News

#EndSARS: Woman Whose Husband Missing For Eight Years Demands N20m Compensation

Published

5 years ago

January 11, 2021

Editor

A woman, Rita Okungbowa, who appeared before the Edo State Judicial Panel of Inquiry for victims of SARS and related abuses, has asked the panel for N20 million compensation for the alleged death of her husband in the hands of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad, (SARS).

She had told the panel that it has been eight years since the operatives of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad, (SARS), invaded their house and whisked her husband away and his whereabouts has remained unknown to her.

Mrs. Okungbowa told the panel that her husband, a Bini movie director, Prince Osayande Okungbowa was tagged a kidnapper and was taken away by the men of the disbanded SARS and that every effort made to know which of the prisons he has been kept has proven abortive, noting that even when she displayed his photograph before other inmates, they all denied seeing person like him.

Mrs. Okungbowa told the panel that having waited till date, she was left with no option than to conclude that he may have been killed by the men of the disbanded SARS.

According to her “On the 12 day of September, 2012, the SARS came to my own house, and picked my husband, they alleged him to be a kidnapper.

“My mother-in-law and I went to the State Criminal Investigation Department, and immediately I mentioned the name of my husband, they drove us away. They did not allow us to see him.

“The next day, we also came, they did not allow us to also see him.

“So, one of the police officers then told us that they have taken him to the court and thereafter, to the prison.

“I asked which of the prison, they said the white house (that is the maximum Correctional Centre at Sapele road), we went there, we did not see him, we went back to the station, but they later referred us to Oko Correctional Centre, and we did not see him there.

“So, I decided to take a lawyer, and when we got to the station, the OC then asked, who is in charge of the matter, they told us one Sergeant Esezobo was the Investigating Police Officer, IPO.

“When we asked for the said Esezobo, they said he has gone to the carteen and we went to the carteen and immediately he saw us, he ran away.

“So I have been going to the police station to search for him (my husband) and I have not set my eyes on him for the past eight years and because of that, I decided to approach the panel so that they can help me ask the disbanded SARS where they kept my husband.

“It is now eight years and some months”.

The distraught woman pleaded with the panel to compel the SARS to compensate her to enable her give her children a better life.

“The panel should help me to tell them to provide my husband if he is still alive and if he is no more, the panel should compell them to come and settle me.

“They should pay me N20million because I have been passing through hard times. Look at my two kids, they have not been going to school for a very long time.

“In fact, even house rent, I can’t pay. I sleep in the church, Celestial Church of Christ, that is where I normally stay because there is no money to rent a house.

“I don’t have anything doing, I go out to wash people’s clothes just to survive, is that not painful?

“They should settle me with N20million so that I can start a good business and to also take my children back to good school”, she said.

News

IPF Commends Tompolo’s Commitment To Security In Delta, Nigeria

Published

2 hours ago

October 16, 2025

Editor

Ijaw Publishers’ Forum (IPF) has commended High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, for his remarkable commitment to improving security in Delta State, Niger Delta and Nigeria at large.

In a press statement by its national president, Comrade Ozobo Austin, the IPF described Tompolo’s gesture towards Delta Security Trust Fund as a demonstration of his firm commitment to promoting peace, security, and progress in the atate, Niger Delta and Nigeria.

The group’s leadership lauded Tompolo’s philanthropic efforts, which according to them, portrayed his dedication to the well-being and prosperity of the country.

Recall that Tompolo promised continued support for the Delta State Security Trust Fund after making a handsome donation at the event held at the government house yesterday.

“The unprecedented donation and firm commitment to peace and security in the country by High Chief Tompolo are shining examples of his leadership and dedication to the development of Delta State, Niger Delta and Nigeria as a whole.

“We commend him for his vision and generosity, and we urge others to follow his footsteps in supporting initiatives that promote peace and security in Delta State and Niger Delta region.

“High Chief Tompolo’s support will go a long way in enhancing security measures in Delta state and contributing meaningfully to the overall development of the country,” the statement reads.

News

University Suspends Students’ Union Over Controversial ‘Gender Swap Day’

Published

5 hours ago

October 16, 2025

Editor

The management of Taraba State University (TSU), Jalingo, has suspended the Students’ Union Government (SUG) indefinitely following allegations of misconduct during the recently concluded 2025 Students’ Week celebration.

The decision came after photos and videos from the event’s controversial “Gender Swap Day” surfaced online, sparking outrage from members of the university community and the general public. The university said the activities violated its values, dress code, and moral standards.

In a statement signed by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sunday Paul Bako, on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, the management described the incident as “regrettable and disappointing,” noting that some students’ actions were inconsistent with the institution’s core principles.

An emergency management meeting held on Monday, October 13 reviewed the incidents and blamed poor supervision and coordination by the current SUG leadership for the disorder that occurred during the week-long celebration.

As part of the resolutions reached, the SUG has been suspended indefinitely to pave the way for a complete restructuring of student leadership and representation. The university also announced plans to introduce a new framework promoting accountability, discipline, and inclusiveness among student leaders.

“Students who were involved in actions that misrepresented the university’s image will face disciplinary action,” the statement read.

“Those whose behavior involved criminal acts have been arrested and will be handed over to law enforcement for further investigation.”

In response, the SUG led by Victor Mishak Abednego, tendered an official apology to the university management, expressing regret over the embarrassment caused by the event and promising stricter adherence to university rules in future activities.

The university reaffirmed its commitment to academic excellence and moral integrity, warning that such conduct will not be tolerated in any future student-organized events.

News

Fire Ravages Residential Building In Oyo

Published

5 hours ago

October 16, 2025

Editor

Photo: File copy

Properties worth millions of naira have been destroyed in a fire incident that ravaged a residential building in Oyo, Oyo State.

The incident occurred at Aladota, Oke-Olola Area in Oyo around 9 am on Wednesday.

The chairman of the Oyo State Fire Service, Maroof Akinwande, confirmed the incident.

In a statement made available to DAILY POST on Wednesday, Akinwande said that officers of the agency were immediately mobilised to the scene once they were informed.

“The fire incident was as a result of a spark from electricity which ignited combustible materials and set the room ablaze. No casualty was recorded. The agency was able to save properties worth millions of naira,” he said.