NANS raises alarm over threat to life of its former Nat’l Fin Sec, Ponle Omidiji, alleges Onigbeti’s involvement

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has raised the alarm over alleged threat to the life of one of its National Stakeholders and former National Financial Secretary, Comrade Ponle Omidiji.

National President of NANS, Comrade Olushola Oladoja, in a letter written to the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, said Comrade Omidiji is currently facing serious threats to his life and family for exhibiting the spirit of patriotism.

“In the letter with reference number: NANS/NS/NAC/11/95 dated October 24, 2025, NANS claimed that Comrade Omidiji’s offense was his recent action of “alerting the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) of the unchecked and unregulated smuggling of rice and other contraband items into the country through the Igbeti border area in Oyo State”.

In the letter, copies of which were sent to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, NANS alleged the involvement of the Onigbeti of Igbeti, Oba Bashir Olamilekan Abioye Siyanbola IV.

According to the letter, “Omidiji’s patriotic intervention led to prompt action by the Customs Service, effectively curbing the activities of smugglers and protecting the economic interest of our nation”.

The letter reads: “Regrettably, this noble act appears to have provoked His Royal Majesty, Oba Bashir Olamilekan Abioye Siyanbola IV, the Onigbeti of Igbeti, who, feeling affected by the disruption of these illicit activities, has allegedly turned against Comrade Ponmile.

“The situation has now escalated into a direct threat to his life, as reliable sources indicate that the Oba has been inciting soldiers at checkpoints and mobilizing police officers and thugs to intimidate and harm him.

“To make matters worse, we have credible reports that thugs, acting without any lawful warrant, recently raided and ransacked the family home of Comrade Ponmile in a manner that suggests an attempt to silence or endanger him.

“This development is deeply disturbing and calls for your urgent and decisive intervention. While NANS remains committed to peace, order, and respect for traditional institutions, we cannot fold our arms while a patriotic Nigerian and one of our own is being hunted for acting in the best interest of national security.

“We therefore humbly call on your good office to: immediately investigate this reported threat to life and the unlawful actions against Comrade Ponmile Omidiji and his family; ensure his safety and protection against any harm or harassment; and caution all involved, including security operatives, against being used as tools of oppression or intimidation”.

Also narrating his ordeal, Comrade Omidiji, who is an indigene of Igbeti in Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State, lamented over alleged involvement of the Onigbeti in the threat to his life and his family.

Omidiji said, “On October 24, 2025, I, Honorable Comrade Ponmile Omidiji, encountered an alleged conspiracy involving smugglers and instigation by Oba Bashir Olamilekan Abioye Siyanbola IV, the Onigbeti of Igbeti, and his cohorts, including his wife’s younger brother, Jimoh Rasheed Olayinka, also known as Milo”.

The NANS’ National Stakeholder explained that, “according to eyewitnesses, Milo led a group of individuals who attacked my household, threatening my parents with broken bottles and other harmful weapons and demanding my physical presence targeted to kill me.

“This incident allegedly occurred due to a petition I submitted on October 7, 2025, titled ‘Illicit Importation and Smuggling of Rice and Other Contrabands: A Threat to Our Economy and Sponsor of Insecurity.’ The petition reported the influx of trucks loaded with illicitly imported rice and other contrabands, which poses a threat to the economy and national security.

“Following the submission of the petition, Oba Bashir Olamilekan Abioye Siyanbola IV, the Onigbeti of Igbeti, allegedly instructed his cohorts to carry out a plan to harm me. On October 24, 2025, they allegedly mobilized three vehicles and several motorcycles to execute their plan. Fortunately, I escaped unharmed.

“After evading their initial attempt, I was stopped at an operational checkpoint while returning to Ibadan from Igbeti. The personnel conducted a thorough search of our vehicles and found no implicating evidence. The officers confirmed that there was a conspiracy to harm us and provided us with a safe escort.

“I also received reports that my personal assistant was traced to his house and narrowly escaped an assassination attempt led by Jimoh Rasheed Olayinka, also known as Milo, with multiple eyewitnesses corroborating the account.

“In light of these events, I urge all Nigerians, relevant authorities, and the federal government to intervene and protect us from the alleged menace and excessive use of monarchical power by Oba Bashir Olamilekan Abioye Siyanbola IV, the Onigbeti of Igbeti.

“This report highlights the alleged involvement of Oba Bashir Olamilekan Abioye Siyanbola IV, the Onigbeti of Igbeti, in encouraging and supporting illicit importation and smuggling of rice and other contrabands, which poses a significant threat to national security and the economy”.