Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has blamed the deteriorating security situation in the state on the legacy of the 2018 Offa bank robbery, linking the incident to the leadership of former Senate President Bukola Saraki and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Speaking with journalists during a visit to Oke-Ode, the governor accused Saraki of “playing politics with security” and urged him to take responsibility for the tragic robbery incident that claimed 33 lives before criticising the current administration.

> “It was under PDP. Bukola Saraki bears a court statement that he is the leader of PDP in Kwara. Under his leadership, 33 people were killed in one day,” AbdulRazaq said in a viral video.

The governor further alleged that the armed gang behind the deadly robbery were Saraki’s loyalists, claiming they used “Aso Ebi of Saraki’s wedding” and vehicles branded with his name during the operation. He maintained that the PDP lacked the moral authority to challenge his government’s efforts in tackling insecurity.

In September 2024, a Kwara State High Court delivered judgement on the case, sentencing five suspects to death by hanging after finding them guilty of armed robbery and culpable homicide.
The convicts — Ayoade Akinnibosun, Azeez Salahudeen, Niyi Ogundiran, Ibikunle Ogunleye, and Adeola Abraham — were part of the gang responsible for the massacre.

Meanwhile, several communities in Kwara South and Central, including Oke-Ode, Patigi, and Marri, continue to suffer repeated attacks by armed gangs, leading to rising fear among residents and mass displacement from rural areas.

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Air Component, OPERATION FANSAN YAMMA (OPFY) Sect 3, on 28 September 2025 conducted multiple coordinated missions across Kakihun, Oke-ode, Babanla and surrounding areas. Reconnaissance and close air support operations were executed to deter threats, while hostile elements sighted east of Babanla were decisively engaged. Concurrent surveillance flights also covered key settlements and military positions, gathering critical intelligence to support ground forces.

These missions reaffirm NAF’s commitment to protecting troops and civilians, maintaining air superiority, and sustaining pressure on hostile actors. All operations were completed successfully. The NAF assures Nigerians of its unwavering resolve to defend the nation’s territorial integrity and safeguard communities against threats. Citizens are encouraged to remain confident, vigilant, and supportive of the Armed Forces as decisive actions continue to restore lasting peace and security across the country.

Ehimen Ejodame
Air Commodore
Director of Public Relations and Information,
Headquarters, Nigerian Air Force.
29 September 2025

Britain’s Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper, has cautioned Israel against retaliating for the UK’s recognition of a Palestinian state by annexing parts of the West Bank. Cooper confirmed that she directly conveyed this message to her Israeli counterpart.

​The UK, along with Canada, Australia, and Portugal, formally recognized Palestinian statehood on Sunday, a significant change in British foreign policy. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized the decision, calling it a “huge reward to terrorism.”

​According to Cooper, the move is intended to promote peace, justice, and regional stability for both Israelis and Palestinians. She noted that extremists from both sides are attempting to undermine a two-state solution, a framework the UK remains dedicated to.

The UK has yet to confirm a timeline for upgrading its Consulate General in East Jerusalem to a full embassy. Cooper plans to use an upcoming UN conference to foster international agreement on a new framework for Middle East peace. France and Saudi Arabia are co-chairing talks on the two-state solution, and Belgium is also anticipated to support Palestinian statehood. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has welcomed the UK’s decision, seeing it as a step toward peaceful coexistence with Israel.