Metro

EndSARS Memorial: Edo Youths Join Protest As Amputee Demand For Compensation

Published

1 month ago

October 20, 2021

Editor

…Pharmacist Demands Release Of Colleague

Youths mostly drawn from the civil society organistions in Edo State on Wednesday joined their counterparts across the country to mark one year memorial of EndSARS protest of which some youths lost their lives.

The protest which lasted for over two weeks last year, however, turned bloody on 20th of October when security operatives reportedly opened fire on them in their large numbers at Lekki Tollgate, Lagos, where they had gathered to protest against police brutality, bad governance etc.

Scores were reportedly killed in the process while others were taken to detention by the security agents, as quite a number of police stations and other buildings and properties belonging to security agents were burnt and destroyed.

Speaking at the protest ground which held at Benin Museum Park, Oba Ovoramwem Square (Ring Road), one of the protesters, Comrade Kelly Okunbo said one year after the protest nothing has been done.

Okunbo who demanded for the release of those who are still in police detention as a result of the protest, lamented that almost a year after a panel was set up to look into what led to the protest and people that fell victims, not a single implementation has been made to recommendations made by the Edo State Judicial Panel of Enquiry.

“This is almost a year now that the Panel set up submitted its report to governor Godwin Obaseki. It was recommended that the two victims of the protest who are alive and were at the panel be given automatic employment, but till now, nothing has been done. It was recommended that Mr. Stephen who was amputated as a result of gunshot by a soldier at Auchi be given employment, but up till now he is still jobles and walking with crutches. It was recommended that the police officer and soldier who shot miracle and Stephen be dismissed, but till now they are still working freely,” he said.

Also speaking, Asekhame Stephen Ohimai, said he was at the panel with his lawyer to make his submissions and demands but unfortunately nothing has been done.

The graduate of Auchi Polytechnic who is about going for the compulsory one National Youth Service Corps, said himself and other students of the institution were out protesting when men of the Nigerian Army rammed into them and started shooting sporadically of which he received a stray bullet at where he ran to hide, adding that this led to amputation of his leg.

He narrated: “I came out to join others who were protesting against police brutality and bad governance on the 19th of October when Nigerian Army rammed into our midst and started shooting sporadically, and I ran to hide in place for safety but stray bullet hits my leg and I was rushed to the hospital where I was recommended for amputation. The Doctor Said without amputation, I will not survive, so my leg was amputated. Many persons were killed in that scene.

“I’m going for youth service now. I want government to provide me job because all the things I was running up and down to do before, I can’t do them. So, the government should help me. My lawyer and I were at the panel and made our presentation, but I have not seen anything.”

Another victim, Miracles Ailenokhoriah, who is still in wheelchair as a result of injuries he sustained from police bullet said he was shot last by a police man during the protest at Ekpoma, Edo State, adding that the policemen who brutalised him threatened to beat him to death and that they further threatened to bury him in a shallow grave should he die as a result of the brutality.

A pharmacist who joined the protest with his medical apron, Pharmacist Clinton Ojo-Edokpayi demanded for the release of his pharmacist colleague, Pharm. Solomon Akume, whom according to him was arrested last year after twitting against Buhari.

“Pharmacist Solomon Akume was arrest last year by DSS during the protest after he twitted that the life of President Muhammadu Buhari is no worth than the live of any Nigeria. He was traced and arrested for that twit, and since then he has not been released. I am here to say Akume and other Nigerians in detention should be released,” he demanded.

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Metro

Chaos As Benin Bus Drivers Withdraw Service Over Alleged Extortion By EDSMA, PUWOV

Published

2 days ago

November 29, 2021

Editor

There was chaos in several parts of Benin City, Monday, as bus drivers mostly those driving mini-buses withdrew their services from the roads over alleged extortion by personnel of the Edo State Traffic Management Agency (EDSTMA) and Public Works Volunteers (PUWOV).

Commuters going from Wire Road to Ugowo; New Benin to Ugbowo in the metropolis had to trek long distances before they could get vehicles and the vehicles terminated their trip by Uselu.

Due to the blockade by the protesting drivers, commuters were forced to trek the remaining distance to their destinations as the protesting bus drivers blocked parts of the Benin – Ugbowo Road.

The drivers took over some sections of the road causing traffic in some areas while other sections were completely deserted.

One of the drivers, Emmanuel Kanya, complained no enough signs on the road to show where to park or not, adding that the extortion is already telling on their ability to pay back the buses they have acquired on hire purchase between N2.7m to N3m.

But the Managing Director of EDTSMA, Dennis Oloriegbe, denied the allegation.

