News
Suspected Militants Plotting To Disrupt Ondo Election, Ijaw Group Alleges
By Joe Ebi, Benin
An Ijaw group under the auspices of Ijaw Liberation Movement, Edo State, has alleged that there were plots by suspected militants to disrupt the coming October 10 governorship election in Ondo State.
Addressing a press conference in Benin City, a Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State on Security, Ezekiel Daniel, alleged that a militant leader was mobilised from Ondo to Edo State to disrupt the September 19 election in the riverine area but that the attempt was foiled by soldiers.
He further alleged that in their frustration, the militants were shooting sporadically and in the process killed Mrs Odogbo.
READ ALSO: BREAKING: Fire Guts INEC Headquarters In Ondo
He therefore called on the Inspector-General of Police, Muhammed Adamu to investigate the killing of one Mrs Odogbo from Ajakuruma in Ovia South West Local Government Area.
Ezekiel further alleged that the militants were presently camping at an Ijaw town of Nikhorogha in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State from where he alleged they would mobilise to Ondo State.
Flanked by Mr. Ogidigba Godstime, Kenneth Ajuwaye and others, Ezekiel said, “The Inspector General of Police and the state government should do something about the militants’ camp at Nikhorogha. They are busy recruiting militants and camping them at Nikhorogha to cause mayhem in Ondo State during the forthcoming election.
READ ALSO: Ondo Guber: Victory Is Sure For APC, Sanwoolu Boasts
“They came to Edo to do the same disruption and snatching of ballot papers. We heard this information, we confronted them and their leader claimed he is a chieftain of the APC and would not listen to us but fortunately a military formation in the area foiled their attempts and in their frustration, they started shooting sporadically and that was how the innocent woman was killed. They came in 20 boats with over 200 militants” he alleged.
He raised fears that the situation could lead to upsurge of violent crimes after the elections.
“What happens after the Ondo election? We are presently trying to manage the problem of herdsmen in the country but we will be having another crisis if the activities of militants at Nikhorogha is not checked. I am sure they will turn their guns against innocent people after the Ondo election”, he added.
READ ALSO: Ondo Deputy Governor Dumps PDP, Set To Defect To ZLP
News
Edo NLC Crisis: Caretaker Committee Drags Rival Exco, Govt To Court
The division in the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), took a new dimension on Wednesday as Prof. Monday Monday Lewis Igbafen-led caretaker committee approached the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Benin Judicial Division, seeking to affirm its authority and restrain a rival executive from parading itself as the council’s leadership.
Joined in the suit are the Edo State Government, the Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.
In a suit marked: NICN/BEN/12/2026, and filed before the court in Benin, the claimant, Igbafen, acting for himself and on behalf of the NLC Caretaker Committee in Edo State, is challenging the continued occupation of the union’s secretariat and control of its assets by members of the Bernard Egwakhide-led factional State Executive Council.
READ ALSO:Edo NLC Divided Over May Day Celebration
The claimants are asking the court to declare that the caretaker committee (Igbafen-led faction), constituted on August 11, 2025, by the NLC national leadership, remains the only lawful authority to administer the affairs of the Edo State Council pending fresh elections.
They further seek a declaration that the continued occupation of the NLC secretariat located at No. 1 Teboga Road, Benin City, as well as the retention of union assets, financial records, and official instruments by the defendants, is illegal and void.
The suit also prays for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from parading themselves as officials of the NLC Edo Council or interfering with the functions of the caretaker committee.
In addition, the claimants are seeking a mandatory order compelling the defendants to immediately hand over the secretariat, vehicles, financial documents, cheque books, and all other properties belonging to the union.
READ ALSO:JUST IN: NLC Begins Meeting With ASUU, Other Unions Over Strike
The caretaker committee further urged the court to restrain the state government and its officials from interfering in the internal affairs of the union, alleging undue support for the dissolved executive.
The claimants further demand N50 million as general and exemplary damages against the defendants for alleged unlawful usurpation of office and acts prejudicial to the administration of the council.
According to court documents made available to our correspondent, the crisis followed the dissolution of the Edo State Council by the NLC National Executive Council on February 27, 2025, over allegations of misconduct, anti-union activities, and constitutional violations.
However, the matter has yet to be assigned a hearing date.
News
Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru
Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.
Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.
READ ALSO:Film Premiere: Edo In Talks With Embassies To Promote Safe Migration —Agazuma
La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.
The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.
The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.
He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.
News
Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses
The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.
DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.
A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.
READ ALSO:Xenophobic Attacks: Oshiomhole Tells FG To Retaliate Against South African Companies In Nigeria
“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.
“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.
“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.
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