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Tag: Edo

  • NSCDC arrests ‘self-confessed’ Boko Haram suspect in Edo

    NSCDC arrests ‘self-confessed’ Boko Haram suspect in Edo

    The Edo State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has confirmed the arrest of a ‘self-confessed’ Boko Haram suspect.

    The suspect who gave his name as Sani was arrested yesterday, according to the Commandant of the NSCDC, Makinde Ayinla.

    He said: “Our men deployed to guard the premises of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), arrested the suspect after he was spotted twice loitering between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m.

    “Nobody knew how he gained entry into the premises.”

    He said that during interrogation, Sani claimed to be a member of the Boko Haram group.

    Ayinla also said that Sani confessed to being in a group that specialises in robbery, kidnapping, murder and selling of human parts.

    The commandant said that Sani confessed that his group operates with sophisticated weapons.

    Ayinla said when asked if Sani could lead men of the corps to his group’s hideout, he said the suspect said: “only God can lead any person there.”

    The commandant said the suspect had been handed over to the State Command of the State Security Services (SSS).

     

  • Suspected robber mobbed in Kano

    Suspected robber mobbed in Kano

    The Kano state Police Command has said a suspected armed robber, who posed as a staff of Kano Electricity Distribution company (KEDCO), to rob a housewife was Killed by mob.
    The suspect, one Bashir lsah of Benin city, Edo state had conspired with another suspect now at large, went to their victim’s house in the guise demanding for the records of bill payment.
    Isah was said to have rode on a motorbike to the victim’s house at sharada ja’en on arrival, Knocked at the gate, claiming to be officials of KEDCO.
    lmmedately the housewife opened the gate and in the process of trying to check for the bills, they pulled out a locally made pistol and demanded for money.
    The housewife (namewithheld), told the suspects that she had no money, at that requested for bank transfer. 
    On this note, the suspects dispossessed her of loptop, two phones, two computer Disks, and the sum of N8000 cash.
    However, luck ran for the suspects, when their bike failed to start, upon this, she raised the alarm, which attracted the neighbours who rushed and captured them. While the other suspect managed to escape. And lsah was blue and black by the mob.
     spokesman of the Police command, DSP magaji musa majia said the suspect died before police could rescued him and that all the exhibits were recovered from the suspects.
  • Edo partners CWO on skill acquisition programme

    Edo partners CWO on skill acquisition programme

    Edo Government has said that it will partner Catholic Women Organisation (CWO) programmes to promote skill acquisition among women in the state.

    The Deputy Governor, Mr Philip Shaibu, said this when leaders of the organisation paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Benin.

    Shaibu said that the partnership would reduce hardship and create job opportunities in the state.

    He commended the leadership of the organisation for its initiative in creating skill acquisition programmes for less privileged women among them.

    He said that the programme was in line with Gov. Godwin Obaseki’s initiative onn job creation.

    Read Also:  New libraries for Edo rural schools

    The deputy governor, however, advised the organisation to provide the names of the beneficiaries to the state government, to help support the programme.

    He also urged the organisation to set up a monitoring team to ensure that the beneficiaries would not lavish the set up funds.

    Earlier, the group leader, Dr Christiana Omorede, who led the group, said the organisation had collaborated with the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) to enhance the training of women in the state.

    Omorede said that NDE would be training about 80 members of the CWO on cosmetology.

    She said that the group was committed to poverty reduction through the skill acquisition programme as it would add value to the lives of the less privileged in the state.

    NAN

     

  • Controversy in Edo over ‘missing’ rice

    Controversy in Edo over ‘missing’ rice

    FOUR thousand, seven hundred and twenty one bags of rice are allegedly missing from the 6,822 donated by the Customs to Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDPs’) camp in Edo State.

    They were allegedly taken from the warehouse.

    The state’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) accused officials of diverting over 4,000 bags.

    Over two thousand bags were given to IDPs at Ohogua in Ovia North East Local Government.

    The Customs also donated 76 cartons of vegetable oil,  and 20 pairs of used shoes, among others.

    A November 10 letter signed by the Customs Assistant Comptroller-General, Mr. A. Azarema, showed that the items were from Imo, Cross River and Rivers commands.

    PDP Chairman Chief Dan Orbih, who spoke when over 300 members of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) defected to the party, said Governor Godwin Obaseki must account for the missing bags of rice.

    He said documents showed that the governor had a case to answer.

    Orbih alleged: “I have the vouchers to show I am telling the truth. PDP will be in the forefront in liberating Edo State. Last December, the director-general of NCS gave 6,822 bags of rice to IDPs. Obaseki only gave 2,101 to the camp.

