Gunmen abduct Catholic Priest, poly lecturer, four others in Edo

CRIME NEWS

Gunmen abduct Catholic Priest, poly lecturer, four others in Edo

 

Some gunmen suspected to be kidnappers on Monday abducted a catholic priest, and a lecturer from Auburn Polytechnic, Edo State.

Reverend Father Isaac Agabi, is the priest in charge of Holy Name Catholic Church, Ikpeshi, Akoko Edo Local Government Area of the state.

It was gathered that Rev. Agabi was snatched along Auchi-Igarra road at about 5.00pm on his way back to the parish.

Meanwhile, a lecturer of the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi and four others were kidnapped on River Ose bridge along Ifoh-Uzeba-Kabo road, near Owan West Local Government Area of the State.

They were released after paying a ransom of over half a million naira.

We gathered that the victims spent four days in the bush before they were released by their abductors.

Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Chidi Nwabuzor, when contacted, said that the incident was reported to Igarra division by one Mr Kingsley Okodugha.

“The report from Okodugha indicates that Fr Agabi was attacked by gunmen and he was taken to the bush. Our men and the vigilante are combing the bush for possible rescue but we have recovered the vehicle,’ he said.

 

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Yahoo Yahoo: Court throws SS II student into prison

CRIME NEWS

Yahoo Yahoo: Court throws SS II student into prison

 

Justice Garba Umar of the Federal High Court, Benin City on Friday ordered that Akhigbe Gabriel, an SS II student, be remanded in prison custody for alleged impersonation and internet fraud.

Ganriel was remanded along with Adesuwa Precious, Ogheneteru Pezu, Kenneth Owa, and Isaac Nkemdule until the next adjourned date.

They were accused of defrauding one Joy to the tune of N150, 000, which was allegedly transfered into a bank account of one of them.

The action was allegedly committed contrary to Section 15; sub-Section 2 of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act.

Gabriel, a.k.a. Matt Chan, who is facing a four-count charge, allegedly impersonated an American, Matthew Chan and sent male nude pictures to another American Candy Cerfi, contrary to section 22, 14 sub-Section 2 of the Cyber Crimes Act of 2015.

The judge particularly berated Gabriel, who pleaded guilty to the charges.

He expressed worry that the accused would never hold any public office in future “after making himself a convict,” instead of focusing on his studies and completing his education.

In another development, the court also remanded one Blessing Francis in Ikpoba-Okah Local Government Area of Edo in prison custody until June.

Francis was allegedly caught with a 9.5kg of cannabis sativa wrapped in a bag in contravention of Section 19 of the NDLEA Act CAP N30 of 2014.

The two cases were adjourned to June, when trial are expected to commence.

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Man who was declared missing in UBTH found by his neighbour

NEWS

Man who was declared missing in UBTH found by his neighbour

 

Mr Chris Ochukenyi who was declared missing on Thursday May 9 2019, while admitted at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) has been found.

According to a family source, Ochukenyi who has been diagnosed with partial stroke and Alzheimer’s disease, was found in Siloko Road Benin City, Edo State, by one of his neighours.

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Edo Police boss blows hot over arrest, transfer of Chief Priest to Benin city

NEWS

Edo Police boss blows hot over arrest, transfer of Chief Priest to Benin city

 

Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Mr. DanMallam Mohammed, has assured that disciplinary action will be taken against the policemen who whisked away the Chief Priest of Okhuaihe shrine at Evbokhoi, Uhunmwode Local Government Area the State, Chief Osarodion Usuanlele, to the Police headquarters in Benin city for questioning.

Dan Mallam, who confirmed Usuanlele’s arrest, however, insisted that the arrest and transfer of the high chief, who holds the title of Ohen N’ Ukoni Neyedo, by operatives of the Anti-Cultism Unit to Benin was based on a petition by an indigene of the area.

Speaking to Tribune, the Police boss said based on the allegation by the local, whom he emphasised ought to know better, the policemen invited him to Benin for interrogation.

