Metro

Edo: Street Sweepers Protest Low Take Home, Lament Colleague Crushed Without Compensation

Published

2 years ago

July 3, 2023

Hundreds of street sweepers in Edo State on Monday took to the streets of Benin City,the Edo State capital to protest their N17,800 (Seventeen Thousand, Eight Hundred) Naira monthly take home.

The women who dressed in their overall work jackets, brandished placards with different inscriptions, such as: “we are tired of N17,800 monthly payment”; increase our salaries,” among others.

Speaking to journalists at the secretariat of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Edo State Council, Mrs Gloria Efosa claimed they have been working with the N17,800 minimum wage increased by the Comrade Adams Oshiomhole administration.

According to her, they have approached the General Manager ,Edo State Waste Management Board, Mr Charles Imariagbe, but was told that they are not part of government workforce.

“Since Obaseki became governor, we have been working with the minimum wage that Comrade Adams Oshiomhole administration approved.

“When we went to the General Manager of the Waste Management Board (Mr Charles Imariagbe) he told us that, we don’t have employment letters and that Obaseki said that he does not know us as his workers.

“But if they want to do anything, they will come and pack us to go do cleaning for them,” she said.

She continued: “On Saturday, July 1, after we have finished doing our job, they came packed us to go and clean up dirty in New Benin Market. After they have used us to do the dirty job, we wanted to talk of the poor payment, but they did not allow us talk about it and that is why we are here.

“With the Nigerian economic situation, what will somebody buy with N17,000. If you have five children,how do you pay rent, school fees and feed with N17,000.

“That is why we are here, they even blocked us at Urokpota Hall.A woman blocked us on the road and told us that if we protest to government house, we are going to lose our jobs. We are tired, that is why we are here.”

She lamented that one of their colleagues was killed on duty on the 18th of April, 2023, yet nothing was given to the family as at today.

“One of our colleague was crushed by a hit-and-run car, while on duty on the 18th of April. She was taken to UBTH mortuary, but they rejected it, because she was badly crushed and nothing has been given to the family.”

Responding, the Chairman Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Edo State Council, Comrade Festus Alenkhe, while commending them for embarking on a peaceful protest, pleaded with them to also give chance for negotiation, if need be.

“You have to go about it peacefully, don’t allow those hungry boys infiltrate your midst.You have the right to ask for increment of your salary. We will consult the management of the Edo State Waste Management Board for us to hear from them,” He said.

Reacting, the General Manager , Edo State Waste Management Board, Mr Charles Imariagbe, said the matter is before them and that they are considering increasing their take home.

Metro

Troops Engage Terrorists In Fierce Gun Battle To Repel Gwoza Invasion

Published

13 minutes ago

June 20, 2025

Editor

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai are currently engaged in a fierce gun battle with armed terrorists suspected to be Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.

Gwoza, located about 136 kilometers from Maiduguri, shares borders with the Mandara Mountains in Cameroon and the Sambisa Forest — notorious hideouts for insurgents.

According to sources, the attackers launched an attempted invasion of Gwoza town shortly after Friday Jummat prayers. Residents reported heavy gunfire and multiple explosions in parts of the town as troops mounted a strong and tactical resistance to repel the assault.

Security operatives are said to be working relentlessly to safeguard lives and property in the area, with reinforcements reportedly deployed to support ongoing operations.

Metro

Man Kills 71-year-old Mother In Akwa Ibom

Published

16 minutes ago

June 20, 2025

Editor

A man identified as Alexander Peter has been arrested by the Akwa Ibom State Police Command for allegedly hacking his 71-year-old mother, Mrs. Atiny Peter, to death with a machete.

The incident occurred in Ikot Inyang village, located in Oruk Anam Local Government Area of the state.

The arrest was confirmed by the State Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, during a press briefing held on Thursday, at the police headquarters in Ikot Akpan Abia, Uyo.

The police commissioner disclosed that the suspect, Alexander, was apprehended on June 10, and that investigations are currently ongoing to determine the motive behind the brutal act.

“The gruesome incident occurred in Ikot Inyang Village, Oruk Anam Local Government Area, where the suspect reportedly used the machete to hack his mother to death,” Azare said, noting that the command is working to “unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine the motive behind the heinous crime.”

The CP also announced that a total of 54 suspects were arrested across the state in the last six weeks for various criminal offences.

In addition, the command recovered over 50 arms and rounds of ammunition during the same period.

According to The PUNCH, the murder has sparked concern in the community, with residents shocked over the violent death of the elderly woman at the hands of her own son.

Police said more details will emerge as investigations progress.

Metro

Men In Viral Weed-smoking Video Charged With Cybercrime, Remanded In Sapele Prison [Watch Viral Video]

Published

26 minutes ago

June 20, 2025

Editor

The two suspects who were arrested by the Delta State Police Command after appearing in a viral video smoking what is suspected to be marijuana while sitting on a police patrol van and making obscene gestures at law enforcement officers have been charged with cyberbullying and cyberstalking.

This was made known in a statement shared by the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday.

The suspects, Patrick Junior Asini, 34, and Tega Ojo, 20, were arraigned before the Oghara High Court on a three-count charge bordering on cyberbullying and cyberstalking, contrary to Sections 24 and 27 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, among other charges.

They have since been remanded at the Sapele Custodial Centre.

The statement said, “The two suspects have been charged to the Oghara High Court and presently remanded at Sapele prisons on a three-count charge of count 1-Cyberbullying, Cyber Stalking contrary to sections 24&27 of the Cybercrime Prohibition Act amongst other charges.”

The suspects were arrested after a video surfaced online showing them smoking what appeared to be cannabis while seated on a police patrol van marked “Nigeria Police Force Anti-crime Patrol, Oghara Division.”

In the video, originally shared by user #dammiedammie35, one of the young men was seen sitting on a police patrol van bearing the inscription “Nigeria Police Force Anti-crime Patrol, Oghara Division,” while smoking.

Another voice in the background was heard saying, “Tell them, f*** the cops, bro. Pass me some weed, man,” while flashing his middle finger towards an officer in the distance.

The video, believed to have been recorded at a car wash, triggered outrage among users on the social media platform X and drew the attention of the police.

Watch video below:

https://twitter.com/i/status/1933546476346437966https://twitter.com/i/status/1933546476346437966

(PUNCH)