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Edo: Travellers Stranded As Drivers Block Auchi/Benin Road

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Thousands of travellers were stranded on Thursday on the Benin/Auchi Road as drivers blocked the route with their vehicles in protest against the abduction of one of their colleagues on Wednesday.

The blockade, which took place at the Ugha Community along the road left many commuters lamenting their fate.

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One of the drivers said that they decided to block the road to draw the attention of the authorities to their plight, Lamenting that they are constantly abducted by gunmen on the route.

He said: “One of our drivers was kidnapped on Wednesday and we have reported to the police and nothing is being done to search for him. Another one was kidnapped several months ago and we are afraid he may have died as he is yet to be found.

“We are not leaving here until the government do something about it. We brought with us seven bags of rice, pots and other ingredients to cook. That is how serious we are,” the driver added.

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A passenger, Collins Aghedo, who was travelling to Abuja, stated that the passengers have been stranded for hours as the drivers were bent on drawing the attention of the authorities to their plight.

“It has been very tough since morning. Getting stuck in place without knowing what will happen is a harrowing experience. We hope that everything will be done by the police to come to our rescue,” he added.

However, the Spokesperson of the Edo State Police Command, SP Kontongs Bello confirmed the incident and said the police were at the venue of the protest to pacify the driver after which their men continued the bush-combing which started on Wednesday.

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A statement on Thursday by the PPRO titled, ‘Rescue of kidnapped victims’, reads: “On the 01/12/2021 at about 20:52hrs, operatives of the Edo State Police Command, acting on credible information from Obagie Vigilante Chairman, revealed that armed bandit suspected to be kidnappers numbering about 20, intercepted a Galaxy Bus with Reg No. JJT 989 FC along Benin-Auchi Road by rubber plantation/ Ugha slope with nine passengers enroute Uromi Edo State from Ibadan Oyo State.

“On receipt of the information, the DPO Ehor division CSP Ben Alpha swung into action, mobilized police operatives in collaboration with military and local vigilante for bush combing and rescue operation. In the process, six victims were rescued unhurt, four male and one female and a baby. Bush combing is still on going with the aim of rescuing the remaining four victims and further arrest the suspected kidnappers,” he added.

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Ondo: VP Mysteriously Disappears From Hotel After Attending Seminar

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Olaloye Olatunde, Vice Principal of Ipele Community High School, Owo, Ondo State, mysteriously disappeared from a hotel after attending a seminar in Akure, the state capital.

It was gathered that only his personal belongings were discovered inside the hotel room where he lodged for the seminar after his mysterious disappearance.

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He reportedly travelled from Owo to Akure to attend a Child Labour Programme organised by Trace Project, Akure, in partnership with Charakids Foundation.

The victim’s wife, Mrs. Adenike Olaloye, said he called her after checking into a Hotel in Alagbaka, where all other participants lodged.

According to her “We spoke regularly until Wednesday.

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READ ALSO:Ondo Govt Suspends Three Senior Officials Over Recruitment Scam

“By Friday, his phone was no longer reachable. The seminar was supposed to end that day, but I never heard from him again.”

I was the one who arranged his bag before he travelled. That same bag was what they later found in his hotel room. Sadly, they had already packed it out without telling me.”

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Also, speaking of the ugly incident, Olaoyes elder brother, Zacheus Olaloye, said “When my brother’s wife called me that she hadn’t seen my brother, I went to the hotel.

“The staff initially told me that all participants had checked out.

“But later I discovered the bag they said was abandoned was my brother’s own, with his clothes and shoes still inside.”

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READ ALSO:My Husband Comes Home With Used Condoms — Wife

Zacheus, a retired civil servant, lamented that “We tried to preview the footage, but nothing worked. Later, the management showed us a grainy video of a man walking out of the premises. But that wasn’t my brother. The figure wasn’t clear at all.”

He added, sadly, that neither the organisers of the seminar nor the hotel have reached out to the family formally after Olatunde disappeared.

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The matter was reported to the police by the family at the Zone 17 AIG office, before we were directed to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad.

“The hotel management has not called us, and the organisers have done nothing tangible to help us find my brother. We are the ones chasing everyone. They should help us.”

Speaking on the matter, the manager of the hotel, Mr. Kenneth Ekpeyong, and a staff, Mrs. Oluwaseyi Adebayo, said that all participants were well accounted for until Friday evening.

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READ ALSO:Amotekun Arrests 28 For Robbery, Kidnapping In Ondo

Ekpeyong said that “On August 24, 49 participants arrived, later increasing to 58. On Friday, we organised an Asun Night for them, as part of our hospitality package.

“Some left that night, while others checked out on Saturday,” Adebayo explained.

