MORNING NEWS
THE HEADLINES
Kidnapped pastor’s son rescued after three weeks in Ondo forest
Aiyedatiwa hails Oyebanji’s re-election, lauds Faduyile’s by-election win
Security firm rescues kidnapped woman, arrests two suspects in Ondo
Iran Warns US To ‘Be Careful’ After Trump’s Threat
Iran Frustrate Stuttering Belgium In World Cup Clash
THE DETAILS
The nine-year old son of a pastor, Master Victor Oluwatobi, who was kidnapped three weeks ago in Idogun, Ose Local Government area of Ondo State, has regained his freedom. It will be recalled that unknown gunmen invaded Ugbosi Quarters in Idogun at midnight on Friday, June 5, 2026, and destroyed two buildings in an attempt to kidnap the landlords, who were able to escape.
Unfortunately, Pastor Oluwatobi could not rescue all his children in time, leaving the boy — who was fast asleep at the time of the invasion — behind. The child had since remained in the custody of the assailants.
On Sunday morning, through the joint efforts of security agencies, he was safely rescued and reunited with his family.
During the period of his captivity, the Ondo State Government mobilised security agencies including the Army, Police, Amotekun Corps, and local vigilantes — who combed the forest day and night in search of the victim. Residents have since appreciated the efforts of the governor and the security agencies in securing his release.
The Ondo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Idowu Ajanaku who confirmed the development, appreciated the efforts of the security agents and every individual who contributed to the safe rescue of the boy.
Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has congratulated his Ekiti State counterpart, Governor Biodun Oyebanji, on securing a second term in office following his victory in Saturday’s governorship election. Aiyedatiwa, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, said the electoral outcome was a decisive affirmation of Oyebanji’s leadership vision and governance model.According to the governor, the people of Ekiti State spoke clearly through the ballot box to endorse what he describes as the developmental trajectory set in the first term of the Oyebanjiadministration.
Aiyedatiwa further commended the peaceful atmosphere of the election, praising both the electorate and security agencies for maintaining order during the process. While describing the conduct of the Ekiti people as exemplary and a model for democratic practice, Aiyedatiwa also congratulated Dayo Faduyile on his victory in the just-concluded Ondo South Senatorial by-election, describing the outcome as a reflection of the confidence and trust reposed in him by the people of the district.Aiyedatiwa noted that Faduyile’s contributions to medicine, academia, and public service have equipped him for the task ahead, expressing confidence that he would deploy his vast experience and expertise in the service of the people.
“On behalf of the government and good people of Ondo State, I warmly congratulate Professor Francis Adedayo Faduyile on this well-deserved victory. His emergence is a further affirmation of the faith our people have in purposeful leadership. I am confident that he will offer quality representation and work with relevant stakeholders to promote the development and prosperity of Ondo South and our dear state,” the governor said.
br> private security firm in Ondo State, Gallery Security Services Limited, has arrested two suspected kidnappers in Ode Irele, the headquarters of Irele Local Government Area of the state.
During the operation, the firm said its operatives also rescued a 37-year-old woman, Morenike Falona, and dismantled the den of the suspects.
Speaking while handing over the suspects to the state police command on Sunday at Ajagba in Irele Local Government Area of the state, the Security Manager of GSSL, Navy Lieutenant Zakari Abdullahi (retd.), said the suspects were handed over to the police for onward transfer to the Okitipupa Area Police Command for further investigation and prosecution.
According to him, the victim was kidnapped on June 16 and rescued three days later by a 20-man rescue team of the security firm. He identified the suspects as Obibodefiyie Ajuesie and Monday Lucky.
The Command commends the efforts of the GSSL operatives, which culminated in the safe rescue of the victim and the subsequent handover of the suspects to the police for further investigation and necessary legal action. Such efforts underscore the value of strategic partnerships and information-sharing among security stakeholders in the fight against crime and criminality.”
The PPRO said the suspects had been taken into police custody while the investigation was ongoing with a view to apprehending other members of the criminal syndicate and bringing all those involved to justice.
FORIGN NEWS
Iran warned the United States on Sunday to “be careful” after President Donald Trump threatened to strike the Islamic republic over its support for Hezbollah, even as the arch-foes held talks in Switzerland seeking a deal to permanently end the Middle East war.
The negotiations to end a war that sowed chaos across the Middle East and rattled the global economy are meant to trigger a 60-day period to settle broader issues that have dogged US-Iranian relations for decades.
But disagreement over key sticking points and the threat of renewed fighting in Lebanon weighed on the talks, with Washington and Tehran exchanging threats in parallel with the negotiations. “They would do better to be careful with their statements; our armed forces are ready to respond to them in a different manner. No matter what they say, we are the ones who act,” Iran’s chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said.
US President Donald Trump had threatened to strike Iran if it did not “immediately stop their highly paid PROXIES in Lebanon from causing trouble”.
SPORTS NEWS
Belgium were held to a scoreless draw by Iran in a frustrating encounter Sunday that saw the Red Devils reduced to 10 men and facing the possibility of group-stage elimination for a second straight World cup. The result means all three games so far in Group G have ended in draws. Stuck on two points, Belgium at least have the comfort of playing the tournament’s lowest-ranked team, New Zealand, in their final group game.
Iran will also need at least a point against Egypt next Friday. Having been frustrated by visa issues as they travel from their base camp in Mexico to games in the US, Team Melli will hope to focus on the football as travel restrictions are reportedly eased for their crucial trip to Seattle.
The game settled into a nervous, scrappy stalemate, though De Cuyper again came close with a low effort from just outside the box.
