Metro

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

Published

5 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

JUST IN: Psychiatric Hospital Staff Shot Dead In Benin

Published

5 hours ago

July 11, 2025

Editor

A yet-to-be identified man was, this evening (Friday, 11 July, 2025) shot dead at Uselu Share, Benin City, in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State.

The man, who should be in his late 50’s was a staff of the Federal Psychiatric Hospital, Benin.

He was reportedly trailed by two vehicles – GLK Jeep and a red car – as he drove out from the hospital premises after the close of work.

According to our source, the two vehicles had packed in a nearby place waiting for the man’s vehicle, adding that immediately he drove out, he was trailed to a point where he was caught up and shot at a close range on the head.

Our source who does not want his name mentioned, said: “He works at Psychiatric Hospital. He closed for the day’s work and was about driving home, but unfortunately he drove in less than one minute when he was gunned down.

“It happened around 5pm this evening. We were at a nearby fast food restaurant when we heard the gunshot. It didn’t take the guys one minute to gun him down.

“After they killed the man, they were still shooting as they moved. The guys in the two vehicles were more than five.

“He’s an advance person, but we don’t know why he was killed,” he added.

According to source, security operatives comprising the Nigeria Police, officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Nigerian Army arrived the scene promptly, adding that before they arrived the assailants had left.

Our source added that the security personnel immediately evacuated the body from the scene.

Our source, who lamented that “three days ago, they came to rob a beer parlour and Baba Ijebu Shop in this same area,” urged the authorities to draft security personnel to the area.

Contacted on the phone by INFO DAILY, Police Public Relations Officer, Edo State Command, Moses Yamu, said he was yet to be informed of the incident, promising to make his founding.

Metro

Gunmen Invade Catholic Seminary School In Edo, Kill One, Abduct Three

Published

10 hours ago

July 11, 2025

Editor

Gunmen on Thursday night attacked the Catholic Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary School at Ivianokpodi, Agenebode in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State and killed a member of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) attached to the school.

The gunmen also abducted three students of the school.

This is coming barely ten months after an attack was carried out in the area. Two people including a priest were kidnapped and one killed during the attack.

The Directorate, Social Communications, Catholic Diocese of Auchi, Rev. Fr Peter Egielewa confirmed the incident on Friday

He said that the gunmen attacked the school at about 9:00 pm at night.

Egielewa expressed displeasure over the persistence attack on the Catholic school, personnel and its facilities.

“This is the second time in 10 months that the school had been attacked

“10 Months ago, a priest was kidnapped.

“And now three seminarians were abducted and a civil defense corps is killed, while a local vigilante sustained gun injuries

“We call on the government to protect the lives of all those who work in Catholic institution and our diocese.

“We hope the security agencies at the local, state and federal level take up the responsibility on that, so our people can be in peace and safety,” Egielewa said

Metro

Pastor Arraigned Over Alleged Rape Of Married Woman In Edo

Published

11 hours ago

July 11, 2025

Editor

A 38-year-old pastor, Simeon Okehielem, of the Synagogue Prayers Ministry has been arraigned before an Edo State High Court for allegedly raping a married woman, Mrs Isoken Vivian Aigbedo.

The pastor, who was accused of engaging in sexual relationships with married women within his congregation, was docked before the court in Benin City, on Thursday.

The charges against Pastor Okehielem followed a year 2022 incident in Uholor Community of Benin City where the cleric allegedly drugged and raped the woman leading to the birth of a child.

Recent DNA results reportedly confirmed the pastor as the biological father of the child, which prompted the Nigerian Police to re-arrest and formally arraign him.

The presiding judge, Justice Erhabor, granted an ex-parte order to remand the suspect at the Benin Correctional Custodial Centre for 14 days, pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Ministry of Justice, Edo State.

The State Prosecutor, P.O. Odion, told the court that the alleged offence occurred in February 2022.

Okehielem was slammed with two-count charge on alleged rape and administering a stupefying substance with the intent to commit a felony.

The charge sheet, marked Suit No: BLOD/2323M/2025, reads: “That you, Okehielem Simeon ‘m’, in or about the month of February 2022, in Benin City within the Benin Criminal Division, did rape one Mrs Isoken Vivian Aigbedo and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 4, punishable under Section 5(1) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2021.

“That you, Okehielem Simeon ‘m’, in or about the month of February 2022, in Benin City within the Benin Criminal Division, with intent to commit a felony, administered a substance to stupefy one Mrs Isoken Vivian Aigbedo, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 256 of the Criminal Law of Edo State, 2022.”

Speaking to journalists after the court session, the victim’s legal counsel, Clinton Ogbebor, applauded the Police for its diligence.

“We are in court today over the alleged rape of my client, Mrs Isoken Aigbedo, by one Pastor Simeon Okehielem,” he said.

Ogbebor confirmed that the case file would now be forwarded to the office of the DPP for legal advice, after which the trial will proceed accordingly.

The development has stirred debates across Benin City, with residents and religious leaders expressing shock and calling for justice.

The case has been adjourned pending further legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution.