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Hausa Community Petitions Edo CP, Demands Justice For Truck Driver Killed Over N1,000 Fee

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By Joseph Ebi Kanjo, Benin

Hausa Community in Edo State has petitioned the State Commissioner of Police, Mrs Betty Enekpen- Otimenyi, over the killing of a truck driver, Suleiman Bala.

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Bala was killed by revenue collectors in Ahor Community, Uhunmwode Local Government Area of the state over alleged refusal to pay N1000.00( one thousand naira ) revenue ticket Ahor Community Development Association.

He was said to have loaded his truck with his conductor from Jos, Plateau State, to Benin City on the 23rd of February, 2025 and off- loaded his vehicle.

An eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity said on the said date, about 12.00am, some boys who were said to be revenue collectors for Ahor Community Development Association, acting on behalf of Ahor Community Development Association Chairman woke- up Suleiman Bala’s conductor, demanding for N1000.00 ticket.

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The conductor, surprised by the revenue collectors’ act in such a nocturnal period offered them N400.00 but they refused the offer.

Thereafter, it was gathered, the boys in anger collected their wheel spanner, which made the conductor call the attention of his driver, Bala, who was sleeping.

READ ALSO: Edo Demolishes Buildings Linked To Kidnappers

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The deceased, it was gathered, followed the revenue collectors alongside his conductor, pleading for the release of the wheel spanner, while he reportedly offered the revenue collectors the balance of N600.00.

However, in anger, the boys (revenue collectors) were said to have used the wheel spanner to hit the driver repeatedly until the driver fell and died, while they reportedly disappeared immediately.

Consequently, in a petition dated February 24, 2025 by the Chairman, Hausa Community, Alhaji Saleh Badamasi, appealed to the Edo State Commissioner of Police to bring the perpetrators to book.

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The petition written by his lawyer, S.O. Osazuwa & Co, urged the CP to investigate and arrest the chairman of Ahor Community Development Association, on whose instructions the boys were collecting illegal revenue.

The petition reads: “That our Client informed us that Late Suleiman Bala who is a member of Hausa Community was brutally attacked and murdered in cool blood by some
boys (Agents) of Ahor Development Association Acting on the instructions of Ahor Development Chairman.

READ ALSO: Edo: Police Detain Five Suspects For Alleged Killing Of 7-year-old Boy, Vigilante Commander

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“That our Client further informed us that the Late Suleiman Bala who is a bonafide gentle member of Hausa Community, is a Businessman from Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.

“That our Client further informed us on the 23rd day of February, 2025 while en route from Jos to Lagos and also delivered some goods in Benin which was close to 8:00pm on that same fateful day decided to stay and spent a night in Ahor Kara Market along Lagos Express Way.

“That our Client informed us that at about 12:00am midnight when Late Suleiman Bala, Driver and the Motor Boy were sleeping inside the Trailer (Truck) were woken up by a group of boys holding and parading a ticket bearing Ahor Community Development Association purporting to be acting on the
instructions of Ahor Communiy Development Chairman to collect revenue of One Thousand Naira (N1000) of any Truck even at that unholy hour.”

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“That our Client reliably informed us that both Late Suleiman Bala, the Driver and the Motor Boy pleaded and offered them Four Hundred Naira (N400) in order to make peace reign even when they know they were acting illegally.

“That the boys who are Agents of the Chairman of Ahor Community
Development Association, ignored their Pleas by taking laws into their hand grabbed and seized their wheel Spanner of the Truck and were going away with it.

READ ALSO: Man, 50, Remanded For Alleged Kidnapping In Edo

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“That we are informed by our Client that while they were begging them
(Agents), the Boys got angry for disturbing with their insistent plea and attacked Late Suleiman Bala with the wheel Spanner by continuously beating and hitting
him with the same wheel Spanner which led to his internal injury and bleeding.

“That we are further informed by our Client that the late Suleman Bala collapse
and died on the spot as a result of the internal bleeding and injuries he
sustained from the attack particularly from the force and hitting on him with the wheel Spanner.

