The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Edo

  • Police arrest two suspected killers of Abuja ‘missing woman’

    The Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has arrested two suspected killers of Charity Aiyedogbon who got missing since May 2016.

    The suspects are Chukwujekwu Ezeugo, 27, principal suspect, from Enugu state and Emmanuel Adogah, 28 from Edo.

    The Commissioner of Police in the FCT, Mr Sadiq Bello made the disclosure while briefing newsmen on the arrest by operatives of the command on Thursday in Abuja.

    Bello said that the principal suspect, Ezeugo was arrested in Benin while the second principal suspect, Adogah was arrested in Abuja on June 11 by operatives of the command.

    The commissioner said that Ezeugo, who had been at large since the disappearance of Charity, confessed to have conspired with Adogah to murder her on May 9, 2016 at Kagini, Abuja.

    He said that Ezeugo also confessed to have given her excess alcohol before moving her from his house at Yaounde Street to Kagini, where she was butchered and packaged in two sacks and dumped by the bank in Ushafa, Bwari, Abuja.

    He further confessed that he killed her in order to take possession of her Acura ZDS Jeep and other property.

    Bello said the deceased car and some of her property had been recovered from him.

    He said that the second principal suspect, Adogah who was a habitual criminal equally confessed to have participated in the commission of the heinous crime.
    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Charity’s former husband, Mr David Aiyedogbon had been accused of having a hand in the disappearance of the deceased.

    Speaking with newsmen, Aiyedogbon said that the arrest and subsequent confession by the suspects had vindicated him, adding that the deceased would surely get justice.

    “In spite of the negative, wicked insinuations and blackmail in the social media, we were not deterred and today we know what happened to Charity.

    “We have now confirmed that she is dead, it is our sincere belief that no person, no matter the motive or intention has any justification to kill another person,’’ he said.

    He said that some of those who were accomplice in the case had been charged to court for criminal offences while civil suit was also pending in an Abuja High Court.

    David said that the deceased, who was 44, had four children.

    Also speaking, Ezeugo said that he was in a relationship with the deceased, adding that both of them had differences.

    He said that killing her was the work of the devil, and expressed regret about the act.

    Bello said the suspects would be arraigned in court on completion of investigation.

    In a related development, Bello said that the command had arrested five members of a notorious armed robbery gang, who specialised in robbing unsuspecting passengers in taxis in Abuja.

    Read Also: Prison authority arrests woman for drug trafficking in Abuja

    The suspects are Ebuka Ejeanyido, 28, Chidebe Okocha, 36, Chukwuma Amichie, 30, Augustine Agbo, 32, and Chinedu Obi-25.

    He said that they were arrested during police investigation of the disappearance of Michael Sunday, who was reported missing by members of his family on May 27 after leaving his brother`s house in Apo, Abuja.

    “The missing man’s phone was traced to one of the suspects who led police detectives to arrest the other suspects.

    “The suspects confessed that one of them, Chidebe Okocha used hammer to hit Sunday on the head when he tried to take control of their operational car from the driver.

    “The suspects said they abandoned his body under Apo Bridge,’’ he said.

    The commissioner said efforts were ongoing to recover the remains of the deceased while the operational car used by the gang, an army green Volkswagen Passat Wagon, one hammer and a cell phone belonging to the deceased had been recovered.

  • Eight Edo indigenes coming from Spain die in accident

    Eight persons, five males and three females, have lost their lives in an accident on Tuesday morning when a Hummer bus conveying them rammed into a Mack truck.

    The accident occurred around 8:30am at the Wictech stretch of the Lagos – Ibadan expressway about two km away from Danco filling station.

    The victims – all believed to be Edo State indigenes, who just flew into the country from Spain this morning, had chartered the bus marked BEN 313 YX on the fleet of Iyare Motors and were going to Benin City for an engagement, when the accident happened.

    Operatives of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps(TRACE) were sighted evacuating victims, clearing obstructions and directing traffic.

