seen in videos and pictures online littering parts of Lagos State (and other Nigerian States) due to mass rural-urban migration from other States can be converted to Biogas for cooking and electricity. Even, Biogas is got from toilet soakaways and the so-called pit toilets to generate electricity and cooking gas in homes, farms, and prisons. This is NOT rocket science, and everybody (including the governments at all levels) MUST wake up and be more imaginative by investing in these electricity and mini-gas cooking sources from biogas.
alphonsojidebab: The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has inaugurated major electrification projects across several communities in the Badagry axis as part of efforts to improve power supply and boost economic activities in the border region.
The newly commissioned infrastructure includes three high-capacity tower crossings, rehabilitation of 33KV distribution lines along the Gbaji–Seme and Owode–Apa corridors, and the connection of 51 transformer substations designed to tackle long-standing electricity challenges affecting the communities. Eyes Of Lagos reports,
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, the governor—represented by the Deputy Governor, Kadri Obafemi Hamzat—said the project goes beyond providing electricity infrastructure.
According to him, the initiative is aimed at restoring confidence among residents and creating opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs in the area.
He explained that the project aligns with the administration’s development blueprint known as the THEMES+ Development Agenda, particularly the focus on improving energy access and strengthening infrastructure across the state.
Sanwo-Olu also highlighted the importance of the newly inaugurated Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission, stating that the board will help the state regulate and expand electricity supply more effectively.
The governor noted that improved electricity infrastructure will enable traders to extend their business hours, while artisans and small-scale manufacturers will be able to increase productivity.
He added that schools, hospitals, and households in the affected communities will also benefit from more stable power supply.
The governor described Badagry as a key economic gateway connecting Nigeria to the Republic of Benin and the wider West African region.
He said continued investment in infrastructure within the area is essential to support trade, commerce, and cross-border economic activities.
Sanwo-Olu congratulated residents of Gbaji, Seme, Owode, and Apa, urging them to protect the newly installed infrastructure from vandalism to ensure it serves the communities for many years.
The Chairman of the Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Energy and Mineral Resources, Sabur Akanbi Oluwa, described the project as a strong indication of the state government’s commitment to expanding reliable electricity access across Lagos.
According to him, improved power supply will stimulate economic activities, enhance security, and improve the overall quality of life for residents.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Biodun Ogunleye, explained that the electrification initiative was designed to address persistent electricity challenges in the affected communities.
He added that the new infrastructure will significantly increase power distribution capacity across the Gbaji–Seme and Owode–Apa corridors.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Mineral Resources, Abiola Olowu, also noted that the project demonstrates the government’s commitment to providing energy infrastructure that supports socio-economic development across the Badagry region and Lagos State as a whole.
It's a good move to electrify the border areas which are often neglected in many Nigerian States. Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has to be more imaginative and dynamic than he is doing with his team of Commissioners by taking advantage of the FACT that President 'Bola Tinubu is in charge of governance at the FG level and Lagos State is located on the coastline which is good for wind turbines and hydro-electricity.
However, Lagos State has to urgently invest in high capacity independent power generation using mixed energy sources from wind power to desalination power plants, etc, just like Lagos State had planned to do via the partnership with Enron when the then Governor 'Bola Ahmed Tinubu was in office back in the 2000s. The ormer President Olusegun Obasanjo insidious character scuttled that plan because Tinubu belonged to a different political party (AD instead of the so-called PDP) in addition to illegally withholding the monthly allocations due to Lagos State which the Supreme Court ruled was illegal.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has reduced the pump price of petrol at its retail outlets to N1,130 per litre in Lagos and N1,165 per litre in Abuja.
The new pricing reflects a N100 reduction from the previous N1,230 per litre in Lagos and a N95 decrease from N1,260 per litre in Abuja.
Checks showed that the revised price was being dispensed at several NNPC retail stations in Lagos, including outlets along Isheri Oshun Road, Apple Junction and Ago Palace Way.
Similarly, some stations operated by the national oil company in the Federal Capital Territory were selling petrol at N1,165 per litre, including outlets in Jabi, Lifecamp, Wuse Zone 5 and Wuse Zone 4.
The price adjustment follows a recent reduction in the ex-gantry price of petrol by the Dangote Refinery, which lowered its rate to N1,075 per litre amid easing global oil prices.
According to OilPrice.com, Brent crude prices recorded a sharp reversal on Tuesday, falling by nearly 27 per cent from the previous day’s high of $119 per barrel to about $87 per barrel.
Similarly, diesel is now priced at N1,430 per litre at the gantry, representing a N190 reduction from the earlier price of N1,620 per litre.
