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

18-year-old OAU Medical Student Dies While Sleeping

Published

8 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Editor

The management of Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile-Ife, has announced the death of an 18-year-old part-three medical student of the institution.

The student, identified as Timilehin Adetoye Toromade, was a student of the College of Health Sciences, Department of Medicine and Surgery.

According to a statement by the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, Timilehin with matriculation number CLI/2022/133, reportedly died in his sleep in the early hours of Tuesday, January 6, 2026.

The statement revealed that the “university received the news of the student’s passing with shock and deep sorrow”.

It also described the incident as devastating to the academic community.

According to the statement, “preliminary information suggested that the student might have died shortly after 2 a.m., as one of his roommates reportedly said the deceased opened the door for another student around that time.

“The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, expressed condolences on behalf of the Visitor, the University Council, Management, Senate, staff and students”.

The VC, Professor Bamire, described the incident as a painful loss, saying, “The loss of a young life filled with promise, purpose, and potential is a tragedy that words alone cannot adequately capture.”

He added that the university community was united in grief over the passing of a student who had embraced the rigours of medical training with the aim of serving humanity.

According to him, the death had left a void among the student’s peers and all those who knew him within the university community.

The university management stated that it was working closely with relevant authorities to fully understand the circumstances surrounding the incident, in line with established medical and administrative procedures.

It also disclosed that appropriate support measures were being put in place to assist students and members of the university community who may have been emotionally affected by the loss.

The management called on students, staff, alumni and friends of the institution to remain calm and compassionate, while extending sympathy to the family of the deceased.

Metro

Panic As BRT Bus Catches Fire On Third Mainland Bridge

Published

9 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Editor

Panic gripped motorists on Tuesday afternoon following a fire outbreak involving a Bus Rapid Transit, BRT, vehicle on the Third Mainland Bridge, leading to massive traffic disruption.

The incident occurred around 1:00 p.m. near the Adekunle section of the bridge, heading towards Iyana Oworo.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, confirmed the development in a statement posted on its official X handle.

According to the agency, the high-capacity BRT bus suddenly went up in flames, prompting anxiety among road users in the area.

Footage shared online showed the bus completely consumed by fire, with thick plumes of smoke rising into the sky as motorists slowed down or sought alternative routes to avoid the scene.

While no injuries or loss of life were reported, the incident caused a heavy traffic buildup extending from Adekunle towards Iyana Oworo.

“A high-capacity bus is currently on fire on the Third Mainland Bridge by Adekunle, inward Iyana Oworo, and this is impacting traffic flow,” LASTMA stated.

“Our personnel are on ground managing traffic, while efforts are ongoing to extinguish the fire,” the agency added.

Subsequent updates indicated that officials of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service arrived at the scene and worked to control the blaze to prevent further damage.

Traffic officers were also deployed to redirect vehicles away from the affected area as emergency responders tackled the situation.

As of the time this report was filed, the cause of the fire had yet to be determined.

Metro

Kwara Vigilante Men Arrested By Soldiers In Edo State Released

Published

11 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Editor

Six Kwara State vigilante men arrested by the Nigerian Army on December 31,2025, along Auchi-Ikpeshi highway in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, have been released after a thorough investigation by the authorities.

Spokesperson of the state police command, SP Adetoun Ejire Adeyemi, confirmed the development in a statement in Ilorin on Tuesday.

The statement read in part; “The Kwara State Police Command wishes to confirm that on Wednesday, 31st December, 2025, it received six vigilante members who were earlier arrested by personnel of the Nigerian Army along the Auchi–Ikpeshi Road in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State.

“The Vigilantes, travelling in a vehicle belonging to Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, were formally handed over to the Kwara State Police Command by the Brigade Commander, 22 Armoured Brigade, Sobi Barracks, Ilorin, Brigadier General N.N. Rume, for the purpose of investigation and profiling.

“Following a thorough investigation, it was established that the individuals are legitimate members of a vigilante group operating in collaboration with recognised security agencies in the ongoing efforts to combat banditry and other forms of criminality.

“Consequently, having been exonerated of any criminal wrongdoing, the vigilante members were released to their respective leaders,” the statement added.

The Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, reiterated the command’s commitment to synergy among security agencies and community-based security outfits, while urging all groups to continually operate within the confines of the law.

He assured members of the public that the command remains steadfast in its resolve to ensure the safety and security of all residents of the state.