Metro

COVID-19: Edo Govt Enforces Market Relocation Order As Market Women Groan

Published

6 years ago

April 8, 2020

… Public Transporters Hike T-fare

By Joe Ebi

The directive given by the Edo State government some days back that all markets in the state should be shut down and consequently relocated to a nearby primary school was implemented on Wednesday, April 7.

The state government had on Monday, April 6 ordered the shut down and relocation of major markets in the state.

Evbuotubu market, Egor LGA , Benin City, deserted when Info Daily visited on Wednesday.

Deputy Governor of the state, Philp Shaibu, while briefing newsmen on the said date, said the closure and reloaction of the markets was to enable the government fumigate them in order to curtail the spread of the novel Coronavirus in the state.

He noted that after the markets must have been successfully fumigated, they would be open for full operations and that businesses would return to normalcy.

Still scene of Evbuotubu market on Wednesday when Info Daily visited

Meanwhile, INFO DAILY’s visit to one of the markets, Evbuotubu market, our reporter observed empty and deserted market while some women were seen in their 3, 4, discussing the new development.

Security personnel were also seen patrolling the market area with their hillux van to make sure people adhere to the directive.

Chicken section of Oliha market empty as at when Info Daily visited on Wednesday

A market woman spoke in pidgin with INFO DAILY but does not want her name mentioned in print, said there are other pressing issues government ought to attend to for market women rather than shutting down markets and reloacting them.

According to her, at Evbuotubu market, they pay N400 revenue to the government everyday, stressing that this ought not to be.

Scene of the ever busy Oliha market, Benin

While lamenting that all roads that link Evbuotubu have been a death trap for years, she called on the government to quickly rehabilitate these roads so has to make life easier for residents of the area.

Another women who spoke but does not want her name mentioned as well, said the government would have device another means of achieving it purpose rather than ordering marketers to relocate.

“This Evbuotubu market is for every four four days (sic). The government would have ask us to leave immediately after the regular market and fumigate it within the four days so that we can come for the regular market.

Empty scene of the ever busy Oba market

“Also, the ticket (sic) we are paying everyday is too much. We pay N400 to the government everyday when all what some people make in a day is not even much”, she noted.

At Oliha market, the story was not different as the ever busy market was empty and deserted. Both regular and mobile policemen were seen standing at strategic locations apparently to enforce the government’s directive.

Meanwhile, visit to the popular Oba market, Oredo local government area, Benin shows the narrative was the same.

Scene of Oba market, Benin

As at when INFO DAILY was there, market men and women had been relocated while fumigation of the market and its environs had already commenced.

In another development, public transporters have increased transport fare within Benin metropolis.

Investigation by INFO DAILY revealed that, in adherence to government’s directive of 2 persons in a roll and I person at the front, some drivers have increased their their charges by 100% while some increased theirs by 50%.

Still Oba Market , Benin

INFO DAILY gathered this at Evbuotubu market to ring road and other places visited today.

Recall, when government gave the directive of 2 persons in a roll, it was said the move was to maintain the social distancing precaution, warning that, this does not give motorists go ahead to hike their charges.

Kelly Okogbowa, Vice Chairman, Edo State Taskforce Technical Committee on COVID-19, while giving the directive on behalf of the state government on Friday April 3rd said, “You are are to load two passengers at the back seat, two passengers at the middle seat and one passenger at the front seat. If you load more than this requirement, you will be arrested and be prosecuted accordingly.

Shops under lock and key at the popular Oba Market

“The state government wants to curb the spread of Coronavirus so this is how it will be for now.

“You are not paying for ticket, that has been suspended. Fuel price has drop, so you are not expected to increase your price. You have no reason to inflate transport fare because what could have led you to do so had been addressed by the government. And so, you are expected to charge the old price.”

Up Next

BREAKING: Accountant-General Of The Federation Office On Fire

Don't Miss

Lockdown: Police Tear-gas Rioting Okada Riders In Delta

Comments

Metro

Police Arrest Mother, Daughter Over Alleged N18m Romance Scam

Published

1 hour ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, NPF-NCCC, have arrested a woman and her daughter over their alleged involvement in a romance scam that reportedly defrauded a Malta-based victim of more than N18 million.

