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News_Naija

Neighbouring Community Killed Four Villagers, Destroyed My Fathers Grave Osun Monarch

The Olojudo of Ido-Ayegunle, Osun State, Oba Timileyin Ajayi, shares with GRACE EDEMA chilling details of the recurring attacks on his community and calls for urgent government intervention and justice What happened on Thursday, June 19, when about four members of your community were reportedly killed? On Thursday (June 19), I received information early in the morning from one of my community members that some Esa-Oke people were planning to invade our community and cause destruction. Immediately, I picked up my phone and called the Esa-Oke security head, Mr. Samuel Ojo. He told me he was aware of the situation and that they were already trying to reach the Owamiran of Esa-Oke (Oba Adeyemi Adediran). Ojo said he had informed him that there should be no attack on the Ido-Ayegunle people and that a truce had been reached. I have the chat with me as evidence. He even forwarded the conversation to me when the conflict started. He (Ojo) also mentioned that the attackers were at Owamiran’s palace, holding a meeting to plan the invasion of Ido-Ayegunle. That was around 10 am. Unfortunately, Owamiran did not respond. He didn’t answer his calls, even after several attempts. By exactly 12 p.m., I got the report that Esa-Oke had attacked my community. I called Mr Ojo again, and he said he would deploy police officers immediately. He explained that they were currently engaged with the new Commissioner of Police, who had just assumed office on June 19. Mr Erujo contacted the Commissioner of Police, who then reached out to both the Swift Response Unit and the Divisional Police Officer of Esa-Oke responsible for overseeing security in Ido-Ayegunle. What were the security officers told? They were instructed to deploy officers to the scene. But before the police could arrive, the attackers had already butchered the victims, and we had been receiving these threats even before the incident, ever since Owamiran came into prominence. Yet, the government has done nothing. Youths in his community have been saying they will rise and fight. Before the attack on June 19, there had already been numerous assaults on our people by individuals from Esa-Oke. They would invade our community, destroy our property, steal our belongings, and flee. My people have been attacked more than four times, something I have documented with evidence. Even on the second day after I was officially announced as Oba, they came again to destroy things in our community. What steps did you take to curb or end these acts from the neighbouring community? We’ve written several petitions and made the government fully aware of what has been happening. Now, it has escalated to outright killings. They murdered four of our people, cut off their wrists, their legs, and removed their hearts and heads. Then they packed the bodies, dumped them in a well, and covered them with sand. When the police eventually arrived, they said they could hear a faint voice coming from the well; one of the victims was still alive. But by the time they retrieved them, all four had been pronounced dead. What’s the root of the conflict? The issue started after my father, the late king of Ido-Ayegunle, passed away. He ruled for 26 years and obtained Part II chieftaincy recognition in 2014. When he died in 2020, Owamiran came in and installed a Baale (a local chief) in our community. At the time of my father’s passing, the entire community was in mourning. No one was thinking about chieftaincy matters. We were focused on burying our king. But Owamiran insisted that we couldn’t bury my father on the land, even though the land had already been officially recognised under Part II, approved by Governor Rauf Aregbesola in 2014. We questioned this decision, asking, ‘Why would we not be allowed t o bury our king, who had ruled for over 25 years, in his own domain?’ We took the case to the then Commissioner of Police. I can’t quite recall his name. The then CP summoned Owamiran and told him that his actions were wrong. He asked him, ‘Why would you stop them from burying their king on his land?’ With police intervention, we were eventually allowed to bury my father there. His remains are still there to this day, although the burial site was destroyed on June 19 during the latest attack. They went there and vandalised everything. I have all the pictures as proof. In fact, the Commissioner of Police attended the burial back then. To cut the long story short, once they saw that there was no king at the time, they assumed they had taken over the land. They began selling off portions of it, thinking no one would challenge them and that no new king would emerge. What happened after the burial of the late king? Fast forward to January this year, after the entire process and community consultation, we decided to install a new king. The government asked for documentation, and we submitted everything, including the consent letter from the Owa Obokun. He (the Owa Obokun) is the paramount ruler and the prescribing authority over Ijeshaland. We submitted all the required documents, and injured several people. Fortunately, no life was lost in that particular attack. Such attacks have been ongoing. Even during my kingship selection and installation process, they attacked our elders; the remaining three elders who served with my late father were also targeted. For how long have these attacks been going on? This is the third major attack I’ve experienced since I became involved. Actually, not just this year—this has been going on since last year. I have plenty of pictures and evidence. They’ve