Metro

[UPDATED] Edo Guber: APC Youths, Women Take Over Secretariat, Demand Sack Of SWC

Published

2 years ago

February 19, 2024

Some angry youths and women on Monday took over the All Progressives Congress Secretariat along Airport Road in Benin City, demanding sack of the State Working Committee (SWC) led by acting Chairman, Jarret Tenebe.

They alleged that some of them were bribed by an aspirant to deliver him but since they could not deliver the aspirant, they are now discrediting the exercise.

They also alleged that some of them have been bribed by some opposition parties to cause confusion in the party.

Led by the Youth Leader of the party, Tony Adun popularly known as Kabaka, the angry protesters forced their way into the offices and brought the furniture, bags of rice and other equipment and vowed to stay at the building for seven days.

The Youth Leader said: “We heard that some people collected money from the opposition and some aspirants and want to use that opportunity to destroy the party. The information that reached us is that they went to collect money from the opposition to destroy our party. They did it before, they sabotaged and betrayed us in the election.

“What we are hearing now is that because their preferred aspirant did not win, they want to destroy the party. Even if 100 persons contest in an election, only one person will emerge as the winner and one person has emerged.

“The election was conducted peacefully even when they tried to hold a parallel congress, they did not succeed. We the youths and women are saying that this is our time and a youth has emerged as the candidate of the party. We will resist any attempt to change it.

“I want to send a message to the NWC that since the SWC can disobey what the NWC wanted, they need to be suspended from the party and if that is not done, nobody will enter this secretariat again.

“We all voted with our membership cards on the day of the election and we all voted for Hon Dennis Idahosa, they are trying to sabotage our efforts but we will not allow it. It is ‘Youth o’ clock’ and that is what we have been crying for, God almighty has done it and anybody who wants to change it, we will resist it because we constitute 75 percent of the voting population here.”

Also speaking on behalf of the women, a woman leader from Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, Mrs Esther Okpera said they were supporting the actions of the youths because it is the youths and women that participate in elections.

She said: “On election day, you will see women carrying their children under the sun and rain, while the men are nowhere to be found. Now, we are saying no. Look at our state secretariat, you will see bags of rice yet our women are buying one cup of rice for N400, and we are seeing the rice.

“It is the youth and women that own the election.

“Politics is about openness, when you are open to your people, they will follow you. We want to win this election in September.

“For all those that have collected dollars, they don’t care whether we win or we don’t win. We have not collected anything. All we want is to win the election.”

Contacted on the allegation, the State Publicity Secretary of the APC, Uwadia Igbinigie said an official reaction of the party would be made on the development at the appropriate time.

Metro

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

17 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Police Command on Wednesday said two suspected cultists were arrested in Ohonre community, off Adolor College Road, Benin.

This was disclosed in a statement by the command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, and made available to newsmen electrically.

Ikoedem said the arrest was possible due to operatives response to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

The statement reads: “The Edo State Police Command has recorded another operational breakthrough following the swift disruption of a suspected cultists’ gathering in Ohonre Community, off Adolor College Road, Benin City.

“On 21st May, 2026, at about 19:00hrs, operatives attached to Ugbowo Division who were on surveillance patrol responded to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

“Acting promptly on the information, the police team mobilized to the location. On sighting the operatives, the suspects fled in an attempt to evade arrest. The operatives immediately gave them a hot chase, leading to the arrest of two suspects identified as Victor Peter ‘M’, 21 years and Iyemoma Ogbewe ‘M’, 35 years.

“A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of one cut-to-size gun believed to have been in their possession for unlawful purposes.

“Upon investigation, the suspects confessed to being members of the notorious Maphite cult group. Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other fleeing gang members.”

She said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the swift response of the operatives and reiterated the Command’s resolve to deny criminal elements any opportunity within Edo State.

He further urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, assuring that all reports would receive prompt attention.

Metro

Troops Eliminate Two Terrorists, Foil Pipeline Attack

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Army says troops have, in the last 24 hours, eliminated two terrorists, rescued four kidnapped victims and foiled pipeline attacks in a series of coordinated military operations across Taraba, Kogi and Rivers.

This is contained in operational updates issued to reporters on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the reports, troops of 93 Battalion deployed at Akate in the Donga Local Government Area of Taraba engaged suspected terrorists in a forested area, killing two of them.

According to the report, items recovered from the scene include an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, magazines, mobile phones and other personal effects.

In Kogi, it said the troops of 21 Battalion, in collaboration with vigilantes, rescued four kidnapped passengers along the Anyigba–Itobe road in Ofu Local Government Area.

It added that the victims were reportedly abandoned by their captors while attempting to cross a seasonal stream due to sustained pressure from advancing troops.

According to the military, efforts are ongoing to rescue other victims still in captivity.

The report said that troops of 12 Brigade successfully repelled an ambush along Kabba–Okene road while withdrawing from an earlier operation, forcing the assailants to flee with gunshot wounds.

“Meanwhile, in Rivers, troops of 5 Battalion acting on credible intelligence, foiled an attempt by suspected vandals to detonate a crude oil pipeline in Ahoada West Local Government Area.

“The swift response of the troops disrupted the operation before it could be executed, with the suspects fleeing the scene,” it said.

Metro

Police Arrest Private Chef Over Alleged N150m Theft, Drugging Of Employer, Burglary

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a chef, John Cosmos Govi, over his alleged involvement in a burglary operation at a residence in Abuja, where luxury items and valuables worth about N150 million were reportedly stolen.

The arrest was announced on Monday, May 25, 2026, by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, who said the suspect was apprehended by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) after investigations into allegations of criminal conspiracy, housebreaking, theft, malicious damage and administering harmful substances.

According to police findings, Govi, who allegedly gained employment as a chef at the residence, was said to have studied the movement of occupants, internal routine and security setup before allegedly carrying out the operation on April 23, 2026.

Investigators said he reportedly worked with two accomplices identified as Peter and Moses, who are currently on the run.

Police alleged that food prepared in the house was laced with a suspected sedative substance to weaken the occupants and security personnel.

After they reportedly became unconscious, the suspects allegedly broke into the property, damaged CCTV installations and stole 20 luxury wristwatches valued at about N150 million, alongside other valuables.

Speaking on the development, DCP Anthony Placid said the suspect was intercepted around the Gwagwalada axis of the Federal Capital Territory while attempting to flee to Lagos. He added that an iPhone 17 Pro Max, believed to belong to the victim, and a suspected chemical substance were recovered.

“We remain committed to dismantling organised criminal networks and ensuring that all fleeing accomplices are brought to justice,” Placid said.

Police said efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects and conclude investigations into the case.