Metro

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

Published

1 year 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

Ogun To Prosecute DJ Over Multiple Road Crashes

Published

4 hours ago

November 25, 2025

Editor

Following series of traffic accidents that have raised concerns about public safety, the Ogun State Ministry of Justice has announced plans to prosecute TikTok content creator, Ademola Abiodun, popularly known as DJ Chicken.

The action comes after Abiodun allegedly crashed into two motorcycles in Sagamu, Ogun State, on November 1, 2025, critically injuring a rider and a female passenger.

The government in a statement, Monday, on its official X handle, said witnesses reported that Abiodun tried to flee the scene before being stopped by onlookers.

According to the ministry, DJ Chicken was involved in another crash on Sunday in Lekki, Lagos State, narrowly escaping pedestrians, making it the third in three months.

Part of the statement reads, “Mr Abiodun’s heedless return to the wheel with no greater care just three weeks after makes it imperative that the state must intervene to protect the public – especially as there is an organic outcry against his continued driving.

“While it may be reasonable to allow crash victims to get compensation from persons who have driven recklessly and to resolve road traffic collisions as a civil wrong, some road users are special dangers to society and should be held to account under criminal law,” it said.

The statement added that in an effort to guarantee accountability, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwasina Ogungbade, SAN, has instructed pertinent officers to move quickly on the pending crash case from Sagamu for a prompt arraignment.

Nonetheless, the ministry reiterated its dedication to working with law enforcement agencies to protect the public from reckless drivers.

Metro

JUST IN: Again, Terrorists Storm Kwara Community, Kidnap Pregnant Woman, 10 Children, Others

Published

6 hours ago

November 25, 2025

Editor

Unidentified gunmen have attacked the Isapa community in the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, kidnapping a pregnant woman, 10 children, two nursing mothers, and several others.

It was gathered that an estimated 20 to 30 armed bandits invaded the community, advancing with a large herd of cattle and firing sporadically.

A stray bullet reportedly struck an elderly woman during the assault.

A community leader who confirmed the incident told National Pilot that 11 people were abducted, including seven members of the same family.

The abducted individuals have been identified as: Talatu Kabiru, Magaji, Kande, Hadiza, Mariam, Saima, Habibat (a housewife), Fatima Yusufu (a housewife), Sarah Sunday (pregnant woman), Lami Fidelis (a nursing mother), and Haja Na Allah.

The attackers reportedly escaped through bush paths connecting Eruku to neighbouring communities, leaving residents in panic and confusion.

The attack comes barely two weeks after bandits struck the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), kidnapping 38 members, while others reportedly died during the assault.

If Nnamdi Kanu shows remorse, i will call for his pardoning — Sheikh Gumi
However, all 38 abducted victims from the church incident have reportedly been rescued.

Metro

Panic In Delta Female School Over False Herdsmen Attack

Published

1 day ago

November 24, 2025

Editor

Fear gripped Kwale, headquarters of Ndokwa West Local Government Area of Delta State, on Monday, as students of Otagba-Ogbe Girls Secondary School fled their classrooms following fears of an alleged herdsmen attack.

The panic reportedly began when students sighted two herdsmen entering the school premises from the rear, prompting a stampede as they ran out of their classrooms, triggering widespread alarm across the community.

A community source said the fear was rooted in earlier rumours circulating over the weekend that herdsmen were seen around the school’s surroundings.

“Everyone is on alert. The truth is that there were rumours that some herdsmen were spotted near the school on Saturday,”

The source said. “Today, as they were learning, two herdsmen entered the school compound from the back.
“Whether they were looking for their cattle, I don’t know.

“There had been information that an attack could happen at any moment due to issues between the herdsmen and the host community.”

The situation quickly escalated as parents trooped to the school to retrieve their children, and online platforms amplified claims of an imminent attack and alleged gunshots — none of which were verified.

But in a swift response, the Delta State Police Command dismissed it as false and misleading, saying it is capable of inciting unnecessary chaos.

According to the Command, the Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Abaniwonda, immediately ordered a coordinated security response.

The Command’s spokesman, Bright Edafe said the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO) of Kwale Division, SP Udofia Kufre, led a patrol team to the school for on-the-ground verification.

“Interviews with the Vice Principal and the security guard on duty confirmed that no attack occurred. Police said the entire disturbance was triggered by misinformation and students’ fear.

“As part of precautionary checks, adjoining schools in the Kwale axis were also visited by security operatives, who found them calm, safe, and fully engaged in normal academic activities.”

“Parents who rushed to the school were urged to remain calm as authorities confirmed that stability had been restored.”