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By Dayo Afolabi, Akure   Today marks four years since the tragic terrorist attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, where dozens of worshippers were brutally killed during a Sunday service on June 5, 2022. Although four years have passed since the incident, the painful memories remain fresh in the hearts of the victims' families, residents of Owo, and Nigerians across the country.  The attack continues to serve as a grim reminder of the devastating impact of insecurity on communities. As victims and concerned stakeholders continue to seek justice, a recent judgment by a Federal High Court, which sentenced four men to death by hanging for their roles in the attack, has been viewed as a significant step toward accountability, as the ruling underscores the government's commitment to combating crime, ensuring justice for victims, and deterring future acts of terrorism. In this report, Crest FM's Dayo Afolabi examines the significance of the court's judgment for the victi...

The Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency, Hon. Lucky Orimisan AIyedatiwa, has approved the appointment of Chief Segun Odusanya as the new Head of Public Service of the State, with effect from June 6, 2026. His appointment follows the retirement of Mr. Bayo Philips from service. The Governor thanked Mr. Philips for his contributions to the development of the State and wished him well in his future endeavours. Governor Aiyedatiwa urged the new Head of Service to bring his wealth of experience to bare on the service towards driving the OUR EASE administration to the desired destination. Chief Odusanya was born on 6th February, 1967 into the family of Venerable and Mrs. Emmanuel Odusanya (both of blessed memory). For his Primary and Secondary Education, he attended St. Peter’s Primary School Ile-Oluji and Gboluji Anglican Grammar School between 1972 and 1983. In continuation of his Education, he attended Obafemi Awolowo University (then University of Ife) from where he obtained his Bache...

Residents of Igbosi Community along Imeri Road in Idogun, Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State, were thrown into panic in the early hours of Friday following an attack by suspected gunmen who reportedly destroyed two buildings and abducted a nine-year-old boy. The victim, identified simply as Oluwatobi, is said to be the son of a pastor residing in the community. According to information gathered by our correspondent, the incident occurred at about 1:00 a.m. on Friday, June 5, 2026, when the armed assailants invaded the area, creating fear and confusion among residents. Sources within the community, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed that the attackers wreaked havoc during the operation, forcing many residents to flee their homes and seek refuge in safer locations. Following the incident, local vigilante groups and operatives of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, popularly known as Amotekun Corps, launched a search operation and have been combing nearby forests...

An Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrate's Court has ordered the remand of the Vice Chairman of Ilejemeje Local Government Area, Mrs. Grace Ogunleye, over allegations that she masterminded her own kidnapping . The Chief Magistrate, Mr. Abayomi Adeosun, gave the order on Thursday following her arraignment on charges relating to the alleged fabrication of her abduction. The court directed that Ogunleye be remanded at the Ado-Ekiti Correctional Centre pending the duplication of the case file and its transmission to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice. Ogunleye was declared missing on May 20, 2026, after her vehicle was found abandoned along the Ipere–Iludun Ekiti Road, sparking concerns over her safety and prompting an extensive search operation. The search involved personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, the military, and local security outfits. She was subsequently found and rescued the following day. However, police investigations later allegedly un...

The Registrar and Secretary to the Governing Council of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Mr. Mufutau Adesina Ibrahim, has underscored the importance of digital transformation in enhancing administrative efficiency and advancing the University's vision of becoming a digitally driven and entrepreneurially oriented institution . He made this known during a training workshop themed "Digitalization and Administrative Efficiency," held at the University Registry. Declaring the workshop open, Ibrahim welcomed administrators and resource persons to what he described as a timely and significant capacity-building programme. According to him, "This workshop aligns with the vision and mission of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Joshua Olalekan Ogunwole, whose administration is committed to transforming the University through digital innovation and technology-driven processes." Mr. Ibrahim emphasized that administrators have a crucial role to play in ensuring the succ...

The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a 38-year-old man, identified as Nsikak Kingsley, for allegedly assaulting his 65-year-old father, Adone Peter, to death following a domestic dispute in Akure, the state capital . The tragic incident occurred in Oda Community, located in Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State, and has generated widespread concern among residents of the area. According to information made available by the police, an argument between the suspect and his father on May 28 reportedly degenerated into a violent confrontation during which the elderly man sustained severe injuries, particularly to the head. The victim was immediately taken to a hospital for medical attention but was later pronounced dead by medical personnel due to the injuries he sustained. Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Ondo State Police Command, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, disclosed that the matter was reported to the police by Daniel Moses, a son of the deceased and younger brot...

‎The Ondo State Government has called on residents to desist from spreading unverified information capable of creating fear, panic, and undermining the peaceful atmosphere currently prevailing across the state. ‎ ‎2. This appeal follows the recent circulation of false reports on social media and other messaging platforms alleging incidents of kidnapping in schools and the presence of bandits within Akure metropolis. The Government wishes to reiterate that such reports are entirely false and have been categorically debunked by both the Ondo State Government and the Ondo State Police Command following comprehensive security assessments and intelligence gathering. ‎ ‎3. The Government notes with concern the growing trend of misinformation and fake news, which pose significant threats to public safety, social harmony, and public confidence. The deliberate dissemination of false information not only causes unnecessary anxiety among residents but also distracts security agencies from their c...

