Metro

Fear Grips Ugbowo, Uselu, Environs, Over House-to-house Robbery In Edo

Published

5 years ago

November 21, 2020

By Our Correspondent

Residents of Uselu, Ugbowo and environs in Benin City are faced with turbid times in the hands of some suspected armed criminal gangs who now parade adjoining streets and rob shop owners of their goods, kill and harrased harmless residents in broad day light operations.

With similar attacks also taking place in other areas of textile mill road, Medical stores, Okhoro, Isiehor and oluku axis during the day, it was learned that, some residents are tensioned seeking God’s interventions following the failure of police operatives to fully resume duty.

Despite battle for supremacy between cult rivalry groups who had embarked on embarrassing wanton killings of one another, hopes were gradually gathering momentum for a peaceful resolve between the group.

Upper Sakponba had been the epicenter of the resultant clashes but with the recent presence of security joint task force there, it appears that, the fleeing suspects have taking Uselu-Ugbowo-
medical as their new abodes.

The worst hit areas are residents of Good Samaritan Street,
Ediakean Primary School Road,
Iyase, Ebo Junction and Etiosa
suburb, who are forced to sleep early with doors closed and hallucinating similar attacks.

It was gathered that, shop owners close up their shops by 4pm and resumes sale at 8:30am with most areas around, deserted and lonely enough for criminal onslaughts.

Commercial activities have hit all time low over incessant gun shots that had continued to rent the air at free will, resulting to killings in most cases.

Days ago, a man who was reportedly returning home from work was attacked and killed around First Federal Road with his lifeless body seen in the early hours of the following day.

According to a source, the deceased was few meters away from his place when he was reportedly hacked to death.

Similarly, a middle age furniture apprentice, who was at his furniture stalls life was cut shot by the suspected criminals who ambushed him while he was said to have gone to buy materials for a job.

A senior resident who spoke to us on condition of anonymity, said “the gang of armed robbers moved door-to-door, shooting or hacking some of their victims to death”.

According to him, “they rob traders’ shops on a daily basis. Everyday, we are afraid of the criminal elements. They move around brandishing guns and weapons of mass destruction.

“They do not only threatning their victims, but rob them of their belongings. Those children are very scary”.

“We are appealing to appropriate authorities to protect the live and properties they took oath for. We can’t sleep with our eyes closed”.

It would be recall that, More than four police divisional stations across the city centre were burned recently in a peaceful protest against police brutality turned violence.

Statistics are difficult to come by, but many would say Edo State, Particularly Benin City, has been an increase in some types of crime in recent weeks.

The level of murder and robbery rates have risen since the advent of #EndSARS protest which was believed to have been hijacked by suspected hoodlums and cultists, leaving no fewer than 38 Persons murdered since the cult clashes.

Recall, the Commissioner of Police,
Edo State, Johnson Babatunde
Kokumo, during a recent parade of 48 suspected criminals, noted that the fleeing inmates and other suspects would soon be tracked

As at the time of filing in this report, sounds from the security vehicles parading were heard moving into the flash points of the adjoining streets in Uselu to signal their presence in the danger zones as sounds of heavy gun shooting at every interval rent the air.

Metro

AAU Postpones Resumption Date

Published

2 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

The management of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, has approved, on behalf of the university’s Senate, the postponement of students’ resumption and commencement of academic activities.

In a statement,
Otunba Mike Aladenika,
Head, Information, Public Relations & Protocol, AAU, said the decision became necessary to enable the university to complete ongoing renovation works on student structures and facilities, aimed at enhancing the overall teaching and learning experience.

“According to him, the management is committed to providing a conducive environment for academic excellence and believes that this temporary adjustment will ultimately benefit our students.

“While the university management intends to announce a new resumption date, any student(s) still in our hostels are advised to vacate with immediate effect to allow for effective ongoing renovation works

“In light of this development, the university regrets to announce that the 140th Inaugural Lecture, originally scheduled for Thursday, 15th January 2026, and ongoing examinations have been postponed.

“A new date for the lecture and the completion of the examinations will be communicated to all stakeholders in due course.

“The university appreciates the understanding and cooperation of students, parents, and guardians on this matter.

“We urge all students to adhere to the new resumption date and prepare for a productive academic session.

“Parents and guardians are kindly requested to ensure their children/wards are aware of and comply with the revised resumption schedule.”

Metro

Protest Rocks Ekpoma Over Incessant Kidnapping

Published

3 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

Residents of Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State on Saturday protested against incessant kidnappings in the area.

Ekpoma, in recent times has been under attack by kidnappers who snatched residents from their homes.

The protest grounded commercial activities as students of the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, also joined in the protest.

The protesters, in anger, also pulled down campaign billboards for the 2027 general elections mounted in the university hosting town.

Speaking on the protest, Principal Security Officer to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Austin Eigbiremolen, assured that adequate security would be deployed to Ekpoma.

According to him, the kidnappers would be chased away from the area in no distance time.

Also reacting to the protest, Edo State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, dismissed was top of the security situation in Ekpoma, adding the state Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, was already in Ekpoma.

Ikoedem said nine persons who were kidnapped on Friday were rescued unhurt after the Eagle Combat Drone Unit was deployed to the forest alongside local hunters.

“In the heat of the rescue operation, the kidnappers’ camp was located through real-time aerial intelligence.

“The ground troops stormed the camp, forcing the kidnappers to flee and abandon two locally fabricated AK-49 rifles.

“The victims, including five children were rescued unhurt. This landmark deployment underscores the transformative role of technology in modern policing and sets a new benchmark for operational enhancement in Edo State,” she said.

Metro

Man, 49, Arrested For Allegedly Defiling 13-year-old Girl In Oyo

Published

6 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

Oyo State Police Command has announced the arrest of a 49-year-old man, Peter Adubi, in connection with the alleged defilement of a 13-year-old girl.

The arrest was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday in Ibadan by the Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade.

According to the statement, the suspect was apprehended after the victim’s guardian reported the incident to the police on January 8, 2026, at about 8:50 p.m.

Ayanlade explained that the guardian became concerned after observing unusual sexual-related behavioural changes in the minor.

Upon gentle questioning, the girl disclosed that she had been sexually abused in 2022 while living with her mother in the Molade area of Ibadan.

He said, “Upon receipt of the report, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect (Adubi) allegedly committed the offence during that period. This disclosure provided the basis for immediate medical intervention to establish the facts of the case.

“Consequently, the minor was taken to the hospital for a medical examination, which confirmed sexual abuse. This medical evidence strengthened the case against the suspect and guided the next steps in the investigation.

“As a result, the suspect (Adubi) was taken into custody. The crime scene was visited, and the case has since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Gender Desk, for a discreet and thorough investigation.”

The Police Command assured residents that justice would be diligently pursued and urged them to remain vigilant, reporting any incidents of sexual abuse promptly, as community cooperation is vital in safeguarding children and ensuring a safer society.