    Read Also: Four die in Edo road accident

    The Public Relations Officer of TRACE, Babatunde Akinbiyi, who confirmed the accident to The Nation, said the driver of the speeding hummer bus ram into the rear of a truck marked MUS 730 XN in bids to overtake it.

    Akinbiyi said seven of the victims died at the accident scene while one other died later. Their remains have been deposited at the morgue of the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu where two others rescued alive, were also receiving treatment.

  • Clerics, others describes late Ras Kimono as a fearless philosopher

    Rev. Fr Pius Eluka, a Catholic cleric on Monday said that Ras Kimono was a fearless philosopher and demonstrated the quality it in his lyrics during his life time.

    “This Reggae master was a disciplined singer who spoke to the people and was very futuristic in his music,” he said.

    Similarly, Rev. Fr. Tony Afariogu, a lecturer at All Saints’ Major Seminary, Ekpoma, Edo, described the late Ras Kimono’s music as good and sensible.’’

    Afariogun said that a listener could learn something positive from old tunes unlike the modern music where musicians were only adding all sorts of words together and call it music.

    “The modern music is full of immoral words. It is not good for Christians. The youth should learn from the old music.

    The lyrics and wordings of old music teach moral lessons,” he said.

    Afariogun urged parents not to allow their children and wards to listen to majority of today’s kind of music.

    Also, a reggae guitarist with U-B 40, Temitope Babayemi, said that Ras Kimono was as a Reggae colossus whose content would out live him.

    Babayemi, the Vice-President, Actors Guild of Nigeria, said, “The 60-0year-old veteran was a true Reggae master who had left an indelible mark on the sand of time.

    Read Also: Ras kimono: Rastafarians to hold candle light procession in Ebonyi

    “His death was a painful one to me personally and to his numerous fans and friends.’’

    He prayed that God should give his family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

    Babayemi however advised the government to improve on the nation’s primary healthcare so that people that needed medical attention could get it fast.

    “Kimono came, saw and in spite of the incredible odds, conquered. May Jah grant his great soul sweet repose,” he said.

    He also advised artists to learn to be a reflection of their immediate environment.

    Similarly, a gospel artiste, Paula Mbah (JP), told our reporter that Ras Kimono had good content that would outlive him decades after.

    “Though, the Reggae master is gone, his lyrics will remain alive in the minds of people because he took after the likes of late Bob Marley who dropped powerful contents,” she said.

  • EU-UNICEF extends NDSP water, sanitation project to three LGAs in Edo

    Edo State Commissioner for Energy and Water Resources, Hon. Yekini Idaiye, has said that the European Union-United Nations Children’s Fund (EU-UNICEF) Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) project under the Niger Delta Support Programme (NDSP) has been extended to three more local government areas in the state.

    Idaiye said this at a one-day sensitisation programme organised for stakeholders in the three local government areas on the implementation of the WASH project, held in Benin City, on Thursday.

    He said the local government areas include Orhionmwon, Uhunmwode and Owan West local government areas, noting, “The areas would benefit from the EU-UNICEF Rural Water Sanitation and Hygiene project which have been fully implemented in Etsako West and Ovia South-West local government areas in the state.”

    Idaiye, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs. Akongie Oboh, noted “The WASH project being implemented under the EU-UNICEF Niger Delta Support Programme (NDSP) would assist the state government in improving sanitation and providing water infrastructure in rural areas across the state. This would take development closer to the grassroots.”

    He said the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration has invested N600 million in the WASH project, urging the benefiting communities in the three new local councils to make the best of the projects.

    He added that the programme would ensure that structures are put in place to curb open defecation.

    The WASH Specialist, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Akure Office, Mohsena Islam, said the project was designed to assist government in providing clean water and sanitation facilities to improve hygiene among children in rural communities.

  • Edo: Oyegun, Speaker shun state congress

    National Chairman of the All Progressive Party, Chief John Oyegun, and the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Alhaji Kabiru Adjoto, were yesterday absent at the party’s state congress.

