Metro

Edo Community Gets Clan-head After 18 Years Of Legal Battle

Published

2 years ago

March 13, 2024

The Edo State government has presented staff of office to Alhaji Muftairu Oare as clanhead of Anwain clan in Etsako West Local Government Area of the state after 18 years of legal battle.

According to reports, after the demise of the clanhead in 2006, some village heads in the clan went to court to restrain the state government from recognising Alhaji Muftairu Oare as the clanhead.

The matter was said to have moved from one court to the other until December 21, 2023 when a High Court presided over by Justice Emmanuel Ahamioje threw out the case for lack of merit.

Presenting the staff of office, Governor Godwin Obaseki said the historic event was the climax of the series of traditional ceremonies to mark the ascension to the revered throne of Anwain by HRH Mufutairu Oare.

Represented by Mr Monday Osaigbovo, Commissioner for Ministry of Local Government,
Community and Chieftaincy Affairs,
he said all hands must be on deck to bring about the much-needed progress and development to the community in line with the vision, programme and policy of his administration.

He advised the subjects to be vigilant and promptly report any strange and suspicious character in their midst to law enforcement agencies so as to reduce the incident of crime to the barest minimum.

“l implore the good and hardworking people of Anwain Community to support and rally round the Erama Anwain of Anwain (Clan Head of Anwain) to enable him effectively discharge his royal duties.

“As you are aware, no meaningful development can take place in an atmosphere of rancor. in this regard.”

He reiterated that the administration would not tolerate any act that is capable of undermining the peace and tranquility in Anwain community.

In his address, the clanhead said: “Your presence at Idegun today marks the glorious end of the titanic court battles that have been raging in the clan between me and my adversaries for years.

“Your Excellency, sir, my father died on the 15th April, 2006, before I could complete the burial ceremonies of my late father, my hitherto adversaries who had made things very difficult for my father, went to court to foreclose any possible attempt to inform the government of the death of my father and possible request for my installation as the
successor.

“Immediately they heard that the whole burial ceremonies had been completed and formally installed as the village head and
prospective clanhead of Anwain, they went to court.”

“We look forward to extending our good hands of fellowship to all aggrieved members of the community,” He said

Metro

Ondo: VP Mysteriously Disappears From Hotel After Attending Seminar

Published

4 hours ago

September 15, 2025

Editor

Olaloye Olatunde, Vice Principal of Ipele Community High School, Owo, Ondo State, mysteriously disappeared from a hotel after attending a seminar in Akure, the state capital.

It was gathered that only his personal belongings were discovered inside the hotel room where he lodged for the seminar after his mysterious disappearance.

He reportedly travelled from Owo to Akure to attend a Child Labour Programme organised by Trace Project, Akure, in partnership with Charakids Foundation.

The victim’s wife, Mrs. Adenike Olaloye, said he called her after checking into a Hotel in Alagbaka, where all other participants lodged.

According to her “We spoke regularly until Wednesday.

“By Friday, his phone was no longer reachable. The seminar was supposed to end that day, but I never heard from him again.”

”I was the one who arranged his bag before he travelled. That same bag was what they later found in his hotel room. Sadly, they had already packed it out without telling me.”

Also, speaking of the ugly incident, Olaoyes elder brother, Zacheus Olaloye, said “When my brother’s wife called me that she hadn’t seen my brother, I went to the hotel.

“The staff initially told me that all participants had checked out.

“But later I discovered the bag they said was abandoned was my brother’s own, with his clothes and shoes still inside.”

Zacheus, a retired civil servant, lamented that “We tried to preview the footage, but nothing worked. Later, the management showed us a grainy video of a man walking out of the premises. But that wasn’t my brother. The figure wasn’t clear at all.”

He added, sadly, that neither the organisers of the seminar nor the hotel have reached out to the family formally after Olatunde disappeared.

“The matter was reported to the police by the family at the Zone 17 AIG office, before we were directed to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad.

“The hotel management has not called us, and the organisers have done nothing tangible to help us find my brother. We are the ones chasing everyone. They should help us.”

Speaking on the matter, the manager of the hotel, Mr. Kenneth Ekpeyong, and a staff, Mrs. Oluwaseyi Adebayo, said that all participants were well accounted for until Friday evening.

Ekpeyong said that “On August 24, 49 participants arrived, later increasing to 58. On Friday, we organised an Asun Night for them, as part of our hospitality package.

