Metro

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

Published

2 years ago

June 9, 2024

Editor

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

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

Published

15 hours 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

2 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.