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Tag: Edo

  • Olajide Sowore’s Killers Will Be Brought To Book – Obaseki

    Olajide Sowore’s Killers Will Be Brought To Book – Obaseki

    Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki has mourned Olajide Sowore, assuring that the state government will bring his killers to book.

    Obaseki gave the assurance on Saturday while commiserating with a former presidential candidate and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, over the killing of his brother.

    Olajide, a student of Pharmacy at the Igbinedion University Okada, was killed by kidnappers on Saturday in the Okada area of Edo State.

    The Edo State Police Command had earlier confirmed his death via a statement issued by its spokesman, Kontongs Bello, noting that the remains of the deceased had been deposited at IUTH Mortuary, Okada.

    But Governor Obaseki assured that the state government will work with relevant security agencies to investigate the unfortunate incident.

    “I commiserate with the Sowore family and the Publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, over the death of his brother, Olajide Sowore,” the governor said.

    “The news of Olajide’s death is heartbreaking and we will make all efforts to bring the perpetrators of the dastardly act to justice.

    “On behalf of the people and Government of Edo State, I condole with the Sowore family and pray that God will grant all the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”

  • Edo Receives 76,712 Doses Of COVID-19 Vaccine

    Edo Receives 76,712 Doses Of COVID-19 Vaccine

    The Edo State Government has received 76,712 doses of coronavirus vaccine from the federal government.

    Health Educator, Edo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (ESPHDA), Mrs Irene Uabor, disclosed this at the weekend in Benin.

    He said the vaccine include 65,016 doses of Moderna and 11,696 doses of AstraZeneca.

    She said the state government was set to commence the second phase of COVID-19 vaccination.

    She advised residents to get inoculated against the deadly virus, assuring that the vaccines were safe, free and effective.

  • Gunmen Abduct Seven Naval officers in Edo

    Gunmen Abduct Seven Naval officers in Edo

    Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted seven officers of the Nigerian Navy in Edo State.

    The officers were ambushed and kidnapped along Sapele-Warri road while travelling to Delta from Kaduna State.

    The State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Kotongs Bello who confirmed the incident, stating that the command has rescued five of the officers.

    The PPRO who was unable to give details of the incident, said the command is working hard to ensure the remaining officers are also rescued unhurt.

    Criminal elements have been on rampage across the country, killing and kidnapping citizens despite efforts by the Nigerian Army and other security agencies.

    Several school children and travellers are currently in kidnappers dens, particularly in the North where banditry is relatively a business.

  • Five suspected kidnappers burnt to death by angry youths in Edo

    Five suspected kidnappers burnt to death by angry youths in Edo

    Five suspected kidnappers were burnt to death by angry youths along the Afuze-Uokha road in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State at the weekend.

    It was gathered that the suspected kidnappers, armed with assorted guns, attacked and abducted some travellers who they took into the bush.

    However, the local vigilante group got wind of the kidnapping incident, mobilised and waylaid the suspects in the bush.

    Five suspected kidnappers burnt to death by angry youths in Edo (photos)

    It was learnt that the locals, who had been angered by the spate of kidnapping in the area, forcefully snatched the suspects from the vigilantes as they were taking them to the police station, and set them ablaze.

    “The kidnappers would have been contacting the families of the abducted travellers to ask for ransom if not for the bravery of the vigilantes while locals who were fed up with the criminal activities of these kidnappers set them on fire and left to die,” a source told Tribune.

    Confirming the incident,spokesperson of the Edo State Police Command, Kontongs Bello, said that investigation was ongoing.

    “After the kidnap, the vigilantes went in search of the criminals who they apprehended in the bush. As they were coming out in Uokha Community on their way to the police station, angry youths in Uokha and adjoining towns took away the suspected kidnappers from the vigilantes. All efforts to get the suspects to the police proved abortive as they were burnt to death. The investigation is ongoing,” he added.

    Five suspected kidnappers burnt to death by angry youths in Edo (photos)Five suspected kidnappers burnt to death by angry youths in Edo (photos)Five suspected kidnappers burnt to death by angry youths in Edo (photos)Five suspected kidnappers burnt to death by angry youths in Edo (photos)Five suspected kidnappers burnt to death by angry youths in Edo (photos)

  • Obaseki Flags Off COVID-19 Second Dose Vaccination In Edo

    Obaseki Flags Off COVID-19 Second Dose Vaccination In Edo

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki on Tuesday flagged off his state’s second dose vaccination exercise against coronavirus disease, urging those who took the first dose to make themselves available for the booster dose meant to provide full protection against the virus.