been attacking us before this year, but this year was when they crossed the line and killed people. As for the four people they killed, it was a gruesome, brutal murder. The attackers were many when they arrived. Some of them pulled off their clothes, and some carried bags. It was chaotic. Everyone ran for their lives. The four victims they managed to catch were the ones they killed in that horrific manner. Among them was a 65-year-old man, an investor who came to our community to start a poultry farm. He had planned to acquire about three or four acres of land for the business. They killed him in cold blood. Another was a bricklayer working for me. I’m currently building a community project, and he was one of the workers. Because I’m the new king, I felt the need to start some new projects in the community—meaningful things for my people. But they killed the bricklayer working on the project. They also killed the tiler. Most of the people they murdered were workers—my people, who all came simply to work. They (invaders) also built a house in that village. But when the government got involved, they picked one man and remanded him for some time. He was served a court injunction forbidding him from coming to that area again. I have all the documents here. Yet when the attackers returned, they burnt down every other house in the community, except that man’s house. His building was left untouched. Again, they desecrated my father’s burial site. How are your people feeling now? Everyone is devastated. I haven’t been able to address my people yet. I’m just about to start doing that now. For the past few days, I haven’t been myself. I’ve been in a bad state. I never imagined something so cruel could happen to us. When I became king, I even installed CCTV cameras for the sake of peace, since we share a boundary with them. The idea was to maintain calm so that everyone could go about their business peacefully. But they came and destroyed the CCTV system just so they could carry out their evil acts unnoticed. They’ve been troubling us for a long time. Now, aside from the destruction and killings, they also stole our solar panels. They just came in, caused havoc, and looted. They’ve been disturbing and frustrating us constantly—just because they believe they are more than us in number. Is the Baale they installed originally from Ayegun? No, he’s from Ekiti State. It is Ekiti, in the present-day Ondo axis. The person they installed is not even an indigene. These people just want to use power and force to take over our land. Okay, maybe they want the land, but they should let my people breathe. We also have vulnerable people, including the elderly and persons with disabilities. Let everyone live together in peace and harmony. But no—they want to wipe us out and drive everyone into exile. What do you want the government to do? That’s why I’m calling on the government, especially the Federal Government and our President, to urgently take up this matter. We are asking for justice for those who were murdered. We want a permanent and lasting solution to this crisis. No one has been held accountable. This man continues to issue threats, even to officials in the Osun State local government. He threatened to destroy their office. He is not just issuing threats; he has acted. He killed four people. It was cold-blooded murder.  Now, we have five people missing. We don’t know if one of them is dead or alive. What actions has your state government taken? The Osun State Government has not made any arrest. All of them were informed, but up till this moment, no arrests have been made. That’s why we’re calling on the world to intervene and help us. We need the international community, the media—everyone—to hear our cry. Justice must prevail; justice must be served. I cannot sit back and watch my people die like this. That’s why I’m speaking out and calling for help from the media and the global community. The four victims were a plumber, a tiler, an investor, and a bricklayer. The investor came with some of his workers—possibly with his tools or materials—to begin the project. One of the workers he brought along was also killed. Yes, they beheaded him. All these people were just ordinary people—innocent, peaceful. Some were indigenes of Ayegunle, others came to work and earn a living. They were all killed in cold blood. What would you like to say to your people? Yes, I want to share my heartfelt condolences with everyone affected. I want my people to know that I stand with them in this difficult time. I deeply sympathise with my community and with all those affected by this terrible, senseless attack. I want to assure my people that, by God’s grace, peace will be restored. Life will return to normal. We are still calling for justice, and we will not stop until justice is served. Please, I’m appealing to everyone—anyone who can help—please join us in demanding justice for the innocent lives lost. Their death must not be in vain. But sadly, the Osun State Government under Governor Adeleke has yet to take any meaningful action. The police have also failed to act. This is why we are speaking out. We need the world to hear us. We need justice. I don’t want the Esa-Oke people to continue killing us. We have every right to live on our ancestral land. We have proof that this land belongs to us. Even the Osun State Government set up a panel of inquiry on this matter. We submitted all the necessary legal documents, even historical ones—including records from the archives, dating back to when Osun State had not yet been carved out, back to when it was Oyo, Ondo, and Osun together. We gave them everything, yet we’ve heard nothing. They need to act. They can’t remain silent.

