News

Cult Clash: Again, Cleric Cries For Police Help Over Threat To Life By Cult Group

Published

3 years ago

March 21, 2023

Editor

One Reverend Kingsley Ebose has cried out for the second time due to a second attack and attempt on his life, his family and that of one Mr Igbinobaro and his family whom he stated he has been aiding for more than a year now.

The cleric reported that on Saturday, March 11, 2023 at about 8.30pm, he was with one Mr Lucky Igbinobaro and his family in the church apartment, when they heard gun shots and when he looked he saw about 8 men with guns and axes putting on black, white and yellow outfits in the premises.

He stated that he knew it was the Black Axe cult group, and that they started calling out his name, demanding that the Reverend should prove that one Mr Osemwemgie and his family members whom are under his care, and that they would not leave him and his family and the people of Oke Community to rest until the family’s whereabout was known.

Narrating his ordeal to the press, the Cleric stated that the cult boys had earlier issued him with a stern warning the first time, and that this time they made it clear they were giving him a second warning, and if there would be a third time, they would not show him mercy.

“They went further to threaten to kill me and my entire family members, saying that I was proving stubborn. They apprehended and shot Mr Collins Igbinobaro in the leg as a warning note. The injured man is currently receiving treatment at the hospital, while the Reverend stated he and his family manged to escape with the rest of Mr Lucky igbinobaro’s family,” he added.

Before this recent attack, the Reverend stated that two months ago on January 2, 2023 at about 6pm to be precise, he had pleaded with the Edo state government and the Nigerian Police Force to come to the rescue of his family as his private residence was among several homes attacked by the invading cult group, popularly known as ‘Black Axe,’ as they tore people’s homes apart, searching for their prey.

According to reports by residents, in the fracas that ensued two young men were shot dead while three others who sustained gunshot injuries were receiving treatment in the hospital.

Speaking to the Press in Benin City at the weekend, Rev. Kingsley stated that the cult group were about six persons in number and that they came with sophisticated weapons, including AK 47 riffles and axes, and that they came in a black Mercedes Benz car. He stated that he had to address the press because of “the fear of the unknown” especially as many residents had fled their homes for fear of a repeat action by the cult groups after the first attack two months ago.

He noted that during the last attack, the cult boys shot sporadically in the air as they stormed his residence, demanding to see one Mr Lucky Igbinobaro and his family who he aided for the past one year now.

He said the cult group had mandated him to provide either Mr Lucky Igbinobaro or his family because they would know the whereabouts of their son.

The Reverend also stated that the cult group boasted that they do not search and stop, and that they would find their target, even if it took decades, hence why he continued to ask for intervention.

According to the clergy, the cult group said they have also been looking for one Mr Osemwemgie Bethelite for the past 6 years and that they will not rest until they found and killed him.

“They said Mr Osemwemgie is responsible for the clash between them and another cult group popularly known as Vikings (Arobaga), and that for exposing the video of the death of his late brother who was murdered by this cult group which led to the loss of some of their members to the rival group”, the clergy said.

He noted that the group also vowed that he will not go unpunished, that he must pay for his action.

He added “After a serious search around my house, they couldn’t find Mr Lucky Igbinobaro and his family, who unfortunately do not live with me in my personal apartment, unknown to this cult group, they therefore told me to pass the message to the family, that they will find them and if they could not provide their son, Mr Osemwemgie, they will all be killed.”

Rev. Kingsley however said that the cult group did not harm him, but that they burnt down his house, and threatened to return if they could not locate the where about of the said Mr Lucky and his family.

Reporting the case at the State Police Command Headquarters in Benin City on January 3, 2023, Rev. Kingsley Ebose called out to the government to come to his aid because his life was under threat.

The Cleric stated he had to cry out once again to the Edo State Government and the Nigeria Police Force to come to his rescue.

News

‘We Cure Madness With Madness’: Five Things To know About Taye Currency

Published

1 hour ago

September 28, 2025

Editor

The name ‘Taye Currency’ has continued to trend on social media following the Fuji music artiste’s performance at the coronation of the 44th Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, on Friday.

Taye Currency, during his performance at the coronation event which took place at Mapo Hall in Ibadan, rendered a line in Yoruba, “Were la fi n wo were,” which translates to “we cure madness with madness.”

The line, which seems not to have sat well with many Nigerians, particularly those of Yoruba heritage, has continued to generate a lot of criticism, with many opining that such lyrics were not befitting for the occasion, which had in attendance dignitaries including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, governors, ministers, traditional rulers, and other crème de la crème of society.

Reacting to the development, the Olu of Kemta Orile in Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun State, Oba Adetokunbo Tejuosho, criticised Taye Currency for what he described as “classless and unbefitting lyrics.”

According to him, the musician failed to accord the coronation its due respect, describing his lyrics as unbefitting of the sacred ceremony.

He said, “The throne of our ancestors is not a stage for mockery, nor the coronation of a great monarch a subject for careless entertainment.

“Kingship is sacred, adorned with honor and guarded by tradition. It demands reverence, dignity, honor, class and the utmost respect from all who stand in its presence.

“Listening to the musician (Taye Currency), who was invited to render music before the Crown, as a matter of fact before the entire world, to serenade the audience and sing in a way to express admiration, singing songs like (were lafi n wo were) We use madness to cure madness.

