Metro

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

Published

5 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.”

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Metro

EFCC Probes Man Nabbed With Undeclared $420,900 At Kano Airport

Published

6 hours ago

July 9, 2025

Editor

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has launched a full-scale investigation into the case of one Ahmad Salisu, who was arrested by operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service for attempting to smuggle large sums of undeclared foreign currencies through the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.

Salisu was intercepted during a routine security check on Monday, July 7, 2025, with a staggering sum of $420,900 (Four Hundred and Twenty Thousand, Nine Hundred US Dollars), £5,825, CFA3,946,500, and Cameroonian CFA 224,000.

The concealed cash, wrapped in a polythene bag and hidden under clothes in the suspect’s luggage, was discovered during a physical inspection by Customs officials.

Following his arrest, Salisu allegedly confessed that he was acting on behalf of his brother, Auwal Ahmad, who is currently in Saudi Arabia.

He claimed he was instructed to deliver the money to two individuals: Yusuf Adamu and Abdulhamid Rabiu, who were arrested shortly after arriving to receive the funds.

In a statement on Tuesday, the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, said after preliminary interrogation and documentation, the trio, along with the seized funds, were handed over to the EFCC for further investigation and possible prosecution.

He said during a joint press briefing held at the NCS Kano/Jigawa Area Command, the Kano Zonal Director of the EFCC, Commander Ibrahim Shazali, reiterated the agency’s firm stance against illegal cash smuggling and financial crimes.

He said, “The EFCC and the Nigerian Customs Service, working in concert, have zero tolerance for illegal cash smuggling.

“Our surveillance is active, our intelligence is sharp, and our resolve to apprehend offenders is unwavering.

“Attempting to circumvent our financial laws and border controls is a futile and costly endeavour.”

He further urged members of the public, particularly those in the aviation and financial sectors, to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements of large volumes of cash.

The Customs Area Comptroller, Dalhatu Abubakar, emphasised the importance of currency declaration as a critical tool in Nigeria’s fight against money laundering and terrorist financing.

“These measures are designed to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s financial system and prevent the flow of funds to criminal networks, terrorists, and drug traffickers,” Abubakar said.

According to the EFCC, the suspects will be formally charged in court upon the conclusion of ongoing investigations.

Metro

Driver Stabs Former Boss To Death In Lagos

Published

6 hours ago

July 9, 2025

Editor

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a 25-year-old driver, Ayomide Oluwadamilare, for allegedly murdering his former employer, Kola Adun, and attempting to sell the victim’s stolen vehicle.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, the suspect was apprehended while trying to sell the deceased’s Toyota Camry in the Ijede area of Ikorodu, Lagos.

Odutola said the murder came to light after residents of River Valley Estate, Ojodu Berger, raised alarm over a foul odour coming from the victim’s apartment.

“At about 1300hrs on July 7, 2025, the Divisional Police Officer, Ojodu Abiodun Division, received a distress call from Mubarak area in Akute regarding an offensive smell from a building.

“Officers proceeded to Ogunmoyero Street, River Valley Estate, and upon forcing entry into the premises, discovered the decomposing body of one Mr. Kola Adun on the first floor.

“The body bore visible stab wounds with bloodstains found at the scene,” the statement read in part.

Odutola added that suspicions had already been raised the day before, when a friend who was supposed to pick Adun for Sunday service discovered the gate locked from outside and couldn’t reach him on the phone.

“His mobile phone later went off, prompting the friend to alert the victim’s family and the police,” Odutola noted.

The PPRO stated that preliminary investigation revealed that Oluwadamilare, the deceased’s former driver, had allegedly broken into the residence on Saturday, and stabbed Adun to death before fleeing with his Toyota Camry with registration number AAA 193 GC.

She said the case took a turn when the suspect tried to sell the car to a dealer in Ijede, Ikorodu, who found his story suspicious and promptly contacted the police.

“The suspect was arrested at the point of sale.

“The remains of the deceased have been evacuated to Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, for autopsy, while the case will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Abeokuta, for discreet investigation and prosecution,”Odutola concluded.

Metro

Police Arrest Cultist For Murder, Abduction In Anambra Community

Published

6 hours ago

July 9, 2025

Editor

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a 25-year-old cultist identified as Chukwujekwu Okoye, also known as “Bus-Stop,” in connection with the murder of two persons in Oko community, Orumba North Local Government Area of the state.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the spokesman for the state command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the suspect was arrested on Monday by police operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu.

Recall that the incident, which reportedly occurred at the Total Junction near the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, on May 22, left two persons dead and two others abducted.

It was gathered that the two abducted victims were later released in early June after ransom was paid by the families.

Ikenga, who disclosed the information of the arrest, also said the operatives recovered one automatic pump-action gun and two handsets from the suspect.

He said, “Police operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, on July 7, 2025, arrested a male suspect called Chukwujekwu Micheal Okoye a.k.a Bus-Stop, aged 25 years old.

“The arrest is a follow-up to the disturbing incident at Oko which records the injury to two persons, murder of two persons and abduction of two others who were later released after ransom was paid early last month at the Total Junction and Tipper Junction, respectively, all in Oko, Orumba North Local Government Area.

“The operatives also recovered one automatic pump-action gun and two handsets.

“It would be recalled that the suspect in the early hours of May 22, 2025, robbed a victim of his handset and other valuables at gunpoint in Oko.

“He confessed to being an active member of the Aye Confraternity Cult group and currently holding a position as a Lord.

“He also stated how they perfected plans for the initiation ceremony and rivalry cult attack yesterday, 7th July 2025, and revealed details of how he and six (6) other gang members attacked Oko on the 19th of June 2025.”

Ikenga said, given the information provided by the suspect, the police command has activated plans for the arrest of other gang members aimed at dismantling the criminal network in the state, adding that further developments would be communicated.