    The peaceful congress, which held at the Imaguero College Hall, was well attended by delegates from the 18 local government areas.

    All the party executives were elected through affirmation by the delegates after a consensus arrangement.

    Checks showed that 70 percent of the former state executives were returned while the former State Woman Leader, Aisosa Amadasun was named the Organising Secretary.

    Chairmen of the Edo State Congress Committee, Prof. Okey Onyejekwe, said it was remarkable that the party leaders in Edo opted for consensus arrangement.

    Governor Godwin Obaseki called on other states to emulate the Edo example in the conduct of party congresses.

     

  • Edo: Commissioner flees as congress turns violent in Owan East

    Edo State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon Jimoh Ijegbai, on yesterday fled for his life as suspected thugs invaded the venue of the Local Government Congress of the All Progressive Congress in Owan East Local Government Area.

    There were sporadic gunshots as party supporters who had gathered to celebrate the outcome of the congress scampered for safety.

    The fracas which occurred at Afuze, happened when party leaders in the locality were having a meeting to arrive at a consensus list of local government executives.

    It was learnt that the party leaders in Owan East had met on Friday night and agreed to go for harmonisation instead of going for election.

    Party members who had gathered at the secretariat waiting for the outcome of the meeting were chased away even as a 75-year old man was locked inside.

    The lawmaker representing Owan Federal Constituency, Hon Pally Iriase, said the crisis was because some persons wanted to jettison the directive of the National Executive Council of the APC that all zoning arrangement should be maintained.

    Commissioner Ijegbai, in a chat with newsmen, said it was worrisome that Afuze that  used to be peaceful has suddenly become a terrible place during election.

     

  • Oshiomhole’s legacy made Edo APC congresses peaceful – Deputy Governor

    EDO State Deputy Governor, Mr. Philip Shaibu, says the state had peaceful ward congresses because former governor, Adams Oshiomhole, returned democracy to the people. Shaibu who spoke to reporters in Benin City, said members of the APC had been imbibed with the spirit of carrying out consultations before going into any contest.

    The deputy governor said the journey to the conduct of peaceful congresses started in 2008 when Oshiomhole took over governance in the state. According to him: “Oshiomhole was able to take the party to a level where everything became organised and peaceful and where respect was observed across the state.

    “Democracy was returned to the people and the party members understand that you don’t do things without consultation with the people. The idea of relating with the people and letting them make their input is what we have consolidated and it was shown in the congresses. “Everybody has to make input and if you say you want to go into full congress, people have to come out to contest. If you want to go into consensus, it means all stakeholders must agree on one person. That ability must be seen to be free without any bias. That is what we have done.”

  • Corps members escape death in Edo

    Scores of members of the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) on Saturday escaped death during a carnival celebration at the orientation camp at Okada in Ovia North East local government area.

     The roof of the lecture pavilion the corps members took shelter in during a heavy downpour collapsed on them.

     Witnesses said the incident shocked officials of NYSC who quickly mobilised for the rescue of the trapped victims.

     The witness said no death was recorded as all the trapped victims were rescued with bruises and injuries.

     Those with minor injuries were said to have been taken to the NYSC camp clinic while others were taken to the Igbinedion Teaching Hospital.

     An official of the NYSC who pleaded anonymity confirmed the incident and said all the victims were rescued.

  • Edo to spark ‘new era’ in agric data collection

    THE Edo State Government is working to give farmers agricultural data – information,  essential to achieving  food security, Governor Godwin Obaseki has said.

    According to him, agriculture has entered a period where data capture and interpretation are essential for successful farming.

    Addressing BusinessDay Agribusiness & Food Security Summit  in Lagos, Obaseki said  his administration was using technology to organise and enhance data from across the agricultural landscape to enable farmers produce more food for a growing population, using natural resources in a sustainable way.

    He stressed that while high-input and resource intensive farming systems have increased food production they have come at a high cost to the environment.

