Metro

Market Relocation: Rescue Us From Exploiters, Market Women Cry Out To Obaseki

Published

6 years ago

April 10, 2020

…Revenue Collectors From Egor LG

Market women in Evbuotubu market, Egor Local Government Area of Edo State have cried out to governor of the state, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, to urgently rescue them from a set of persons who collect revenue from them everyday.

The market women who made the call when INFO DAILY visited the market which has been relocated to Evbuotubu Secondary School, said these revenue collectors visit each shop in such a violent way that anyone who resist them such person’s goods would be taken away.

According to a market woman, Mrs Jude (not real name), these revenue collectors came in the morning, gave them a receipt bearing ₦50 but collect this amount and another ₦100, which does not have record.

She noted that they claimed the ₦50 is for the space they occupied while the₦100 is for security, noting that this has continued for each day since the market was relocated to the school.

She said, “They come here every day to collect money from each market woman. First, they collect ₦50 and another ₦100, making it ₦150. And Anyone who refuses to pay they will carry the person market (goods) away. I think this is illegal because I believe the state government has stopped revenue collection for now. And if the state government has stopped this, where are they coming from.

“But as you can see, this receipt carries Egor, but why? Is Egor standing alone? Can a state government make an order and a local government flout it or do another thing contrary to the initial order? I think the state government should Investigate this and bring all involved to book.”

A close look by INFO DAILY reporter to the receipt given to these market women by these revenue collectors, it was observed the receipt with ₦50 written on it bears Egor local government council.

The said receipt from Egor local government council

Recall, Edo State government, while giving the order for market relocation, mandated security personnel and the Edo State Public Volunteer Work Force to guard markets in their new locations and maintain orderliness until they are relocatd to their original location.

Consequently, INFO DAILY reached out on phone to Edo State Chief Security Officer (CSO), as no security personnel was around as at when visited and to know why the revenue collection.

He asked if any security personnel was on sight but our reporter told him none, so he promised to do something after asking location of the market which was given.

It was later that some security personnel emerged with their pickup van in the market.

INFO DAILY reporter later sighted Public Volunteer Work Force and EDMSA personnel in a corner they were sitted.

They were approached and hinted of this development but they said they were not aware of any revenue collectors.

Effort to speak with Egor council boss proved abortive as the phone number was not going through.

This is a developing story that more details would be unveiled in the future.

Metro

Police Arrest Mother, Daughter Over Alleged N18m Romance Scam

Published

4 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, NPF-NCCC, have arrested a woman and her daughter over their alleged involvement in a romance scam that reportedly defrauded a Malta-based victim of more than N18 million.

The police disclosed that the arrests followed investigations into allegations bordering on computer-related fraud, identity theft, and money laundering after receiving intelligence from the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU.

In a statement issued by the Acting Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Uwana Imah, the suspects were identified as 39-year-old Urowhe Diana and her 22-year-old daughter, Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

According to the statement, preliminary investigations revealed that a Lagos resident identified as Emmanuel Amanfo, who is currently at large, allegedly collaborated with Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru to open and operate multiple bank accounts used in carrying out fraudulent transactions.

“One of the victims was identified as a resident of Malta whose identity has been withheld,” the statement said.

The police further disclosed that proceeds from the alleged romance scam were transferred through money transfer operators and direct deposits into several Nigerian bank accounts belonging to Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

Investigators also alleged that the funds were later moved into an Ecobank account owned by Urowhe Diana, where the money was allegedly spent.

According to the statement, forensic analysis of the suspects’ digital activities allegedly linked both mother and daughter to the cybercrime operation, leading to their eventual arrest.

The police added that efforts were ongoing to apprehend Emmanuel Amanfo, who was described as the husband of Urowhe Diana and stepfather of Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

“Investigation into the matter is still ongoing, and the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” the statement added.

The Nigeria Police Force reiterated the commitment of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to safeguarding Nigeria’s cyberspace and tackling cybercrime across the country.

The NPF-NCCC also urged members of the public to report suspicious cyber-related activities through its official online reporting portal and designated communication channels.

Metro

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

22 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.