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Vehicular Movement Grounded In Benin As Youths Protest Law Proscribing Okaighele’s Activities

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Vehicular movement at King’s Sqaure (Ring Road), Benin City and other link roads were ground for hours, Friday, as Association of Okaighele (youth leaders) in Benin Kingdom protested law recently put in place by Edo State Government proscribing their existence.

Okaigheles in Benin are youth leaders in communities in charge of land – purchase and sales of landed properties in Benin kingdom.

Recall that the Godwin Obaseki-led administration in the state recent signed into law bill repealing the Edo State Private Property Protection Law 2017 and re-enact the Edo State Private Property Protection Law 2021.

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READ ALSO: Legal Practitioner, One Other Docked For allegedly Forging Oba of Benin Land Approval

The bill passed into law by the Edo State House of Assembly and signed by the state Governor banned the activities of Okhaighele in the state.

The protesters who carried placards with inscriptions as: ‘Governor Obaseki, you are not our spiritual father; ‘we are Okaighele to the Palace of Oba of Benin, not Government House; ‘we are proud of our King; ‘arrest and persecute any Okaighele that practice illegally’, matched to the Palace of Oba of Benin to air their grievances and later to the secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo State council.

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Speaking on behalf of the youth leaders, Glory Ikponmwosa, chairman of the association said Okaigheles of Benin kingdom are not political appointees, adding that they are only loyal and subjects to the Benin Royal Stool.

READ ALSO: Benin Artefacts: Obaseki Bows, Promises Cooperation With Benin Palace

“We are not politicians and we should not be treated as one because we are ready to resist any attempt to reduce our rights as traditional citizens of Benin kingdom by anyone or group of persons no matter who or what is involved,” (sic) he declared.

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While declaring that they are native of Benin and cannot be intimidated or oppressed under any guise, the Chairman said the title is an age long traditional position under the Benin native laws and customs.

He posited that Edo State Government does not have business or rights to ban Okaigheles to operate in Benin kingdom under the Benin Traditional Council law of the state.

READ ALSO: Emir Of Kano Visits Oba Of Benin, Says ‘I’m Here For Unity, Peaceful Coexistence’

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“Okaighele in the Benin kingdom is an age long traditional position under the Benin Native Laws and Customs which is over 400 years old, it is not a recent creation.

“Under the Benin Traditional Council settings, communities have leadership structures which comprise the Odionwere, the Ohen, the Okaigheles in addition to the Enogies in communities where Enogies exist.

“Edo State Government does not have any business or rights to ban Okaigheles in Benin kingdom under the Benin Traditional Council law of Edo State,” he said.

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NDLEA Arrests 39 Suspects With 2,477.59kg In Edo

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Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Edo State Command, have arrested thirty-nine (39) suspected drug traffickers with 2,477.59 Kg of narcotic drugs.

Mitchell Ofoyeju, state commander of the NDLEA made this known in a statement titled: operational scorecard for October 2025, which he made available to newsmen in Benin on Monday.

According to the statement, the suspects consist of twenty-seven (27) males and twelve (12) females.

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READ ALSO:NDLEA Arrests 3 Suspects With 1,779kg Of Cannabis In Ogun

The statement added that, within the period under review, three cannabis sativa farms measuring 6.711192 hectares with an estimated yield of 16,777.98 kg were also destroyed.

A breakdown of the total 2,477.59 kg of seized drugs indicates that Cannabis Sativa 2,476.87 kg; Tramadol 0.3575 kg; Nitrazepam 0.068 kg; Bromazepam 0.8141 kg; Diazepam 0.084 kg; Swinol 0.0036 kg; Danabol (Molly) 0.013 kg; Methamphetamine (abandoned) 0.0465 kg and Codeine Syrup 0.1 litre.

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According to the statement, three cannabis farms located in the Ugbodo Forest of Ovia North East Local Government Area, covering an area of 6.71 hectares, with an estimated yield of 16,777.98 kg of illegal crops, were eliminated.

READ ALSO:NDLEA Files Forfeiture Case Against Lagos Socialite’s Club Over Drug Party

The command’s prosecution unit also made significant strides in the ongoing fight against drug trafficking.

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October saw the conviction of eleven individuals involved in drug-related offences and eleven new cases charged in the courts. Currently, there are 121 pending cases at the Federal High Court in Benin City.

