Metro
Police, Respondents Differ Over Uncovered ‘Ritual Den’ In Benin
By Joseph Kanjo, Benin
Respondents at the area where Edo State Police Command was said to have bursted and uncovered a ritual den have differed from the police’s report.
The Police Command in a statement made available to newsmen late Wednesday night made known to the public that it men bursted a ritualist den and discovered mummified bodies numbering about twenty (20)
In the statement made available to newsmen at around 10:26 P.M on Wednesday night, August 17, the command’s Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Jennifer Iwegbu said “15 mummified male corpses, 3 mummified female corpses and 2 mummified children corpses were discovered at the scene,” by men of the command who invaded the area after credible information.
Iwegbu in the statement named suspects arrested at the shrine as: Chimaobi Okoewu and Oko Samuel ‘M’ both of Afikpo in Ebonyi and Gideon Sunday ‘M’ of Akwa-Ibom State, adding that others, while sighting the police escaped.
READ ALSO: B-I-Z-A-R-R-E! Police Uncover Ritual Shrine, Find 20 Corpses, Arrest 3 In Edo
The statement reads in part: “Following credible information at the Command’s disposal that some corpse were discovered in a building along Asoro slope off Ekenhua road, Uzebu quarters,Benin city. Operatives of the command immediately swung into action and mobilized to the scene.
“At the scene, 3 suspects, Chimaobi Okoewu ‘M’ and Oko Samuel ‘M’ both of Afikpo in Ebonyi and Gideon Sunday ‘M’ of Akwa-Ibom State were arrested while others fled. An intensive effort is ongoing to arrest the other fleeing suspects.”
Also addressing newsmen after a visit to the scene of the crime on Thursday, Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, who named owner of the morgue as Chukwu Otu said the man was on the run, adding that five shrines were found at the uncompleted building with stains of blood of animals such as dogs and chicken.
Nwabuzor, who said one of the suspects arrested for the crime confessed that Mr. Otu is a mortician with one of the private hospitals in Benin, however, argued that the place cannot be a morgue as speculated in some quarters. When asked if the bodies discovered had tags as speculated in some quarters, the PPRO admitted that the bodies were tagged as being done in morgue, insisting that the place is not a morgue because it is still under construction and has no modern facilities.
“The place cannot be a mortuary because the building is a fresh building which is under construction. This is because when the police visited the scene, we saw people working there; people fixing POP and other works still ongoing, so it cannot be a morgue,” he added.
He continued: “Other items discovered at the scene are five shrines. We had blood stain of animals such as fowl, dog in that place. Three persons who claimed to be working there were arrested. Just after the raid, a certain man came to the scene of the crime in the night and he was equally arrested.
“The owner of the place as we speak is on the run. His name is Chukwu Otu. Investigation is ongoing.”
But speaking during INFO DAILY visit to the scene of the crime which was already cordoned off with over 30 vigilantes securing the place, one of the casket-makers at the place who does not want his name mentioned, disagreed with the police’s claim. It is worth mentioning that the area already housed two morgues.
He said the uncompleted building is a new mortuary under construction, adding that the man is a mortician who relocated from First East Circular, Benin to the new site (Asoro Slope, Ekewan Road, Benin City), just as he added that bodies police discovered were relocated from First East Circular to the place.
The casket-maker said the man is known to be a traditionalist hence the shrines police claimed to have discovered from the scene (uncompleted building) are what he used for his traditional worship.
He said, “That place is a mortuary, no doubt. He is a well known and a strong traditionalist, I am just surprised how he brought his shrine to his morgue. He has four morgues in this town. He just relocated from First East Circular to here, Ekewan Road. So, that place is a morgue,” he added.
In what seems to be a corroboration to the casket-maker’s claim, a man who identified himself as Nappiar Osaro, who our correspondent incidently met at the scene of the crime, said he came to claim the corpse of his late mother just to discover the place had been labelled a ritual den.