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Worldnews

LIVE: Israel Kills 49 Palestinians In Gaza In 24 Hours

US president meets Israeli prime minister as Israeli and Hamas negotiators meet in Qatar for indirect talks. Doctors alarmed at rising meningitis cases in Gaza's children Follow Al Jazeera English:...

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P7as2

Sitaare Meet Sitaare As The Stars Of Sitaare Zameen Par Visit Vantara

Following the release of Sitaare Zameen Par, the movie’s star cast recently headed to Jamnagar, Gujarat to pay a visit to and meet the lovely stars of the forest at Vantara, which is celebrated for being a safe haven for animals as it is the world’s animal rehabilitation and rescue centre. Watch Now : https://www.instagram.com/reel/DL1elZDyPLN/ Vantara, which was inaugurated earlier this year by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been known for its national and international efforts in animal rescue, rehabilitation and protection. As of 2025, Vantara has housed over 1.5 lakh animals, belonging to over 2000 species. The centre also actively engages in activities and initiatives that are geared towards a better, greener earth – which the cast of Vantara took part in during their visit! The cast kicked things off with Vantara Bingo, and on their way to the next dedication they stopped to play ball. While they were playing with the ball, it bounced off into the wilderness and the next thing you knew, Manikal – a young elephant not only found their ball, but decided that it was his turn to play.  Seeing Manikal dribble the ball around was the cutest thing ever, after which everyone did a team huddle and moved on to the next adventure!  The team even got the chance to take part in a special moment when they met Kaveri, a mother leopard, and her newborn cubs who had just received their names! The cast then stepped into the kitchen and with great joy, giggles and wide smiles – helped in preparing special laddus for the elephants at Vanatara. Then they headed out in open air again and with muddy hands and happy faces, planted and watered saplings alongside the team at Vantara. Each sapling planted by the cast members even got the members name attached to it, to commemorate this beautiful memory. They spent the rest of their time meeting the lively stars of Vanatara, including lions, tigers, leopards and many more!
Watch Now : https://www.instagram.com/reel/DL1elZDyPLN/

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News_Naija

I Almost Collapsed While Attempting Longest Sewing Marathon For Over Four Days Guinness World Record Holder

