Metro

Activities Grounded As Delta Traders Protest Illegal Levies

Published

4 years ago

July 13, 2022

Commercial activities were paralysed for several hours on Wednesday at the popular Igbudu market in Warri, Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State as traders embarked on a peaceful rally in protest against alleged extortion by the market administrator popularly called market master.

The protesters accused the market master, said to be an official of Warri South Local Government Council, of allegedly collecting illegal levies from the traders.

They alleged that the market master’s action has been crippling their economic activities and causing untold hardship on them and their customers, as the burden of the levies are passed on to the customers.

While calling on the Chairman of Warri South Local Government, Dr Michael Tidi, to intervene urgently in the matter which they described as worrisome, the leadership of the protesting traders attributed the rampant price increases partly to the illicit activities of the market master.

The PUNCH reports that many visitors to the market were visibly disappointed as the shops and stalls were under lock and key while the traders were outside protesting.

The protest also resulted in heavy gridlock on the ever busy Warri/Sapele Road as the angry traders marched to the secretariat of Warri South Local Government Council chanting solidarity songs, and demanding urgent intervention of the local government authorities.

At the Warri South secretariat where they met the Council Chairman, Dr Tidi, the President-General of Igbudu Market Traders Association, Oghenerume Kugbere, alleged that the market master has been extorting traders at the market through the collection of several illegal levies and sought to know if the collections had the blessings of the Local Government administration.

He noted that if the illegal levies were allowed, the traders will have no choice but to pass the high cost of wares to customers, a situation that is bound to worsen the economic situation for the customers.

Comrade Kugbere stated that several efforts to prevail over the market master on the issue have been unsuccessful and appealed to the Chairman of Warri South Local Government to intervene so as to restore peace between the traders of Igbudu market and the Market Master.

Responding, the Council Chairman commended the traders for the peaceful protest and promised to wade into the issue.

The Local Government Council boss appealed to the aggrieved traders to return to their duty posts whilst their complaints were being addressed.

However, the embattled market master could not be reached to respond to the allegations as of the time of filing this report.

Metro

Ex-convict Arrested In Edo For Armed Robbery, Possession Of Firearm

Published

6 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Security Corps (ESSC) has arrested a 45-year-old ex-convict, Owen Osas, for alleged unlawful possession of firearms and suspected involvement in a robbery incident.

Osas was reportedly arrested with a cut-to-size single-barrel gun during a covert operation along Fishpond Road in Eyean, Uhunmwonde Local Government Area.

The arrest reportedly comes barely a year after he was released from prison, where he had served time for illegal possession of firearms and other criminal offences.

Osas, who confessed to the latest crime, also admitted to being a member of the Eiye Confraternity.

READ ALSO:Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo
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Consequently, a victim of an alleged robbery incident, Reginia Izy, identified Osas as the person who robbed her a day before his arrest.
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The victim narrated that the suspect had approached her residence around 8 p.m., pretending to be familiar before carrying out the attack.
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‎The Deputy Commander Operations of ESSC, Richard Balogun, said the arrest was part of intensified efforts to rid Edo State of criminal elements.

READ ALSO:Edo South Senatorial Seat: Nothing Wrong Seeking Wike’s Support – Ogbeide-Ihama
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‎Balogun explained that operatives conduct both overt patrols and covert operations to track and apprehend suspects.
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He said, ‎“Our men are always on patrol. Some operate in plain clothes as part of covert strategies, while others are stationed at strategic locations.

“Osas, who is a former convict, was arrested with firearms and he also confessed to be a member of the Eiye Confraternity.”
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Metro

Gunmen Kidnap Businessman In Ibadan

Published

2 days 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.