Metro

20 Houses Feared Burnt, 200 Persons Displaced Over Traditional Stool In Edo

Published

5 years ago

January 18, 2020

Over 20 houses have been alleged burnt and more than 200 persons including children have been reported displaced in Kolokolo community, Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State as result of crisis over stool of the community.

It was alleged that one Chief Johnson Asheleghe (the Iyastere of Warri kingdom) imposed himself as the paramount ruler and started intimidating his supposed enemy.

Addressing newsmen at the premises of a rights group known as Talakawa Parliament in Benin, members of the community accused Chief Asheleghe of using thugs to demolishing their houses, churches and businesses.

The Spokesperson of the community, Comrade Sunny Etchie, alleged that several attacks on the community by suspected hoodlums were orchestrated by persons believed to be loyal to the Iyasere of Warri kingdom.

“As I speak, over 200 of us including children no longer have any place to stay. Our children are been harassed and threatened.

“We have not been able to return to our houses since the crisis began few months ago. Our church was razed down by youths at a time and many of us have been held captives because we said we do not want to join them”, a pleasant farmer, Mrs Faith Asokhuara alleged.

Meanwhile, responding to the allegations raised by the people of the community in a telephone interview, Chief Aseleghe described the protesters as “busy bodies.”

He said the Olu of Warri, was already handling the crisis, alleging that the people protesting in Benin over the attack on them and their community are not from Kolokolo community.

“The matter of Kolokolo community is already before the Olu of Warri and as such I cannot say anything.” Aseleghe said.

He said allegations raised against him by spokesperson of the community were unfounded, malicious and scandalous, adding that Warri and Benin are brothers.

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Metro

Policeman Shot, Three Arrested Over Land Dispute In Delta

Published

1 day ago

July 25, 2024

Editor

Police operatives from the Okpanam Division, in the Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State have arrested three police officers who allegedly encroached and supervised the destruction of the properties in the community.

It was gathered that the property belonged to Ogbeozoma tenants in the land area in a dispute between the Ogbeozoma quarters of Okpanam and Akpoma quarters Issele-Azagba in Aniocha North Local Government Area.

A source, who spoke to The PUNCH on the condition of anonymity because he was not permitted to speak to the press, disclosed that when the people of Ogbeozoma received information that some people were destroying their properties, they mobilised to the site.

He said, “On arrival, they were confronted by the officers, as other people who came with them for the operation, took to their heels.

“In the process, one of the police officers the Ogbeozoma people brought, identified as Inspector Sanni Taiwo, was shot and was rushed to the hospital where he was receiving treatment.

“The arrested officers claimed they were attached to the CTU Base 44, Force Headquarters, Abuja, while the driver of one of the payloaders was also arrested.

“They were sent by a popular hotelier from the South-East origin but based in Asaba.”

As of the time of filing this report, the three officers and the payloader driver had been transferred to the police command headquarters, while the two Hilux vehicles and two payloaders recovered from the site were parked on the premises of Okpanam Police Division.

Items recovered from the suspects, according to our source, included two guns and some live cartridges.

When contacted on Wednesday, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Abaniwanda Olufemi, told PUNCH Metro that he was in Abuja for the IG meeting and was yet to be briefed.

Metro

JUST IN: 8 Children Rescued From Accident In Kogi

Published

1 day ago

July 25, 2024

Editor

Eight school children have survived a motor accident in Lokoja the Kogi State capital.

An Eyewitness account told DAILY POST that the children are pupils of Kingdom Heritage Nursery and Primary School Lokoja.

DAILY POST gathered that the children were returning from school when the sad incident occurred on Thursday at the popular Lokongoma market in Lokoja.

It was further gathered that a heavy-duty truck carrying a container load fell on two small vehicles which trapped the Children.

Through the combined effort of the Nigeria Police, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and other relevant agencies, the children were rescued.

The Kogi State Security Adviser Commodore Jerry Omodara Rtd. who was on ground to ensure the rescue of the school children confirmed this to newsmen on Thursday.

As of 5:17PM, efforts are still in place to ensure that the truck is evacuated from the road to ensure free flow of traffic.

Metro

Church Members Protest, Disown Faction Promoting LGBTQ Rights

Published

2 days ago

July 25, 2024

Editor

Hundreds of members of the United Methodist Church (UMC) in Gombe State have protested against a factional group accused of promoting LGBTQ rights and regionalization.

The members made the bold stance against the recognition of LGBTQ rights during a protest that took place at the Northern and Central Nigeria Annual Conferences in Gondum village, Shongom local government area of Gombe State.

Protesters, carrying placards rejecting LGBTQ and regionalization, stated their commitment to a unified church and their opposition to what they deem as “unholy acts.”

Yohana Wesley, Resident Bishop of the Nigeria UMC, stated that the factional group’s refusal to adhere to established procedures led to the decision to disown them.

Chipau Kiliyobas, Director of Connectional Ministry of Northern Nigeria UMC Annual Conference, noted that the disagreement over regionalization and LGBTQ issues was the root of the contention between the two groups.

Bishop John Schol, representing the Council of Bishops from the United States, attempted to reconcile the factions and unify all church members.

However, his remarks were met with resistance from the protesters.

Schol clarified that regional decisions on same-sex marriage would be respected, with no imposition from the global church, but the protesters remained steadfast in their opposition to LGBTQ recognition.

The traditional and majority group in the church deem LGBTQ acts as unholy, and their protest stated their strong stance against any recognition of such rights within the church community.