“Our commitment remains steadfast as we continue to enforce the law, educate members of the public, and rehabilitate affected individuals who have problems using drugs.

“The fight against drug trafficking is relentless, and those who continue to engage in this illegal trade will face not only heightened enforcement but also stiffer penalties,” the statement reads.

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Police Rescue Stolen Boy, Arrest Six Over Child Trafficking In Anambra

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The Anambra State Police Command has rescued a three-year-old boy who was stolen in the state and arrested six members of a child-stealing and trafficking syndicate operating across Anambra, Enugu, and Lagos states.

A statement by the Command’s spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, said that on September 4, following a petition from the victim, operatives attached to the Gender Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Awka, began an investigation into the case.

Ikenga explained that the petition detailed how the complainant’s daughter had left her three-year-old son in the care of one Samuel Ibe of Umusiome, Nkpor Uno, while she briefly went to her shop.

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READ ALSO:Anambra Decides: CDD Advocates Neutrality, Seamless Process; Says Litmus Test For Amupitan

On her return, both the child and the said Samuel were missing. Swift investigative actions by the operatives led to the arrest of the said Samuel Ibe. His confessional statement subsequently led to the arrest of his mother, Agatha Ejeweh, 35, and his younger brother, Ejeweh Chigozie Chidera, 15,” he said.

He further disclosed that operatives extended their investigation to Enugu State, where one Angela Eze, 30, was apprehended for collaborating with Juliet Onah to facilitate the transfer of the stolen child to Lagos.

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READ ALSO:Newborn Rescued As Police Bust Anambra Child Trafficking Syndicate

Acting on credible intelligence, the operatives proceeded to Lagos State, where a suspect, China Cosmas, was arrested and the stolen child was successfully rescued. The child has since been reunited with his family in good health,” Ikenga added.

He confirmed that the suspects involved in the crime are currently in custody and will be charged in court upon completion of investigations.

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Ikenga reiterated the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, warning that criminal elements should not consider Anambra State a safe haven for any form of criminal enterprise.

 

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Man Dies After Attempting To Flee EFCC Raid In Lekki

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A man identified as Endurance Udeke has died after jumping from a four-storey building durin
g a raid conducted by operatives of Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the Lekki area of Lagos.

The EFCC confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Saturday, saying the operation, which took place on 4 November, targeted suspected internet fraudsters residing at Periwinkle Estate, Lekki Phase 1.

According to the agency, four suspects were arrested during the sting operation, while Udeke and another resident attempted to escape after learning of the EFCC’s presence.

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Udeke and one other resident of apartment W6a got wind of the operation and tried to escape arrest by jumping down from the four-storey building,” the statement read.Udeke did not survive the suicidal effort, in spite of medical interventions made to rescue him.”

READ ALSO:‘EFCC Collected N10m Before They Released Me’ – Oladips Alleges [VIDEO]

The second individual survived after receiving treatment and has since been stabilised, according to EFCC officials.

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The anti-graft agency stressed that its operatives had no physical contact with Udeke before the incident, describing his action as tragic and unnecessary.

The Commission is shocked at the suicidal action of the deceased. There was no contact between officers of the Commission and the deceased before the unfortunate incident,” the EFCC said.

The agency added that the case has been handed over to the police for further investigation into the circumstances surrounding Udeke’s death.

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READ ALSO:EFCC Arraigns Three Over 25m Petroleum Theft In Lagos

The EFCC urged the public to remain calm and cooperate during its lawful operations, insisting that its raids are conducted in accordance with due process.

The incident comes amid growing scrutiny of EFCC operations following several controversial raids in recent months.

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In September, the agency faced backlash after an early morning operation at a hotel in Lagos led to the arrest of 11 people, including guests not linked to fraud.

Earlier this year, the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Ogun State also accused the EFCC of an unlawful raid on its facilities, demanding ₦3.5 billion in damages and a public apology.

READ ALSO:Court Admits More Evidence In EFCC’s $4.5bn Case Against Emefiele

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Despite public criticism, the EFCC maintains that its anti-corruption drive remains a key pillar in Nigeria’s efforts to curb cybercrime and illicit financial activities.

While expressing sympathy to the family of the deceased, the Commission reiterated that its operations are conducted lawfully and urged members of the public not to panic or resist EFCC operatives when they act within their mandate.

While we await the outcome of the investigation, it is important to remind the public that no one with nothing to hide has reason to be afraid of EFCC sting operations,” EFCC noted.

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