TheNewsGuru

Tag: Edo State

  • Breaking: Edo State House of Assembly Deputy Speaker impeached

    Amidst heavy shooting, Edo State House of Assembly Deputy Speaker, Victor Edoror, has been impeached.
    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Edoror, representing Esan Central Constituency at the Edo State House of Assembly was impeached over corruption allegations.
    He was replaced with former Speaker of the House, Justin Okonoboh, who was impeached as Speaker of the House in August 2017.
    The impeachment notice was signed by 16 members, out of the 24 lawmakers in the House.
    Following the impeachment of the Deputy Speaker, the House made a similar move to replace the Speaker, Kabiru Adjoto, before suspected thugs invaded the Assembly complex.
    TNG reports fighting erupted after the thugs invaded the Assembly complex, chasing away some lawmakers, and shooting sporadically in the air.
    As at the time of filing this report, three persons have been injured in the brawl, and two lawmakers of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), M. D. Igbas and Hon Iluobe were seen running for their lives with their security personnel.
     
    More details to follow…
     

  • Breaking: Unknown gunmen invade Edo State House of Assembly

    Breaking: Unknown gunmen invade Edo State House of Assembly

    Some unknown gunmen have invaded the Edo State House of Assembly following moves to impeach the Speaker of the House, Hon Kabiru Adjoto.
    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports fighting erupted at the Edo State House of Assembly after the gunmen suspected to be political loyal thugs invaded the Assembly complex, chasing away some lawmakers, and shooting sporadically in the air.
    As at the time of filing this report, three persons have been injured in the brawl, and two lawmakers of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), M. D. Igbas and Hon Iluobe were seen running for their lives with their security personnel.
    Meanwhile, the Deputy Speaker of the House, Victor Edoror have been impeached and replaced with former speaker, Justine Okonoboh, before moves to impeach the Speaker were initiated.
    Edoror, representing Esan central constituency at the Edo state house of Assembly was impeached over corruption allegations.
    A source revealed to TNG that the House moved to impeach Adjoto for taking the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to court over the alleged substitution of his name with that of his opponent, Hon. Peter Ohio Akpatason, in the House of Representatives primary election.
     
    Details shortly…
     

  • Buhari, Gowon, Jonathan charge traditional rulers on Nigeria’s unity

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday in Benin called on traditional rulers across the country to continue to build bridges of unity and oneness to promote national development.
    Buhari made the call at the official launch of the Book Entitled “The Benin Monarchy, an Anthology of Benin History” held in Benin City on Saturday in commemoration of the 2nd coronation anniversary of the Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II.
    Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd.) also commended the Benin monarchy for the remarkable effort to tell the history of the Benin Kingdom to avoid distortion that may arise from allowing others to seize the narrative.
    In his remark, Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki assured on plans to build the Benin Royal Museum to preserve Benin heritage and retrieve stolen artefacts.
    President Buhari, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha commended the good relationship that exists between the Sultanate and the Benin Kingdom, saying it should cut across the country.
    He said that traditional institutions must continue to stay abreast with the digital changes in the world and should not allow the changes affect the preservation of customs, languages and traditions of the people.
    Buhari congratulated the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II and the council of chiefs for preserving the Benin culture, saying that the Benin kingdom is a role model to others.
    He further called on traditional rulers across the country to join the federal government in preaching against hate speech and resist money politics as the 2019 elections draw near.
    The Chairman of the occasion, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, commended the outstanding features of the Benin Monarchy, and described the book as a masterpiece that “tells African history by Africans”
    “One of the tragedies of Africa is that our story has always been told by others from their own perspectives and with their own purpose.
    “The result is that much of the narratives of our continent have been a distortion. Against this background, we appreciate the impact of this singular effort of telling the history of Benin Kingdom,” he said.
    Former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan said the Benin Kingdom has always made the country proud via its rich history and well-structured governance system.
    Jonathan commended the Oba of Benin for his resourcefulness and protection of the Benin people.
    In his remark, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, assured that the Benin Royal Museum would be built and completed before the end of 2021.
    He said he made the decision recently at a meeting of The Benin Dialogue Group which is made up of all prominent museums in Europe.
    “We also got the commitment of the group to return many of the works that were taken from the palace during the expedition in 1897,” the governor said.
    In his address, His Royal Majesty Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo Uku Akpolo kpolo, Oba Ewuare II, commended all who have supported him since his ascension to the throne, saying his mandate is to prioritise the welfare of Edo people.
    He said the 7-kg book being launched was a compendium of the great history of a great people and would also be showcased in London, the United States of America, amongst other countries.
    He said the Oba Ewuare II satellite Town which is also being built in commemoration of his 2nd coronation anniversary was modelled to booster youth employment, create jobs in the agro-allied industry as well as cater for the general welfare of Edo people.
    Dignitaries at the event included the Sultan of Sokoto, former governors of Edo State, Chief John Odigie Oyegun and Adams Oshiomhole, as well as the Vice Chancellor of University of Benin, Prof Faraday Orumwense amongst others.
     

