The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Edo

  • Edo to raise N160bn to tackle Ecological challenges in 2026

    Edo to raise N160bn to tackle Ecological challenges in 2026

    The Edo state government has said it would attempt to raise the sum of N160bn in 2026 through the Ecological/Climate Trust to tackle ecological challenges in the state.

    It said its three-year budget would not be enough to remediate gully erosion sites across the state.

    Executive Chairman, Ecological Funding and Management Commission, Dr. Blessing Agbomhere, who spoke at a press briefing in Benin City, said the over 60 gully erosion sites would be remediated in phases.

    Dr. Agbomhere stated that the Monday Okpebholo Green Revolution would be unveiled alongside the launching of the Ecological Trust Fund.

    Agbomhere raised the alarm over increasing illegal sand mining sites in several communities in the Edo South senatorial district.

    He said the operators have no plans to remediate the sites after their operations.

    Besides raising funds to tackle ecological challenges, Dr. Agbomhere said the state planned to plant one million trees in four years.

    According to him, “We went round Edo State after we were inaugurated to assess all the negative ecological impact sites in the state. We were devastated by what we saw. I never believed Edo had been devastated by gully erosion until we did our assessment tour.

    “Edo State budget for three years cannot resolve the issues of the gully problem. To resolve and remediate one gully, we need between N5bn to N6bn. We have some that will cost N20bn. Edo State alone cannot solve the issue of gully erosion because the budget is for many projects. 

    “We are expecting to raise N160bn to solve Ecological problems at the Trust Fund to be able to resolve ecological challenges. We cannot remediate all the gullies, so we have to do them in phases.

    “Part of our plan is to turn these gully sites into tourist attractions. We will restore, conserve, and preserve. We are already designing projects that we will put in every gully we remediate.”

    On illegal sand mining, Dr. Agbomhere said the sites were already creating gullies that would become problems in the future. 

    “A lot of companies are operating in Edo state. After their operation, they will leave the state without remediating the environment. We are calling on them to tell us their plans of remediation when they leave.”

  • Boy on the run after bathing girlfriend with acid in Edo

    Boy on the run after bathing girlfriend with acid in Edo

    A young man identified as Timothy Gilbert is on the run after bathing his girlfriend, Angela Ogah, with a substance believed to be acid.

    The incident happened at Amufi, Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.

    Igah has been admitted to a private hospital and is battling for life.

    She could barely talk when reporters visited her.

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    Her lawyer, John Adewale Izegaegbe, appealed to relevant authorities to urgently arrest the fleeing suspect.

    He said a petition had been forwarded to the state Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, for urgent action

    “We want the suspect to be arrested. The victim is in severe pain,”he said.

  • Protest as Edo demolishes another kidnappers’ den

    Protest as Edo demolishes another kidnappers’ den

    From Osagie Otabor, Beni Residents of the Iyowa community in the Ovia North East local government area have staged a peaceful protest over incessant kidnapping activities in the area.

    The protesters blocked the Benin-Akure highway for several hours, demanding an end to kidnapping for ransom in the locality.

    Some of the residents said a husband and wife were abducted last Saturday, and a ransom of N50m was demanded.

    This is just as operatives of the Edo State Special Security Squad arrested two suspected kidnappers who were negotiating a ransom of N500m for the release of one of their victims.

    The suspects, Anthony Fedigha Ebimienwei and Luke Disemoh, had earlier collected N30m for the release of one Blessing Nosa.

    The operational base of the kidnappers, located in the Egbai community, Ovia North-East Local Government Area, was demolished.

    Coordinator of the Edo State Security Squad, Noah Idemudia, said dismantling of the hideout was in line with Governor Monday Okpebholo’s directive to adopt offensive security tactics.

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    “These individuals have been in this trade for some time, and it is deeply unfortunate. Let this serve as a clear warning: under Governor Okpebholo’s watch, Edo State is not a safe haven for kidnappers or any criminal elements.”

