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Cultists kill 11 people, injure many to mark anniversary in Ogun
No fewer than 11 persons have been killed by suspected cult members in Igode and Fakale communities in the Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State.
Four persons were also injured while houses and cars were vandalised in the attack that lasted for about 10 hours.
It was learnt that the hoodlums, said to be Aye Confraternity members, had gone on the rampage at about 11am on Wednesday to commemorate their anniversary tagged 7/7.
The grand finale of the anniversary was reportedly held on Thursday, July 7, 2016 at Emuren, a neighbouring community.
It was gathered that the hoodlums, numbering about 25 on motorcycles, came from Emuren, wielding guns and cutlasses.
Their targets were said to be members of the Eiye Confraternity, a rival cult.The bandits, who reportedly wore masks, shot dead three welders at a junction bordering Emuren and Igode.
The welders were said to be returning from a work site on a motorcycle.
The rampaging miscreants reportedly proceeded to the Fakale community, where they opened fire on a crowd watching a football match in a viewing centre, killing seven persons.
It was learnt that one of the deceased, identified simply as Dare, was a member of the Oodua People’s Congress.
Others were identified as Ibukun, Ismaila, Sunday, and a steel rod seller, Dare Olakanmi.
Three of them were said to have been buried.
However, the police had yet to remove the remains of the three welders as of 12pm on Thursday.
Four others, who were injured, were said to have been taken to a hospital in Sagamu.
Our correspondent, who visited the communities on Thursday, observed that palpable fear had enveloped them.
Many residents were said to have fled while commercial activities had been paralysed as shops were shut.
Our correspondent saw 10 policemen at a junction in Fakale.
The Coordinator of the OPC in the community, Wole Oladunjo, said, “The fight was between Eiye and Aye confraternities. The Aye members are based in Emuren. The OPC had nothing to do with the fight. But surprisingly, they (Aye members) came here on Wednesday and started shooting sporadically. They killed seven persons in a viewing centre.
“One of the deceased was our member. The others killed were not Eiye members. They were hard working youths. Four persons are still in the hospital receiving treatment. The police picked four corpses and three of them have been buried.
“The policemen, who came that evening, were blaring their sirens from afar and this gave those boys the chance to escape.”
An OPC member, who identified himself as Ajibola Defence, told PUNCH Metro that the hoodlums inscribed 7/7 on those killed and on a refrigerator they destroyed inside a shop.
He said, “We learnt the Aye members are celebrating their anniversary this month. They started on July 1 and today (Thursday) is the last day. Whenever they celebrate the anniversary, they kill. They wrote 7/7 on the heads of the persons they killed.”
The Secretary of the OPC in the community, Idris Lawal, vowed that his members would avenge the killings, adding that the victims were innocent residents.
The Baale of Fakale, Chief Ganiyu Bisiriyu, lamented the security situation in Ogun State and urged the government to ensure the protection of lives and property.
“Those cultists were chased away from Lagos State and they came to settle in communities around here. The persons they killed were not their rival cultists. One of the deceased helped me to work on my farm a few days ago,” he added.
While returning from Fakale, the cult members reportedly chased a man identified only as Otamali to his apartment in Igode and shot him dead.
The Igode community head, Chief Rafiu Disu, said the bandits also vandalised two houses and a car.
He called on the government to intervene and restore peace to the two affected communities.
He said, “I was in the palace on Wednesday morning when I saw about 25 men on motorcycles armed with guns and cutlasses passing through our community to Fakale. While they were coming back in the evening, they started shooting and chasing people. They chased Otamali to his apartment. He shut the door, but they broke in. They shot and stabbed him to death.
“They also destroyed a car and shattered glass windows. For over 25 years that I have been living in this community, I have never witnessed such. We could not sleep throughout the night. A lot of people have packed out in fear.”
Two rams belonging to one Olalekan Oyenuga were reportedly killed by the hoodlums.
The Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the killings, saying that the cultists had gone to attack Eiye cult members at Fakale.
He added that the police had restored calm to the area.
Adejobi said, “I am aware of the killings in Fakale community. We got information that some suspected Aye cult members were planning to have a party and they bought a goat. A rival group went to kill the goat and they became annoyed. They killed four persons, who were their targets.
“The Divisional Police Officer, Ogijo division, and the chairman, Sagamu Local Government Area, with some government officials, have visited the community. The police are on the trail of the suspects.”
Nigeria’s Inflation Drops to 15.10% as NBS Reports Deflationary Trend
Nigeria’s headline inflation rate declined to 15.10 per cent in January 2026, marking a significant drop from 27.61 per cent recorded in January 2025, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released by the National Bureau of Statistics.
The report also showed that month-on-month inflation recorded a deflationary trend of –2.88 per cent, representing a 3.42 percentage-point decrease compared to December 2025. Analysts say the development signals easing price pressures across key sectors of the economy.
Food inflation stood at 8.89 per cent year-on-year, down from 29.63 per cent in January 2025. On a month-on-month basis, food prices declined by 6.02 per cent, reflecting lower costs in several staple commodities.
The data suggests a sustained downward trajectory in inflation over the past 12 months, pointing to improving macroeconomic stability.
The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has consistently attributed recent economic adjustments to ongoing fiscal and monetary reforms aimed at stabilising prices, boosting agricultural output, and strengthening domestic supply chains.
