Two persons have reportedly been killed by suspected gunmen in a clash believed to be linked to cult activities in Edo State.

DAILY POST reports that the incidents happened in Ugbiyokho area, along the Ekehuan road in Ovia North- East and at Jattu Junction in Auchi, in Etsako West Local Government area of the state.

In the Auchi incident, a motor park worker simply identified as Jogodo was shot dead on Monday about 10:30 am at Jattu Junction in Auchi by assailants.

It was learned that the assailants who reportedly arrived in a black Lexus RX 350 sport utility vehicle immediately opened fire on the victim (Jogodo) before fleeing the scene.

In another separate incident, a young man simply identified as Happy was also reportedly shot dead around the Ugbiyokho area along Ekehuan road in the Ovia North-East Local Government. 

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The victim was said to be returning home from work when the incident occurred.

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‎ A source who spoke on condition of anonymity said that while the deceased’s wife was opening the gate to their residence, the attackers, who had allegedly laid an ambush for him, emerged and shot him at close range before escaping.

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He added that the victim was rushed to a hospital but later died from the gunshot wounds. 

The rationale behind the attacks could not be immediately ascertained at the time of filing this report.

When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the Edo State Police  Command, ASP Eno Ikoedem, said three suspects have been arrested in connection with the Auchi incident.

According to her, we have three suspects in custody, which the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, has ordered for the transfer of the suspect  to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at the command’s headquarters”

Eno said the park has been temporarily sealed since it is a murder case.

She said preliminary investigations revealed that the issue was over the control of the park, adding that it was sealed off to prevent further bloodshed.

The incidents have raised fresh concerns over cult-related violence in the state and the affected areas.

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The Kano State Police Command has warned that motorists driving with covered, defaced, fake, or missing number plates will be arrested and their vehicles impounded as the Command begins full enforcement of traffic laws across the state.

The warning was issued in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, on Tuesday.

The command said the enforcement exercise will begin immediately and will cover all parts of Kano State, including the metropolis and rural areas.

According to the command, the decision became necessary due to the growing trend of motorists deliberately covering or tampering with their vehicle registration numbers.

“This practice is against the law and poses serious security risks,” the command said.

It explained that such actions violate relevant provisions of the Road Traffic Act and the National Road Traffic Regulations, which require all vehicles to display clear and visible number plates at all times.

The police warned that hidden or fake number plates make it difficult to track vehicles used for crimes such as armed robbery, kidnapping, drug trafficking, and thuggery-related violence.

“In a state like Kano with a large population and many police divisions, proper vehicle identification is very important for public safety,” the statement added.

The command said it has directed all area commanders, divisional police officers, and traffic units to begin strict enforcement without delay.

“Officers have been instructed to impound any vehicle found with covered, defaced, unreadable, or missing number plates,” the police said.

It added that vehicles using fake or mismatched registration numbers will also be seized, and offenders will be prosecuted.

The police stressed that there will be no compromise during the exercise.

The command advised all vehicle owners and drivers to ensure full compliance with registration rules.

Motorists were urged to ensure their vehicles are properly registered with the Federal Road Safety Corps.

“Display clear number plates at the front and back of their vehicles, remove any form of covering, tint, or obstruction on plates, and report suspicious vehicles without proper registration to the nearest police station,” the statement added.

The police appealed to transport unions, community leaders, and motorists to support the operation and comply with traffic laws.

It also urged members of the public to report any misconduct by officers during the enforcement to designated complaint hotlines provided by the command.

A man identified as Fagbenro Olaewe, alongside his daughter and two grandchildren, have been arraigned before a Magistrate Court sitting in Isabo, Abeokuta, for allegedly threatening a woman and impersonating as bandits.

DAILY POST reports that the incident occurred on June 12, 2026, at about 10:00 am, in the Olorunda area of Abeokuta North Local Government Area.

The two minors allegedly used their grandfather’s phone to call one Mrs Esther Lawal, introduced themselves as bandits and threatened her while demanding money.

Olaewe aged 40, his daughter Elegbede Nofisat, 19, and his two grandchildren, aged 10 and 12, were arraigned on Tuesday on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, threatening violence and demanding money with menace of impersonating as bandits.

The charge sheet, with charge number MA/4539/2026 read: “That you Fagbenro Olaewe ‘m’, Elegbede Nofisat T, and…….. on 12” June, 2026 at about 1000hrs at Olorunda, Abeokuta North, Ogun State in Isabo Magisterial District did conspire together to commit felony to wit; Threatening violence and Demanding money with menace and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 516 of Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State of Nigeria, 2006.

COUNT II:- That you Fagbenro Olaewe ‘m’, Elegbede Nofisat ‘f, ……….. on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District did threaten one Lawal Esther f age 43yrs by introducing yourselves as bandit and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 87 of Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State of Nigeria, 2006.

COUNT III That you Fagbenro Olaewe ‘m’, Elegbede Nofisat F,……….. on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District did demand for money with menace by threatening one Lawal Esther f age 43yrs on phone and introduced yourselves as bandit and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 406 of Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State of Nigerja, 2006.”

They all pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor ASP Lawrence Olu-Balogun told the court that the first defendant, who is the grandfather of the minors, had given his phone to the second defendant (his daughter) to charge when the minors took it and made the threatening call.

“The minors called the complainant and threatened to kill her and family if she does not respond to their demand.

“The complainant immediately after receiving the call reported the situation to the police station on which the police tracked the call number and led to the arrest of the defendants,” he stated.

According to the prosecutor the offences contravene sections 516, 87 and 406 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun 2006.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs A.K Araba, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N500,000 with one surety each in like sum.

Araba ordered that Olaewe and Nofisat be remanded at the Ibara Correctional Centre. The two minors are to be remanded at the Juvenile Home, Asero, pending the perfection of their bail conditions.

The case was adjourned until June 30 for further hearing.