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Tag: Edo

  • Edo police arrest two suspected kidnappers in Auchi hospital

    Edo police arrest two suspected kidnappers in Auchi hospital

    Two suspected kidnappers have been arrested at the General Hospital, Auchi, in Estako West Local Government Area of Edo State, following identification by one of their victims, Dr. Momoh Tahir.

    Dr. Tahir and his brother, Abu, were abducted on January 2 at the Igbira Camp area of Auchi. While Dr. Tahir was eventually released after a ransom payment, his brother was killed during an escape attempt by the abductors.

    The suspects were reportedly at the hospital visiting a relative when Dr. Tahir recognised them and raised the alarm.

    Police confirmed that the two individuals are currently under investigation.

    Meanwhile, operatives of the Edo police command have engaged suspected kidnappers in a gun duel at Ekeke forest during an operation aimed at dismantling kidnapping networks across the state.

    Edo Police spokesman, Eno Ikoedem, said the operation was carried out in collaboration with the Edo State Security Corps, local hunters, and vigilante groups, following actionable intelligence on the presence and movement of suspected kidnappers within the forest corridor.

    “On advancing into the forest, the operatives came under armed resistance from the suspects, leading to a gun duel. Through effective tactical deployment, terrain dominance, and superior maneuvering, one suspect, Usman Abdulkarim ‘M’, aged 27 years, was isolated and arrested within the forest, while other members of the gang escaped deeper into the bush with their arms.

    “All recovered items have been secured and registered as exhibits, while the arrested suspect is currently in custody. Intensive follow-up operations and manhunt are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and recover their firearms.”

  • Kidnap-suspects demand N260m for abducted children in Edo

    Kidnap-suspects demand N260m for abducted children in Edo

    Kidnappers have demanded N260million as ransom to release four children abducted at Eko-Abeku-Iyowa Road, within Evboneka community, Ovia Northeast Local Government Area.

    The children were said to have been abducted about 5pm on Monday while returning from school.

    Other victims that were abducted alongside the children were a nursing mother and her two younger sisters.

    Father of some of the victims, Festus Bamidele, said the abductors released the nursing mother and her baby after a heavy rainfall.

    He said three other victims of pre-KG classes were also rescued by security operatives.

    Bamidele said victims remaining with the kidnappers were two of his children, younger sister and a sister-in-law.

    He said the kidnappers had contacted the family and demanded the sum.

    Edo Police spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem, confirmed the incident and said five of the victims were rescued while four were taken away.

    Read Also: Seven jailed for drug trafficking in Edo

    “The command in collaboration with hunters and vigilantes, has launched an intensive bush combing exercise for the kidnappers with efforts ongoing to rescue the remaining victims”

    Operatives of the Command have arrested two suspected kidnappers while on patrol on the Auchi–Igarra Highway, Edo North.

    Ikoedem said the suspects were identified as members of a kidnapping syndicate.

    The statement read: “The Edo State Police Command has recorded significant successes in the fight against kidnapping through proactive patrols and sustained intelligence-led operations in Igarra and its environs, in line with the crime-fighting strategies of the Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, Monday Agbonika.

    “On January 28, 2026 about 13:30hours, operatives of the Igarra Area Command, while on duty at their traditional nipping point along the Auchi–Igarra Highway, arrested two suspected kidnappers identified as Muhammed Muamadu Haru, 35, and Abubakar Muhammed Haruna, 25.

    “The suspects were identified by a vigilante member, as members of a kidnapping syndicate during exchange of fire in one of the joint Bush Combing rescue operations.

    “Upon recognition, the suspects attempted to escape into the bush but were quickly intercepted and arrested. Investigation is still in progress.

    “In a related development on Monday, February 2, 2026, about 17:00hours, a convoy of motorcycle patrol teams from the Igarra Area Command foiled a kidnapping operation along the Auchi–Igarra Express Road. The patrol team intercepted three suspected kidnappers who were about to block the road.