“Such lyrics were classless and unbefitting of such occasions, it is insulting to the sacredness of the gathering.”

While Taye Currency is well known among Fuji music lovers, especially those from Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, his performance at the Olubadan coronation has made people want to know more about him.

In this article, Tribune Online takes a look at five things to know about the trending Fuji musician.

1. Full Name and Age

His full name is Taye Akande Adebisi. Apart from his popular stage name, Taye Currency, he is also known as ‘Apesin.’ He celebrated his 50th birthday on December 17, 2024.

2. Appointment as Special Adviser on Culture and Tourism

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, appointed him as Special Adviser on Culture and Tourism in 2019 during the governor’s first tenure.

3. Father of a Lawmaker

In 2019, Taye Currency’s son, Yusuf Oladeni Adebisi, was elected into the Oyo State House of Assembly to represent Ibadan South-West Constituency 1, which earned Taye Currency another nickname, ’Baba Honorable’ (Honourable’s father). He was re-elected in 2023 as a lawmaker on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

4. Financial Setback

In April 2025, Taye Currency publicly lamented that he lost N10 million to CBEX, a crypto/investment scheme many now regard as a collapsed Ponzi platform. He explained that he was convinced to invest by close associates, only to see the scheme crumble shortly after.

5. Affiliation with Pasuma

Taye Currency has often maintained that although he never learnt Fuji music from his senior colleague, Wasiu Alabi Odetona, popularly known as Pasuma, whom he first met in 1993, he still considers him a boss.

News

JUST IN: PENGASSAN Strike May Trigger Nationwide Blackout, Thermal Plants Shut Down

Published

4 hours ago

September 28, 2025

Editor

Nigerians may face a nationwide blackout from Monday as power generation companies have raised the alarm over an imminent shutdown of thermal plants following directives from the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria.

The Executive Secretary of the Association of Power Generating Companies, Joy Ogaji, raised the alarm over the imminent blackout in a WhatsApp message on Sunday.

She revealed that gas suppliers had issued notices to halt supply to thermal power stations in line with PENGASSAN’s strike resolution.

“Good day, all. Thermal GenCos have received notification from our gas suppliers to shut down our thermal power plants following directives from PENGASSAN. The Nigerian Gas Infrastructure Company has specifically requested GenCos to comply,” Ogaji said in the post.

She warned that the development could plunge the country into darkness, as hydroelectric dams alone cannot sustain the national grid.

“Please all be notified of the imminent darkness, as hydros alone cannot sustain the system,” she added.

The warning comes hours after PENGASSAN announced that it would commence a nationwide strike on Monday to protest the dismissal of over 800 workers at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

The oil workers’ union, after an emergency National Executive Council meeting on Saturday, directed its members in all oil and gas installations to down tools until the sackings were reversed.

The action could cripple crude production, fuel supply, gas distribution and now electricity generation, worsening the hardship faced by Nigerians.

With thermal stations accounting for more than 70 per cent of Nigeria’s electricity supply, industry experts say the shutdown will trigger widespread outages, stretch hydro plants beyond capacity and heighten the risk of a nationwide system collapse.

News

Customs Launches One-stop-shop To Cut Cargo Clearance To 48 Hours

Published

5 hours ago

September 28, 2025

Editor

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it has officially introduced its ‘One-Stop-Shop (OSS)’ initiative aimed at reducing cargo clearance time to 48 hours.

NCS spokesperson, Abdullahi Maiwada, made this known in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

Maiwada said the initiative was unveiled recently during a meeting between NCS management and Customs Area Controllers, chaired by the Comptroller-General (C-G), Adewale Adeniyi, in Abuja.

He said the meeting deliberated on the service’s modernisation agenda and the role of leadership in driving reforms across commands.

Maiwada quoted the C-G as describing the OSS as a “transformative shift” which aligned with global best practices and the Federal Government’s Ease of Doing Business policy.

Adeniyi said the reform was designed to sanitise operations, reduce duplication of efforts and ensure predictability in customs procedures.

“The OSS initiative will not only shorten clearance time from 21 days to 48 hours, but it will also strengthen trader confidence, restore transparency and make our operations more business-friendly,” Adeniyi said.

The C-G acknowledged the role of technology in customs operations but also emphasised the importance of physical engagement with officers.

“As much as technology has helped us, it has its limits. There are moments when physical presence, coming together under one roof, adds weight and value to our deliberations,” he said.

The NCS boss said the reform would be piloted at Apapa, Tin Can Island and Onne Ports before being rolled out nationwide.

He added that the initiative was constitutionally supported by the NCS Act 2023 and aligned with the World Trade Organisation’s Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA).

“This is not just a policy. It is a statement of intent that reflects our determination to build a modern, transparent and trader-friendly Customs Service,” he said.

The spokesperson said that under the OSS framework, all customs units would work jointly on flagged declarations, eliminating multiple checks and reducing delays.

According to him, consignments cleared under the OSS will not be subject to re-interception, thereby reducing costs and enhancing trade facilitation.

He said the meeting also provided a platform to review the NCS accountability framework, including a new central dashboard that tracks clearance times, interventions and stakeholder satisfaction.