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Edo Specialist Hospital: Group Demands Investigation Into Alleged Corruption, Impunity

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A group under the aegis of Concerned Edo Citizens, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to begin investigation into alleged impunity and corruption perpetrated by the Adams Oshiomhole’s administration in the construction and procurement of equipment for Edo Specialist Hospital.

The group who protested to the Benin zonal office of the EFCC on Friday carried placards bearing inscriptions such as: end corruption now; end impunity now; the group in a peaceful protest.

Teddy Osagunywenwan who spoke on behalf of the group said they decided to remind the antigraft agency to probe the circumstances that led to the alleged misappropriation of funds running into billions of naira.

READ ALSO: BREAKING: One Confirmed Dead, Scores Injured As #EndSARS Protest Turns Bloody In Edo

Osagunywenwan said the protest is in line with the recent call to end police brutality, corruption amongst others.

“We were here three months ago, and we are here again in form of a protest to ask the EFCC to investigate the circumstances that led to the loss of billions of naira in the hospital project. They were unable to equip the hospital and through that process, we have lost several persons in Edo state.

“Before now, we were asked to submit a petition and we did through our lawyer, but over three months now we have not been informed about the petition. That is why we decided to come here to remind them to probe Oshiomhole so that he can tell us how he spent the money on the project,” he said.

The Head of Public Affairs of EFCC in Benin, Williams Oseghale, who received the protesters, assured them that the Commission will look into the petition.

READ ALSO: Just In: FG Announces Reopening Of NYSC Camp

It would be recalled that the state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, had inaugurated a Commission of Inquiry, led by Justice James Oyomire, to look into the construction of  Edo Specialist Hospital and supply of equipment for the Hospital.

Following the Commission’s findings they indicted the immediate-past governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, for breach of the state’s procurement laws in the award of 75 percent of the contract sum upfront for the project instead of 25 percent upfront payment upon contract award for the construction of the hospital.

The multi-billion naira Edo Specialist Hospital is a 200-bed emergency ward that was constructed in 2016, and made open for use in 2019.

When contacted for response, spokesman to the former governor, Victor Oshioke, said he would make a formal response after reading the protesters’ demand in the press.

READ ALSO: EndSARS: Vehicular Movement Grounded As Protesters Take Over Lagos – Benin Highway

“I cannot react if I do not see exactly what they said. Maybe you can go to press, we will bring out a reply when we read it,” he said.

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Two Edo Varsity Students Killed By Suspected Cultists

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Two students of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, have been reportedly shot dead in a renewed cult clash in the institution.

The students were killed last Friday by yet-to-be-identified gunmen.

The killing is coming less than 48 hours after one Eddy was reportedly beaten and left for dead by a group of persons for allegedly purchasing items with “fake bank alert.”

News of Eddy’s ordeal was said to have been misconstrued for an attack by rival cult members and that he was killed.

READ ALSO: Edo Poll: Court Dismisses Suits Seeking Ighodalo’s Disqualification

The misrepresentation of facts reportedly led to a retaliation by a rival cult group, resulting in the death of the two students on Friday.

It was gathered that a student union official, a 400-level student in the Faculty of Agriculture, was killed at the Poultry Road extension in Ekpoma.

When contacted on Tuesday, the spokesman for the Edo State Police Command, Chidi Nwabuzor, confirmed the killings, adding that some suspects have been arrested.

Yes, the command is aware of it and investigation is ongoing on the matter and some suspects have been arrested,” he said.

 

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Travellers Beat Rivers Policewoman To Death

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Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command said its men have arrested 16 suspects in connection with the murder of a female inspector in front of Taabaa Police Station in Khana local government area of the state.

The incident occurred on April 25th while the policewoman identified as Christiana Erekere was on duty at the Bori Police Division,

The spokesperson for the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, who disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Monday and sent to newsmen, said trouble started when some men in a private vehicle were stopped by policemen for a routine search.

Iringe-Koko, said all of a sudden an argument ensued and the occupants became angry and blocked the road, adding that even after completing the checks and asked to leave, they refused, alleging that the female Inspector had recorded their behaviour with her phone and attacked her with stones when their attempt to seize the phone failed.

READ ALSO: Court Frees Monarch, 42 Others Over Rivers DPO’s Murder

The statement reads, “The Rivers State Police Command announces the arrest of sixteen persons in connection with the tragic death of Inspector Christiana Erekere, who was murdered in the line of duty on April 25, 2024, at approximately 4 pm.

“According to preliminary investigations, the incident occurred when a group of individuals traveling in a Lexus salon car was stopped for routine checks at the checkpoint in front of Taabaa Police Station.

“However, the occupants became agitated and proceeded to barricade the road, obstructing the movement of other vehicles.

