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Idahosa’s Claim Of Land Repossession False, His Land Intact – Evbuovbioba Comminity

Published

5 years ago

January 22, 2021

… Says He (Idahosa) Hired ‘No Molest’ For Intervention Not Community

…Gives Idahosa 72 Hours To Apologize Or…

Indigenes of Evbuovbioba comminity in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State led by their elders have described as false the claim by one Solomon Idahosa that the Enogie of the community has forcefully taken a parcel of belonging to him.

Solomon Idahosa, an octogenarian, had accused the Enogie of using Osakpomwan Eriyo also known as ‘No Molest’, and some armed youths to invade his land, chase away his labourers and destroy some portions of his economic crops with earth moving equipment with the so intent of repossessing it.

He further raised the alarm that, the land which was allegedly sold to him in 2005 has been repossessed by the community.

However, in a swift reaction while addressing the press in the community on Thursday, elders of the community said the land Mr. Idahosa claimed as his was never his own, adding that the parcel of land the community gave to him which is 1000 by 1000 is still intact without anybody encroaching on it.

Speaking, former Okaghele of the community, Mr Lucky Enobabor, said when the land dispute was brought before the then Oba of Benin, Erediawa, the Oba made a pronouncement that 1000 by 1000 parcel of land should be allocated to Mr. Idahosa because of his claim that he bears the expenses of taking care of Enogies whenever their (Enogies) meeting held, adding that the community adhered to the Oba’s directives by giving him the 1000 by 1000, just as he added that the land remains intact.

“So, the land Idahosa is claiming is not his own. the land allocated to him is intact there. We don’t want to involve ourselves outside what the Oba judged then,” he added.

Also speaking, Pa Okunzuwa Edward, said the community deserved unreserved apology from Mr Idahosa for lying against them in the public.

On his part, Mr. Ajayi Ebohon, said the claim by Mr. Idahosa that the community hired Osakpomwan Eriyo also known as ‘No Molest’, to invade his land was a lie, adding that it was him (Idahosa) who consulted ‘No Molest’ to intervene on the land dispute.

He said they were in the Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) zone 5 office to respond to the same Idahosa’s petition against them when they received call from ‘No Molest’ that Mr. Idahosa has consulted him regarding the land dispute hence they rushed to his office for settlement.

Elders of Evbuoivbioba comminity addressing the press yesterday on the allegations.

“As we were all at the AIG’s office, ‘No Molest’ called us that Solomon Idahosa came to him to intervene between him and our community. We all left police station to meet at ‘No Molest’ office, then Idahosa came.

“When ‘No Molest’ hear the truth from elders of the community, that was then he believed that it was 1000 by 1000 parcel of land that belongs to Idahosa and not what he claimed. So, No Molest started telling the truth to Idahosa that these are his community people and that he should know how best to settle matter with them, but he got angry and started quarrels with ‘No Molest’ that he called him to support him and not to go against him.

“The claim that he has many land is false, he has no documents to show for that. The parcel of land he is even claiming is not his,” he said.

Mr Ebohon who said the insult the Solomon family is giving to their Enogie is becoming unbearable, gave Mr Solomon Idahosa 72 hours ultimatum to apologise to the Enogie and the entire comminity or face libel suit

Also speaking, woman leader in the community, Mrs. Okhomina said herself and Mr. Idahosa were given 1000 by 1000 parcel of land at the same time and that the land is still intact hence all his claims are false.

Representative of the Enogie, Prince Kester Izevbokun, urged the general public to disregard all the allegations leveled against him by Mr. Idahosa, adding that he never used thugs to threaten him (Idahosa) rather Idahosa used thugs to threaten him on the land issue.

While noting that Mr. Idahosa’s claims were all lies and should be disregarded, Prince Kester said Mr Idahosa actually called ‘No Molest’ for intervention, adding that when ‘No Molest’ was not supporting him after hearing the truth from elders of the community, he was angry with ‘No Molest’ and started quarrels with him.

