A violent cult-related attack in Oko, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, has left two people dead and two others abducted, according to a statement released by the Anambra State Police Command on Friday.

The attack, which occurred on the night of Wednesday, June 19, reportedly unfolded around 8:40 pm at Total Junction and Tipper Junction, two major areas in the town known for hosting the Federal Polytechnic, Oko.

Police spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga confirmed the tragic incident, adding that two other individuals, one of whom is a woman, were rescued from the scene and are currently receiving medical care in a hospital.

Ikenga disclosed that a joint security task force, comprising operatives from the Police, Army, Navy, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and local vigilante groups, has now taken control of the area as investigations continue.

“The Police Operatives led by the Area Commander Aguata, complemented by the Joint Security Force comprising the Army, Navy, Civil Defence and Vigilante Operatives have taken over the scene of an alleged cult related shooting by 8.40pm on 19th June, 2025 at the Total Junction and Tipper junction all in Oko, Orumba North Local Government Area,” the statement read.

He further noted “Two victims including a lady who is currently receiving treatment in a hospital were rescued. Sadly, the incident recorded the death of two persons and the alleged abduction of two others.”

According to eyewitness accounts, the armed assailants were riding a motorcycle and a black Lexus 350 SUV with no license plates.

They reportedly began shooting indiscriminately at Total Junction, injuring multiple people before abducting two individuals at Tipper Junction and fleeing the scene.

“Four persons were allegedly wounded including a lady that is currently receiving treatment at the hospital. The two others were allegedly abducted at the Tipper junction before they fled the scene,” the police said

The Command assured the public that the situation is under control and urged residents to remain calm, stressing that investigators are already working with intelligence gathered from eyewitnesses to track down the perpetrators.

The Court of Appeal in Akure, Ondo State, has struck out a legal challenge filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC), confirming the legitimacy of the February 2025 local government elections held in Osun State.

The ruling, delivered on Friday, June 13, 2025, effectively upholds the electoral wins of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), along with the legitimacy of the elected Chairmen and Councillors.

The appeal, with the suit number CA/AK/15/2025, was filed by the Allied People’s Movement (APM), Babatunde Nurudeen Idowu, and the APC.

The respondents included the Action Peoples Party (APP), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC), the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and Prince Adegboye Famodun.

The panel of three justices; Oyebisi Folayemi Omoleye, Peter Chudi Obiorah, and Hadiza Rabiu Shagari unanimously ruled against the appellants, citing the case as lacking merit and being overtaken by events.

Justice Omoleye, who delivered the lead judgment, remarked, “Critically, this Court had earlier delivered judgment on 10th February 2025 in Appeal No. CA/AK/270/2022, involving basically the same parties and addressing substantially the same issues.

“The said appeal has been dismissed. What is more, the fresh Local Government elections conducted on 22nd February 2025 and the swearing-in of new Chairmen and Councillors have overtaken the substratum of this dispute. Relisting the appeal at this stage would serve no practical purpose.”

She further stated, “In sum, this application is not only procedurally incompetent and factually unsupported, it is also one rendered otiose by subsequent events. There is no longer any live controversy.”

“The matter is, in every material sense, a fait accompli. I therefore also dismiss the application.”

In agreement with the lead judgment, Justice Obiorah added, “Of course, the dismissal of the appeal means that there being no existing appeal against the judgment of the lower court, the said judgment stands as the authority defining the state of affairs as it regards the status of the officers of the various Local Government Councils in Osun State.”

He also addressed allegations surrounding contempt of court related to the earlier proceedings.

“However, the issue of violation of the orders of the lower court and the alleged contempt is the 3a Respondent/Applicant’s interpretation of the action of the 3d Appellant/Respondent with respect to their treatment of the judgment of the lower court, particularly after the dismissal of their appeal by this Court on 13/1/2025.

“The said contempt is ex-facie curiae. In INEC & ANOR v. OGUEBEGO & ORS (2017) LPELR-42609(SC) (Pp. 10-12 paras. F), the highly revered and cerebral, Chima Centus Nweze, JSC (of blessed memory) stated.”

The PDP, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), praised the court’s decision, calling it a validation of the people’s will and a setback for what it described as “political desperation.”