    Governor Obaseki flagged off the exercise at the State Secretariat Complex, along Sapele Road, Benin City.

    “It is with great pleasure that I announce the launch of our campaign to rid our state of the dreaded coronavirus. The virus has changed the way we live and interact with one another globally,” he said.

    “It is heartwarming today that we continue with our gradual return to our normal lives with the commencement of the second dose coronavirus vaccination. With this, we hope for brighter days ahead as we collectively fight to defeat the virus.

    “The second dose vaccination exercise commences today, June 1, and will last for 40 days, during which period we intend to get the vaccines to our people, including frontline workers who are 18 years and above across the 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.”

    Obaseki said the second dose is a booster dose which will provide full protection against the coronavirus disease, adding: “The flag off is important to create awareness in the state and boost public confidence in the safety and efficiency of the vaccines.”

    “I took the first dose. Despite all the fears expressed, nothing happened. I am here today to flag off the second dose vaccination. Unfortunately, I can’t take my second dose today because the time scheduled for me is not due. I will be due for the second dose on the 12th of June. However, some people have earlier dates. That is why the programme is launched today. I will take my second dose on the 12th of June and you will be invited to know the importance of the vaccination.”

    Noting that the vaccines will be rolled out in phases, the governor said the first phase is being administered to frontline workers, strategic leaders and the elderly.

    He explained that the second and third phases will follow and the rest of the eligible population will take turns to be vaccinated, adding that the goal of his administration is to vaccinate about 70 percent of the population.

    Obaseki added, “For those who have not been vaccinated, it is important to take the vaccine because, by the end of June, it might be almost impossible to travel around the world without a vaccination certificate.

    “Government alone can’t fix this pandemic. We must all play our part by adhering to COVID 19 protocol to enable us to protect our loved ones, even after taking the second dose of the vaccines.”

    Governor Obaseki seized the opportunity to thank President Muhammadu Buhari for his support and role played in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that different stakeholders, particularly development partners, worked in synergy with the Edo State Government in ridding the state of the virus.

    He stated further, “We have vaccinated 38,500 people in the first phase of the first dose vaccination exercise. We are expecting that 38,500 people will come forward for their second dose. It is only then that you will have full immunization.”

  • Community throws tantrum as Obaseki dethrones traditional ruler, revokes clan

    Community throws tantrum as Obaseki dethrones traditional ruler, revokes clan

    The political tussle between the camps of Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State and his erstwhile political godfather and former governor of the state, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, took a new dimension over the weekend as Governor Obaseki dethroned the traditional head of Uzanu Clan in Etsako East Local Government Area of the state and revoked the entire Clan, merging it with Weppa Wanno Clan.

    Uzanu is the country home of the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clement Agba, a known ally of Oshiomhole, who has been at loggerheads with the incumbent Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, over the control of the entire Etsako politics.

    While the state government hinged its action on an alleged non-adherence to peace initiatives between the dethroned Oiola of Uzanu Clan, HRH Benjamin Ikani, and his neighbour, the Igiode Clan, the Uzani Clan interrogated the action and ascribed it to political vendetta on the part of the government.

    The dethronement of the Oilola and the scrapping of his clan has vided a statement endorsed by the Secretary to State Government, SSG, Mr Osarodion Ogie, which stated that: “the State Government has also withdrawn the appointment of HRH Benjamin Ikani as the Oliola of Uzanu clan of South East Uneme with immediate effect.

    According to the statement, the action is “predicated on the incessant and flagrant disregard to peace agreement and government’s directive to maintain peace in Uzanu community and its environs by the Oliola.”

    But in a swift reaction, Uzanu Clan, in a press statement issued by the Secretary of Uzanu Progressives Union, Kabiru Idris, described the action of the state government as political, attributing the action to an alleged political difference between the Deputy Governor, Shaibu, and the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba who is from Uzanu.

