Metro

#EndSARS: Group Condemns Violence By Hoodlums In Benin

Published

3 years ago

October 21, 2020

Group known as South-South Legacy Group has condemned in the strongest term the violence that erupted Benin City, the Edo State capital on Monday in the guise of #EndSARS protest.

Some youths, in the guise of #EndSARS protest, had invaded the Benin and Oko Correctional custodies all in Benin, setting over 1000 inmates free and also razed now few than 4 police stations.

Speaking through its spokespersons, Osagie Aiguobasinwin and Camilus Okosun, the group described the attack as unacceptable, barbaric, lawless, inhumane, and a far cry from the reason, principle and philosophy of the #EndSARS agitation.

While noting that for government to have responded to the initial 5point demands all within five days
was a plus to the organisers, the group declared total support for the genuine #EndSARA protesters.

“The organisers of the ongoing #EndSARS peaceful protest, have our solidarity, support, understanding and endorsement for the protest to correct the many errors in our national body polity, even as some of our members in this group may have been directly or indirectly involved in the organisation and conduct of the #EndSARS peaceful protest.

“For the government to have responded to the initial 5point demands all within five days is actually a plus to the organisers of the protest to have gotten a prompt attention faster than they could have imagined.

“We at this level are saying, unequivocally that the actions of the miscreants who hid under the aeges of #EndSARS protest on Monday in Benin City is unacceptable, barbaric, lawless, inhumane, and a far cry from the reason, principle and philosophy of the #EndSARS agitation,” they said.

The group continues, “The state of the nation, politically and economically does not put smiles on the faces of the people at this point in time which may have justified the upward review of the 5point demands to accommodate issues like light and fuel pump price, corruption, among many others.”

Speaking on the attack on some media organisation by the hoodlums, the group said it will not accept that in Edo State cum any South-South states, just as it called for all to speak up against such act.

The group said, “It is more heart breaking and unacceptable to us as a people for anyone to turn the rein of terror against our people. We will not accept this in Edo, as well as other South-south states. People, both at home and in diaspora should stand up in unison to condemn the criminal invasion, destruction and setting ablaze of seven police stations in Benin, as well as attacks on media houses like the DAAR COMMUNICATIONS’ AIT Benin Center and Vibes FM Radio station, among other institutions.

“We should stand up to condemn the invasion of the two correctional facilities in Benin as well as releasing of inmates into the society. These hoodlums made away with ammunition and other firearms. You will want to ask for what intention would it be put into if not for criminality.”

Photo: file

Metro

BREAKING: Protests As Gunmen Kill 12 In Plateau Village

Published

6 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Editor

Gunmen have again attacked the Tilengpat Pushit community in the Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State and killed twelve persons.

It was learnt that the attacks leading to the deaths of the victims occurred in the late hours of Thursday.

Last week, gunmen killed no fewer than ten persons in Mandung-Mushu and Kopnanle villages, in the Bokkos and Mangu local government areas of the state.

They also left several persons injured, with property, including the homes of the villagers, set ablaze.

The Chairman of Mangu Local Government Area, Markus Argue confirmed the latest killings to The PUNCH in Jos on Friday.

He said, “Yes, it is true that our people have just been attacked again and killed for no reason. It happened last night. As I talk to you, I’m in the affected community in Pushit. I can not give you the figure of victims for now because we are still assessing the situation but what we don’t understand is why some people will just target women and children in their homes and just kill them for no reason.”

A community leader in Pushit, who gave his name simply as John, however, told our correspondent that twelve dead bodies had so far been recovered at the scene of the attack and the nearby bush from the latest attack.

John said, “So far, we have recovered twelve dead bodies of individuals who were brutally murdered during the attack in the Pushit community and their bodies recovered.

“The identities of the victims have not yet been disclosed, pending notification of their families. The Law enforcement agencies are also here and have initiated investigations into the matter to ascertain the motive behind these heinous crimes and to apprehend the perpetrators responsible for this reprehensible act”

The Spokesman for the Plateau State Police Command, Alabo Alfred could not be immediately reached for comment on the incident but sources at the Command headquarters in Jos said that security operatives had been deployed to the affected community

Meanwhile, women in Bokkos Local Government Area have taken to the streets in protests over the renewed violent attacks by gunmen in their communities.

Some residents in Bokkos town said that the protesting women were headed to the Council headquarters to register their grievances

Details later…

Metro

Police Rescue Three Toddlers Locked Up In Lagos Home

Published

20 hours ago

April 18, 2024

Editor

The Lagos State Police Command has rescued three toddlers allegedly locked up in a room at Agodo-Egbe in the Ikotun area of the state.

According to The PUNCH, the children, which included a girl and two boys between the ages of two and four years, were locked inside for some time by one Fatimo Ganiyu said to be their grandmother.

Some members of the community who became curious about their whereabouts were said to have immediately alerted the police on Wednesday.

Following the tip-off, a team of policemen visited the scene and forced the door open, thereby leading to the discovery of the children in the room.

It was learnt that the kids were found looking malnourished, while the suspect was arrested on the spot.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident.

He said, “At about 4 pm on Wednesday, information was received at Ikotun Police Division that three children, a girl and two boys between the ages of two and four, were locked up by their grandmother, one Fatimo Ganiyu, around Agodo Egbe, Ikotun.

“The DPO immediately led a team of anti-crime detectives to the scene, and the children were rescued and taken to the station.
“They were looking malnourished and unhealthy. The suspect was arrested while the infants were transferred for proper treatment and care. The investigation is ongoing.”

Metro

Edo: NAPTIP Arrests Fake Rev. Sister For Allegedly Trafficking 38 Children

Published

20 hours ago

April 18, 2024

Editor

The Edo Zonal Command of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has arrested a fake Reverend sister over the alleged trafficking of 38 children in Delta State.

It was gathered that the suspect, Ikejimba Maryvianney (alias Oluchi) 40 years old, and one Chidera, now at large, handed over the children to two orphanage homes under the guise of giving them better care.

The children, it was learnt, were handed over to the suspects by their parents at a farm community in Enugu-Awka camp by Monastery, Ilah, Delta State.

Maryvianney was reportedly arrested by the NAPTIP following a tip-off.

When contacted, the NAPTIP Zonal Commander in Benin, Nduka Nwanwenne, who confirmed the incident said the suspect was in custody.

He said the suspect claimed to be trained in Ghana as a Rev. sister while their headquarters is in the Philippines.

She said she came to meet the parents and persuaded them to allow their children to follow them to their orphanage homes and that they would be given better care.

He added, “To convince the parents when they were handed over the first batch of the children, he said the suspects asked two of the parents to follow them to know the two orphanage homes the children would stay’.

“32 of the children have been recovered by the agency while six who are between the ages of three and six years old are yet to be recovered

“The suspect claims that three of the six children are in Badagry while the other three are in Ogun State but later said they have been adopted by people in the East.”

He said the agency was still on the trail of the other suspect who is at large and that the suspect would be charged in court as soon as the investigation is concluded.

He warned parents to be vigilant and never trust anybody with their kids without asking fundamental questions.