According to OilPrice.com, Brent crude prices recorded a sharp reversal on Tuesday, falling by nearly 27 per cent from the previous day’s high of $119 per barrel to about $87 per barrel.
Whoa! That was indeed a sharp drop from $119 to $87 on Tuesday this week... ALL based on purely speculative trading.
[quote author=fergie.001 post=138747813]LIST OF NINE SENATORS THAT DEFECT(ED) TO ADC
Nine Senators from across three political parties have notified the senate of their defection to the African Democratic Congress, ADC.
Senators Victor Umeh, Tony Nwoye and Ireti Kingibe moved from the Labour party to ADC.
Five others, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Binos Yaroe, Lawal Adamu Usman, Mohammed Ogoshi Onawo and Augustine Akobundu resigned from the PDP to ADC.
Enyinnaya Abaribe, who was the only APGA member in the Senate, also defected to ADC.
However, Senate has given Senator Abaribe one week to reconsider his defection because his explanation that he dumped APGA because he was sacked by the party is not justified, as it is not covered by the constitution. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19uxYm6yrd/[/quote]Mtcheew. Ireti Kingibe's movement to that other party has NO impact and she's definitely not returning because the FCT under the APC and Nyesom Wike alliance is now more pro-Abuja indigenes in terms of physical development.
Airspace restrictions and enhanced security measures will be in place in Windsor during the state visit of Nigeria's president.
King Charles will host Bola Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu at Windsor Castle on 18 and 19 March.
State visits are the highest level of diplomatic visit hosted by the monarch.
Thames Valley Police said the restrictions would include an extended airspace exclusion zone over the town alongside a large policing operation.
The castle is already subject to a permanent airspace restriction, but this will be extended on 18 March between 07:00 and 23:59 GMT.
Police warned that anyone breaching the restriction would "likely" be arrested.
Three police officers wearing hi-viz vests are pictured walking from behind. They are walking in the direction of Windsor Castle, which is visible in the background.
Thames Valley Police said "significant planning" had gone into the state visit
Search teams, armed units, mounted officers and roads policing officers will all be deployed as part of the operation.
Neighbourhood officers and Project Servator teams - which carry out unpredictable patrols designed to deter and detect criminal activity - will also be in the town engaging with the public.
Police said they would also make use of Windsor's extensive CCTV network and hostile vehicle mitigation barriers.
Ch Supt Adrian Hall, of the joint operations unit, said: "As a force, we have a vast amount of experience in policing royal events in Windsor and significant planning and preparation has gone into this event.
"We will ensure everyone attending the state visit, including dignitaries, spectators and members of the public, are kept safe to enjoy the historic occasion."
Several road closures and parking restrictions will be in place from 17 March, external, and officers warned there could be temporary disruption to roads in and around Windsor during the visit.
Some footways and pedestrian crossings in the town centre will also close periodically between 09:30 and 12:30 on 17 and 18 March for a ceremonial procession
Windsor Set For Airspace Curbs for Nigeria Visit - BBC
King Charles will welcome Nigerian President Bola Tinubu at Windsor Castle
Police said they would also make use of Windsor's extensive CCTV network and hostile vehicle mitigation barriers.
Ch Supt Adrian Hall, of the joint operations unit, said: "As a force, we have a vast amount of experience in policing royal events in Windsor and significant planning and preparation has gone into this event.
"We will ensure everyone attending the state visit, including dignitaries, spectators and members of the public, are kept safe to enjoy the historic occasion."
Several road closures and parking restrictions will be in place from 17 March, external, and officers warned there could be temporary disruption to roads in and around Windsor during the visit.
Some footways and pedestrian crossings in the town centre will also close periodically between 09:30 and 12:30 on 17 and 18 March for a ceremonial procession
UncleAyo: Electricity? Maybe It’s Time to “Japa” to Benin Republic
If traveling to countries like the UK, USA, or Canada is currently out of your reach, that’s understandable. But relocating to nearby African countries such as Benin Republic or Kenya may be a practical starting point.
Your future is at stake, and you should not allow a broken system to prevent you from achieving your full potential. One of the most damaging challenges facing many Nigerians today is unreliable electricity.
My Personal Experience
I am a software engineer currently working on an innovative software project. Under normal circumstances, building the MVP (Minimum Viable Product) should have taken about four months.
Unfortunately, here I am eight months later and still only about 50% done.
The reason is simple: electricity.
The solar setup I depend on broke down, and the constant power outages have made it extremely difficult to maintain productivity.
This is not even the first time electricity has affected my career.
Some years ago, I lost a high-paying US-based remote software engineering opportunity because I submitted the coding test after the deadline. The delay happened due to lack of electricity, combined with the economic chaos of the cashless policy period and the sudden increase in fuel prices.
