Metro

Philanthropist To Wealthy Benin Men: Stop Selling Water To Masses

Published

5 years ago

December 19, 2020

A philanthropist and legal practitioner, Barrister Olayiwola Afolabi, has described as unfair and shameful the act of selling borehole water to the masses by some wealthy men in Benin.

Barrister Afolabi who made this submission in Benin at the occasion wherein his chamber supply borehole water to Yoruba, Efeyi and other streets in Benin, noted that God gives water free hence anyone who can afford to sink borehole should give it free to those who can’t afford it.

The legal practitioner who used the occasion to distribute food items such as indomie, etc, to residents of these streets for the yultide, said one can sink borehole and may not find any water if God does not want it to be.

“You can sink borehole and there may not be water if God does not want to give you water. This is no showoff but we just want to shame big men that sell water. Besides, when such persons die, are they going to carry the water to their grave? So, the essence of the programme is to shame big men who are found of selling water, even in our area,” he added.

The Ekiti-borned legal practitioner who said there are some persons who do not have job and solel depend on sales of water for survival, noted that such persons are allowed to sell water, just as he added that well-to-do men selling water to the masses is condemnable.

He called on wealthy men who have borehole in their compound to supply water to the general public for free.

Barrister Afolabi said, “But there are some big men, they have money yet they will be selling water ranging from N10, N20, this is unfair, so, that is why we are telling the whole world that it is not about money. When you have money and you can afford to sink borehole in your compound, don’t sell water to people. Give them water free because God also gives you free.”

A resident of Efeyi street who happens to be one of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Kudi Babalola, said Barrister Afolabi bursted his fence to supply them water and that the water rushes 24 hours, just as she added that no big man in the area has ever done that.

“I want to thank Barrister Afolabi for the water he gave to us. He bursted his fence and supplied us water, no other big man for this area can do this.

Barrister Olayiwola Afolabi

“The water is rushing 24hrs, so we don’t buy water,” she said.

On her part, Mercy Itamah, resident of Efeyi said if other big men in the state can emulate Barrister Afolabi the state will be a better place for everyone.

She said, “Barrister Afolabi is a philanthropist; he has given water to three streets now. We are now enjoying water. If other big men in Edo State can emulate Barrister Afolabi, the state will be a better place for us.

“This man is helping poor people in Edo State, and look at him now, he gave us water and still share indomie for us, so, if other people can still do this kind thing, we will really appreciate it.”

Also speaking, Monday Itua, appealed to other wealthy men to try and supply water to the masses who cannot afford to sink borehole in their houses.

“I must thank Barrister Afolabi who gave us water in this Yoruba street, Afeyi and other streets. I am so surprised some big men are in this town, they sell water. I am appealing to every big man that they should try and give water to the masses so that the money they want to use to buy water they can use it for another thing,” he appealed.

Related Topics:#Barrister Afolabi #wealthy men Edo State

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Metro

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

15 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Police Command on Wednesday said two suspected cultists were arrested in Ohonre community, off Adolor College Road, Benin.

This was disclosed in a statement by the command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, and made available to newsmen electrically.

Ikoedem said the arrest was possible due to operatives response to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

The statement reads: “The Edo State Police Command has recorded another operational breakthrough following the swift disruption of a suspected cultists’ gathering in Ohonre Community, off Adolor College Road, Benin City.

“On 21st May, 2026, at about 19:00hrs, operatives attached to Ugbowo Division who were on surveillance patrol responded to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

“Acting promptly on the information, the police team mobilized to the location. On sighting the operatives, the suspects fled in an attempt to evade arrest. The operatives immediately gave them a hot chase, leading to the arrest of two suspects identified as Victor Peter ‘M’, 21 years and Iyemoma Ogbewe ‘M’, 35 years.

“A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of one cut-to-size gun believed to have been in their possession for unlawful purposes.

“Upon investigation, the suspects confessed to being members of the notorious Maphite cult group. Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other fleeing gang members.”

She said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the swift response of the operatives and reiterated the Command’s resolve to deny criminal elements any opportunity within Edo State.

He further urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, assuring that all reports would receive prompt attention.

Metro

Troops Eliminate Two Terrorists, Foil Pipeline Attack

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Army says troops have, in the last 24 hours, eliminated two terrorists, rescued four kidnapped victims and foiled pipeline attacks in a series of coordinated military operations across Taraba, Kogi and Rivers.

This is contained in operational updates issued to reporters on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the reports, troops of 93 Battalion deployed at Akate in the Donga Local Government Area of Taraba engaged suspected terrorists in a forested area, killing two of them.

According to the report, items recovered from the scene include an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, magazines, mobile phones and other personal effects.

In Kogi, it said the troops of 21 Battalion, in collaboration with vigilantes, rescued four kidnapped passengers along the Anyigba–Itobe road in Ofu Local Government Area.

It added that the victims were reportedly abandoned by their captors while attempting to cross a seasonal stream due to sustained pressure from advancing troops.

According to the military, efforts are ongoing to rescue other victims still in captivity.

The report said that troops of 12 Brigade successfully repelled an ambush along Kabba–Okene road while withdrawing from an earlier operation, forcing the assailants to flee with gunshot wounds.

“Meanwhile, in Rivers, troops of 5 Battalion acting on credible intelligence, foiled an attempt by suspected vandals to detonate a crude oil pipeline in Ahoada West Local Government Area.

“The swift response of the troops disrupted the operation before it could be executed, with the suspects fleeing the scene,” it said.

Metro

Police Arrest Private Chef Over Alleged N150m Theft, Drugging Of Employer, Burglary

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a chef, John Cosmos Govi, over his alleged involvement in a burglary operation at a residence in Abuja, where luxury items and valuables worth about N150 million were reportedly stolen.

The arrest was announced on Monday, May 25, 2026, by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, who said the suspect was apprehended by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) after investigations into allegations of criminal conspiracy, housebreaking, theft, malicious damage and administering harmful substances.

According to police findings, Govi, who allegedly gained employment as a chef at the residence, was said to have studied the movement of occupants, internal routine and security setup before allegedly carrying out the operation on April 23, 2026.

Investigators said he reportedly worked with two accomplices identified as Peter and Moses, who are currently on the run.

Police alleged that food prepared in the house was laced with a suspected sedative substance to weaken the occupants and security personnel.

After they reportedly became unconscious, the suspects allegedly broke into the property, damaged CCTV installations and stole 20 luxury wristwatches valued at about N150 million, alongside other valuables.

Speaking on the development, DCP Anthony Placid said the suspect was intercepted around the Gwagwalada axis of the Federal Capital Territory while attempting to flee to Lagos. He added that an iPhone 17 Pro Max, believed to belong to the victim, and a suspected chemical substance were recovered.

“We remain committed to dismantling organised criminal networks and ensuring that all fleeing accomplices are brought to justice,” Placid said.

Police said efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects and conclude investigations into the case.