Metro

Ogun: Three Killed, Houses Burnt As Obaship Tussle Tears Agosasa Community

Published

3 years ago

September 13, 2022

Editor

No fewer than three persons have been reported dead in Agosasa, Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State after violence erupted over who becomes the next monarch of the town.

Following the death of the first Oja of Agosasa, Oba James Elegbede, in February 2022, there has been tension over who would take over the throne.

It was gathered that the Obaship tussle got to its climax on Sunday when the youths of Agosasa took to the streets to warn against the installation of an unpopular candidate as the next Oja.

It was learnt that learnt from an anonymous source that “the youths of Agosasa are against the alleged steps being taken by a socialite and member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Otunba Akeem Adigun, to install a king.

On Sunday, about five persons were reportedly injured and taken to hospital when the face-off started.

“The intervention of soldiers, policemen and traditionalists helped to stop the crisis on Sunday evening. I could not pass through the town while going home,” an Ipokia resident told DAILY POST.

The situation, however, got out of hand on Monday with the murder of one Nafiu Amosun, who was said to be the closest ally to the candidate being supported by the youths of Agosasa.

The angry youths alleged that the said Nafiu Amosun was shot dead near the Afa river by the other faction and this triggered the current chaos in the community.

As of Monday evening, houses and vehicles belonging to Akeem Adigun; a former council Chairman and appointee of Governor Dapo Abiodun, Isiaka Aderounmu and others have been set on fire by some angry youths.

Also, two more persons were said to have been killed, making a total of three lives lost in the melee.

“At the moment, Agosasa is like a ghost town with a heavy presence of soldiers and policemen. Residents are indoors as those who could flee are already on their way out of the town. Some are running away through the forest. It is getting out of hand,” another source said in confidence.

It was gathered that chiefs and elders of the town are also on the run over fear that their houses might be razed.

Meanwhile, sons and daughters of Ipokia Local Government have taken to social media to call for calm, asking the State Government to take an urgent step to restore peace in Agosasa.

“There is war in Agosasa. This is not a joke. The Ogun State Government should stay action on Agosasa Obaship issue for now,” an elder has advised.

The Ogun State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat, did not answer calls nor respond to text messages sent to him to react to the situation.

The Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, has confirmed the incident, saying one person was confirmed to have been shot dead to the best of his knowledge.

“The incident in Agosasa is an Obaship tussle. Unfortunately, one person was shot. We learnt that some houses and vehicles were razed. But our men are there on ground. The operation is being led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Department of Operations. Normalcy has been restored and our men are on ground to forestall the further escalation of the crisis,” Oyeyemi said.

The police spokesman disclosed that some arrests have been made but refused to give further details about those arrested.

Oyeyemi warned that people should not take laws into their hands for any reason.

He said the Obaship tussle should have been left for the court to address, saying “we don’t need to shed blood because of the Oba title.”

“If everyone in the town had been killed before the installation, who will the new king rule over? Its not worth it. Nobody’s ambition is worth the blood of anybody. We should learn how to address issues legally instead of toeing the path of violence. It doesn’t pay anybody,” he advised.

Metro

JUST IN: Psychiatric Hospital Staff Shot Dead In Benin

Published

10 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

15 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

15 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.