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

Ex-convict Arrested In Edo For Armed Robbery, Possession Of Firearm

Published

7 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Security Corps (ESSC) has arrested a 45-year-old ex-convict, Owen Osas, for alleged unlawful possession of firearms and suspected involvement in a robbery incident.

Osas was reportedly arrested with a cut-to-size single-barrel gun during a covert operation along Fishpond Road in Eyean, Uhunmwonde Local Government Area.

The arrest reportedly comes barely a year after he was released from prison, where he had served time for illegal possession of firearms and other criminal offences.

Osas, who confessed to the latest crime, also admitted to being a member of the Eiye Confraternity.

READ ALSO:Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo
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Consequently, a victim of an alleged robbery incident, Reginia Izy, identified Osas as the person who robbed her a day before his arrest.
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The victim narrated that the suspect had approached her residence around 8 p.m., pretending to be familiar before carrying out the attack.
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‎The Deputy Commander Operations of ESSC, Richard Balogun, said the arrest was part of intensified efforts to rid Edo State of criminal elements.

READ ALSO:Edo South Senatorial Seat: Nothing Wrong Seeking Wike’s Support – Ogbeide-Ihama
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‎Balogun explained that operatives conduct both overt patrols and covert operations to track and apprehend suspects.
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He said, ‎“Our men are always on patrol. Some operate in plain clothes as part of covert strategies, while others are stationed at strategic locations.

“Osas, who is a former convict, was arrested with firearms and he also confessed to be a member of the Eiye Confraternity.”
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Metro

Gunmen Kidnap Businessman In Ibadan

Published

2 days ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a 60-year-old man in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The victim was kidnapped on Saturday while on his way to his residence.

The incident occurred at Jinarere, Alakia in Ibadan.

Public Relations Officer of the State Police command, Olayinka Ayanlade, when contacted, confirmed the incident.

Ayanlade in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Sunday, explained that efforts are ongoing to rescue the victim.

Ayanlade said, “Preliminary information reveals that the victim, a 60-year-old male and building materials trader, was accosted while returning home along the Jinarere axis of Alakia Road by four masked armed men, who forcefully whisked him away in an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla vehicle”.

Metro

Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

A 30-year-old entrepreneur and CEO of Principle Takeout, Justice Abu Oshioke, has been killed by suspected kidnappers in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

He was reportedly attacked by the suspected kidnappers on Saturday while on his way to pick up an order made for his child’s dedication on Sunday morning.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers attempted to force him into a nearby bush in a kidnapping attempt. However, he reportedly resisted and tried to escape.

In the course of the struggle, the assailants opened fire, shooting him multiple times.

Concerned residents quickly rushed him to a nearby medical facility, but he was confirmed dead on arrival.

The deceased was said to have recently gotten married and welcomed a baby boy.

The tragic event has turned a joyous occasion into a moment of grief for the family.

The shocking development has left the Ekpoma community in deep sorrow, with many residents expressing outrage over the growing insecurity in the area.

Edo State Police Command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem confirmed the incident and said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika has ordered a “full-scale investigation and intensified manhunt for those responsible.”

According to her, the Police, in collaboration with the military, local vigilantes, and hunters, are actively pursuing the perpetrators through coordinated operations.