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Strike: NLC Paralyses Activities In Edo, Public Offices, Others Shut

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Joseph Kanjo, Benin

The Nationwide strike embarked upon by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) recorded a huge success in Benin City, the Edo State capital, as government offices, public schools, courts, some banks were shut by officials of the state chapter of the NLC.

Other public places shut were the National Museum, the house of assembly complex.

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The closure of the State Secretariat situated along Sapele Road, Benin was supervised by the chairman of Edo chapter of the NLC, Odion Olaye alongside some workers and union executives.

Speaking, Olaye stated that he had sent members to schools, airports, petrol stations, and the Nigeria Petroleum Development Corporation to ensure that they were shut.

READ ALSO: Banks, Trains Grounded As Lagos Workers Join Strike

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“We are complying with the directive by the national body. I am delighted with what the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Edo State chapters have displayed today. Our enforcement teams were on the ground and the enforcement was total.

“As you can see, we are in the premises of the State secretariat. No official activity is taking place here. We went round. Locked up Banks, NPDC, Airport, Schools and more.”

Also speaking, Comrade Alabi Precious, Chairman Edo State Trade Union Congress said, “Our action was necessitated by the brutalization of the national president of NLC, Joe Ajaero and we are ready to get to the end of this matter.”

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Meanwhile, litigants were sighted stranded at the entrance gates to the High Court Complex while some personnel did not also open the judges gates through which High Court judges enter their offices.

READ ALSO: JUST IN: NLC, TUC Begin Nationwide Strike

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, (SAN) Afolabi Olayiwola, who couldn’t access the court premises said the strike embarked upon by members of the organised labour was a sign of a failed system.

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He expressed shock that despite a court order stopping the strike, the judiciary workers still embarked on the strike and called for a mutual resolution of all the issues.

Ordinarily, the strike ought not to have been because there is a court order and if judiciary staff cannot obey a court order it shows it is a failed system and if it escalates it becomes a problem. If other sectors go on strike the judiciary arm ought not to have embark on it and they are aware of the court and that is where I am worried”

At the Benin Airport, an official said planes landed and took off from the airport in the morning.

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READ ALSO: ASUU Joins NLC, TUC, Declares Nationwide Strike

Travellers were also seen making their way into the airport to catch their flight to different destinations.

Banks along Akpakpava, Mission roads, Forestry and other areas were shut down with customers trying to get money from a few ATMs that dispensed cash.

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Government schools in the GRA were also shut as students were seen loitering around their schools.

Also, a security officer at NPDC said the staff were complying with the strike with only essential workers allowed in the premises.

Also, Oredo, Egor and other local government Secretariats visited in Benin City complied with the strike as workers in their numbers hung around the councils’ premises.

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ARISE News Broadcaster Killed In Abuja

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The management and staff of ARISE News Channel have announced the untimely death of Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, one of their brightest talents, who was killed during an armed robbery at her residence in Katampe, Abuja.

The tragic incident occurred in the early hours of Monday, September 29, 2025, and is now under investigation by the Nigeria Police Force.

Born on December 26, 1995, Maduagwu, fondly known as Sommie, at just 29 years old, had already established herself as a dynamic news anchor, reporter, and producer with ARISE News.

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Known for her professionalism and captivating on-screen presence, she was a rising star in Nigerian journalism whose voice connected deeply with audiences across the country.

READ ALSO:One Dead, Several Injured After US Shooting, Fire At Mormon Church

Beyond journalism, Sommie was a trained lawyer who brought sharp analytical skills and a passion for justice into her reporting. Colleagues describe her as a dedicated professional, a supportive teammate, and a cherished friend whose warmth left an indelible mark on all who knew her.

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In a statement, ARISE News expressed profound sorrow, describing her passing as a devastating loss: “Somtochukwu was not only a cherished member of our ARISE family but also a vibrant voice who inspired, informed, and connected with viewers. Her voice is now silent, but her spirit, passion, and legacy will endure in our collective memory.”

The channel extended heartfelt condolences to her parents, siblings, extended family, friends, and loved ones while calling for justice.

READ ALSO:Confusion Over Euro-Africa CCI’s $250m Investment In Edo

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We remain in shock and call for a speedy investigation, apprehension, and prosecution of the culprits,” the statement read.

The late Somtochukwu’s death has sent waves of grief across Nigeria’s media industry, with tributes pouring in from colleagues and viewers who admired her fearless storytelling and commitment to truth.

Her legacy as both a journalist and lawyer will be remembered as one that blended intellect, courage, and humanity.

