Metro

Naira Scarcity: Anxiety In UNIBEN After Students, Soldiers’ Clash

Published

3 years ago

February 3, 2023

Editor

Following the clash between soldiers and students on the campus of the University of Benin, UNIBEN, on Thursday, Vice Chancellor of the institution, Lilian Salami, on Friday called for calm.

Trouble was said to have started as attempts by some military personnel to jump the queue and make cash withdrawal at at one of the bank’s Automated Teller Machine on campus was resisted by the students who had waited patiently on the queue for hours.

In a statement by the VC on Friday, she described the incident as unfortunate and urged the students to always seek alternative resolution to crisis instead of protesting.

The statement reads, “The unfortunate incident of the clash between some students of our university and soldiers on Thursday 2nd February, resulting from alleged resistance of students to the soldiers’ attempt to jump ATM queue on campus has been brought under control and the management of the university is in discussions with the hierarchy of the S&T for amicable resolution.

“The management acknowledges that these are challenging times for everyone and enjoins all to remain calm while efforts are being made to avert a re-occurrence.

“Management also calls on the students to constantly engage dialogue in resolving issues that concern them rather than taking to protests, at any provocation, thereby causing more injury and damage to themselves and other citizens,” the statement added.

A visit to the school premises on Friday shows there were fears among students and residents of the area of a reprisal attack.

Four vehicles that had their windshield smashed were packed close to the school’s main gate.

The exit gate was shut as motorists used the entry gate and were subjected to vigorous search before they were allowed in, while some students and resident gathered at the main gate afraid of what would happen next.

A group of police officers also sat close to the mountain to forestall further breakdown of law and order within the university environment.

A student told newsmen that they were afraid that the soldiers could still come and attack the school in the dead of the night.

She said, “Two of the five soldiers who caused the trouble were taken the security house at the main gate to prevent them being lynched. The were released to their superior later on Thursday evening.

“But they regrouped and came back in the early hours of Tuesday at about 12.30 and they jumped the fence, destroyed some vehicles and started shooting sporadically into the air.”

Another student, who gave his name as David stated that trouble stated when five soldiers came on Thursday to withdraw money at the Wema Bank ATM without joining the queue and showing no courtesy to those who had been on the queue for hours.

He continued, “A female student was said to be recording what the soldiers were doing and her phone was taken from her and smashed on the floor. A cab driver who tried to intervene was also molested which drew the ire of the students.

“If they had agreed to allow the female student go, the crisis would have been avoided. But we are afraid they might come back to attack us just like the did in the early hours of Friday.

“As soon as the issue escalated, we blocked the road which caused gridlock. But the Divisional Police Officer of Ugbowo came with his men and the blockade was removed.”

Metro

Ex-convict Arrested In Edo For Armed Robbery, Possession Of Firearm

Published

19 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Security Corps (ESSC) has arrested a 45-year-old ex-convict, Owen Osas, for alleged unlawful possession of firearms and suspected involvement in a robbery incident.

Osas was reportedly arrested with a cut-to-size single-barrel gun during a covert operation along Fishpond Road in Eyean, Uhunmwonde Local Government Area.

The arrest reportedly comes barely a year after he was released from prison, where he had served time for illegal possession of firearms and other criminal offences.

Osas, who confessed to the latest crime, also admitted to being a member of the Eiye Confraternity.

READ ALSO:Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo
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Consequently, a victim of an alleged robbery incident, Reginia Izy, identified Osas as the person who robbed her a day before his arrest.
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The victim narrated that the suspect had approached her residence around 8 p.m., pretending to be familiar before carrying out the attack.
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‎The Deputy Commander Operations of ESSC, Richard Balogun, said the arrest was part of intensified efforts to rid Edo State of criminal elements.

READ ALSO:Edo South Senatorial Seat: Nothing Wrong Seeking Wike’s Support – Ogbeide-Ihama
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‎Balogun explained that operatives conduct both overt patrols and covert operations to track and apprehend suspects.
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He said, ‎“Our men are always on patrol. Some operate in plain clothes as part of covert strategies, while others are stationed at strategic locations.

“Osas, who is a former convict, was arrested with firearms and he also confessed to be a member of the Eiye Confraternity.”
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Metro

Gunmen Kidnap Businessman In Ibadan

Published

2 days ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a 60-year-old man in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The victim was kidnapped on Saturday while on his way to his residence.

The incident occurred at Jinarere, Alakia in Ibadan.

Public Relations Officer of the State Police command, Olayinka Ayanlade, when contacted, confirmed the incident.

Ayanlade in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Sunday, explained that efforts are ongoing to rescue the victim.

Ayanlade said, “Preliminary information reveals that the victim, a 60-year-old male and building materials trader, was accosted while returning home along the Jinarere axis of Alakia Road by four masked armed men, who forcefully whisked him away in an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla vehicle”.

Metro

Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo

Published

3 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

A 30-year-old entrepreneur and CEO of Principle Takeout, Justice Abu Oshioke, has been killed by suspected kidnappers in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

He was reportedly attacked by the suspected kidnappers on Saturday while on his way to pick up an order made for his child’s dedication on Sunday morning.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers attempted to force him into a nearby bush in a kidnapping attempt. However, he reportedly resisted and tried to escape.

In the course of the struggle, the assailants opened fire, shooting him multiple times.

Concerned residents quickly rushed him to a nearby medical facility, but he was confirmed dead on arrival.

The deceased was said to have recently gotten married and welcomed a baby boy.

The tragic event has turned a joyous occasion into a moment of grief for the family.

The shocking development has left the Ekpoma community in deep sorrow, with many residents expressing outrage over the growing insecurity in the area.

Edo State Police Command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem confirmed the incident and said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika has ordered a “full-scale investigation and intensified manhunt for those responsible.”

According to her, the Police, in collaboration with the military, local vigilantes, and hunters, are actively pursuing the perpetrators through coordinated operations.