News
Frenzy As PDP Big Fish, Bankole Joins APC In Ogun
Political stakeholders, community leaders, pressure groups, opinion leaders, socio – cultural associations, leaders of thought, market men and women in Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State have hailed the defection of a former State Publicity Secretary and former Director, Media and Communication of the Peoples Democratic party (PDP), Asiwaju Akinloye Bankole, to the All Progressives Party (APC), describing the renowned politician as a big fish in Ogun West Senatorial district in particular and Ogun State in general.
According to them, Asiwaju Bankole’s tenure as a Personal Assistant to the Chairman, Ipokia Local Government, Chief Kayode Oke (2003 – 2004) and later Special Assistant to the Chairman (2004 – 2006), which culminated in his appointment as a Member, Ipokia Local Government Transition Committee (2006 – 2007) remained unprecedented in the history of the Local Government as it will be recalled that during the period, Asiwaju Bankole impacted on the lives and economy of his people with the little resources at his disposal, an ingenuity that traditional rulers and generality of the people had described as second to none and worthy of emulation by all serving and former public and political office holders.
Over the weekend, an interactive session of different groups of over 12,000 men, women and youths, hosted by Asiwaju Bankole at Idiroko, witnessed an unmatched multitude who had come from the 12 wards in Ipokia Local Government Area to pledge their unalloyed support for his defection to the APC, while thousands came to decamp to the APC from the PDP, ADC, NDC, Labour Party and other political parties.
Alhaja Abeni Ajenifuja, a political stakeholder and market leader in Idiroko, who spoke on behalf of the groups, noted that Nigerians were disechanted with the PDP and other parties for lack of focus and presently being in disarray and have, therefore, in Ogun West Senatorial district, decided to support Asiwaju Bankole in his new political voyage because of his track – records as a grassroot mobiliser, vibrant politician, tested and trusted leader and his zeal to provide purposeful leadership.
She pointed out that the best representation at any party’s State Executive Council Ipokia Local Government ever had since 1999 was when Asiwaju Bankole became the State Publicity Secretary and later Director, Media and Communication of the PDP as he touched the common man on the street, while he also ensured adequate representation of his people.
The market leader also noted that the people of Ipokia Local Government, no doubt, enjoyed the best of such representation because of his determination to address the issue with all available human and material resources at his disposal, adding that this gave them an assurance that Asiwaju Bankole is a leader they can trust
In his address to the teeming crowd, Asiwaju Bankole thanked them for their trust in him and their loyalty and support which made his decampment and acceptance by the APC leadership a success story, promising that he would not let them down, but endeavour to continue doing his best to better their lots.
He re – emphasised that what motivated his interest in leaving the PDP was driven by a desire to move on as political events in the PDP in the last one year had reduced the PDP to a mere support group for the APC, thereby making the PDP a thoroughly dilapidated vehicle that could no longer guarantee his personal political growth, interest and aspirations.
Asiwaju Bankole also cited prolonged, unresolved internal divisions within the PDP national leadership as another core reason for his departure
He, however, felt highly elated that he was greeted with wild jubilation, solidarity songs and drum sets by the record – breaking crowd, stressing that his joy knew no bound.
The former Ogun PDP spokesman assured the people that the Senator Adeola’s administration would do the state proud by bringing about the much expected accelerated development through preservation of the environment and in the performance of agriculture, education, improved health services and other social services and amenities.
He described Senator Adeola as not only an inspiration to many, but also a compassionate philanthropist, exceptional leader and a treasured gift to Yewa land and beyond, adding that his warmth, wisdom and unwavering commitment to the overall development of Ogun State have endeared him to all and sundry.
News
Court Arraigns Journalist In Benue
A Benue State High Court, presided over by Justice Mary Abounu, has arraigned the Benue State correspondent of Aljazirah Newspaper, Henry Ibya, in Makurdi over alleged cyberstang.
The trial judge had sought the prosecution’s response to the defendant’s argument that the journalist was reliable and should be granted bail.
The absence of the prosecution counsel in court did not stop the proceedings, as the defendant’s counsel, Tom Uja, Esq., notified the court of his bail application for his client.
He stated that the prosecution had taken the journalist to two other courts in the state on the same charge and that his client had never failed to appear in court whenever required.
Although the prosecutor’s absence did not affect the judge’s decision to proceed and grant bail, which was also believed to be in the interest of justice, the matter was adjourned until November 5, 2026.
