Metro

Delta Community Protests Oil Firm’s Sacking Of Indigenes

Published

4 years ago

July 10, 2022

Editor

Aggrieved indigenes of Olomoro, a host community in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, have shut down operations of Oil Mining Lease 30, operated by Heritage Energy Oil Services Limited, over the alleged disengagement of eight indigenes working with the oil firm.

The placard-carrying protesters, who converged at the entrance of the oil company on Sunday, also accused the oil firm of sacking the affected workers “without any reason” as well as unduly marginalising the host community.

The Patron, Olomoro Indigenes Heritage Staff, Okpogbo Peter, while addressing journalists shortly after the peaceful protest, insisted that the company would not be reopened until the affected staff members were reabsorbed.

While maintaining that the action would be sustained until the workers were reabsorbed, Okpogbo noted that the disengaged workers were employees of the Shell Petroleum Development Company before it was bought by the Nigerian Petroleum and Development Company in 2012 adding that the HEOSL had not employed any Olomoro indigene since it inherited the assets from the NPDC in 2017.

He said, “Since 2017, the HEOSL has never employed anybody from Olomoro Community but would rather sack our people employed by Shell. We disagree with that. Heritage has no right to sack any of our community workers that were employed by Shell.

“They are owing Olomoro community slots. So we are saying the sacked community workers be called back immediately.”

Also, one of the retrenched staff of the company, Steve Okaro, alleged that the HEOSL had made a series of illegal employment over the years, which had over-bloated the staff strength, just as he further alleged that another company was attempting to buy the HEOSL but complained of the over-bloated staff strength.

Okaro stated, “We learnt that a new company is coming to take over from Heritage but it’s like that company is complaining of the staff strength. Now, they want to let some workers go and it is the community workers. Those workers they employed through the back doors, they did not touch them.

“They are owning Olomoro community more slots and they are dropping our people. We are saying no way, we cannot take it from them. All the eight sacked workers should be reinstated. Our President-General said we should take it diplomatically with them but they are not shifting ground, hence the protest.”

When contacted, the HEOSL Community Relations Officer simply identified as Mr. Williams, stated that he was not authorised to speak with the press.

He, however, promised to send the contact of the rightful person, which he never did as of the time of filing this report.

Metro

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

Published

5 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.

READ ALSO:Edo South Senatorial Seat: Nothing Wrong Seeking Wike’s Support – Ogbeide-Ihama
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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.