Metro

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

Published

2 years 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 Arrest Mother, Daughter Over Alleged N18m Romance Scam

Published

5 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, NPF-NCCC, have arrested a woman and her daughter over their alleged involvement in a romance scam that reportedly defrauded a Malta-based victim of more than N18 million.

The police disclosed that the arrests followed investigations into allegations bordering on computer-related fraud, identity theft, and money laundering after receiving intelligence from the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU.

In a statement issued by the Acting Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Uwana Imah, the suspects were identified as 39-year-old Urowhe Diana and her 22-year-old daughter, Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

According to the statement, preliminary investigations revealed that a Lagos resident identified as Emmanuel Amanfo, who is currently at large, allegedly collaborated with Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru to open and operate multiple bank accounts used in carrying out fraudulent transactions.

“One of the victims was identified as a resident of Malta whose identity has been withheld,” the statement said.

The police further disclosed that proceeds from the alleged romance scam were transferred through money transfer operators and direct deposits into several Nigerian bank accounts belonging to Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

Investigators also alleged that the funds were later moved into an Ecobank account owned by Urowhe Diana, where the money was allegedly spent.

According to the statement, forensic analysis of the suspects’ digital activities allegedly linked both mother and daughter to the cybercrime operation, leading to their eventual arrest.

The police added that efforts were ongoing to apprehend Emmanuel Amanfo, who was described as the husband of Urowhe Diana and stepfather of Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

“Investigation into the matter is still ongoing, and the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” the statement added.

The Nigeria Police Force reiterated the commitment of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to safeguarding Nigeria’s cyberspace and tackling cybercrime across the country.

The NPF-NCCC also urged members of the public to report suspicious cyber-related activities through its official online reporting portal and designated communication channels.

Metro

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

23 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Police Command on Wednesday said two suspected cultists were arrested in Ohonre community, off Adolor College Road, Benin.

This was disclosed in a statement by the command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, and made available to newsmen electrically.

Ikoedem said the arrest was possible due to operatives response to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

The statement reads: “The Edo State Police Command has recorded another operational breakthrough following the swift disruption of a suspected cultists’ gathering in Ohonre Community, off Adolor College Road, Benin City.

“On 21st May, 2026, at about 19:00hrs, operatives attached to Ugbowo Division who were on surveillance patrol responded to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

“Acting promptly on the information, the police team mobilized to the location. On sighting the operatives, the suspects fled in an attempt to evade arrest. The operatives immediately gave them a hot chase, leading to the arrest of two suspects identified as Victor Peter ‘M’, 21 years and Iyemoma Ogbewe ‘M’, 35 years.

“A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of one cut-to-size gun believed to have been in their possession for unlawful purposes.

“Upon investigation, the suspects confessed to being members of the notorious Maphite cult group. Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other fleeing gang members.”

She said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the swift response of the operatives and reiterated the Command’s resolve to deny criminal elements any opportunity within Edo State.

He further urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, assuring that all reports would receive prompt attention.

Metro

Troops Eliminate Two Terrorists, Foil Pipeline Attack

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Army says troops have, in the last 24 hours, eliminated two terrorists, rescued four kidnapped victims and foiled pipeline attacks in a series of coordinated military operations across Taraba, Kogi and Rivers.

This is contained in operational updates issued to reporters on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the reports, troops of 93 Battalion deployed at Akate in the Donga Local Government Area of Taraba engaged suspected terrorists in a forested area, killing two of them.

According to the report, items recovered from the scene include an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, magazines, mobile phones and other personal effects.

In Kogi, it said the troops of 21 Battalion, in collaboration with vigilantes, rescued four kidnapped passengers along the Anyigba–Itobe road in Ofu Local Government Area.

It added that the victims were reportedly abandoned by their captors while attempting to cross a seasonal stream due to sustained pressure from advancing troops.

According to the military, efforts are ongoing to rescue other victims still in captivity.

The report said that troops of 12 Brigade successfully repelled an ambush along Kabba–Okene road while withdrawing from an earlier operation, forcing the assailants to flee with gunshot wounds.

“Meanwhile, in Rivers, troops of 5 Battalion acting on credible intelligence, foiled an attempt by suspected vandals to detonate a crude oil pipeline in Ahoada West Local Government Area.

“The swift response of the troops disrupted the operation before it could be executed, with the suspects fleeing the scene,” it said.