Ogun State Police have summoned Rasheed Adeoye Adesanya, the Olisa of Ijebu-Ode and Otunba Jimi Lawal to appear at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for an interview on Thursday, regarding alleged bribery and financial inducement related to the Awujale stool selection.

This follows the state government’s suspension of the selection process due to security concerns and protests against alleged attempts to buy the throne.

In different letters addressed to the two, signed by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP Gboyega Adeoye, said the invitation was a fact-finding one in pursuance of the investigative powers conferred on the Nigeria Police by the combined provisions of Section 214 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and Section 4 (a) of the Police Act 2020.

Lawal who was a governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was directed to appear before it on Wednesday, while Adesanya would appear on Thursday.

They were asked to come with their lawyers if they deemed it necessary.

“Your presence is therefore required to assist in advancing the course of Criminal Justice delivery and fairness,” the letter reads.

However, information had it that those invited could be more than two.

Armed bandits have attacked the Abande community in the Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State, resulting in the deaths of a mobile police officer and four civilians.

According to the Benue State Police Command, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) from the 13 Police Mobile Force (PMF) was killed during an attack at a police station and residential areas in the Abande community. Four community members also died.

The confirmation was made by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Edet Udeme, in a statement issued on Wednesday in Makurdi.

According to Udeme, the remaining four victims were residents of the affected community.

She explained that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Jato-Aka, Kwande LGA, received a distress report on February 3 indicating that suspected armed bandits had launched an attack on police officers deployed to Abande community as well as local residents.

Udeme disclosed that the ASP, who was on special assignment at the community, sustained fatal injuries during the incident, while four civilians also lost their lives in the attack.

She further stated that security forces have since moved into the area to prevent further violence.

“Following the incident, combined teams of police operatives and other security agencies have been mobilised to the area to secure the community, conduct a thorough search, and forestall further breakdown of law and order.

“The deceased persons have been recovered and deposited at the mortuary.”

Udeme added that the Commissioner of Police in Benue State, Mr Ifeanyi Emenari, has ordered the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations to immediately take charge of the situation in Jato-Aka.

“He is directed to go with additional mobile force personnel and Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) to coordinate intensive operations, track the perpetrators, and effect their arrest.

“The Benue State Police Command commiserates with the families of the deceased and the Abande Community and assures the public that all necessary measures are being taken to bring the perpetrators to justice and restore peace to the area,” she said.

In commemoration of World Cancer Day, slated for February 4, 2026, Polaris Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to community health and social impact with the launch of a nationwide free breast cancer screening initiative in partnership with its NGO partner, Care Organization and Public Enlightenment (C.O.P.E). 

The initiative is designed to promote awareness, screening, early detection, and preventive care, reinforcing the Bank’s belief that access to health services is a critical foundation for individual and economic wellbeing.

As part of this year’s World Cancer Day activities, Polaris Bank will provide free and comprehensive breast cancer screening for 100 women across Nigeria, while also supporting an on-going free prostate cancer screening programme for 250 persons across Nigeria it earlier sponsored for men aged 40 years and above.

The prostate cancer screening is being conducted at the Men’s Clinic, situated at 18, Commercial Avenue, Sabo, Yaba, Lagos, providing accessible, professional medical support for male participants seeking early detection and preventive care for prostrate.

Both initiatives (free breast and prostate cancer screenings) directly aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) through improved access to preventive healthcare and early detection services, SDG 5 (Gender Equality) by prioritizing women’s health and empowerment, and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through strategic collaboration with civil society organizations such as C.O.P.E to deliver community-centered impact.

Educational materials, community engagement sessions, and digital awareness campaigns will be deployed to reinforce key messages around early detection, lifestyle choices, and the importance of regular medical check-ups.

Speaking on the initiative, Rasheed Bolarinwa, Group Head, Brand Management & Corporate Communications, Polaris Bank, emphasized that early detection remains one of the most effective tools in the fight against cancer.

By removing financial barriers and bringing screening services closer to communities, the Bank aims to empower individuals with the knowledge and resources they need to seek timely medical intervention.

The flagship breast cancer screening event will take place on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at the C.O.P.E Centre, 39B Adeniyi Jones Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos, from 10:00am to 2:00pm.

The exercise will be conducted by trained health professionals and volunteers, ensuring participants receive both screening services and educational guidance on cancer prevention, self-examination, and follow-up care.

Participation in the free breast cancer screening programme is subject to the following requirements: applicants must be women, applicants must be Polaris Bank account holders, and pre-registration is required, with selection based on early and confirmed submissions.

Eligible participants are encouraged to register via the official link: bit.ly/BCS2026.

While the breast cancer screening is targeted at women, Polaris Bank encourages men to actively support the health of their families by urging their wives, daughters, and female relatives to register and participate.

In parallel, men are also invited to take advantage of the on-going free prostate cancer screening programme for men aged 40 years and above at the Men’s Clinic, Sabo, Yaba.