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Tag: Edo community

  • Edo community leader for burial Jan. 29

    Edo community leader for burial Jan. 29

    Patriarch of the Egbede Okunbor family from Uhunmwode Local Government Area of Edo State, Pa. Emmanuel Osarenogowo, who died on September 28, last year, will be buried in Benin City on Thursday, January 29, 2026.

    According to a statement by Kelvin Osa-Okunbor, Assistant Editor, The Nation, the body will leave Suyi Medical Centre on Murtala Murtala Way for his residence for family rites and Service of Songs officiated by clerics from Christ Chosen Church of God before he will be laid to rest.

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    It will be followed by a wake on Friday, January 30, at his residence in Benin City.

    There will be entertainment of guests at Ehanire Gardens on Second East Circular Road, by Uwa Junction.

    The burial ceremonies will be concluded with a thanksgiving service at Ogiso branch of Christ Chosen Church of God and social dance at his residence in Benin City.

  • Multiple explosions rock Edo community

    Multiple explosions rock Edo community

    Multiple explosions on Wednesday rocked Auchi, the administrative headquarters of Etsako West Local Government Area in Edo State

    The News Agency of Nigeria correspondent reports that multiple explosions occurred in three different areas of Auchi at about 6:30pm on Wednesday.

    NAN observed that the first blast occurred along Igbei Road, the second at the Igbo Shade area near an AP filling station, while the third explosion occurred along the Auchi–Okene Road, close to Winners Junction.

    Properties worth millions of naira were reportedly destroyed, including buildings and shops, across the three affected areas.

    As of the time of filing the report, the cause of the explosions was unknown, and the number of deaths or casualties could not be ascertained.

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    An eyewitness, who spoke to NAN on condition of anonymity, said the explosions occurred almost simultaneously in different parts of Auchi.

    The eyewitness added that the blasts appeared to have been coordinated.

    The eyewitness described the incident as allegedly planned attack on the Auchi community and stressed the need for a thorough investigation to prevent future occurrences.

    NAN further reports that a fuel tanker fell along the expressway, prompting residents to scramble to scoop fuel.

    It took the intervention of the Police Area Commander in Auchi, who mobilised officers to the scene to prevent a possible explosion as the crowd continued to grow.

    The Public Relations Officer of the Command of the Nigeria Police Force, in Edo, ASP Eno Ikoedem, confirmed the explosions to NAN.

    Ikoedem said, “The incident occurred at about 6:30pm following the fall of a fuel tanker along the road.”

    She explained that “spilled fuel seeped into underground tunnels, which later ignited and caused three explosions in different parts of the Auchi community.”

    According to her, officers from the Auchi Divisional Police Headquarters and the Area Command were mobilised to the affected areas and successfully cordoned them off to prevent loss of lives.

    (NAN)

  • Edo community rejects plot to create emirate structure 

    Edo community rejects plot to create emirate structure 

    Elders of Imiakebu community in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State have rejected plans to collapse the Three Ibies federated clan structure into an “emirate dynasty.”

    The Ogieaga of three Ibies, Mallam Ali, last week announced change the name of the Three Ibies to the Ibvie clan.

    But the Azamanodu III of Imiakebu, HRH Musa Awoh Ahmadu, said the Ogieaga of Three Ibies did not carry out consultation before the announcement.

    He said Imiakebu remained an autonomous village with its own traditional head and governing structures, including village head, chiefs, elders’ council and youth representatives.

    Ahmadu appealed to Governor Monday Okpebholo to intervene before the issue escalates.

    He said the appointment of Mallam Braimah Inusa as Chief Imam and one Shadrach as youth leader of Imiakebu, saying both claims were “false and baseless.”

    According to him: “The title of Ogieaga of the three Ibies is rotational among Imiakebu, Itsukwi and Imiegba. Any attempt to alter this arrangement will derail our cultural heritage.

    “We will not recognise HRH Mallam Ali Suleiman as the Ogieaga of Ibvie clan, a title alien to our laws and traditions. This move is a prototype of colonial imposition.”

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    The Ogieaga of three Ibies clan, Mallam Ali Suleiman, said the meeting held in his palace was to see how they can restructure the clan for better administration

    He said rotation of the clan headship is between the three communities Imiegba, Imiakebu and Itsukwi.

