News
NANS Demands Action Within 24 Hrs On Detained Osun Student Leader
The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has expressed concern over the continued detention of Comrade Alalade Bukola Felix, popularly known as ‘Machiavelli’, by the police in connection with an alleged political crisis in Osun State.
NANS called for his immediate release or arraignment in court within 24 hours if the police have evidence linking him to any offence.
In a statement issued by the NANS Southwest Coordinator, Comrade Adeyemo Josiah, and Public Relations Officer, Comrade Olugbemi Timothy, the student body said it visited the Osun State Police Command in Osogbo over the matter.
The association said several aspects of the explanation provided by the command were “deeply troubling” and required urgent clarification.
According to the statement, Machiavelli’s wife told NANS that police operatives arrived at their residence at about 1am, allegedly forced their way into the house and took him away without properly informing his family of his destination.
NANS said the suspect was initially traced to the Area Command in Ilesa before he was later transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Osogbo.
The association said the police had alleged that Machiavelli was connected to a violent incident during a political procession and claimed that video evidence existed to support the allegation.
NANS, however, demanded that any such evidence be presented before a competent court.
“Our position is that if such evidence exists, place it before a competent court and prosecute him according to law,” the statement said.
The student body urged the police to respect due process and ensure that the suspect’s fundamental rights were protected throughout the investigation and any subsequent legal proceedings.
“During our engagements at the Police Command, we sought clarity and credible material supporting the allegations. No such material was presented to me. The mere existence of an allegation cannot become a substitute for judicial scrutiny or an excuse for prolonged detention.
“We acknowledge the responsibility of the Nigeria Police Force to investigate crime and arrest persons where there is reasonable suspicion of an offence. What we will not accept is a situation where allegation gradually becomes punishment through continued detention without the intervention of a court.
“An allegation is not a conviction, we therefore call directly on the Inspector-General of Police to urgently take interest in this matter and ensure that the Osun State Police Command and all officers involved act strictly within the law, professionally and without political influence.
“This is particularly important at a time when Osun State is approaching a sensitive election and public confidence in the neutrality of security agencies must not be allowed to deteriorate.
“NANS has consistently demonstrated its willingness to work with security agencies for peace. Only recently, the student leadership partnered with the Police through POCACOV in advocacy against electoral violence and social vices.
“Such cooperation can only survive where there is mutual trust, transparency, professionalism and fairness. Let it also be clearly stated that our intervention has nothing to do with Comrade Machiavelli’s employment, political association or relationship with any government official.
“He is a former NANS JCC Osun PRO, a former Convention Planning Committee Chairman, an alumnus of the University of Ilesa and an active stakeholder in the student movement.
“Whatever political interests may surround the allegations against him are secondary to us. Our concern is that a recognised student leader must enjoy the same due process guaranteed to every Nigerian citizen.
“Our position is simple, within the next 24 hours, either bring Comrade Alalade Bukola Felix “Machiavelli” before a competent court and place the allegations and available evidence before the judiciary, or release him in accordance with the law.
“We also call on the Commissioner of Police, Osun State Command, and the senior officers overseeing election security in Osun State to demonstrate, in practice, the fairness and professionalism Nigerians have been promised.
“Should this situation continue without lawful judicial intervention or satisfactory resolution, NANS will consult its structures and commence lawful, peaceful and organised mass action to demand respect for due process and the fundamental rights of one of our own.
“We will neither defend wrongdoing nor obstruct a legitimate criminal investigation. But neither will we sit idle while political tension becomes an excuse for the rights of student leaders to be disregarded.
“Investigate if you must. Prosecute if you have evidence. But let the law, not allegation, determine guilt. The credibility of our security institutions in the days approaching this election will be judged not only by what they say about neutrality, but by what Nigerians see them do.”
News
Police Discover Indoor Cannabis Farm In Lagos
The Lagos State Police Command has uncovered a suspected high-tech indoor cannabis farm at a residential property in Apapa, Lagos, arresting a 49-year-old Polish national and a 36-year-old Nigerian in connection with the discovery.
