Metro

Benin Artifacts: Igun Bronze Casters Guild Dissociates Self From Newspapers’ Publication, Pledges Allegiance To Benin Monarch

Published

4 years ago

July 19, 2021

Editor

The controversy as to who take custody of looted Benin artefacts took a new dimension Monday as Igun Bronze Casters Guild, Benin City, protested an advertorial sponsored by some persons (claimed to be from same Igun) wherein they claimed that the soon-to-be-returned Benin artifacts belong to them (Igbesamwan-Owina Descendants Cultural Movement of Europe and America) and should be given to them and not the Benin palace or Edo State Government.

There have been controversy between the Edo State Government and the Benin Palace as of who should take custody of the artifacts when they are returned from Europe before the Federal Government eventually declared that it will take custody of the looted artifacts for the main time last week.

In the said advertorial claiming ownership of the artifacts, the protesters said the claim by the ‘self-aclaimed Igbesamwan-Owina Descendants Cultural Movement of Europe and America’ that “all the artifacts looted from the palace under the reign of Oba Ovoramwen were gifted to preceding Obas of Benin before Oba Ovoramwen” were all false.

The protesters, comprising of chiefs, who carried placards to the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo State secretariat with inscriptions as: ‘We dissociate ourselves from America & Europe fake descendants. We belong to Omo N’Oba’; ‘Igun comminity will always be loyal to the Omo N’Oba’; ‘We are saying that we are with His Royal Majesty, Oba of Benin’, said those behind the said advert were commissioned to make mischief.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters (Igun Bronze Casters Guild), Chief Kingsley Inneh, the Ine of Igun and President, Igun Bronze Casters Guild, who was flanked by three other chiefs from Igun, said the Bronze assembly is solely attached to the Benin palace with total obedience to the wish of the Oba, stressing that they can never be at war with His Royal Majesty.

“All the Bronze work in the palace are ordered for by His Royal Majesty in line with the dictates of the time. So, saying the Oba was gifted the art works is not only far from the truth but is being peddled cheaply by those who desire to profit illegally from what they have no authority upon. (sic).

“We, the Bronze casters of Igun, are never and will never be at war with our father, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, N’Ogidigan. We operate directly under his instructions and guidance and we are of the sound view that he is the right authority to be handed over the soon-to-be returned stolen Benin artifacts and whatever that those doing the return deem necessary to be added as some form of restoration of a wrong conceived against the Benin kingdom,” he said.(sic).

While calling on security agencies especially Interpol operatives to identify and arrest sponsors of the said advert they regarded as impersonators, they further pledged their unalloyed loyalty to the Benin Monarch.

Chief Inneh said, “And to sum up our submiss, we wish to call on the security agencies, especially Interpol operatives, to spread their dragnet to get the real identities of the writers and sponsors of the letter who hide under what we equate to be false identity to perpetrate falsehood and chrarcter assassination their stock-in-trade.”

Metro

ARISE News Broadcaster Killed In Abuja

Published

5 hours ago

September 29, 2025

Editor

The management and staff of ARISE News Channel have announced the untimely death of Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, one of their brightest talents, who was killed during an armed robbery at her residence in Katampe, Abuja.

The tragic incident occurred in the early hours of Monday, September 29, 2025, and is now under investigation by the Nigeria Police Force.

Born on December 26, 1995, Maduagwu, fondly known as Sommie, at just 29 years old, had already established herself as a dynamic news anchor, reporter, and producer with ARISE News.

Known for her professionalism and captivating on-screen presence, she was a rising star in Nigerian journalism whose voice connected deeply with audiences across the country.

Beyond journalism, Sommie was a trained lawyer who brought sharp analytical skills and a passion for justice into her reporting. Colleagues describe her as a dedicated professional, a supportive teammate, and a cherished friend whose warmth left an indelible mark on all who knew her.

In a statement, ARISE News expressed profound sorrow, describing her passing as a devastating loss: “Somtochukwu was not only a cherished member of our ARISE family but also a vibrant voice who inspired, informed, and connected with viewers. Her voice is now silent, but her spirit, passion, and legacy will endure in our collective memory.”

The channel extended heartfelt condolences to her parents, siblings, extended family, friends, and loved ones while calling for justice.

“We remain in shock and call for a speedy investigation, apprehension, and prosecution of the culprits,” the statement read.

