Metro

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

Published

4 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

Policeman Shot, Three Arrested Over Land Dispute In Delta

Published

1 day ago

July 25, 2024

Editor

Police operatives from the Okpanam Division, in the Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State have arrested three police officers who allegedly encroached and supervised the destruction of the properties in the community.

It was gathered that the property belonged to Ogbeozoma tenants in the land area in a dispute between the Ogbeozoma quarters of Okpanam and Akpoma quarters Issele-Azagba in Aniocha North Local Government Area.

A source, who spoke to The PUNCH on the condition of anonymity because he was not permitted to speak to the press, disclosed that when the people of Ogbeozoma received information that some people were destroying their properties, they mobilised to the site.

He said, “On arrival, they were confronted by the officers, as other people who came with them for the operation, took to their heels.

“In the process, one of the police officers the Ogbeozoma people brought, identified as Inspector Sanni Taiwo, was shot and was rushed to the hospital where he was receiving treatment.

“The arrested officers claimed they were attached to the CTU Base 44, Force Headquarters, Abuja, while the driver of one of the payloaders was also arrested.

“They were sent by a popular hotelier from the South-East origin but based in Asaba.”

As of the time of filing this report, the three officers and the payloader driver had been transferred to the police command headquarters, while the two Hilux vehicles and two payloaders recovered from the site were parked on the premises of Okpanam Police Division.

Items recovered from the suspects, according to our source, included two guns and some live cartridges.

When contacted on Wednesday, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Abaniwanda Olufemi, told PUNCH Metro that he was in Abuja for the IG meeting and was yet to be briefed.

Metro

JUST IN: 8 Children Rescued From Accident In Kogi

Published

1 day ago

July 25, 2024

Editor

Eight school children have survived a motor accident in Lokoja the Kogi State capital.

An Eyewitness account told DAILY POST that the children are pupils of Kingdom Heritage Nursery and Primary School Lokoja.

DAILY POST gathered that the children were returning from school when the sad incident occurred on Thursday at the popular Lokongoma market in Lokoja.

It was further gathered that a heavy-duty truck carrying a container load fell on two small vehicles which trapped the Children.

Through the combined effort of the Nigeria Police, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and other relevant agencies, the children were rescued.

The Kogi State Security Adviser Commodore Jerry Omodara Rtd. who was on ground to ensure the rescue of the school children confirmed this to newsmen on Thursday.

As of 5:17PM, efforts are still in place to ensure that the truck is evacuated from the road to ensure free flow of traffic.

Metro

Church Members Protest, Disown Faction Promoting LGBTQ Rights

Published

2 days ago

July 25, 2024

Editor

Hundreds of members of the United Methodist Church (UMC) in Gombe State have protested against a factional group accused of promoting LGBTQ rights and regionalization.

The members made the bold stance against the recognition of LGBTQ rights during a protest that took place at the Northern and Central Nigeria Annual Conferences in Gondum village, Shongom local government area of Gombe State.

Protesters, carrying placards rejecting LGBTQ and regionalization, stated their commitment to a unified church and their opposition to what they deem as “unholy acts.”

Yohana Wesley, Resident Bishop of the Nigeria UMC, stated that the factional group’s refusal to adhere to established procedures led to the decision to disown them.

Chipau Kiliyobas, Director of Connectional Ministry of Northern Nigeria UMC Annual Conference, noted that the disagreement over regionalization and LGBTQ issues was the root of the contention between the two groups.

Bishop John Schol, representing the Council of Bishops from the United States, attempted to reconcile the factions and unify all church members.

However, his remarks were met with resistance from the protesters.

Schol clarified that regional decisions on same-sex marriage would be respected, with no imposition from the global church, but the protesters remained steadfast in their opposition to LGBTQ recognition.

The traditional and majority group in the church deem LGBTQ acts as unholy, and their protest stated their strong stance against any recognition of such rights within the church community.