That experience still hurts.
Every day I feel the frustration and regret of being in a country where something as basic as electricity can destroy opportunities and delay dreams.
Innovation Cannot Thrive Without Electricity
Right now, the world is experiencing a massive innovation race, driven by artificial intelligence and digital technology.
This moment will determine which countries dominate the global economy in the coming decades.
But the question is:
What is Nigeria doing to prepare for this future?
Do we truly have leaders who are thinking long-term and bold enough to finally solve the electricity problem once and for all?
The greatest gift any government can give its youth is reliable electricity.
Without electricity:
- innovation slows down - businesses struggle to survive - young talents lose opportunities - productivity collapses
Countries that understand this invest heavily in power infrastructure.
Look at India today and its progress in technology and digital innovation. It is not because Indians are naturally smarter than Nigerians. It is largely because they have systems that support productivity — especially reliable electricity.
Electricity Creates Wealth
Stable electricity does more than power machines.
It powers economic growth.
When electricity is constant:
- small businesses grow faster - startups can build products and compete globally - remote workers can serve international companies - manufacturing becomes cheaper - the middle class expands
Even a stay-at-home mother can build a valuable online or home-based business if she has reliable electricity and internet access.
Electricity is not just infrastructure.
Electricity is opportunity.
Considering Nearby Alternatives
For young Nigerians who depend on stable electricity for work — especially developers, digital creators, and remote workers — relocating temporarily or permanently to nearby African countries may be worth considering.
Countries like: - Benin Republic - Kenya
may provide more stable environments to work and build projects.
You do not necessarily need to move to Europe or America immediately.
Sometimes, a small relocation within Africa can create the stability needed to build something great.
Estimated Cost of Relocating
Nigeria → Benin Republic Travel from Lagos to Cotonou (the main city in Benin) is relatively cheap.
Road travel: ₦7,500 – ₦15,000 by bus or shared taxi
Executive buses: ₦70,000 – ₦95,000 depending on comfort level
Flight: about ₦150,000 – ₦220,000 for a one-hour flight
Travel time by road is usually 2–6 hours depending on border delays.
Also, Nigerians can enter Benin visa-free for up to 90 days due to ECOWAS agreements. Intertransport
Nigeria → Kenya Travel to Kenya is more expensive because it requires a flight.
Round-trip flights from Lagos to Nairobi typically cost about ₦946,000 – ₦1.1 million depending on season.
Some deals range roughly between ₦280,000 – ₦520,000 for economy flights when booked early.
Kenya travel authorization (ETA): about $51–$101.
Final Thought Nigeria is full of brilliant minds. But brilliance cannot shine in darkness. Until reliable electricity becomes a national priority, many young Nigerians will continue to struggle to compete in the global digital economy.
Sometimes the smartest decision is not waiting for the system to change. Sometimes the smartest decision is changing your environment so your potential can thrive.
Abia State is reported to have 24/7 electricity. Omoku in Rivers State also experiences constant electricity. Osun State (Osogbo and environs) too was reported to be receiving at least 18 hours of electricity daily some time ago. Those are some of the areas people can relocate to if they urgently need near-constant electricity.
The outages in Nigeria are localized and not general because some people report they have electricity in their areas while others say they don't with these ones talking about localized transformer problems in their local areas.
However, with the removal of electricity generation from the exclusive list since 2025 by the FG under Tinubu, ALL the Nigerian State Governors have been given the powers to build their own power stations and generate electricity. So, the excessive fixation by these trolls above and others on Adelabu (who was a brilliant Deputy-Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria) is totally uncalled for! Under Adelabu as well, the long-abandoned hydro-electricity and water irrigation Ikere Gorge Dam located in Oyo State is now receiving attention under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement approved by the Nigeria FG in 2026.
The former President Shehu Shagari started the Ikere Gorge Dam in 1981 to provide potable water to as far as Lagos State, provide irrigation for dry season farming, and hydro-electricity but the corrupt Military dictators of especially Ibrahim Babangida and Sani Abacha abandoned that hydro dam and the new turbines brought from Germany got damaged over the decades. Even the former President OBJ who claims he hails from Yorubaland could NOT do anything about that abandoned Ikere Gorge Dam project for the benefit of Nigeria in his 8 years of being the President which is shameful of him! The State Governors have to sit up and ensure an increase in the use of MIXED energies sources in their States from hydroelectricity, solar, wind, etc.
