News

Assault On Member: Rights Group Demands Aresst, Presecution Of Perpetrators

Published

5 years ago

June 23, 2020

… Wants Edo Gov, Benin Monarch To Intervene On Resuscitation Of Proscribed CDA

Following assult on one of its members which was allegedly masterminded by one Etinosa Ighodaro, rights group, Edo Civil Society Organizations (EDOCSO), Tuesday, June 23, demanded, as matter of urgency, arrest and prosecution of the aforementioned and his activities by Edo State Government.

The group also appealed to the Oba Benin, Ewuare II, to interrogate the activities of Ighodaro who happens to be youth leader of one Iyowa community, and if possible strip him of the office which the group alleged he (Ighodaro) has subjected to abuse.

Addressing the press on the activities of Ighodaro, Coordinator-General, EDOCSO, Leftist Omobude Agho, said with the activities of Ighodaro and his cohorts, he foresee a rebirth of Community Development Association (CDA) which has been long proscribed by the Oba of Benin.

According to Agho, the group received a petition from one Iguikhimwin community over a lingering boundary crisis with Iyowa community for a peaceful resolution in order for it not to escalate to violence and possible blood bath.

He noted that after informing the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Hon. Monday Osaigbovo, a meeting was organised by the group between the two communities with a view to broker peace in the area but unfortunately Ighodaro and his men, in one of the meetings, unleashed mayhem with dangerous weapons on some members of the other community and one of its members.

Leftist Omobude Agho, Coordinator-General EDOCSO (middle), addressing the press while his exco members watch

He said, ” It was agreed in a last meeting that representatives of the two communities, the Commissioner and members of EDOCSO are to go back to the area under dispute and map out the extent of encroachment and other on-the-spot findings for further action.”

Agho continues, ” All party were present. Not sooner than the aforementioned representatives converge on the disputed area with the representative of the Commissioner who was unavoidable absent that Etinosa Ighodaro who is the youth leader (Okaighele) of Iyowa community and his thugs started to unleash mayhem on Iguikhimwin community members and human rights present with sporadic gunshot from assorted caliber weapons and the use of other dangerous weapons.”

While noting that the Commissioner representatives was lucky to have narrowly escaped attack by Ighodaro and his thugs on that faithful day, the Coordinator-General said their member, Comrade Aimuamwonsa Igbinomwanhia, and three members from the other community were unlucky as they were allegedly attacked, adopted and whisked away by their captors.

Agho lamented that due to injuries sustained by his members during adoption and beating the Comrade is currently battling with series of life threatening health challenges, just has he (Agho) threatened to take the battle to “Ighodaro and his thugs for the liberation of others that his has kept in bondage for years.”

The assaulted member of the group

The Coordinator-General further emphasized the need to arrest, investigate and prosecute Ighodaro and his armed thugs for alleged possession of firearms, and the unprovoked attack on his member, whom according to him was part of a resolution team.

He further appealed to Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, to prevail on Ighodaro to allow proper constitution of a community leadership that will comprise odionwere and elders council.

Contacted on phone, Ighodaro denied him sending thugs to unleash mayhem, just as he said, “I am not a party to that.”

He continues, “I am a peace loving person, and I cannot do that. Anyone involves in that act should be arrested and prosecuted. I am not a party to that which you are saying.”

News

Idahosa Optimistic Shaibu Will Perform As National Sports Institute DG

Published

8 minutes ago

June 22, 2025

Editor

The Edo State deputy governor, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, has expressed optimism that his predecessor in office, Hon. Philip Shaibu will excel in his new role as Director General of the National Institute for Sports (NIS).

The deputy governor expressed his optimism during the Thanksgiving Mass to celebrate the appointment at St. Paul Catholic Church in Benin on Sunday.

Idahosa, who appreciated President Bola Tinubu for the appointment, said Shaibu will bring to bear on the new job his experience as an astute sports administrator.

“We are indeed grateful for what God has done. We will continue to thank God on his behalf, because, he has served our state.

“Now, God has given him the opportunity to serve the nation. We will continue to pray for him for a successful tenure,” he stated.

The former deputy governor appreciated Idahosa for according him the honour with his physical attendance at the Thanksgiving Mass.

He assured the state of his readiness to effectively be a good ambassador effectively by working to reposition of the NIS in line with the renwew hope agenda of the President.