    To achieve sustainable development, he said the state is working with Proforest Group to transform agriculture system by improving land conservation practices and making  real progress at producing more food with less environmental impact.

    He reiterated that the government is determined to remove the encumbrances in land acquisition through land reforms to assist  investors that have expressed their desire to set up farms and agro businesses in the state.

    Obaseki said the government was working towards  establishing ranches to address the security challenges posed by the activities of herdsmen in the state.

    The initiative, Obaseki said, will not only ensure the safety of farmers and farm produce, but provide jobs and income.

    He said Edo State has one of the best soil conditions that supports large scale cultivation of a variety of crops and good climatic condition to boot.

    Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Audu Ogbeh said plans are on the way to peg interest rate for agricultural lending at three per cent.

    Ogbeh added that the step was  being taken  to ensure availability of credit at a reduced interest rate for youths interested in farming.

    At the interest of between 25 and 35 percent, the minister said agriculture was not profitable, adding that failure rate occasioned by skyrocketing interest rates charged by the banks were not in the interest of the economy.

    To keep pace with population growth, he emphasised that food production needs to increase mainly through youth involvement.

    One way to achieve this, he added, was  through measures to help farmers and youths  access  credit  and benefit from technological advances.

    Head of Netherlands Representation in Nigeria, Michel Deelen  said Nigeria has the capacity to increase food production and  agriculture to boost growth rates, create more jobs, significantly reduce poverty, and grow enough  food to feed its citizens if efforts are made to improve road infrastructure.

    Discussions during the forum focused on the role of small holder farmers in ensuring food security, the challenge of climate change, and the opportunities agriculture can offer  youths.

    Stakeholders at the summit wanted the government to address constraints, including improving land tenure, expanding credit availability, investing in input markets for nutrients and machinery, developing drainage and irrigation systems, and enhancing rural transport and electricity connectivity.

    They said farmers and agribusinesses could create a trillion-dollar food market if they can expand their access to more capital, electricity, better technology and irrigated land to grow high-value nutritious foods.

     

  • Lagos APC has no preferred candidate for national chairman, says Olusi

    The Lagos State Chapter of the APC said on Wednesday that it had no preferred candidate for the party’s national chairmanship position.

    A member of the chapter’s Elder’s Forum, Mr Tajudeen Olusi, made the statement in an interview with the newsmen in Lagos.

    He said the chapter had not settled for anyone yet, pointing out however, that the chapter was watching developments keenly before taking a position.

    Olusi said that leadership quality, ability to unite the party, among other qualities were what the chapter would be looking at in supporting a candidate during the national convention of the party, slated for June.

    “We don’t have a chairmanship candidate yet. We are studying the whole scenario carefully. We will take a position at the appropriate time.

    “However, we will support only the best candidate. A candidate who will unite the party and galvanise it to greater heights.

    “A candidate with the right leadership qualities to solve challenges and give everyone a sense of belonging. That is the kind of candidate we will back, “he said.

    On speculations that a former governor of Edo, Mr Adams Oshiomhole, was being tacitly supported by the chapter for chairman, Olusi gave no definite response.

    “On that, when we get to the bridge, we shall know how to cross it,” the party chieftain stated.

    He said that the party was stepping up arrangements to hold ward, council and state congresses, assuring that the exercise would be free and fair.

    Read Also: APC lifts 260 indigent members

    The National Working Committee of the APC had fixed the national convention of the party for June after back-pedaling on tenure elongation for all its executives.

    The decision to allow congresses, followed appeals by President Muhammadu Buhari, who had described the extension as a breach of the party’s constitution.

    Oshiomhole, who is also a former labour leader, was recently endorsed by the South South zone of the party for the chairmanship position.

    The incumbent, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, who is from the same state as Oshiomhole has not made any pronouncement on whether he would be seeking re-election.

    Apart from the two men, who have been in public glare, no other prominent member of the party has indicated interest in the chairmanship race.

    NAN