Celebrating the judgment, the party stated that the Certified True Copy of the ruling had clearly established the finality of the matter.

“The Court has dismissed APC’s appeal and affirmed Chairmen and Councillors elected in the 2025 Local Government Election as the duly elected council officials in Osun State.”

They also cited Justice Omoleye’s reasoning: “The Presiding Judge, Oyebisi Folayemi Omoleye in her ruling stated that since a fresh election has been conducted and new Chairmen and Councillors have been sworn in, there is no controversy anymore,” the PDP said.

Despite President Tinubu’s visit to Benue on Wednesday to address the Yelwata massacre, tensions remain high across the state.

In Uvir Ward, Guma Local Council, Fulani herdsmen and thousands of cattle entered nearby farmlands between Wednesday and Thursday, sparking fears among local farmers.

An eyewitness, Samuel Jootar, said the cattle were grazing freely, while Selumun described the situation as alarming:

“These herders just appeared with thousands of cattle, moving freely across our farmlands. People are afraid. We’ve not provoked anyone, but our farmers are already abandoning their homes and crops.”

Meanwhile, local youths in Ushongo Local Council intercepted a bus carrying unknown cargo and several Fulani men.

Though the police intervened, led by CSP Abubakar Abba, the goods onboard remain an enigma.

The youths’ attempts to inspect the contents were blocked.

Ushongo Council Chairman, Terkimbi Adzu, confirmed the suspects have been transferred to the Special Investigative Bureau, but the vehicle’s contents are still undisclosed.

Adding to the instability, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Yelwata held a protest in Makurdi, accusing officials of neglect and diversion of relief materials.

They gathered near Makurdi International Market, blocking traffic, as they demanded immediate action on the dire conditions in their camp.

A female IDP held a placard and explained their plight:

“There’s no food, our children are starving, we sleep on the floor, and mosquitoes are almost killing us. We are suffering, and people are dying.”

They accused camp officials of hoarding donations, including food and mattresses from Pastor Paul Enenche, and urged the government and humanitarian agencies to ensure transparent distribution.

At the time of filing this report, officials had not issued a formal response.

NYSC Evacuates Corps Members Amid Rising Violence

The NYSC Benue State Coordinator, Mrs Veronica Garba, revealed that Corps members from Yelewata and Daudu have been relocated to family houses in Makurdi.

She reassured parents that all members are accounted for:

“We do not joke with the safety of our Corps members… We do a head count… none was missing.”

She added that all security chiefs have moved into Benue and stated:

“God who is the safest security is everywhere; He is with your children too.”

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has announced a significant boost to the country’s power infrastructure, adding 5,910 megavolt-amperes (MVA) of transformer capacity to the national grid.

The update was shared by Aminu Tahir, General Manager of Project Coordination and Technical Assistant to the MD/CEO, during a briefing on ongoing projects under the Project Management Unit (PMU) of the company.

Tahir stated that the projects are being financed through international development partnerships, including the World Bank, Agence Française de Développement (AFD), and the African Development Bank (AFDB).

He also noted that procurement processes are nearing completion for additional projects funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Lagos and Ogun States.

“These projects have significantly boosted the national grid, with an additional 5,910 MVA of transformer capacity as of date,” he said.

According to him, while several projects have already been completed, others are approximately 80 percent finished, signaling major progress in the country’s power infrastructure overhaul.

In another development, the TCN disclosed that bulk power supply has been restored nationwide via the Kainji-Birnin Kebbi 330kV Transmission Line as of 12:40 p.m. on Wednesday.

This comes after the collapse of three towers on the route following a severe windstorm on May 7.

“Work was done, day and night, in conjunction with our supervising engineers, to ensure the quick restoration of the line that was energised earlier today. We sincerely appreciate the patience and understanding of affected communities during the reconstruction period,” said Ndidi Mbah, General Manager of Public Affairs at TCN.

Following the initial repairs, another windstorm struck, causing the collapse of three more towers in Galadima Village, located in Shanga Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

TCN responded by deploying additional contractors to the site for urgent reconstruction.

“TCN remains committed to ensuring efficient and reliable transmission of bulk electricity to distribution load centres nationwide,” Mbah added in the statement.