News

Edo Trains Another Batch Of Over 1,500 Vigilantes, Hunters To Curb Crime, Criminality

Published

3 years ago

October 29, 2023

…over 3,574 operatives trained in first three phases of training programme

The Edo State Government has commenced a 10-day intensive training for over 1,500 operatives of the Edo State Security Vigilante Network (ESSVN) as part of efforts to beef up the State’s security architecture and bolster efforts at combating crime in the State.

The training is the third batch of over 1,500 men and women cut across the three senatorial districts of the State to be trained on weapons handling and intelligence gathering, among others.

Speaking to journalists at the Police Training School in Ogida Barracks, the Coordinator of ESSVN, Col. Kole Omomia (rtd) said over 3,574 operatives of the security network have so far been trained in the first three phases of the training programme.

According to him, 574 ESSVN and hunters were trained during the first batch from Edo North and 1,500 persons were trained from two senatorial districts, Edo South and Central during the second batch.

Noting that another batch of 1500 operatives is being trained in the third phase of the training programme, Omomia said, “It’s a 10 days intensive training. We are making sure that our operatives are well-trained and equipped to improve our security architecture in the State.

“The training is as directed by the Governor of Edo State to ensure a peaceful and secure State. A lot of activities will take place as profiling will be carried out on all trainees. We will adequately document them to ensure they are from Edo State and they will go through medical tests to ensure that they are fit for the training.”

He further noted, “The level of synergy between our sister agencies has been very cordial. We have good working relationships with the Army, Air Force, Police, Immigration, DSS, NDLEA and others. We had no issue with any of them as we work in peace and collaborate to ensure that the State is safe for all.

“We are working with other security agencies to boost the morale of our men as we have our core values in ESSVN which is discipline, loyalty, integrity and selfless service. This is a community-based security architecture. They have been selected from their various local governments and the various Chairmen have input before the list was sent to us.

“All the trainees will go through medical fitness and anyone that fails to pass the medicals will be edged out as there is no age limit. Our men must be fit and able to help collaborate with other sister security agencies to reduce crime to the barest minimum, ensuring that the State is safe for all.”

The coordinator added, “We have the intelligent unit of ESSVN that ensures information and intelligence gathering to boost the performance of our men. We arrest, profile, and feed on information from the profiling to write our report before handing over criminals to the police.

“We will continue to train them as there are more batches of training programmes to come. The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has done well in terms of security and this has made the State a destination for investors.”

News

Migration Agency Warns Migrants Against Irregular Travel Routes

Published

3 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with Giving is Healing Foundation, has sensitised residents of Ayobo in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State on the dangers of irregular migration and the need to embrace legal travel procedures.

Speaking during a sensitisation programme held at Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association in Ayobo, the founder of Giving is Healing Foundation, Mr. Gbolahan Ayediran, warned intending migrants against using illegal travel routes.

Ayediran said many Nigerians desire to migrate abroad in search of better opportunities but often ignore proper procedures, thereby exposing themselves to several dangers.

“Lots of people want to migrate and most of them do it in the wrong direction. The reason for the programme is for us to advise people on how they can migrate in the right way. As much as migration is their right, they should do it correctly,” he said.

He advised intending travellers to obtain the necessary travel documents before embarking on any journey, noting that such documents include international passports, visas, flight tickets and yellow cards, depending on the destination country.

According to him, migrants should also gather adequate information about their destination countries to enable them make informed decisions before travelling.

Ayediran further highlighted some of the dangers associated with irregular migration, including abuse, exploitation, discrimination and forced labour.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association, Elder Mathews Amusan, commended the organisers for enlightening members of the community on safe migration practices.

He urged residents planning to travel abroad to always follow legal migration procedures to avoid falling victim to human trafficking and other migration-related challenges.

One of the participants, Mr. Kolawole Adenoko, said the programme enlightened him on the dangers of irregular migration and the importance of travelling through the proper channels.

He added that he would also educate his relatives and friends on the risks associated with illegal migration.

News

Shatta Wale Bailed Burna Boy From Ghana Prison After Arrest For Smoking Weed – Captan

Published

5 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Ghanian singer, Captan, has claimed that his former record label boss, Shatta Wale, once bailed Nigerian singer Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana after he was allegedly arrested for smoking weed.

Speaking in a recent podcast interview, Captan claimed that Shatta Wale sent him and others to free Burna Boy from police custody.

He also claimed that Shatta Wale and his group once accommodated Burna Boy when he was being hunted by some dangerous men.

Captan said, “I once bailed Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana when he was arrested for smoking weed. Shatta Wale sent me and some guys to go and free him from police custody.

“There was a time we also accommodated him when some people were after his life. We helped him settle the case.”

He added that he and Burna Boy are no longer in good terms after the Nigerian artist’s fallout with his mentor, Shatta Wale.

He, however, said he and Shatta Wale are open to reconciling with Burna Boy if he asks for it.

Watch the video here

News

Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint

Published

21 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children’s Day celebration as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.

The event,
organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.
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‎ A parent who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”
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‎Oboh said the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.

READ ALSO:Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection
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It was gathered that in the ensuing confusion, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students.
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‎Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.
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‎The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.
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‎Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said the security personnel that fired the tear gas had been detained.

He said all the students, except two, that were rushed to the hospital have been discharged.

Ebojele stated that doctors wanted to observe the students till tomorrow before allowing them to go home.

“The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained.

“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoyed their day.”
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