The late Somtochukwu’s death has sent waves of grief across Nigeria’s media industry, with tributes pouring in from colleagues and viewers who admired her fearless storytelling and commitment to truth.

Her legacy as both a journalist and lawyer will be remembered as one that blended intellect, courage, and humanity.

Metro

Motorists, Commuters Lament Slow Pace Of Repairs On Benin-Sapele Road

Published

7 hours ago

September 29, 2025

Editor

Residents living on the Benin-Sapele Road axis of the ancient city on Monday decried the slow pace of the ongoing repairs on the highway.

Signs of the failed road stretching from the By-pass axis to the Ologbo-koko Junction began in 2018 due to poor drainage design or failure to maintain drains.

At a stage, the road became near impassable due to political differences between the state government who ought to have done some palliative work, and the Federal Government whose duty it is to rehabilitate the road that linked the west to the South-south corridors.

Signs of relief however set in when the current Edo State Government took over a portion of rehabilitation the road earlier embarked upon by Levant Construction Firm.

However, despite the take over of the portion of the ongoing repairs, there seems to be no tangible improvement.

Lamenting the slow pace of the ongoing repairs, a resident of Ogheghe by the by-pass who identified himself as Igbinovia Lucky, said since he moved into his apartment in 2022, it has been a nightmare coming to the city and going back home at close of work.

According to him, more times are spent on the road especially in the evenings when workers are going back home.

He said most times, a journey which ordinarily should take an average of 30 – 45 minutes, lasts up to 5 or 6 hours.

Also, a transporter, Sunday Ochuko, who ply the road said the bad state of the road has drastically reduced the number of hours and trips per day for drivers.

“The bad state of the road has increased accident risks occasioned by trucks that often get stuck, tip over, or delay for days. The end results is incidents of theft, livestock being abandoned or offloaded from trucks, and security concerns including kidnappings along certain stretches.”

According to him, vehicles suffer greater wear and tear with motorists spending more on fuel (due to inefficiencies, slow speeds, detours) and repairs.

“Apart from businesses, individuals are affected. What might be a 1‑hour trip becomes 5‑6 hours. This reduces the number of trips, lowers work hours, and increases delays in supply chains.

“The corridor is vital for trade between Edo and Delta states, but poor road quality makes it harder to move goods efficiently to market, possibly reducing competitiveness”, Ochuko said.

He continued: “Farmers face similar difficulties transporting produce; some goods spoilt or get damaged before reaching markets, thus reducing their incomes, reduced food supply and raising costs.

“Fares for passengers have nearly doubled on the Benin to Sapele route. Transport operators are making fewer trips per day.”

On her part, a fruit seller who buys fruits from Benin to sell in Sapele lamented the delays and losses of goods due to damage, spoilage, or pilferage.

She said due to the bad road, sellers many times have to raise prices because transporters who pass along the road Increased fares.

Metro

Gunmen Kill 12 Forest Guards In Kwara

Published

7 hours ago

September 29, 2025

Editor

Gunmen in central Nigeria have killed at least a dozen guards who protect forests and flush out criminal gangs and jihadists, police said.

The attack occurred on Sunday when the attackers raided Oke-Ode, a small town around 70 kilometres (45 miles) from the Kwara state capital, Ilorin.

Police said the armed men “invaded” the area, “shooting sporadically”.

Police and forest security services responded and “discovered 12 lifeless bodies” of the guards. Four others were wounded.

It was not immediately clear who the gunmen were.

But gangs known locally as bandits and jihadists operate out of bases hidden in forests across the northern and central states.

The criminal gangs loot and burn down villages as well as carry out kidnapping for ransom.

The state has witnessed a series of deadly attacks in recent months, with locals blaming the Mahmuda group, a gang loyal to Mahmud al-Nigeri, a senior leader of the Ansaru terror group.

Ansaru grew out of a 2021 split within the Boko Haram group and the group then allied itself with Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).

Nigeria’s national security adviser Nuhu Ribadu said last month that Ansaru has “urban sleeper cells” and “remote forest bases” in Niger and Kwara states in central Nigeria.

In mid-August, Nigerian authorities announced the capture of al-Nigeri along with fellow Ansaru figure Mahmud Muhammad Usman.

Kwara state governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq called for “increased security deployments” to help “roll back the activities of criminals.”