Metro

‘We’d Always Been Victims’ – Gbelemotin Indigenes Clear The Air On Clash With Cocoa Farmer

Published

9 months ago

March 2, 2025

The people of the agrarian community of Gbelemotin in Ovia South-West Local Government Area of Edo State, have absolved themselves of blame in the recent killings in the area.

Recall that a clash between some migrant cocoa farmers and Izon boys accused of stealing farm produce in the area claimed lives and properties worth millions were burnt.

Also recall that the Edo State Command had, while confirming the clash, said that five people lost their lives in the clash that also led to the burning of houses and other property .

The Command’s spokesman, Moses Yamu, assured that the Command was on the trail of the perpetrators and would bring all of them to book.

A statement issued by Gbelemotin community on Sunday, and signed by Karaem Evimibowei,
claimed that the indigenes of the community had always been victims of the migrant Yoruba cocoa farmers, who, they said had many years ago encroached their land to plant cocoa.

In the statement made available to journalists in Benin on Sunday the community added that the migrant cocoa farmers, as a way of settlement, agreed to pay a token to the Gbelemotin community for planting their cash crops.

The community alleged that over time, the Yoruba migrant cocoa farmers formed the habit of attacking their youths through a vigilante group they set up.

The statement stressed that the harassment of the Gbelemotin indigenes continued because the farmers appeared to have the backing of some powerful people in the government.

The statement, which chronicled how they had been harassed over the years, stated that over time, the Yoruba farmers began expanding beyond the original areas they were allowed to plant, thereby encroaching on the free uncultivated lands reserved for Ijaw communities

Tension grew in the community when the Yoruba farmers started accusing the Ijaw farmers of stealing their cocoa, an allegation the community denied.

“They went further to prevent indigenes of Gbelemotin from passing through the roads and footpaths leading to other Ijaw communities”, the statement added

It stated that many of the indigenes were labelled as thieves, beaten up and injured, just as women were not also spared in those attacks.

The community also alleged that the migrant farmers formed a vigilante group headed by one Igbala, which they had been using to enforce their plans against the indigenes.

The statement reads: “The situation took a deadly turn last year when a young Ijaw man, a married man and father of children, was murdered by the vigilante group while returning from a funeral in Jide Village.

“When an eyewitness of that incident accompanied a delegation from one of the communities went to the police to report the killing and seek justice, he was unjustly arrested on false charges, further confirming that the authorities were not on our side.”

Ebimobobowei claimed that not long after that, an Urhobo youth who climbed to harvest wild palm trees was shot dead by a vigilante and the matter was allegedly swept under the carpet by the police.

The statement said that what caused the latest killings was that Ijaw youths went to rescue their people when they heard they were attacked and in the process, they were ambushed agan by the cocoa farmers and their vigilante

“When news of the attack reached the village, the youth were outraged; they mobilised to search for their missing brothers, hoping to rescue some that may have survived the onslaught.

“While searching the bushes, they were ambushed again by the vigilante group. However, they managed to fight back and successfully rescued two seriously wounded victims who had been left for dead.

“At the end we lost four of our youth, two of whose bodies were taken away by the murderous and escaping vigilantes led by an Ikale man named Igbala who happened to be the Head of the Vigilantes. Several other youth of Gbelemotin returned with gunshot injuries.

“It is necessary to point out that this same Igbala is fond of using his powers as a vigilante to harass both women and youth as they move daily on the earth’s roads”.

Ebimobobowei said the narrative being spread by the cocoa farmers portraying the Gbelemotin indigenes as the aggressors was not true and urged the government and security agencies to carry out a thorough investigation, insisting that as Ijaw, they “have the right to live peacefully and work in their homeland.”

Metro

JUST IN: One Dead As Ngige Escapes Assassination

Published

7 hours ago

November 27, 2025

Editor

Gunmen who dressed in police and army camouflage on Thursday attacked the convoy of the former governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chris Ngige, leaving one dead.

A lady who was caught videoing the gunmen reportedly came out of her hairdressing salon.

She was shot and died on the spot after she was spotted capturing the incident with her phone yesterday.

Ngige, who last served as the Labour Minister, reportedly escaped death following an attack on his convoy as he was not in the vehicle at the time of the incident.

It was learnt that the gunmen ran into the former governor’s convoy along Nkpor–Nnobi Road in Idemili North Local Government Area of the State and opened fire, prompting return fire from security operatives in the convoy.

According to a source, a police officer and a civilian who owned a shop were also injured during the gunmen’s attack.

A statement issued by Ngige’s media aide, Fred Chukwuelobe, confirmed that the former governor was not in the convoy when the assailants struck.

The statement noted that the attackers, reportedly dressed in police and army uniforms, opened fire on the pilot vehicle, injuring the lead escort.

The statement stressed that the policeman in the pilot car sustained gunshot wounds, while the attackers made away with his gun and uniform.

The pilot vehicle, it was gathered, was riddled with bullets during the assault.