    “The balance of 4,721 bags was taken by the governor for All Progressives Congress’ (APC’s) members. This is a serious matter. The bags were seized from those who imported rice illegally into the country.

    “The governor pretended that they used their money to buy the rice and give to IDPs. I have been hearing of scandal, but none is as sensational as these missing bags of rice. Obaseki must account for the missing bags. He has a case to answer. They must return the bags of rice to the IDPs’ camp.”

    Camp Coordinator Mr. Solomon Folorunsho said he only received 2,101 bags of rice  as donation from NCS.

    He said he was shocked when government officials brought the rice after the Customs notified him about the items.

    Folorunsho said: “We received 2,101 bags of rice. We are still waiting for the rest. This place depends on people’s goodwill. Whoever is holding what belongs to the IDPs should release it.”

    Special Adviser to Governor Obaseki on Media and Communication Strategy Mr. Crusoe Osagie described PDP’s allegations as lies.

    He said all items donated by the Customs, besides those damaged in storage, were distributed to IDPs and orphanages.

    “The allegation is laughable and false. It is a design by detractors to smear the image of a performing government. Edo PDP has a rich history of diverting items meant for the less privileged. Its members think other people are like them,” Osagie said.

    He said the government had made donations to people in distress “and it is irreconcilable that a known donor to humanitarian causes will divert items meant for IDPs.

    “PDP’s allegation that of the 6,822 bags of rice meant for IDPs, over 4,000 bags were diverted, as only 2,101 bags were given to the IDPs, is a figment of the imagination of its members.”

  • Edo records 521 suspected cases of Lassa fever

    Edo records 521 suspected cases of Lassa fever

    Dr Osamuwonyi Irowa, the Director of Disease Control, Edo, says the state has recorded 521 suspected cases of Lassa fever this month.

    Irowa disclosed this at the inauguration of the Emergency Operation Centre on Lassa fever in Benin on Wednesday.

    He said 124 cases have been confirmed out of the 521 suspected cases recorded in 13 local government areas of the state.

    The director also said 15 deaths were recorded with 509 cases under surveillance, while 10 suspected cases had developed symptoms.

    Read Also:  PDP presents anti-grazing bill to Edo Assembly

    Inaugurating the centre, the Deputy Gov. of the state, Mr Phillip Shaibu, said that the Lassa fever response mechanism was aimed at ensuring a coordinated control of the epidemic.

    He charged the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to encourage volunteers to support their staff for effective control of the disease.

    He assured that the state government was working towards building isolation centres to decongest the patient population at the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital.

    NAN

     

  • Clerics lose N42m to ‘wonder’ bank in Edo

    Clerics lose N42m to ‘wonder’ bank in Edo

    Reverend fathers in Edo State, including those at the Uromi Justice Development and Peace Caritas Initiative (UJDPCI), have lost N42 million to wonder bank operators.

    They were said to have been attracted because of the high interest rate.

    The clerics were said to have been allegedly introduced to the bank by a manager of a new generation bank, Mr. Greg Okojie.

    The Nation learnt that Fr. Fidelis Arhedo was first introduced to the bank, allegedly owned by Monday Ahunwan, and he deposited N13 million.

    Fr. Arhedo was said to have introduced 10 colleagues after he received ‘good interest’.

    Other persons who fell into the alleged scam besides the clerics are Onomen Oriakhi and Miss Theresa Oriakhi.

    It was gathered that when the bank could not pay accumulated interest on the N42 million deposited by the clerics, they reported the matter to the police.

    Greg and Monday were arraigned at an Oredo Magistrates’ Court for conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretence and stealing.

    In the charge sheet, the accused were alleged to have collected N42 million with the purpose of using it to do business and pay back interest of five per cent monthly.

    A breakdown of how much each cleric lost showed that those at UJDPCI invested N4 million, Fr. Nicholas Oboh lost N4.5 million, Fr. Stephen Ogbeide lost N3 million, Fr. Ogbenbe Andrew lost N4 million, Fr. Augustine Okosun lost N3 million, Fr. Richard Oboh lost N3 million, Fr. Egbe Peter lost N2 million, Fr. Mario Eigbefoh lost N2 million, Fr. Churchill Odekhian lost N1 million, Fr. Moses Oboh lost N.5 million, Miss Theresa Oriakhi lost N1 million, the late Fr. Ogbeide E. lost N.5 million and Onomen Oriakhi lost N.5 million.

    The suspects were initially arraigned on a three-count charge, but the prosecutor, Agbonifo Patrick, amended the charges to 13.