The statement furthered that after completing the necessary checks, the police officers requested that the individuals leave the scene. Unfortunately, they refused, alleging that Inspector Erekere had recorded a video of their disruptive behaviour using her mobile phone.

READ ALSO: Five Injured As Vehicles Collide In Lagos

Hence, in their attempt to seize Inspector Erekere’s phone forcefully, they launched a violent attack against her, striking her with stones.

The severity of the assault caused Inspector Erekere to lose consciousness, and she was immediately transported to Nnadum Hospital in Bori. Regrettably, she succumbed to the injuries sustained during the attack,” the statement said.

The Rivers State Police Command has initiated a thorough investigation into this abhorrent incident, and all individuals involved will be apprehended and brought to justice.”

The command extended its condolences to the family of the deceased and her colleagues during this difficult time. Consequently, Inspector Erekere’s remains have been transferred to the mortuary pending an autopsy.

“The Rivers State Police Command deeply regrets this unfortunate incident and reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that the perpetrators of this heinous crime are swiftly apprehended and held accountable for their actions.”

 

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Delta Police Kill Suspected Kidnapper, Rescue Victims, Arrest Armed Robber Cultist

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Operatives of the Delta State Police Command in collaboration with vigilante and hunter groups, have neutralized a suspected kidnapper during a fierce gun duel and rescued two abducted victims in Ughelli Local Government Area of the state.

Spokesperson of the command, SP Bright Edafe, who made this known in a statement on Sunday, April 28, 2024, said the suspect sustained gunshot injuries when he and members of his gang engaged the security operatives in a shootout in their hideout.

The suspect was rushed to a hospital where he died while receiving medical treatment. Other members of the gang escaped from the scene.

On 26/4/2024, at about 0900hours, the command received an intelligence report that some suspected kidnappers were hibernating in Okuno, Orogun, where they were hiding alongside some kidnapped victims, the Commissioner of Police Delta State CP Abaniwonda Olufemi directed the DPO Abraka Division SP Fabian Ayameh to lead police operatives to their hideout,” the statement read.

READ ALSO: Gunmen Assassinate Governor Aiyedatiwa’s Campaign Coordinator In Ondo

The DPO swiftly mobilized police operatives alongside members of the Abraka vigilante, and hunters group, stormed the bush, and engaged the suspected kidnappers in a fierce gun duel during which one of the suspects sustained serious gunshot injuries while others escaped. One AK-47 rifle and eleven (11) rounds of 7.62mm ammunition were recovered.

“The two kidnapped victims (name withheld) were rescued unhurt and have been reunited with their families, while the injured suspect was taken to the hospital where he gave up the ghost while receiving treatment. Manhunt for the other fleeing suspects is ongoing,” the statement added.

The PPRO further disclosed that police arrested a motorcycle rider, Orji Timothy with illicit drugs, two cutlasses and a locally made double barrel pistol with two live cartridges along Ovirigor Road in Ughelli.

On 24/04/2024, at about 1445hrs, Eagle Net Special Squad Surveillance team while on routine patrol along Ovirigor Road Ughelli, flagged down a motorcycle. Upon search, a sizeable quantity of weeds suspected to be Indian Hemp was recovered. This necessitated the arrest of the 38-year-old motorcycle rider, Orji Timothy of No. 21 Olotu Street Ughelli,” the statement read.

“The operatives further extended their search to the suspect’s residence, where a Locally Made Double Barrel Pistol with Two Live Cartridges, Twenty Sachets of 100mg Tramadol, One Sachet of Swinol, and two Cutlasses were recovered. The investigation is ongoing.”

READ ALSO: Five Injured As Vehicles Collide In Lagos

Meanwhile, police in the Ovwian-Aladja Division arrested a suspected armed robber and recovered an English Berretta pistol from him.

On 22/4/24 at about 0300 hrs, a distress call was received at the Ovwian/Aladja Divisional Police Headquarters, that one Anthony Odumegwu, a 44 yrs male indigene of Ihiala, Anambra State, was arrested in an attempt to steal a Daylong Motorcycle with from one Mohammed Yusuf of Ekete Inland Waterside. Upon receipt of the information, the DPO Ovwian/Aladja, CSP Bulus Musa swiftly mobilized to the scene of the crime, and on a thorough search of the suspect and scene of the crime, an English Berreta Pistol without a magazine was recovered. The investigation is ongoing.”

CP Abaniwonda Olufemi noted that the swift and decisive action of officers of the command serves as a testament to the commitment to curbing criminal activities in the state and ensuring the safety of the state.

The commissioner further encourages the public to never hesitate to call the Control Room Numbers: 08036684974; 08125958005; and 09053872287; to report criminal activities or assist the police by giving credible information.

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