Metro

111 Years After, Two Warring Ebonyi Communities Sign Ceasefire Agreement, Peace Pact

Published

3 years ago

September 5, 2023

Relative peace is said to have returned to the troubled communities of Abomege and Ishinkwo communities of Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

Recall that the two affected communities had been enmeshed in the tussle for land ownership within the LGA, which has over time led to death and destruction of properties of the members of the affected communities.

These ugly developments were evident during the administration of former Governor Sam Egwu, Martin Elechi and David Umahi of the State.

But in a bid to lay to rest the over 111 years crisis in the Area, Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru approved the setting up of a Peace Committee to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the crisis between Abomege and Ishinkwo communities in Ebonyi State.

The Committee led by His Royal Highness Ezeogo Ewa Elechi successfully interfaced with stakeholders from Abomege and Ishinkwo communities at different occasions as joint meetings of the affected community leaders and stakeholders took place, where each party had opportunities to hear the narrative of the other.

According to the Secretary of the Peace Committee, Prof Wilberforce Oti, a physical visit to the warring communities took place on 18th August 2023 and during the visit, the Commissioner for Border Peace and Conflict Resolution, Hon Donatus Ilang appealed to communities to give peace a chance.

Also, a member of the Peace Committee, Bishop Lawson Elom commended the efforts of the Governor to inaugurate a high-powered committee made up of men of integrity, credibility and character and the need for everyone to cooperate with the committee to achieve a lasting peace.

Rev. Fr Marcel Ezenwa, another member of the Peace Committee reminded the people that war remains costly, hence whatever sacrifice that people needed to make to achieve peace was worth the while.

This is even as the Secretary of the Peace Committee, Prof Wilberforce Oti appealed to the people not to miss the opportunity presented to them to achieve peace, which other past committees couldn’t achieve.

Responding, the leaders and stakeholders of the two communities expressed their confidence in the integrity of the members of the Peace Committee and also their willingness to cooperate with the committee to provide a lasting peace in the troubled communities.

This was followed by a Ceasefire Agreement and Peace Accord signed by leaders and stakeholders of Abomege and Ishinkwo on 22nd August, 2023.

The Abomege delegates led by Comrade Ogbuagu Uchenna, the President General of the Town Union, and Ishinkwo delegates led by His Royal Highness J. Nnanna Ikegwu Obinire 1 Of Ishinkwo both made commitments to ensure the reign of peace in their Communities.

The Chairman of the Peace Committee, HRH Ezeogo Ewa Elechi explained that with the efforts made so far by members of the committee, including the cooperation of the Abomege and Ishinkwo communities, there was every indication that the crisis which has lasted since 1912 and claimed many lives and properties, was about to become a history as both sides of the divide had seen the need to live in peace.

Metro

Gunmen Kidnap Businessman In Ibadan

Published

1 day ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a 60-year-old man in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The victim was kidnapped on Saturday while on his way to his residence.

The incident occurred at Jinarere, Alakia in Ibadan.

Public Relations Officer of the State Police command, Olayinka Ayanlade, when contacted, confirmed the incident.

Ayanlade in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Sunday, explained that efforts are ongoing to rescue the victim.

Ayanlade said, “Preliminary information reveals that the victim, a 60-year-old male and building materials trader, was accosted while returning home along the Jinarere axis of Alakia Road by four masked armed men, who forcefully whisked him away in an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla vehicle”.

Metro

Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

A 30-year-old entrepreneur and CEO of Principle Takeout, Justice Abu Oshioke, has been killed by suspected kidnappers in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

He was reportedly attacked by the suspected kidnappers on Saturday while on his way to pick up an order made for his child’s dedication on Sunday morning.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers attempted to force him into a nearby bush in a kidnapping attempt. However, he reportedly resisted and tried to escape.

In the course of the struggle, the assailants opened fire, shooting him multiple times.

Concerned residents quickly rushed him to a nearby medical facility, but he was confirmed dead on arrival.

The deceased was said to have recently gotten married and welcomed a baby boy.

The tragic event has turned a joyous occasion into a moment of grief for the family.

The shocking development has left the Ekpoma community in deep sorrow, with many residents expressing outrage over the growing insecurity in the area.

Edo State Police Command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem confirmed the incident and said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika has ordered a “full-scale investigation and intensified manhunt for those responsible.”

According to her, the Police, in collaboration with the military, local vigilantes, and hunters, are actively pursuing the perpetrators through coordinated operations.

Metro

Grandfathers Arrested For Drug Trafficking

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

Two grandfathers, aged 83 and 78, are among several suspects apprehended by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in a fresh nationwide crackdown on illicit drug trafficking.

Pa John Ofiel, 83, was arrested on Tuesday, 28 April during a raid in the Aba region of Abia State.

The NDLEA said that operatives acting on credible intelligence recovered 700 grams of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis already packaged into retail sachets.

The octogenarian, who claimed to be a professional shoemaker allegedly confessed to delving into the illicit trade.

In Ekiti State on Thursday 30 April 78 year old Ogunjobi Samuel was detained at his residence in Ilupeju-Ekiti where officers seized 350 grams of cannabis from him, identifying him as a local peddler.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, (CCEO), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa (Rtd), commended the various state commands for their drug supply reduction efforts.

He urged officers to maintain the current momentum, balancing enforcement with the agency’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation activities.
The enforcement drive also led to the arrest of a notorious drug dealer in Oyo State Taofik Adeyemi, 49.

He was apprehended on Saturday, 2 May, at his residence in Ibadan after months of evading the authorities.

He was caught alongside his salesman, Mustapha Oyerinde, with 3.085kg of cannabis and a getaway vehicle.

Across other states, the NDLEA recorded significant seizures including over 140,000 pills and capsules of Tramadol intercepted in separate operations targeting transit routes from Damaturu to Hadejia.

A raid on Awolowo Market in Mushin area of Lagos state resulted in the recovery of 740kg of cannabis while in Kaduna, two suspects were caught on the Abuja-Jos highway with 290kg of compressed cannabis concealed in a Honda Ridgeline.

A 65-year-old driver was intercepted at the Ile-Ife toll gate in Osun state conveying skunk and methamphetamine, leading to a follow up arrest of the consignment’s owner in Ilesha.

In line with it’s mandate, the NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy, holding enlightenment lectures for students, Islamic schools, and commercial motorcyclists in Niger, Kano, Anambra, and Lagos states.

The NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, noted that the agency remains committed to “cleansing the streets” of both notorious distributors and those who use age as a shield for criminal activity.