    They pleaded not guilty.

    The Magistrate, F.E. Akhere, granted them bail at N200,000 with one surety.

    The case was adjourned till April 4 for hearing.

     

  • Edo clean-up project restored sanity in markets and eliminated chaos in our roads

    Before the Edo Clean-up project, there was anarchy in traffic in Benin City. Then, buses and trucks were the crazy dictators battling for power. I stayed as far away as I could get from any bus or truck. The buses look like they just came from a demolition derby. For the Edo people who ride the bus, it was not an easy journey. There were no real bus stops. People waited by the side of the road in places that look like bus stops, however when the bus comes, it doesn’t really stop – you have to run to get on it most of the time.

    Edo Clean-up Project, led by the Secretary to Edo State Government (SSG), Osarodion Ogie, has stopped the anarchy in traffic and restored sanity, created parks and eliminated chaos in Benin City. The SSG has said that the Godwin Obaseki-led administration would sustain the clean-up of Edo State to restore sanity and eliminate chaos in Ring Road, New Benin, Uselu, Aduwawa, Oliha, Satana, Dumez, Third Junction, Oka and other major markets.

    SSG said the task to clean up the state was germane to this administration’s resolve to ensure Edo State, which was once one of the cleanest in the country is restored. The streets and walkways trading had become a major concern for the state government.

    As a result of this, he continued, major markets in the state were devoid of traders while many stores in the markets were empty.

    Edo State government engaged four contractors to clean up Oba market. The government has also had discussion with Benin Electricity Distribution Company of Nigeria (BEDC) to ensure steady power supply in the market.

    Following the removal of makeshift trading spots and illegal bus stops, as well as the sweeping and clearing of refuse around the popular King’s Square and others in Benin City by the Edo State Government, traders, motorists and pedestrians have applauded the political will of Governor Godwin Obaseki for bringing to life the beauty of the city.

    Anyone who was familiar with the disorderliness that defined the King’s Square, New Benin, Uselu, Aduwawa, Oliha, Satana, Dumez, Third Junction, Oka and others and its environs in the famous capital city of Benin, Edo State, will know that there are changes. Trading flourished errantly on roads and street traders virtually took over two of the three lanes on either side of the roads, wastes providing an eyesore. The environment was dirty.

    As it was in Lagos with respect to the famous Oshodi and other notoriously chaotic, congested, and grimy areas in state, there were people who had thought the clearing and cleaning of the disorderly roads and streets around the King’s Square in Benin would be impossible to reclaim and transform.

    But just when it happened against all cynicism and doubt, another sarcastic question loomed in the sky of the liberated areas: Would this last? The apt answer to this inquiry came from the Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie.

    The operation, which aims to remove illegal traders in the streets, has seen most vendors move into designated vending areas.

    It would be recalled that the state government had earlier called several meetings with traders, landlords, shop owners market leaders and stakeholders on the modalities to be employed to clear the mess.

     

    • Donald writes from Benin City inwalomhe.donald@yahoo.com

  • Edo APC denounces group

    Edo State All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged the public to be wary of individuals, who parade themselves as All Progressives Congress Youth Vigilante (APCYV) members.

    It said there was nobody inaugurated to operate under APCYV in the party.

    APCYV, in a statement by Destiny Oviasu, Abu Umoru and Odianosen on Sunday threatened to protest to achieve sanctity, sanity and democratic practices in Edo APC.

    It implored President Muhammadu Buhari not to consider ex-Governor Adams Oshiomhole for political appointment.

    But the state Youth Chairman of APC, Valentine Asuen, told reporters yesterday in Benin City that the persons claiming to be APCYV members were not recognised by the party.

    He urged President Buhari to ignore the statement credited to the body and consider Oshiomhole for political appointment as promised when he (Buhari) visited the state to inaugurate projects.

    Asuen said: “There is nothing like Edo APC Youth Vigilante Group. I have called other youth wings across the state and they denied knowing Destiny Oviasu, Abu Umoru and Odianosen Sunday as APC members.

    “That statement should be ignored. Oshiomhole is our leader. He created a platform for the present administration. He deserves political appointment from Buhari because he has done well for Edo State people.

    “There is no reason for Oshiomhole not to be given appointment. When President Buhari came to inaugurate projects, he said Oshiomhole deserved to be given national assignments.

    “Oshiomhole’s wisdom in governance should be tapped.”

