News

Community Seeks Police Intervention Over Alleged Plans by Neighbouring Communities To Cause Communal Crisis

Published

5 years ago

November 11, 2020

The inhabitants of Oke-Oroma village in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State are seeking Police intervention and protection over alleged impending plans by neighbouring Amagba and Obazagbon villages to promote communal unrest.

Oke-Oroma in a petition by their solicitor to the Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command and made available to Journalists in Benin, stressed that inhabitants of the community had become weary of alleged imminent plans by the said neighbouring villages whom reportedly are in connection with top government functionaries to invade them in the guise of searching for the fleeing Inmates of the recent jail breaks in the state which they claimed to have taken up refuge at Oke-Oroma village.

The petition reads in part; “That on Saturday November 7, 2020 some youths of our clients neighbouring villages, Amagba and Obazagbon started jubilating, shooting guns into the air, shouting and boasting to the hearing of our clients that they have the backing of top government official who had given them clearances to sieze our clients village.

“While the jubilation and chanting rent the air, the jubilating thugs confirmed that, Hon Matthew Iduoriyekemwen and his other cohorts had met with top government official to help, said villages, apply and secure armed policemen to accompany them into our clients village in the guise of rearresting absconded Inmates of the Benin and Oko Prisons who are not even in their community; thereby, using it as a medium to commit and or accomplish the intended crimes as planned by Amagba with the help of Obazagbon Village whose aim is to wipe out the leadership of our client’s community in other to have full control of same.

“This plan came up again, after our clients revealed the two villages initial plans through it petition dated September 2, 2020 to exploit through the recently conducted Governorship Election of September 19, 2020, as medium to enter into our clients community and cause mayhem afterwards.”

According to the Solicitor, the decision to explore this means is connected to a continuation of several incidents of attack, particularly the one in February 19, 2020, allegedly orchestrated by same neighbouring villages against the people of Oke-Oroma which left many dead, property worth millions destroyed in the process.

The Solicitor affirmed that, peace was gradually returning to the community and inhabitants settling down after the turbulent crisis when a new one is being allegedly hatched by the neighbouring Amagba and Obazagbon communities, adding that this could portray the image of the state in bad light if nothing is done to arrest the looming crisis.

He said everal persons from the neighbouring villages were alleged to have masterminded the past attacks that drew the attention of the authority for interventions following similar petitions from the Oke-Oroma over lingering boundary dispute.

The Solicitor, however, urged the Police authority to intervene and stop the allegation of intending crimes in the locality

Recall that the leadership of Oke-Oroma had raised similar alarm that they received threats of attack from the afformentioned villages which was however, documented and presently being investigated at the AIG Zone five, Benin City after the said attacks were successfully carried out by same villages.

Meanwhile, responding to the allegation, one of the accused, Hon Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, admitted to have informed the state government of the activities around the village.

He noted that, “the level of kidnapping activities have become alarming, and would be unfair to let criminal activities continue without firm attention”.

I can’t denied what I said, I was the one who alarted the authority about criminal events there. I was accused by the authority of letting criminal to operate unhurt. I told them those criminal elements are not from Amagba but from nearby village. By reporting their activities, I don’t think it’s wrong

He disclosed that those who engaged in such act are detractors who wants to smear his name and integrity.

News

Osun, Imo, Kano Lead As INEC Reports 2.3m New Voter Registrations

Published

6 hours ago

November 17, 2025

Editor

The Independent National Electoral Commission on Sunday released the new voter registration figures totaling 2,316,232 nationwide, showing wide variation across the states, with Osun topping the list.

INEC reiterated in its notice that “registration is suspended in Anambra State until after the governorship election on 8th November 2025 in line with Section 9 (6) of the Electoral Act 2022,” leaving the state without figures in the latest update.

INEC described the update as part of its ongoing effort to maintain transparency in the continuous voter registration process, stating that the figures represent “completed online and physical registration for Week 12.”

According to the commission, Osun posted the highest total with 185,089 completed registrations, followed by Imo with 143,386. Kano recorded 132,290, while Sokoto reached 123,320.

Lagos followed at 109,693; the Federal Capital Territory at 106,855, and Borno at 106,376. Kogi registered 91,573; Jigawa, 88,209; Zamfara, 84,268; and Katsina, 80,425. Kaduna recorded 78,282; Kebbi 74,159; Delta 72,311, and Ogun 71,091. Niger posted 69,739; Akwa Ibom 65,446, and Oyo 64,561.

Adamawa recorded 49,853; Kwara, 47,241; and Yobe 46,986. Rivers documented 57,251, placing it above many mid-range states, while Benue had 42,557, and Bayelsa had 38,627. Bauchi recorded 36,166; Ekiti 32,096; Gombe 31,542, and Nasarawa 30,348.