    “Restructuring the adminstration of the clan does not in anyway affect the status of the present occupant

    “Nobody is trying to change the rotational headship, but we are trying to restructure for better administration.

    “We want to see how we can divide our community for better administration,” Suleiman said.

  • Reps seek deployment of security to Edo community

    Reps seek deployment of security to Edo community

    The House of Representatives on Tuesday, October 15, asked the Inspector General of Police to immediately deploy security personnel to contain the new wave of insecurity in the Igbogiri community in Uhunmwode local government area of Edo state and prevent further escalation.

    The House also asked the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Nigerian Army, and the Commander, 4 Mechanized Brigade Nigerian Army to deploy Personnel to complement the effort of the Nigeria Police community in ensuring the safety of lives and properties in the community.

    Adopting a motion by Billy Osawaru (APC, Edo), the House directed Heads of Security Agencies in Nigeria to step up security surveillance of the Community.

    The Edo lawmaker said while the primary responsibility of the government is the provision of security and welfare of the people, the security agencies in the country are struggling to provide security across the nation.

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    He said security incidents such as senseless killings and abductions, have raised concerns about national security, leaving citizens and others feeling unsafe and hopeless.

    According to him, the people of Igbogiri Community in Uhunmwode Local Government Area of Edo State are under kidnapper’s siege daily with stories of willful attacks, killings, and sacking of villagers abound.

    He said further: “On 2 October 2024, the Igbogiri Community was attacked, leaving more than 5 persons murdered, and over 15 persons were kidnapped, this calls for a sweeping approach from the combined task force of Nigerian Police and Army to restore confidence in the people and ensure the safety of lives within the community.

    “Igbogiri Community in Uhunmwode Local Government Area of Edo State that used to be a peaceful area hence the need for a concise and proactive approach to counter insecurity in the Lgbogiri Community in Uhunmwode Local Government Area of Edo state.”

  • Edo community leaders decry incessant attacks on residents

    Edo community leaders decry incessant attacks on residents

    The leaders of Okomu in Ovia Southwest Local Government Area of Edo State have raised the alarm over incessant attacks on residents of the ancient community and destruction of their valuable property by a terrorist group, headed by a middle-aged man (name withheld).

    They disclosed that many Okomu residents were now homeless and taking refuge in neighbouring communities.

    Okomu leaders also pleaded with Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ijaw National Congress (INC), and the Federal Government to rescue them from the notorious terrorist and members of his lawless group.

    The leaders: Chief Freeman Cousin, I.K. Denmene, Chief Atele Oyico, and Chief Nanaghan Rickson, as well as the community’s Youth President, Christopher Young, yesterday disclosed that the last attack that took place some days ago, saw the terrorist and members of his gang invading Okomu in the midnight,

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    shooting some security guards on night duty, set on fire over thirty houses and a double 85 horsepower Yamaha engine, and an expensive speed boat belonging to Edo state government.

    In the “Save Our Souls (SOS)” message, the leaders lamented that the gangsters had rendered thousands of residents homeless, as a result of the incessant attacks on the peaceful Okomu and its environs.

    The community hosts the Okomu Oil Palm Company PLC, a successful company established initially in 1976 in Edo state by the Federal Government of Nigeria, before becoming a Public Limited Company (PLC) in 1990, with the company managing its plantation in a transparent and sustainable manner, which had been ensuring the ongoing impressive performance of the oil palm firm’s activities and operations.

    They said: “Three of the Edo State Security Network’s (ESSN’s) personnel sustained injuries during the last attack, and were taken to the hospital. The attackers then burnt two heavy-duty tractors, a Steyr-diesel truck (agbegi), and 13 houses at Edonghan village. The group of terrorists equally destroyed the ESSN’s base in Okomu.

  • Edo community challenges land acquisition for mining

    The High Court of Edo State has been urged to, among others, set aside the purported sale of land belonging to members of the Imiefo Kindred of Kalabar Community, Ukhomunyio, Afokpella-Okpella, Okpella Clan, Etsako East Local Government to Dangote Cement Plc by some alleged impostors.