Fashion designer and current Guinness World Record holder for the longest sewing marathon, Oluwaseun Kuforiji, narrates to AJIBADE OMAPE the circumstances surrounding his success and the establishment of his fashion brand in the United Kingdom What was growing up like for you, and what were your early years like? I was born and raised in Abeokuta on the 16th of September, 1991. I come from a family of five children, and I’m the third child, but the first son. I attended Baptist Boys High School in Abeokuta. I proceeded to Lagos, where I went to a fashion institution owned by the Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in Ikorodu. I had my first degree in Fashion Design before proceeding to Tai Solarin University of Education, where I studied Accounting concurrently. I was running a fashion vocational course as well. After five years of study, I graduated with two degrees: a BSc in Accounting and a fashion design degree, both completed by 2015. I was doing my fashion business to support myself while studying for my degree. My second degree is not a BSc; it’s a vocational course that I was running alongside my BSc. I never knew my fashion business was going to become a household brand. I have won countless awards with my fashion skills. I was also an executive member of the Student Union Government. I contested for the position of Social Director, and I won. I am the Guinness World Record holder for the longest sewing marathon. I’m the founder of the fashion brand KOIL Creations. KOIL Creations has branches in both Nigeria and the UK. Tell us about your journey into the world of fashion design. In the early 2000s, I was fortunate to live with a guardian who was a fashion designer. I was 13 or 14, and that was where the idea of fashion design started. I started developing fashion skills by learning simple tasks like threading a needle and fixing buttons for him. By the time I was in SS1, I was 15, and I started buying fabrics, sewing uniforms, and selling them in school to make extra money to support myself then, and that was where the passion began. After secondary school, while I was applying to enter the university, I did the JAMB exam three times. All those times, I couldn’t gain admission, I decided to go to a fashion school and further my skills and ideas. That was when I went to Ikorodu, to the Lagos State Ministry for Women’s Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Centre, and that was where I learned fashion design. I was there when I gained admission to TASUED, and that was how it started. While in TASUED, I started making clothes for my classmates and lecturers, and before I got to 200-Level, I was already a big name. You talked about supporting yourself. Was it to get extra money on the side, or were you the one who sponsored yourself through school? I used the word “support” because there was a sole provider; I was just supporting. When I was with my guardians, they did their best to educate me and provide for my needs. Growing up where you don’t have your parents with you, there are limits to what you ask from your guardian because it’s not their obligation to take care of you. We were just fortunate to be with them. So, rather than going to them for extra, I would earn it myself. What inspired you to attempt the Guinness World Record for the longest sewing marathon? I moved out of Nigeria to establish my brand in the UK. To have an international business presence in another country is not easy. Even in Nigeria, it’s not easy to do business. I came to the UK in 2022 as a student at the University of Lincoln, where I studied International Business for my second master’s. The idea was to gain more knowledge on how to do business internationally. During my dissertation, which was on the sustainability of African fashion in the United Kingdom, I was able to bridge the gap between my fashion business and doing business abroad. Through my academic research, I was dedicated to gaining more knowledge on how to do business internationally, and that was when I established my fashion business in the UK. After that, I needed to be recognised globally, so it prompted me to decide to set a Guinness World Record. It wasn’t an easy task; it looked impossible when I started the application, but with determination and resilience, I was able to focus, and now, I’m the Guinness World Record holder. What personal or national significance does this record hold for you as a Nigerian and a fashion designer? The aim was to put my name on the global stage, and I did. It gave me the international recognition I wanted, and it helped me because I wanted to be a mentor. I’ve been trying to mentor and empower young fashion entrepreneurs. This achievement has opened my eyes to many opportunities. Many people have been coming to me for mentorship, which is part of my ambition. Also, it helped promote my business. Everyone wants to patronise a Guinness World Record holder. It has given me recognition and also the opportunity to speak at so many events. I was fortunate to speak at the graduation ceremony of the University of Lincoln, where I returned as an alumnus speaker. This achievement has helped my career, and it has helped me personally. All of this would not have happened without the accomplishment of the Guinness World Record. I’ve been doing this for two decades, and I felt it was time to move to the next level. What were your biggest challenges during the sewing marathon, and how did you overcome them? Applying to the Guinness World Record was not as smooth as I expected. Second is the fact that I reside in the UK, and I had to shuffle between Nigeria and the UK because the event was held in Nigeria. My team started the preparation while I was in the UK, and not being around to support the preparation was tough. I was not there to monitor and oversee the activities, but we