The Tinubu Presidency has taken the bull by the horns to finish that Ikere Gorge Dam under the PPP route. Credit MUST be given to them if that project gets completed in record time.
ogugwa1992: Olumide Kola-Lawal (OKL), an aspirant for the Lagos Central Senatorial seat, has launched a major youth empowerment initiative that will provide free enrolment and 100 percent scholarships to 1,000 young people across the district for internationally relevant Information Technology and Vocational (ITV) courses.
The initiative was announced on March 11 during a Ramadan lecture themed “Ramadan and the Role of Youths in Building a Moral and United Society,” organized by the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Surulere branch, at the Senator Oluremi Tinubu Hall.
Speaking as the special guest of the event, Kola-Lawal used the platform to outline what he described as a new model of politics centered on opportunity creation, innovation, and people-driven solutions.
“My priority is connecting the grassroots to global opportunities for young people and entrepreneurs,” he said. “I remain confident that bold, people-centered ideas can still drive meaningful change.” Building Pathways from Lagos to the Global Economy
The scholarship scheme, which represents the first phase of a broader youth development strategy, will train participants in high-demand digital skills in partnership with the London Til Career Institute, an international career and professional development institution focused on career acceleration, innovation, and smart school technology.
Participants will receive training and certification in areas such as: • Software development • UI/UX design • Data analysis • Cybersecurity • Digital marketing • Photo and media editing
The program is designed not only to equip young people with employable skills but also to create sustainable income opportunities and foster entrepreneurship within Lagos Central.
A Different Kind of Political Vision Kola-Lawal, a globally exposed professional, emphasized that his approach to public service will focus on leveraging international networks and private-sector partnerships to create real economic pathways for constituents.
Olumide Kola-Lawal (OKL), an aspirant for the Lagos Central Senatorial seat, has launched a major youth empowerment initiative that will provide free enrolment and 100 percent scholarships to 1,000 young people across the district for internationally relevant Information Technology and Vocational (ITV) courses.
SpreshMan: I recently got conditional offers from most schools in the Uk, one is starting in May and I have also deferred one to the September but my mind wants to go for the one in May.
However the kinds of arguments I read online about whether or not Japa is worth has got me confused.
I know about minimum wage being about 12-15 pounds and maximum of 20 hours per week, I know work visa after graduation has been reduced to 18 months and even the condition for ILR being extended last year.
So I’m seeking advise from people would be Honest whether it would be worth it to spend around 21 million to embark on this journey and still have a debt of close to 10 million naira since I’m paying half of the school fees. Will it be worth it ?
Are the people preaching against japa being honest ?
21 million is a lot of money. If you don't things figured out yet, do NOT rush but get all the specifics right. Take into consideration that there's global anti-immigration going on in a lot of European, North American and Asian countries such as Japan where the current government in Japan was elected based on the strong anti-immigration by Japanese folks. People just don't want foreigners coming into their countries again to seek for survival.
I've read in the past about many Nigerian and Ghananian students who went to the Uni in the United Kingdom, United States, and other European countries but ended up returning to Nigeria and Ghana WITHOUT getting jobs in their fields of study. Most of them read non-STEM courses.
AKURE — THE quiet community of Agamo in Ondo State was shattered on February 18 when gunmen stormed the palace of Oba Kehinde Jacob Falodun, brutally killing the revered monarch.
That day will be remembered as a day of unimaginable horror and it has sent shockwaves across the state, with residents calling for urgent action to address the rising security challenges.
According to eyewitnesses, 10 gunmen stormed the palace at around 7:10 pm, attempting to abduct the monarch.
When they failed, they brutally clubbed him to death
The Police Commissioner, Ondo Command, CP Adebowale Lawal, has vowed to track down the killers, assuring that no stone will be left unturned in bringing them to justice.
Similarly, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has ordered a crackdown on criminals, directing security agencies to intensify surveillance and apprehend those involved in the nefarious activities.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, also raised alarm over the spate of kidnappings in the state, urging the government to take decisive action.
Wife, daughter recount monarch’s horrific death
The late monarch’s wife and daughter, while recounting the horrific events, said they are still grappling with the trauma.
In an emotional-laden voice, the monarch’s wife, Veronica Falodun, said: “It was like a nightmare. He was just resting outside, and then, they came and took him away.
“They hit him with daggers, he cried out for help, but no one could come.
“Kabiyesi went to Akure on the day of the incident and came back that same day.
“Shortly after he returned, he said he would like to sit outside and take some rest because he was tired. I stayed with him for a while and went inside.
“Not long after, I heard some argument outside, and before I knew it, some masked persons looking like bandits came and began to drag Baba (the monarch) and also shooting at the same time.
“They were 10 in number. Three of them were at the entrance of the palace, while the remaining seven came inside.
