News

Attempted Murder, Rape: Couple Seek Edo First Lady, Commissioner of Police’s Intervention

Published

3 years ago

July 16, 2022

… Want Case File Transferred

A couple named Mr. Christopher Igiebor and Magdalene Igiebor both of Ilobi village, in Uhunmwonde Local Government Area of Edo State have appealed to Edo State First Lady, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki and Edo State Commissioner of Police, Yaro Abutu to intervene in the case of an attempted murder and rape they reported to the Okhuaihe Police Division in Uhunmwonde local government area of Edo State.

The couple claimed that they had on the 9th of July, 2022 reported a case of attempted murder and rape to the Okhuaihe Police Division in Uhunmwonde which subsequently led to the arrest of the accused, one Mr. Osayande.

According to the couple, the divisional police office is however lacking deligent inbits investigation hence the appeal to the Edo State First Lady and the Commissioner of Police to come to their aid, claiming that the suspected rapist has been left off the hook and is going about freely in their community.

The petitions addressed to the wife of the Executive Governor of Edo State, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki and Edo State Commissioner of Police, Benin, through their lawyer O. Osazuwa Esq. for S. O. Osazuwa & Co was titled, “A Case of Loss of Confidence, Improper Handling And Investigation of a Serious Case of Attempted Murder, Rape And Violence Against Person by Okhuaihe Police Division, Uhunmwonde Local Government Area of Edo State.”

The petitioners alleged that Mr. Osayande surname unknown, emerged from the bush and attacked them without any reason whatsoever and raped the wife in the process.

Part of the petition reads, “We have been briefed and our services retained by MR. CHRISTOPHER IGIEBOR AND MAGDALENE IGIEBOR Both of Ilobi Village, Uhunmwonde Local Government Area, Edo State (hereinafter referred to as our client) and pursuant to his firm instruction, we write this petition on the above subject matter as follows:

“That on the 9th day of July, 2022 our client and his wife went to their farm. As they were carrying out their usual farming activities, one MR. OSAYANDE surname unknown came out from the bush and attacked them without any reason whatsoever.

“That the said MR. OSAYANDE inflicted serious machete cut on our client’s left hand and this almost resulted to loss of his hand. In furtherance of MR. OSAYANDE evil acts, he raped our client’s wife in his presence.

“That our client was rushed to Noma Hospital, Ikpoba Hill, Benin City, for urgent medical attention and he was later transferred to Owen Clinic for further medical treatment and he is still in the hospital till date.

“That MR. OSAYANDE’s conduct is no doubt is the most stupendous and startling display of rascality in the annals of human depravity. His idea of life is simply the advantage of the stronger; just or right means nothing but what is to the interest of the stronger.

“That it is however sad, the said MR. OSAYANDE who was arrested by Okhuaihe Police Division till date the case have become comatose. The Police are not handling the case with seriousness and our client has lost confidence at the Police Division.

“That much we do have control over the affairs of the Police, we know and strongly believe in your firm and resolute belief in the rule of law and justice for all and sundry whether for those at the top of the echelon of power or for those at the lower strata in the society.”

The petitioners therefore called on Mrs.Obaseki, and Edo State Commissioner of Pokice to transfer the case to the State Police Command Headquarters for proper investigation with a view to bringing the culprit to face the wrath of the law.

“That in the light of the above, we urge you to use your good offices to cause a transfer of this case from Okhuaihe Police Division to Edo State Police Command Headquarters, for serious, thorough and proper handling and investigation of this case so that those involved can be made to face the consequences of their actions in fulfilment of your constitutional duty on protecting life, property and crime prevention.”

News

FG Makes History Compulsory Subject In Primary, Secondary Schools

Published

5 hours ago

September 17, 2025

Editor

The Federal Government has announced the reintroduction of Nigerian History as a compulsory subject from primary to senior secondary school, 16 years after it was removed from the curriculum in 2009, under the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua administration.

The Federal Ministry of Education announced this in a statement posted on its X handle on Wednesday.

It said the reintroduction aimed at strengthening national identity, unity, and patriotism among diverse citizens.

“For the first time in decades, Nigerian pupils will study History continuously from Primary 1 to JSS3, while SSS1–3 students will take the new Civic and Heritage Studies, integrating History with Civic Education.

