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Traore: Edo CSO Community Protests Continued Detention Of Activists

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By Joseph Ebi Kanjo, Benin 

Civil Society Community in Edo State, on Monday in Benin protested the continued detention of two human rights activists, Kola Edokpayi and Hadson Oracle.

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The CSO groups who protested under the coalition, Civil Society Community in Edo State, caused gridlock at the city centre; Oba Ovonramwen Square and adjoining roads in the city

Edokpayi and Oracle
were reportedly arrested by men of the Department of State Services (DSS) over an alleged plan to organise a pro-Ibrahim Traore of Burkina Faso’s protest.

Ibrahim Traore is the military president of Burkina Faso.

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The planned protest was, however, called off after their meeting with the Commissioner of Police.

READ ALSO: US Protesters Mark May Day With Hundreds Of Anti-Trump Rallies

Despite the cancellation of the planned protest and meeting with the CP, the duo were still picked up by the DSS on April 30th.

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The CSO groups said they met with the leadership of the DSS who promised to release them on Friday but failed to meet up with their (DSS) earlier promise.

The civil society community lamented that to worsen the situation, the rights activists have been denied access to their lawyers, family members and associates, adding that this denial has fuelled speculation that they may have been moved to Abuja.

A statement signed by the Spokesperson and Legal Adviser of the group, Rev. David Ugolor and Abraham Oviawe, the CSO groups expressed disappointment that the DSS did not meet its promise of releasing their comrades.

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This has given rise to growing concerns within our community, especially as it appears that the continued detention may exceed the period permissible under the law.

READ ALSO:US Protesters Mark May Day With Hundreds Of Anti-Trump Rallies

“We also wish to revisit the understanding reached at the meeting regarding the reasons for the arrest, which we had understood to have been amicably addressed by the Edo State Commissioner of Police.

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“We remain concerned about the implications of this development on the longstanding and collaborative relationship between the Civil Society community in Edo State and your esteemed office- a relationship that has been built over the years on mutual respect and open dialogue.

“In light of this,we respectfully request an update on the current status of Mr.Edokpayi and Mr.Oracle,including confirmation of any transfer,as is being speculated in some quarters. We would also appreciate clarity on any plans concerning their possible release.

“Additionally,we humbly urge your office to facilitate access to legal representation and family visits for the detained individuals,in accordance with their constitutional rights and our shared commitment to justice and fairness.

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“Please be assured that our preference for diplomacy and engagements rooted in our desire to maintain peace and partnership.”

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Metro

Security Operatives Arrest Suspects Involved In Kidnap Of AAUA Officials

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Security operatives have arrested three suspected kidnappers allegedly involved in the abduction of two senior officials of Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba-Akoko AAUA, Ondo State, a few days ago.

The suspects were nabbed a few hours after the release of Omoniyi Eleyinmi, the faculty officer of the institution’s Faculty of Education, who was said to have paid an undisclosed ransom prior to his freedom.

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Eleyinmi was abducted alongside a staff of the university last Monday at his residence at Supare Akoko, Akoko South West Local Government Area of the state.

READ ALSO:How AAUA Undergraduates Were Raped, Killed, Corpses Disposed Of By Killers – Police

Following his abduction, the suspected kidnappers initially demanded the payment of N100 million but was later reduced to N7 million ransom.

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Sources revealed that the kidnappers were nabbed in a forest within the axis of Oba Akoko and Owo following intel received by detectives in the state.

While confirming the arrest, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Olayinka Ayanlade, disclosed that the arrested suspects are currently undergoing interrogation.

“I can confirm to you that our operatives arrested three suspected kidnappers in connection with the kidnapping of 2 AAUA lecturer.

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“The suspects are currently undergoing profiling and interrogation.”

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Unregistered Tanker Loaded With 15,000 Litres Of AGO Tumbles In Oyo

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A tanker without a registration number carrying fifteen thousand litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) has tumbled in Iseyin in Oyo State.

It was gathered that the incident occurred at Odo-Igba, Iseyin – Saki Road in Iseyin, on Sunday.

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The tanker was said to have lost control whilst on motion, swerved off the road and fell into a nearby ditch.

READ ALSO:Five Injured As Tanker, Bus Collide In Lagos

The accident reportedly caused a traffic gridlock but the Chairman of Oyo State Fire Service, Maroof Akinwande, who confirmed the incident in a statement said normalcy has been restored on the road.

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It was a trailer tanker with unknown registered no loaded with 15,000litres capacity of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), that lost control whilst on motion and swerved off the road into a nearby ditch.

The firemen quickly swung into action and applied chemical foam compound to neutralize the flammability of the content and prevented it from explosion.”

The normal vehicular movement has been restored back on the road”.

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Police Arrest Suspected Armed Rubbers, Members Of Kidnapping Syndicate In Rivers

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The Rivers State Police Command has apprehended four suspected members of an armed robbery and kidnapping syndicate.

In a statement issued on Monday by its Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the Command said operatives from the Bori Division, while on routine patrol along Nkpee Street, Bori, acted swiftly upon receiving a distress call regarding suspicious activities by unidentified individuals in the area.

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According to Iringe-Koko, the suspects arrested are: Solomon Chris (Male, 26 years), Fabulous John (Male, 26 years), Wisdom Kalongo (Male, 30 years), and Wisdom Samuel (Male, 33 years).

READ ALSO:Two Japanese Boxers Die From Brain Injuries At Same Event

Items recovered from the suspects include “one locally-made revolver pistol, one live ammunition, quantity of hard drugs (loud), criminal charms, one ash-coloured Toyota Sienna vehicle, Registration No. BNY-758FS.”

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The statement further noted that the fleeing members of the syndicate are currently being tracked for arrest, while investigations are ongoing to recover additional operational weapons.

It noted that updates will be communicated to the public in due course.

The Command reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the lives and property of all residents and urged members of the public to “continue to provide timely and useful information to the police.”

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