Tag: Edo State

  • 85 lives lost in road traffic crashes in Edo –  FRSC

    85 lives lost in road traffic crashes in Edo – FRSC

    No fewer than 85 persons have lost their lives and 279 injured in various road traffic crashes (RTCs) recorded in Edo between January and June.

    The figure was given by Mr Henry Benamaisia, Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in the state.

    Benamaisia said a total of 717 persons were involved in 114 traffic accidents within the period under review.

    Giving a breakdown of the lives lost, the sector commander disclosed that 24 persons died in January; 13 in February and 14 in March.

    He added that 19 people lost their lives in April, four in May, and 11 in the month of June.

    The sector commander also disclosed that of the 114 road traffic crashes recorded, 23 occurred in January, 18 in February, and 17 in March.

    “In April we recorded 24 RTCs, May, was 12, while in June we recorded 20 RTCs.

    “From the total crashes, 39 were fatal and 61 serious, while we recorded 14 minors involved in the crashes”, Benamaisia said.

  • Edo PDP chairman suspended

    Edo PDP chairman suspended

    Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Edo State, Tony Aziegbemi, have been suspended over alleged misconduct said to have caused disaffection within the party.

    In a statement signed by the State Publicity Secretary, Chris Nehikhare, the decision was taken at a State Working Committee meeting that held at the state party secretariat on Tuesday, with two-third majority of members resolving in a motion that the state chairman, Tony Aziegbemi, should step aside from his position.

    The party leaders also resolved that the State Deputy Chairman, Harrison Omagbon, will act as chairman until the determination of the allegations levied against Aziegbemi.

    The statement further read, “An Investigative Committee is hereby set up, headed by the State Legal Adviser Barr. Arthur Esene, and is mandated to report back to the Working Committee within one week. Other members of the Committee are Mrs. Linsdale Tes Sorae (State Woman Leader) and Dr. Wilson Imongan (State Auditor).

    “Amongst the allegations, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi was accused of gross misconduct by brewing unnecessary tension and disunity among party members in the state in a manner akin to bringing the party into disrepute.

    “This decision hard as it is, is designed to bring sanity back to our party.
    It would be like ignoring the elephant in the room if we ignore this macabre dance as Edo people have watched in utter amazement and disappointment how Aziegbemi has been roped and entangled by his actions and unfortunately too, his inactions in the management of the affairs of the party.

    “We are a very disciplined party and pride ourselves as organised and focused on service delivery to our teeming supporters and of course Edo people.

    “We urge our members and supporters to please remain calm as we embark on this self-cleansing exercise. PDP is listening to the cries of Edo people.”

  • Herdsmen ordered to leave Edo community within 14 days

    Herdsmen ordered to leave Edo community within 14 days

    Youth leaders in Edo State have issued a 14-day ultimatum to Fulani herdsmen to vacate their communities, owing to the killings and violence perpetrated by suspected killer herders.

    The youth leaders, at the conference through the Speaker of the Parliament, Kola Edokpayi, warned that any act of aggression against the indigenes would not be tolerated.

    The youths said their order followed the killing of three persons, including two vigilantes by suspected Fulani herdsmen on Monday in Ugo N’iyekorhionmwon, Orhionmwon Local Government Area of the state.

    Same Wednesday, some aggrieved women in Uromi had protested the rising cases of attacks, rituals and kidnappings by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

    The women had blocked some major roads in the community, alleging that they were constantly being harassed and intimidated by the herdsmen.

    They lamented that they had lost fortunes as a result of the destructive activities of cows belonging to the herdsmen, noting that they were no longer safe.

    According to them, the solution to the problem is for Fulani herdsmen to leave the area. 

    Speaking for the Edo youths, the Talakawa Parliament, Edokpayi said they also gave 72 hours to the state Commissioner of Police, Phillip Agbadi, to arrest and prosecute the alleged killers, otherwise the youths would stage a mass protest.

    The Speaker said, “We have given the killer herdsmen a 14-day ultimatum to quit farmlands and forests in Edo State. We have not given them notice to leave Edo State so that our mothers and fathers can go to farm.

    “We are using this medium to call on the CP to arrest within 72 hours these criminal elements that are responsible for the killing of our people in Ugo N’iyekorhionmwon, Orhionmwon LGA or face a mass protest.

