Headline

Edo Govt Continues Removal of ‘Illegal’ Structures In Benin

Published

5 years ago

November 17, 2021

Some demolished structures by the government

The Edo State Government says it has intensified the demolition of illegal structures constructed under high tension cables and other unauthorized places in the Benin metropolis.

The exercise is aimed at removing structures by illegal developers and squatters that trade in unauthorized locations such as under the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) High Tension Lines in the metropolis.

The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mrs. Isoken Omo said the demolition is in line with the government’s urban renewal drive.

She said the exercise became necessary following the expiry of notices and a series of warnings served to the landowners and occupants of the property.

According to her, “We are on a demolition exercise to remove illegal structures and traders under high tension/power line at Trinity Way, popularly known as Abuja Quarters.”

“How can you do an illegal thing and try to legalize it? Are we to accept things that are wrong because of some negative impacts?” she queried.

“If you know the law and decide to break it, there is always a consequence. These are some of the consequences,” the Commissioner noted.

Omo further stated, “We have, in the last two years, served notices to these people; it is not just about their livelihoods, what about their safety? If anything happens under this power line, who will be blamed? It will be the government that will be blamed; they will say the government is not doing its job.

“These places are also hideouts for hoodlums and other vices are going on there at night. It is not safe to be under power lines; the development here is haphazard; there is no planning.

“We have given them ample time to move, but instead of them to move they are building more permanent structures under the power line. We owe our state and ourselves the duty to maintain our environment and keep the environment habitable.”

The government bulldozers brought down several illegal structures, including stalls and eave extensions around Ugbor in Government Reservation Area (GRA), Benin City, even as the exercise is expected to continue.

Headline

Indian Court Denies Bail To Nigerian Man Over Drug Charges

Published

3 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

A court in India has denied bail to a 44-year-old Nigerian national, Cristian Soporuchukwu, who is currently facing drug trafficking charges in the country.

Cristian Soporuchukwu initially entered India on a business visa but was later arrested over allegations of involvement in the sale of hard drugs.

Reports indicated that after arriving in India, Soporuchukwu travelled through Goa, Delhi, and Mumbai, where he allegedly established links with suspected drug traffickers.

He was accused of purchasing MDMA crystals and distributing them to college students and information technology workers.

According to reports, operatives of the Beguru Police arrested Cristian Soporuchukwu in April 2025 for allegedly selling MDMA crystals around Begur Lake and the AECS Layout Road area.

The New Indian Express reported that the High Court of Karnataka subsequently dismissed the Nigerian’s bail application.

“The anti-narcotics wing seized about 1 kg of MDMA crystals, a pocket weighing machine, 10 zip-lock covers, a mobile phone and a scooter from him,” the report stated.

Justice V. Srishananda, while ruling on the bail application, reportedly held that errors relating to the grounds of arrest could not automatically justify bail in serious narcotics-related offences under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, NDPS, Act.

The court further noted that Cristian Soporuchukwu had allegedly overstayed his visa in India, according to the report.

Headline

Strait Of Hormuz: US Announces Sanctions Against Iran

Published

4 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The United States Treasury has announced sanctions against Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority.

Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, said this in a statement on Wednesday.

The statement extended the threat of sanctions to anyone paying the fees, saying they may be providing support to and receiving services from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, and therefore may be exposed to sanctions risk.

“The Iranian military’s latest attempt to extort global maritime trade is proof that Economic Fury has left the regime desperate for cash.

“Treasury has deprived the Iranian regime of revenue for their weapons programs, terrorist proxies, and nuclear ambitions,” Bessent said.

Bessent added that the US has succeeded in disrupting tens of billions of dollars’ worth of revenue from being accessible to Tehran.

Headline

US Launches New Airstrikes On Iran

Published

4 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The United States has launched new airstrikes in southern Iran.

The strike shot down four one-way attack drones that posed a threat around the Strait of Hormuz and then a ground control site.

A US official revealed that American forces struck an Iranian ground control station in Bandar Abbas that was about to launch a fifth drone.

The official described the strikes as purely defensive, saying the US intended to maintain the ceasefire.

Report says this is the second time in three days that the US has carried out self-defense strikes against Iranian military targets in southern Iran.

Recall that on Monday the US carried out airstrikes against Iranian missile locations and boats that US Central Command said were preparing to launch mines in the Strait of Hormuz.