AbdulWaheed Olatunde Lawal, a prominent All Progressives Congress (APC) figure from Oyo State, has called on the party’s state chairman, Olayide Abas, to engage the Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to ensure the safety of Ibraheem Shittu, a member of the Oyo State House of Assembly. Lawal’s appeal comes in the wake of Shittu’s allegations regarding a controversial N300 billion loan approved by the Assembly for Governor Seyi Makinde.

Shittu, representing Saki West State Constituency, was the first to publicly disclose that the Oyo State House of Assembly had approved a N300 billion loan for Governor Makinde. He claimed that this decision was made during an emergency sitting while the Assembly was on recess, without informing all members. In response, the Assembly dismissed Shittu’s allegations as baseless, labeling him an absentee lawmaker who rarely attends plenary sessions.

Lawal, sharing the same local government area as Shittu, expressed concern over potential threats to the lawmaker’s safety due to his whistleblowing. He emphasized that the APC must not abandon Shittu, who he believes is facing danger for exposing alleged financial misconduct. Lawal urged the party leadership to take immediate action to protect Shittu and uphold his right to report corruption without fear of retaliation.

Lawal has called on the APC to:

• Publicly affirm Shittu’s right to expose alleged financial improprieties.
• Engage with the Commissioner of Police and the Director of the DSS in Oyo State to ensure Shittu’s safety.
• If threats persist, petition the APC National Working Committee and the President to invoke federal protection for Shittu.

The unfolding N300 billion loan controversy has highlighted internal conflicts within the Oyo State House of Assembly and raised concerns about the safety of lawmakers who challenge decisions. Lawal’s call for protective measures underscores the importance of safeguarding individuals who expose potential corruption, ensuring that democratic processes remain transparent and accountable

Tragedy struck in Minneapolis on Wednesday when a gunman opened fire at Annunciation Catholic School during a morning Mass, killing two children and injuring 17 others. The attack has left the community shaken and reignited concerns about the safety of schools and places of worship in the United States.

The incident occurred just days into the new school year at the parish school, which serves pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. Witnesses said the shooter fired into the church through stained-glass windows while children and staff were gathered inside. Authorities later identified the assailant as 23-year-old Robin M. Westman, who carried a rifle, shotgun, and pistol. After the assault, Westman took her own life in the parking lot. Police found no explosives on site, though a smoke device was recovered.

Two students, aged eight and ten, were killed. Fourteen of the wounded were children, seven of them critically hurt. Medical staff at Hennepin County Medical Center reported that several victims underwent emergency surgery. Doctors described the injuries as severe but said treatment was ongoing.

Investigators have yet to determine a motive, but officials revealed that Westman’s mother once worked at the school. The suspect had no major criminal record and appeared to have acted alone.

The shooting drew swift responses from religious and political leaders. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops expressed sorrow, saying that when one child suffers, the whole Church grieves. Pope Leo XIV sent a message of condolence through Cardinal Pietro Parolin, calling the attack a “terrible tragedy” and offering prayers for victims, families, and first responders. In Washington, President Donald Trump ordered flags to fly at half-staff until Sunday. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey also addressed the public, with Frey emphasizing the cruelty of targeting children at prayer.

The violence comes just two days after a separate fatal shooting behind Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, another Catholic institution in Minneapolis. Police have found no link between the incidents, but their timing has intensified public concern.

Although the tragedy occurred in the United States, the implications resonate globally. In Nigeria, where schools and churches have also faced attacks, the events in Minneapolis highlight the urgent need for reinforced security around educational and religious institutions. They serve as a reminder that sanctuaries meant for learning and worship remain vulnerable and require vigilant protection.

Two young lives have been cut short, dozens more altered, and a community left reeling. The massacre at Annunciation Catholic School underscores the universal responsibility to safeguard children and uphold the sanctity of spaces dedicated to faith and education.

More news updates to follow up later, stay tuned.

Hon. Dagara Daje of the All Progressives Congress has been sworn in as a member of the Niger State House of Assembly to represent Munya Constituency. The oath of office was administered during plenary on Tuesday by the Speaker, Abdulmalik Mohammed Sarkin-Daji, who pledged the full support of the House to help the new lawmaker contribute meaningfully to legislative activities in the state.

Daje emerged winner of the August 16 by-election, where he secured 12,556 votes against his closest rival, the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Sabo Sunday Adabyinlo, who polled 5,646 votes. The APC won in 10 of the 11 wards in the constituency, while the PDP managed to take only one. The election was conducted to fill the seat left vacant after the death of Hon. Joseph Haruna Duza of the PDP.

The Returning Officer, Professor Abdulkarim Saka, declared Daje winner of the contest, describing the process as credible and transparent. The Niger State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Ahmed Garki, also commended security agencies for maintaining peace throughout the exercise, which was widely acknowledged as orderly and violence-free.

With his swearing-in, the APC has further strengthened its position in the State Assembly, while the PDP faces fresh questions over its declining influence in Munya. For Daje, the occasion marks the beginning of his legislative journey and a chance to deliver on the expectations of his constituents.