Metro

Edo: Masquerades, Traditionalists, Other Land Owners Protest Demolition, Security Operatives Arrest Five

Published

3 years ago

November 17, 2022

… Protesters Cry To Ancestors For Help, Slaughter Live Chicken, Dance Round Clay Pot, Recite Incantations.

Five persons among land owners in Oke-Oroma community who on Thursday protested over the demolition of their properties by the Edo State Government were arrested by security operatives at the premises of the National Museum in Benin City.

The protesters include masquerade, traditionalists and other land owners in the community.

One of the protesters who spoke to newsmen, said combined team of security agencies made up of Department of State Security Service (DSS), policemen stormed the venue with three hilux vehicles full of personnel, two Prado Jeeps, Armoured Tank and Machine guns after the protest.

The source who spoke on condition of anonymity said the protesters were in the Museum premises to round off the protest when the security agencies stormed on them.

Our source who said the five persons include one Comrade Ojo Collins and four others, lamented that they were yet to know where the arrested persons were taken to.

Masquerades, Traditionalists Protest

INFO DAILY reports that the people of Oke-Oroma community as well as land developers had earlier in the morning took to the streets to protest against the demolitions of their properties and alleged forceful annexation of the land by the state government.

Besides the indigenes and the victims of the demolition, traditionalists also took part in the peaceful protest in the midst of security agencies watch.

The traditionalists cladded in red attires, carried clay pot filled with substances and a chicken to add an impetus to the seriousness of the protest; masquerades were also not left out in the protest.

It was gathered that the traditionalists and the masquerades were said to be victims of the demolition, too.

It was further gathered that the shrines of the traditionalists located in the community were taken over by the government.

The protest climaxed at the ministry of Housing, Urban and Regional Planning, and Development as well as the Ministry of Justices where the traditionalists with barehand slaughtered live chicken, danced round the clay pot and recite some incantations.

The traditionalists called on their ancestors to come to their aid, and fight those allegedly taking over their ancestral lands from them

The protest, however, resulted to gridlock around the ever busy Ovorawmen Square, popularly knowns as Ring Road, Airport Road, Sapele Road as well as the adjoining streets.

Protesters Accuses Edo Govt Of Contempt Of Court

Speaking during the protest, Madam Inibokun Monday, Mr Terry Ilevbare, Monday Edo Omorogiuwa accused the Edo State government of contempt of court.

They alleged that an Edo High Court, sitting in Benin City and presided over by Vestee Eboreime had on August 4, 2022 restrained the state government and its agents from taking possession of the disputed land, pending the determination of the substantive suit.

While lamenting that state government who is supposed to obey the rule of law now acting contrary, they noted that the government cannot be a judge in its own case.

The protesters who added that the community had been existing for the past 2000 years, urged the state government to produce the documents for acquisition of the 1229 hectares of their land.

The protesters accused the state commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of not properly advising the state government on the implications of contempt of court.

They, however, vowed not to end the protest against the demolition and the alleged forceful annexation of their land until justice is done.

Edo Govt Says Land Grabbers Collect Over N1.5bn

Recall that the State Government had November 2, 2022 revealed that the alleged land grabbers collected over N1.5billion from their preys in the last two years.

The Edo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Hon Chris Nehikhare ,who gave the revelation at a press conference told newsmen that the information was obtained from 499 people who are victims of land grabbers that came for data capturing and enumeration.

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.