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Just in: Edo gov dashes to Ekpoma as youths attack cattle market
Monday Okpebholo, Governor of Edo State, is currently in Ekpoma, the university town in the state, which has become restive since Saturday after a soldier shot and killed a young man protesting the incessant kidnapping of people in the town by alleged Fulani herdsmen.
The PUNCH, quoting Kassim Afegbua, spokesman of the government, reports that the governor’s move came after angry youths chased away Hausa traders at the livestock market in university town in Edo Central and slaughtered goats belonging to the traders.
The shooting incident, came when some youths had embarked on protests to call attention to the activities of the herdsmen, who had allegedly continued to carry out relentless kidnappings with security operatives appearing to have no solution.
The reports, quoted Afegbua, Commissioner for Information and Strategy as saying: “This is very untoward. Incidentally, some of our people are the owners of these cows. We can only appeal for calm, to avoid reprisal attacks elsewhere. This is a mob action, often spontaneous and senseless
“The Governor has gone to the area to appeal for calm. An eye for an eye is not the best approach.”
It came on the heels of multiple videos circulating on the social media on Sunday morning, showing some youths descending on said animals after the traders were seen fleeing the scene abandoning even their cows, which were seen straying on major roads amid heavy assault by the irate youths.
The resident noted that kidnapping has become a big problem in the area, with farmers not being able to go to their farms, while residents live in fear.
Amid the protest, which also grounded commercial activities as residents also attacked some government paraphernalia, including Okpholo’s campaign billboards for the 2027 general elections Austin Eigbiremolen, Principal Security Officer to the Governor, was quoted as assuring of adequate security.
“I can assure that adequate security will be provided in Ekpoma and kidnappers will be chased away,” he was quoted as saying, while Eno Ikoedem, spokesman of the Edo State Police Command, was also saying that the authorities were not indifferent to the security challenges in town as alleged.
Stressing that Monday Agbonika, the Commissioner was already in the community to take charge of the situation, she reportedly added that nine persons were rescued unhurt after the Eagle Combat Drone Unit was deployed to the forest alongside local hunters.
Hear the police: “In the heat of the rescue operation, the kidnappers’ camp was located through real-time aerial intelligence. The ground troops stormed the camp, forcing the kidnappers to flee and abandon two locally fabricated AK-49 rifles. The victims, including five children, were rescued unhurt.
“This landmark deployment underscores the transformative role of technology in modern policing and sets a new benchmark for operational enhancement in Edo State.”
By Prosper Olayiwola
A House of Assembly Candidate for Ikole Constituency 1 on the platform of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Kayode Arewa Sanni, has called on his constituents, party members and supporters to unite ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Arewa Sanni made the call in Ikole-Ekiti while addressing party faithful and supporters at a stakeholders’ meeting convened to strengthen grassroots mobilisation in the constituency.
He said the 2027 elections present a defining moment for the people of Ikole Constituency 1 to chart a new course of inclusive representation, people-oriented legislation and accelerated development.
The candidate noted that disunity among party members and supporters remains the greatest obstacle to victory, stressing that only a united front can dislodge entrenched interests and deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.
“I appeal to all our party leaders, members, supporters and well-wishers across Ikole Constituency 1 to put aside personal differences and work together as one family. Our strength lies in our unity,” he said.
Arewa Sanni said his candidacy was driven by a desire to give Ikole Constituency 1 a vibrant and responsive voice in the Ekiti State House of Assembly, with focus on youth empowerment, education, healthcare and rural infrastructure.
He assured constituents that if given the mandate, he would prioritise quality representation and ensure that government presence is felt in all communities within the constituency.
He also called on supporters of the ADC across Ekiti State to rally behind the party’s vision of good governance, transparency and accountability as preparations for the 2027 polls gather momentum.
The aspirant expressed confidence that with unity, commitment and collective effort, the ADC would emerge victorious in Ikole Constituency 1 and other constituencies across the state.
No fewer than six inmates have died within one week following a suspected cholera outbreak at the Kurmawa Maximum Prison in Kano State.
Amnesty International raised the alarm in a post on its official Facebook page, calling on authorities to immediately declare an emergency at the correctional facility.
Amnesty said several other inmates were currently receiving treatment, warning that the death toll could be higher as the suspected disease continues to spread among prisoners.
It urged the authorities to immediately transfer critically ill inmates to hospitals for proper medical attention to prevent further deaths.
The organisation warned that failure to urgently intervene could amount to arbitrary deprivation of life, which it described as a serious human rights violation under international law.
Amnesty also expressed concern over the broader conditions in Nigerian correctional facilities, particularly the prolonged detention of inmates awaiting trial.
According to the organisation, detainees without financial means face greater difficulty having their rights protected, with some spending years in custody without being convicted of any crime.
It further said many inmates were being held in overcrowded and unhygienic cells without adequate food and healthcare.
Amnesty called for urgent reforms to improve conditions in Nigerian correctional facilities and ensure compliance with international best practices.
Popular media personality and self-acclaimed relationship expert, Blessing Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO, has reportedly lost her second son while remanded in custody.
The development was confirmed in an online appeal by Amira Agiye, head of the Isaamira Love Foundation, who spoke on Okoro’s behalf to request public financial assistance.
She said, “It is sad to announce to you all that Blessing CEO just lost her second son. My name is Amira Agiye.
“I’m here to appeal on behalf of Blessing CEO, who is currently in custody. I understand that people might have different opinions about her and the circumstances surrounding her case.
“And like every one of us, she deserves compassion and an opportunity for redemption.
She needs N20 million to meet the bail requirements. She also needs N36 million to pay the people she owes who brought the case against her.
“Please, Nigerians, let’s forgive her for the sake of that boy who is still in the mortuary. With Blessing’s full consent and authorisation, I’m appealing to all Nigerians to help donate so we can help her out of this situation.”
Also speaking in a voice conversation played by Amira, Blessing, CEO, said, “My second son, Bryan, was full of life. While in custody, I lost Bryan.
I pray this turns out positive so I can leave this place, pick up the pieces of my life and pay my respects to him.”
Recall that the self-acclaimed relationship expert was remanded in Kirikiri Prison over an N69.15 million property fraud trial.
She was granted N20 million bail in July 2026, with two sureties in like sum, and each surety was required to provide three years’ proof of deposits valued at N20 million.
Following her inability to meet the bail conditions, Blessing CEO, remains in prison facility two months after she was granted bail.
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