Metro

Edo: CSOs, NANS Protest Against Obaseki’s Compulsory COVID-19 Vaccination

Published

5 years ago

September 27, 2021

…Threaten To Shut Down State If..

Residents of Benin City mostly members of civil society organistions and leaders of students union on Monday took to major streets to protest against the compulsory COVID-19 vaccination policy put in place by Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration in Edo State.

The protesters, who grounded vehicular movement in the metropolis carried placards bearing inscriptions such as: ‘We need security in Edo, not vaccine’; ‘We will resist any form of executive rascality’; ‘Hunger is killing us, not COVID-19’; ‘Obaseki obey court order’; ‘My body is my right’; ‘Share COVID-19 palliative’, threatened to completely shut down government house, government agencies/parastatals, corporate organistions enforcing ‘no vaccine, no entry policies, stressed that the protest of Monday was just a warning.

Speaking at the secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo State council, Comrade Curtis Ogbebor, coordinator, Freedom Ambassador Organisation, said they were out to express their displeasure over the compulsory vaccination in the state, just as he stressed that there are other pressing issues such as security that the Governor should pay priority to and not COVID-19 vaccination.

He said they are giving the Governor 48 hours to withdraw the compulsory vaccination, just as they threatened to shut down the economy of the state should the governor continue with his compulsory vaccination enforcement.

“We have come out today to send a warning and an advice for him to urgently withdraw that enforcement order. 48 hours after, if he refuses to withdraw that order, we will mobilise to shut down the economy of the state. We cannot fold our arms and watch the act of illegality.” he said.

He continues, “There are issues of urgent concern like security which is enshrined in the Constitution that the Governor is under law to secure the lives and properties of its citizenry. But as we speak, the Governor is not concerned about the security and welfare of the people.

“As we speak, no street light is working in Edo State; Benin – Auchi Road is not safe to travel on because of bandits, herdsmen.

“The governor recieves N9bn annually as security vote, but as we speak, the police stations that were razed during the EndSARS protest, no one has been rebuilt.

“The local security apparatus that was put in place, many Edo youths are ready to sacrifice their lives to secure Edo people but the Governor has refused to fund them.”

He urged the state governor to focus more on infrastructural development rather than enforcing COVID-19 vaccination on the people.

Also speaking on behalf of students in Edo State, Comrade Osamudiamen Ogbidi, National Public Relations Officer, Nigeria Student and Youth Association, said students in the state reject the forceful COVID-19 vaccination.

While noting that the protest was just a warning and that students would be mobilised to shut down the state, he said all other youths in the state too reject the compulsory vaccination.

Speaking on banks enforcing the policy, he said, “We are aware that banks too are making it compulsory for their staff to be vaccinated, and that they are about to enforce ‘no vaccine, no entry policy. And we are sending a warning to them that if they try it, we are going to shut down the banks.”

Metro

Ex-convict Arrested In Edo For Armed Robbery, Possession Of Firearm

Published

12 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Security Corps (ESSC) has arrested a 45-year-old ex-convict, Owen Osas, for alleged unlawful possession of firearms and suspected involvement in a robbery incident.

Osas was reportedly arrested with a cut-to-size single-barrel gun during a covert operation along Fishpond Road in Eyean, Uhunmwonde Local Government Area.

The arrest reportedly comes barely a year after he was released from prison, where he had served time for illegal possession of firearms and other criminal offences.

Osas, who confessed to the latest crime, also admitted to being a member of the Eiye Confraternity.

READ ALSO:Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo
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Consequently, a victim of an alleged robbery incident, Reginia Izy, identified Osas as the person who robbed her a day before his arrest.
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The victim narrated that the suspect had approached her residence around 8 p.m., pretending to be familiar before carrying out the attack.
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‎The Deputy Commander Operations of ESSC, Richard Balogun, said the arrest was part of intensified efforts to rid Edo State of criminal elements.

READ ALSO:Edo South Senatorial Seat: Nothing Wrong Seeking Wike’s Support – Ogbeide-Ihama
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‎Balogun explained that operatives conduct both overt patrols and covert operations to track and apprehend suspects.
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He said, ‎“Our men are always on patrol. Some operate in plain clothes as part of covert strategies, while others are stationed at strategic locations.

“Osas, who is a former convict, was arrested with firearms and he also confessed to be a member of the Eiye Confraternity.”
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Metro

Gunmen Kidnap Businessman In Ibadan

Published

2 days ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a 60-year-old man in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The victim was kidnapped on Saturday while on his way to his residence.

The incident occurred at Jinarere, Alakia in Ibadan.

Public Relations Officer of the State Police command, Olayinka Ayanlade, when contacted, confirmed the incident.

Ayanlade in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Sunday, explained that efforts are ongoing to rescue the victim.

Ayanlade said, “Preliminary information reveals that the victim, a 60-year-old male and building materials trader, was accosted while returning home along the Jinarere axis of Alakia Road by four masked armed men, who forcefully whisked him away in an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla vehicle”.

Metro

Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo

Published

3 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

A 30-year-old entrepreneur and CEO of Principle Takeout, Justice Abu Oshioke, has been killed by suspected kidnappers in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

He was reportedly attacked by the suspected kidnappers on Saturday while on his way to pick up an order made for his child’s dedication on Sunday morning.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers attempted to force him into a nearby bush in a kidnapping attempt. However, he reportedly resisted and tried to escape.

In the course of the struggle, the assailants opened fire, shooting him multiple times.

Concerned residents quickly rushed him to a nearby medical facility, but he was confirmed dead on arrival.

The deceased was said to have recently gotten married and welcomed a baby boy.

The tragic event has turned a joyous occasion into a moment of grief for the family.

The shocking development has left the Ekpoma community in deep sorrow, with many residents expressing outrage over the growing insecurity in the area.

Edo State Police Command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem confirmed the incident and said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika has ordered a “full-scale investigation and intensified manhunt for those responsible.”

According to her, the Police, in collaboration with the military, local vigilantes, and hunters, are actively pursuing the perpetrators through coordinated operations.