“We are by this Petition calling on your good Office as the Commissioner of Police, Edo State to investigate, arrest the Chairman of Ahor Community Development Association on whose instructions his boys (Agents) carried out such illegal Act to produce his boys (Agents) against the background of the banning of such activities by the Executive Governor of Edo State and more so acting at such an unholy time
to perpetuate these illegal, devious and murderous activities which has culminated into taking an innocent life who engaged in his lawful Business by name Suleiman Bala.
Be assured of our highest commendation in this regards.”

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Contacted, the Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Moses Yamu said, he was not aware of such an incident.

He said: “I don’t know about that, such a thing did not happen in this place, I can assure you that such a thing did not happen here.”

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UNICEF Urges Women To Breastfeed Babies Within One Hour Of Birth, Warns Against Breastmilk Substitutes Usage

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The United Nations Children’s Fund has called on pregnant women in Borno State to initiate their newborns into breastmilk consumption within one hour of birth

Speaking during the flag-off event of the 2025 World Breastfeeding Week on Saturday in Maiduguri, the state capital, the UNICEF Chief of Maiduguri Field Office, Francis Busiku, stated that only 35.5 per cent of children in Nigeria were initiated to breastmilk within one hour of birth, and only 28.8 per cent were exclusively breastfed

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According to him, this year’s theme, “Prioritise Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support System”, highlights the urgent need to prioritise actions and systems leading to equitable access to breastfeeding, especially for vulnerable women in rural and conflict-affected areas.

READ ALSO:How UNICEF’s Initiative Changes Narrative Of Access To Healthcare Services In Bauchi

He said, “Only 35.5 per cent of children in Nigeria were initiated to breastmilk within one hour of birth, and only 28.8 per cent were exclusively breastfed.

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“Every child born in Borno State deserves to be initiated to breastmilk within one hour of birth, exclusively, breastfed for the next six months of life and continue breastfeeding for up to two years and beyond”

Francis also warned against the use of breastmilk substitutes and unsafe water, while noting that it poses a serious health risk to infants

The use of breastmilk substitutes and unsafe water in our communities can pose serious risks to the health of infants. It is therefore critical that the state enacts, enforces, and monitors the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes to protect children and promote breastfeeding,” he advised.

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READ ALSO:Polio: UNICEF Engages Traditional Rulers To Ensure Vaccine Compliance

He emphasised that breast milk provides all essential nutrients infants need in the first six months and offers maximum protection against illness and supports health growth and development

The UNICEF boss further called on the Borno state government and stakeholders to strengthen maternal protection polices, increase funding support, revitalise baby-friendly initiatives and prioritise community-level nutrition interventions.

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“Together, through strategic partnerships, innovative approaches, and sustained commitment, we can transform breastfeeding practices across Borno state. UNICEF remains steadfast in its support to the government and partners in this vital vision”, he concluded.

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NBA Slams Niger Gov Over Shutting Down Of Radio Station

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The Nigerian Bar Association has called on the Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Bago, to immediately withdraw what it described as an unconstitutional order shutting down Badeggi FM in the state.

The NBA President, Afam Osigwe, SAN), in a statement on Saturday, emphasised that only the National Broadcasting Commission had the legal authority to regulate or shut down broadcasting operations in the country as anything contrary will amount to press gagging.

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The Association urged the governor to rescind his directive ordering the immediate closure of the privately owned Badeggi 90.1 FM.

It stressed that the action, reportedly carried out through instructions to the State Commissioner of Police and the Commissioner for Homeland Security, allegedly involved profiling the station’s owner and marking the premises for demolition.

READ ALSO:Passengers’ Traffic: Anxiety As local Airlines Raise Alarm Over Consistent Decline

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The statement read, “This constitutes executive rascality of the highest order. It is a blatant abuse of power that undermines constitutional democracy and the rule of law. The Governor lacks the constitutional or legal authority to revoke broadcast licences or shut down any media establishment. In Nigeria, only the National Broadcasting Commission has the statutory mandate to regulate broadcasting, including the suspension or revocation of licences, subject to due process.