According to him, his mother died in 2021 and the remains were deposited at the morgue. He added that the morgue was as at then located at First East Circular before it was relocated to the present site.
READ ALSO: Cult Killings: Edo Police Arrest 30 Suspects
He said he would have claimed his mother’s remains for burial but financial constraints made it take so long before coming this period just to hear a different story about the place. He added that, being ready for the burial, he had gone to the First East Circular to request for the remains of his late mother but he was told by people in the area (First East Circular) that the morgue had been relocated to Asoro Slope, hence he traced the place two days back but the remains were not released to him because as at that time he was not with the identification card the management of the morgue issued to him when he deposited body of his late mother. He said this made him to go back home while booking appointment for Thursday (today), but unfortunately the place has been in the public place for the another story entirely.
However, whether the morgue is a registered one is what could not be ascertained as at the time of this report.
Metro
Suspected Kidnappers Abduct 18 Passengers On Benin-Akure Road
Kidnappers have abducted 18 passengers along the Benin-Akure highway, near Obarenren village, Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State.
The kidnappers were said to have fired sporadically before taking their victims into the bush.
Edo State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, confirmed the incident in Benin on Monday.
READ ALSO:Senate Backs Death Penalty For Kidnappers, Informants, Others
Ikoedem, while stating that a joint security operation had launched a manhunt for the abductors, added that a “massive bush combing led to the rescue of 11 victims.”
The PPRO, who said efforts were on to rescue other victims, noted: “The incident happened last Saturday. The passengers were in a 18-seater Big Joe bus. We have been combing the bush in collaboration with the Nigerian Army.
“No Arrest has been made yet.”
Metro
NDLEA Seizes 457kg of Cannabis, Arrests Suspected Trafficker In Edo
Operatives the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Edo State Command, have arrested a 44-year-old suspected drug trafficker, Ohiomah Igbafe, at Uroe community in Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State.
The command also seized 457 kilograms of skunk cannabis concealed at the suspect’s hideout
in the operation that took place on December 9, 2025,
The State Commander of the anti-narcotic agency, Mitchell Ofoyeju, who disclosed this in a press statement said: “The suspect was found in possession of 15 bags of cannabis sativa weighing a total of 457 kilograms, in addition to a separate sack containing four kilograms of cannabis seeds.”
He described the arrest as a significant milestone in the agency’s ongoing campaign against drug trafficking in the state.
READ ALSO:NDLEA Arrests Suspected Drug Baron, Seizes Over 14,000kg Skunk In Osun
He said: “The operation reflects our undying commitment to the eradication of drug trafficking within Edo State. The quantity of illegal drugs seized in this raid represents a serious threat to public health and safety. This level of success encourages us to continue to confront drug cartels relentlessly.”
He added that the agency would not relent in its efforts to dismantle criminal drug networks, warning that offenders would be pursued without mercy.
“We want to send a clear message that drug traffickers and their collaborators have no safe harbour in Edo State.”
Metro
Edo Assembly Declares Okpebholo’s Projects Unprecedented
The Edo State House of Assembly has described projects embarked upon by Governor Monday Okpebholo as unprecedented in the history of Edo State.
Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Atu Osamwonyi, made the assertion when he led members of the legislature on a comprehensive oversight inspection of several ongoing infrastructural projects.
Other lawmakers on the oversight team included Hon. Addeh Isibor, Hon. Yekini Idaiye, and Hon. Ugabi Kingsley.
Hon. Osamwonyi, who spoke during an assessment tour of the Sapele Road Flyover, said the lawmakers were in the field to verify the progress of work and ensure that funds appropriated by the Assembly were being judiciously utilised.
According to him, the flyover represents a milestone for Benin City and reflects the governor’s commitment to infrastructural renewal.
READ ALSO:MOWAA: Why I Will Not Appear Before Edo Assembly Panel — Obaseki
He emphasised that unlike past administrations where funds were approved with no tangible results, the Okpebholo-led government had demonstrated transparency and visible delivery.
“In my entire life in Edo State, this flyover project is the first of its kind. We are here physically, and work is ongoing,” he said.