“I will try my best to bring the institute back to life. I will ensure that the reason for setting up the NIS is achieved,” he stated.

News

Falana Slams Government Over Failure To Prosecute Suspected Killers In Benue

Published

58 minutes ago

June 22, 2025

Editor

Human rights lawyer and senior advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana (SAN), has criticized the Federal and Benue State Governments for consistently failing to prosecute suspects arrested in connection with ongoing violent attacks across Benue State.

In a statement issued under the platform of the Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond (ASCAB), which he chairs, Falana lamented that although hundreds of suspects have been arrested over the years for crimes ranging from illegal possession of firearms to mass killings and kidnapping, most of them are never charged or brought to trial.

The legal luminary’s reaction follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent visit to Benue, during which he directed the Nigeria Police Force to arrest and prosecute all those involved in the latest wave of violence in the state. However, Falana described the president’s order as potentially symbolic, pointing out that previous arrests had not led to convictions or justice for victims.

Falana also berated the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, for alleging that residents of Yelwata community provided shelter for the killers. He described the statement as an attempt to shift blame onto victims instead of addressing the systemic failures of security and governance.

Providing a timeline of law enforcement actions, Falana stated:

On December 30, 2024, the Benue State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hassan Yabanet, announced the arrest of 273 suspects involved in capital crimes, along with the recovery of 20 firearms and 51 rounds of ammunition.

On January 17, 2024, Police spokesperson Olumuyiwa Adejobi revealed that an illegal firearms factory had been uncovered in Benue. Two suspects—Friday Aduduakambe and Iorwashima Iornyume—were arrested, and a cache of weapons, including nine locally made pistols and one unfinished AK-47, was seized.

On April 17, 2025, Governor Hyacinth Alia disclosed that three herdsmen were arrested over the killing of 11 people in the Otobi community, Otukpo Local Government Area.

On June 19, 2025, Community Volunteer Guards apprehended three suspected kidnappers at the Otukpo motor park with ransom money collected from their victims.

According to Falana, between January and June 2025 alone, dozens of violent crime suspects have been arrested, including 43 suspected killers in the last 10 days. Despite these arrests, no significant prosecutions have been reported.

“It is undoubtedly clear that the authorities have continued to treat suspected killers in Benue State like sacred cows,” he said. “The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Benue State, Mr. Fidelis Mnyim, must take immediate steps to ensure that justice is served.”

Falana stressed that the right to life, guaranteed under Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution, is meaningless unless the state acts decisively to punish those who violate it.

He warned that unless concrete action is taken, the ongoing culture of impunity will only worsen the bloodshed and erode public trust in the rule of law.

News

Troops Nab 8 Kidnap Suspects, Rescue 2 Victims In Kwara

Published

1 hour ago

June 22, 2025

Editor

Troops of the 22 Armoured Brigade, deployed at the Forward Operation Base (FOB) Patigi, in Kwara have nabbed eight suspected kidnappers and rescued two victims.

This is contained in a statement signed by Lt. Stephen Nwankwo, Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations of the Brigade in Ilorin on Sunday.

“Acting on credible intelligence, troops launched a tactical operation on Saturday, targeting a hideout on the outskirts of Latandaji Village in Patigi Local Government Area.

“During the engagement, troops encountered mild resistance, but swiftly subdued the criminals with superior firepower,” he said.

Nwankwo said that the operation led to the rescue of two kidnap victims, identified as Amos Moses and Philip Michael, while eight suspected kidnappers were arrested.

He, however, said that one Mohammed Mohammed sustained gunshot wounds during the exchange of fire and had been taken to hospital for medical attention.

The brigade spokesman said that further operational exploits in the area led to the recovery of two motorcycles and two expended cartridge shells, believed to be used by the suspects.

“All arrested individuals are currently in military custody for preliminary investigation and will be handed over to relevant authorities for prosecution,” Nwankwo said.

He said that the operation underscores the Nigerian Army’s unwavering commitment to ensure safety of lives and property across the country.

“We urge members of the public to continue providing actionable intelligence to security forces in order to dismantle criminal networks.

“The Nigerian Army remains resolute in its mission to safeguard communities and restore lasting peace in all regions of deployment,” he said.