    The Okaighele (youth leader) of Egbai community, Aghaku Ihanuwaze, commended Governor Okpebholo for “a courageous and long-overdue intervention.”

    “This hideout has been a source of fear for our community,” the youth leader noted. “We thank Governor Okpebholo for acting swiftly and for prioritising the safety of our people.”

  • Woman arrested over false kidnap alarm in Edo

    Woman arrested over false kidnap alarm in Edo

    A 24-year old woman, Osarobo Omoyemen, who announced her kidnap on Tiktok, has been arrested by operatives of the Edo State Police command.

    Omoyemen announced on TikTok that she was kidnapped along Upper Sakponba Road in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area and was rescued by the Police.

    She claimed she was detained at Akpata Police Station and that the police collected N10,000 before she was released.

    But spokesman for the Edo Police Command, Moses Yamu, said investigation showed Omoyemen fabricated the kidnapping story to boost her online following.

    Yamu said Omoyemen has been charged to court for spreading false information.

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    According to him, “During interrogation, Omoyemen confessed that she staged the incident solely to generate online content and attract followers to her TikTok page.

    “It was also discovered that she deleted an earlier video in which an accomplice in the background was appealing to viewers to follow her page, clearly exposing the motive behind the false alarm.

    “The content was not only misleading but capable of inciting hostility against the Police and triggering unnecessary tension within the state.

    “Efforts are ongoing to arrest her accomplices to ensure they face the full weight of the law. This action is intended to serve as a deterrent to others who may attempt to misuse social media to create panic or disrupt public peace.”

  • 31 suspected cultists nabbed in Edo

    31 suspected cultists nabbed in Edo

    Operatives of the Edo State Special Security Squad codenamed “Operation Flush Out Kidnapping and Cultism” have arrested 31 suspects in Uromi, Esan North-East Local Government Area. 

    The arrests followed violent clash between rival cult groups in which one person was critically injured.

    Chief Security Officer and Principal Security Officer to Governor Monday Okpebholo, stormed residential locations occupied by suspected members of the Black Axe and Eiye confraternities.

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    Squad Coordinator, Idemudia Noah, said two ringleaders, identified as Gift and Ache, were on the run.

    He said their properties have been sealed pending further investigations.

    Noah said all suspects apprehended have been handed over to the Nigeria police Force Area Command Headquarters Uromi, for processing and interrogation.

    “Edo State will not serve as a haven for criminals. We are committed to safeguarding our communities and restoring public confidence,” he said.

  • Edo government launches agric equipment

    Edo government launches agric equipment

    • Okpebholo is God’s will for Edo people, says Akpabio

    Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has unveiled 30 new tractors, five bulldozers, 150 implements and a low-bed truck.

    He said they would expand the state’s  agricultural capacity, enhance productivity and accelerate rural development.

    The governor who spoke yesterday in Benin City at the unveiling, asked the Federal Government to begin the processes of repatriating former Governor Godwin Obaseki to answer questions concerning Museum of West African Art (MOWAA).

    He said his administration had resolved to ensure clarity and responsibility in the management of public funds.

    He said the machinery would expand Edo’s agricultural capacity, enhance productivity and accelerate rural development.

    The governor said the acquisition was designed to open thousands of hectares of new farmlands, attract agribusiness investments, reduce post-harvest losses and create sustainable employment opportunities for youths and women.

    He said it was a shift from subsistence agriculture to full mechanisation, as well as ensuring the state became a reliable contributor to national food reserves, while reducing the state’s vulnerability to economic shocks.

    “This is a strategic investment that will change the trajectory of Edo’s economy. We are laying the foundation for food sufficiency, commercial-scale farming and long-term prosperity for our people.”

    Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who inaugurated the tractors, said Federal Government would review Okpebholo’s submissions and assured citizens that due process would guide further actions.

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    He described Governor  Okpebholo as God’s will for the people of Edo State.

    Akpabio thanked the people of the state and Southsouth  for endorsing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for second term.

