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Okomu Crisis: Lawrence Yanbor’s Claims, Peace Move, and Its Absurdity – Community

Published

1 year ago

August 28, 2024

The natives of Okomu community in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State have reacted to Lawrence Yanbor’s readiness to drop his arms and embrace peace in the community and its environs.

The community described Yanbor’s peace move, particularly his narration in an online publication, as the “absurdity of the century.”

Lawrence Yanbor claimed that the denial of natives’ political and indigenous rights by the Edo State government, Okomu Oil Palm Company, Okomu National Park, and others pushed him and his gang to raise arms against these entities and agitate for their rights.

He stated that “perceived neglect and marginalization of our people, among several other reasons, have since 2010 led to our agitation that the relevant authorities – the government and others like Okomu Oil Palm Company, Ose Rubber, and Okomu National Park Service – should address our demands for a better situation for the generality of the people.”

However, reacting to his claims, Chief Edwin Denmene, the Ibe-uyadonwei of Okomu kingdom; Chief Rickson Nanaghan, the Otugbu of Okomu kingdom; and Chief (Dr) Atele Biriodoubrah, the Ibe-bolowoniwei of Okomu kingdom, on behalf of the entire kingdom, described Yanbor’s claims and peace move as an illusion that shouldn’t be taken seriously.

According to them, Yanbor’s claim of fighting for the rights of Okomu is absurd because he can’t be claiming to fight for them while simultaneously terrorizing and burning their properties. The trio, who said they are not against any peaceful resolution of the crisis, warned the Edo government and other authorities to be wary of Yanbor’s peace move.

The Okomu chiefs described Lawrence Yanbor’s peace move as pretentious and dangerous, saying that if he wants a peaceful resolution of the crisis, he should first rebuild the over 40 houses he razed in the community.

They added, “Lawrence Yanbor claimed that neglect and marginalization forced him to carry arms, but we have not seen him carry arms against the Edo government, Okomu Oil Palm Company PLC, or Okomu National Park, rather, he has been raising arms against the Okomu community he claims to be fighting for.

“Well, we are not against peace; we want total peace in that community, but what we are saying is that if Lawrence Yanbor says he wants peace, fine, but we want him to go and rebuild all the houses that he burnt down, and replace all the properties he destroyed. After doing this, he is free to come and drop his arms and embrace amnesty.

“Our point empathetically is that he cannot come from the backdoor after destroying properties and thereafter say he wants peace. Lawrence must face the wrath of the land. What he has been doing is a criminal offence.

“Edo State government should properly investigate this issue before giving amnesty to Lawrence Yanbor. If he is given amnesty without proper investigation, and doing the needful, other groups may come up again.”

On Lawrence Yanbor’s claim of being the Chief Priest of Okomu kingdom, the chiefs refuted: “This is an impersonation by Lawrence Yanbor. We don’t think he even knows the meaning. We have a recognised Chief Priest in our kingdom, not Lawrence Yanbor with his criminal activities.”

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Kwara Church Attack: ‘Resign Now’, Falz Tells Tinubu

Published

18 minutes ago

November 19, 2025

Editor

Folarin Falana (FALZ) and President Tinubu
Nigerian rapper and activist, Folarin Falana popularly known as Falz, has taken a swipe at President Bola Tinubu, demanding his resignation following the bandits’ attack of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Oke Isegun, Eruku, in the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State.

Falz, in a post on his X handle on Wednesday, accused the President of failing in his primary duty of securing the lives and property of Nigerians, describing the alleged government inaction as unacceptable.

Tribune Online reports that the Kwara State Police Command confirmed that the attack occurred around 6 p.m. on November 18. Security operatives and local vigilantes were said to have engaged the attackers and eventually repelled them.

During the assault, the armed gang reportedly invaded the church during a service, killed at least one person, and abducted several worshippers.

Reacting to the incident, Falz expressed frustration, questioning the president on the state of insecurity in the country and asking how many more people must die before meaningful action is taken.

He wrote, “How many more people have to be kidnapped and murdered in cold blood? How many more lives do you want to waste? How many more futures do you wish to erase with your incompetence and inaction?

“You have consistently shown your unwillingness to protect the lives and property of our people despite pretending to care in the past. RESIGN NOW!”

How many more people have to be kidnapped and murdered in cold blood? How many more lives do you want to waste? How many more futures do you wish to erase with your incompetence and inaction? @officialABAT

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Court Jails Two Men 26 Months For N8.5b Fraud

Published

26 minutes ago

November 19, 2025

Editor

LJustice Rahman Oshodi of Lagos Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja has convicted and sentenced two men, Hamza Zakaria and Nurudeen Ibrahim, to 26 months’ imprisonment each for N8.56 billion fraud.

Zakaria and Ibrahim were convicted and sentenced after the court found them guilty of unauthorised access to a new generation bank’s computer systems. They were formerly arraigned on May 2, 2025, alongside other defendants, on four counts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Their offences bordered on conspiracy, stealing and unauthorised access to a computer system, contrary to Sections 409 and 331 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. They had pleaded not guilty at the time.

The defendants, however, changed their plea following the presentation of amended charges, prompting the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.

During the review of the facts, prosecution counsel, Muhammad Bashir, called a witness, Airende Monday, an operative of the EFCC, who tendered documents that were admitted as exhibits.

While delivering judgement, Justice Oshodi stated: “I find the defendants guilty in the two-count amended information, and I convict them accordingly. This is the judgement of the court.”

The court jailed them eight months on count one and one year and six months on count two. Both sentences are to run concurrently, with an option of a N50,000 fine.

The EFCC alleged that the defendants and other persons at large, sometime in January 2025 in Lagos, within the court’s jurisdiction, conspired to transfer and retain criminal proceeds from unauthorised access to Wema Bank’s computer and servers.

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JUST IN: Police Deal Off PDP National Secretariat

Published

4 hours ago

November 19, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the Nigeria Police on Wednesday sealed the National Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, at Wadata Plaza, Abuja.

The development is linked to the face-off between two factions of the party on Tuesday.

Pandemonium broke out at the facility on Tuesday when the Saminu Turaki-led faction clashed with members loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and his Bauchi counterpart, Bala Mohammed, were teargassed during the confrontation.

DAILY POST observed on Wednesday that barbed wire was used to create a barrier to prevent anyone from gaining access to the premises.

None of the leaders of the two warring groups was sighted at the secretariat, as only a handful of policemen were on the ground.

However, supporters of the faction led by Kabiru Turaki opposed the decision of the police to barricade the premises.