Metro

Bail Is Free Group Embarks On Rally In Benin, Wants Nigeria Police Properly Funded

Published

2 years ago

October 8, 2024

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo

Human rights group known as Bail is Free Campaign Organisation has appealed to concerned authorities particularly the Federal Government to properly fund the Nigeria Police Force.

The body made the appeal on Tuesday in Benin City when members of the organisation embarked on a enlightenment campaign in major streets of the ancient city.

Speaking at the premises of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Edo State council, Coordinator of the group, Comrade Oni-Edigin Justice said the appeal became necessary going by the manner at which police officers make demand from members of the public.

The coordinator who said the group had witnessed an incident that could be attributed to underfunding of the Police Force, noted: “Help us inform the people in charge of our annual budget that they should increase annual budget of the Nigeria Police Force. And they should also ensure that the money meant for the police get to them without some people diverting the money for their personal use.”

He added: “We witness what could be regarded as underfunding of the police during one of our campaigns. We were in one of the police stations here in Benin during our campaign, and we witnessed how their patrol van struggled to climb a hill there. This is due to underfunding.”

Justice, who expressed worry on complaints of extortion by the police by members of the public, said much needs to be done in this regard in order to stop the menace.

He said: “We are getting complain on a daily basis that police officers are collecting money from citizens in order to access their relatives in the cell. If they come to present food to their
relatives, police will demand for toiletries or money.

“We gathered reliable information that police officers uses vehicles whose cases are in court, that are supposed to be exhibit for patrols. Police officers are collecting money for stationaries like case file, both to open and to close cases. This should be,” he added.

The coordinator, who declared that the group is not an antagonist of the police, noted that their aim “is to assist the Federal Government of Nigeria to stop corruption in her
institution, particularly the Nigeria Police Force who have the ultimate great value to the nation building.”

He added: “The police are our pride that can never be undermined. So, therefore, we have vow to uphold the
power of fairness and egalitarian society and no other organization or institution can jeopardize it.”

Welcoming the group the NUJ secretariat, Secretary of the council, Andy Egbon commened members of the group for the humanitarian service, saying “you are after the betterment of the society.”

Egbon, who also alluded to the group’s claim the the Police Force is under funded, joined his voice with the group to call on concerned authorities to properly fund the Force.

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.