“I am using this medium to tell the general public to disregard that allegation. I never employed anybody to shoot gun or employ any thug. As you can see me, I am a peace loving man. I don’t have problem with anybody. It is Solomon that came with boys to threaten me and I went to the AIG to complain.

“It was when we were at the AIG’s office that call came from Eriyo (No Molest) that we should come, and that he wants the land dispute between the community and Solomon to be resolved. We all went to Eriyo’s office. It was when we were there that Idahosa came. Eriyo, after listening to everyone then told Idahosa that the matter should be settled since we are all from the same place.

“When Eriyo started talking to him, he got angry and started quarrels with Eriyo that he called him to join him to fight against the comminity, so why should he be supporting them.,” he said.

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Tension As Unknown Gunmen Kill Police Informant In Imo Community

Published

4 months ago

April 25, 2025

Editor

By Qosim Sulaiman

Palpable tension engulfed the residents of Nkwogwu community, Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State following the killing of an elderly man, Pa Albert Nwanchukwu, believed to be a police informant.

The assailants, numbering about eight, who reportedly stormed the home of the late Nwanchukwu at about 10pm on Tuesday, 22 April, 2025, were said to have met him where he was relaxing in his compound and immediately opened fire on him.

According to our source who pleaded anonymity, before his assassination, the late Nwanchukwu, had reportedly went to a police station in the locality to inform them of the activities of the gunmen, just as he pleaded to the police to get them arrested.

Our source disclosed that the late Nwanchukwu never knew that some policemen are accomplished in the act, adding that the policemen no doubt informed the gunmen who in anger came and killed him.

Our source narrated: “They were about eight in number. They came with different weapons – guns, machetes. They were all masked except their leader.

“It was late but the floodlight from the streetlight was bright. They drove dangerously and went straight to Mr Albert Uwandu Nwachukwu house. The man was relaxing in the front of his house. Immediately they saw him, they opened fire,” he died on the spot”, an eyewitness who saw the entire scene from the balcony of his house recounts.

Our source added: “Further investigations proved that the spy had informed this notorious gang of late Pa Nwachukwu’s visit to the police, thereby leading to the attack on his household.”

After killing the man, the gang reportedly went inside the house searching for other family members.

While it was evident that the gang intended to eviscerate the entire members of the family, three of his children – Victor Onyedikachi Nwachukwu, Promise Rita Nwachukwu Yakubu and Blessing Nzebechi Nwachukwu escaped.

“I saw the three of them. They ran through the back door. Since that time, we have not seen them again”, the same eye-witness disclosed to our correspondent.

This particular incident has thrown the entire community and Aboh Mbaise Local Government in general, into mourning.

While some questioned the safety of police informants, other believed the incident shows the rot in the police force of the country.

Expressing his disappointment in the police, the chairman of Aboh Mabise LGA; Honourable Barrister Iheukwumere Henry Alaribe vowed a major crackdown on the unknown gunmen.

The Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Aboki Danjuma promised a total clampdown and return of sanity to the community.

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Protect Oil Palm Host Communities; Address Spate Of Kidnapping, Violence, Govt Told

Published

6 months ago

February 26, 2025

Editor

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo

A non-profit organization – African Law Foundation (AFRILAW), has appealed to the government at levels to ensure the protection of oil palm host communities and address the spate of kidnapping and violence in such areas.

AFRILAW further urged the governments to ensure that communities’ rights and privileges are respected in land deals with oil palm companies to avoid human rights violations.

Okereke Chinwike Esq,
Founder and Chief Executive Officer, AFRILAW, made the appeal in Benin on Tuesday at the Public Presentation and launching of ‘The Community-based Report on Human Rights Violations in the Palm Oil Supply Chain in Edo State.’

INFO DAILY reports that the event is part of AFRILAW activities under the “Promoting Human Rights in Palm Oil Supply Chain in Nigeria Project,” being implemented by AFRILAW in partnership with Zero Tolerance Initiative (ZTI) and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) with funding support from True Cost Initiative (TCI) USA.