    The request formed part of the reliefs being sought by aggrieved members of the Imiefo Kindred of Kalabar Community, Ukhomunyio, Okpella in a suit they filed before the Auchi Division of the High Court of Edo State.

    They queried the validity of the sale and the authority of those Dangote Cement dealt with in relation to the lands described as “Ogbagu and Afeyemi lands.”

    The suit, marked: HAU/47/2018, was filed on April 24, this year, by the Incorporated Trustees of Imiefo Kindred Union (on behalf of themselves and the Imiefo Kindred of Kalabar Community of Ukhomunyio, Afokpella_Okpella, Okpella Clan, Etsako East Local Government), through the firm of Prof. Yemi Akinseye-George (SAN) and Partners.

    Named as defendants in the suit are: Dangote Cement Plc, Xath Resources Limited, its Managing Director, James Abache; Alhaji Moshood O. Aliu (sued for himself and on behalf of the Ukhomunyio Council of Chiefs, Okpella, Edo State) and the Incorporated Trustees of Ukhomunyio Community Development Union.

    Beside the writ of summons issued against the defendants, the claimants also filed two additional processes: a motion ex-parte for interim injunctions, including an order restraining Dangote and other defendants from taking any further steps on the lands, pending the determination of the substantive suit; and a motion on notice for interlocutory injunctions.

    The claimant stated, in their statement of claim, that by traditional history and native law and custom of Okpella Clan, the Imiefo Kindred “is the rightful owner of all the lands situate at and referred to as Ogbagu and Afeyemi lands.”

    They cited a number of incidents that further confirmed their ownership of the lands in question, the most recent, they said, being in 2017 when “the Afokpella Village Heads prevailed on Imiefo Kindred to appease the gods over the encroachment into the Olitsa-Ogbagu deity’s territory, which include the lands in question.

    They also recalled when in the 1990s the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella prevailed on the Imiefo Kindred, as the rightful owners of the lands, to appease the gods, through the Ogbagu Shrine (Olitsa-Ogbagu), which it did before normalcy could be restored when West African Fertiliser Company of Nigeria (WAFERT) recorded some unusual natural disasters while operating on the lands.

    The claimants stated, despite their established ownership of the lands, that the 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants (Xath Resources, James Abache; Alhaji Aliu), in alleged collusion with Ukhomunyio Council of Chiefs, Okpella, without their (claimants’) consent, “wrongfully and unlawfully allocated the entire Ogbagu and Afeyemi lands, belonging to the claimants, to the 1st defendant (Dangote Cement) for mining activities.”

    One of the claimants, Ezekiel Eshiogiemhe said in a witness statement that they got the information, in August 2016 about the 2nd to 5th defendants’ alleged plot to unlawfully grant consent to the owners of the 1st defendant to commence mining activities on the lands.

    Eshiogiemhe said the claimants wrote the parties involved in the alleged illegal act and warned them to desist. He referred to a particular letter of February 2017, written to 1st defendant by the claimants’ lawyers to warn the 1st defendant to desist from dealing with the 2nd to 5th defendants on the grounds that they were not the lawful owners of the lands in question.

    He said despite the claimants’ letters and a pending suit they filed challenging the traditional head of Okpella, the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella, Alhaji A. Y. F. Idrisu, over the consent he purportedly granted to another mining firm on the same lands, the defendants proceeded with their transaction, allegedly leading to the 1st defendants paying the other defendants N459million.

    The claimants said they were not opposed to the 1st defendant acquiring their lands, but that the right thing must first be done, which include obtaining the claimants’ consent (being the rightful owners of the land) and paying necessary compensations to the owners, who use the lands for farming and other purposes from which they earn their living.

    They said their prayer for a restraining order was of urgent importance because, unless restrained by the court, the 1st defendant, who has allegedly moved its machines and other equipment to the disputed lands, has concluded plans to commence operations forthwith.

    The claimants prayed court for a declaration that the 2nd to 5th defendants, not being members of the claimants’ family, have no power or right to allocate or grant mining consent to the 1st defendant or any other person/agency to carry out mining activities on the lands in question.

