News

Uromi 16: Okpebholo Travelled Over Two Hours To Meet Victims Families, Douse Tension – SSG

Published

1 year ago

April 1, 2025

From Joseph Ebi Kanjo, Benin

Secretary to the Edo State Government, Barrister Musa Ikhilor, has revealed that the governor of the state, Monday Okpebholo, travelled two and a half hours by road to the village where most of the victims of the Uromi killings hailed in order to douse tension.

The SSG added that the governor did not just travelled there but met with the bereaved families, consoled them, and assured them that justice would be served.

Speaking on TVC’s breakfast show on Tuesday, Ikhilor, while commending the governor for his proactive leadership in addressing the tragic incident, emphasized that the approach has significantly de-escalated tensions and has been well-received by the public.

The SSG who disclosed that the governor also promised compensation for the victims, added: “In Kano, the governor didn’t just visit the government house; he traveled to the very village where the victims came from. He met with the bereaved families, consoled them, and assured them that justice would be served.

“He also promised compensation for the innocent lives lost. This proactive approach has significantly de-escalated tensions, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive.”

Ikhilor, while highlighting the security situation in Edo State, explained that illegal vigilante groups operating under the previous administration had been a major challenge.

The Uromi attackers, he noted, were linked to a group previously suspended by the government.

According to him, “Recently, we discovered that the vigilantes involved in the Uromi incident were from the same group that operated under the last administration—one we had already suspended and begun profiling and retraining. Our goal was to subject them to proper training under the Edo State Security Corps Governance Law.”

Governor Okpebholo’s visit to Kano, where he met with ethnic community leaders, was instrumental in preventing a potential crisis.

Ikhilor described the visit as a significant move to calm tensions and foster peaceful coexistence.

“While in Kano, we met not only with the government and the people of Bokore but also with leaders of various ethnic minority groups, including the Igbo and Yoruba communities.

“They expressed their gratitude, noting that the governor’s visit was not just a condolence gesture but also a move that helped protect their people in Kano, as well as the millions of Edo indigenes residing there.”

He also debunked misinformation circulating on social media, accusing political opponents of recycling old protest videos to create unrest.

“There is a lot of misinformation circulating. Some individuals are playing politics with security issues. A video of women protesting in Uromi against kidnappings and rape has resurfaced and is now being spread by the opposition to suggest it is a recent occurrence.

“However, a simple Google search shows that this video was recorded in 2021 under the Obaseki administration,” he stated.

The SSG reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to combating insecurity, noting that under Governor Okpebholo, Edo State has enacted stricter laws against cultism and kidnapping.

“Governor Okpebholo has purchased over 75 brand-new Hilux vehicles for security agencies, which have been distributed accordingly.

“He has also procured power motorcycles to enable security operatives to chase bandits out of the forests. We are making tremendous progress,” Ikhilor said.

He assured the public that investigations into the Uromi killings are ongoing, with decisive action expected soon.

News

Man Charged After Fatal Southall Collision

Published

33 minutes ago

September 25, 2026

Editor

A 20-year-old man has been charged after a fatal road collision in Southall, west London, which claimed the life of a 17-year-old passenger.

The Metropolitan Police said officers were called at about 1:04 a.m. on Saturday, September 19, following reports of a collision involving a Ford Mustang on South Road, Southall.

Officers attended the scene alongside paramedics from the London Ambulance Service and firefighters from the London Fire Brigade.

Despite efforts by emergency responders, 17-year-old passenger Ranbir Singh died at the scene.

His next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

News

Iranian Airlines Hit By US Sanctions As Oil Prices Rise On Saudi Attacks

Published

53 minutes ago

September 25, 2026

Editor

Iranian airlines have been barred from operating in several neighbouring countries following the implementation of new US sanctions, as the wider Middle East conflict continued to put pressure on regional energy supplies and push oil prices higher.

The United Arab Emirates suspended all flights operated by Iranian airlines until further notice after a US deadline for companies around the world to stop doing business with Iran’s aviation sector expired.

Iran’s Tasnim news agency also reported that flights to Oman, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Baghdad had been halted. Iranian authorities were reportedly working to redirect some services to Najaf in Iraq.

The measures are part of a broader US effort to isolate Iran economically by imposing sanctions on companies in third countries that continue doing business with Iranian firms.

Washington had set September 23 as the deadline for companies worldwide to comply with restrictions targeting Iranian airlines, with the stated aim of grounding Iran’s entire civilian aircraft fleet.

The restrictions have already affected Iran’s international air links, with Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Airport showing scheduled services to countries including Afghanistan, Armenia, China, Iraq, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Turkey, but no flights to or from several Gulf states.

Iran has warned that neighbouring countries complying with the US restrictions could face retaliation.

A senior Iranian official warned on Wednesday that airports in countries enforcing the ban could be made “unusable”.

