Tag: Edo govt

The Edo State Task Force has demolished a property on College Road, Aduwawa, Benin City, linked to a notorious kidnapping gang.

The property belonged to a woman whose younger brother, Osamede Asemota, is a key leader of the gang.

Asemota, who was arrested by the authorities, confessed to his involvement in kidnapping activities.

He revealed that his last mission earned him N350,000 and that he had kidnapped a woman from her store at Ramat Park, taking her to a bush area along Agbor Road.

The gang, comprising five members, had been responsible for several kidnappings in the Aduwawa, Eyan, and Auchi Bypass axis of Benin City. Asemota’s sister, who owns the demolished property, is said to be unaware of her brother’s activities as she resides abroad.

When asked how he felt about his sister losing her property due to his actions, Asemota expressed confusion and regret.

Asemota said, “We kidnapped the woman in her shop at Ramat Park and took her to the bush around Agbor Park. I was with her in the bush for 2 days while my share of the ransom money was later brought to me by my friends.

“We sometimes meet at this compound to plan and carry out our activities. The house belongs to my sister, who lives in Italy. I stay alone here, and I feel very sad and confused about this development. I don’t know how she will feel hearing this thing because she has been supportive of me, sending me money and other things. I feel really bad that I had to involve her property this way,” he lamented.

Another suspect, Michael Tare from Delta State, was also arrested in connection with the kidnapping. He revealed that he had received N1 million as his share of the ransom but returned to Benin due to greed, leading to his arrest.

The kidnap gang had demanded a ransom of N8 million from their victim and later demanded an additional N3 million, threatening to kidnap her again if she refused to pay.

The Edo State Task Force’s demolition of the property serves as a warning to those involved in criminal activities in the state.

Read Also: Edo govt petitions IG, DSS DG over alleged cult leader

The task force’s actions demonstrate the government’s commitment to tackling insecurity and holding those responsible for criminal activities accountable. The incident highlights the need for vigilance and cooperation between the government and residents to prevent kidnapping and other crimes.

The demolition of the property has sent a strong message to kidnappers and other criminals that the state government will not tolerate their activities. The authorities are expected to continue their crackdown on criminal gangs, ensuring that those responsible for kidnapping and other crimes face the full weight of the law.

The state government’s efforts to combat insecurity have been yielding positive results, with several kidnappers and other criminals being arrested and brought to justice. The government is expected to maintain its momentum in the fight against insecurity.

The incident serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of kidnapping and other crimes on individuals and communities. It emphasises the need for collective action to prevent such crimes and support those affected by them.

Edo State government on Thursday commenced the issuances of letters to no fewer than 8,476 newly-promoted teachers in Edo public schools.

Edo Commissioner for Education, Dr. Paddy Iyamu, disclosed this in Benin during an interactive session with reporters.

Iyamu revealed that the processes for the promotion of the teachers commenced in February 2025, while climaxing with the issuance of letters to the benefiting teachers.

He stated that the promotion was to motivate the teachers for optimal performance.

Edo commissioner for education gave an assurance that the Senator Monday Okpebholo’s administration would continue to do more for the education sector.

He noted that the newly-promoted teachers would also be beneficiaries of the N75,000 new minimum wage just approved for Edo workers in the public and civil service by Edo governor, during 2025 May Day celebration, as he increased the minimum wage from N70,000 to N75,000.

Iyamu said, “We also have teachers who have been on a contract called Edo Supporting Teachers to Achieve Results (EdoSTAR). We are reviewing their appointments to see how we can absorb some of them who are qualified, because we are very particular about those to employ. After all, the quality of teachers is the quality of our children.

“So, a lot is being done to see how we can get the best hands for the well-being and overall benefit of our students.

“An interview is currently ongoing for the recruitment of 500 teachers into the basic and senior secondary schools, as well as 100 teachers for Technical Colleges. The recruitment of teachers was to galvanise the workforce in the education sector.

Read Also: NBM of Africa hits Edo Govt over demolition of inter’l secretariat 

“The recruitment of 100 teachers into Technical Colleges in Edo State is to ensure that the youths acquire skills, in addition to normal educational certificates, to boost their employability, not only in the labour market, but also to be self-employed. Besides the fact that you go to school to acquire certificates, the role of technical education is also very sacred.”

Edo commissioner for education also reiterated that Okpebholo-led government, in the last few months of assumption of office, increased the state government-owned Ambrose Alli University (AAU) Ekpoma’s monthly subvention from N41 million to N500 million.

He also mentioned the induction of 128 medical students and 810 nursing students who graduated from AAU in 2022, who were not inducted during the period of the immediate government of Godwin Obaseki.

