Metro

Delta: Aggrieved Youths Protest Alleged Marginalisation By Govt, Oil Firms

Published

4 years ago

March 28, 2022

Scores of aggrieved youths of Isoko ethnic nationality in Delta State under the auspices of Isoko Development Union, Youths Wing, on Monday, barricaded the ever-busy Emevor-Iyede-Ughelli Asaba expressway as they staged a peaceful protest over alleged marginalisation by the State Government.

Consequently, economic and official activities were disrupted along the area for several hours as most travelers got stranded, with other commuters compelled to make diversions through other routes as the protesters caused gridlock on the expressway.

The protesting youths carried placards with inscriptions such as ‘We demand the release of the N10 million Social Security Fund’, ‘Isoko youths tell Okowa to respect Isoko tradition’, ‘Okowa failed to meet with Isoko Youths’, etc.

Speaking with journalists, the President of the IDU, Youth wing, Comrade Obokpaino Fidelis, who led the protest said that “the protest is as a result of the marginalisation of the IDU, Youths wing, by the Delta State Government and the Multinational Oil Companies operating in Isoko land.”

According to him, the multinational oil companies operating in Isoko land have been denying the host communities of their corporate social responsibilities and whenever they are approached for dialogue, the oil companies refused granting us the audience.

He said, “Isoko Development Union, Youths Wing was created 16 months ago, saddled with the responsibilities of handling all youths activities in Isoko nation.

“But since its creation till now, the State Government has resolved not to give IDU Youth Wing attention for interaction.

“We are being denied of our Corporate Social Responsibilities by the Multinationals Oil Companies operating in Isoko Land. And whenever we approached the Oil Companies for dialogue, they refused granting us audience.

“Even the Commissioner of Police, the Army, and DSS, including the State Government, they all denied having audience with us, which is the major reason why we barricaded the road today in a peaceful protest over the marginalisation being done to IDU Youths Wing by the Delta State Government and the Multinational Oil Companies.

“We the Isoko Youths are being marginalised of the N10 million Social Security Fund which the State Government is giving to other ethnic nationalities across the State.

“Also, we are being marginalised of the Social Corporate Responsibilities which all Oil Companies exploring Oils in Isoko land is supposed to perform to our Youths, women, and men.

“That’s why we are here to express our displeasure to the State Government and all multinational Oil Companies operating in Isoko that enough is enough. We, the Isoko Youths, say no to marginalisation.

“We are therefore demanding an interactive session with the State Government to present our demands to the Executive Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa. And also, with the multinational oil companies operating in Isoko land.”

The Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, who later met with the protesters on his way to Asaba, appealed to them to remain calm assuring that he would present their case to the State Governor, Dr. Okowa, for positive action.

PUNCH

Related Topics:#Delta State Isoko nationality

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Metro

Ex-convict Arrested In Edo For Armed Robbery, Possession Of Firearm

Published

6 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Security Corps (ESSC) has arrested a 45-year-old ex-convict, Owen Osas, for alleged unlawful possession of firearms and suspected involvement in a robbery incident.

Osas was reportedly arrested with a cut-to-size single-barrel gun during a covert operation along Fishpond Road in Eyean, Uhunmwonde Local Government Area.

The arrest reportedly comes barely a year after he was released from prison, where he had served time for illegal possession of firearms and other criminal offences.

Osas, who confessed to the latest crime, also admitted to being a member of the Eiye Confraternity.

READ ALSO:Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo
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Consequently, a victim of an alleged robbery incident, Reginia Izy, identified Osas as the person who robbed her a day before his arrest.
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The victim narrated that the suspect had approached her residence around 8 p.m., pretending to be familiar before carrying out the attack.
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‎The Deputy Commander Operations of ESSC, Richard Balogun, said the arrest was part of intensified efforts to rid Edo State of criminal elements.

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‎Balogun explained that operatives conduct both overt patrols and covert operations to track and apprehend suspects.
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He said, ‎“Our men are always on patrol. Some operate in plain clothes as part of covert strategies, while others are stationed at strategic locations.

“Osas, who is a former convict, was arrested with firearms and he also confessed to be a member of the Eiye Confraternity.”
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Metro

Gunmen Kidnap Businessman In Ibadan

Published

2 days ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a 60-year-old man in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The victim was kidnapped on Saturday while on his way to his residence.

The incident occurred at Jinarere, Alakia in Ibadan.

Public Relations Officer of the State Police command, Olayinka Ayanlade, when contacted, confirmed the incident.

Ayanlade in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Sunday, explained that efforts are ongoing to rescue the victim.

Ayanlade said, “Preliminary information reveals that the victim, a 60-year-old male and building materials trader, was accosted while returning home along the Jinarere axis of Alakia Road by four masked armed men, who forcefully whisked him away in an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla vehicle”.

Metro

Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

A 30-year-old entrepreneur and CEO of Principle Takeout, Justice Abu Oshioke, has been killed by suspected kidnappers in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

He was reportedly attacked by the suspected kidnappers on Saturday while on his way to pick up an order made for his child’s dedication on Sunday morning.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers attempted to force him into a nearby bush in a kidnapping attempt. However, he reportedly resisted and tried to escape.

In the course of the struggle, the assailants opened fire, shooting him multiple times.

Concerned residents quickly rushed him to a nearby medical facility, but he was confirmed dead on arrival.

The deceased was said to have recently gotten married and welcomed a baby boy.

The tragic event has turned a joyous occasion into a moment of grief for the family.

The shocking development has left the Ekpoma community in deep sorrow, with many residents expressing outrage over the growing insecurity in the area.

Edo State Police Command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem confirmed the incident and said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika has ordered a “full-scale investigation and intensified manhunt for those responsible.”

According to her, the Police, in collaboration with the military, local vigilantes, and hunters, are actively pursuing the perpetrators through coordinated operations.