    “Our people can no longer travel. We believe in peaceful coexistence. However, nobody should take Edo people for a ride.”

    The herdsmen’s menace had recently gained attention in southern Nigeria due to their alleged atrocities in Ondo, Oyo, and Ogun states, and now Edo State.

    They have been accused of kidnapping, raping, destroying farms and even murdering in many villages and communities.

    The South-West governors two weeks ago banned open grazing, underage grazing and grazing on forest reserves, although it is not yet clear if these laws are being strictly adhered to.

  • Edo State Police Command uncovers plot to rob banks, commercial centres

    Edo State Police Command uncovers plot to rob banks, commercial centres

    The Edo State Police Command said it has uncovered a plot by suspected armed robbers to to rob banks, commercial centres and shops across the state. 

    The State Commissioner of Police, CP Johnson Kokumo, who disclosed this on Saturday, December 12, said intelligence gathered suggested that these bandits had procured sophisticated weapons to unleash terror on the state. 

    He, however warned that the men and officers of the command had the capacity to deal with anyone or group who might plan to cause mayhem before, during and after the yuletide.

    “We have uncovered plans by bandits to attack banks and throw the state into panic. But I can assure that adequate security had been put in place to towards a hitch-free Christmas and New year celebrations,” the CP assured.


    “Already, Armoured Personnel Carry and other equipment have been put in place to combat any security breach in the state.” he added.


    While lamenting that the release of 2000 prisoners by hoodlums who hijacked the #ENDSARS protest had compounded the security challenges in the state, he urged the citizens to work with the police by reporting suspicious characters to the command.

  • Sports in Edo State will not develop, unless State FA boss

    Sports in Edo State will not develop, unless State FA boss

    By Mike Oboh

    Sports in Edo State will not get the desired results if the present situation as administered by the state government is allowed to continue, the state FA chairman, Hon. Henry Osaru Asemota has said. Asemota who spoke with Daybreak Sports in an exclusive interview in Abuja said the shaking foundation laid by the government with the establishment of a non functioning State Sports Commission , will cripple all the efforts geared towards revitalizing sports in the state.

    He said it was quite unfortunate that the commission was constituted without the required prerequisite for it to take decision which can help in sports development in the state.
    “As it is today you would not ask a man who is squatting to back you, the commission is squatting, the body has not been commissioned properly, as it is right now the chairman’s hands are tied we only have an acting board chairman. He is not even given the free hand to run the commission, Barrister Dudu Orumen as I know him is a very proactive and  organized person.”if given the free hand to run the commission, we would have had moved ahead, but I know that once the commission is properly constituted and handed over to him I promise you , he would do wonders,” Asemota said.

    He said the hindrance was  from the government as it was  their responsibility to set the commission to put things in place full time, saying “but as we speak the office of the Deputy governor is in charge of sports, until that issue is addressed to put a round peg  in a round hole we remain where we are.”

    The FA boss said the state will return to it glorious days in sports locally and internationally if the enabling  environment is created for the terming youths in the state to excel in sports. On football development in the state, Asemota said since it was passion as a  product of grassroot development, as he started football at a very tender age. he will ensure the state get back to the top with various programme lined up by the association.” I played the primary school cup, I played the principal cup, I played for Sanko Stars of those days I went to Sweden several times to win trophies and  laurels or the State and  country but I can assure you since I came back I  have a lot of programmes  that would have developed the youths but no supported from the government, I have never written to the government for assistance or support for any program that was approved not even a kobo, even as small as five thousand naira to buy pure water.”

    I have been trying to sustain the FA through all means that I know, my first one month I organized an under 13 cup, came in on the 3rd July 23rd I played my under 13 tournament which about 40 teams were involved and a winner emerged. This year because of COVID19 we could not play that tournament and next year I hope we are going to play it and also tag of the chairman’s cup for the under 13 and under 15.” he said. He also said that there are others programmes  like  State Youth League  would commenced, under 13 ,under 15 and under 17 ,saying “because we have youth development programs for the state we want to  have a state team, a state academy where by from the state youth league we are training player’s for the state team just as its been done at the national level so that when they call us for an youth tournament we don’t have to be going up and down we already have players for under 13, under 15 and under 17. But as I speak to you right now there is no support, no encouragement ” He said the Association has written more than letters to various companies and Individuals  in Edo state to Lagos state for sponsors but because of the COVID 19  not much was achieved and hoped next year will be better for the drive to achieve it set target.”.
    I came n in June and mist of the companies have already closed their budget, so by December I started approaching them, they said by February they would put the FA on notice on what they would do for us, immediately when Covid 19 came nobody talked about sponsorship anymore but am hopeful that by 2021 we would have one of those sponsorship for one or two programmes.

