Metro

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

Published

2 years ago

February 5, 2024

Editor

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.”

Up Next

Abducted Baby Sold For N800,000 Rescued In Lagos Market

Don't Miss

JUST IN: Niger Residents Protest High Cost Of Food, Living

Comments

Metro

Gunmen Kidnap Businessman In Ibadan

Published

1 day 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

2 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.

Metro

Grandfathers Arrested For Drug Trafficking

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

Two grandfathers, aged 83 and 78, are among several suspects apprehended by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in a fresh nationwide crackdown on illicit drug trafficking.

Pa John Ofiel, 83, was arrested on Tuesday, 28 April during a raid in the Aba region of Abia State.

The NDLEA said that operatives acting on credible intelligence recovered 700 grams of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis already packaged into retail sachets.

The octogenarian, who claimed to be a professional shoemaker allegedly confessed to delving into the illicit trade.

In Ekiti State on Thursday 30 April 78 year old Ogunjobi Samuel was detained at his residence in Ilupeju-Ekiti where officers seized 350 grams of cannabis from him, identifying him as a local peddler.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, (CCEO), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa (Rtd), commended the various state commands for their drug supply reduction efforts.

He urged officers to maintain the current momentum, balancing enforcement with the agency’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation activities.
The enforcement drive also led to the arrest of a notorious drug dealer in Oyo State Taofik Adeyemi, 49.

He was apprehended on Saturday, 2 May, at his residence in Ibadan after months of evading the authorities.

He was caught alongside his salesman, Mustapha Oyerinde, with 3.085kg of cannabis and a getaway vehicle.

Across other states, the NDLEA recorded significant seizures including over 140,000 pills and capsules of Tramadol intercepted in separate operations targeting transit routes from Damaturu to Hadejia.

A raid on Awolowo Market in Mushin area of Lagos state resulted in the recovery of 740kg of cannabis while in Kaduna, two suspects were caught on the Abuja-Jos highway with 290kg of compressed cannabis concealed in a Honda Ridgeline.

A 65-year-old driver was intercepted at the Ile-Ife toll gate in Osun state conveying skunk and methamphetamine, leading to a follow up arrest of the consignment’s owner in Ilesha.

In line with it’s mandate, the NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy, holding enlightenment lectures for students, Islamic schools, and commercial motorcyclists in Niger, Kano, Anambra, and Lagos states.

The NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, noted that the agency remains committed to “cleansing the streets” of both notorious distributors and those who use age as a shield for criminal activity.