Metro

Bayelsa Poll: Women Besiege Police Hqtrs, Demand CP’s Removal, Non-violence Election

Published

2 years ago

November 9, 2023

Hundreds of protesters, on Tuesday, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, besiege the police command, demanding the redeployment of the Commissioner of Police, Tolani Alausa.

The protesters mainly women, clad in black attires also call on President Bola Tinubu and? the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to ensure a peaceful poll in the state.

They were armed with placards of some which read, “IG- The Police must be neutral, Change CP Alausa for a violent free poll”, ” We say No to CP Alausa, Give us new CP, we don’t want Tolani Alausa”.

One of the protesters, Madam Alice Daniels, said “All we are asking for is a violent free election in the state.

“Is that a big thing to ask from those who are supposed to be responsible for protecting us? Why can’t the police be neutral in this election?

“Can’t we just vote for our preferred candidate in peace? We want a non-violence exercise. The police should protect the people and allow us to vote who we want. This should not be like other elections where people manipulate election with the assistance of the police.”

Also speaking, Mrs Timitimi Ebipador, a human rights activist, appealed to the state’s command for proper supervision of the election process, noting that the best approach to a non-violent exercise is when the police are neutral.

“We are appealing to you for the conduct of a peaceful election, we want an exercise devoid of violence, you are responsible for the provision of security of our lives and that should be your duty, and not interfere in the election itself.

“No blood of any Bayelsan is worth the blood of any politician. Do all it takes for a non-violent election.

“We beg you to protect us. I call for a peaceful election. We want our husbands, children and even brothers safe after the exercise.

“We have experienced it on several occasions, in 2019, and 2015 it was marred by violence and till this moment nobody was prosecuted and jailed for violence.”

Addressing the protesters, DIG, South-South, Daniel Sokari Pedro, assured them of peaceful conduct of the election come Saturday, noting that all measures for smooth conduct and professionalism by officers and men of the police force will be adhered to.

He promised them that the election would be different from others marred by violence like in 2015 and 2019.

“We have heard your agitations, and we will ensure peaceful conduct of the exercise before and after.

“I have just addressed stakeholders of the various parties and other state actors that the election will be peaceful.

“2023 is not 2019 and 2015, we have put all measures in place for a peaceful process. All security architecture is in place. Also, pass the information to your people in various communities to let peace reign.

‘Without peace, there will be no development in our communities. We have to avoid unnecessary confrontations with people during the election season.”

Metro

16-year-old Killed As NDLEA Operatives, Drug Barons Clash In Edo

Published

14 hours ago

October 30, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Edo State Command, and drug barons reportedly clashed at Okpuje, Uzeba community in Owan West Local Government Area, leading to the death of a 16 -years -old boy, identified as Emmanuel Monday George.

Two others identified as God’spower Omage (20 years) and Ajayi Irobia (54 years), were said to have sustained serious injuries during the gun duel which reportedly happened on Monday.

Mitchell Ofoyeju, state commander of the NDLEA disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Benin on Thursday.

Ofoyeju said that one of its officers sustained an injury after being struck on the hand with a sharp object.

Recall that Army and NDLEA officers were recently attacked by drug barons in the agrarian community, notable for cannabis cultivation.

Metro

JUST IN: Fire Guts Store At Abuja Mall

Published

16 hours ago

October 30, 2025

Editor

A fire incident occurred at the Jabi Lake Mall, Abuja in the early hours of Thursday.

The cause of the fire, which started around 3am, could not be ascertained as of the time of filing this report.

It was gathered that only the Adidas Sports shop was affected.

It was further gathered that firefighters from the Federal Fire Service, the Berger Fire Department, and the FCT Fire Service, as well as police officers, were deployed to the scene.

A resident of Jabi, Saliu, who informed our correspondent of the incident, said the fire had been contained.

He said, “Around 3am., this morning, there was a fire incident at the Jabi Lake Mall in Abuja. No loss of life or injury was recorded. Only the Adidas Sports shop was affected by the fire.”

The FCT police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, confirmed the incident to The PUNCH.

Adeh said police officers were deployed to the location to secure the area and prevent looting.

“We received a distress call at about 3:40 a.m. We immediately deployed our men there to secure the place and prevent any breach of public order,” she said.

Metro

JUST IN: Hausa, Benin Youths Clash Over Killing Of Suspected Yahoo Boy

Published

1 day ago

October 29, 2025

Editor

Photo: file copy

Several persons were on Wednesday night injured in a clash between Hausa and Benin youths, in Ogheghe community, Egor Local Government Area of Edo State, over the killing of a suspected yahoo boy identified as Chizi Benz.

According to sources, Chizi Benz was said to have been stabbed to death by a Hausa youth over a sour deal.

Though details of the deal were not available as at press time, the killing of Chidi Benz sparked outrage as youths stormed the streets with dangerous weapons in a revenge mission.

According to sources, many ‘Abokis’ were injured in a reprisal attack while others fled for safety.

News of the killing was to have spread to nearby communities of Uwelu along the Siluko Axis, forcing Hausa youths who do petty trading and rides okada closed their businesses and fled for safety.

According to sources, policemen who were deployed to the area fired tear gas to disperse the angry youths.

Edo Police Spokesman, Moses Yamu, who confirmed the incident, promised to send a detailed statement.

He was yet to do so as at press time.