Metro

Edo Community Elders Petition Oba Of Benin Over Planned Attempt To Foist Leadership

Published

8 months ago

October 14, 2024

Indigenes of Obarune village in Ovia North East LGA of Edo State, have appealed to Oba Ewuare II, to intervene in the planned attempt by some high-handed palace functionaries to foist non-indigenes over them as leaders.

The elders appeal in a petition titled “Protest letter against attempt to foist leadership on Obarune village,” and made available to journalists on Monday in Benin.

The acknowledged petition by the Palace registry, is signed by the village Ozukpogieva ( Second most senior elder), Pa. Uwagboe Osamagioghomwenwi, and its, Secretary, Mr Osasumwen Kevin Okunzuwa, on behalf of the people of Obarune.

Obarune indigenes claimed that though they had earlier protested against planned installation of an imposture, one Afona Isibor, as Ohen (Priest) of their village, the Oba had intervened by setting up a fact-finding Committee to verify the authenticity or otherwise of the claim.

They explained that on May 16, 2023, Oba Ewuare II, at Eguae ’ematon, (Sacred Court), ordered the members of the Committee led by one Chief Uyi Okungbowa, the Ogua of Benin, to take an oath (Ula’mwen) for the ancestors to bear witness, before embarking on the fact-finding claim.

According to the petition, Oba Ewuare II, also warned the said Isibor to stop parading himself as Ohen (priest).

“But, contrary to your clear order and definitive directive on that day, the Palace Dispute Resolution Committee has employed all manners of intrigues to subvert justice by twisting the facts in the above subject matter.

“While the Chief Ogua-led delegation, failed to carry out your Majesty’s directive. He seems to have continued to encourage Isibor and his cohorts in their mischief.

“Isibor, who still addressed himself as Ohen, summoned elders of Obarune before Chief Victor Aigbovbiosa, the Ohen-Okun (traditional Priest) of Ughoton and Elders of Unuode Ekenwan, in Ovia North East LGA over the same matter.

“Unfortunately for them, the Ohen-Okun of Ughoton and the elders respectfully declined to entertain the petition after perusing undisputed evidence in documents from us and hearing your Majesty’s ruling in the matter.”

Obarune elders claimed in the petition that the said Palace Chief Ogua and some members of the Palace Dispute Resolution Committee had allegedly become biased in their decision, trying to subvert justice in the matter.

“At Eguae ’ematon, after presentation of our case, the palace had on the said occasion, in good faith, changed the name ‘Obaterumen’ to ‘Obarune’ village, which parties in the dispute unanimously accepted.

“However, your Royal Majesty, while we patiently awaited your gracious approval of our request for Odionwere through the Committee, we were again invited by Chief Ogua to the palace on May, 29, 2024.

“Only to inform us that the Palace Committee has advised us to revert to the old name of Obateru against your earlier directive, ostensibly to create confusion and without any reasonable explanation,” they said in the petition.

“Your Majesty, at our last invitation on September 26, 2024, members of the Committee present, already with a pre-determined decision, bluntly refused to heed our protest, while
Chief Ogua in particular openly declared that your Majesty’s directive was no longer relevant to the matter before the committee.

“For the sake of clarity, We had also rejected the Committee’s resolution to foist unknown persons whom it tagged “interim leadership” of Obateru/Obagbeni, because it’s alien to Benin Customs and tradition.

“Your Majesty, we had also reminded the Committee that Obarune has a subsisting judgment of a Benin High Court which recognises the people of Obarune as the original indigenes of the village.

“We provided evidence to show that the village is recognised by the State Government, particularly in the State Ministry of Environment, which also approved Government forest reserved Areas to Obarune village as farmlands NOT Obagbeni.

“It’s also important to note that despite our insistence that as long as members of the fact-finding delegation neither swore to an oath nor carried out your Majesty’s order, Chief Ogua neither had the locus to have entertained the said petition, nor the Committee in the position to take its resolution, without your Royal Majesty’s approval.

“Yet, the Committee went ahead and sent us a text message through its Secretary, one Comrade Henry Uwumagbuhun, informing us of its constitution of names of the same interlopers as interim leaders of Obarune village by fiat without recourse to its consequences.

