Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a 60-year-old building materials trader in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital following a late-night attack in the Monatan area.

The victim was kidnapped on Saturday at about 8:47 p.m. along the Jinarere axis of Alakia Road, where the victim was reportedly intercepted while returning home.

Preliminary reports indicate that four masked gunmen accosted the trader and forcibly whisked him away in an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla.

Confirming the development, the Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, said operatives responded swiftly after receiving a distress call.

Ayanlade said, “Preliminary information reveals that the victim, a 60-year-old male and building materials trader, was accosted while returning home along the Jinarere axis of Alakia Road by four masked armed men, who forcefully whisked him away in an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla vehicle”.

“Upon receipt of the report, police operatives swiftly visited the scene and activated necessary operational measures aimed at rescuing the victim and apprehending the perpetrators,” he said.

He added that tactical efforts were ongoing, with security operatives deploying available resources to secure the victim’s safe release and track down those responsible.

The police also reassured residents of their commitment to maintaining security and tackling criminal activities across the state, as investigations into the incident continue.

The Oyo State Police Command has confirmed the arrest and detention of several officers following the death of a commercial motorcyclist during a stop-and-search operation in the Moniya area of Ibadan.

The victim, 35-year-old Sanni Salisu, died during an alleged unauthorized stop-and-search by two officers from the Kara Police Outpost.

While police reported that Salisu suffered an epileptic seizure, witnesses and family allege he was struck by an officer during a struggle. He was pronounced dead upon arrival at a nearby hospital.

In a statement on Saturday, issued by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, and made available to newsmen in Ibadan, the incident occurred between police officers from the Border Patrol Unit stationed along the Iseyin/Oyo Road and a Fulani man riding a motorcycle.

According to Ayanlade, the individual became violent and restive, leading to a confrontation with the officers.

He added that during the ensuing clash, the man was struck and fell from his motorcycle.

The command’s PPRO said he was immediately rushed to a medical facility, where he was confirmed dead.

The statement read, “Earlier today, an encounter occurred between police officers from the Border Patrol Unit stationed along the Iseyin/Oyo Road and a Fulani man riding a motorcycle.

“Information available indicates that the individual became restive and violent, leading to a confrontation with the officers. During the ensuing clash, he was struck and fell from his motorcycle.

“He was immediately rushed to a medical facility, where he was confirmed dead.

“Following the incident, the Commissioner of Police has ordered the detention of all officers involved, pending the outcome of a thorough investigation, which is currently ongoing. The commissioner has also directed that an autopsy be conducted to medically ascertain the exact cause of death.

“It is pertinent to note that a brief protest occurred in Iseyin in response to the incident; however, the situation was swiftly brought under control, and the crowd was peacefully dispersed after assurances that justice will be served. A complete brief will follow soon.”

The incident comes amid renewed public scrutiny of police conduct following a recent case in Delta State, where a police officer was arrested over the alleged shooting of a restrained suspect.

The development drew widespread outrage after a video of the incident circulated online, prompting the authorities to transfer the case to the Force Headquarters for further investigation and disciplinary action.

The police authorities had said the move was aimed at ensuring transparency and accountability in the handling of the matter.

Pastor Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has clarified that Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, was ordained as an Assistant Pastor over 10 years ago before her husband assumed the presidency.

Speaking at the May monthly Holy Ghost Service tagged “Excellent Counsel”, held at the church’s sprawling 3 km by 3 km auditorium in Simawa, Ogun State, the revered cleric addressed criticism targeting the First Lady’s role within the church.

He revealed that Mrs Tinubu underwent the full rigours of the church’s spiritual formation process, including the baptismal class, the Workers in Training class, and the School of Disciples at the national headquarters before her ordination as an assistant pastor ten years ago.

Quoting scripture, Adeboye added, “There is no place in the Bible where it says the wife must dictate to the husband. What my Bible says is, ‘Husband, love your wife; wife, submit to your husband.’”

In his words: “Some people have been asking how we can allow the first lady to be a pastor in The Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG. Let me tell you one thing: the first lady did not join RCCG when she became first lady; she was ordained an assistant pastor 10 years ago. At that time, her husband was not even a contestant for the presidency. She passed through the baptismal class, workers in training class, and school of disciples at the national headquarters before she was ordained an assistant pastor 10 years ago.

“And she has not been promoted since then because there are still conditions she must satisfy before she can be ordained as a full pastor. And there is nowhere in the Bible where it says, “The wife must dictate to the husband.” What my Bible says is, “Husband, love your wife; wife, submit to your husband.”

The RCCG leader also noted that the First Lady has not received any promotion since her initial ordination, as there remain conditions she must satisfy before becoming a full pastor.

While declining to specify the three major offences that could lead to removal from pastoral office in RCCG, Adeboye confirmed that Mrs Tinubu “has not committed any of such offences”.

Pastor Adeboye also dismissed suggestions that the church is aligned with any political party, declaring that the RCCG remains a house of worship open to all Nigerians regardless of their political affiliation.

“Some people are saying RCCG is an APC church. I just smile. In RCCG, you will find a governor from the Peoples Democratic Party sitting down with a governor from the Labour Party, APC, and APGA. By the special help of God, we are representative of the whole nation, and that is what we will continue to be.”

The cleric made clear that while all politicians are welcome to worship, the pulpit remains off-limits for political speech.

“If you saw one governor among us today dancing and you were expecting he would be called forward to say something, we don’t do that. But if you come to worship with us, you are welcome. Our duty is to pray for everybody.”