A recent statement regarding the Sultan of Sokoto’s support for Sharia Law in Yoruba land has sparked outrage, with critics questioning his authority over the Oodua race.

Some Yoruba commentators have pointed to historical tensions between the north and the south, referencing Mufti Iwo’s accounts of how the then Sultan sent evil mujahideen warriors to Yoruba land to kill Yorùbá warriors defending their land against the intruders and how Oluwo aided these mujahideen to kill and destroy his own people.

Dissenters argue that the Sultan should focus on addressing terrorism in northern Nigeria rather than expressing concerns about the South. Additionally, strong opposition has emerged against any potential introduction of Sharia law in Yoruba states, with critics insisting that such legal frameworks will not be tolerated.

Critics have also questioned the effectiveness of Sharia law in the North, stating that it has only brought “sorrow, tears, and blood” paraphrasing Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo Kuti. They argue that despite harsh punishments such as amputations, crime rates have not decreased. Furthermore, they highlight the social consequences of early child marriages, which contribute to maternal health crises, high divorce rates, and even instances of domestic violence, including husband killings. The Almajiri system, which has left many children in the North without proper education or care, is also cited as a pressing issue.

Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang has announced the death of the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Lt. General Jeremiah Timbut Useni.

The elder statesman died on Thursday, January 23, 2025, at the age of 82, following a protracted illness.

In a statement in Jos, Governor Mutfwang described his death as a tremendous loss not only to his immediate family but also to the Nigerian Armed Forces, Plateau State, and the entire nation.

The Governor highlighted General Useni’s exemplary leadership and steadfast commitment to service, which left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s security and political landscape.

He noted that General Useni’s tireless efforts to promote peace and security, especially in Northern Nigeria and Plateau State, will forever be remembered.

Governor Mutfwang recounted the illustrious career of the late General, who served Nigeria with distinction in various capacities, including as Minister of Transport, Quarter-Master General of the Nigerian Army, and Minister of the FCT.

The Ogun State Community, Social Orientation, and Safety Corps, known as So-Safe Corps, has apprehended a 54-year-old man, Adelani Oriyomi, at a burial ground in Kere, Obada-Oko, Abeokuta, for allegedly attempting to exhume a human skull.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Corps Commander, Soji Ganzallo, through the Director of Information and Public Relations, Assistant Commander Moruf Yusuf, detailed the arrest.

“At about 2:35 a.m. on January 21, 2025, officers of the So-Safe Corps on routine patrol noticed suspicious activity behind a church. The suspect, identified as Adelani Oriyomi, was caught trying to conceal himself. When the coast seemed clear, he resumed digging a tomb to allegedly retrieve a human skull. Our officers immediately apprehended him,” Ganzallo said.

Oriyomi, a resident of Kere, Obada-Oko in Ewekoro Local Government Area, reportedly confessed to the crime during interrogation. He admitted to previously exhuming a skull on January 18, 2025, and claimed he was attempting to retrieve another for a money ritual known as “Osole.”

The suspect further confessed to being a serial offender, having sold nearly ten human skulls in the past. He revealed prior convictions for similar crimes, serving two years in prison for an offence in Ado-Odo and an additional six years and nine months at the Oba Correctional Centre for another crime in Obada-Oko.

Ganzallo confirmed that the recovered human skull, along with the suspect, has been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force at Obada Divisional Headquarters for further investigation and possible prosecution.

He urged community leaders to be vigilant in screening tenants and visitors to prevent criminal activities. “Such vigilance can secure 70% of home safety, with the remaining 30% relying on alertness to external threats,” Ganzallo added.