    Akpabio stated this during the unveiling of Agricultural Equipment (Tractors and Bulldozers) day in  Benin, the Edo State capital.

    A statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom, quoted Akpabio as saying: “I am very pleased to be here to witness your first year anniversary in office. When I listened to what went wrong in the last administration, after the tenure of Senator Adams Oshiomhole, I wept because that was the same thing I met in my state when I took over as governor in 2007.

    “Imagine allocating a paltry N41 million to the Ambrose Alli University as running cost in a year. That cannot even take care of the office of the Vice Chancellor, but under one year of your administration, you turned the situation around and upped the allocation to over N500million per year because you are God’s will for people of Edo, just like what happened to medical students in my state, who couldn’t graduate after spending 14 years in the University due to lack of accreditation.”

     Akpabio noted that “I have heard and seen what you have done in the area of education and I am very impressed because when you open the doors of education for the children, you shut the prison doors.

    “Under your administration, Edo is rising,  progressing and shinning. You are a unifier because you have been able to work in peace and unity with your deputy, lawmakers and your leaders.

    “Just like I brought the first flyover to Akwa Ibom State, you are doing the same, so you are God’s will for the people of Edo. By the time you are through with the people in eight years, there would be no house boys and girls again in Edo State.

    “Just like I empowered the women of Akwa Ibom State through WADEP, you have done same by allocating N1billion for our market women to boost the economy of the state from the bottom to the top. I am happy I am witnessing this in Edo under you”.

    On the 2027 presidential and national and state assembly elections, Akpabio said: “ One good turn deserves another. Continue to pray and support him to do more for you in the next eight years. I thank the people of Edo and the entire Southsouth region for endorsing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for second term in office. The competition would be rife in terms of votes.

    Earlier in his remarks, Governor Okpebholo,  thanked Senator Akpabio and his entourage for honouring his invitation to be part of the one year anniversary of his administration.

    .

  • Teenager kills cousin for ritual in Edo

    Teenager kills cousin for ritual in Edo

    A 12-year-old boy, Emiliano Egwunbare, has been kidnapped and killed by his 18-year-old cousin Tega Emajuwa.

    Emajuwa and two of his friends kidnapped their victim at Obagie Community, Egor local government area of Edo State.

    He had stayed with parents of late Emiliano for few months before carrying out dastardly act on September 16, 2025.

    Sources said Emajuwa collected ransom from parents of the deceased but didn’t release him.

    The source said the police was involved after payment of ransom and through due intelligence, Emajuwa was tracked down and arrested.

    Police source said Emajuwa confessed to the crime one week after arrest and two of his accomplices, Edugie Destiny, aged 20 and Osayande Vincent, aged 23 were arrested.

    Their confession led police to where they dumped the body of Emiliano inside a well.

    Some vital organs of late Emiliano were reportedly harvested.

    Deputy Edo Police spokesman ASP Eno Ikoedem, confirmed the incident and denied allegations that the suspects have been released.

    She said the case was initially reported at Ogida Police Division and later transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crime Unit, Benin, for discreet investigation.

    “Following sustained tactical and technical intelligence, operatives of the unit arrested three suspects — Tega Emajuwa ‘m’ aged 18, Edugie Destiny ‘m’ aged 20 and Osayande Vincent ‘m’ aged 23 — who all made confessional statements linking them to the crime. Sadly, during the course of investigation, the victim’s body was later discovered inside a well in Obagie Community. The remains were evacuated and deposited at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) mortuary for autopsy.

    “In a viral video recently circulated on social media, the mother of the deceased alleged that the suspects have been released from Police Custody. 

    “The Edo State Police Command wishes to categorically state that this claim is false, misleading, and unfounded. The suspects remained in lawful custody until they were charged to court on 16th October 2025, where the case is currently, while they have all been remanded for prosecution. The said mother was of the deceased was present in court during the proceedings.” 