“Primary 1–6: Pupils will learn about Nigeria’s origins, heroes, rulers, culture, politics, economy, religions, colonial rule, and post-independence governance.

“JSS1–3: Students will study civilisations, empires, trade, European contacts, amalgamation, independence, democracy, and civic values,” the statement read.

The Ministry said the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Alausa, CON, together with the Honourable Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sai’d Ahmad, expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for championing the reform.

“They emphasised that History is not merely a record of the past, but a vital foundation for shaping responsible and patriotic citizens.”

According to the Ministers, the reform is a priceless gift to the nation, reconnecting children with their roots while inspiring pride, unity, and commitment to national development.

The Ministry has released the revised curriculum and will retrain teachers, provide resources, and strengthen monitoring.

The former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua-led government in 2009 removed history from Nigeria’s basic education curriculum.

Then, it was justified that students were avoiding it with the claim that there were few jobs for history graduates, and that there was dearth of history teachers.

In 2022, the Ministry of Education under former Minister Adamu Adamu inaugurated the reintroduction of the subject.

The Ministry also trained history teachers at the basic education level in Abuja.

However, history has always remained optional in the few schools that offer it.

News

Police Announce Burial Arrangements For Ex-IG Arase

Published

5 hours ago

September 17, 2025

Editor

The Nigeria Police Force has released the burial arrangements for former Inspector-General of Police Solomon Ehigiator Arase, who died on August 31, 2025, at the age of 69.

Arase, who served as the 18th indigenous Inspector-General of Police, was described by the Force as a dedicated officer remembered for his leadership, philanthropy and commitment to police reforms.

According to the programme of events signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, released on Wednesday, the burial rites will begin in Abuja on September 24 with a Day of Tribute at the Nigeria Police Resource Centre, Jabi.

A requiem mass will follow on September 26 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama, while a lying-in-state is scheduled for September 27 at his Abuja residence. His body will then depart for Benin City, Edo State.

In his hometown, Sabongida Ora, a candlelight procession is slated for September 29.

A valedictory session organised by the Edo State judiciary and the Nigerian Bar Association will hold at the Edo State High Court, Benin, on October 2.

Other activities include a service of songs at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Airport Road, Benin, on October 2, followed by a family lying-in-state.

The funeral mass will take place on October 3 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, after which interment will be held at his private residence in Benin City.

A reception is planned at the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub, while a thanksgiving mass will round off the events on October 5.

Arase, who held national honours including CFR, and was also a PhD holder, was appointed Inspector-General of Police in April 2015 and retired in June 2016.

He died at Cedarcrest Hospital in Abuja after a brief illness.

News

Lagos Begins Monitoring As Schools Resume

Published

5 hours ago

September 17, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Government, through the Office of Education Quality Assurance, has commenced the monitoring of schools for compliance with standards as students resumed activities this week.

The OEQA spokesperson, Adepeju Adeyemi, said in a Wednesday statement sent to newsmen that the inspection began on Monday across the state for schools below the tertiary level.

The monitoring team, led by the Coordinating Director of OEQA, Remi Abdul, visited several schools, including Dolphin Senior High School, Lagos Island, where the team was received by the Principal/Director, Comfort Agunlejika.

Abdul explained that the purpose of the monitoring was to ensure compliance with the approved resumption date as stated in the Year 2025/2026 Harmonised Academic Calendar.

The PUNCH reports that basic and secondary schools in Lagos resumed on September 15, 2025, for the First Term of the Y2025/2026 session.

According to the approved 2025/2026 harmonised calendar made available to our correspondent, the First Half of the term is scheduled for September 15 to October 31, 2025, with a duration of 34 days. The second half will commence from November 10 to December 19, 2025, with a duration of 34 days. In between the halves are Open Day and Mid-Term Break.

Abdul noted that the monitoring team deployed was also verifying whether school administrators held pre-resumption meetings and whether key teaching and statutory records, such as lesson notes, diaries, and makeshift attendance registers, were in place for the smooth take-off of the new academic session.

“While addressing SSS 3 students, Abdul encouraged them to take their academics seriously, noting that how well they perform this term would determine their transition to higher education. He urged them to read well, stay focused, avoid skipping classes and begin early preparation for their WASSCE examinations,” the statement said.

He also encouraged teachers to remain dedicated and committed to delivering quality education.