“Your Royal Majesty, from the foregoing, it has become clear to us that members of the Committee mean no good as their actions and body languages portray them as very biased and subjective.

“And as interested parties, whose decision will ignite the already built up anger of the people of Obarune exacerbated by the vexatious antics of Isibor and his cohorts.

“We are therefore appealing to your Majesty’s intervention to nip in the bud the brewing crisis being fanned by Chief Ogua and the Committee.

“As your loyal and law abiding subjects who do not want to resort to self help due to the respect for the highly revered Benin monarchy, we still trust and believe that only your Royal Majesty’s wise counsel and intervention will bring peaceful definitive resolution in this matter to avert chaos,” the people said.

Metro

Police Arrests Three Masterminds Of Abuja Kidnappings

Published

19 hours ago

June 19, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command have arrested three notorious kidnap suspects linked to a spate of deadly abductions in Abuja and neighbouring states.

According to a statement signed by the Force PPRO, Abuja Command, SP Josephine Adeh, on Thursday, the suspects, 27 years old Ya’u Shittu from Kaduna State; 30 years old Sale Usman from Niger State; and 28 years old Ibrahim Abdullahi from Abuja, were captured during sting operations carried out between June 13 and 18, 2025, in Kaduna, Niger, and Nasarawa states by the Command’s elite Scorpion Squad.

The suspects, who have been on the Command’s wanted list, reportedly confessed to multiple kidnappings and murders, including the 2024 killing of a pastor in Mpape and the abduction of children in the same area where their father was shot dead. Police also tied them to the kidnapping of a woman for whom N10 million was paid in ransom, with each gang member pocketing N500,000.

Adeh said the breakthrough followed “credible digital reconstructive intelligence” and was led by ACP Victor O. Godfrey.

According to the police, Ibrahim Abdullahi, who also doubled as the gang’s arms supplier, led officers to a hideout in Bukuru, Nasarawa State on June 18. Upon arrival, the police team was met with gunfire from other gang members, prompting a shootout.

“Abdullahi attempted to flee but was shot and rearrested. Other gang members escaped and are currently being pursued,” the statement added.

Exhibits recovered from the scene included a long knife and various charms.

FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Ajao S. Adewale, commended the bravery of the Scorpion Squad and reassured residents of the Command’s commitment to public safety. He urged citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to security operatives.

“This is a major blow to violent crime in the FCT. We are determined to rid our communities of criminal elements,” he said.

The suspects remain in custody as investigations continue. Meanwhile, police have intensified efforts to track and arrest the fleeing members of the gang.
(PUNCH)

Metro

FG Closes Case In Alleged Terrorism Trial Against Nnamdi Kanu

Published

21 hours ago

June 19, 2025

Editor

The Federal Government, on Thursday, closed its case in the ongoing trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), in the allegations bordering on terrorism and treason.

The FG’s lawyer, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, announced this after the 5th prosecution witness (PW-5), identified as EEE for security reasons, was led in evidence and cross-examined by Kanu’s lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu, before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Awomolo told the court that after calling five witnesses in the trial, the prosecution was satisfied that from the avalanche of evidence tendered, including the broadcast of activities of the leader of the IPOB, the government had sufficiently satisfied the need to close its case.

“I therefore close the case,” the senior lawyer said.

After the announcement, the lead defence counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi, informed the court that they would be opting for a no-case submission, which would be filed in due course.
(NAN)

Metro

NAF Air Strikes Destroy IED Factory, Terrorists’ Gun Trucks In Borno

Published

21 hours ago

June 19, 2025

Editor

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said on Thursday that its fighter aircraft operating under Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) has destroyed an IED factory and terrorist gun trucks and eliminated dozens of fighters in Kwaltiri, within the Tumbuktu Triangle, Borno State.

Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations, said, “The 18 June 2025 airstrike followed intelligence reports of terrorist activity in the area.

“Surveillance confirmed the presence of an IED-making site and vehicles, which were struck in precision passes by NAF aircraft.

“The operation is a major blow to terrorists’ fighting capabilities, as the successful strikes not only disrupted their command and control as well as logistics chains but also sent shockwaves through their ranks, significantly degrading their morale and operational momentum.

“It reinforces NAF’s resolve to degrade terrorist capabilities and enhance security in the North East.”