The suspects, identified as Thomas Razvickas, 49, and James Chisome, 36, were arrested on November 2, 2026, at about 8:15 am following intelligence received by police operatives.
The facility, according to the police, was equipped with sophisticated equipment for the cultivation, harvesting and processing of substances suspected to be cannabis.
The Command’s spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, adding that both suspects were residents of the property searched by the operatives.
She said the suspects were currently in police custody, where they had made confessional statements and were providing useful information to assist ongoing investigations.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, subsequently visited the scene to inspect the facility, assess the extent of the operation and receive briefings on the investigation.
Fatai commended the operatives for their vigilance and effective use of intelligence, reiterating the Command’s commitment to combating drug-related offences and dismantling criminal networks across the state.
He also urged residents to sustain their cooperation with the police by providing timely and credible information that could assist in identifying and apprehending criminal elements.
The police commissioner assured residents that the Command would remain proactive and resolute in its determination to rid Lagos of criminal activities.
News
Trump Accepts Midterm Election Results, Congratulates Democrats
U.S. President Donald Trump has said he is willing to accept the results of the midterm elections, bringing a temporary end to questions about whether he would challenge the outcome following a difficult night for Republicans.
In an interview with The New York Times, Trump said he was prepared to respect the election results, declaring, “I am absolutely willing to accept those results.”
The president also congratulated Democrats on their electoral victories and expressed readiness to work with them in the interest of the country, despite earlier warnings that he would use his presidential powers to block legislation backed by the opposition.
“My message is congratulations to the Democrats, and I look forward to working with you for the good of our country,” Trump told CBS News late Tuesday.
However, he suggested that cooperation would depend on Democrats being willing to work with his administration.
“I think they’re gonna want to work with me,” he said, adding that he could otherwise use his veto power to block their legislative proposals.
Republicans suffered significant setbacks in key races across the country as Democrats recorded victories in several contests, marking a challenging outcome for Trump’s party in the midterm elections.
Reacting to the results, Trump blamed his absence from the ballot as one of the reasons Republicans underperformed, arguing that his presence would have improved the party’s chances.
“I feel that I wasn’t on the ballot, and there was nothing that could be done about that. If I was, we would have won,” he said.
He also suggested that dissatisfaction with some Republican candidates contributed to the losses, claiming that certain candidates lacked his support and failed to attract the party’s political base.
“In some cases, they didn’t like the candidates, and in some cases those candidates were not my friend, and the base knows that better than anybody. And they stayed back,” Trump added.
Despite his conciliatory remarks to CBS News, the president maintained a firm position on his administration’s legislative approach.
Speaking later with Fox News Channel, Trump again emphasised his intention to use the presidential veto to prevent the passage of Democratic-backed legislation.
News
Ondo Ponmo Sellers’ Association President Collapses In Court
A business. woman, identified as the President of the Ponmo Sellers’ Association in Ondo State, reportedly collapsed in court during her arraignment in Akure on Tuesday following her arrest over the alleged discovery of human faeces at her ponmo processing centre.
The incident comes days after the Chairman of Akure South Local Government Area, Hon. Gbenga Fasua, ordered the immediate closure of a popular ponmo supply store on Igboliki Street in Akure following an environmental sanitation inspection that reportedly uncovered two buckets containing human faeces on the premises.
The discovery was made during the October edition of the monthly environmental sanitation exercise conducted on Saturday, when Fasua led a monitoring team through Oke Aro, Iro and Igboliki streets to assess residents’ and businesses’ compliance with environmental sanitation regulations.
According to information from the inspection, the ponmo business had reportedly operated in the area for more than 21 years.
The operator, who was present during the inspection, reportedly identified herself as the President of the Ponmo Sellers’ Association in Ondo State.
Following the discovery, Fasua ordered the immediate closure of the premises and directed the disposal of all ponmo products at the shop.
He also ordered that the operator be prosecuted in accordance with applicable local and state environmental laws.
The businesswoman was subsequently arrested and brought before a court in Akure on Tuesday for arraignment.
She reportedly collapsed during the court proceedings.
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