Metro

Mixed Reactions Trail Demolition Of Roundabouts In Imo

Published

4 years ago

August 18, 2021

Editor

The recent demolition of some major roundabouts in Owerri, the Imo State capital, on the order of the state Governor, Hope Uzodinma, has been generating much reactions from people in the state.

Some residents have described the move as a welcome development, while others view it as misplaced priority and waste of public funds in the face of dire financial challenges bedevilling the state.

Residents of Owerri on Tuesday woke up to discover that the popular Imo State University (IMSU) junction roundabout situated along Okigwe road area of the state capital he’s been demolished

On August 10, 2021, the government house/Okigwe road by Wetheral roundabout constructed by Rochas Okorocha Rescue Mission administration, was also pulled down by the 3R government of Senator Hope Uzodinma.

First to be affected was the Ware House Roundabout roundabout situated in front of the Imo International Conference Centre IICC, followed by the Emmanuel College roundabout by Wetheral Road.

Other roundabouts destroyed include the Fire Service roundabout situated along Mbaise road, Poly junction by Naze., Aba road among others.

The pulling down of these roundabouts, described as landmark structures by the Rescue Mission Government, has raised some concerns from stakeholders who have questioned the rationale behind the demolition.

A senior Owerri based lawyer and human rights activist, callistus Osueke has taken a swipe at the Imo state governor, senator Hope Uzodinma for demolishing some of former governor Okorocha’s signature projects in a subtle attempt to erase his legacies, thereby inflicting Pain on Imo people who are helplessly watching in disappointment.

He noted that he has been in the state for a long time and witnessed the administrations of James Aneke, Tanko Zubairu, Achike Udenwa, Ikedi Ohakim, Rochas Okorocha and Chief Emeka Ihedioha, but has never seen a government that is as insensitive to the plight of the people, as the self acclaimed Hope Uzodinma shared prosperity government that has not only alienated itself from the people, but takes delight in unleashing pain, hardship, lack and deprivation on them.

Some motorists who spoke to DAILY POST who visited the scene, said, “we support the demolition of the bogus roundabout which occupies a greater part of the road and makes it difficult for vehicles to cross the area, thereby causing traffic gridlock.”

A journalist, Chidiebube Okeoma, who also faulted the demolition exercise, said that the governor should have focused on addressing pressing challenges, such as payment of arrears, workers’ salaries.

“Imo is the only state where the government demolished a roundabout and rebuilt it,” he said.

(DAILY POST)

Metro

NDLEA Arrests 26, Recovers 41,410.53 KG Drugs In Edo

Published

38 minutes ago

September 6, 2025

Editor

Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said it arrested twenty-six (26) suspected drug traffickers, with a total of 41,410.53 kilogrammes of various narcotic drugs.

Mitchell Ofoyeju, state commander of the NDLEA who disclosed this in Benin, while presenting August 2025 progress report of the agency in the state, noted that the command’s intensified operations led to numerous arrests, significant drug seizures, cannabis farm destruction and crucial anti-drug abuse initiatives.

“The achievements were remarkable and underscored our proactive approach towards curbing drug-related crimes in Edo State. The twenty-six persons comprehended comprise twenty-two (22) males and four (4) females.

“Total drugs seized is 41,410.53 kilogrammes, and the breakdown revealed that cannabis accounted for over ninety-nine percent of the seized drugs with 41,387.36 kilogrammes,” Ofoyeju said.

According to him, “others are Tramadol 22.253 kilogrammes, Swinol 0.3085 kilogrammes, Danabol 0.0117 kilogrammes, Diazepam 0.5163 kilogrammes, Methamphetamine 0.0811 kilogrammes. There was also 400 ml of Pentazocine and 10 litres of Codeine cough syrup.”

He added: “In a concerted effort against cannabis cultivation, the NDLEA destroyed four (4) illegal cannabis plantations in the Ebule Forest, Owan West LGA, covering a total area of 15.852732 hectares. The destroyed farm had an estimated yield of approximately 39,631.83 kg of cannabis.

“Prominent among the arrests and seizures is the evacuation of sixty-nine bags of skunk, a strong strain of cannabis from a three-bed room bungalow at Uzebba in the Owan West local government area of the state. A 54-year-old woman, Fodo Stella Sunday, who hails from the Owan West area of the state, was arrested in connection with the seizure.

“Similarly, the command raided a notorious drug location at RCC Junction, Sapele Road, Benin City, where three suspected drug traffickers were arrested with 2.05 kg of cannabis, 46 grammes of methamphetamine, 5 grammes of Danabol, 52 grammes of Swinol, 745 grammes of tramadol and 0.4 litres of Codeine.

“The suspects are Itua Oselumen, 41 years old from Esan West LGA of Edo State; Rabiu Yusuf, 38 years old from Nasarawa LGA, Kano State; and Fahad Ahmed, 24 years old, who hails from Malumfashi LGA of Katsina State.”

The state command, while noting that no conviction was recorded in the month of August as a result of vacation by courts, however, disclosed that six charges were filed in the Federal High Court, Benin.

He said: “This commitment to legal proceedings highlights the agency’s dedication to ensuring justice for drug-related offences.”

He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to aid in the collective fight against drug trafficking and abuse in the state.

Metro

Gateman Arrested For Allegedly Defiling Four-year-old Pupil In Oyo

Published

15 hours ago

September 5, 2025

Editor

A 26-year-old gateman identified as Josiah Ayomide has been arrested for allegedly defiling a four-year-old pupil in one of the schools in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The suspect was paraded alongside other suspects arrested for offences ranging from theft, banditry, rape, and other crimes at the Oyo State Police Command, Eleyele, Ibadan, on Thursday.

In his briefing, the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Adewale Osifeso, said the suspect was nabbed after the victim complained of severe vaginal pains to her parents at home.

Osifeso added that after a thorough investigation and probe, the suspect confessed to the crime.

The police spokesman said the victim later told her mother that her school gateman had unlawfully raped her while she was in the school.

According to the report, “The victim was taken to the Police Medical Clinic, Eleyele-Ibadan, for medical examination and treatment, and the medical report revealed that the hymen was not intact, with tenderness around the vulva and vagina and bruises.”

Osifeso said the suspect would be prosecuted upon completion of the investigation.

Metro

Panic As Fire Guts Fuel Station In Ikorodu

Published

17 hours ago

September 5, 2025

Editor

Photo: File Copy

There was pandemonium on Friday when fire gutted A1 Petroleum Filling Station, an independent oil dealer located on Isawo Road, off Agric Bus Stop in Ikorodu, Lagos.

As of 1 p.m., the extent of property destroyed and possible casualties had not been confirmed. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Men of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, supported by other emergency responders, were at the scene battling to contain the inferno, which reportedly began from a diesel-laden truck within the premises.