Police helpless as many killed in Edo cultists frequent clashes – Newstrends
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Police helpless as many killed in Edo cultists frequent clashes

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Police Public Relations Officer of the Edo State Command, Moses Yamu

Police helpless as many killed in Edo cultists frequent clashes

Edo Police Command told FIJ on Saturday that there was “nothing” the police could do as cult groups killed cultists and non-cultists in Benin City.

Recent frequent killings have been ascribed to an ongoing cult clash in the state. The killings have also affected people who do not belong in any cult group, but the police said residents have not rendered help to nab the perpetrators.

According to @najiaconfra, an X account monitoring cult-related activities, the warring groups have made Benin City unliveable for residents due to incessant killings.

The killings have predominantly been linked to two cults groups — Aye and Maphite.

“Naija Confra can now confirm the affiliation of the attackers in the recent beheading video in Ugbowo, Benin City, Edo State. The attack was carried out by Aye; however, we cannot verify if the person beheaded was a cultist or not,” part of an X post read on Saturday.

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Moreover, there have also been reports that innocent people who belonged to neither cult group also lost their lives in the violence.

On Friday, a non-cultist known as Ogbeti was killed in Benin City. Ogbeti, also known as Oyakhilome, was reportedly killed by the Aye cult group at Plymouth Road in Benin City.

FIJ contacted Moses Yamu, the Public Relations Officer of the Edo State Police Command, to ask about the measures the police put in place to bring the perpetrators to book and restore peace in the state. He said that Edo residents have not been cooperative.

“Where are the killings happening? Who are those responsible for the killing? Are they not people’s children and people’s relation? Nobody would commit crime in the presence of a policeman. The members of the public live with them and sleep with them, yet nobody will tell you or give you any information,” Yamu told FIJ on Saturday.

“I have been on radio programmes and TV programmes. It is not that there is no information forthcoming, but there is little or not information. And there is nothing the police can do.”

amu said the police conducted searches, found dangerous weapons, arrested and investigated some suspects.

FIJ also asked Yamu if the police has attempted getting information about the perpetrators from Naija confra. He said he was ready to send screenshots of his questions to the account.

“I have tried. Whoever is behind the account, they say they are anonymous,” Yamu said.

Police helpless as many killed in Edo cultists frequent clashes

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Gunmen kill two soldiers in Abia checkpoint attack

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Gunmen kill two soldiers in Abia checkpoint attack

Early Wednesday morning, gunmen attacked an army checkpoint in Ekenobizi, a border community between Abia and Imo states, located in Umuopara, Umuahia South Local Government Area.

The assailants reportedly arrived around 6:18 a.m. in a white Lexus SUV (model 350/400) and launched an assault that resulted in the deaths of two soldiers.

A military source, who wished to remain anonymous, provided details of the incident but could not confirm the exact number of attackers involved.

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Confirming the incident in a press release on Wednesday, Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Unuakhalu of the Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA said: “In the early hours of today, 13 November 2024, troops of the Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA, deployed at a checkpoint along the Umuahia – Owerri Road in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State, came under attack by the irredentist group Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed affiliate, the Eastern Security Network.

“During the attack, the gallant troops were able to repel the assault, forcing the attackers to retreat in disarray with gunshot wounds, abandoning one Sienna and one Lexus Jeep used in the attack. However, in the ensuing firefight, two soldiers paid the supreme price.”

The Joint Task Force appealed to residents of the South East, particularly those in Abia State, for credible information to help track down the fleeing attackers and combat criminal elements in the region.

The force reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property in line with global best practices and the rules of engagement.

 

Gunmen kill two soldiers in Abia checkpoint attack

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94 arrested as task force raids Lagos rail corridor squatters

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94 arrested as task force raids Lagos rail corridor squatters

At least 94 illegal occupants and squatters along the railway corridor from Pen Cinema to Fagba were arrested by the Lagos State Taskforce in an early morning sting operation on Wednesday.

During the raid, substances suspected to be hard drugs—such as Indian hemp, colorado, and other harmful drugs—were seized, along with various weapons.

It was gathered that those arrested attempted to resist the task force’s actions.

In a statement, Director of Public Affairs, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, confirmed that those arrested will face prosecution.

He added that the agency dismantled shanties and makeshift structures along the railway corridor, clearing a distance of some kilometers.

The Taskforce Chairman Adetayo Akerele explained that the eviction aimed to provide relief for residents around the Fagba, Agege, and Pen Cinema railway routes, following numerous complaints from the public about criminal activities in the area.

He noted that the squatting had violated environmental and sanitary regulations.

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Akerele also highlighted the health and safety risks posed by the presence of squatters along the rail corridor.

He warned the evicted individuals not to return and assured residents and train passengers that regular patrols and surveillance would be conducted to prevent the re-establishment of shanties in the area.

“The rail tracks are not meant for habitation or the sale of narcotics. Anyone caught converting this place into a den of criminals or an area of residence will face severe consequences according to the law,” Akerele was quoted as saying.

Speaking on the raid, Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed that a locally fabricated short gun was recovered.

“94 suspects were arrested during the midnight operation; a locally fabricated short gun and several wraps of illicit substance suspected to be indian hemp, charm and a jack knife were recovered.

“The suspects will be charged to court accordingly,” Wahab stated in a post on X.

 

94 arrested as task force raids Lagos rail corridor squatters

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Okpebholo sacks all political appointees, Board executives in Edo

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Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State

Okpebholo sacks all political appointees, Board executives in Edo

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has swept out all Board, Parastatal, and Agency appointees from his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki, in a decisive move to overhaul the state’s public service.

A statement released on Wednesday by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, confirmed the immediate dismissal of all political appointees and Permanent Secretaries brought in from outside the state Civil Service.

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The statement reads:

“For the information of the general public, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, Governor of Edo State, has approved the dissolution of Executives of all Boards, Agencies, and Parastatals in the Edo State Public Service with immediate effect.

“In addition, all Permanent Secretaries appointed from outside the State Public/Civil Service and all Political Appointees are hereby relieved of their appointments.”

Affected individuals have been directed to return all government property in their possession to the senior Public Officers in their respective Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.

 

Okpebholo sacks all political appointees, Board executives in Edo

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