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Motorists, Commuters Lament Slow Pace Of Repairs On Benin-Sapele Road

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Residents living on the Benin-Sapele Road axis of the ancient city on Monday decried the slow pace of the ongoing repairs on the highway.

Signs of the failed road stretching from the By-pass axis to the Ologbo-koko Junction began in 2018 due to poor drainage design or failure to maintain drains.

At a stage, the road became near impassable due to political differences between the state government who ought to have done some palliative work, and the Federal Government whose duty it is to rehabilitate the road that linked the west to the South-south corridors.

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Signs of relief however set in when the current Edo State Government took over a portion of rehabilitation the road earlier embarked upon by Levant Construction Firm.

READ ALSO:How I Survived Kidnap, Assassination Attempt – Rivers Speaker

However, despite the take over of the portion of the ongoing repairs, there seems to be no tangible improvement.

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Lamenting the slow pace of the ongoing repairs, a resident of Ogheghe by the by-pass who identified himself as Igbinovia Lucky, said since he moved into his apartment in 2022, it has been a nightmare coming to the city and going back home at close of work.

According to him, more times are spent on the road especially in the evenings when workers are going back home.

He said most times, a journey which ordinarily should take an average of 30 – 45 minutes, lasts up to 5 or 6 hours.

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READ ALSO:Benin-Sapele Highway Explosion: CSO Wants State Of Emergency Declared, Construction Of Coastal Railway

Also, a transporter, Sunday Ochuko, who ply the road said the bad state of the road has drastically reduced the number of hours and trips per day for drivers.

The bad state of the road has increased accident risks occasioned by trucks that often get stuck, tip over, or delay for days. The end results is incidents of theft, livestock being abandoned or offloaded from trucks, and security concerns including kidnappings along certain stretches.”

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According to him, vehicles suffer greater wear and tear with motorists spending more on fuel (due to inefficiencies, slow speeds, detours) and repairs.

“Apart from businesses, individuals are affected. What might be a 1‑hour trip becomes 5‑6 hours. This reduces the number of trips, lowers work hours, and increases delays in supply chains.

READ ALSO: Dangote Hits Out At PENGASSAN, Says Union ‘Serial Saboteurs, Serving Oligarchs’

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“The corridor is vital for trade between Edo and Delta states, but poor road quality makes it harder to move goods efficiently to market, possibly reducing competitiveness”, Ochuko said.

He continued: “Farmers face similar difficulties transporting produce; some goods spoilt or get damaged before reaching markets, thus reducing their incomes, reduced food supply and raising costs.

“Fares for passengers have nearly doubled on the Benin to Sapele route. Transport operators are making fewer trips per day.”

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On her part, a fruit seller who buys fruits from Benin to sell in Sapele lamented the delays and losses of goods due to damage, spoilage, or pilferage.

She said due to the bad road, sellers many times have to raise prices because transporters who pass along the road Increased fares.

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Gunmen Kill 12 Forest Guards In Kwara

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Gunmen in central Nigeria have killed at least a dozen guards who protect forests and flush out criminal gangs and jihadists, police said.

The attack occurred on Sunday when the attackers raided Oke-Ode, a small town around 70 kilometres (45 miles) from the Kwara state capital, Ilorin.

Police said the armed men “invaded” the area, “shooting sporadically”.

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Police and forest security services responded and “discovered 12 lifeless bodies” of the guards. Four others were wounded.

READ ALSO:Insecurity: Army HQ Directs GOC Ibadan To Relocate To Kwara

It was not immediately clear who the gunmen were.

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But gangs known locally as bandits and jihadists operate out of bases hidden in forests across the northern and central states.

The criminal gangs loot and burn down villages as well as carry out kidnapping for ransom.

The state has witnessed a series of deadly attacks in recent months, with locals blaming the Mahmuda group, a gang loyal to Mahmud al-Nigeri, a senior leader of the Ansaru terror group.

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READ ALSO:Foreign Currency Found On Beggars As 40 Evacuated In Kwara

Ansaru grew out of a 2021 split within the Boko Haram group and the group then allied itself with Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).

Nigeria’s national security adviser Nuhu Ribadu said last month that Ansaru has “urban sleeper cells” and “remote forest bases” in Niger and Kwara states in central Nigeria.

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In mid-August, Nigerian authorities announced the capture of al-Nigeri along with fellow Ansaru figure Mahmud Muhammad Usman.

Kwara state governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq called for “increased security deployments” to help “roll back the activities of criminals.”

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