Economic analysts note that while the latest figures indicate progress, sustaining the downward trend will depend on continued policy discipline, exchange rate stability, and improvements in food production and distribution.
The January report provides one of the clearest indications yet that inflationary pressures, which surged in early 2025, may be moderating.
Nigeria’s headline inflation rate declined to 15.10 per cent in January 2026, marking a significant drop from 27.61 per cent recorded in January 2025, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released by the National Bureau of Statistics.
The report also showed that month-on-month inflation recorded a deflationary trend of –2.88 per cent, representing a 3.42 percentage-point decrease compared to December 2025. Analysts say the development signals easing price pressures across key sectors of the economy.
Food inflation stood at 8.89 per cent year-on-year, down from 29.63 per cent in January 2025. On a month-on-month basis, food prices declined by 6.02 per cent, reflecting lower costs in several staple commodities.
The data suggests a sustained downward trajectory in inflation over the past 12 months, pointing to improving macroeconomic stability.
The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has consistently attributed recent economic adjustments to ongoing fiscal and monetary reforms aimed at stabilising prices, boosting agricultural output, and strengthening domestic supply chains.
Economic analysts note that while the latest figures indicate progress, sustaining the downward trend will depend on continued policy discipline, exchange rate stability, and improvements in food production and distribution.
The January report provides one of the clearest indications yet that inflationary pressures, which surged in early 2025, may be moderating.
Alpha Morgan to Host 19th Economic Review Webinar
In an economy shaped by constant shifts, the edge often belongs to those with the right information.
On Wednesday, February 25, 2026, Alpha Morgan Bank will host the 19th edition of its Economic Review Webinar, a high-level thought leadership session designed to equip businesses, investors, and individuals with timely financial and economic insight.
The session, which will hold live on Zoom at 10:00am WAT and will feature economist Bismarck Rewane, who will examine the key signals influencing Nigeria’s economic direction in 2026, including policy trends, market movements, and global developments shaping the local landscape.
With a consistent track record of delivering clarity in uncertain times, the Alpha Morgan Economic Review continues to provide practical context for decision-making in a dynamic environment.
Registration for the 19th Alpha Morgan Economic Review is free and can be completed via https://bit.ly/registeramerseries19
It is a bi-monthly platform that is open to the public and is held virtually.
Visit www.alphamorganbank to know more.
GTBank Launches Quick Airtime Loan at 2.95%
Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd (GTBank), the flagship banking franchise of GTCO Plc, Africa’s leading financial services group, today announced the launch of Quick Airtime Loan, an innovative digital solution that gives customers instant access to airtime when they run out of call credit and have limited funds in their bank accounts, ensuring customers can stay connected when it matters most.
In today’s always-on world, running out of airtime is more than a minor inconvenience. It can mean missed opportunities, disrupted plans, and lost connections, often at the very moment when funds are tight, and options are limited. Quick Airtime Loan was created to solve this problem, offering customers instant access to airtime on credit, directly from their bank. With Quick Airtime Loan, eligible GTBank customers can access from ₦100 and up to ₦10,000 by dialing *737*90#. Available across all major mobile networks in Nigeria, the service will soon expand to include data loans, further strengthening its proposition as a reliable on-demand platform.
For years, the airtime credit market has been dominated by Telcos, where charges for this service are at 15%. GTBank is now changing the narrative by offering a customer-centric, bank-led digital alternative priced at 2.95%. Built on transparency, convenience and affordability, Quick Airtime Loan has the potential to broaden access to airtime, deliver meaningful cost savings for millions of Nigerians, and redefine how financial services show up in everyday life, not just in banking moments.
Commenting on the product launch, Miriam Olusanya, Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd, said: “Quick Airtime Loan reflects GTBank’s continued focus on delivering digital solutions that are relevant, accessible, and built around real customer needs. The solution underscores the power of a connected financial ecosystem, combining GTBank’s digital reach and lending expertise with the capabilities of HabariPay to deliver a smooth, end-to-end experience. By leveraging unique strengths across the Group, we are able to accelerate innovation, strengthen execution, and deliver a more integrated customer experience across all our service channels.”
Importantly, Quick Airtime Loan highlights GTCO’s evolution as a fully diversified financial services group. Leveraging HabariPay’s Squad, the solution reinforces the Group’s ecosystem proposition by bringing together banking, payment technology, and digital channels to deliver intuitive, one-stop experiences for customers.
With this new product launch, Guaranty Trust Bank is extending its legacy of pioneering digital-first solutions that have redefined customer access to financial services across the industry, building on the proven strength of its widely adopted QuickCredit offering and the convenience of the Bank’s iconic *737# USSD Banking platform.
About Guaranty Trust Bank
Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) is the flagship banking franchise of GTCO Plc, a leading financial services group with a strong presence across Africa and the United Kingdom. The Bank is widely recognized for its leadership in digital banking, customer experience, and innovative financial solutions that deliver value to individuals, businesses, and communities.
About HabariPay
HabariPay is the payments fintech subsidiary of GTCO Plc, focused on enabling fast, secure, and accessible digital payments for individuals and businesses. By integrating payments and digital technology, HabariPay supports innovative services that make everyday financial interactions simpler and more seamless.
Enquiries:
GTCO
Group Corporate Communication
[email protected]
+234-1-2715227
www.gtcoplc.com
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