Connect with us

News

Edo Arrests Six Scrap Scavengers, Gives Arewa Residents Ultimatum Vacate Moats

Published

on

The Edo State Government on Wednesday announced the arrest of six scavengers, popularly known as “condemn iron” dealers, for vandalising state-owned infrastructure in Benin City.

The government also disclosed that, in a bid to restore order in the state capital, it has issued a 21-day ultimatum to Arewa residents occupying the Lagos Street moat and its environs—many of whom are engaged in scavenging—to vacate the area and secure proper accommodation.

The Chairman of the Edo State Public Property Protection Committee, Eugene Okoloise, made this known while briefing journalists in Benin City on the activities of the committee, particularly the damage allegedly caused by some Arewa scavengers to public infrastructure.

Advertisement

Okoloise, who invited leaders of the scrap dealers to a meeting, warned that the state government would no longer tolerate any form of vandalism of public property.

READ ALSO:PHOTOS: NDLEA Intercepts Drug-laden Trucks Worth N724m, Arrests Suspects In Edo

“The individuals we arrested are currently in police custody and will be charged to court on Monday. They will face the full weight of the law. So far, we have arrested six of them.

Advertisement

“We cannot continue like this. We cannot, under the guise of avoiding claims of marginalisation, allow individuals to destroy state infrastructure. We will not tolerate it. We have accepted them as part of the society, but that does not mean we should allow them to destroy public assets,” he said.

Speaking on the directive for those residing in the Lagos Street moat and surrounding areas,
Okoloise added: “We have given them 21 days to find proper housing. I grew up in the North; we had houses and rented apartments. You cannot be living inside a moat and expect to be regarded with dignity.”

READ ALSO:Edo Ex-federal Lawmaker Resigns From APC

Advertisement

He further recounted instances of vandalism, particularly at Fabiyi Akpata Primary School in Benin City, saying: “They removed and sold chairs and even roofing sheets. We are also calling on their leaders to prevail on their members. If they want to continue their business in this state, they must contribute to fixing the school. If they fail to do so, they should forget about operating here. This situation is getting out of hand.”

In response, the Chairman of the Scrap Dealers Association in Edo State, Alhaji Abbas Garuba, said the association has introduced measures to regulate its members and curb illegal activities.

He stated: “We have set official working hours for our members—7 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Monday to Saturday. Anyone operating outside these hours is not recognised by us. We have also banned work on Sundays because we discovered that most theft occurs on that day. On Sundays, we gather our members for meetings and sensitisation.”

Advertisement

News

Migration Agency Warns Migrants Against Irregular Travel Routes

Published

on

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with Giving is Healing Foundation, has sensitised residents of Ayobo in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State on the dangers of irregular migration and the need to embrace legal travel procedures.

Speaking during a sensitisation programme held at Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association in Ayobo, the founder of Giving is Healing Foundation, Mr. Gbolahan Ayediran, warned intending migrants against using illegal travel routes.

Ayediran said many Nigerians desire to migrate abroad in search of better opportunities but often ignore proper procedures, thereby exposing themselves to several dangers.

Advertisement

“Lots of people want to migrate and most of them do it in the wrong direction. The reason for the programme is for us to advise people on how they can migrate in the right way. As much as migration is their right, they should do it correctly,” he said.

READ ALSO:How Wike Rescued Me From Political Oblivion — Oshiomhole

He advised intending travellers to obtain the necessary travel documents before embarking on any journey, noting that such documents include international passports, visas, flight tickets and yellow cards, depending on the destination country.

Advertisement

According to him, migrants should also gather adequate information about their destination countries to enable them make informed decisions before travelling.

Ayediran further highlighted some of the dangers associated with irregular migration, including abuse, exploitation, discrimination and forced labour.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association, Elder Mathews Amusan, commended the organisers for enlightening members of the community on safe migration practices.

Advertisement

READ ALSO: He Can’t Fix His Party Let Alone Nigeria – Oshiomhole Blasts Atiku

He urged residents planning to travel abroad to always follow legal migration procedures to avoid falling victim to human trafficking and other migration-related challenges.

One of the participants, Mr. Kolawole Adenoko, said the programme enlightened him on the dangers of irregular migration and the importance of travelling through the proper channels.

Advertisement

He added that he would also educate his relatives and friends on the risks associated with illegal migration.

Continue Reading

News

Shatta Wale Bailed Burna Boy From Ghana Prison After Arrest For Smoking Weed – Captan

Published

on

Ghanian singer, Captan, has claimed that his former record label boss, Shatta Wale, once bailed Nigerian singer Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana after he was allegedly arrested for smoking weed.

Speaking in a recent podcast interview, Captan claimed that Shatta Wale sent him and others to free Burna Boy from police custody.

He also claimed that Shatta Wale and his group once accommodated Burna Boy when he was being hunted by some dangerous men.

Advertisement

READ ALSO: Wale Edun Opens Up After Sack

Captan said, “I once bailed Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana when he was arrested for smoking weed. Shatta Wale sent me and some guys to go and free him from police custody.

“There was a time we also accommodated him when some people were after his life. We helped him settle the case.”

Advertisement

He added that he and Burna Boy are no longer in good terms after the Nigerian artist’s fallout with his mentor, Shatta Wale.

He, however, said he and Shatta Wale are open to reconciling with Burna Boy if he asks for it.

Watch the video here

Advertisement

 

Continue Reading

News

Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint

Published

on

Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children’s Day celebration as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.

The event,
organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.

‎ A parent who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”

‎Oboh said the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.

READ ALSO:Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection

It was gathered that in the ensuing confusion, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students.

‎Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.

‎The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.

‎Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

Advertisement

READ ALSO: Egor LG Chair, Ogbemudia, Vice, Osawe Impeached

Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said the security personnel that fired the tear gas had been detained.

He said all the students, except two, that were rushed to the hospital have been discharged.

Advertisement

Ebojele stated that doctors wanted to observe the students till tomorrow before allowing them to go home.

The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained.

“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoyed their day.”

Advertisement

 

Continue Reading

Trending