He said, “We have gone the extra mile to educate them on where they should park or not to park. We put signposts and they go to remove them at night. We have arrested a driver with our signposts in his boot so they have to obey the law.”

He, however, said the Agency is having a roundtable with the drivers.

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Metro

Delta: Hoodlums Abandon Stolen Vehicle As Police Give Them Hot Chase

Published

2 weeks ago

November 17, 2021

Editor

Hoodlums have reportedly abandoned a suspected stolen Lexus car ES 350, gold colour, with Reg. No. Abuja-YAB 262 KC as Police Operatives gave them a hot chase along Jakpa road in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State.

DAILY POST learnt that hoodlums allegedly stole the vehicle from the owner after he finished washing the car around ConOil filling station in Effurun.

The complainant said himself and his brother while waiting for someone, saw a group of four armed men, who pounced on them, forced them into the vehicle and sped off.

He stated that the hoodlums later put them in the boot of the vehicle.

On getting to a hold-up, they managed to open the boot and escaped.

The Delta State Police Command led by CP Ari Muhammad Ali confirmed the report in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bright Edafe.

He said, “Information got to the DPO Ebrumede Division SP Bolarinwa Alabi who immediately detailed and led operatives and went after them.

“In a combined effort with men of Ekpan Police station, they trailed the hoodlums to Jakpa road.

“The hoodlums on noticing that the police were trailing them, abandoned the vehicle in the busy area of Jakpa and fled into the crowd.

“In order not to hurt innocent citizens, the team could not engage them, but the Lexus car ES 350 gold colour with Reg. No. Abuja-YAB 262 KC was recovered.”

According to DSP Edafe, “effort is on top gear with a view to arresting the fleeing suspects.”

Post Views: 147

Metro

JUST IN: RCCG Pastor, Two Others Regain Freedom In Calabar

Published

2 weeks ago

November 15, 2021

Editor

The Redeem Christian Church of God pastor, Sunday Adeniran, has regained freedom. Adeniran and two other persons were abducted on Saturday by yet to be identified gunmen in Calabar.

An impeccable security source who pleaded anonymity told Vanguard on Monday morning that they were released at about 2: am this morning near Scanobo filling station, Ikot Ekpo 8 miles on the outskirt of Calabar ,the Cross River state capital.

The source further disclosed that the pressure from the Anti Kidnapping and Cultism Squad led by SP Awodi made the miscreant to hurriedly collect what they could after making an initial demand of 7 million naira.

His words: “They knew that the Dragon Squad was closing in on them ,they had to hurriedly collect about 200,000 naira and let their victims go.

“Initially they demanded 7 million for their release but had to just collect what they could as soon as possible and dropped them off at Scanobo area in Ikot Ekpo 8 miles at about 2:am.”

Findings by Vanguard showed that SP Awodi and his men from AKCS were already in their trail as at 12 midnight but immediately they got wind of the manhunt which was earlier reported they collected the available cash and set them( victims) free .

In a related development another victim was also rescued without paying any ransom to his abductors at the weekend in Calabar .

Vanguard gathered that the police through the anti kidnapping and Cultism Squad( Dragon) rescued a 24 year old businessman ,Justine Esedeke from his abductors from another location at 8 miles.

Vanguard learned that this was part of the covert operation recently launched by the Commissioner of Police through the Commander of AKCS ,SP Awodi and his men to nip in the bud the rising menace of kidnapping along 8 mile axis an outskirt

According to investigation the victim, 24 year old Justine was abandoned by his captors in the hills around Nasarawa, Bacoco in 8 miles when the men of AKCS squad were combing the forest after a distress call was made by the victims family to them .

A security source who didn’t want his name in print said “after combing the forest in search of the victim based on credible intelligence ,the victim was abandoned by his abductors as they saw the men of AKCS and took to their heels”.

Vanguard also learned that security presence has increased in the area especially by armed plane cloth personnel in a bid to nip the rising menace of kidnapping in the bud .

Confirming the release of the victims on Telephone ,Monday , the Police Public Relations Officer in the state ,DSP Irene Ugbo lauded the efforts of AKCS squad while urging the pubic to cooperate with the police by giving useful information about happenings in their environment

“It was a strict direct order of the Commissioner of police, CP Aminu Alhassan to men of AKCS and they acted swiftly to secure the release of the victims.

“I want to commend, the swift action of SP Awodi and his Dragon squad ,their efforts yielded result and in time to ,the victim are now in safe hands .

“I want to appeal to the public not to wait until something happens before they report ,they should always report strange movement to curb this kind of ugly incident ,” she Said.

Post Views: 196