    “The suspects fled into the forest after a chase, abandoning items suspected to be logistics for criminal operations, including food items, mobile phones, jack knives, and other personal effects. Sustained bush-combing of the area is ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.”

  • Seven jailed for drug trafficking in Edo

    Seven jailed for drug trafficking in Edo

    Seven persons have been jailed by a Federal High Court sitting in Benin City for drug trafficking.

    The seven persons were jailed in January while 105 cases are still pending before the court.

    The state Commander of NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju, who made this known in a statement, said 46 suspected traffickers were arrested across the state in possession of 6,439kg of narcotic drugs

    Ofoyeju said one Shaibu Yusuf was arrested in connection with 792kg bags of cannabis on the Auchi-Abuja Expressway while attempting to convey the drugs to the North. 

    He said Commander of the Nigerian Army 4 Brigade Benin City, Brig.-Gen A. O. Balogun, transferred two drug suspects, Chief James Abamu, 48, and Aboy Egah, 31, arrested with a total of 862kg of cannabis seeds to the NDLEA.

    The Edo NDLEA Commander said the command would remain resolute in its mission to combat drug-related crime and ensure a healthier, drug-free environment for the citizens of Edo State.

    Read Also: Edo PDP faction hails judgement nullifying party’s convention

    He said: “The NDLEA seized a staggering total of 6,439.4 kilogrammes of various drugs. This haul predominantly consisted of 6,438.31 kilogrammes of cannabis. The cannabis includes 4,063.87 kilogrammes, which were destroyed in a cannabis farm, while 2,374.46 kg were seized during raid operations. Other seizures are 0.7957 kg of psychotropic substance, 0.0264 kg of methamphetamine, 0.011kg of cocaine, 0.013kg of heroin and 3.5 litres of codeine-based syrup.

    “The eradication of cannabis cultivation also featured in the month’s activities, with the destruction of a cannabis farm spanning 1.625547 hectares in Ebora Camp, Ilushi Forest. This farm was estimated to yield approximately 4,063.87 kg of cannabis, representing a significant blow to local cannabis cultivation cartels.

    “Determined to address the underlying issues of drug abuse, the command provided counselling services to sixteen clients, predominantly of males, while an additional seven clients are undergoing rehabilitation at the state command headquarters. Anti-drug abuse outreach efforts also continued, with four sensitisation programmes conducted during the month.”

  • Edo political appointees begin three days re-treat for effectiveness

    Edo political appointees begin three days re-treat for effectiveness

    Political appointees in the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo have begun a three-day retreat of orientation and capacity building.

    The three-day orientation and strategic leadership retreat for top government officials is the first that Governor Okpebholo is organising for his appointees and top public servants since he was sworn-in in November 2024.

    Speaking at the opening ceremony in Udomi, Esan Central local government area, Governor Okpebholo said the retreat was to reposition his administration for effective service delivery, strengthen collaboration across ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), and deepen understanding of governance processes.

    Governor Okpebholo charged civil and public service leaders to embrace discipline, teamwork, and measurable results.

    He said his administration was driven strictly by performance and accountability.

    The governor reminded them that the gathering was not a social event but a serious engagement aimed at strengthening governance in the state.

    He said good governance required collective responsibility, noting that no ministry or appointee could succeed in isolation.

    “We are gathered here today not for a jamboree, but for a purpose. This retreat is designed to serve dual purposes — orientation and capacity building for top government officials.

    “Our administration is driven by a clear vision of the SHINE Agenda. This vision is practical governance that delivers results.

    Read Also: Edo PDP faction hails judgement nullifying party’s convention

    “Good governance is teamwork, and no single appointee or agency can succeed in isolation. We must work as a team and strengthen collaboration across MDAs,” Okpebholo said.

    Governor Okpebholo warned appointees against using public office for personal enrichment and insisted that service must remain the guiding principle of leadership.

    He said the retreat marked a fresh beginning in the way his administration would be run, with renewed emphasis on discipline, accountability, and performance monitoring.

