Metro

You Owe Edo People Explanation On State Of Central Hospital, EDOCSO Tackles Obaseki

Published

1 year ago

June 9, 2024

Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO) has demanded explanation from Governor Godwin Obaseki the current state of the state-owned Central Hospital.

The CSO’s demand followed rumours making the rounds that the Obaseki-led administration in the state is on the verge of permanently shutting down the Central Hospital.

Recall that Obaseki, a few years ago demolished the Edo Central Hospital located in the centre of Benin City and relocated various units of the hospital to different hospitals and sister agencies, and thereafter started construction of a museum on the land.

The civil society members during their General Assembly held over the weekend, said if the planned closure comes to fruition, Edo will be the only state without state-owned Central Hospital.

EDOCSO, in a statement jointly signed by Leftist Austine Enabulele,
Interim Technical Executive Council (TEC) Chairman, and Leftist Grace Okike, interim TEC Secretary, and read during the General Assembly, the civil society members lamented that rather than improving on the hospital built with tax payers money, Obaseki has caused more damage to the hospital and has made it unaffordable for the masses it was initially built for.

According to them, all policies being implemented by Obaseki regarding the Central Hospital is a departure from the purpose the hospital was established over a century ago.

They said: “Most recently is the sharp increment of hospital bills, like case file which used to be N6000 (six thousand naira) has been increased to N15000 (fifteen thousand naira) this is just example of the increment that touches everything which has further contributed to the pains of the common man in Edo State.

“As we speak Edo state do not have Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in the state hospital which finally suggests that healthcare is gone and of no interest or importance to the government of the day.

“It should be noted that, our forebears established the central hospital in such a strategic location for easy access and affordability for the people.

“What the government led by Mr. Godwin Obaseki currently doing is a far departure from it, and this is anti-people, wicked and a devalue for the lives of Edo people and residents respectively.

“One would think the new hospital built using tax payers’ money by the former governor of Edo state, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole would have been equipped with modern health equipment as an expansion of the Edo Central h ospital to boost the government health facility in the state by this OBASEKI’s administration as at when he took over in 2016, instead it was surreptitiously privatized by him, which has become far from the reach and affordability of the poor.”

The civil society members, while rejecting “in its entirety the total close down of Edo Central Hospital and recent increase in Hospital bills of the average and poor Citizens in Edo State, using the Edo Central Hospital facility,” demanded a “reversal of all the astronomical increment of charges in the public hospital for easy access and affordability by commoners.”

They also demanded employment of Doctors “to cover the current shortage being experienced,” and “training and retraining of all medical personnel in the hospital.”

They warned and reminded Obaseki of the implication of his policy in the health sector on his candidate in the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

Metro

18-year-old Hangs Self, Police Launch Investigation

Published

9 hours ago

October 5, 2025

Editor

The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the death of an 18-year-old identified as Tersoo Veregh, who allegedly took his own life in Makurdi, the state capital.

According to Zagazola Makama, the deceased’s father, Mr. Veregh Nathaniel, of Iorkyaako Street, High Level area of Makurdi, made the tragic discovery around 2:00 a.m. on October 4, when he stepped out of his room to ease himself and found his son hanging from the ceiling.

Following the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of ‘B’ Division, Makurdi, led a team of detectives to the scene. The body was photographed and later taken to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital mortuary.

Police authorities said an investigation has commenced to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Metro

Police Intercept Illicit Drugs, Recover Pistols In Delta

Published

9 hours ago

October 5, 2025

Editor

The Delta State Police Command has intercepted a truck loaded with large quantities of suspected illicit drugs.

The truck, with registration number 3BGT 18LG, driven by one Dennis Uruma, a 52-year-old man from Igalamela Local Government Area of Kogi State, was intercepted by a patrol team of the Eagle Net Special Squad, Asaba, led by Commander SP Danyaya Yunusa.

The operation was conducted in synergy with the Office of the Executive Assistant to the Delta State Governor on Illicit Drugs and Human Trafficking.

The driver was arrested after the search, while the counting and measurement of the exhibits are ongoing.

In another development, on October 3, 2025, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, RRS, led by Commander CSP Nosa Alex, acting on credible intelligence, conducted a targeted raid on a suspected criminal hideout around the Basket Market area of Asaba.

During the operation, three suspects, Rabbi Godwin, 25, Lucky Nanakumo, 20, and David Igwe, 19, were arrested.

A search of the location yielded one fabricated Beretta pistol, which was recovered and secured as evidence.

Again, on October 1, 2025, the DPO ‘B’ Division, Asaba, CSP Edewor Akponegware, led his surveillance team in a swift response to a distress report about a robbery incident around the BONSAAC axis of Asaba, where a female victim was dispossessed of her phone and other valuables at gunpoint by two male suspects.

Working with local vigilantes, the team established a discreet cordon and began a methodical sweep of adjoining streets.

The coordinated push paid off when officers intercepted one suspect, Amara Nwako, 21, a male indigene of Oko, while his accomplice fled into an uncompleted building.

A locally made pistol was recovered during a search of the immediate vicinity. Preliminary findings revealed a possible cult affiliation linking the suspect to a certain Arobaga secret cult.

According to Bright Edafe, the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, all the suspects remain in custody, while a manhunt is underway for the fleeing accomplice.

(DAILY POST)

Metro

NDLEA Intercepts 174 Parcels Of Cocaine Hidden In Body Cream Containers

Published

10 hours ago

October 5, 2025

Editor

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) intercepted 174 parcels of cocaine concealed in body cream containers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos.

This operation, which was part of its efforts to dismantle two major drug cartels, led to six separate cocaine shipments destined for the UK. On September 16, NDLEA operatives seized 13.4 kilogrammes of cocaine hidden in cocoa butter containers.

A cargo agent was arrested, directing investigators to 56-year-old Hammed Taofeek Ode, identified as the syndicate leader.

After weeks of intelligence gathering, the NDLEA coordinated with police to apprehend Ode, who had spent over 27 years in various European countries before returning to Nigeria in 2024.

“During his preliminary interview, Alhaji Hammed Ode admitted ownership of the consignment, which he claimed he bought at over N150 million. He described himself as a businessman and real estate developer, ” the statement reads.

In another development, five attempts by a different cartel to export cocaine to the UK were thwarted between September 26 and October 2. On September 26, the NDLEA intercepted 2.1 kg of cocaine hidden in hair cream containers at MMIA, leading to the arrest of Smith David Korede. An additional 1.4 kg of cocaine was recovered from his location.

On October 2, two more suspects, Ogunbiyi Oluseye Taiwo and Popoola Francis Olumuyiwa, were arrested after two UK-bound shipments were seized. In other states, including Kwara, Kaduna, Ogun, Osun, Edo, and Kogi, several suspects were also arrested with varying amounts of tramadol and cannabis.