Ebonyi followed with 28,310; Edo with 27,130, and Plateau with 24,077. Taraba recorded 17,803; Enugu 16,304; Ondo 16,012; Cross River 14,559, and Abia 12,297.

The CVR is scheduled to end in August 2026. Since the exercise began on August 18, 2025, states in the South-West, particularly Osun and Lagos, have consistently led in registration numbers.

Recent updates indicated a rising trend in participation from northern states, driven by intensified mobilisation efforts.

Community-based organisations, religious leaders, and local officials in several northern states have been actively promoting voter awareness and encouraging eligible residents to register.

News

Netizens Seek Probe Of Assassination Attempt On Yerima

Published

6 hours ago

November 17, 2025

Editor

Nigerians were last night divided over the report that Navy Lieutenant Ahmad M. Yerima narrowly escaped an assassination attempt in Abuja, with many now questioning whether the incident happen exactly as described.

Initial reports from multiple news platforms claimed Yerima was trailed by two unmarked Hilux vans without number plates, prompting a high-speed chase and a “tactical manoeuvre” that allegedly saved his life.

The report quoted military sources who said the vehicles allegedly followed him from the NIPCO Filling Station off the Line Expressway to Gado Nasco Way at about 6:30p.m.

The source added that the matter is under investigation and is receiving “the seriousness it deserves,” noting that further details are being withheld so as not to compromise the process.

The development comes days after Yerima, while on duty with other security personnel, engaged in a tense confrontation with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike over a disputed land site in Gaduwa District. The clash, captured on viral videos, sparked widespread public debate and prompted intervention from the Presidency, which subsequently halted the demolition exercise at the site.

But as the story spreads, so do doubts. Critics argue that the details remain vague and rely heavily on Yerima’s personal account, with no confirmed CCTV footage, eyewitness statements, or official security briefings to back the claims. Some security analysts say the descriptions sound “too cinematic,” raising the possibility of misinterpretation or exaggeration.

Adding to the skepticism is the timing of the report, coming just days after Yerima’s viral confrontation with Wike over a halted demolition exercise. While social media users have tried to link both events, officials insist there is no evidence connecting Wike or any political figure to the alleged chase.

Already, military veterans nationwide have criticised Wike for verbally insulting the officer and rejected calls for disciplinary action against Yerima. Spokesman for the Coalition of Retired Veterans, Abiodun Durowaiye-Herberts, warned that ex-service members would “occupy the office and residence of the FCT Minister” if the officer faced any punishment.

Many others want clarity: Was the officer truly targeted, or is this a case of panic amplified by public emotion and online speculation? Investigators are yet to provide answers.

News

FCT Police Reacts To Alleged Assassination Attempt On Naval Officer Yerima

Published

6 hours ago

November 17, 2025

Editor

The FCT Police Command has dismissed publications circulating on social media alleging an attempted assassination on Lt. Ahmed Yerima, the naval officer who engaged in a confrontation with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Nyesom Wike, over a disputed land in Abuja.

In a statement on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer for the command, SP Josephine Adeh, said no such incident was reported or recorded anywhere within the Federal Capital Territory.

Adeh advised the public to disregard the information as false and desist from spreading unverified claims capable of causing unnecessary panic.

“For the safety of all residents, the Command urges the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the nearest Police Division. You may also reach the Command Headquarters through our emergency lines: 08032003913 and 08068587311 for prompt response,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Defence, Hon. Bello Matawalle, Yerima will not be punished for any offence concerning the confrontation with Wike, which was captured in a video.

In an interview with DCL Hausa, monitored in Gusau by The Guardian, the minister dismissed public assertions that the soldier might face disciplinary action, noting the incident was being exaggerated.

The video, which surfaced on Tuesday, showed Wike in a heated exchange with Lt. Ahmed Yerima at a disputed land site in Abuja.

The minister was seen trying to defuse tension between the security operatives and the soldiers present at the location.

Matawalle explained that the Defence Ministry values mutual respect between civil authorities and the military, adding that the matter has been resolved without any need for punitive measures.

In the video, the FCT Minister was heard demanding to see the approval granted to the landowner, insisting the development must have official authorisation.

In other news, human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has tasked President Bola Tinubu to compel the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to apologise for using uncomplimentary comments against a serving naval officer, A. M. Yerima, over a disputed piece of land in Abuja.

While saying that the Minister was lucky not to have been shot during his confrontation with the soldier, the senior lawyer, however, stressed that both parties erred in law.

This is even as he faulted the Federal Government’s move to have former Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, serve the remainder of his prison sentence in Nigeria.