The Nigeria Police Force’s Intelligence Response Team has taken down a notorious bandit group in the Federal Capital Territory, led by Isa Dei-Dei.

The operation carried out on Monday, involved a fierce gun battle between the police officers and the criminal syndicate.

Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the incident in a statement, noting that Isa Dei-Dei was neutralized during the exchange of gunfire.

Other members of the gang managed to escape but sustained gunshot injuries in the process.

Adejobi urged the public, especially medical practitioners, to report individuals or patients with gunshot wounds for further investigation, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in addressing criminal activities.

The statement read, “At about 10:15 am on February 5, 2024, operatives of the DFI-IRT, acting on intelligence, got information on the hideout of a notorious bandit group led by one Isa Dei-Dei, in the suburb of the FCT, and immediately proceeded to the location for possible arrests. Upon closing in on them, they (bandits) sighted the police and fled. The operatives immediately went after them, which led to a fierce gun duel. In the process, the notorious Isa Dei-Dei was neutralized while other members of the syndicate managed to escape with gunshot injuries.”

The successful operation comes amid rising concerns over a surge in kidnapping incidents in the Federal Capital Territory at the beginning of the year.

The police have been actively addressing the issue, making notable arrests, such as the apprehension of a 20-year-old kidnap kingpin, Buhari Muhammad, and five others in a hotel in Abuja.

The suspects were involved in the kidnapping of Joshua Eze, who was successfully rescued by police operatives.

The Federal Capital Territory has been on high alert due to the increase in such criminal activities, causing apprehension among residents.

Osun women protest, demand proper process for Olufon Stool

Women in Ifon-Osun town, Orolu Local Government Area, have staged a protest, urging the Osun State Government to adhere to the 1978 Chieftaincy Declaration in the selection of a new monarch for their community.

Expressing their concerns, the women gathered in Ifon-Osun town on Tuesday, opposing the alleged plan to choose a new traditional ruler without following due process.

They insisted that the government should respect the legal procedures in the selection of a new king.

According to the protesters, “The 1979 declaration as affirmed by a court of competent jurisdiction should be used in selecting a new monarch.”

They emphasized the importance of following the established rules and avoiding any attempt to impose a candidate, as it could lead to chaos and worsen the security situation in the area.

One of the protesters, Princess Salmot Adenijis, highlighted Ifon’s traditional method of selecting a new king and urged the State governor to uphold these traditions.

She specifically mentioned that, based on the established order, it is the turn of the Odunolu ruling house to produce the next occupant of the stool.

“Out of the five ruling houses, only Odunolu is left behind. Morounfolu, Orisatoyinbo, Oluyeyin, Olumoyero have all produced Olufon. We’re pleading to the State government to please yield to our cry and not allow those who want to cheat us,” Adenijis emphasized.

Another protester, Princess Folashade Oyedotun, raised concerns about the legitimacy of the purported letter issued to the Morounfolu ruling house to present a candidate for the stool.

She explained that a letter had initially been given to Odunolu, but due to a court case initiated by the Morounfolu ruling house, the government overlooked the legal process and elected someone from Morounfolu.