The latest sanctions came as tensions across the region continued to affect global energy markets.

Oil prices rose sharply on Thursday after Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi fighters launched missile attacks against Saudi Arabia, raising fresh concerns about disruptions to crude supplies.

Saudi Arabia said it intercepted six ballistic missiles fired by the Houthis towards areas including Taif and the Yanbu region on the Red Sea.

Yanbu is particularly important to Saudi Arabia’s oil-export strategy because the port provides an alternative route for crude when shipments through the Strait of Hormuz are disrupted.

Brent crude futures settled at $106.60 a barrel, gaining $3.52, or 3.4 per cent, while US West Texas Intermediate crude rose $2.45, or 2.7 per cent, to settle at $94.61.

Both benchmarks had risen by about 5 per cent at their session highs. Brent recorded its highest closing price since September 15, while the gain represented WTI’s first rise after six consecutive sessions of losses.

The price increase came despite signs that diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran could eventually ease pressure on oil supplies.

Reuters reported that US and Iranian negotiators in New York were exploring a possible phased agreement under which Iran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz while the United States eased its economic blockade of Iran.

The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial global oil route and its disruption has been a major factor behind the volatility in energy markets during the conflict.

The prospect of negotiations helped crude prices retreat from their intraday highs.

The wider conflict has also affected Saudi Arabia’s ability to export crude. Saudi Arabia has been using its East-West pipeline to divert oil towards the Red Sea after disruptions to Gulf shipping routes. The country has been working to restore export capacity through Yanbu.

Meanwhile, the latest US sanctions threaten to deepen Iran’s economic isolation.

President Donald Trump previously described the expanded sanctions strategy as “economic D-Day”, referring to Washington’s attempt to increase pressure on Tehran by targeting companies outside Iran that continue to do business with sanctioned Iranian entities.

Iranian authorities have warned that the sanctions and wider blockade could worsen the country’s economic difficulties.

The latest developments have therefore created two competing pressures for oil markets: continued military escalation around major energy infrastructure and shipping routes could push prices higher, while progress in US-Iran negotiations and a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz could ease supply concerns.

(Reuters)

News

Report: UK Considers Raising Tax-free Allowance To £15,570

Published

1 hour ago

September 25, 2026

Editor

The UK government is reportedly considering increasing the personal income tax allowance from £12,570 to £15,570, a move that could leave millions of workers with more disposable income and prevent most state pensioners from paying tax on part of next year’s pension increase.

The proposal, reported by Sky News citing The Telegraph, would represent the first increase in the personal allowance in five years. The threshold has remained frozen at £12,570 since 2021.

If implemented, the new threshold would be close to the level the allowance might have reached had it continued rising instead of being frozen.

The proposal is being considered by Chancellor John Healey and Prime Minister Andy Burnham, according to the report. It was suggested by Labour donor and Ecotricity owner Dale Vince.

Vince said: “If Labour wants to get the economy moving, it should put money into the pockets of people who will spend it.”

He added: “Raising the personal allowance to £15,570 would give millions of people a meaningful boost, with the biggest benefit going to those on the lowest incomes.”

He proposed funding the measure through changes to capital gains tax and by ending interest payments on Bank of England reserves.

“We can pay for it by making the tax system fairer – starting with capital gains and the billions we currently hand to banks in interest,” Vince said.

However, the government has not confirmed that the proposal will be included in the upcoming Budget.

A Treasury spokesperson said decisions on taxation were matters for the Chancellor to announce at fiscal events, rather than issues the department would “routinely comment on rumour, speculation or proposals”.

The proposed increase could also address an issue facing pensioners.

The UK’s state pension is expected to rise by 3.9% next April under the government’s triple lock system, which guarantees an annual increase based on whichever is highest among inflation, average wage growth or 2.5%.

Provisional wage figures show growth of 3.9%, meaning the full new state pension could increase from £12,547.60 to about £13,036.60.

That would put the state pension above the current £12,570 personal allowance by approximately £457.

For pensioners with total retirement income below £50,270, that amount would normally be subject to the basic 20% income tax rate, potentially resulting in an annual tax bill of about £91.40.

Increasing the personal allowance to £15,570 would place the projected state pension below the new threshold, meaning pensioners would not pay income tax on the state pension itself, assuming they had no other taxable income.

The proposal comes as the government faces pressure over its finances ahead of the next Budget.

Official figures showed that the UK public sector borrowed £18.3bn in August, the second-highest borrowing figure recorded for the month. Borrowing for the financial year so far was also £8.1bn above the level forecast by the Office for Budget Responsibility.

The government is therefore expected to face difficult decisions over taxation and spending when the Chancellor delivers the Budget.

Other possible tax changes under discussion include changes to capital gains tax and the proposed high-value council tax surcharge on expensive properties.

No decision on the personal allowance has been announced, and the final policy will depend on the Chancellor’s Budget decisions.

(skynews)