According to the AFRILAW founder, addressing companies’ human rights violations from their operations in host communities require evidence-based research, hence the research and report presentation.

“The Report we are presenting today documents evidence of community rights violations by major oil palm companies operating in the state. The research is informed by the increasing spate of violence and community protests against the operations of oil palm companies operating in Edo state, and provides greater understanding of the prevailing cases of community and human rights violations and nature of conflicts,” he noted.

He, therefore, urged the government to
“put in place a mandatory binding CSR laws and guidelines for companies to ensure that community rights and privileges are protected.”

He further appealed to the government to “ensure effective implementation of the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights and set forth clear expectations for business enterprises regarding the importance of respecting the rights of human rights defenders, indigenous people and communities in Nigeria.”

On his part, Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission, Anthony Ojukwu (SAN), described the report as essential, stressing that beyond normal advocacy, research-based advocacy is more efficient and effective.

Represented by Mrs Mary Okoh, Deputy Director, Legal/Focal Point Business and Human Rights, NHRC, Ojukwu said beyond Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) organization should take seriously major issues of mainstreaming human rights into their operations.

“That means anyone who wants to set up a business must put into consideration the needs of the people and not what the organization or company needs. We have found out that this is where human rights violations start.

“Let them be part of the discussion and planning in the setting up of the business. Let them know what is at stake for them,” he said.

Goodwill messages were delivered by government agencies and ministries, while the presentation and launching also attracted security agencies including the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Customs Service, and the Nigeria Immigration Service among others.

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#EndBadGovernance: Police Manhunt Activists, Others, As Artist Cries Out For Help In Benin

Published

1 year ago

August 15, 2024

Editor

The suspect, Osarenkhoe Destiny Oghosa,

The Nigeria Police Force has launched a manhunt for suspected sponsors of the #EndBadGovernance in Nigeria protest that swept round the country last week.

Though police had arrested scores of such protesters across the country, many, especially vocal personalities and civil rights activists who have been criticising policies of the Tinubu administration in Nigeria have been penned down for arrest.

Also of interest to the police are those alleged to have massively produced and supplied Russian flags that were displayed during the protests, as they have vowed that none of the suspects would be spared.

It was gathered that undercover policemen are closing in on the social critics including one Osarenkhoe Destiny Oghosa, a vocal music artiste in Benin City.

This has raised fears and trepidation in that circle with many going underground for fear of being arrested by the police.

Oghosa is accused of masterminding an attempted jail break in the Benin metropolis similar to the End SARS protest in 2020, experience that resulted in the prison break and escape of prisoners and detainees alike.

Oghosa, in an interview with our correspondent, lamented that his music which focuses social justice, equality, societal ills among others in Nigeria, is now being as a crime.

He further lamented that despite several tactics to beat the security tab on him by agents of the government, he had faced persecution from invincible nocturnal groups.

Further lamenting how the government is hell bent in silencing voices speaking for the masses, Oghosa recalled how he was called at midnight to stop production of his song titled “OBI”, adding that he was seriously warned .

In a related development, Ahmed Bello, one of the suspect producers of the Russian flag hoist in some cities in Nigeria has been attested.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, disclosed this in Abuja on Monday at the Strategic Communications Interagency Policy Committee joint press briefing.

He added that the police were on the trail of other suspects, especially the sponsors of the protest which led to the destruction of government properties in Kaduna and Kano States.

Adejobi said the suspects committed a treasonable felony, offence by waving a foreign country’s flag in Nigeria.

He said: “So, we need to set the record straight. It is important for us to know, so far so good we have been able to arrest some individuals who were engaging themselves in what I call a treasonable felony, while we are still going after their sponsors.

“To carry the flags of a foreign country in another country is a criminal offence. We have them arrested. Just this morning, we arrested one Ahmed Bello from Kano State fuor producing a large quantity of Russian flags given to young Nigerians to hoist for reasons best known to him.”

The police added that protesters in Benin City had made attempts to invade the DSS office in the state with the intention to free persons who in their opinion were being unjustly detained there-in forcing the law enforcement agencies to disperse them.