Author: Iduozee Efe Paul

Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested 26 suspected drug traffickers, with a total of 41,410.53 kilogrammes of various narcotic drugs taken out of illicit circulation. The State Commander of the Agency, Mitchell Ofoyeju, who disclosed this in Benin while presenting the August 2025 progress report, noted that the command intensified operations, leading to numerous arrests, significant drug seizures, destruction of cannabis farms and crucial anti-drug abuse initiatives. “The achievements were remarkable and underscored our proactive approach towards curbing drug-related crimes in Edo. The 26 persons apprehended comprise 22 males and four females. Total…

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has suspended his Special Adviser on Oil and Gas, Mr Felix Osemwengie Isere, over an unauthorized fundraising. The suspension was announced in an official statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Musa Ikhilor. According to the statement, Mr Isere allegedly embarked on a fundraising drive for a proposed Oil and Gas Summit without the approval of government. The summit was scheduled to take place in Benin City on Thursday, 7th August 2025. The Governor described the act as an abuse of office and has directed Mr Isere to refund all monies…

Angry youths in Auchi in Etsako West Local Government Area, on Monday staged a peaceful protest over gully erosion ravaging the community and incessant kidnapping activities in the area. The youths converged at the strategic Jattu Junction with their placards, calling on the government to address the gully erosion and incessant kidnapping. The youths under the umbrella of Auchi Youth Council (AYC) blocked the Jattu axis of the Benin-Auchi road. Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Mr. Chalaman Momoh, said the protest was to draw the attention of the government and relevant authorities to the gullies and incessant kidnapping in…

At least 18 passengers travelling on the Benin-Auchi highway in Edo State were abducted by gunmen on Friday, September 5, 2025. The victims, who were en route to Abuja in a recently launched Edo Line bus, were forced into the bush after armed men intercepted the vehicle. Police operatives later arrived at the scene. A viral video from the incident showed vehicles parked on both sides of the highway as panic gripped commuters. Confirming the development on Saturday, the Edo State Police Command spokesperson, Moses Iyamu, said 16 of the kidnapped passengers had been rescued. “Sixteen of the passengers have…

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has confirmed the killing of eight of its operatives and a civilian driver after gunmen ambushed a security convoy in Edo State. The attack, which occurred at about 10:30 p.m. on Friday, September 5, 2025, along the Okpella–Agenebode road, also resulted in the abduction of a Chinese national working with BUA Cement Company, Okpella. In a statement on Saturday, the NSCDC said the convoy, comprising 12 personnel attached to the Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI) Department, was providing escort duties when it came under heavy gunfire. “Armed men laid an ambush…

Concerned Civil Society Organisation in Edo state has frowned against the restoration of Community Development Associations (CDAs) in Edo state. The body said their return will bring back their illegal activities like extortions, destruction of property and brutalization of citizens. They also decried the brutalization of one of their members, Comrade Kelly Osunbor whose house was destroyed by suspected thugs in Amagba community in Oredo Local Government Area. Addressing journalists in Benin City, spokesperson for the Concerned Civil Society Organisation, Comrade Emmanuel Ogbidi, said Edo State government should reinvigorate the Edo State Private Property Protection (PPP) law to boost the…

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the Ovia federal constituency, Johnny Aikpitanyi, has raised concerns about the by-election in Edo State. According to Aikpitanyi, there was massive presence of vigilantes and thugs at polling units, particularly unit 7 in Oghede, Ovia North East Local Government Area, which hindered free expression of voters’ will.Aikpitanyi questioned the logic behind having over armed 150 vigilantes in a polling unit. “How can you see more than 150 vigilantes holding guns in a polling unit? It doesn’t make sense,” he said, accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of invading polling units with thugs…

The All Progressive Congress (APC) South-South Stakeholders meeting held in Benin City, Edo State has endorsed President Bola Tinubu for re-election in 2027. In a communique read by the APC Vice Chairman South South, Victor Giadom, the party also endorsed the four APC Governors in the South-South namely Edo, Delta, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States following what they called their outstanding performances. The communique said, “The South-South commends President Tinubu for his reforms and policies to reposition Nigeria. We commend Mr. President for his uncommon love and support for the South-South region which clearly reflected in the emergence of…

The Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, has urged correctional officers to rededicate themselves to a correction service that leads with innovation, compassion, and respect for human rights while carrying out their civic duty as an officer. He made the appeal at a two-day training for Correctional Officers on Advancing the Implementation of Non-Custodial Measures organized by Prisons Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA), funded by the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC), held in Benin. The Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, represented by the Deputy Controller General, Controller on Duty, Vera Elizabeth Ogwude,…

The National Association of Nigeria Students, Joint Campus Council, Edo State has appealed to the management of the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma and the Nigeria Police not to sweep under the carpet the alleged rape of a minor food vendor by a lecturer in the school. The appeal was contained in a statement on Friday by the Edo NANS chairman, Comrade Ojumoola Timileyin and made available to newsmen. The lecturer of the Department of Mathematics in AAU was alleged to have raped the food vendor (name withheld) in the school on July 7. The auntie of the alleged victim confirmed…