were able to put things together. I faced financial challenges. There were financial constraints along the way because we needed many things. Many people initially never saw this dream coming true, so they never saw a reason to support it. I had some people messaging me and telling me I could not do it. Mentally, physically, and emotionally, there were a lot of challenges. When I got to Nigeria, just two days before the start of the event, there were still some things that needed to be done. When we started the event, we had technical issues, starting with power. If you are in Nigeria, you don’t expect to have 24-hour electricity. So, we had to work on solar power, solar batteries, and generators. Sometimes, switching from one power source to another caused little hiccups. But with the commitment of the entire team, we overcame all the challenges. Before the event started, my biggest challenge was getting my team to work as a team. There were a lot of people on the team with different ideas, and that was my biggest challenge. But as time went on, everyone realised that it was not about self-gain, but about coming together to work as a team. It took us several trials before we could achieve that unity among the team. At the 60th hour, I started having some mental and emotional challenges. Something was telling me there was no way I could complete the record. The passion that I had for my business made me start the challenge, but after a while, my passion left, and I was on my own. I was mentally and emotionally stressed; I was physically weak, but what kept me going was the determination to achieve the goal. I wanted to set a 120-hour record but ended up doing 107 hours. I didn’t make up my challenge. I got myself to 107, and I just had to stop because everything was recorded live, and if I had collapsed on stage without ending it, all my efforts would have been in vain according to the rules. At that point, I was on the verge of collapsing, but my doctors checked me and advised me to stop. However, I achieved the aim of setting a new record. After the event, there was another major challenge. It took us several weeks to get all our evidence and videos together. All the videos for 107 hours had to be uploaded without a glitch or break. At some point, we had some missing videos because we had a lot of cameras and several phones. At one point, we could not find some videos, and we had to rely on a CCTV camera just to get some parts. The CCTV camera was a Plan B, and it saved the day because if there was a missing clip for as little as five seconds, the attempt would have been disqualified. It took us three weeks to complete the videos and send them to Guinness World Records. Guinness World Records has strict guidelines. How did you ensure compliance throughout the event? As a learned person, after reading the guidelines, I contacted my colleagues to go through them and break down all those guidelines. We created a team and designated duties for everyone. We appointed competent people who are good at what they do. There were some things that I didn’t know about, so I had to assign those responsibilities to experts in those fields to make it easier for us. The guidelines were tedious, but of course, with the right people in the right roles, it made it look like a piece of cake for them, and that was how we were able to overcome all those barriers that arose as a result of the difficult guidelines set by the Guinness World Records. I also played my part, too. Kudos to my entire team—from the media units (they were so fantastic), to the sewing units who helped with threading needles. They were not allowed to touch my fabrics, as that would have disqualified the whole attempt. My team understood their assignments and delivered, which made it so easy for us. How has your background shaped your approach to work and ambition? While growing up, it wasn’t easy for me, so I had to go hard or go home. I had to set some standards for myself. It was either I succeeded or I failed. That was the only option I had. That kept me motivated and wanting to do extraordinary things to support my career and myself. I’ve got about five degrees, and two of them are master’s degrees—one local, one international. I was not just building my fashion business, but building a career for myself. At that point in my life, I started lecturing before I decided to move out of the country. My background—growing up without ease and having to strive to support myself—contributed to my doggedness and ability to do things with little or no support. That contributed to my career path and to the success I am achieving now. You set a record of 120 hours for yourself but unfortunately didn’t meet it due to health constraints. Are you planning to beat your record and meet your target of 120 hours? At the moment, I don’t think there’s a point in wanting to break my record; it’s too early to even think about it. The one I just broke—how well have I used the recognition it has brought me? Why would I want to try another one so soon? I’ve seen people break their own records, which is okay. But at this point, it’s too early for me to say I want to break mine. I can let someone else try. Probably after that, I may decide to break that person’s record to reclaim the title. Even if I want to retain my record, let somebody attempt it. But for now, let me still be drinking water on my achievements. Was there any time within those four and a half days that you wanted to give up on this attempt? My passion had left me at the 60th hour. I would have given up then, towards the end of the third day, when it was already getting more difficult. My fingers were numb, and at that point, I had to start pricking myself with a needle to feel sensation in my fingers. There were several times I felt like stopping. At the 97th hour, the timer stopped moving.