The commissioner, however, blamed the policemen for insisting on transferring the suspect to Benin despite his strident protest that moving him to the Edo State capital will amount to a desecration of Bini culture.

DanMallam said: “The issue could have been resolved over there at the local police station without moving him to Benin.

“The police must respect the culture and tradition of the people in areas where they operate.

“We are not taking the matter lightly and will deal with our men who are involved in the incident.

“They ought to have listened to the complaint of the chief and deal with the matter at the nearest police station, instead of bringing him to Benin.”

He denied receiving a list of items from the chief priest to cleanse the land, noting that the locals bought the items and did the sacrifice themselves.

The items reportedly included 14 native cows, tortoise, sheep, goats, cocks, among others.

We had earlier reported that going by an age-long tradition of the Binis which has been on since the times of Oba Ewuare the Great in the 15th century, the Ohen N’ UKoni is forbidden from setting his feet in Benin, the abode of the Oba as it is said to amount to a desecration. 

As part of coronation rites of the Benin monarch, the chief priest engages in a symbolic wrestle with the prince of Benin, after which both men go opposite ways, never to see each other again, once the prince becomes the Oba.

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Edo APC: Oshiomhole’s ally leaves Obaseki government

POLITICS

Edo APC: Oshiomhole’s ally leaves Obaseki government

 

Former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly and Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council of Tayo Akpata University of Education, Thomas Okosun, has exited Governor Godwin Obaseki-led government.

His resignation as chairman of the council was contained in a letter to governor.

The letter by Okosun, an ally of former Governor Adams Oshiomhole, is regarded as political amid the rumored no lost love between the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Obaseki.

Okosun lamented alleged neglect of the university, which was set up by the former administration of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

He explained that his decision was to enable him focus on other “very important personal matters for now as the university, unfortunately, has not taken off as earlier envisaged”.

“Let me use this opportunity to thank Comrade Adams Oshiomhole who offered me the appointment and your humble self for allowing me to continue in office since you assumed office on November 12, 2016.”

Oshiomhole had upgraded the then College of Education to a university.

But the institution has not commenced activities since Obaseki became governor.

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Nigerian Police begins ‘Operation Puff Adder’ in Edo

Nigerian Police begins ‘Operation Puff Adder’ in Edo

The Edo State Command of the Nigeria Police Force, in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), has inaugurated the force special security outfit, code-named: ‘Operation Puff Adder’ in the state.

In his opening remarks at the inauguration on Thursday in Benin, CP Mohammed DanMallam, Edo State Commissioner of Police, complained about contemporary security challenges globally.

DanMallam stated that the special security outfit was inaugurated to fight the security challenges, NAN reports.

He also explained that ‘Operation Puff Adder’ was based on the principle of community policing, intelligence-led policing, synergy with other security agencies, convoy/motorised patrols and stop and search operations.

The commissioner explained that the security outfit was to checkmate the activities of criminals and their sponsors.

He noted that since his assumption of office in the state in February, the command had arrested 356 suspects for various crimes, with 230 suspects charged to court and 49 suspects convicted.

DanMallam said that 162 cases were reported at the command with 146 charged to courts, as 67 arms and 198 ammunition were recovered.

The commissioner said that the vision and mission of the IGP to launch the outfit would be optimized in the command.

The Assistant Inspector-General of Police Zone 5, AIG Paul Yakadi, described the outfit as a robust security action plan with massive deployment of trained and motivated personnel, who were expected to display high level of discipline and professionalism in the discharge of their duties.

Yakadi, who was represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Effiong, appealed to all to partner with the police with a view to reducing crime in the state.

He noted that the special security outfit came about when, shortly after the general elections, the country witnessed an upsurge in crimes due to the proliferation of light weapons in the hands of the wrong persons.

