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Offa Robbery: All Nigerian Politicians Sponsor Thugs – Olofa of Offa

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he Olofa of Offa in the Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi, in this interview with SUCCESS NWOGU, speaks on the April 5 bank robberies in the ancient town and the police investigation into the raids
How do you feel about the killings during the bank robberies of April 5 in your kingdom?
Nobody feels good or is happy about it. We are all not happy about it. Life is very precious and sacred. Even if it was one person that was killed, nobody would be happy and we are not happy about it.
Government at the federal and state levels made promises to address some of the concerns raised. What is the latest on the promises?
Construction is ongoing on the new police station which they promised to build. The mobile police barrack they promised is also being constructed. There are about two mobile police units in the town; the UTC area manned, by 12 riot policemen, is also in the town.
Are you satisfied with the efforts of the police in relation to the investigation being carried out into the bank robberies so far? To some extent, the investigation was going on perfectly but later, it took another dimension that was not clear to all of us because it was politicised and we are praying to the almighty Allah that such should not affect the dispensation of justice or jeopardise justice. How do you mean that it was getting politicised?
Security agents made some arrests and investigation was going on but we later heard that names of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, and others were being mentioned and linked to the incident and we do not believe (their involvement in the incident). We believe that is politics. We believe that it is political persecution and nothing more than that.
Why did you say it is political persecution?
Do you expect somebody like Bukola to ask someone to carry a gun and kill the people he is ruling or steal their wealth? He has been giving us; we do not expect that he would go and rob Offa or ask some people to go and rob us. What will he gain from that?
But some of the suspects arrested were allegedly seen at the wedding of Saraki’s daughter suggesting that they are close friends of his family.
You can see them at (social) venues. It is just like you sending someone with your car to go and get something from the market and he decides to use the car for another thing. Would that mean that you are the one that sent him to go and do that? If I give you my car to pick a friend from Ilorin, and on your way, you decide to branch to Omu-Aran to go and do another thing, does that mean I am the one that sent you to Omu-Aran? That is it! If it is a question of thugs, all the politicians have thugs. You would not know what they are doing. I listened to the confessions of the suspected robbers. They never said he (Saraki) sent them to go and rob. They said they were his political thugs and that he was not aware of their robbery (operations).
Some people argue that Saraki, by empowering them and giving them vehicles, emboldened them to commit crimes and they felt protected or shielded by the number three citizen of Nigeria.
He gave vehicles to a lot of people. He gave many people all over the country. Many people received vehicles from him. Even in Offa, any time politicians are doing their empowerment programme, they give out cars, motorcycles and other items to people. Did they give them such things to them so that they can commit crime? It is to empower them. If they are sensible enough, they use it for commercial purposes. Empowerment is not an encouragement to go and steal.
What is your view on the protest and counter protests that took place in Offa on the issue when you went for the lesser Hajj?
The protesters are politicians. Those who protested in favour of Saraki and those who protested against him are politicians who are not saying the truth.
What is your advice to parents because some Offa indigenes were allegedly involved in the incident?
Parents have great roles and responsibility to play towards the upbringing of their children. Parents must ensure that their children have sound moral training and must ensure that they avoid crimes. When you see your son or daughter, with some kinds of people that appear not to be noble, you are supposed to ask questions. You must demand to know the identities of his friends and what they do for a living. Unfortunately, some people do not care. However, we know that there are many children who usually deviate from the sound moral, social and African training their parents give them. Some parents have tried their best to provide everything necessary for their children to become useful citizens and even become self-reliant, but sometimes, some of them would deviate and engage in anti-social conducts, vices and crimes. Parents should not be held accountable for the conduct of children who deviate from the good paths introduced to them by their parents.
So, what is your advice to the youths?
The youths must refrain from the get-rich-quick syndrome. There is dignity in labour, patience and hard work to become wealthy. Youths must learn to embrace dignity of labour. Many of them do not want to work and make money. They want quick money through quick fixes. Such money may not last. The government has been encouraging them to go into farming or get themselves engaged in some productive and useful ventures but some of them do not listen to such advice and words of wisdom. The youths must refrain from crime which ultimately may cut short their lives or put them and their families in bad reputation and even in suffering. They must avoid crime. They should also know the friends they make and keep. They must not make friends with ungodly and evil-minded youths.

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Police Restore Calm in Omu-Aran After Violence, Palace and Bank Attacks; Five Arrested

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The Kwara State Police Command has restored order in Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government Area, following a wave of violent disturbances on May 25 and 26, 2025, sparked by the actions of unruly youths.

According to a statement released by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, and made available to Just Event Online TV, the unrest was triggered by the arrest of a suspected drug dealer and arms trafficker known as Azeez, also called “A-Z,” by the Anti-Kidnapping Squad.

Azeez was reportedly freed by a mob while being transported to the police station. The group later attempted to storm the station but were successfully repelled by officers. The mob then moved to the Olomu’s Palace, where they set a motorcycle belonging to the monarch’s police orderly ablaze.

The situation escalated on the second day as the mob attacked the Olomu Aperan Microfinance Bank, vandalizing vehicles, the bank’s signboard, CCTV system, and other assets.

Police have arrested five suspects in connection with the attacks. Staff of the affected bank were safely evacuated and taken to the police station for protection.

In response, the Commissioner of Police, CP Adekimi Ojo, has directed enhanced patrols and surveillance across the community to maintain peace. The public has been urged to remain calm and refrain from spreading misinformation while investigations are ongoing.

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UPDATE: Real Reason for Sheikh Gumi’s Deportation from Saudi Arabia Uncovered

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Controversial Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has been deported from Saudi Arabia and barred from participating in the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage—an action that has sparked widespread public reaction. Now, sources have revealed the reason behind the unexpected move.

According to reliable reports, Saudi authorities refused Gumi entry into Medina due to concerns over his alleged associations with groups involved in regional unrest in Nigeria. During routine immigration procedures, the cleric was reportedly questioned about his previous public statements and affiliations, particularly his consistent calls for negotiations and leniency toward armed factions in Northern Nigeria.

Sources claim Gumi was unable to provide responses that satisfied authorities, resulting in his immediate deportation—even though he held a valid Hajj visa. The incident has ignited intense discussions in Nigeria, raising questions about the potential impact on his public standing and influence.

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JUST IN: Saudi Arabia Denies Sheikh Gumi Entry for Hajj, Deports Him to Nigeria

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Saudi authorities have barred prominent Kaduna-based Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, from participating in the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage and have deported him back to Nigeria.

The cleric confirmed the development in a Facebook post on Monday, May 26, 2025, revealing that although he was granted a visa, he was denied entry into Medina where he intended to commence his Hajj rites.

“Despite being issued a visa, I was not permitted to enter Medina due to certain concerns linked to my political views,” Sheikh Gumi stated on his official Facebook page.

He also expressed appreciation to the Nigerian government, noting that officials have promised to engage Saudi authorities over the matter.

Sheikh Gumi was reportedly part of a group of religious scholars sponsored by the Nigerian Hajj Commission (NAHCON) for this year’s pilgrimage.

He arrived in Medina around 10:30 p.m. last Saturday aboard an Umza Air flight, accompanied by other clerics. However, immigration officials at the airport stopped him from proceeding into the country.

Following the deportation, Sheikh Gumi has since returned to Nigeria and resumed his daily activities, including teaching.

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