    They also want the court to declare that, being the owners of the Ogbagu and Afeyemi lands in Okpella under the Okpella native law and custom, the claimants are the only persons entitled to negotiate with the 1st defendant in respect of the proposed mining operations and other activities it seeks to conduct on the lands.

    The claimants are seeking an order of perpetual injunction restraining the 1st defendant or its agents from carrying out any mining or other activities on the Ogbagu and Afeyemi lands “until it has negotiated with and sought the consent of the claimants for the use of the said lands”.

    They equally want the court to perpetually restrain the defendants or their agents from erecting any structure, trespassing or carrying out any activity on the lands.

  • One killed as gunmen invade Edo community

    The invasion of Obagie N’ evbuosa in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government by armed men has led to the death of Sunday Uduafemeh.

    Many were injured.

    Sources said the gunmen stormed the community in different vehicles and started shooting sporadically.

    Residents were said to have fled to avoid being hit by stray bullet.

    It was gathered that the attacks followed a boundary dispute between Obagie N’ evbuosa and Amagba communities.

    The source alleged that the attackers were accompanied by some policemen.

    One of those injured, Mr. Favour  Sunday, who is receiving treatment at a private hospital, said he was shot in the presence of a policeman.

    Enogie (Duke) of Obagie N’ evbuosa, Stephen Usiemwanta Imadonmwanyi, alleged that the attackers were from a neighbouring community.

    The Enogie said he had reported threats of attacks on his domain to the secretary to state government, Department of State Services (DSS) and other relevant agencies

    The Okaghele of the community, Mr Festus Edegbe, said the boundary dispute was settled in favour of Obagie N’evbuosa by Oba Erediauwa in 2012.

    Commissioner of Police Johnson Kokumo said some people have been arrested in connection with the attack at Obagie N’evbuosa.

    Kokumo said investigation into the attack had commenced.

    He denied complicity by the police, saying “under my watch, no police officer will protect hoodlums to commit crime in Edo”.

    Sophisticated arms, ammunition and vehicles abandoned by the attackers were said to have been recovered by some soldiers, who responded to distress call by some villagers.

    Troops of 4 Brigade, under Operation Thunder Storm (OPTS), yesterday averted a communal clash between Amagba community in Oredo Local Government Area and Obagie Nevbosa in Ikpoba Okha Local Governnent Area, both in Edo.

    This was announced in a statement signed by Capt Mohammed Maidawa, assistant director, Army Public Relations, in Benin, yesterday.

    Maidawa said troops received a tip-off that occupants of a black Mercedes Benz, registered as Edo DED 176 03 ED, were in possession of firearms.

    He said acting on the information, the troops mobilised to the area. ‘’On sighting us, the militants opened fire and ran into the bush.

    According to Maidawa, the troops recovered one pump-action gun, 17 live cartridges, 63 empty cartridges and 35  expended 7.62 mm ( special) cartridges.

    He said suspects were arrested and items recovered were in the brigade’s custody.

  • Alleged invasion: Edo community sues Army AGF for N700m

    Alleged invasion: Edo community sues Army AGF for N700m

    Some indigenes of Ajakurama and Tarila Zion communities in Edo State have sued the Nigerian Army and the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice for N700 million damages.

    The petitioners, in a case with suit number FHC/B/CS/116/2017, filed before a Federal High Court in Benin, Edo State, alleged that the Nigerian Army, through the 4 Brigade Command, Benin, violated their fundamental human rights during the October 20 military operation in their communities, destroying the property and disrupting their normal lives.

    Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army had explained that the operation, which was carried out in the communities was pursuant to a credible intelligence, exposing the activities of some militants who were operating from the communities.

    The petitioners; Felix Odowu, Ogolugha Odowu, Aye Nisor, Christopher Felix, Ibenatei Ipuluwei and Teacher Magic, had prayed the court to declare the said military operation, during which their property were seized and wantonly destroyed, as unlawful and a violation of their constitutional rights.

    According to a statement by the counsel to the petitioners, Napoleon Egin, the prayers included an order of perpetual injunction, restraining the Army, the Attorney-General of the Federation and five others from further victimization of the communities.

    According to Egin, the petitioners’ prayers included “an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents whether by themselves, their privies and servants from further harassing, intimidating, humiliating the applicants and or invading Ajakurama and Tarila Zion communities, an order of injunction restraining the army from further occupation of both communities as well as a letter of apology by the respondents to be published in a national newspaper.