“I ran away. One of them chased me, but he did not know how I escaped. They shot at me, but the bullets missed me.
“The killers dragged him in an attempt to abduct him from his palace, the gunmen shot at him repeatedly, but the bullets failed to penetrate his body.
“Kabiyesi was crying for help, but nobody could come out in the face of gunshots. They kept dragging him. Nobody came out.
“The gunmen, who were speaking a different language, shot at him several times but their bullets did not penetrate. They now hit him on the head and his stomach before he died.”
They invaded the palace in a commando style— Daughter
Also speaking, the late monarch’s daughter, Folayemi, said the killers invaded the palace in a commando style.
She said: “I went out to buy something, but while on my way, I saw the gunmen entering the palace. So, I ran for cover immediately and went to hide in our neighbour’s compound. They were shooting sporadically and chanting.
“I saw them vividly. They dressed like herdsmen. They were speaking Fulani language. They first went to check Baba’s vehicle and looked at the registered plate number before aiming at him.”
Killers’ll be smoked out— Police
Reacting to the incident, the Police Commissioner, CP Adebowale Lawal, vowed that the assailants would be tracked and brought to book.
But Vanguard findings showed that no arrest has been made since the incident occurred.
Aiyedatiwa orders crackdown on criminals
Disturbed by the spate of kidnapping and killings in some parts of Ondo State, Governor Aiyedatiwa has ordered the security agencies to crack down on criminals.
Aiyedatiwa, who spoke through his Information and Orientation Commissioner, Mr Idowu Ajanaku, expressed deep concern over the recent kidnapping incidents in the state.
“It has been discovered that it was orchestrated by some locals within those parts of the state and the government has directed all security agencies to crack down on them”, the governor assured.
Previous thread https://www.nairaland.com/8621309/bandits-kill-ondo-monarch-oba[/quote]“The gunmen, who were speaking a different language, shot at him several times but their bullets did NOT penetrate. They now hit him on the head and his stomach before he died.”
She said: “I went out to buy something, but while on my way, I saw the gunmen entering the palace. So, I ran for cover immediately and went to hide in our neighbour’s compound. They were shooting sporadically and chanting.
“I saw them vividly. They dressed like herdsmen. They were speaking Fulani language. They first went to check Baba’s vehicle and looked at the registered plate number before aiming at him.”
If Iran that is under heavy sanctions for over 40 years can choke them this hard in less than two weeks, just imagine the wreckage China will do.
The imperialist in Washington over estimate themselves, heavily deluded in their own exceptionalism and fail to accept a world where countries don’t want to be vassals.
Their apologist zombies on nairaland, either paid or inherently foolish only proves that some people are their own worse enemy. They will support the US but blind to the fact that the evil you permit elsewhere will hunt you later, only a matter of time.
Success to the Iranians.
@Pansophist,
I've been a veteran member of this discussion forum for 21 years now since 2005 using my older NL account and you're one of the NL members whose opinions I like to read BUT I have a contrarian view to yours here.
You see, while the current and past United States' leaderships have their own faults and weaknesses of unilateral invading countries over the decades and the United States used the Cold War with the former USSR as a ploy to engage in destabilizing other countries, the highly IRRESPONSIBLE and insidious vestiges of the now dead top Iranian Shiite Muslim Mullahs are just indiscriminately firing missiles and launching drones at the oil facilities of Gulf Arab countries who are largely Sunni Muslims with the aim of causing global chaos.That's how organized terrorists operate in a fatalistic manner. Even the State of Israel has been targeted with indiscriminate missiles being fired at civilian infrastructure which is a clear violation of international laws.
Besides, millions of Iranians in the Diaspora are happy with what America and Israel are doing right NOW to liberate Iran with massive celebrations by Iranian-Americans, British-Iranians (remember that Christiane Amanpour is British but of Iranian descent).
For folks like me who have a deep knowledge of global geopolitical dynamics and who witnessed the so-called 1979 Iranian revolution of these Shiite Iranian mullahs led by brutal Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, they just had to be taken out of circulation because they were gearing up to have a nuclear weapons which if they had succeeded in developing would have been fired indiscriminately like they are currently firing these missiles at the infrastructure of the Gulf Arab countries now. The Shiite Iranian clerics were responsible for funding the fatalistic terrorist activities of Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, Houthies in Yemen, and the terror activities of Shiites in Syria and Iraq.
By April 2026, this United States/Israel vs Iran War will be largely over. What the minions of these Shiite Iranian clerics are doing is just the usual boasting and bravado from a fast-failing regime. The Iranians on the street level are LARGELY tired of these Shiites regime led by the Mullahs and their executions of thousands of innocent Iranians since February 1979.