Iyamu equally hailed Edo governor on the massive renovation and rehabilitation of schools across the three senatorial districts of the state, and the provision of learning infrastructure, such as chairs, tables, and books for all the public schools in Edo.

Edo State Government, between February and April, has registered over 9,000 Certificates of Occupancy (C of Os).

The Managing Director of Edo State Geographic Information Service (EdoGIS), Dr. Tony Ikpasaja, made the disclosure in Benin, while interacting with reporters.

He said the feat was achieved despite the challenge of shutting down the agency’s system by the consultant employed by the administration of former Governor Godwin Obaseki to run the operations.

Read Also: FG, Edo govt set up fact-finding committee to investigate Uromi killings

The managing director of EdoGIS, who was appointed by Governor Monday Okpebholo in January, said the feat was achieved within the period with the new software, as against the 1,000 recorded by Obaseki’s government between 2023 and February 2025.

He said the agency recently purchased more sophisticated equipment to improve its productivity and ensure that applicants’ applications were attended to as quickly as possible.

Ikpasaja said the agency under his leadership inherited over 7,500 files that were not attended to, with the files belonging to applicants who wanted their land to be registered and captured in the EdoGIS database, while advising land owners to legalise their property.

The Edo State government, under the administration of Senator Monday Okpebholo, has begun demolishing buildings linked to kidnappers across the state.

Okpebholo’s Special Adviser on Security, Mr. Paul Akhere, led security personnel on the demolition exercise at Illeh in Esan West Local Government Area and Uromi in Esan Northeast LGA. He stated that the action was carried out in accordance with the law.

Akhere reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to protecting the lives and property of residents, warning that the administration would not tolerate any house or establishment used as a hideout for criminal activities.

He also urged landlords to properly profile prospective tenants before renting out their properties to prevent criminals from using them as safe havens.

He said: “This house has been used for criminal activities. They keep kidnapped victims here, and a raid by men of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) recovered some dangerous weapons as well. 

“According to the new law on kidnapping, passed by the Edo State House of Assembly and signed by Governor Monday Okpebholo, any house found being used for kidnapping activities will be demolished. This will serve as a deterrent to others. 

“You must profile a person, before giving out your house to him or her for rent. Go to the police station and let them help you in profiling the new person, before you give out your property. You must verify their identity, and where they work.

Edo governor’s special adviser on security also assured the residents of the state that the demolition would be a continuous one, reiterating that Edo state government under Okpebholo had given a marching order to flush out all criminal elements in Edo, and make it habitable for all. 

The Commander, Special Task Force, Michael Anetor, a Superintendent of Police (SP), while also speaking, pointed out that the exercise which is in accordance with the law, would serve as a deterrent to others and help checkmate kidnapping and other criminal activities.

Read Also: Edo Govt, S/Africa explore strengthened bilateral ties

Anetor called on all Edo residents to assist in the fight against kidnapping by keeping watch over their vicinities and reporting suspicious activities to the nearest police station or to members of the Special Task Force, stressing that, “a safer and secure Edo is the duty of all.”

The suspects, Utubor Uchenna and Felix Ebama, who belong to a gang of 7, identified the property as their hideout, before the demolition had been involved in high-profile kidnapping within Edo Central axis, with the last operation fetching them N10 million.

The leader of the gang, Utubor Uchenna, noted that their last victim was marked, because of the kind of luxury car he was driving, while he was kidnapped along with a lady, but released unhurt, after parting with a ransom of N10 million.

The special task force, in conjunction with other security agencies in Edo, recorded successes of recent in the fight against criminal activities, with many criminal hideouts raided and suspects apprehended and handed over to the police.

…as Okpebholo suspends recruitment into state’s civil service

The chairman of the committee tasked with recovering vehicles belonging to the Edo state government, Kelly Okungbowa, has announced that over 200 vehicles are currently missing.

It was gathered that within 24 hours of its establishment, the committee recovered three vehicles from a private residence.

Okungbowa revealed in Benin that the recovered vehicles include one Hilux van and two Toyota Hiace buses. He also disclosed that one of the Toyota Hiace buses contained palliatives (bags of garri and rice of 10kg and 25kg) intended for distribution to Edo residents.

He called for public assistance and shared that earlier tips led to the recovery of the three vehicles, assuring whistleblowers of handsome rewards.

Read Also: ‘How Nigeria can tackle soaring prices of drugs’

The chairman urged former Edo government officials and others still holding state government vehicles to return them within 48 hours.

Additionally, Edo Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo announced the suspension of recruitment into the state’s civil service until further notice.

Okpebholo also ordered a comprehensive review of all recruitment exercises carried out by the Godwin Obaseki-led administration, between May and November 2024.

Edo governor accused heads of the state’s Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of carrying out clandestine recruitment exercises into Edo civil service.