    The community maintained that the issue of the boundary dispute between Uzanu and Igiode, had long been resolved through the court up to the Supreme Court, hence that could not be a justifiable reason for the government’s action.

    “This issue has been on for over 50 years and were fully settled through series of litigations initiated by Igiode community in Weppa Wanno clan through Chief Augustine Alimikhena in Suit No. HAU/28/78 delivered by the Hon. Justice J.B. Amissah of the Auchi High Court on 20th November 1979 and Suit No. HAU/13/72 delivered by Hon. Justice J. Omo-Eboh on 10th August, 1973. All the decisions in these suits were in favour of the Uzanu community. The appeal to the Supreme Court No. 386/74 filed by Igiode community in Weppa Wanno clan was dismissed for want of diligent prosecution on 26th January 1976 as presided over by Justice G.S. Sowemmimo while another appeal No. SC/111/74 was struck out,” the statement disclosed

    “It is clear from the above facts that the Edo State government is oppressing the Uzanu community simply because of political differences between Governor Godwin Obaseki and the Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba,” Uzanu Clan maintained.

    “We therefore appeal to the Edo State government and the people of Igiode to let Uzanu people live in peace,” the statement further pleaded.

    The deputy governor had earlier, at an enlarged meeting between the warring communities, threatened that the Edo State Government would be forced to issue an arrest warrant on Prince Agba over what the deputy governor termed as the minister’s “role in fanning the ember of war within communities in the state.”

    With the dissolution of the Uzanu clan, the Uzanu village has been returned under the leadership of HRH George Egabor the Okumagbe of the Uwanno Kingdom as the office of Oliola, created by Governor Obaseki on December 28, 2018, from Angbette Uneme Clan, will no more exist.

    Community kicks as Obaseki dethrones traditional ruler, revokes clan

  • Police Rescue 19 Children, Seven Others In Edo

    Police Rescue 19 Children, Seven Others In Edo

    The Edo State Police Command in collaboration with the vigilante group has rescued 26 victims suspected to have been trafficked from Ebonyi, Imo, Abia, Anambra and Akwa Ibom states.

    In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Kontongs Bello, the victims comprise 19 children, one teenager and six women.

    He said those rescued were heading towards Evbuotubu in Ekenwan Road axis of Benin City before rescue came their way.

    According to the police spokesman, the women were lured from their various home states by a woman named Jennifer (also called Ezinne), noting that the suspect is now on the run.

    “They were lured in a guise that Edo State Government is giving financial support to single mothers with newborn babies especially twins,” the statement partly read.

    “The women said they were forced to go for street begging for their mistress Jennifer. They further stated that only pea-nut is given to them to take care of their children and feeding from the proceed of begging.”

    Bello also called on the residents of the state to disregard some social media reports indicating that some women and children were rescued from a baby factory by the Police in Benin City.

    He blamed the reports on some mischief makers whom he said engaged in the publication to paint Edo State in a bad light.

    “The women and children have since been handed over to Edo State Ministry of Women Affairs for rehabilitation and a possible return to their home States while effort also is in place to arrest the fleeing mistress,” he added.

    Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police Edo State, CP Phillip Aliyu Ogbadu, has urged media practitioners and members of the public to always verify their source of information before publication in order not to mislead the general public.

    He warned criminal elements to eschew crime, relocate to other states or face the full wrath of the law.

    The police boss further advised parents to be wary of unknown persons who come promising heaven on earth to their children as the result is always catastrophic.

    Speaking further, he assured the law-abiding citizens of the state to go about their lawful businesses, reiterating the Command’s commitment to rid the state of criminal activities.

  • BREAKING: FG Insist National Sports Festival Will Hold

    BREAKING: FG Insist National Sports Festival Will Hold

    The Federal Government has declared the 20th ongoing National Sports Festival in Edo State will continue as planned.

    It countered the announcement by the Local Organising Committee that the festival will end abruptly 12noon on Thursday over lack of fund.

    A statement by Assistant Director Press Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Ramon Balogun, on Thursday morning explained Edo Government has not communicated its constraints officially to the Ministry.

    It reads: “The Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has clarified that the 20th National Sports Festival, Edo 2020, is going on as planned with competitions going on as scheduled.

    “The Ministry and the Main Organizing Committee for the festival are unaware of any plans or threat by the Edo State Government to shut down the sports festival as there has been no official meeting or communication that relayed such information.