The Iranian crown Prince Pahlavi who is the son of then exiled Shah of Iran (the Shah han Shah or King of Kings) will return to Iran to lead a new transition government. Care MUST be taken though to ensure tight security because their are Shiite terror cells who will want to take him and members of his team out when they return using suicide bombings or sniper fire.
I MUST commend Iran though for developing technologies for commercial and military use over the last 26 years. However, some of the Iranian military technologies such as attack drones and surveillance drones were used to support the terrorist activities of Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon and Houthies in Yemen. Iranians worldwide have some of the most brilliant and industrious folks on Earth.The Americans even copy and modified the Iranian Shahed drone (called Lucas by the United States) to show how important Iranian technology has evolved in the historical ancestral homeland of the Zoroastrian Emperor Cyrus the Great (King of Kings) of the mighty Persian Empire who conquered the former Babylonian Empire and included the Jews as part of those colonized in his Persian Empire. Judaism unknown to some people who are not vast in comparative religion and world history is a direct copy of the traditional Zoroastrian religion which Cyrus the Great practiced from Iran. This is evident in the BIGGEST branch of Judaism called "Pharisees" which has its etymology from the word Parsis (Persia).
May peace return soon to the LARGELY innocent people of Iran who are right on Iranian soil and in the Diaspora. A prosperous Iran devoid of a Shiite clerics government is far better for Iran which will churn out technologies for the benefit of mankind and NOT a group of religious Shiite leadership and fanatics seeking to create nuclear bombs to destroy mankind.
adenigga: We’re Ready For Long War That Will Destroy World Economy – Iran by adenigga(m): 3:46am Iran said Wednesday it was ready for a long war of attrition that would “destroy” the world economy, after firing on two commercial ships and threatening any vessels from the US or its allies.
As Tehran tightened its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, a vital sea passage for the global oil trade, US President Donald Trump said the war would end “soon” as there was little left for US forces to target in Iran.
Oil prices have surged since February 28, when the United States and Israel attacked Iran, killed its supreme leader and plunged the Middle East into war.
In an attempt to manage price jumps, the International Energy Agency said its member countries would unlock 400 million barrels of oil from their reserves – the biggest such release ever.
With the conflict now in its 12th day, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard vowed to target “economic centres and banks” that it deems linked to US and Israeli interests, prompting more international firms to evacuate employees from Dubai.
But all eyes were on the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20 per cent of global crude and LNG passes.
The US and Israel “must consider the possibility that they will be engaged in a long-term war of attrition that will destroy the entire American economy and the world economy”, Ali Fadavi, advisor to the Revolutionary Guards’ commander-in-chief, told state television.
Iran said it had struck the Liberian-flagged container ship Express Rome and the Thai bulk carrier Mayuree Naree because they had entered the strait “after ignoring the warnings of the IRGC naval forces”.
Oman’s navy rescued 20 crew members, but efforts were underway to find three more. Pictures shared by the Thai navy showed black smoke pouring out of the vessel.
Gulf airport, fuel tanks hit
Analysts say a prolonged closure of the strait, which also carries a third of the fertiliser for world food production, would have a devastating effect on the global economy, particularly in Asia and Europe.
French President Emmanuel Macron urged G7 leaders to act to restore navigation in the strait “as soon as possible”, while the UN asked for all parties to allow humanitarian cargo to transit.
Iran has amplified the economic fallout by targeting US allies in the Gulf.
On Wednesday, drones fell near Dubai airport, injuring four people, the city’s government said.
US financial service group Citi and British consulting group Deloitte have asked employees to evacuate their offices in Dubai, sources told AFP.
Drones also hit fuel tanks at Oman’s Salalah port, Oman News Agency reported.
Private maritime security company Vanguard Tech reported the suspension of the port’s operations after the attack on its southern section.
The economic impact is piling pressure on Trump, who faces accusations that the White House launched the war without preparing for consequences.
“Any time I want it to end, it will end,” Trump was quoted as saying in an interview with Axios.
In Israel, Defence Minister Israel Katz said, “This operation will continue without any time limit, as long as necessary.”
Israel said it had begun a new “wide-scale wave of strikes” across Iran and against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon’s capital Beirut.
Israeli strikes hit an apartment building in central Beirut in the second targeting of the heart of the capital since the Middle East war began.
AFPTV’s live broadcast captured the sound of an air strike followed by a fireball erupting in an apartment within a multi-storey residential building in Beirut.
An AFP correspondent saw destroyed walls in the building’s seventh and eighth floors, with damaged cars nearby and security forces present at the scene.