    “I want to repeat my warning to you… Public office is a call to service, and not for profit-making or personal gain. Every naira we spend must deliver value, and every policy must produce measurable results.

    “Your performance will be measured. Tangible results and excellence will now determine your status in this administration,” Okpebholo declared.

    He urged participants to take the retreat seriously, participate actively, and remain committed to delivering quality governance to the Edo people.

    “I charge you to participate actively, think boldly, and commit fully to the collective success of this administration. Edo people are watching, and they deserve nothing less than excellence,” he said.

    Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, explained that the philosophy behind the retreat was “Edo is building Edo.”

     He said the transformation of the state must be driven by the Edo people themselves. 

  • Edo doesn’t rely on FAAC to pay salaries- Commissioner

    Edo doesn’t rely on FAAC to pay salaries- Commissioner

    Edo Commissioner for Finance, Engr. Emmanuel Okoebor, has said that the State does not rely on allocation from the federation account to pay its salaries.

    Okoebor said workers in the State Government payroll have received their January salaries.

    He was reacting to report that payment of January salaries might be delayed due to disagreement in sharing allocation from FAAC.

    Read Also: Sunday Igboho lauds Tinubu, Southwest governors, Obas over freedom

    The Edo Finance Commissioner said preparations were made ahead for salary payment before funds ade disbursed from FAAC.

    “We don’t rely on FAAC to pay salaries in Edo. We have paid January salaries,” he stressed. 

  • Edo chairman impeached, booed out of office

    Edo chairman impeached, booed out of office

    Chairman of Akoko-Edo local government, Hon Alabi Bliss Oshionogue, has been impeached.

    Oshionogue was impeached in a letter signed by seven Councillors.

    He was impeached few hours after  lawmakers in the Edo House of Assembly failed to hold a peace meeting between him and the seven Councillors.

    It was gathered the Chairman was removed following attempts by three of the Councillors that did not attend the meeting to remove the seven Councillors.

    Sources said the seats of the three Councillors were declared vacant.

    It was learnt that the seven Councillors rushed to Igarra, headquarters of Akoko-Edo local government and issued the impeachment letter.

    Read Also: Edo to build 25 CBT centres

    The letter of impeachment reads: “We, the undersigned members of Akoko Edo Local Government Area Legislative Arm hereby impeach you as the acting Local Government Council Chairman with effect from today the 28th January, 2026.

    “This decision is as a result of your abuse of office, high handedness, embezzlements of Council funds, anti-party activities, financial recklessness, forgery and constant disobedient to constituted authorities”.

    A viral video showed moments the impeached Chairman was booed out of office.

    Commissioner for local government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon Paul Ohonbamu, did not pick calls by our correspondent on the development. 

  • Edo to build 25 CBT centres

    Edo to build 25 CBT centres

    • …Okpebholo partners Google, others

    The Edo State Government said it planned to build 25 Computer Based Test (CBT) centres across the 18 local government areas as part of its plan to deepen technological skills to the grassroots.

    It said it would begin construction of five CBT centres this year.

    Edo State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Paddy Iyamu, disclosed this at the flagging off of the training of 800 students in Artificial Intelligence.

    Iyamu said the students would be trained in Advanced Data Analysis and Visualisation, Data Science/Machine Learning, Data Architecture and Geospatial Data Science.

    He said the training was in partnership with Google international to certify the 800 students in technological skills.

    Dr. Iyamu said Governor Monday Okpebholo approved the training because he planned to give every child a seat at the table of success.

    Read Also: Edo records huge wins at teachers summit

    He said Governor Okpebholo does not plan to take money to buy houses in Dubai or America but to build schools and tech hubs to help the younger generation innovate.

    According to him, “This government means well for you. The Governor has approved the revamp of the tech hub at Shoprite. Do not let go of this opportunity.

    “The Governor is an IT expert. He has been developing software to provide solutions to challenges across the world. Many people do not know it.