“It is imperative to state that the Commissioner of Police or any security agency must not act on unlawful executive directives. Security agencies are bound by law to act within constitutional limits and not as instruments for political intimidation or media suppression.

“The Nigerian Constitution guarantees freedom of expression under Section 39, including the right to own, operate, and access media. No person, regardless of office, has the right to arbitrarily restrict or shut down a media house without due process of law. This unlawful closure, without regulatory sanction or judicial backing, is a dangerous assault on press freedom and democratic governance.”

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The NBA further stated that Governor Bago’s directive is entirely unlawful and of no legal effect.

READ ALSO:What May Change As Lagos Tenancy Bill Passes Second Reading

Osigwe maintained that the Commissioner of Police and other relevant authorities must refuse to implement illegal orders that infringe on constitutional rights, reiterating that media regulation must follow due process through established statutory mechanisms, not arbitrary executive action.

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The Association also noted that the actions taken against Badeggi FM constitute a direct affront to press freedom and violate Nigeria’s democratic norms.

We call on Governor Bago to immediately withdraw this directive and refrain from further unconstitutional acts. The NBA also urges all levels of government to uphold the rule of law, respect constitutional boundaries, and protect the freedom of the press. A free and independent media is not a privilege – it is a constitutional right and a cornerstone of any democratic society,” the statement read.

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NGE Reacts As Govt Closes Radio Station In Niger

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The Nigerian Guild of Editors has condemned the recent closure of Badeggi Radio by Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, describing the action as a direct assault on press freedom and a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.

In a statement signed by its President, Eze Anaba, and General Secretary, Onuoha Ukeh, on Saturday, the Guild said the governor acted outside his constitutional powers and bypassed due process in ordering the shutdown of the station.

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This act of censorship and intimidation undermines the fundamental principles of a democratic society, where a free press is essential for holding those in power accountable,” the Guild said.

Citing Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the NGE emphasised that press freedom and freedom of expression are guaranteed rights that must be protected.

READ ALSO:Activists Condemn Nigeria’s Natural Resources Exploitation, Finger Govt

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The Guild noted that only the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission has the legal authority to sanction broadcast stations, and only after a thorough investigation of any alleged breach of the broadcast code.

The closure of Badeggi Radio, a vital platform for public discourse and information dissemination, is a worrying trend that threatens the very fabric of our democracy.

“Governor Bago acted outside his powers to order the closure of a radio station. The power to sanction television and radio stations only lies with the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) after a thorough investigation of any alleged breach of the Code.

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“We are happy that the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mallam Mohammed Idris, has pointed this out. This should go beyond observing the anomaly.

READ ALSO:Gospel Singer, Eight Others Jailed For Internet Fraud In Kwara

The Federal Government should order the unsealing of the premises of the radio station while an investigation is carried out,” the statement read.

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The editors likened the governor’s action to the arbitrary clampdowns experienced during military rule, warning that such decisions erode the democratic progress made since 1999.

Arbitrary closure of media houses reminds us of the dark days of military rule, which ended 26 years ago,” the Guild stated.

While acknowledging that Bago had alleged that the station incited violence, the Guild insisted that such a serious accusation must first be investigated and proven before any punitive measure is taken.

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READ ALSO:Senator Withdraws From Legislative Duties Over Health Challenge

Governor Bago’s allegation of incitement of violence by the radio station is a serious issue, which has to be investigated and proven before any action can be taken. We urge the media to operate under strict adherence to the code of ethics of journalism, with responsible conduct at the back of the minds of the professionals,” the statement read.

The editors urged media professionals to operate responsibly and adhere strictly to the code of ethics of journalism, but stressed that due process must always be followed by authorities.

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The Guild reiterates that a free and independent press is essential for a functioning democracy and demands that governments at all levels respect and uphold this fundamental right,” the statement concluded.

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