  • FIRS seals two companies over N8bn tax debt in Delta, Edo

    FIRS seals two companies over N8bn tax debt in Delta, Edo

    Officials of the Federal Inland Revenue Service ( FIRS ) on Wednesday sealed two companies in Delta and Edo over N8 billion tax debt.

    The Leader of the enforcement team, Mrs Anita Erinne, said the companies were sealed over failure to remit over N8 billion taxes payable to the Federal Government.

    She said that one of the affected companies (name withheld), located in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta, was indebted to the tune of N121 million.

    She also revealed that the other defaulting company in Edo owed the government N8.1 billion.

    The team leader tendered separate “Warrant of Distraints’’ signed by the FIRS Chairman, Mr Babatunde Fowler, to the companies to justify the exercise.

    According to her, Section 3 of FIRS (Establishment) Act, No.13 of 2007 and Section 44(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 empowers the FIRS to close any defaulting company.

    “No member of staff or anybody should remove the FIRS seals until the companies paid their debts.

    “Any attempt to do that, the company will be liable to a tune of N200,000 as a fine to the government,’’ she warned.

    Erinne, however, advised companies to comply with the tax laws and remit their taxes promptly to avoid being sealed.

    The FIRS in 2017 netted N3.2 trillion in 10 months, an amount that represented 79.35 per cent of its target for the year.

    The Chairman of the Service, Mr Babatunde Fowler, then expressed readiness of his personnel to help Federal Government in blocking revenue leakages and increase collection of taxes payable to the government.

    NAN

  • ‘No agreement to establish cattle colonies in Edo’

    ‘No agreement to establish cattle colonies in Edo’

    The Special Adviser to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr Crusoe Osagie, has declared as frivolous, comments by the Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the strategic steps the Edo State government has taken in bringing the clashes between cattle herders and farmers to an end, in the state.

    Osagie cautioned the opposition party not to trivialise a sensitive subject matter that requires a great deal of expertise to comprehend, a requirement he said, the PDP lacks and urged the party to know where to draw the line of propaganda.

    “We want to state as we did before that there is no agreement to establish cattle colonies in Edo State. Our decision was based on expert finding after a scientific research on the herdsmen/farmers clashes in the state. The Obaseki administration subjects every issue to critical thinking, wide consultation and research.

    “But unlike us, we have noticed that the Edo PDP’s decisions and declarations are never thought through and are self-serving. As we expect, because of the learning challenges of members of the Edo PDP, it seems to be an uphill task for them to comprehend the position of the state government despite the repeated declaration that there is no agreement to establish cattle colonies in Edo State. “Or is the Edo PDP subtly pushing for the establishment of cattle colonies?” He asked.

    He maintained that “A study of this matter has shown that an overwhelming majority of the nefarious activities of herdsmen happen at night. We are taking our decision based on the findings of a scientific research and not some knee-jerk reactions that are characteristic of the Edo PDP.”

    He asked the chairman of Edo PDP, Dan Orbih, to honestly tell Edo people and Nigerians if the total ban on cattle movement in any part of the country, be it at night or day, has stopped herdsmen from rearing their cattle across the country.

    “In the states where cattle rearing have been banned from moving in the day and night, are there no herdsmen activities or cattle in those states?”

    The governor’s aide stressed that “to make declarations that are not realistic and sustainable for the sake of talking is not the style of this administration.”

    He explained that “the ban on night-grazing and armed herdsmen are steps in the right direction in addition to the setting up of two committees that will monitor the activities of herdsmen in all parts of the state.”

    Edo State Government on Thursday after a crucial meeting with representatives of the various Fulani communities in the state and security officials, announced a ban on night grazing and the carrying of guns and other dangerous weapons by herdsmen in the state.

    He also announced a seven-man committee in each of the 18 Local Government Areas in the state to check clashes between herdsmen and farmers.

    “The seven-man committee will include the chairmen or heads of the LGAs, the Divisional Police Officers (DPOs), representatives of State Security Service and four representatives from the communities in the state.

    At the stakeholders’ meeting with the Serikis Hausa/Fulani from the 18 LGAs in the state, Obaseki charged the committee to “review all cases of herdsmen/farmer clashes in all the local government areas.”

    He said the State Government would release the report of clashes between herdsmen and farmers in the state to the committees for review.

    He explained: “The committees will ensure the registration of all the Serikis Fulani in every community across all the local government areas and the Seriki Fulani will liaise with everyone rearing cattle in the area.”

    According to the governor, there will be another committee that will be headed by him and members of the committee will include the State Commissioner of Police, the Director of the State Security Service in the state, the Commander of 4 Brigade with other members drawn from the communities across the three senatorial districts in the state.