    “We have a state league right now we have a state league board it was never there, when I came in the two weeks the state league has already started I now setup  a small committees  to run the league now we have a proper league board, now  playing the league  home and away, we don’t want a situation whereby the league would  be played in just one week we want it to be like the premiership. We are going to have state league division one, state league division two, state league division three. “Let’s work on what we have and work on them in place properly, by 2022 we would come out with the amateur 2 and armature’ 3 at the state levels,” he said. Asemota said about 22 teams across the state will kick state the state top league when it commenced He said  each team will play matches both home and away, so that it can take at least six  months because he want football to get to all hooks and crane in the state. “In the challenge cup last year, what I did was I made sure in the semi finals was played outside Benin, that was the first time in more than 20years a team from Edo centre played the finals of the state. He said he was doing everything possible to reaching out to  Edolites  in the county and beyond to key into the state football association programmes.”I have met with ministers, senators and house of representatives for  them to .know they need to support this football in Edo state, we can not leave it for government  alone, we just need something to kick up with and we also need that backing. If the government gives us a note to banks for support us is also part of their social responsibility, but so far so good nothing as such is coming, we’ll keep on asking the government for support keep reaching out to private individuals and companies for support.,” Asemota said

  • BREAKING: Edo State Govt adjust curfew from 6am to 10pm

    BREAKING: Edo State Govt adjust curfew from 6am to 10pm

    The Edo State Government has relaxed the curfew imposed on the state between 10 pm and 6 am daily.

    A press statement from the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, stated that the adjustment takes effect from Tuesday.

    Part of the statement read, “The state government has further reviewed the curfew time in the state to commence from 10pm to 6am daily, as against 6pm to 6am.

    “The adjustment will be effective from Tuesday, November 3, 2020.

    “The government is fully committed to the security of lives and property and is working with security agencies to ensure peace and order is fully restored in the state.”

  • Governor Obaseki extends ultimatum to fleeing prisoners in Edo state

    Governor Obaseki extends ultimatum to fleeing prisoners in Edo state

    Governor Godwin Obaseki has extended the ultimatum he gave to prisoners who escaped in the recent jail breaks recorded in two prison facilities in Edo state he governs. 

    Obaseki who had initially given the fleeing inmates until Friday October 23 to return, extended the ultimatum by one week.

    In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Communication Strategy Crusoe Osagie, it was was gathered that the decision was taken after a security meeting held with heads of security agencies in the state yesterday October 23. 

    It read; 

    “The extension of the ultimatum is as a result of the positive response from the prisoners, as a good number of them have since returned to the two correctional facilities. The new window is to allow more prisoners to return to the centres willingly.

    “The governor has reviewed the curfew time in the state to commence from 6pm to 6am daily, as against 4pm to 6am. The adjustment will take effect from Saturday, October 24, 2020. The security situation in the state is seen to be improving and we appreciate Edo people for adhering to government’s directives.”

  • BREAKING: Gov Obaseki meets Edo youths to address #EndSARS issues

    BREAKING: Gov Obaseki meets Edo youths to address #EndSARS issues

    In a bid to address the demand of the End SARS protesters currently going on in Nigeria, the Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki is meeting with youths in the state.

    The meeting attendants are mostly of the civil society members and the National Association of Nigerian Students.

    Details soon..

  • #EndSARS: Edo residents defy 24-hour curfew

    #EndSARS: Edo residents defy 24-hour curfew

    Some residents of Benin City, the Edo state capital have defied the 24 hours curfew directive announced by the state government on Monday.

    Reports from our correspondent shows that some of the residents are not complying with the stay at home order imposed by the State government yesterday after hoodlums disrupted the #ENDSARS in the City.

    This led to the to the destruction of government facilities and alleged invasion of the Nigerian Correctional Center and release of inmates.