One Terna Abuul, said to be the Director of ICT at Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi, reported Henry Ibya to the Nigeria Police Force, Benue State Command.
The director had accused the journalist of allegedly reporting mismanagement in the institution’s ICT department.
According to Abuul, Ibya’s report accused him of wrongdoing.
On the strength of the said report, the journalist was arraigned before the High Court in Makurdi.
News
64 Dead, 80 Injured As Two High-Speed Trains Collide
At least 64 people have been killed and dozens seriously injured after two high-speed trains collided near Urda, south of Madrid, in one of Spain’s deadliest rail disasters in more than a decade.
The Castilla-La Mancha regional government confirmed the death toll as emergency crews continued rescue operations at the crash site. More than 500 passengers were travelling on the two trains involved, according to a regional government spokesperson.
The BBC reports that the collision of the two trains involved a Renfe high-speed train and an Iryo service operating on the Madrid-to-Seville route. Aerial images analysed by the broadcaster showed parts of the Renfe train leaving the tracks, while carriages of the Iryo train also derailed.
The cause of the collision had not been officially confirmed. However, Spanish media cited preliminary accounts suggesting that the Renfe train struck the Iryo service, which may have been stationary following a problem on the tracks.
The scale of the disaster prompted a major emergency response involving ambulances, helicopters, rescue teams and police officers. At least 80 people were reported injured, with about 50 believed to be in serious condition and 15 in critical condition, according to regional officials.
Several victims were transported to hospitals in nearby areas, while others were taken to Madrid for treatment. Hospitals in Toledo, Ciudad Real and Alcázar de San Juan reportedly suspended planned surgeries to accommodate casualties from the crash.
Blood transfusion centres in Madrid and Toledo also appealed for urgent donations to meet a possible surge in demand.
Survivors described scenes of panic and severe destruction. One passenger, Sebastián Herrero, told Spanish newspaper El Mundo that he felt a powerful impact that threw him into the seats ahead. He said injured passengers had broken noses and arms, while smoke spread through the carriages.
Another passenger, Iñaki, told El País that the impact sent him rolling across the floor. After escaping, he saw injured people and bodies around the wreckage.
BBC Verify also examined images and videos appearing to show a section of railway track piercing through a Renfe carriage, with approximately 10 metres of rail protruding through its roof.
The disaster has revived concerns about railway safety in Spain, which suffered another deadly high-speed rail accident near Córdoba in which 46 people died. The country’s previous worst rail disaster occurred in July 2013, when 80 people were killed in a derailment near Santiago de Compostela.
Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, said he was shocked by the crash and remained in contact with the transport minister. The Spanish royal family also expressed condolences to victims’ relatives and praised emergency workers.
Meanwhile, the Royal Spanish Football Federation postponed 24 Copa del Rey matches in solidarity with the victims, while most political parties suspended campaign activities.
Rescue and recovery operations continued as authorities worked to establish the full circumstances surrounding the collision.
News
Police Arrest Suspected Eiye Cultist, Recover Two Pistols, Cartridges In Ogun
Operatives of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Squad of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested a 26-year-old suspected cultist and recovered two locally made pistols, three live cartridges and a battle axe in the Atan area of Ado-Odo/Ota Local Council of the state.
The suspect, identified as Okiki Muhammed Adewusi, popularly known as “Baba Obo”, was arrested in the Ore area of Atan on October 26, 2026, following intelligence received by operatives of SWAT Base 7, Abule Iroko, Sango-Ota.
The Police Spokesperson, Oluseyi Babaseyi, confirmed the arrest in a statement in Abeokuta yesterday.
According to Babaseyi, a search of the suspect’s residence after his arrest led to the recovery of a locally made pistol and three live cartridges.
He added that preliminary investigations indicated that the suspect had allegedly admitted to being a member of the Eiye Confraternity.
Babaseyi said information obtained from the suspect led to a follow-up operation at about 6.30 a.m. on October 27, 2026 during which operatives recovered a second locally made pistol and a battle axe from a separate location.
The recovered items have been secured as exhibits, while efforts are ongoing to arrest other suspects believed to be involved in the activities and recover additional weapons.
The police spokesperson said investigations were ongoing to establish the full circumstances of the case.
The Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, commended the SWAT operatives for their vigilance, professionalism and effective use of intelligence.
Ojajuni reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks, curbing cult-related activities and tackling the illegal possession of firearms across the state.
He urged residents to provide timely and credible information about suspected criminal activities, assuring them that the Command would act on actionable intelligence to protect lives and property and maintain public safety.
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