When the strike hit, “I ran from room to room, pulled my wife and daughter out of the rooms and hid them behind a wall, then the second strike hit”, said Fawzi Asmar, owner of a bakery on the street where the strike took place.
The Israeli-US attacks came weeks after Iranian authorities crushed mass protests, although the United States and Israel say they are not necessarily seeking to topple the Islamic Republic.
Iranian authorities warned against dissent at home, with the country’s police chief saying protesters would be viewed and dealt with as “enemies”.
“All our forces are also ready, with their hands on the trigger, prepared to defend their revolution,” national police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said, in comments aired by IRIB.
In Iran, ordinary people were doing the best they could to adapt to living under frequent US-Israeli strikes.
“We’ve put our faith in God. For now, there’s food in the shops,” Tehran resident Mahvash, 70, told AFP journalists in Paris.
“People are calm,” said another resident. “They are getting used to living despite everything and adapting – as best they can – to this situation.”
The United States and Israel launched the war with an attack that killed Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
His son Mojtaba Khamenei has been named his successor, though he has yet to appear in public, amid reports that he has been wounded.
“I heard news that Mr Mojtaba Khamenei had been injured. I have asked some friends who had connections,” the Iranian president’s son, Yousef Pezeshkian, wrote in a post on his Telegram channel.
Tehran’s ambassador to Cyprus, Alireza Salarian, told The Guardian newspaper on Wednesday that Khamenei was injured in the same strike that killed his father.
Elusive001: Tehran drone attacks wipe out dozens of Iranian regime enforcers within minutes
State-affiliated Fars reports 10 dead in mysterious overnight assault, but other sources say toll far higher, with scores of Basij and security personnel killed at checkpoints across Tehran; Iranian officials blame 'Mossad and monarchists' for attack
Iranian media reported an unusual Israeli drone attack in Tehran on Wednesday night, with the semiofficial Fars news agency saying Israeli drones struck security checkpoints at several locations across the capital.
Fars, which is affiliated with the regime, said explosions and clashes were reported at multiple points in Tehran and that about 10 security personnel were killed, including members of Iran’s security forces and the Basij, the militia linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Other sources, however, said the toll among regime operatives was significantly higher, claiming dozens of Basij members were killed within minutes.
“This operation is a joint effort by the Mossad and monarchist elements to infiltrate terrorists and sabotage the country. This operation will fail,” a “knowledgeable source” was quoted as saying in the statement carried by the agency aligned with the mullah regime.
Fearing unrest, the regime’s Basij forces set up checkpoints on major streets to restrict civilian movement across Tehran. The drone attack was intended to signal to regime opponents that its internal security forces are vulnerable, while also instilling a sense of fear among Basij operatives in the hope they would be deterred from carrying out similar actions against civilians later on.
Before the reported attack, Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s former shah, called on his supporters to stay home. “We are at a very critical stage in our final struggle. For your safety, leave the streets and remain in your homes,” Pahlavi said in a recorded statement.
“Continue to strike and not go to work,” he added. “Continue singing loudly at night to show your solidarity. To the army and law enforcement forces: this is your last opportunity to separate yourselves from the forces of repression and join the people.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also addressed the Iranian public. “In the coming days, we will create the conditions for you to take your fate into your own hands. Your dreams will create reality. When the right time comes—and it is approaching quickly—we will pass the torch to you,” he said.
Earlier Wednesday, the IDF announced that dozens of Israeli Air Force fighter jets, guided by military intelligence, had completed large waves of strikes against Iranian regime infrastructure in Tehran and other areas of Iran.
According to the military, aircraft carrying out the strike missions identified personnel at an IRGC headquarters in the heart of Tehran and, within seconds, fighter jets struck the site, killing those inside. The operation also targeted headquarters and bases belonging to Iran’s internal security forces and the Basij, along with the regime’s intelligence headquarters. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/byn5acjq11l#autoplay
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also addressed the Iranian public. “In the coming days, we will create the conditions for you to take your fate into your own hands. Your dreams will create reality. When the right time comes—and it is approaching quickly—we will pass the torch to you,” he said.
You guys shouldn't endanger this Iranian guy's life. It's just a coincidence that he survived every attack so far. I read online 4 days ago that he has been arrested by the Iranian authorities.
Another religious charlatan engaging in guess work like that Celestial Church guy. Peter is NOT even certain of ever getting that Presidential party ticket with the ongoing power play in that party he just joined..
AlphaTaikun: No doubt 7UP (and Crush) soft drinks were way sweeter back in the 1970s right to the 1980s. The manufacturer changed the 7UP recipe as the years evolved by reducing the sugar content.
So, the diabetes of your friend could indeed have been triggered by taking too much of soft drinks like 7UP and other foods containing high carbs.
