News

Rescue Us From Incessant Attack, Neglected Ondo Communities Cry Out To Akeredolu

Published

6 years ago

November 28, 2020

By Joe Ebi, Ebijaw

Communities under Ebijaw ward, Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, have called on the state governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, to, as a matter of urgency, deliver them from incessant armed robbery attack by putting in place security personnel in entrances to their area.

This is coming as gunmen numbering about eight reportedly invaded Temewei-Emi Zion and Ebijaw communities at about 10pm of Thursday night and and started shooting sporadically into the air, thereby leading to pandemonium.

The gunmen reportedly carted away valuables from d communities, including cash and injured several persons in the process.

Speaking on behalf of the communities, Mr. Kem Epere Lamene said there is a looming danger in the area if something urgent is not done.

He said it will be a double tragedy for them if, after being abandoned by the government, they still suffer from armed robbery attack in their domain.

Mr. Lamene, who was reacting to the robbery incident said there was urgent need for the Akeredolu-led government in the state to rise up to the challenge of protecting the lives and property of the people in the area, adding that he swore to do so and the people in this area must not be left out.

He lamented that no single security at both the waterways and land entrances to these communities hence armed robbers come at will to carry out their evil operations.

According to him, if not of recent, armed robbery was alien to the area, just as he added that since he has been on the planet earth for over five decades such has not been recorded.

“This armed robbery we have been experiencing of recent is odd in our area. I was born in the area over five decades ago, what we are experiencing of recent has not happened before. If I may ask, what is really happening? What is the cause of these armed robbery in our area? This is really a bizarre!

“I am using this medium to plead to our governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu to rise to the protection of the lives of our people he vowed to protect; no one seems to be safe in the area. We can no longer close our eyes and sleep anymore; everyone is scarred. So, once again, I am calling on the governor to protect our lives which he took oath to protect,” he pleaded.

Mr Lamene, who said that the area has been neglected by previous and present administration in the state, lamented that no single government presence in the area.

He disclosed that political office holders only come to seek for their votes when they are seeking elective position and after that “vanish into the tiny air” without any accessibility to them (politicians).

Mr. Lamene, who further disclosed that Ebijaw ward as whole has no accessible road, electricity, drinkable water, functional healthcare, college, etc, said the only road approved for them by the NDDC as been blocked by some politicians.

“We have no road, no electricity, no drinkable water. Our people drink from the dirty Owena river and stream. We have no hospital. The only road approved for us by the NDDC, some well-connected politicians have denied us. But I know our God will fight for us and give us what belongs to us.

“If I may ask, is it because we are Ijaw people under Odigbo and that is why the government shows no concern for our area? We have a chairman in the council; we have a house of assembly member representing us; we have a house of rep member at the lower chamber; we have a senator, and we have a governor, but unfortunately non of these people show concern about our plights. We are native of the place and not strangers.

“We are neglected, abandoned and forgotten by the government. Governance is alien to us, as there is no single thing from government you can point at in our area. We, as a people, we have been trying our best through community effort, but government must give us governance, and good one for that,” he said.

News

Migration Agency Warns Migrants Against Irregular Travel Routes

Published

4 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with Giving is Healing Foundation, has sensitised residents of Ayobo in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State on the dangers of irregular migration and the need to embrace legal travel procedures.

Speaking during a sensitisation programme held at Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association in Ayobo, the founder of Giving is Healing Foundation, Mr. Gbolahan Ayediran, warned intending migrants against using illegal travel routes.

Ayediran said many Nigerians desire to migrate abroad in search of better opportunities but often ignore proper procedures, thereby exposing themselves to several dangers.

“Lots of people want to migrate and most of them do it in the wrong direction. The reason for the programme is for us to advise people on how they can migrate in the right way. As much as migration is their right, they should do it correctly,” he said.

He advised intending travellers to obtain the necessary travel documents before embarking on any journey, noting that such documents include international passports, visas, flight tickets and yellow cards, depending on the destination country.

According to him, migrants should also gather adequate information about their destination countries to enable them make informed decisions before travelling.

Ayediran further highlighted some of the dangers associated with irregular migration, including abuse, exploitation, discrimination and forced labour.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association, Elder Mathews Amusan, commended the organisers for enlightening members of the community on safe migration practices.

He urged residents planning to travel abroad to always follow legal migration procedures to avoid falling victim to human trafficking and other migration-related challenges.

One of the participants, Mr. Kolawole Adenoko, said the programme enlightened him on the dangers of irregular migration and the importance of travelling through the proper channels.

He added that he would also educate his relatives and friends on the risks associated with illegal migration.

News

Shatta Wale Bailed Burna Boy From Ghana Prison After Arrest For Smoking Weed – Captan

Published

7 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Ghanian singer, Captan, has claimed that his former record label boss, Shatta Wale, once bailed Nigerian singer Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana after he was allegedly arrested for smoking weed.

Speaking in a recent podcast interview, Captan claimed that Shatta Wale sent him and others to free Burna Boy from police custody.

He also claimed that Shatta Wale and his group once accommodated Burna Boy when he was being hunted by some dangerous men.

Captan said, “I once bailed Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana when he was arrested for smoking weed. Shatta Wale sent me and some guys to go and free him from police custody.

“There was a time we also accommodated him when some people were after his life. We helped him settle the case.”

He added that he and Burna Boy are no longer in good terms after the Nigerian artist’s fallout with his mentor, Shatta Wale.

He, however, said he and Shatta Wale are open to reconciling with Burna Boy if he asks for it.

Watch the video here

News

Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint

Published

22 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children’s Day celebration as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.

The event,
organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.
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‎ A parent who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”
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‎Oboh said the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.

READ ALSO:Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection
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It was gathered that in the ensuing confusion, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students.
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‎Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.
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‎The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.
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‎Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said the security personnel that fired the tear gas had been detained.

He said all the students, except two, that were rushed to the hospital have been discharged.

Ebojele stated that doctors wanted to observe the students till tomorrow before allowing them to go home.

“The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained.

“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoyed their day.”
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