    “He has said every child will be given a seat at the table of success. The things you will learn will put you at the international market. We want you to take advantage of what you are going to learn.

    “We are in discussion with CISCO. Conversation is in top gear. We want to make sure the majority of the youths are data ready. We are doing a serious drive in terms of building CBT centres so that we can train many of our students.”

  • Ogun, Edo, others trained on data-driven forest management

    Ogun, Edo, others trained on data-driven forest management

    The Chief Technical Advisor for the FAO GEF7 Biodiversity Project, Professor Segun Oladoye, has said that strengthening technical capacity and data use is central to addressing Nigeria’s forest and biodiversity challenges.

    Oladoye made this known in Abeokuta at the opening of a training programme titled ‘Collect Earth and Mapathon Data Collection,’ organized under the Food and Agriculture Organization–Global Environment Facility (FAO-GEF7) programme in collaboration with the Ogun State Government.

    He explained that the Global Environment Facility supports environmental and livelihood initiatives globally, with biodiversity conservation as a key focus. According to him, the FAO GEF7 Biodiversity Project is structured around four components, including capacity building, which informed the organization of the training.

    Oladoye said the programme was designed to equip participants with practical skills in geospatial data collection and interpretation, adding that such skills are essential for planning restoration activities in degraded forest areas and improving decision-making across institutions.

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    Earlier in his speech the Ogun State Commissioner for Forestry, Engr. Taiwo Oludotun, emphasized the importance of adopting data-driven approaches to forest governance and biodiversity conservation.

    He noted that while forests provide critical ecosystem services and support livelihoods, they remain under pressure from illegal logging, land encroachment, unsustainable land-use practices, and climate change.

    The commissioner stressed that reliable and timely data are necessary for responding to these challenges, noting that tools such as Collect Earth and Mapathon can enhance monitoring of land-use change and forest conditions through satellite imagery and participatory data collection methods.

    The training, scheduled to bring together representatives from federal and state government agencies, project implementation units, development partners, and relevant institutions.

    Oludotun urged participants to apply the skills acquired beyond the training room, noting that the success of the programme would be measured by improvements in sustainable forest management on the ground.

    Participants at the training also shared their expectations. A Principal Forest Officer from the Ondo State Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Orogun Ademola, said his participation was motivated by the need to update his knowledge of geospatial technologies and improve data application in his work.

    Other participants, including Titilayo Omogie of the Edo State Forest Commission and Johnson Mafiejor from the Delta State Ministry of Environment, described the training as timely and expressed hope that continued institutional support would help translate the knowledge gained into practical outcomes.

  • NMA vows to continue Edo strike

    NMA vows to continue Edo strike

    Edo branch of Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) says the ongoing strike by doctors across the state will continue until their abducted colleague is released unhurt.

    In statement, jointly signed by its Chairman, Dr Eustace Oseghale, and the Secretary, Dr Iluobe Inegbenosun, yesterday in Benin, the association said the decision was informed by the worsening security situation in the state.

    It expressed dismay about the continued captivity of Abu Babatunde, a doctor kidnapped in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area since January 1.

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    The union said medical services would remain withdrawn until there was concrete assurance of the safety of its member.

    The medical association expressed strong disapproval of the prevailing insecurity in the state, noting that the protection of lives and property must be treated as a priority.

  • Abductors of Edo hotel guests slash ransom to N40m

    Abductors of Edo hotel guests slash ransom to N40m

    Abductors of eight guests of a hotel in Ibillo, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, in Edo State, have reduced their ransom demand from N100 million to N40 million.

    The kidnappers were allegedly dressed in military camouflages to gain access into the facility where they took away the hotel owner and seven lodgers.

    Read Also: Kidnappers of hotel lodgers in Edo reduce ransom to N40m

    The monarch of the town, Okpahi of Imoga Kingdom, Oba Patrick Abudu, confirmed the reduction, which according to him, was communicated to them Monday night.

    “We are worried over the safety of our people as it has been five days since they were kidnapped”, Oba Abudu said.