    At the early hours of today, there are still burn fires in some parts of the city without any presence of security operatives while commercial drivers are running their businesses with shops, banks and other business premises remaining closed.

  • #EndSARS: “This Edo state prison break is fishy” Nigerians react to the prison break in Edo State

    #EndSARS: “This Edo state prison break is fishy” Nigerians react to the prison break in Edo State

    Nigerians have taken to Instagram and Twitter to react to the prison break which occurred in a prison popularly known as “White House” in Edo State.

    Earlier today, videos of prisoners trooping out of a prison was shared online and it was claimed thugs hijacked the End SARS protests and released prisoners in Edo State.

    Following the jail break, the state government  imposed a dusk to dawn curfew.  

    However, Nigerians suspect something fishy about the jail break and they’ve taken to different social media platforms to share their opinions.

    Some accused the state government of staging the jail break to get End SARS protesters off the streets. Others asked how the prisoners left through the open gates without resistance from prison guards. Others pointed out that the prisoners were all dressed in mufti, not in prison uniforms, as though it had been planned.

    Genevieve Magazine publisher, Betty Irabor wrote: “This Edo State prison break is fishy.”

    "This Edo state prison break is fishy" Betty Irabor, Lauren Idahosa, Davido, and other Nigerians react to the jail break in Edo State

    Lauren Idahosa, the wife of Bishop Feb Idahosa, also questioned the prison break, writing: “How come we haven’t heard one story by now about prison staff being killed or injured due to the prison breaks here in Benin? Warden, something doesn’t seem right. In the process of your prisoners escape, there wasn’t one injury?”

    She added: “Anyone else sense something fishy here?”

    "This Edo state prison break is fishy" Betty Irabor, Lauren Idahosa, Davido, and other Nigerians react to the jail break in Edo State

    Davido wrote: “They have started hiring thugs to pose as protesters. E no go work!!!”

    He added: “Prisoner with potbelly lol. Ok.”

    "This Edo state prison break is fishy" Betty Irabor, Lauren Idahosa, Davido, and other Nigerians react to the jail break in Edo State

    Below are more reactions from Nigerians.

    "This Edo state prison break is fishy" Betty Irabor, Lauren Idahosa, Davido, and other Nigerians react to the jail break in Edo State
    "This Edo state prison break is fishy" Betty Irabor, Lauren Idahosa, Davido, and other Nigerians react to the jail break in Edo State
    "This Edo state prison break is fishy" Betty Irabor, Lauren Idahosa, Davido, and other Nigerians react to the jail break in Edo State
    "This Edo state prison break is fishy" Betty Irabor, Lauren Idahosa, Davido, and other Nigerians react to the jail break in Edo State
    "This Edo state prison break is fishy" Betty Irabor, Lauren Idahosa, Davido, and other Nigerians react to the jail break in Edo State
    "This Edo state prison break is fishy" Betty Irabor, Lauren Idahosa, Davido, and other Nigerians react to the jail break in Edo State
    "This Edo state prison break is fishy" Betty Irabor, Lauren Idahosa, Davido, and other Nigerians react to the jail break in Edo State
    "This Edo state prison break is fishy" Betty Irabor, Lauren Idahosa, Davido, and other Nigerians react to the jail break in Edo State
    "This Edo state prison break is fishy" Betty Irabor, Lauren Idahosa, Davido, and other Nigerians react to the jail break in Edo State
    "This Edo state prison break is fishy" Betty Irabor, Lauren Idahosa, Davido, and other Nigerians react to the jail break in Edo State
    "This Edo state prison break is fishy" Betty Irabor, Lauren Idahosa, Davido, and other Nigerians react to the jail break in Edo State
    "This Edo state prison break is fishy" Betty Irabor, Lauren Idahosa, Davido, and other Nigerians react to the jail break in Edo State
    "This Edo state prison break is fishy" Betty Irabor, Lauren Idahosa, Davido, and other Nigerians react to the jail break in Edo State
    "This Edo state prison break is fishy" Betty Irabor, Lauren Idahosa, Davido, and other Nigerians react to the jail break in Edo State
    "This Edo state prison break is fishy" Betty Irabor, Lauren Idahosa, Davido, and other Nigerians react to the jail break in Edo State
    "This Edo state prison break is fishy" Betty Irabor, Lauren Idahosa, Davido, and other Nigerians react to the jail break in Edo State