The Deputy Speaker added that the Assembly had earlier inspected the Ramat Park Flyover on Monday, noting similar levels of progress.
“This is the fifth site we have visited since yesterday. We are impressed with what we have seen so far, and as a House, we will stand by the governor to ensure he finishes strong,” he said.
At Ogheghe, Old Sapele Road and Ekae Road—where a 14-kilometre road and concrete drainage network is underway—Hon. Osamwonyi described the construction efforts as unprecedented, expressing astonishment at the level of work done within a short period.
READ ALSO:Okpebholo’s One Year Performance Outshines Some governors’ 8 Yrs, Says Idahosa
He insisted that the legislature does not play politics with accountability and would speak the truth at all times.
“If Governor Okpebholo was not doing well, we would say it. But I stand here today to affirm that the funds appropriated are being used judiciously for the benefit of the people.l”, he noted.
He further remarked that despite limited financial resources, the governor had delivered projects many believed were impossible.
The Deputy Speaker recalled that several communities, particularly in Ogheghe, previously suffered from severe road degradation that made access impossible, even for motorcycles.
“But today we are standing here with joy. The governor has brought democracy to Edo in a way the people can feel,” he said.
READ ALSO:Edo Assembly Declines To Confirm Ex-lawmaker As commissioner Over DSS Petition
According to him, contractors handling the projects confirmed that although the initial timeline was two years, work would likely be completed within one year and six months due to the speed of implementation.
“That tells you that Governor Okpebholo is not eating Edo people’s money,” he added.
Hon. Osamwonyi stressed that the Assembly would resist any attempt to derail the governor’s momentum.
“This is the continuity we want in Edo State. Anybody who wants to thwart the governor’s efforts, we will not agree,” he said.
The oversight team also visited the 5.86-kilometre road project linking Amagba and Obagie-N’Ebvuosa, where the engineer handling the project reported that 4.3 kilometres of drainage had already been completed.
READ ALSO:
The inspection revealed rapid progress across multiple sites.
Commissioner for Works, Engr. Felix Akhabue, who accompanied the legislators, said the governor had given strict directives to monitor all contractors and ensure adherence to specifications.
He confirmed that the Ministry of Works had been following the Adesuwa Junction Flyover construction “bumper to bumper.”
He noted that the House of Assembly’s involvement strengthens accountability.
READ ALSO:Okpebholo, Idahosa Bag UNIBEN Distinguished Service, Leadership Awards
“The lawmakers did not just appropriate funds; they want to see how the money is being used.
“Their presence keeps us on our toes because Edo people are waiting for the completion of these projects,” he said.
Akhabue added that although the flyover was originally scheduled for completion in 24 months, the current pace suggests that delivery would be earlier than projected.
He commended the contractors for adherence to standards and thanked the Assembly for its active oversight role.
News2 days agoEdo Assembly Charges Contractor Handling Ekekhuan Road To Accelerate Work
- Metro2 days ago
Suspected Kidnappers Abduct 18 Passengers On Benin-Akure Road
- Sports23 hours ago
JUST IN: Dembélé Named FIFA Best Men’s Player, Bonmatí Wins Women’s Award
- News2 days ago
I’m Not Distracted By Anti-Niger Delta Elements, Says PAP Boss, Otuaro
- News2 days ago
OPINION: Time For The Abachas To Rejoice
- Metro2 days ago
NDLEA Seizes 457kg of Cannabis, Arrests Suspected Trafficker In Edo
- News23 hours ago
Wage Dispute: Court Orders PSG To Pay Mbappe €61 Million
- News2 days ago
Ex-Nigerian Amb., Igali, To Deliver Keynote Address As IPF Holds Ijaw Media Conference
- Business21 hours ago
CBN Revokes Licences Of Aso Savings, Union Homes As NDIC Begins Deposit Payments
- News2 days ago
Okpebholo Pledges To Clear Inherited Salary Arrears, Gratuities At AAU