  • One dies, two injure in NDLEA’s shootout with drug baron in Edo

    One dies, two injure in NDLEA’s shootout with drug baron in Edo

    One person has been confirmed dead and three others injured in Monday’s gun battle between suspected drug barons and officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at Okpuje, Uzeba community in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State. 

    The 16-year-old  Emmanuel Monday died while the injured were an NDLEA official, one Godspower Omage ,20, and Ajayi Irobia 54.

     Edo State NDLEA Commander of the NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju, said operatives of the agency were on official assignment when they were attacked by armed drug barons.

    He said the community was renowned for cannabis sativa cultivation.

    Edo Police Deputy spokesman, ASP Eno Ikoedem, in a statement, said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, visited the community to condole with the bereaved family and ascertain the true situation.

    It said the Edo CP visited parents of the deceased boy and held a peace engagement with community leaders and youths.

    The statement said Agbonika said the Police have taken over the case and commenced a thorough and impartial investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident.

    “Furthermore, the CP visited Godswill Memorial Nursing Centre, Uzeba, where he met God’spower Omage (20 years) and Ajayi Irobia (54 years), who were receiving medical attention. He assured them of justice and police support.

    “The CP also visited the mortuary where the remains of the deceased boy were deposited, and he arranged for an autopsy to determine the cause of death and ensure proper documentation for the ongoing investigation.

    “The Commissioner of Police has directed that the case be thoroughly investigated by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Benin City. The Command assures the general public that updates on the investigation will be communicated as soon as credible findings emerge. The Edo State Police Command remains committed to upholding justice, maintaining peace, and ensuring the protection of lives and property across the state,” the statement reads.

  • 15 passengers kidnapped in Edo

    15 passengers kidnapped in Edo

    Gunmen believed to be kidnappers have abducted 15 passengers between Obarenren Community and Idunwongie Community along the Benin–Akure highway.

    The passengers were travelling in Hummer Bus marked KJA 119 XF.

    All the 15 passengers were taken into the bush by the kidnappers.

    But Deputy spokesman for the Edo Police Command, ASP Eno Ikoedem, said eight of the passengers including three children have been rescued unhurt.

    Ikoedem said policemen from Ekiadolor Division were swiftly deployed to the scene.

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    She said the operatives pursued the kidnappers into the forest and successfully rescued eight victims, including three children, adding that the operatives were still in the bush to rescue the remaining eight passengers.

    ASP Ikoedem said: “However, seven other passengers are still unaccounted for as efforts are intensely ongoing to locate and rescue them. An aggressive manhunt for the perpetrators is currently in progress, with a full complement of technological support to ensure the safe return of the remaining victims while the driver of the vehicle is assisting the police with investigation.

    “The Edo State Police Command assures the public that no effort will be spared in ensuring the safety of all residents and commuters within the state. Members of the public are encouraged to remain calm, vigilant, and to promptly report any suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police formation.

    “Anyone with useful information is encouraged to kindly contact our emergency Control Room Numbers 08077773721, 08037646272.”

  • Drug barons attack NDLEA officers, soldiers in Edo

    Drug barons attack NDLEA officers, soldiers in Edo

    Suspected drug lords have attacked operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and personnel of the Nigerian Army at Ukpuje town, Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

    An NDLEA official was injured in the attack.

    The attack made the team suspended an operation to raid drug kingpins in the area.

    Edo NDLEA commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, who spoke in a statement, said ‘the community notorious for cannabis cultivation and trafficking.’

    Ofoyeju said the combined team was attacked as they advanced through the town.

    He said exchange of gunfire made the team to abort the operation.

    The statement reads: “A combined team of NDLEA and Army personnel came under attack on Monday at Ukpuje town, Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

    “Unfortunately, one officer was struck by a sharp object on the hand. This officer has since received medical attention and is expected to make a full recovery.

    “I commend the bravery of our officers and the army personnel involved. Our mission here is to ensure that illegal drug activities are disrupted, particularly in areas notorious for drug cultivation.

    “Although we faced resistance, we are grateful that no life was lost, and our team was able to carry out the operation efficiently.”