The police disclosed that the arrests followed investigations into allegations bordering on computer-related fraud, identity theft, and money laundering after receiving intelligence from the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU.

In a statement issued by the Acting Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Uwana Imah, the suspects were identified as 39-year-old Urowhe Diana and her 22-year-old daughter, Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

According to the statement, preliminary investigations revealed that a Lagos resident identified as Emmanuel Amanfo, who is currently at large, allegedly collaborated with Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru to open and operate multiple bank accounts used in carrying out fraudulent transactions.

“One of the victims was identified as a resident of Malta whose identity has been withheld,” the statement said.

The police further disclosed that proceeds from the alleged romance scam were transferred through money transfer operators and direct deposits into several Nigerian bank accounts belonging to Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

Investigators also alleged that the funds were later moved into an Ecobank account owned by Urowhe Diana, where the money was allegedly spent.

According to the statement, forensic analysis of the suspects’ digital activities allegedly linked both mother and daughter to the cybercrime operation, leading to their eventual arrest.

The police added that efforts were ongoing to apprehend Emmanuel Amanfo, who was described as the husband of Urowhe Diana and stepfather of Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

“Investigation into the matter is still ongoing, and the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” the statement added.

The Nigeria Police Force reiterated the commitment of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to safeguarding Nigeria’s cyberspace and tackling cybercrime across the country.

The NPF-NCCC also urged members of the public to report suspicious cyber-related activities through its official online reporting portal and designated communication channels.

Metro

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

19 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Police Command on Wednesday said two suspected cultists were arrested in Ohonre community, off Adolor College Road, Benin.

This was disclosed in a statement by the command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, and made available to newsmen electrically.

Ikoedem said the arrest was possible due to operatives response to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

The statement reads: “The Edo State Police Command has recorded another operational breakthrough following the swift disruption of a suspected cultists’ gathering in Ohonre Community, off Adolor College Road, Benin City.

“On 21st May, 2026, at about 19:00hrs, operatives attached to Ugbowo Division who were on surveillance patrol responded to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

“Acting promptly on the information, the police team mobilized to the location. On sighting the operatives, the suspects fled in an attempt to evade arrest. The operatives immediately gave them a hot chase, leading to the arrest of two suspects identified as Victor Peter ‘M’, 21 years and Iyemoma Ogbewe ‘M’, 35 years.

“A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of one cut-to-size gun believed to have been in their possession for unlawful purposes.

“Upon investigation, the suspects confessed to being members of the notorious Maphite cult group. Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other fleeing gang members.”

She said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the swift response of the operatives and reiterated the Command’s resolve to deny criminal elements any opportunity within Edo State.

He further urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, assuring that all reports would receive prompt attention.

Metro

Troops Eliminate Two Terrorists, Foil Pipeline Attack

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Army says troops have, in the last 24 hours, eliminated two terrorists, rescued four kidnapped victims and foiled pipeline attacks in a series of coordinated military operations across Taraba, Kogi and Rivers.

This is contained in operational updates issued to reporters on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the reports, troops of 93 Battalion deployed at Akate in the Donga Local Government Area of Taraba engaged suspected terrorists in a forested area, killing two of them.

According to the report, items recovered from the scene include an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, magazines, mobile phones and other personal effects.

In Kogi, it said the troops of 21 Battalion, in collaboration with vigilantes, rescued four kidnapped passengers along the Anyigba–Itobe road in Ofu Local Government Area.

It added that the victims were reportedly abandoned by their captors while attempting to cross a seasonal stream due to sustained pressure from advancing troops.

According to the military, efforts are ongoing to rescue other victims still in captivity.

The report said that troops of 12 Brigade successfully repelled an ambush along Kabba–Okene road while withdrawing from an earlier operation, forcing the assailants to flee with gunshot wounds.

“Meanwhile, in Rivers, troops of 5 Battalion acting on credible intelligence, foiled an attempt by suspected vandals to detonate a crude oil pipeline in Ahoada West Local Government Area.

“The swift response of the troops disrupted the operation before it could be executed, with the suspects fleeing the scene,” it said.