Metro

EDOCSO Protests Against RUGA, Declares No Land For Cattle Business

Published

4 years ago

March 21, 2022

The Edo Civil Society Organistions (EDOCSO) on Monday staged a peaceful rally to protest an alleged plan to cede 20% of the state’s land to National Livestock Transformation Programme code named RUGA by the Godwin Obadeki-led administration to the Federal Government.

Members of the civil society organistions who took off at the King Square, Museum ground to the Edo State House of Assembly and later to the secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) declared that not an inch of Edo land would be ceded to cattle business or whosoever involved in such business.

The protesters who were led by Bishop Osadolor Ochei, Interim Chairman, The Extended Council (TEC), EDOCSO, to the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Marcus Onubun, warned that if the Assembly passes such law ceding some of the state’s land to RUGA, such law will hurt and hunt every single Edo person both now and in the future.

Ochei who told the Speaker that Edo is only the southern state left to pass into law the anti open-grazing bill as agreed at Asaba by the 17 southern governors in 2021, pleaded to the House not to pass a bill that will leave Edo people into the hands of “killer herdsmen.”

While stating that they came to the House after making their position on open grazing known to the Governor and the House twice, with no response, Ochei said, “our position is, we have no place for cattle rearing in Edo State.

“Those who want to rearer cattle should buy a land for themselves, fenced it and keep their cattle there. Cattles should not be seen roaming the streets.”

He continues, “Those that are into farming as piggery, slain rearing, etc, buy the land they use for such farming; Government does not give them an inch, so cattle rearing should not be different.”

Receiving members of the civil society organistions at the Assembly complex called Anthony Enahoro complex, Speaker of the House, Marcus Onubun, said the lawmakers cannot pass any bill that is against the interest of the people.

While stating that the House is there to protect interest of the over 4 million Edo people, the Speaker said, “We cannot take any position outside the position of the people. Let me assure you on behalf my colleagues that Edo is Edo, and for the fact is Edo is Edo, we will do everything within our power to defend the interest of the over 4 million Edo people, and again to assure you that not in our time, and we do not encourage anyone to cede any inch of Edo land to anybody.”

The Speaker who refuted Social Media reports that the House is about passing into law bill ceding 20% of Edo land to RUGA, clearified, “what the Government seems to do in this regards is to be the regulatory body so that some community will not go and connive with strangers and give land to them, and at the end it becomes disaster to them. The regulatory body is to approve any land that should be used for ranching.”

Metro

JUST IN: Appeal Court Dismisses Nnamdi Kanu’s Rights Violation Case Against DSS DG, AGF

Published

7 hours ago

November 28, 2025

Editor

The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Friday struck out an appeal filed by Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and convicted terrorism offender, challenging alleged violations of his fundamental rights while in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).

The court held that the appeal was without merit and had become academic following Kanu’s November 20 conviction for terrorism by a Federal High Court.

A three-member panel of the appellate court ruled that Kanu’s claims regarding breaches of his rights to human dignity, access to quality health care, and freedom of religion were no longer actionable after his life imprisonment sentence and subsequent remand in prison custody.

In the lead judgment, Justice Boloukuromo Moses Ugo noted that the matter had become academic following confirmation by Kanu’s lawyer, Maxwell Opara, at the start of proceedings that his client was being held at Sokoto Prison. Justice Ugo stated that the court could no longer grant Kanu’s request to be transferred to Kuje Prison, which he had sought as part of the appeal.

The judge further observed that since Kanu had previously indicated a preference for prison custody, the court could no longer grant his prayers in light of his conviction and current imprisonment at the facility he had desired.

The appeal challenged the July 3 ruling of Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja, now retired, which had dismissed Kanu’s fundamental rights enforcement suit on the grounds that he failed to substantiate his claims.

The respondents in the appeal were the Director-General of the DSS, the Department of State Services, and the Attorney-General of the Federation.

The court’s judgment effectively ends the legal challenge to Kanu’s detention conditions, following his life sentence for terrorism offences.

Recall that on November 20, 2025, a Federal High Court in Abuja delivered a series of rulings convicting Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), on several terrorism-related charges.

