Metro

Okaighele: Edo Community Begs Okpebholo, Benin Monarch For Intervention Over Growing Tension

Published

4 months ago

April 14, 2025

From Joseph Ebi Kanjo, Benin

The people of Orior Ozulua community in Uhunmwode Local Government Area of Edo State have appealed to the state of governor, Monday Okpehbolo and Oba of Benin to intervene in the “growing tension, insecurity, and leadership crisis no currently threatening the peace and stability of of the community.”

According to them, at the centre of this crisis is “one Elder Osasere Egharevba, who has continued to unlawfully hold the position of Okaighele (Youth Leader) of our community,” alleging that he had spent “over 17 years, in violation of the community laws, which stipulates a 2-year tenure.”

In a peaceful protest to the secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State council, the community people said if not addressed, the matter could degenerate.

A petition titled: ‘Petition Against Elder Osasere Egharevba of Orior Community, Uhunmwode LGA: An Urgent Call for Intervention to Avert Breakdown of Law and Order,’ which was read by Ajayi Nehikhare, secretary, youth wing of the community, said the Osasere was appointed 2012, and since then he has remained in the office.

The petition reads: “Elder Osasere Egharevba was appointed as the youth leader in 2008. In 2012, he was promoted by His Royal Highness Osakpamwan Osemwengie the late Enogie of Orior Ozolua Community into the Council of Elders, a position that by custom and pronouncements of the Oba of Benin automatically disqualifies him from holding any position in the Youth Association and he can’t serve as the Okaighele (Youth Leader) and Odion (Elder).

“Despite this, Elder Osasere has refused to vacate the youth leadership position, thereby violating both the constitutional tenure limit and traditional protocols of leadership transition in our community.

“In 2023, he facilitated the appointment of a new Odionwere, who controversially reinstated him as Okaighele despite his status as a community elder and without the consent of the elders and youths of the community.

“Presently, our once peaceful community is under threat, with armed elements roaming freely, intimidating residents, and creating fear and instability. The possibility of violent confrontation and total breakdown of law and order looms dangerously.”

They, therefore called for a “transparent, constitutionally guided restructuring of youth leadership in the community.”

Metro

Lagos: Police Arrest Security Guard For Stealing Generators, Others

Published

8 hours ago

August 23, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a 38-year-old security guard for allegedly breaking into an apartment and carting away household items worth about N1.8 million.

Police spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed the arrest in a statement released on Saturday, adding that the suspect was tracked down by officers attached to the Iju Police Division.

He said operatives from the Iju Division apprehended the suspect following a report from a resident of the Ifako area, who returned home on August 15 to find his house burgled.

“Stolen items included a Sumec generator, a Fireman generator, a National air conditioner, and three air conditioner compressor engines, all valued at N1.8 million.

“Detectives arrested the suspect in the same neighbourhood after investigations revealed he conspired with others, who are still at large, to commit the crime,” Hundeyin said.

He added that the stolen items have been recovered, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend his accomplices.

Hundeyin said the case would be charged in court upon completion of investigations.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olohundare Jimoh, assured residents that the command would leave no stone unturned in bringing criminals to justice and urged employers to conduct proper background checks before hiring staff.

Metro

NAF Kills 35 Terrorists In Border Airstrikes Near Cameroon

Published

9 hours ago

August 23, 2025

Editor

The Nigeria Air Force said it had killed more than 35 jihadists in raids Saturday on militant fighters that had gathered near the Nigeria–Cameroon border following an attempted attack on ground troops.

The air strike was the latest by the Nigerian military, which is battling a resurgence of attacks in the country’s embattled northwest.

“Acting on multiple intelligence from several sources, the Air Component executed precision strikes in successive passes, engaging the terrorists and neutralising more than 35 fighters at four identified assembly areas,” said a Nigerian Air Force statement.

It re-established communication with the ground troops that had been threatened, and they confirmed that the “situation around their location had been stabilised,” the statement added.

The strike had “intensified efforts” to dominate the battles field and “deny terrorists freedom of action,” said the statement.

While Nigeria’s 16-year-old insurgency has slowed since violence peaked around 2015, attacks have picked up since the beginning of the year.

The Air Force said the latest operation demonstrated the force’s commitment to providing close air support to ground forces, “while also disrupting terrorist logistics and movement corridors along the north east border regions.”

AFP

Metro

Police Arrest Man For Allegedly Dismembering Pregnant Sister-in-law In Kwara

Published

9 hours ago

August 23, 2025

Editor

The police command in Kwara says it arrested a man, who allegedly dismembered the body of his pregnant sister-in-law, Mrs Esther Enemo at Egbejila Road in Temidire community, Ilorin.

This is contained in a statement by the command Spokesperson, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, on Saturday in Ilorin.

According to Ejire-Adeyemi, the command wishes to inform members of the public of a tragic incident that occurred in the early hours of Aug. 21, at Temidire community in Ilorin.
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‎”At about 9 a.m., a resident of the area reported a suspected foul play within the residence of one Mrs Esther Enemo.

“In a swift response, a team of police detectives visited the scene, where the dismembered body of Mrs Esther Enemo (aged 39 years) was discovered in the bush behind her residence.

“Further search led to the recovery of other parts of her body concealed in a sack and dumped beneath a nearby community bridge.
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‎”The suspect, (names withheld), aged 29 years, younger brother to the victim’s husband, who was seen leaving the house a few minutes before the discovery of the incident, has been arrested in connection with the crime.

”Meanwhile, the husband has also been contacted for necessary clarification.
“The remains of the deceased have been deposited at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) morgue for autopsy.

‎”The Commissioner of Police (CP), Ojo Adekimi, has ordered a full-scale investigation into the matter, assuring that the command will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that justice is served,” he said.
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Ejire-Adeyemi expressed the command regret of the unfortunate incident and appealed to members of the public to remain calm and avoid speculations that would incite fear or tension within the community.

He assured that the police would unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident and bring the perpetrators to face the full weight of the law.

He urged the residents to continue to cooperate with the police by providing useful information that would aid ongoing investigations and security operations.

He reiterated the command to resolve to protect all residents and ensure peace prevailed in the state.

NAN