Kidnapped pastor’s son rescued after three weeks in Ondo forest
Aiyedatiwa hails Oyebanji’s re-election, lauds Faduyile’s by-election win
Security firm rescues kidnapped woman, arrests two suspects in Ondo
Iran Warns US To ‘Be Careful’ After Trump’s Threat
Iran Frustrate Stuttering Belgium In World Cup Clash
THE DETAILS
The nine-year old son of a pastor, Master Victor Oluwatobi, who was kidnapped three weeks ago in Idogun, Ose Local Government area of Ondo State, has regained his freedom. It will be recalled that unknown gunmen invaded Ugbosi Quarters in Idogun at midnight on Friday, June 5, 2026, and destroyed two buildings in an attempt to kidnap the landlords, who were able to escape.
Unfortunately, Pastor Oluwatobi could not rescue all his children in time, leaving the boy — who was fast asleep at the time of the invasion — behind. The child had since remained in the custody of the assailants.
On Sunday morning, through the joint efforts of security agencies, he was safely rescued and reunited with his family.
During the period of his captivity, the Ondo State Government mobilised security agencies including the Army, Police, Amotekun Corps, and local vigilantes — who combed the forest day and night in search of the victim. Residents have since appreciated the efforts of the governor and the security agencies in securing his release.
The Ondo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Idowu Ajanaku who confirmed the development, appreciated the efforts of the security agents and every individual who contributed to the safe rescue of the boy.
Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has congratulated his Ekiti State counterpart, Governor Biodun Oyebanji, on securing a second term in office following his victory in Saturday’s governorship election. Aiyedatiwa, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, said the electoral outcome was a decisive affirmation of Oyebanji’s leadership vision and governance model.According to the governor, the people of Ekiti State spoke clearly through the ballot box to endorse what he describes as the developmental trajectory set in the first term of the Oyebanjiadministration.
Aiyedatiwa further commended the peaceful atmosphere of the election, praising both the electorate and security agencies for maintaining order during the process. While describing the conduct of the Ekiti people as exemplary and a model for democratic practice, Aiyedatiwa also congratulated Dayo Faduyile on his victory in the just-concluded Ondo South Senatorial by-election, describing the outcome as a reflection of the confidence and trust reposed in him by the people of the district.Aiyedatiwa noted that Faduyile’s contributions to medicine, academia, and public service have equipped him for the task ahead, expressing confidence that he would deploy his vast experience and expertise in the service of the people.
“On behalf of the government and good people of Ondo State, I warmly congratulate Professor Francis Adedayo Faduyile on this well-deserved victory. His emergence is a further affirmation of the faith our people have in purposeful leadership. I am confident that he will offer quality representation and work with relevant stakeholders to promote the development and prosperity of Ondo South and our dear state,” the governor said.
br> private security firm in Ondo State, Gallery Security Services Limited, has arrested two suspected kidnappers in Ode Irele, the headquarters of Irele Local Government Area of the state.
During the operation, the firm said its operatives also rescued a 37-year-old woman, Morenike Falona, and dismantled the den of the suspects.
Speaking while handing over the suspects to the state police command on Sunday at Ajagba in Irele Local Government Area of the state, the Security Manager of GSSL, Navy Lieutenant Zakari Abdullahi (retd.), said the suspects were handed over to the police for onward transfer to the Okitipupa Area Police Command for further investigation and prosecution.
According to him, the victim was kidnapped on June 16 and rescued three days later by a 20-man rescue team of the security firm. He identified the suspects as Obibodefiyie Ajuesie and Monday Lucky.
The Command commends the efforts of the GSSL operatives, which culminated in the safe rescue of the victim and the subsequent handover of the suspects to the police for further investigation and necessary legal action. Such efforts underscore the value of strategic partnerships and information-sharing among security stakeholders in the fight against crime and criminality.”
The PPRO said the suspects had been taken into police custody while the investigation was ongoing with a view to apprehending other members of the criminal syndicate and bringing all those involved to justice.
FORIGN NEWS
Iran warned the United States on Sunday to “be careful” after President Donald Trump threatened to strike the Islamic republic over its support for Hezbollah, even as the arch-foes held talks in Switzerland seeking a deal to permanently end the Middle East war.
The negotiations to end a war that sowed chaos across the Middle East and rattled the global economy are meant to trigger a 60-day period to settle broader issues that have dogged US-Iranian relations for decades.
But disagreement over key sticking points and the threat of renewed fighting in Lebanon weighed on the talks, with Washington and Tehran exchanging threats in parallel with the negotiations. “They would do better to be careful with their statements; our armed forces are ready to respond to them in a different manner. No matter what they say, we are the ones who act,” Iran’s chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said.
US President Donald Trump had threatened to strike Iran if it did not “immediately stop their highly paid PROXIES in Lebanon from causing trouble”.
SPORTS NEWS
Belgium were held to a scoreless draw by Iran in a frustrating encounter Sunday that saw the Red Devils reduced to 10 men and facing the possibility of group-stage elimination for a second straight World cup. The result means all three games so far in Group G have ended in draws. Stuck on two points, Belgium at least have the comfort of playing the tournament’s lowest-ranked team, New Zealand, in their final group game.
Iran will also need at least a point against Egypt next Friday. Having been frustrated by visa issues as they travel from their base camp in Mexico to games in the US, Team Melli will hope to focus on the football as travel restrictions are reportedly eased for their crucial trip to Seattle.
The game settled into a nervous, scrappy stalemate, though De Cuyper again came close with a low effort from just outside the box.