           

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Gov. Obaseki reacts to rumoured rift with Oshiomhole

BREAKING NEWS

Gov. Obaseki reacts to rumoured rift with Oshiomhole

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State said on Wednesday that there was no rift between him and his predecessor in office, Adams Oshiomhole, current National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Obaseki made the clarification at the Benin airport upon his arrival in the state following a one-month vacation.

The governor described it as fake news, the reported rift with Oshiomhole over his second term ambition.

Obaseki said that people of the state should be engaging themselves with how the government could provide good governance to them and not petty issues.

He said that Edo people should expect more “wait and see” as he had returned refreshed, feeling good and ready to continue to deliver good governance to the people of the state.

Obaseki, who was accompanied by his wife, Betsy, arrived the Benin airport at exactly 11.30am.

NAN reports that combined security operatives from the 4th brigade, DSS, and the police had a hectic time controlling the mammoth crowd that thronged the airport to welcome the governor.

Deputy Governor Phillip Shaibu, Secretary to the state government, Osarodion Ogie, Edo State House of Assembly Speaker, Kabiru Adjoto and Chief of staff to the governor, Taiwo Akerele, and some APC leader were among officials who received the governor.

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Police Speak On Their Alleged 'Plot To Kill A Whistle Blower'

​BREAKING NEWS

Police Speak On Their Alleged 'Plot To Kill A Whistle Blower'

The Zone 5 headquarters of the Nigerian Police Force, Benin City, has denied plot to eliminate one Ovie Osiebe-Franklin, an alleged whistle blower, and one other Anodeh Brave.

This was contained in a statement released by Emeka Iheanacho, Zonal Police Public Relations Officer (ZPPRO).

Iheanacho said the alleged whistle blower was a suspect in a case of alleged false information investigated by the FCIID, Abuja.

He said debunking the alleged elimination plot was imperative following a publication by an online medium on March 28.

Iheanacho added that the said-publication had allegedly reported that the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Zone 5 headquarters, Benin City, Rasheed Akintunde, was plotting to eliminate the whistle blower.

Akintunde was also alleged to be plotting to kill Anode Brave, a member of Delta State Polytechnic Governing Council, Otefe-Oghara.

He said the AIG was committed to professionalism and intelligence-led policing.

“The AIG, Zone 5 headquarters, Benin City AIG Rasheed Akintunde, wishes to reaffirm his commitment to professionalism and intelligence-led policing.

“He also wishes to reaffirm his respect for fundamental human rights and observance of rule of law in the discharge of his duties at all time.

“It would be recalled that sometime in 2014, the school authority terrminated Ovie Osiebe-Franklin appointment as an academic staff of the Delta State Polytechnic.

“He was alleged to be involved in acts of corruption, extortion of students, sexual harassment of female students and examination malpractice.

“Since the termination of the suspect’s appointment by the governing council, he has been on vengeance mission against the authorities of Delta State Polytechnic Otefe-Oghara,” the statement said.

Iheanacho further said in 2014, Mr. Osiebe-Franklin wrote a petition to the Inspector- General of Police (IG) against the Rector and other members of the governing council, including Anodeh Brave.

“There, he alleged misappropriation of the institution’s fund.

“At the end of the investigation, a Legal Adviser from the Commissioner of Police Legal Department, Abuja, directed that the said Ovie Osiebe-Franklin (suspect) should be arrested and charged to court for false information,” he said.

He, however, said on February 20, 2018, another petition was written to the AIG, Zone 5 Headquarters, by Anodeh Brave.

Iheanacho said it was against the supposed whistle blower over allegations of corruption and extortion, impersonation of EFCC officials, assassination of character and threat to lives.

The spokesperson said based on the petition which was presently being investigated at the zonal command, the supposed whistle blower had continued to evade police arrest.

He stated that every effort made to arrest and prosecute the suspect had failed.

He said as a responsible law enforcement agency, the zone would like to reassure members of the public that it would continue to discharge its functions within the confine of extant laws.

He advised the general public to disregard the said publication as there was no truth in it.

He appealed to the public to assist the zone with useful information that could lead to the arrest of the supposed whistle blower.

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