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Ex-Edo Speaker, Aides Escape Death As Vehicle Reportedly Somersaulted

Published

2 years ago

July 21, 2023

The former speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Mr. Marcus Onobun, narrowly escaped death Wednesday as a result of an auto crash.

According to a statement by his erstwhile media aide, Mrs. Ivy Adodo-Ebojele, Onobun, a first timer in House of Representatives (Esan West, Esan Central and Igueben) was involved in the accident with some of his personal aides.

The terse statement by Ebojele reads in part: “The member representing Esan West, Esan Central and Igueben Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Marcus Onobun has solicited for prayers from constituents and Edo people for healing.

“This is as a result of a ghastly accident involving him and his personal staff. Hon. Onobun and his personal staff are by the grace of God recuperating from the effect of the accident in which they sustained various injuries.

“Hon. Marcus Onobun is asking for your prayers and respect for his recuperation , calling on all his, family, friends and supporters to remain calm and steadfast as what God cannot do does not exist.”

“Please pray for speedy recovery for Rt Hon Marcus Onobun and his personal staff.”

The statement was however silent on when, where and how the accident happened and the extent of injury sustained by the victims in the road mishap.

But a source who would not want his name in print however disclosed that the ill-fated Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV), the lawmaker was traveling in was at top speed when it somersaulted severally.

Onobun, from Iruekpen-Ekpoma and of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) defeated his closest rival, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the rescheduled House of Representatives election last March 18.

News

Trump’s Airstrikes: Halt Military Cooperation With US Immediately – Sheikh Gumi Tells Tinubu Govt

Published

6 hours ago

December 26, 2025

Editor

Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has called on the Federal Government to immediately halt all military cooperation with the United States following reported US airstrikes.

Gumi warned that American involvement could worsen Nigeria’s security challenges and undermine national sovereignty.

Gumi made the call in a statement posted on his Facebook page on Friday.

He said while Islam permits the fight against terrorism, such actions should only be carried out by what he described as “clean hands,” arguing that the United States lacks the moral authority to lead such efforts because of its global military record.

According to the cleric, Nigeria made a mistake by allowing foreign powers to play a role in its counterterrorism operations, insisting that “terrorists do not truly fight terrorists” and that such interventions often result in civilian casualties and hidden political motives.

Gumi warned that allowing Nigeria to become a theatre of war would attract anti-US forces into the country, further destabilising it.

He also cautioned that US involvement, particularly under claims of protecting Christians, could polarise the country along religious lines.

The cleric further argued that airstrikes alone cannot defeat terrorism, stressing that effective counterterrorism requires strong ground operations, which he said Nigeria has enough personnel to carry out if properly organised.

“This is the mistake Nigeria has made. Terrorists don’t fight terrorists in truth; they may only kill innocent people and have ulterior motives behind the drama of fighting ‘terror’.

“As a principle, no nation should allow its land to be a theater of war. And no nation should allow its neighbors to be their enemies.

“If Nigeria wants military assistance, China, Turkey, and Pakistan can do the job effectively,” part of his statement reads.

News

Shehu Sani Reacts To Trump’s Military Strikes In Nigeria

Published

6 hours ago

December 26, 2025

Editor

Former lawmaker, senator Shehu Sani, has reacted to reports of United States military strikes on terrorist targets in Nigeria’s North-West, saying foreign powers cannot permanently handle the country’s security challenges.

Sani made the remarks on Friday via his X handle while responding to a post by the United States Africa Command, AFRICOM, which indicated that the strikes were carried out in coordination with Nigerian authorities.

According to him, if the reported strikes were indeed a joint operation with Nigerian security agencies, then such action was justifiable, given the threat posed by terrorist groups in the region.

He described terrorists operating in parts of northern Nigeria as “cancerous cells,” stressing that they survive through violence and should be confronted decisively.

Sani also dismissed narratives suggesting that terrorist attacks target only one religious group, describing such claims as false and misleading.

He said: “If actually, the military strikes against the terrorists targets in the North Western part of Nigeria were a joint operation with the ‘Nigerian Authorities’ as posted by the US AFRICOM on their verified X handle, then it’s a conscionable action.

“Terrorists have become cancerous cells in our part of the country.They live by the sword.The narrative that the evil terrorists only targets one faith, remains absolutely false and misleading.

“Again, the ultimate security and peace in our country lies with ourselves and not with the US or any foreign power. They can complimentarily or unilaterally strike, but they can’t eternally fight our battles.”