    “Our clients are asking for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents from further breach of their fundamental rights and the sum of N700million as general damages for injuries already suffered.

    “We equally filed an ex parte motion praying the court to order parties to maintain status quo ante bellum pending the hearing and final determination of the originating motion on notice. This step was taken in view of the sinister mission of the Nigerian army to annihilate any adult male indigene of our clients’ communities.

    “As we brief you this moment, the army’s act of hostility against the good people of Ajakurama town in Egbema Ijaw clan of Edo State continue unabated and it is however hoped that with the service of this process on them today, there will be sign of peace and normalcy returning to the troubled area,” he said.

    Meanwhile, spokesman of the 4 Brigade Command, Benin, Captain Muhammed Maidawa, said the operation was in response to credible information on the activities of some suspected militants who he said are living in the communities.

    The army had earlier claimed to have discovered a cache of ammunitions and military regalia from the hideout of the suspected militants in the community, an allegation the residents describe as “giving a dog a bad name just to nail it.”

  • Edo community threatens to disrupt oil and gas production

    Leaders and youths of Oben community in Orhionmwon local government have threatened to disrupt oil and gas production in their community if the oil firm operating in the community failed to commence payment of compensation within seven days.

    Oben community is host to the largest gas reserve in West Africa, a flow station and has over 60 oil and gas well head.

    The leaders urged the oil firm, Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc to also sponsor a joint assessment and evaluation that would be credible to both the company and the people or vacate their community.

    They also demanded completion of all abandoned projects in the community by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.

    Speaking at a press briefing yesterday at the community town hall, Mr. West Uyigue said it was regrettable that Oben has been neglected by the exploration company, state and federal governments.

    Earlier, the Onogie of Oben Community, HRH Odoligie Ogiemwonyi said he was in support of the decision reached by his subjects adding that government at both levels should come to their rescue to bring about development to the various host communities in Orhionmwon.

  • Protest in Edo community over soldier’s shooting

    Protest in Edo community over soldier’s shooting

    Residents of Udo Community in Ovia South West Local Government have demanded investigation into the circumstances that led to the shooting of an indigene of the community by a soldier.

    Some of the residents on Friday took to the streets of Udo community to protest the shooting.

    It took the intervention of policemen from Iguobazuwa Police Division to calm the protesters.

    The victim, Iyendo Reuben, 27, is currently receiving medical attention at the Accident and Emergency ward of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH).

    He was shot on the thigh by a yet to be identified soldier who was allegedly invited by a fertilizer contractor to Okomu Oil PLC.

    It was gathered that the victim had stopped 10 lorries conveying fertilizer at a ‘toll gate’ mounted along Udo-Okomu road and demanded payment of toll fee amounting to N160,000.

    The victim narrated that the soldiers were called in to ensure that the fertilizer contractor evaded payment of toll.

    He said he was collecting the toll for the National Union of Road Transport Workers and said contractor had earlier agreed to pay before calling the soldiers.

    An eye-witness who claimed to be chairman of the ‘toll gate’ but refused to give his name said the contractor said he was going to get money from the bank only to returned with six armed soldiers.

    He said an argument ensued between the soldiers and the toll collectors which led to the shooting and others fled.

    Two chiefs in the community, the Iyase and Ihama of Udo, Chief Patrick Igbinidu and Chief Francis Osas Ihama, called for thorough investigation into the incident to deter soldiers from indiscriminate use of firearms.

    They said, “The community does not have problem with Okomu. The boy is not working for the community, the soldier is not working for Okomu,” he stated.

    The Iyase said a five-man committee chaired by the Ihaza of Udo chief Emmanuel Udubor has been constituted to shooting.

    Acting Public Relations Officer for Edo State Police Command, SP Stephen Onwochei, confirmed the shooting and said statements have been obtained.

    He said the Commissioner of Police in the state has ordered full scale investigation into the shooting.

    A staff of Okomu Oil PLC who pleaded anonymity said the tolls mounted along the road leading to the firm were illegal. He said the victim wanted to attack the soldiers when he was shot.