Metro

Edo Guber: ‘Abure Must Go’ Protest Rocks Edo Labour Party, As Security Agents Confiscate Journalists’ Cameras

Published

2 years ago

February 5, 2024

Hell was let loose on Sunday evening at Edo State Labour Party secretariat, Benin, as hundreds of the party youths protested against the party national chairman, Barrister Julius Abure.

The angry youths who besieged the state party secretariat, accused Abure of alleged support for some aspirants ahead of the party governorship primary to be held later this month.

The angry youths who carried placards bearing different inscriptions chanted, “Abure must go; Abure must go.”

They were, however, prevented from entering the building by security operatives, who confiscated video cameras belonging to two national television stations who were recording the protest.

It took the intervention of the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo State council, Comrade Festus Alenkhe before the cameras were retrieved from the overzealous security operatives.

The protesting youths alleged that the national chairman has compromised his position and therefore should not be allowed to superintend over the party primary.

One of the protesters who gave his name as Imafidon Emmanuel, said the chairman is dragging the party’s name to the mud, wondering why he will say that the executive will not be part of the primary.

“Why would a national chairman of the party say that the executive will not be part of the primary? Who does he want to participate? What it means is that he already has a candidate of his choice. Which is very wrong.

“We want everybody to participate. We want a free and fair primary. We don’t want Abure to influence the primary. Whoever emerges as the candidate of the party, should be allowed to be the candidate.”

Another protester, Comrade Johnson Edobor, who spoke in pidgin English said, “We want peace in Labour Party. We don’t want the national chairman again. The national chairman is giving us problem. We don’t need him again in Edo State . We don’t want to sell the ticket. We have been losing elections in other states. We don’t want to lose Edo State too.”

It was gathered that the Labour Party national chairman convened the meeting ahead the party primary election, but the protest interrupted the meeting.

Speaking through the telephone, the state chairman of Labour Party, Comrade Kelly Ogbaloi said: “People came protesting, with dangerous weapons in their hands, and what they told the press was that they are protesting because they were informed that the primary will not be free and fair and they came to attack us and for over two hours,we were under siege,we were kept under protection by some security operatives. That was why we were not within their reach.”

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Metro

JUST IN: Yinka Ayefele In Tears As Fire Guts Fresh FM

Published

29 minutes ago

August 15, 2025

Editor

A fire outbreak has been reported at a popular Ibadan-based radio station, Fresh FM, at Felele area in Ibadan South-West local government area of the state capital on Friday.

The incident, which started a few hours ago, has disrupted other related activities at the station.

Newsmen could not confirm neither the cause nor extent of the damage as at the time of filing this report.

Confirming the incident in a telephone chat, the General Manager, Oyo State Fire Services, Rev Akinyemi Akinyinka said, “our men are on the ground. The situation is under control.”

Founded by popular musician and broadcaster, Yinka Ayefele, Fresh FM is one of the most listened-to radio stations in Ibadan.

Click link below to watch video:

https://cdn.pmnewsnigeria.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/4YarRfs4-AQPEpS7eh4Sj40BSksJ46sTcwVZZAOsq-ibfVmfuQPhOk5ETRyO-ynZLu4qMgK2n6JR220C0oTevEDxrkfItsdBP66n3H7KR0u2_EYfLrs2ZsQ.mp4?_=1

Metro

Lagos Woman Remanded For False Foreign Currency Declaration

Published

1 day ago

August 14, 2025

Editor

A Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday remanded Ifunanya Phil-Olumba in the Kirikiri Correctional Centre over allegations of falsely declaring and failing to declare foreign currency totaling $14,567, £1,030, and CA$40 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had preferred three counts against the defendant, accusing her of making false declarations to the Nigeria Customs Service and failing to declare foreign currency, contrary to Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

At the resumed proceedings, before Justice Dehinde Dipeolu, the prosecution, led by Okezie Chineye, called two witnesses.

The first prosecution witness, an officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, Mrs. Stella Ogar, told the court that the defendant was intercepted during inward clearance from the United Kingdom.

According to Ogar, the defendant declared only CA$4,000, despite allegedly being in possession of CA$14,000, alongside other undeclared sums.

“We arrested her and handed her over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for further investigation,” Ogar testified.

The second prosecution witness, an EFCC operative, Felicia Paul, confirmed that the defendant was handed over to the commission by the customs.

She stated that the defendant was interrogated and opted to make a written statement, which the prosecution sought to tender in evidence.

However, defence counsel, Edwin Anikwem, objected to the admissibility of the statement, contending that it was not obtained voluntarily and was made without the presence of counsel, contrary to legal requirements.

However, Justice Dipeolu adjourned further hearing to August 19 for continuation of the trial.

The EFCC alleged that on July 22, 2025, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, the defendant falsely declared the sum of $4,000 while in possession of $14,567; failed to declare CA$40; and falsely declared £1,000 while in possession of £1,030.

According to the anti-graft agency, the offences committed contravened Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Metro

Two Varsity Students Die In Bayelsa Road Crash

Published

1 day ago

August 14, 2025

Editor

A head-on collision between a truck and a commercial tricycle on the Yenagoa/Amassoma Road, Bayelsa State, has claimed the lives of two students from Niger Delta University, Amassoma.

The accident which occurred on Wednesday also left other passengers of the ill-fated tricycle critically injured.

Residents attributed the accident to absence of road signs and overspending by drivers as the crash occurred at a bend on the road.

The truck negotiated the bend at high speed, lost control and hit the tricycle at top speed, crushing it.

A trader, Godspower Okilo told The PUNCH on Thursday that the truck driver was moving too fast, and by the time he realised the danger, it was already too late.

He said, “The Keke (tricycle) had no chance of escaping the danger because the tipper was already close to it.
“We’ve been complaining about reckless truck drivers on this road for years, but nothing changes.

“The dangerous impact left the tricycle damaged beyond recognition. Good Samaritans rushed to the scene, pulling survivors from the wreckage and transporting the injured to the Federal Medical Centre in Yenagoa.

“The bodies of the deceased were later evacuated to a nearby morgue.

“This incident has renewed calls for stricter traffic enforcement, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the State Police Command should intensify patrols, introduce speed breakers, and conduct regular safety checks on heavy-duty vehicles.”

Another resident of the area, Mrs. Ebike Ekain, said if the appropriate authorities do not act now, more lives will be lost to accidents in the nearest future.

The Yenagoa/Amassoma Road is without doubt the most dangerous road in Bayelsa State due to the number of accidents that occur every year.
The reconstruction of the stretch from the Etegwe Roundabout to Tombia Community resulted in several turns which motorists do not consider as they often drive at dangerous speeds.

The Federal Road Safety Commission usually dispatches an ambulance to the road which is stationed at Tombia Community and sometimes at the roundabout leading to Agudama-Ekpetiama Community.

Spokesman for the Bayelsa State Police Command, DSP Musa Muhammad, who confirmed the accident, said investigation is ongoing to unravel the cause of the accident.

“Yes, an accident happened there and we are investigating the causes of the accident,” he stated.