Metro

Gbelebu, Marindoti Communities Recount Farmers, Villagers Clash As Okpebholo Meets With Them

Published

4 months ago

March 6, 2025

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State on Thursday met with leaders and members of Gbelebu, an Ijaw community and Marindoti, a cocoa farm settlement where he sued for harmony and assured them of government support.

Recall that on February 21, 2025, Info Daily reported that the agrarian community of Gbelemotin in Ovia South-West Local Government Area of Edo State witnessed a heavy clash between cocoa farmers in the locality and some alleged produce thieves.

The clash resulted in devastating attacks on seven farming communities namely: Marindoti, Gbelemontin Domiju, Kola Village, Taiye Camp, Eto Camp, Dipe Community, Bala Dele Community, and Thousand Community.

Many people were feared killed and many houses burnt in the attack and counter attacks that occurred on Thursday.

But in a press release, the Edo State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, on Friday, February 22, 2025, said that five persons were killed and four others injured in the clash between the cocoa farmers and some alleged produce thieves.

The clash, however, escalated on Sunday, February 23, 2025, leading to 22 persons’ death, while several others were injured.

But in a visit to the area on Thursday, March, 2025, as part of his efforts in restoring peace to the area, Okpebholo said “my core mission as Governor is to restore peace and bring development.”

He added: “My core mission as Governor is to restore peace and bring development, and yet, instead of focusing on development, criminality persists.

“I assure you that my administration will gradually bring meaningful development here,” the Governor assured.

Leaders from Marindoti and Gbelebu communities recounted that the crisis erupted when hoodlums attempted to steal farm produce from farmers in Marindoti’s farm settlements but were confronted by a newly formed local vigilante group.

They lamented the long-standing menace of farm theft and pleaded with the Governor to intensify efforts in protecting lives and property, ensuring that farmers could work without fear of attacks.

Metro

Four Die As Bomb Explosion Rocks Borno

Published

2 hours ago

June 25, 2025

Editor

Photo: File copy

A bomb explosion has reportedly killed four travellers in Borno State, with many others sustaining injuries.

According to reports by local media, the bomb exploded around 3:00 pm on Wednesday along the Damboa-Maiduguri road.

The incident involved a car carrying an unconfirmed number of passengers.

DAILY POST reports that bomb explosions also occurred a few weeks ago along Damboa-Maiduguri road, killing seven people.

The road is one of the major routes for terrorists, who often plant bombs to discourage other users.

Security authorities are yet to confirm the incident at the time of filing this report.

Metro

JUST IN: Many Killed As Soldiers, Bandits Exchange Gunfire In Kaduna

Published

12 hours ago

June 25, 2025

Editor

Scores of bandits and some military personnel have been killed following a gun battle in Niger and Kaduna States.

Nigerian Army Headquarters made the disclosure in a statement posted on its official X handle on Wednesday.

The statement said the operations were carried out in Kwanar Dutse Mairiga and Boka, Niger State, and Aungwan Turai, Chikun Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State.

The daredevil terrorists had launched an unprovoked attack on the aforementioned areas.

REAS ALSO:Police Neutralise Bandit, Rescue 5 Kidnapped Victims In Katsina

According to the statement, in response to the attacks, “land and air component troops launched several counter-attacks that eliminated scores of bandits in the encounters.

“Sadly, some gallant warriors paid the supreme price in the day-long battles, while four wounded in-action troops are currently receiving treatment for their gunshot wounds. Additional updates later.”

Metro

Police Detain 3 Nsukka Masqueraders For Allegedly Assaulting Residents

Published

1 day ago

June 24, 2025

Editor

The police command in Enugu State has detained three masqueraders in the Nsukka area of the state for allegedly assaulting law-abiding citizens.

The command’s spokesman, SP Daniel Ndukwe, said in a statement in Enugu on Tuesday that police operatives, with the assistance of members of the community, led to the arrest of the suspects on June 23 at 3:30 p.m.

He said that the arrest of the suspects was in connection with the alleged physical assault of citizens by the ‘Oriokpa’ Masquerade group on June 22 as seen in a viral video.

“The suspects, along with others still at large, took advantage of the ‘Oriokpa’ Masquerade celebration to assault several innocent members of the public, inflicting bodily injuries on them.

“One of the victims was hospitalised for treatment due to injuries sustained during the attack.

“The masqueraders initially resisted police arrest and fled the scene.

“However, with the assistance of law-abiding community members, the three suspects were later identified and apprehended,” he said.

The spokesman said that the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Mamman Giwa, had ordered a thorough investigation into the case to ensure that justice was served.

Ndukwe quoted the commissioner as saying that masquerade celebration was a sacred and symbolic aspect of the nation’s culture.

He said that the state police chief, however, decried the actions of those who exploited the occasion to commit criminal acts.

Ndukwe said that the commissioner warned against the use of cultural festivities as a cover for fomenting trouble and committing crimes against fellow citizens, as perpetrated by the ‘Oriokpa’ masqueraders.

“The command is assuring the public that all those involved in the assault of law-abiding citizens will be brought to justice,” he added.

(NAN)