  • Edo Police Command parades 58 suspected cultists, 14 others

    Edo Police Command parades 58 suspected cultists, 14 others

    The Edo Police Command on Tuesday paraded 72 armed robbery, cultism, murder, and kidnapping suspects terrorising residents of Benin in the past few weeks.
    The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Johnson Kokumo, told journalists in Benin that 58 suspected cult members allegedly linked to the killings of eight persons in different locations in the state were among tthe suspects on parade.
    “There was heightened criminal activities viz cultism by rival cult groups: the black Axe, Eiye, Black Mafians, Vickins and Aye within the period 11th and 14th Oct, 2018, which led to deaths of 8 persons.
    “The police quickly moved in and restored normalcy and 39 arms, 54 cartridges, 3 battle axes and 5 fake drinks were recovered from the suspects.
    Kokomu gave break down of the murder and kidnapping cases to include the arrest of one Sampson Omorodion, 34, who was arrested for allegedly killing his younger brother, named Imuetiyan Omorodion, 27, by stabbing him twice on the neck with a knife after an argument between them.
    “On 10th of October, this year, the police arrested two kidnappers at Five Junction for allegedly kidnapping a 36-year-old lady at Ugbowo area of Benin city,” he said.
    The police commissioner emphasised the need for citizens to be vigilant at all times and to report any suspicious activity to the police for prompt attention.
    He warned that the state is unsafe for criminal elements.
     

  • Nigerian Army confirms killing of soldier by unknown persons in Edo

    The Operation Delta Safe of the Nigerian Army has confirmed the killing of a soldier by yet to be identified persons at Ajakurama community, Ovia South West Local Government Area, in Edo.
    Maj. Ibrahim Abdullahi, Spokesperson of the troop confirmed the incident in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, in Benin on Sunday.
    Abdullahi, who said the name and rank of the soldier cannot be disclosed yet, said the soldier was killed last Friday.
    He also confirmed that the troop had deployed men to the community to carry out surgical operations with a view to arresting the culprits and handing them over to relevant security agencies for prosecution.
    “Yes we have deployed some officers to Ajakurama community where one of our soldiers was killed by yet to be identified persons.
    “The aim is for the soldiers to carry out a surgical operation to isolate the culprits so that they can be arrested and handed over to relevant security agencies and be prosecuted,’’ he said.
    He, however, urged the villagers not to be afraid of the presence of military men in their midst but to go about their normal duties.
    News of the killing of the soldier and his subsequent burial in a shallow grave broke out on Saturday, but the Army could not be reached for confirmation.
     

  • Obaseki assures safe space for children as court jails paedophiles in Edo

    Obaseki assures safe space for children as court jails paedophiles in Edo

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that the state government would not relent in its effort at enforcing the Child Rights Law and protecting children from the vices of molesters in the state.
    The governor took the stand, as the Evbuoriaria Magistrate Court in Benin sentenced six persons to various terms in prison, giving legal teeth to the governor’s campaign against paedophiles in the state.
    According to the governor, “We are committed to protecting our children and enforcing the Child Rights Law to ensure that children are not exposed to the vices of child molesters and abusers.
    “We want to assure parents that the campaign by the state government is yielding results. We will not relent. In fact, there is no hiding place for these deviants in our society anymore. This campaign will be intensified and we will ensure that those caught molesting children will face the full wrath of the law.”
    Recall that the Chief Magistrate, Evbuoriaria Magistrate Court, J. O. Ejale, sentenced Friday Moses, and two others to different jail terms and remanded another three in prison for charges pertaining to child molestation.
    Moses, a commercial motorcycle operator, was sentenced to 14 years in prison with hard labour, without the option of fine, for defiling and impregnating his 13-year-old daughter.
    Lambert Ighodaro and Benjamin Uzoma Nwachukwu, bagged 14 and 20 years jail terms respectively. Mr. Nwachukwu, who was recently dismissed from the seminary, was arraigned on two-count charge and got 10 years each, with hard labour and without the option of fine.
    Others remanded in prison are Matthew Omokhafe, 65; Pastor Matthew Braimoh, 31; Corporal Michael Eriarebhe, 33 and others who were remanded in prison for allegedly defiling children aged 15 years and below.
     