Preparations have been concluded for the 65th inaugural lecture of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State, as Prof. Olawole Oluwasuji, a distinguished scholar in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration, prepares to deliver the landmark lecture on Tuesday, June 9, 2026 . Prof. Oluwasuji, whose academic specialisation lies in Political Economy and Development Studies, will speak on the thought-provoking topic: "Nigeria's Fragile Economy: Removing the Contours and Roadblocks to Sustainable Development."  The lecture promises to dissect the structural vulnerabilities of the Nigerian economy, exploring policy inconsistencies, institutional weaknesses, and developmental bottlenecks, while proffering actionable pathways toward resilience and long-term growth. He obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from the then Ondo State University, Ado-Ekiti (now Ekiti State University) in 1997. He proceeded to the University...

Sunday Awoniyi, a Professor of Social Ethics at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, has proposed the reintegration of African ethical values to promote morality, responsibility, justice, and selflessness among leaders and citizens as a way of tackling corruption and moral decay in Nigeria. Prof. Awoniyi made this known on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, while delivering the institution's 64th inaugural lecture titled, "The Wages of Corruption and Leadership Failure: Socio-Ethical Frameworks as Pathways to Social Transformation." The don argued that, contrary to the belief that corruption results from legal, administrative, and economic failures, it is fundamentally a socio-ethical problem stemming from a distorted ethical consciousness in society, where "vice appears virtuous and injustice appears normal." While bemoaning the consequences of corruption and leadership failure on societal development, he warned that corruption in Nigeria and across Africa has become...

The Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted and sentenced four members of the Al-Shabaab terrorist group to death by hanging for their roles in the June 5, 2022, attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State. Those found guilty on a nine‑count terrorism charge the Department of State Services (DSS) filed on behalf of the Federal Government were Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza (25), Al Qasim Idris (20), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26), and Abdulhaleem Idris (25), while the 5th defendant, Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47), was discharged for want of evidence linking him to the attack. Delivering judgment in the matter on Wednesday, trial Justice Emeka Nwite said he was satisfied that the prosecution proved its case against the four defendants beyond reasonable doubt. He held that evidence before the court established that the four defendants belonged to and actively participated in the activities of the terrorist group, which included the church attack. The attack, carried out while the church celebr...

A fresh twist has emerged in the protracted dispute over the ownership and possession of a parcel of land at Feru Village in Ogun, with Gbenga Ibuoye Nigeria Limited accusing the Registered Trustees of World Mission Agency and the Ogun State Task Force on Illegalities of disregarding subsisting court orders and frustrating police investigations. The allegations were contained in a letter dated May 26, 2026, written by Olugbenga Olumide Oniyire SAN & Co., solicitors to Gbenga Ibuoye Nigeria Limited, and addressed to the Ogun State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice. In the letter, the law firm outlined a series of pending court cases involving its client and the Registered Trustees of World Mission Agency over the disputed land. According to the solicitors, the key matter is Suit No. HCT/296/2024 between Gbenga Ibuoye Nigeria Limited and the Registered Trustees of World Mission Agency, which is currently before the Ogun State High Court. The firm stated that on March 26, ...

The Ondo State Government has become aware of false reports circulating on social media and messaging platforms alleging an incident of kidnapping in a school within Akure metropolis. The Government categorically states that there is no record, report, or incident of kidnapping in any primary, secondary, or tertiary institution in Akure. All schools in the state capital are safe, open, and conducting academic activities without disruption. Security agencies, including the Police, Amotekun Corps, and DSS, have verified all school environments in Akure and confirmed normalcy. The Government, in collaboration with school authorities and parents, has maintained strict security protocols across all schools to ensure the safety of pupils and students at all times. We urge members of the public, especially parents and guardians, to disregard the fake news and refrain from sharing unverified information that is capable of causing panic and anxiety. The safety of our children and teachers remai...

By Our Correspondent  The Chairman of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC), Prince Biyi Poroye, on Tuesday paid a courtesy visit to the new office of Coastal Renaissance News in Akure, where he offered prayers for the continued growth, expansion, and success of the media organization . Prince Poroye was accompanied by the Director of Accounts of the Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Mrs. Adekanle Doris, and the Deputy Director of Accounts of the agency, Mr. Agbeleye Temitope. The visit, which took place at the media outfit's newly established office in Akure, was marked by goodwill messages, words of encouragement, and prayers for the management and staff of Coastal Renaissance News. Speaking during the visit, Prince Poroye commended the leadership of the media organization for its commitment to professional journalism, public enlightenment, and balanced reportage of events affecting communities across Ondo State and beyond. He noted...

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has led a rain of tributes for Idowu Ajanaku, the Ondo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, as he celebrates his landmark 60th birthday today, June 2, 2026. Political heavyweights, elder statesmen, and prominent leaders across the country poured encomiums on the multiple-award-winning journalist and political strategist, reflecting on his decades of dedication to democracy, media excellence, and the progressive movement. In a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, congratulating the celebrant on his diamond jubilee, President Bola Tinubu rejoiced with Ajanaku, commending his courage, vibrancy, and unwavering dedication to the noble profession of journalism over many decades. The President acknowledged Ajanaku's immense contributions to democracy and good governance in Nigeria, recalling his "valiant efforts against tyranny" during the dark days of military rule. Lauding the...