Metro

Hundreds Rendered Homeless As Rainstorm Destroys Houses In Edo Communities

Published

1 year ago

March 17, 2025

Hundreds of persons have been reportedly rendered homeless in a rainstorm that destroyed over 100 houses in communities in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area Of Edo State.

According to reports, some of the victims sustained various degrees of injuries.

Yekini Idaiye, lawmaker, representing Akoko-Edo I in the State House of Assembly disclosed this on Monday during plenary in his motion of urgent public importance.

Idaiye said the devastating rainstorms happened on Monday, March 10, 2025.

He listed the affected communities to include Ojirami, Dagbala and Ojah, all in ward 5 in the local government.

According to him, Ojirami, Dagbala and Ojah people are mainly farmers and contribute to the economic development of Edo State and Nigeria at large, as they produce cocoa, cashew, garri, maize and palm oil.

“The rainstorms left in its wake the destruction of over 100 houses.
Many of them had their roofs blown off in Ojirami,Oja, Dagbala, all in Akoko Edo Local Government area of the state.

“The people are traumatized by the destruction of their homes with many roofs blown off, making the children, aged and the women vulnerable to varying pandemic.

“Hundreds of persons were affected and various degrees of injuries, depression and anxieties recorded,as they have been exposed to harsh conditions.

“The children who ought to be in school have lost their books to the rainstorm disaster and are looking for shelter to lay their heads,” he said

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, lawmaker called on the federal, state and local governments to urgently undertake an on the spot assessment to ascertain the level of damages caused by the rainstorm.

Idaiye, who is the Chief Whip in the House, also called on federal and state relief agencies to provide immediate palliatives to those affected.

He urged the lawmakers at the National Assembly from the state to help by raising similar motions on the floor of the Senate and House of Representatives.

In their various contributions, the majority leader and member representing Ovia North East I, Charity Aiguobarueghian and member representing Owan East constituency, Eric Okaka, who is also the Minority Leader of the House, said that the rainstorm also wrecked havoc in some communities in their constituencies.

They equally called on relevant authorities to expedite action by way of cushioning the effects of the rainstorm disaster on the victims.

Speaking, Blessing Agbebaku, Speaker of the House, who sympathised with the victims, advocated the need for residents to always plant trees, noting that it would help mitigate the effects of rainstorm disaster.

The House, in its resolution called on the National Emergency Agency, NEMA and State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, to provide palliatives to the victims.

The House also called on other relevant authorities to assist the victims of rainstorm disaster in the state.

Metro

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

16 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Police Command on Wednesday said two suspected cultists were arrested in Ohonre community, off Adolor College Road, Benin.

This was disclosed in a statement by the command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, and made available to newsmen electrically.

Ikoedem said the arrest was possible due to operatives response to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

The statement reads: “The Edo State Police Command has recorded another operational breakthrough following the swift disruption of a suspected cultists’ gathering in Ohonre Community, off Adolor College Road, Benin City.

“On 21st May, 2026, at about 19:00hrs, operatives attached to Ugbowo Division who were on surveillance patrol responded to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

“Acting promptly on the information, the police team mobilized to the location. On sighting the operatives, the suspects fled in an attempt to evade arrest. The operatives immediately gave them a hot chase, leading to the arrest of two suspects identified as Victor Peter ‘M’, 21 years and Iyemoma Ogbewe ‘M’, 35 years.

“A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of one cut-to-size gun believed to have been in their possession for unlawful purposes.

“Upon investigation, the suspects confessed to being members of the notorious Maphite cult group. Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other fleeing gang members.”

She said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the swift response of the operatives and reiterated the Command’s resolve to deny criminal elements any opportunity within Edo State.

He further urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, assuring that all reports would receive prompt attention.

Metro

Troops Eliminate Two Terrorists, Foil Pipeline Attack

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Army says troops have, in the last 24 hours, eliminated two terrorists, rescued four kidnapped victims and foiled pipeline attacks in a series of coordinated military operations across Taraba, Kogi and Rivers.

This is contained in operational updates issued to reporters on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the reports, troops of 93 Battalion deployed at Akate in the Donga Local Government Area of Taraba engaged suspected terrorists in a forested area, killing two of them.

According to the report, items recovered from the scene include an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, magazines, mobile phones and other personal effects.

In Kogi, it said the troops of 21 Battalion, in collaboration with vigilantes, rescued four kidnapped passengers along the Anyigba–Itobe road in Ofu Local Government Area.

It added that the victims were reportedly abandoned by their captors while attempting to cross a seasonal stream due to sustained pressure from advancing troops.

According to the military, efforts are ongoing to rescue other victims still in captivity.

The report said that troops of 12 Brigade successfully repelled an ambush along Kabba–Okene road while withdrawing from an earlier operation, forcing the assailants to flee with gunshot wounds.

“Meanwhile, in Rivers, troops of 5 Battalion acting on credible intelligence, foiled an attempt by suspected vandals to detonate a crude oil pipeline in Ahoada West Local Government Area.

“The swift response of the troops disrupted the operation before it could be executed, with the suspects fleeing the scene,” it said.

Metro

Police Arrest Private Chef Over Alleged N150m Theft, Drugging Of Employer, Burglary

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a chef, John Cosmos Govi, over his alleged involvement in a burglary operation at a residence in Abuja, where luxury items and valuables worth about N150 million were reportedly stolen.

The arrest was announced on Monday, May 25, 2026, by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, who said the suspect was apprehended by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) after investigations into allegations of criminal conspiracy, housebreaking, theft, malicious damage and administering harmful substances.

According to police findings, Govi, who allegedly gained employment as a chef at the residence, was said to have studied the movement of occupants, internal routine and security setup before allegedly carrying out the operation on April 23, 2026.

Investigators said he reportedly worked with two accomplices identified as Peter and Moses, who are currently on the run.

Police alleged that food prepared in the house was laced with a suspected sedative substance to weaken the occupants and security personnel.

After they reportedly became unconscious, the suspects allegedly broke into the property, damaged CCTV installations and stole 20 luxury wristwatches valued at about N150 million, alongside other valuables.

Speaking on the development, DCP Anthony Placid said the suspect was intercepted around the Gwagwalada axis of the Federal Capital Territory while attempting to flee to Lagos. He added that an iPhone 17 Pro Max, believed to belong to the victim, and a suspected chemical substance were recovered.

“We remain committed to dismantling organised criminal networks and ensuring that all fleeing accomplices are brought to justice,” Placid said.

Police said efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects and conclude investigations into the case.