  • Edo Govt finalizes plans for Oba of Benin 2nd coronation anniversary

    Edo Govt finalizes plans for Oba of Benin 2nd coronation anniversary

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has said preparations, especially those pertaining to security, are being finalized for the 2nd coronation anniversary of Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’ Edo, Uku Akpolo kpolo, Oba Ewuare II.
    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Governor Obaseki made this known after meeting with heads of security agencies in the state, including the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Johnson Kokumo, and Head of the Department of State Security (DSS) in the state.
    He assured that adequate security measures have been set up in preparation for the 2nd coronation anniversary of the Benin Monarch, while noting that a combined team of security operatives will be deployed to ensure adequate security for the ceremony.
    TNG gathers that the security meeting followed the receipt of intelligence on plans by those who do not mean well for the state to disrupt the peace and scale up nefarious activities with the ceremony, and as the year comes to an end.
    The Governor said the state government will not relent in its effort to flush out criminal elements from the state, assuring that security has been beefed up with relevant agencies to ensure the safety of life and property in the state.
    “I have met with the Commissioner of Police and the DSS boss over the increased spate of cult activities in the state and we are deploying resources to ensure that those fuelling the crimes are brought to book.
    “We are committed to a safe Edo State and will not tolerate any criminality. I am very much committed to stemming the increased criminality perpetuated by cult groups and gangs in the state.
    “As a state that is forward-looking and desirous to attract foreign investment, I want to reiterate that we have exited the days when cult activities held sway in society. We have beefed up measures to check the reported cases. The new security architecture is taking shape to ensure that the people are safe,” Obaseki said.
    Oba Ewuare II, born October 20, 1953, was crowned the Oba of Benin on 20 October 2016. He is the 40th, and not the 39th Oba, a title created for the Head of State (Emperor) of the Benin Empire at some time between 1180 and 1300.
    Meanwhile, the Benin Traditional Council has announced the launch of a book on the history of Benin kingdom for October 20, 2018.
     

  • Flood destroys 280 hectares of rice farms

    Flood has destroyed 280 hectares of rice farm in Iguoriakhi and Iguomo in Ovia North-East and Ovia South-West local government areas of Edo.
    The state Chairman of Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), Mr Dirisu Abdulsalam, told newsmen on Thursday in Benin that farmers close to the riverine areas in the state were worst hit by the flood.
    He appealed to government at all levels to come to assist farmers following the destruction of thousands of hectares of rice farmlands by flood in several communities in Edo North, Edo Central and Edo South senatorial districts.
    Abdulsalam noted that the flooding would negatively affect government’s drive at sufficiency in rice production in the country.
    He said that the association was evolving modalities to ensure the farmers were ready for dry season farming, to make up for the destruction.
    “The association will be sensitising rice farmers for dry season farming to make up for the shortfall occasioned by the destruction of rice fields by flood.
    “There are many problems in rice production and the worst of it at the moment is that flood has eroded or washed away crops and even submerged some of our members’ houses.
    “Therefore, we appeal for assistance from government and international donors so that our farmers will not go and commit suicide,” he said.
    According to him, flooding will reduce rice production chain in the state, adding that the affected farmers have lost millions of Naira investment.
    He, therefore, appealed to the state government to make tractors available to rice farmers, noting that the state had no single tractor.
    Abdulsalam said Edo was one of the major rice producing states in the country.
    He expressed regrets that the state government was not giving priority to rice farmers in terms of provision of certified seedlings and funding.
     

  • Edo Govt. to introduce scratch cards for revenue collection

    Edo Government says it is planning to introduce the use of scratch cards as a mode of collecting revenues in the transport sector, to eliminate revenue diversion and ensure transparency.
    The Deputy Governor, Mr Philip Shaibu, said this when he received state officials of the Nigeria Association of Road Transport Owners NARTO in Benin on Tuesday.
    He expressed optimism that the new system would also ease the process of revenue payment.
    Shaibu explained that the process would have a tracking system that would ensure remittance of all monies collected to government coffers and completely eliminate extortion.
    He thanked the association for its activities in the state.
    Shaibu urged officials of the association to study the harmonised revenue bill to see areas they could partner with the state government.
    Earlier, the Chairman of the association, Mr Anthony Oziegbe, said officials of the association were at the Government House to see areas of possible partnership with the state government.
    He said that the association was currently partnering with the Federal Government in road repairs across the country.
     

  • Road crashes claim 32 lives in Edo

    The Edo Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says it recorded 32 deaths in road crashes across the state between July and September.
    The Sector Commander, Mr Anthony Oko, made the disclosure on Tuesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Benin.
    Oko said that the the figure comprised 28 males and four females resulted from the 50 road crashes recorded within the period under review.
    According to him, 16 of the 50 cases fatal, 32 serious while two were minor cases.
    He also said that 147 persons were reportedly injured in the crashes that involved 481 persons, adding that the total casualties recorded within the period was 179.
    The sector commander further told NAN that speed violation, brake failure, mechanical deficiency and loss of control topped the causes of the crashes within the period.
    Oko advised motorists to always drive within approved speed limit and also ensure that their vehicles were road worthy.
    He also advised against unnecessary and dangerous overtaking and excessive speed that could lead to loss of control.
    He further advised parents against allowing their teenage and young children without driving experience and licence to drive.
    He noted that such actions exposed the children to dangers on the road.