Ngige, who spoke by phone through Chukwuelobe, said: “I just got off the phone with His Excellency, and he confirmed the development, promising to do all he can to ensure that those injured receive adequate treatment.”

He also commiserated with the family of the unfortunate lady who was killed while videoing the scene,” Chukwuelobe said.

“A shop owner who ran out to see what was happening was also shot. He reportedly lost a significant amount of blood and is scheduled for surgery to remove bullets, but doctors expect him to make a full recovery.

The injured escort leader has also undergone surgery and is responding well,” he added.

Ngige’s side dismissed insinuations that a police officer was killed in the attack.

Contacted, the State Command confirmed the attack on the former governor Ngige’s convoy, clarifying that the police had recovered the vehicle, which was riddled with bullets by the gunmen.

Metro

Man Flees After Lady Dies In Ondo Hotel

Published

8 hours ago

November 27, 2025

Editor

The Ondo Police Command has launched a manhunt for a man identified as Sodiq Ganiyu over the demise of a young lady in a hotel in Ore, Odigbo Local Council Area of the state.

Ganiyu had lodged at the popular hotel on the busy Ore–Okitipupa Road, along with the yet-to-be-identified lady, who was found dead after the suspect left the hotel room.

The lifeless body of the deceased was discovered after hotel staff entered the room with a spare key when repeated knocks went unanswered.

Following the incident, the hotel, a regular stop and social hub for travellers and residents of the area, was besieged by onlookers who trooped to witness it.

According to sources, the lady was lying motionless on the bed when the door was opened, with no visible signs of violence or marks on her body.

One of the sources stated that “The girl checked into the hotel with a man, Sodiq Ganiyu, to spend the night. The two were seen together earlier in the day, but when staff gained access to the room, the lady was found lifeless.”

Another source stressed that the suspect allegedly fled the scene, leaving his whereabouts unknown, a development that prompted hotel management to promptly report the incident to the police.

A security source, who confirmed the development, said the lady’s body has been deposited at a mortuary in Ore.

Preliminary examinations revealed no external injuries, but a full autopsy has been scheduled to determine the cause of death.

While confirming the incident, Police Public Relations Officer Olayinka Ayanlade stated that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect.

Metro

Police Crack Down On Criminal Network In Delta Community, Recover AK-47

Published

8 hours ago

November 27, 2025

Editor

The Delta State Police Command has recorded another breakthrough in its ongoing offensive against armed criminal networks in Oghara, Ethiope West Local Government Area, raising further alarm over the deepening sophistication of local cult and robbery syndicates.

In a statement on Thursday, the Command’s spokesperson, Bright Edafe, said the latest operation was carried out by the CP–Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT) led by ASP Julius Robinson, whose sustained raids continue to expose the scale of organised criminal activity festering in and around the community.

Edafe recalled that the development follows the 24 November arrest of confessed cultists and the recovery of a pump-action gun and other incriminating exhibits.

Building on intelligence gathered from that initial bust, CP-SAT operatives intensified surveillance and launched coordinated follow-up raids across strategic hotspots in Oghara on November 25, 2025.

The sweep led to the arrest of two additional suspects identified as Justice Ikutu, 38, and Peter Okomeje, 55 — both allegedly linked to a widening criminal syndicate believed to be responsible for recent spikes in cult violence and armed robbery in the area.

According to him, a search conducted at the residence of another suspected gang member, identified as Peter Kome, led to the recovery of a loaded AK-47 rifle fitted with a double magazine and other exhibits investigators say point to a more entrenched and organised network than previously assumed.

“All suspects are currently in custody,” the Command said, adding that operatives are pursuing leads to identify and arrest other members of the syndicate.

Meanwhile, Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, praised the rapid response and tactical precision of the CP-SAT team but stressed that policing alone cannot dismantle the criminal ecosystem thriving in the region. He appealed to residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies by providing actionable information.

He said the latest arrests come amid rising public anxiety over recurrent cult clashes, armed robbery, and gang-related killings across several Delta communities. Even as investigations deepen, the Command says it remains resolute in restoring order in Oghara and preventing the town from becoming a haven for weapon-bearing criminal networks.

In other news, the Owelle of Onicha-Olona, Chief Jerry Nkeweshe, has demanded the withdrawal of a police statement linking him to the killing of three youths in the Okwe community near Asaba, Delta State.

The Delta State Police Command had announced a manhunt for Nkeweshe and others alleged to have led an armed group that attacked the community on November 24, resulting in the deaths of the youths.

The command’s spokesperson, Bright Edafe, confirmed the killings and said the suspects were being sought in connection with the attack.

But reacting through his lawyer, Kelechi Nnadi, on Wednesday, Nkeweshe denied any involvement and described the police statement as false and damaging.

Nnadi said his client was not in Okwe or anywhere within Asaba on the day of the incident, explaining that Nkeweshe had left the city earlier that morning for medical attention in Umunede, where he stayed throughout the day.