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On her part, Mrs Adebayo said “one facilitator instructed the hotel to clear the belongings in Room 305, claiming the occupant had travelled to sign teachers’ salary vouchers.

“We used our master card to open the room, packed the bag, and documented it. Later we were told it was the vice principal’s bag.”

From our CCTV, we saw him on Wednesday, and then again on Thursday morning, August 28, at exactly 6:17 a.m., when he walked out of the hotel and never returned. That is why the room was eventually opened.”

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READ ALSO:17-year-old Nigerian Named World Best In English At 2025 TeenEagle Finals In London

Contacted, the state police command spokesperson Ayanlade Olayinka, said that  “the command has launched an investigation into the mystery surrounding his disappearance.

” The command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the man’s sudden disappearance,

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“We call on members of the public to provide any useful information that can assist us in unraveling the case.”

Ayanlade has however, assured members of the public that police detectives would unearth the mystery behind the disappearance of the Vice Principal.

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NDLEA Destroys Over 18,000 KG Of Cannabis In Edo Forest

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Operatives of the Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have destroyed over 18,000 kilogrammes of cannabis sativa in a single raid targeted at cannabis cultivators in the state.

Edo State State Commander of the NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju, while giving a brief on the recent dislodgement of the cannabis plantation cell, disclosed that the operation was carried out on September 11, 2025, at Ugbogui Forest, in Ovia South West Local Government Area of the State.

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Ofoyeju, who warned that the ugly development constitutes a serious threat to food security in the state, said: “The massive cannabis farm destruction operation which was based on actionable intelligence is posing a serious threat to food security.

“If these forests can be utilised only for the cultivation of food and cash crops, the challenge of food shortage will be adequately addressed.”

READ ALSO:NDLEA Arrests 26, Recovers 41,410.53 KG Drugs In Edo

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This operation obviously underscores the agency’s commitment to combatting drug cultivation in the State, thereby reinforcing our efforts to rid our communities of the dangers posed by illicit drugs.

“The Edo State Command has taken a bold step to cut off the illicit supply of cannabis with the destruction of a vast Cannabis sativa plantation spanning approximately 6.79 hectares, with an estimated yield of over 16,966 kilograms.

“At the farm, we successfully recovered one hundred and twelve bags of harvested and processed cannabis weighing 1,176 kilograms in the farm,” Mitchell stated.

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READ ALSO:NDLEA Arrests Man With 8,000 Bottles Of Drug-laced Herbal Mixture, Cannabis

Four male suspects linked to the cannabis plantation were apprehended during the operation while taking refuge at their tents located within the farm. Three of them are from Akwa Ibom State, while one hails from Delta State. They have been identified as Ebenizer E. Wang, 48 years old, from Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, and Oshare John, 45 years old, from Ughelli South, Delta State. Others are Emmanuel Monday, 29 years old, from Eket, Akwa Ibom State, and David Sunday, 30 years old, from Ugad, Akwa Ibom State.”

The NDLEA commander, while stating that investigations are underway, said the suspects are expected to face charges in court soon.

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Ofoyeju, who urged members of the public to continue providing intelligence to assist in the fight against drug-related crimes, stated that the NDLEA remains vigilant in promoting public health and safety.

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Edo Police Recover N300, 000 Extorted By Officers, To Discipline Culprit

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The Edo State Police Command on Monday said it has recovered N300, 000 extorted from a furniture maker
by the officers attached to the Oba Market Area Command, Benin City.

This was contained in a statement signed by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, and made available to newsmen in Benin on Monday.

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Yamu disclosed that officers involved in the extortion have been detained, adding that they would face disciplinary procedures in accordance with the extant regulations of the Nigeria Police Force.

The statement reads, “The Edo State Police Command wishes to inform the public that it has taken decisive action following a video circulated on social media by an influencer in Edo State alleging the extortion of the sum ₦300,000 from a furniture maker by some officers attached to Oba Market Area Command, Benin City.

READ ALSO:Edo Police Arrest Doctor Over Woman’s Death During Caesarean Section

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“The officers involved have been promptly identified, the money has been fully recovered and returned to the victim, while the said officers have been detained and are to face disciplinary procedures in accordance with the extant regulations of the Nigeria Police Force.

“In addition, stern administrative measures have been taken against the Oba Market Area Command to ensure professionalism, discipline, and respect for the rights of citizens in the discharge of their duties.”

Yamu on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, urged members of the public to report any unprofessional conduct by officers and men of the command to the Public Complaints Bureau or the Complaints Response Unit through 08150999335 and
08100389992.

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He added, “The Command assures the good people of Edo State that it remains committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and accountability in service delivery.”

 

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