Author: Iduozee Efe Paul

The body of a 59-year-old businessman, Henry Ohiengbomwan, who was allegedly kidnapped has been found in a shallow grave in Igueze Village, Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State. The incident occurred on May 13, 2025, after Ohiengbomwan sold his pineapple produce for over N900,000. His alleged kidnappers, five in number, demanded a N60 million ransom but killed him before the family could pay. The family had requested to hear from Ohiengbomwan before paying the ransom, and after sending N300,000 for him to speak with them, they were unable to reach him. This raised suspicions, and it was…

The elders and youths of the various villages comprising Iyekogba community in Oredo Local Government Area, have called on Edo State Police Command to bring to justice the alleged murderer of one Frank Osagie, one of the youth leaders in Iyekogba community and attempted murder of one Victor Iredia and four others on 11 June. Members of the community made the demand while addressing journalists at the premises of the press centre of the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), in Benin City, Edo State. Mr. Bright Omo-Asuen, who read a statement signed by His Royal…

As nations around the world marked 2025 World Environment Day, the Foundation for Earth Rights Assembly (FERA) has called for urgent and decisive action to eliminate plastic pollution. At a press briefing in Benin City, Edo State, FERA’s Executive Director, Nosa Tokunbor, emphasized the gravity of the crisis, noting that this year’s theme, “End Plastic Pollution,” reflects growing concern over the environmental and health hazards posed by plastics. “Plastic pollution is no longer a distant threat it’s everywhere, even in our bodies in the form of microplastics,” Tokunbor said. “The global production of plastics hit 413.8 million metric tons in…

As part of its continuous investment in the education sector, the NEPL/Seplat Energy Joint Venture has inaugurated three new state-of-the-art Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) laboratories in Benin City, Edo State.The three laboratories commissioned and handed over to the Edo State Ministry of Education on Thursday, are located at Niger College, Army Day Secondary School, and Oba Akenzua Secondary School.These are in addition to the three existing STEAM Labs earlier commissioned at Ihogbe College, New Era College and Edo Boys High School, all in Benin City, to deepen the JV’s investment in education across its host communities.The Director,…

Edo Civil Society Organization has thrown its weight behind Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration in the fight against cultism and cult-related matters. The group, led by its Coordinator General, Comrade Omobude Agho, staged a march to Government House in Benin City to show solidarity with the government’s efforts. The protesters, who were received by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Paul Ohonbamu, and the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Fred Itua, expressed their support for the government’s actions against cultism. Agho commended Governor Okpebholo for his efforts so far and expressed the group’s readiness to support the government in…

The Aidonogie of South Ibie, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, His Royal Highness Inusa Umoru Inusa has rejected the recognition of Alhaji Kelvin Danesi as the substantive ruler of the community by the state government. In a petition to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Inusa said the presentation of Alhaji Danesi from the Danesi branch of the Okhokho Ruling House as the traditional ruler in 1997 was unpopular because his father was not an Aidonogie and he was also not the eldest surviving son of a former Aidonogie from Danesi branch as required by the law governing the succession…

Edo State Chief Judge, Justice Daniel Okungbowa has freed Shaibu Adams and Musa Ibrahim, inmates of Oko Correctional Centre. According to the News Agency of Nigeria, Adams, 27, from Akwa Ibom was arrested for alleged kidnapping and theft of a cell phone remanded on July 3, 2023 and was never charged to court. Adams told the Administration of Criminal Justice Ministry Monitoring Committee (ACJMC) that he was arrested on his way back from work. Musa Ibrahim, a 22-year-old from Kogi State, was charged with alleged forceful entry and remanded on January 16, 2024. Ibrahim spent one year, three months, and…

The NEPL/Seplat Joint Venture (JV) has unveiled a solar-powered mini-grid project, graduation of its pioneer Youth Entrepreneurship Programme (YEP) participants and the commissioning of a borehole project in Ologbo N’ugu, Edo State. With the theme, “Building Capacity for a Greener Grassroots Economy,” the three-pronged initiative was centered around providing access to power, stable water supply and potential employment and placement pathway for the youths. The solar-powered mini-grid, with a capacity of 18.45 KWp 30 KWh battery and 20KVa inverter, is designed to provide electricity to about 138 households and businesses in the community, while the YEP is a comprehensive empowerment…

A former military governor of the South-Eastern State – Akwa Ibom and Cross River States – Major General Paul Omu is dead. According to a statement by the family, Omu died at the age of 84 on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. The statement signed by Oghenekome Omu, said the late general, a native of Igbide community, Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State served Nigeria and his community in various capacities. “Major-General Paul Ufuoma Omu was a family man, patriot, statesman, soldier, and community leader whose life was marked by unwavering commitment to the service of Nigeria and his…

There is tension in Benin City, Edo State capital, as rival cult groups, Black Axe and Maphite Confraternities have resumed their battle of supremacy that has led to the killing of no fewer than 15 people so far. The ugly situation is coming barely three months after the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpehbolo, signed the Secret Cult Prohibition Bill into law that prescribed 21-year jail term for cultists and their sponsors. It was gathered that the renewed cult war said to be between the two rival groups started on a Friday with the killing of a physiotherapist, simply…