Justice James Omotosho, presiding over the matter, first found Kanu guilty on two counts linked to engaging in acts of terrorism. The court held that his repeated declarations of sit-at-home orders, alongside threats of violence and killings issued through various broadcasts, amounted to terrorism under the relevant laws.

As the judgment progressed, the court also ruled on three additional counts, convicting Kanu of belonging to a proscribed organisation and of inciting his followers to violence.

Justice Omotosho stated that the prosecution presented evidence showing that Kanu remained a member of IPOB and its affiliate, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), despite their proscription.

The court further held that broadcasts attributed to Kanu were shown to have encouraged attacks that led to the deaths of security personnel and the destruction of public facilities, including police stations.

Metro

Oyo: Properties Worth Millions Of Naira Destroyed As Fire Ravages Residential Buildings

Published

7 hours ago

November 28, 2025

Editor

Properties worth millions of naira have been destroyed as a result of fire that ravaged two residential buildings in Oyo State.

It was gathered on Friday that the incidents occurred in Ibadan, the state capital and Kishi town.

The first incident occurred at 17 Prestige Estate, Joop Bad hour Crescent, Onírẹlẹ in Ibadan.

The living room of the four-bedroom duplex residential building was engulfed by fire in the incident which occurred Wednesday night.

Properties worth millions of naira were affected although no life was lost in the incident.

The second fire incident occurred at 1, Alhaji Rosco Street, Ajangba Area in Kishi town on Wednesday night.

It was learnt that the generator room of the residential building was seriously affected.

Properties worth millions of were said to be affected.

Chairman of Oyo State Fire Service, Hon Maroof Akinwande confirmed the two incidents on Friday.

Akinwande noted that no life was lost in the two incidents.

He said, “On getting there, it was the living room of a four-bedroom duplex residential building engulfed by fire. Our officers promptly launched a coordinated attack on the blaze and restricted the fire from spreading to other parts of the building.

“No casualty was recorded, the properties worth millions of naira were saved by the officers of the agency, and the cause of the fire incident is still under investigation”.

He also confirmed the second fire incident.

He said, “Upon arrival, it was the generator room of a four-bedroom flat engulfed EAby fire.

“The firemen swiftly swung into action and curtailed the fire from spreading to the main building.

“The fire was completely extinguished within a twinkle of an eye.”

Metro

JUST IN: One Dead As Ngige Escapes Assassination

Published

1 day ago

November 27, 2025

Editor

Gunmen who dressed in police and army camouflage on Thursday attacked the convoy of the former governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chris Ngige, leaving one dead.

A lady who was caught videoing the gunmen reportedly came out of her hairdressing salon.

She was shot and died on the spot after she was spotted capturing the incident with her phone yesterday.

Ngige, who last served as the Labour Minister, reportedly escaped death following an attack on his convoy as he was not in the vehicle at the time of the incident.

It was learnt that the gunmen ran into the former governor’s convoy along Nkpor–Nnobi Road in Idemili North Local Government Area of the State and opened fire, prompting return fire from security operatives in the convoy.

According to a source, a police officer and a civilian who owned a shop were also injured during the gunmen’s attack.

A statement issued by Ngige’s media aide, Fred Chukwuelobe, confirmed that the former governor was not in the convoy when the assailants struck.

The statement noted that the attackers, reportedly dressed in police and army uniforms, opened fire on the pilot vehicle, injuring the lead escort.

The statement stressed that the policeman in the pilot car sustained gunshot wounds, while the attackers made away with his gun and uniform.

The pilot vehicle, it was gathered, was riddled with bullets during the assault.

Ngige, who spoke by phone through Chukwuelobe, said: “I just got off the phone with His Excellency, and he confirmed the development, promising to do all he can to ensure that those injured receive adequate treatment.”

He also commiserated with the family of the unfortunate lady who was killed while videoing the scene,” Chukwuelobe said.

“A shop owner who ran out to see what was happening was also shot. He reportedly lost a significant amount of blood and is scheduled for surgery to remove bullets, but doctors expect him to make a full recovery.

The injured escort leader has also undergone surgery and is responding well,” he added.

Ngige’s side dismissed insinuations that a police officer was killed in the attack.

Contacted, the State Command confirmed the attack on the former governor Ngige’s convoy, clarifying that the police had recovered the vehicle, which was riddled with bullets by the gunmen.