Metro

Vehicular Movement Disrupted As Timber Dealers Protest Closure Of Edo Forests

Published

4 years ago

February 4, 2022

… Lament Untold Hardship

… Accuse Edo Govt Of Giving Chinese Access

Vehicular movement was on Friday disrupted in several roads around Benin City as a result of protests by timber dealers in Edo State.

The protesters who carried placards with several inscriptions against the state government, accused the government of closing down the forests to their operations in the last seven months thereby subjecting the over 8000 people involved in the business and their dependants to hardships.

They alleged that some Chinese who are also into business were being allowed into the forests.

Speaking to journalists at the Edo State Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Secretary of Edo Sawmillers Association, Dr Nosa Abosanmwan said “Our workforce is over 8,000 and all of them are at home, you can imagine the number of people depending on them. Many of these workers have families and you can imagine the ripple effects this is having on us. We supported the governor when he was contesting but we didn’t know he would put us into suffering this way.

“The painful part is that, our forests have been closed to indigenes but opened to the Chinese to be picking woods but we don’t want to take laws into our hands that is why we are staging this march.

“He has made a series of promises and none of these promises have been kept, we are going to continue until our demands are met.”

Also, the Chairman, Edo State Timber Lorry Owners, Walter Osadolor said there are about 2,000 trucks in the state and each has three to four workers.

He appealed to the public to prevail on the state government to allow them to go back to the forest.

Reacting to the development, the state’s Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Adaze Emwanta, Esq said the state was carrying out reforestation and that many of the loggers were carrying out illegal operations in the forests.

On the issue of Chinese operators accessing the forest, Emwanta denied the allegatio, saying it would be investigated.

He added that the government had commenced a meeting with the leadership of the unions to carry them along in the new regulations in Edo forests.

Metro

Ex-convict Arrested In Edo For Armed Robbery, Possession Of Firearm

Published

1 day ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Security Corps (ESSC) has arrested a 45-year-old ex-convict, Owen Osas, for alleged unlawful possession of firearms and suspected involvement in a robbery incident.

Osas was reportedly arrested with a cut-to-size single-barrel gun during a covert operation along Fishpond Road in Eyean, Uhunmwonde Local Government Area.

The arrest reportedly comes barely a year after he was released from prison, where he had served time for illegal possession of firearms and other criminal offences.

Osas, who confessed to the latest crime, also admitted to being a member of the Eiye Confraternity.

READ ALSO:Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo
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Consequently, a victim of an alleged robbery incident, Reginia Izy, identified Osas as the person who robbed her a day before his arrest.
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The victim narrated that the suspect had approached her residence around 8 p.m., pretending to be familiar before carrying out the attack.
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‎The Deputy Commander Operations of ESSC, Richard Balogun, said the arrest was part of intensified efforts to rid Edo State of criminal elements.

READ ALSO:Edo South Senatorial Seat: Nothing Wrong Seeking Wike’s Support – Ogbeide-Ihama
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‎Balogun explained that operatives conduct both overt patrols and covert operations to track and apprehend suspects.
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He said, ‎“Our men are always on patrol. Some operate in plain clothes as part of covert strategies, while others are stationed at strategic locations.

“Osas, who is a former convict, was arrested with firearms and he also confessed to be a member of the Eiye Confraternity.”
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Metro

Gunmen Kidnap Businessman In Ibadan

Published

3 days ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a 60-year-old man in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The victim was kidnapped on Saturday while on his way to his residence.

The incident occurred at Jinarere, Alakia in Ibadan.

Public Relations Officer of the State Police command, Olayinka Ayanlade, when contacted, confirmed the incident.

Ayanlade in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Sunday, explained that efforts are ongoing to rescue the victim.

Ayanlade said, “Preliminary information reveals that the victim, a 60-year-old male and building materials trader, was accosted while returning home along the Jinarere axis of Alakia Road by four masked armed men, who forcefully whisked him away in an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla vehicle”.

Metro

Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo

Published

3 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

A 30-year-old entrepreneur and CEO of Principle Takeout, Justice Abu Oshioke, has been killed by suspected kidnappers in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

He was reportedly attacked by the suspected kidnappers on Saturday while on his way to pick up an order made for his child’s dedication on Sunday morning.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers attempted to force him into a nearby bush in a kidnapping attempt. However, he reportedly resisted and tried to escape.

In the course of the struggle, the assailants opened fire, shooting him multiple times.

Concerned residents quickly rushed him to a nearby medical facility, but he was confirmed dead on arrival.

The deceased was said to have recently gotten married and welcomed a baby boy.

The tragic event has turned a joyous occasion into a moment of grief for the family.

The shocking development has left the Ekpoma community in deep sorrow, with many residents expressing outrage over the growing insecurity in the area.

Edo State Police Command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem confirmed the incident and said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika has ordered a “full-scale investigation and intensified manhunt for those responsible.”

According to her, the Police, in collaboration with the military, local vigilantes, and hunters, are actively pursuing the perpetrators through coordinated operations.