Metro

Vehicular, Human Movements Grounded In Benin As Pensioners Protest Non Payment Of Gratuities

Published

4 years ago

March 16, 2022

Vehicular and human movements were on Wednesday grounded at the ever-busy Oba Ovonramwen square popularly called Ring Road

as Edo State pensioners protested the non payment of gratuities between 2008 and 2012.

The blockade of the road by the pensioners resulted to heavy gridlock in major roads and adjoining streets such as Mission Road, Forestry Road, Sapele Road, Sakponba Road, Ekehuan Road, Uselu-Ugbowo axis and Airport Road linking the city centre.

The protest forced commuters to spend a major part of the day waiting for the pensioners to leave the routes while passengers had to alight from vehicles and trekked longer hours to get to their terminal point.

The retirees, drawn from the state and local government council, carried placards with inscriptions such as “Six years of this government no pensioner has been paid gratuity, pay us consequential adjustment base of 2019 minimum wage, save pensioners from avoidable death, pay us our gratuities, enough is enough,pay us our recent age increment,

The senior citizens who said they retired between 2008 and 2013 and served the governments diligently, said they should be duly compensated with their retirement benefits.

According to the retirees, state pensioners who retired from service in the year 2012 and 2013 were screened in April 2017 and their gratuity papers known as Yellow Paper were collected from them, adding that these set of pensioners are yet to be paid while some of the them have even passed away.

“Since 2008 to date local government pensioners have not been paid their gratuity. In addition to the above, majority of them have also not been paid their pension arrears”, they said.

Speaking, Marcus Afekhatse who retired in 2014, lamented that his gratuity has not been paid after eight years of retirement and it has made it difficult for him to cater for his family.

“Three groups are on the road today. Our colleagues in local government who retired in 2008 and has not been paid gratuity till date are here.

“At the state level, pensioners who retired since 2012 and have not been paid gratuity are also here while others are members still receiving pitiable sum such as N2000, N4000 as monthly pension since they retired over 20 years ago”, he added.

He claimed that the Permanent Secretaries that recently retired have been paid their gratuities at the expense of the lower cadre that have retired several years ago.

On her part, Josephine Aisagbovomwan, another pensioner, said the protest was to draw the attention of the world to their plights so that the state government can pay their gratuities.

Aisagbovomwan, who retired in 2017, said she is yet to get her gratuity, lamenting that she served the state for 35 years diligently only to be denied of her gratuity by the government she served faithfully.

Meanwhile, the Edo State government has assured pensioners that modalities are being put in place to offset the arrears of their gratuities.

Philip Shaibu, deputy governor of Edo State, gave the assurance while addressing protesting pensioners.

Shaibu, who pleaded with the pensioners to give the government time to resolve the issue, said it would be resolved.

Metro

Police Arrest Mother, Daughter Over Alleged N18m Romance Scam

Published

2 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, NPF-NCCC, have arrested a woman and her daughter over their alleged involvement in a romance scam that reportedly defrauded a Malta-based victim of more than N18 million.

The police disclosed that the arrests followed investigations into allegations bordering on computer-related fraud, identity theft, and money laundering after receiving intelligence from the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU.

In a statement issued by the Acting Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Uwana Imah, the suspects were identified as 39-year-old Urowhe Diana and her 22-year-old daughter, Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

According to the statement, preliminary investigations revealed that a Lagos resident identified as Emmanuel Amanfo, who is currently at large, allegedly collaborated with Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru to open and operate multiple bank accounts used in carrying out fraudulent transactions.

“One of the victims was identified as a resident of Malta whose identity has been withheld,” the statement said.

The police further disclosed that proceeds from the alleged romance scam were transferred through money transfer operators and direct deposits into several Nigerian bank accounts belonging to Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

Investigators also alleged that the funds were later moved into an Ecobank account owned by Urowhe Diana, where the money was allegedly spent.

According to the statement, forensic analysis of the suspects’ digital activities allegedly linked both mother and daughter to the cybercrime operation, leading to their eventual arrest.

The police added that efforts were ongoing to apprehend Emmanuel Amanfo, who was described as the husband of Urowhe Diana and stepfather of Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

“Investigation into the matter is still ongoing, and the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” the statement added.

The Nigeria Police Force reiterated the commitment of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to safeguarding Nigeria’s cyberspace and tackling cybercrime across the country.

The NPF-NCCC also urged members of the public to report suspicious cyber-related activities through its official online reporting portal and designated communication channels.

Metro

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

20 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.