BREAKING: North Too Quiet On Insecurity – Datti Baba-Ahmed; Fire Guts 8 Shops In Oyo
Please Kindly Pay Attention: If you’re reading on PHOENIX, please click the “Read Original” button at the top right to view the full article.
North too quiet on insecurity, says Datti Baba-Ahmed
Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has argued that the North’s traditionally calm disposition has contributed to a lack of public outrage over the persistent insecurity ravaging the region.
Speaking during an interview on Trust TV, Datti said many people in the North have endured years of insurgency and violence without speaking out forcefully enough against the crisis.
According to him, democracy requires active participation from citizens who are willing to defend their rights and hold leaders accountable, rather than remaining silent when constitutional principles are undermined.
“The North’s calm nature has kept us from speaking out on the insurgency,” he said.
Datti stressed that democratic governance can only thrive when citizens actively engage in the political process and ensure that their votes are protected.
“Democracy belongs to those who can practice it. Not the people who will sit and watch their constitution breached,” he stated.
He further urged Nigerians not only to participate in elections but also to remain vigilant in ensuring that the electoral process reflects the will of the people.
“And if you are not going to vote, stand and make sure your vote counts,” he added.
Fire guts eight shops in Oyo
No fewer than eight shops were razed out of 11 at No 2, Mobolorunduro, Balaro Street, Oju-Odo Academy in Ona-Ara Local Government Area of Oyo State, on Wednesday.
The Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde on Fire Reform and state Chairman of Fire Services Agency, Moroof Akinwande, announced this in a statement released in Ibadan, on Wednesday.
Akinwande said, “Oyo State Fire Services Agency dosed shops on Fire at No 2, Mobolorunduro, Balaro Street, Oju-Odo Academy, Ibadan. At exactly 02:33 hrs on Wednesday, June 3, 2026 through telephone call and Mr Idris to shop on fire at the above address.
“The fire personnel led by PFS11 Ojo promptly mobilized to the scene. Upon arrival, it was discovered that eight out of a row of 11 shops were severely affected by the fire. The fire was swiftly contained, preventing further spread to the remaining shops and nearby properties.
“The cause of the fire is under investigation. No casualty was recorded. Appliance returned to the station safely by 04:29hrs and on operational standby.”
Akinwande urged the public to be conscious of fire every time, stressing the importance of installing fire extinguishers in every commercial building in order to prevent fire incident at incipient stage.
The PUNCH reports that fire outbreak had, in September, 2025, destroyed 14 shops at Ogundipe Market in Ibadan North Local Government Area of the state.
Also in the same Local Government in December, 2025, a devastating fire destroyed eight shops beside Sango Police Divisional Headquarters, Sango.
An eyewitness, identified as Bukola Ogundeji, said, “I am not a shop owner there. I only came for a visit, but the incident started around 12:30 pm. We are yet to ascertain the root cause of the fire incident.”
Court remands Anambra native doctor over security law violation
An Anambra State High Court sitting in Awka has remanded a Nnewi-based native doctor, Ikechukwu Ezenagu, popularly known as Muomiri Afuluanya, at the Amawbia Correctional Centre pending further proceedings in his trial.
Justice Jude Obiora gave the order after hearing arguments from both the defence and prosecution during proceedings on June 3.
Ezenagu, who was brought to court from the hospital, had through his counsel, Kingsley Awuka, applied for bail on health grounds and requested permission to remain in the hospital until the next adjourned date.
However, the prosecuting counsel, Tobechukwu Nweke, opposed the application and urged the court to remand the defendant pending the determination of the bail motion
In his ruling, Justice Obiora held that a hospital was not a recognised facility for the detention of an accused person and ordered that Ezenagu be remanded in a correctional facility.
“A hospital is not a constitutional facility for the detention of a defendant,” the judge ruled
He subsequently adjourned the matter to June 19 for continuation of proceedings.
The case was first brought before the court on April 23, but Ezenagu’s arraignment could not proceed due to his alleged ill-health.
During the earlier sitting, the defendant appeared visibly frail and was assisted into the courtroom by security operatives, prompting concerns about his fitness to stand trial.
Justice Obiora had then ruled that Ezenagu was not medically fit to take his plea and adjourned the matter to allow him receive medical attention.
Ezenagu was arrested on March 26 by operatives of the Anambra State Government’s security outfit, Agunechemba, over allegations of violating the state’s Homeland Security Law.
W’Bank boosts electricity supply across West Africa
The World Bank has said its regional power integration and electricity access programme is strengthening electricity supply across West Africa, expanding cross-border power trade, improving utility finances and increasing access to electricity for millions of people.
In a results brief released recently, the bank said the West Africa Regional Power Integration and Electricity Access Programme is delivering more affordable, reliable and sustainable electricity across the sub-region, with impacts on jobs, gender inclusion and climate outcomes.
According to the report, more than 4,000 kilometres of high-voltage transmission lines have been constructed to connect the electricity grids of 15 West African countries under the West African Power Pool, enabling cross-border electricity trading.
The West African Power Pool covers 15 countries, namely Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo.
According to the brief, about eight per cent of regional electricity is now traded, moving closer to the European Commission benchmark of 10 to 12 per cent. It said the development has helped reduce costs and improve reliability of supply across member states.
The bank also disclosed that more than three million people across Burkina Faso, Guinea, Liberia, Senegal, Sierra Leone and The Gambia gained access to electricity between 2019 and 2025, following transmission and distribution upgrades supported under the programme.
It added that the reforms have strengthened the financial positions of utilities in some countries, noting that Guinea-Bissau’s utility moved from a monthly deficit of about $1m to a positive balance, while The Gambia’s NAWEC returned to profitability with about 42 per cent in cost savings.
The report further highlighted progress towards a regional electricity market, saying the WAPP and the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority are synchronising interconnected grids and expanding trade. It noted that a new day-ahead market is being introduced to allow utilities to purchase electricity a day in advance at lower cost and reduce outages.
“The West Africa Regional Power Integration and Electricity Access Programme is delivering more affordable, reliable, and sustainable electricity, helping create jobs, empowering women, and reducing climate impacts,” the Bank stated.
Bandits kill one, abduct two others in Kwara community
Suspected bandits have killed a resident and abducted two women during a late-night attack on a Fulani settlement in Lafiagi, headquarters of the Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The PUNCH reports that the incident, which occurred on Monday night in the Sodo/Sawmill area on the outskirts of the town, is the latest in a series of violent attacks heightening fears among residents of Kwara North.
Sources in the community said the armed men stormed the settlement at about 8 p.m., firing gunshots indiscriminately and throwing the area into confusion as villagers scampered for safety.
According to residents, the attackers appeared to have come specifically in search of a prominent Fulani leader in the community, but failed to locate him during the operation.
In the course of the attack, the gunmen reportedly abducted two women believed to be wives of the Fulani leader before fleeing the scene.
A resident was also shot dead as the assailants retreated from the community, further escalating tension among locals already grappling with insecurity in the area.
Security operatives were said to have responded after receiving distress calls, with troops engaging the attackers and disrupting parts of their operation.
Confirming the incident to journalists in Ilorin on Tuesday, the Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, said one person lost his life while two women were taken away by the attackers.
“Yes, one man was killed while two women, 25 and 35 years of age, who are wives of the Seriki Fulani, were abducted,” Adekimi said.
The police commissioner disclosed that preliminary findings indicated that the attackers had targeted the Fulani leader, identified as an Ardo, but were unable to capture him.
“The attackers targeted the Fulani leader, Ardo. And for now, we are still on their trail because before we got there, the military had repelled them before they ran into the forest, but we are on their trail,” he stated.