    “The Honorable Minister, Permanent Secretary and Directors are on ground in Benin City where the Festival is holding, and it is expected that the Edo State Government would formally invite the Ministry for a meeting should any urgency exist around the National Sports Festival or communicate officially with the Main Organizing Committee for the festival. The Ministry has no such communication.

    “For the records, the Edo State government due to the cost implications of postponements occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic requested financial assistance from the Federal government through the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.

    “The Ministry has since been at work to secure the financial assistance which it believes is being processed. The MYSD and EDSG are determined to deliver a successful National Sports Festival.”

    Coordinator of Media and Publicity, National Sports Festival, Ebomhiana Musa, in a statement on Wednesday night, had threatened the competition would end on Thursday by 12noon over inability of the Federal Government to raise its counterpart funding.

    He said the decision was taken at an emergency meeting of the Local Organising Committee headed by Edo Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu.

    According to him: “The Local Organising Committee, Edo2020 regrets to announce that it will end the games abruptly tomorrow, Thursday, April 8, 2021, for lack of funds.

    “Rising from an emergency meeting this evening, the LOC says it has to take this hard decision due to lack of funds having expended its reserves to kick start the games.

    “Regrettably, the FG is yet to redeem its pledge to support us as the host state financially for the cost of postponements. So, we are left with no option but to end the games at noon tomorrow.”

    The development is coming after postponement of the festival on several occasions.

    No fewer than 8,000 athletes from different states of the federation are participating in the festival.

  • NBA Asks Obaseki To Review COVID-19 Curfew In Edo

    NBA Asks Obaseki To Review COVID-19 Curfew In Edo

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has asked Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki to review the dusk to dawn curfew imposed to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus in the state.

    NBA in a statement issued on Monday by its Chairman, Pius Oiwoh, said the move is necessary because some security operatives have turned it into an extortion ring and a huge money spinner.

    “The Nigerian Bar Association, Benin Branch appeals to the Edo State Government to urgently review the modus operandi of the curfew currently in force in the Edo State,” the statement partly read.

    “While lauding Government’s effort so far in reducing the spread of COVID-19 which is the raison d’etre for the curfew, it has however been brought to our attention that some members of the security forces have turned it into an extortion ring and a huge money spinner.

    “This ridiculous and opportunistic behaviour by some security personnel has brought embarrassment to both residents and visitors in the state.”

    The NBA said it had received many complaints about the activities of the security agents, particularly policemen.

    While noting that a matron, who was conveying a diabetic student to St. Philomena Hospital, Benin was detained by the police on Friday night, the legal body said it took the intervention of Edo Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu, who had to personally come to the scene at Dawson Akpakpava to facilitate the movement of the matron and the patient to the hospital for medical attention.

    It also asked the security operatives to be mindful of the fact many cases of injustice against Nigerians triggered last October’s #EndSARS protests, which led to loss of lives of many innocent persons and destruction of valuable property.

  • 17-Year-Old Edo Boy Dies In Edo As Locally-Made Gun In His Pocket Blows Off His Testicles

    17-Year-Old Edo Boy Dies In Edo As Locally-Made Gun In His Pocket Blows Off His Testicles

    Pandemonium rocked Ayen, a small community in Uhunmwode local government area of Edo state, last weekend, when a locally-made gun carried by a 17-year-old boy accidentally exploded, and its bullet chopped off his testicle.

    The boy simply identified as Osaro, allegedly hid the gun in one of the pockets of his trousers, before it went off as he was walking.

    The bullet was said to have ripped off his testicles and he died before help could come his way.

    Eyewitnesses said no one knew how the gun fired because the victim was alone when the incident happened.

    The development caused confusion in the community.

    It was gathered that youths in the community freely carry arms around, following reported clashes between Ayen and the neighbouring Owegie community over land dispute.

    The dispute reportedly started when Ayen community allegedly sold some plots of land in Owegie community and the youths of Owegie mobilised to the site to recover the property and in the process, clashed with the youths of Ayen community.

    The town hall of Owegie community was thereafter allegedly set on fire by suspected gunmen.

    When contacted, the Edo state spokesman, SP Chidi Nwanbuzor, said he was not aware of the incident.