“Some left that night, while others checked out on Saturday,” Adebayo explained.

On her part, Mrs Adebayo said “one facilitator instructed the hotel to clear the belongings in Room 305, claiming the occupant had travelled to sign teachers’ salary vouchers.

“We used our master card to open the room, packed the bag, and documented it. Later we were told it was the vice principal’s bag.”

“From our CCTV, we saw him on Wednesday, and then again on Thursday morning, August 28, at exactly 6:17 a.m., when he walked out of the hotel and never returned. That is why the room was eventually opened.”

Contacted, the state police command spokesperson Ayanlade Olayinka, said that “the command has launched an investigation into the mystery surrounding his disappearance.

” The command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the man’s sudden disappearance,

“We call on members of the public to provide any useful information that can assist us in unraveling the case.”

Ayanlade has however, assured members of the public that police detectives would unearth the mystery behind the disappearance of the Vice Principal.

Metro

NDLEA Destroys Over 18,000 KG Of Cannabis In Edo Forest

Published

4 hours ago

September 15, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have destroyed over 18,000 kilogrammes of cannabis sativa in a single raid targeted at cannabis cultivators in the state.

Edo State State Commander of the NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju, while giving a brief on the recent dislodgement of the cannabis plantation cell, disclosed that the operation was carried out on September 11, 2025, at Ugbogui Forest, in Ovia South West Local Government Area of the State.

Ofoyeju, who warned that the ugly development constitutes a serious threat to food security in the state, said: “The massive cannabis farm destruction operation which was based on actionable intelligence is posing a serious threat to food security.

“If these forests can be utilised only for the cultivation of food and cash crops, the challenge of food shortage will be adequately addressed.”

“This operation obviously underscores the agency’s commitment to combatting drug cultivation in the State, thereby reinforcing our efforts to rid our communities of the dangers posed by illicit drugs.

“The Edo State Command has taken a bold step to cut off the illicit supply of cannabis with the destruction of a vast Cannabis sativa plantation spanning approximately 6.79 hectares, with an estimated yield of over 16,966 kilograms.

“At the farm, we successfully recovered one hundred and twelve bags of harvested and processed cannabis weighing 1,176 kilograms in the farm,” Mitchell stated.

“Four male suspects linked to the cannabis plantation were apprehended during the operation while taking refuge at their tents located within the farm. Three of them are from Akwa Ibom State, while one hails from Delta State. They have been identified as Ebenizer E. Wang, 48 years old, from Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, and Oshare John, 45 years old, from Ughelli South, Delta State. Others are Emmanuel Monday, 29 years old, from Eket, Akwa Ibom State, and David Sunday, 30 years old, from Ugad, Akwa Ibom State.”

The NDLEA commander, while stating that investigations are underway, said the suspects are expected to face charges in court soon.

Ofoyeju, who urged members of the public to continue providing intelligence to assist in the fight against drug-related crimes, stated that the NDLEA remains vigilant in promoting public health and safety.

Metro

Edo Police Recover N300, 000 Extorted By Officers, To Discipline Culprit

Published

5 hours ago

September 15, 2025

Editor

The Edo State Police Command on Monday said it has recovered N300, 000 extorted from a furniture maker
by the officers attached to the Oba Market Area Command, Benin City.

This was contained in a statement signed by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, and made available to newsmen in Benin on Monday.

Yamu disclosed that officers involved in the extortion have been detained, adding that they would face disciplinary procedures in accordance with the extant regulations of the Nigeria Police Force.

The statement reads, “The Edo State Police Command wishes to inform the public that it has taken decisive action following a video circulated on social media by an influencer in Edo State alleging the extortion of the sum ₦300,000 from a furniture maker by some officers attached to Oba Market Area Command, Benin City.

“The officers involved have been promptly identified, the money has been fully recovered and returned to the victim, while the said officers have been detained and are to face disciplinary procedures in accordance with the extant regulations of the Nigeria Police Force.

“In addition, stern administrative measures have been taken against the Oba Market Area Command to ensure professionalism, discipline, and respect for the rights of citizens in the discharge of their duties.”

Yamu on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, urged members of the public to report any unprofessional conduct by officers and men of the command to the Public Complaints Bureau or the Complaints Response Unit through 08150999335 and
08100389992.

He added, “The Command assures the good people of Edo State that it remains committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and accountability in service delivery.”