I have a sweet tooth but I know full well that I have to regulate my intake of sweet things with high carbs, so I try as much as possible to take more foods containing larger portions of "LOW GLYCEMIC Index" and "Medium Glycemic Index" over blood sugar-spiking "High Glycemic Index" foods such as excessive pounded yam.
The dire consequences of sustained diabetes are just unimaginable. From amputations of limbs, blindness, kidney failures, high BP, etc.
How can Nigeria make money from something that they barely produce? Nigeria need to produce 3 million barrels of crude oil a day to break even.
It was the likes of Sowere who protested against the removal of oil subsidies in 2012, which would have released funds to invest in oil exploration, refineries, and electricity power plants. The lack of investment in the oil sector is the reason why Nigeria is suffering today.
You're one of the 3 posters here who made the MOST SENSE about the actual reality of events in your post. The rest of these young posters are LARGELY clueless about the truth of what you posted right above.
Ever since the current Nigerian President came into office in May 2023, a lot of efforts have been made to discover more oil wells like those in the onshore and offshore South West of Nigeria in especially Ogun, and Ondo States, including the deep offshore Niger Delta and restarting production from dormant oil wells since the 1990s like those in Ogoniland in order to meet up the daily crude oil production to break even and the Federal government MUST be commended for doing that.
Iliteracy and semi-literateracy are indeed signs of carcinogenic diseases which destroy societies if NOT checked!
“Nigerians Should Be Making Money From Iran War” — Sowore Blasts Tinubu, Dangote on Fuel Prices
Outspoken activist Omoyele Sowore has sparked a heated debate after criticizing the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu and business magnate Aliko Dangote, arguing that Nigerians should be benefiting economically from rising global oil prices triggered by the Iran war instead of facing higher fuel costs. His remarks come as petrol prices across Nigeria surge amid the conflict, with pump prices climbing close to ₦1,000 per litre following increases linked to global crude oil spikes and refinery price adjustments.
Savageman247: Horror in Ekiti as Kidnappers Allegedly Rape Woman to Death, Demand Virgins for Release of Captured Villagers
Residents of several communities in Ekiti State are raising alarm over worsening insecurity after a middle-aged woman was reportedly abducted and raped to death by suspected kidnappers in the Ajoni area.
According to local accounts, the woman was taken by the criminals and later died after being repeatedly assaulted. The attackers allegedly demanded a ransom of ₦1.5 million along with drugs and other items before they would release her corpse.
Community sources say the kidnappers requested substances such as “Canadian Loud,” cocaine, “meth” (crystal meth), as well as cartons of beer as part of the ransom conditions.
Unable to source the drugs mentioned, villagers reportedly came together to raise the cash equivalent instead. Four men from the community volunteered to deliver the ransom to the kidnappers in an attempt to retrieve the woman’s body.
However, the situation reportedly worsened when the four men were seized by the kidnappers during the attempt.
The criminals are said to have sent another message to the community, demanding that two virgin girls be provided in exchange for the release of the captured men, threatening to kill them if the demand was not met.
The development has sparked fear across nearby communities, with residents claiming that armed groups have been operating in the area for years with little intervention.
Locals say at least six towns — Itapaji, Iyemero, Oke-Ako, Irele, Ijowa, and Ipao — are currently experiencing severe security challenges. According to residents, the attackers move freely around the region and have disrupted access to basic services such as water sources and healthcare facilities.
Community members also expressed frustration over what they describe as silence from their political representatives, alleging that their senator and member of the House of Representatives have yet to address the crisis beyond issuing condolence messages.
Some residents warned that the continued attacks could escalate into a wider humanitarian crisis if urgent action is not taken.
The pan-Yoruba socio-political group has also confirmed receiving reports about the incident and called on authorities to respond swiftly to the deteriorating security situation in the affected communities.
Residents are now appealing to the Federal Government and security agencies to urgently intervene and restore safety to the affected towns. Many say the attackers are known to locals and insist that decisive action can be taken if authorities move quickly. SOURCE: https://www.reportnaija.ng/2026/03/horror-in-ekiti-as-kidnappers-allegedly.html
If this report is a verified story, surveillance and attack drones would have resolved this case once and for all.
There's a lot of pussyfooting on the issue of State and community Policing by the Federal law makers. The law MUST be passed within the NEXT one month to enable states such as Ekiti, Kwara, Kogi, Edo, and Niger States that can afford it to begin investing in more surveillance and attack drones.
Crime › Re: Two Nigerians Arrested In Noida India Over ₦12.2 Billion Cyber Fraud (Pictured) by AlphaTaikun: 1:18pm On Mar 13
