…sues for calm

Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I Jibrin, has condemned the killing of Northern travellers in Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State, urging security agencies to immediately go after the perpetrators.

A mob had intercepted the innocent victims, mostly Hausa hunters, who were on their way to Kano for Sallah celebrations, ransacked their vehicle and gruesomely murdered them.

Describing the killings as barbaric, inhumane, and devilish, the Deputy Senate President appealed to the Edo State Police Command and other security agencies to take decisive action to bring the culprits to justice.

Senator Barau, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Alhaji Ismail Mudashir, called for calm, assuring that the perpetrators would not go unpunished.

He disclosed his intention to sponsor a motion in the Senate to ensure that those responsible for the killings are held accountable.

” I have been inundated with calls by my constituents and other Nigerians on the horrific murder of innocent individuals in Edo State. I condemn in totality the barbaric killing of innocent Nigerians.

” I hereby appeal to our security agencies to quickly swing into action to arrest these evildoers and ensure that they are punished in line with the gravity of their criminal acts.

“Nigeria is a diverse country. We should, therefore, embrace one another as brothers and sisters for our progress and development,” he said.

Senator Barau offered prayers for the repose of the souls of the victims and urged their families to remain calm, assuring them that the government would ensure justice is served.

Signed:
Ismail Mudashir
Special Adviser to the Deputy President of the Senate on Media and Publicity
March 28, 2025

Members of the Catholic Diocese of Auchi in Edo State on Friday embarked on a peaceful protest against killing and kidnapping of their priests.

This is against the backdrop of recent kidnapping of a priest in the diocese and killing of a seminarian.

The protesters in their numbers, including priests, took to the streets of Auchi carrying placards with various inscriptions.

Recall that a priest, Rev. Fr. Philip Ekweli and seminarian, Andrew Peter were recently kidnapped; while the priest was released after ransom was reportedly paid, the seminarian was killed by his abductors.

Rev. Fr (Dr) Clement Anadevha, Director, Justice Development and Justice Commission (JDPC) who led the protesters demanded the “government to declare a state of emergency on security of lives and property.”

Anadevha also led the protesters to the Catholic Diocese of Auchi, Most Rev. Dr Gabriel Dunia where they also registered their displeasure over the attack on priests in the area.

In his response, Dunia said he had made several efforts on security matters, wondering why priests and the churches are now victims of kidnapping.

He called on the government to act, lamenting that farmlands have been occupied by bandits who now deprive farmers from going to the farm.

The protesters also took their protest to the Etsako West Council secretariat to register their grievances.

Addressing the protesters, the chairman of the local government, Mr Valentine Okwilagwe promised to take their request to the appropriate authority.

The Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Osun State Command, Igbalawole Sotiyo has ordered round-the-clock security across the state, towards ensuring a peaceful Eid-al-fitr celebration.

Commandant Sotiyo, according to the Command spokesperson, Kehinde Adeleke, gave the marching order, yesterday, during a strategic meeting with Area Commanders and Divisional Officers across the state, at the Command headquarters.

The State Commandant made it known that, 1750 personnel were drawn from Special Female Squad, Swift Action Response, Anti-Vandalism Unit, Armed Squad, Crisis Management, Intelligence and Surveillance Unit , Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives Unit for overt and covert operations and they have been briefed accordingly to secure praying grounds, public places, such as shopping malls, recreation centres, motor parks, critical national assets and infrastructure, to enable the general public enjoy optimum safety during this celebration.

He charged them to work in synergy with other sister agencies in the state and discharge their duties with diligence and high level of professionalism for a hitch free celebration.

While reassuring the public, especially, muslim faithful across Osun State and travellers, that Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) would effectively discharge its constitutional responsibility of providing adequate security of lives and Critical National Assets and Infrastructure.

‘’I enjoin the good people of Osun State to be security conscious, please do not hesitate to report suspicious moves by individual or group to the nearest security agency ‘’ Commandant Sotiyo said

The Commandant on behalf of Officers and Men heartily felicitates with all muslim faithful as they celebrate this year ‘s eid-al-fitr , urging them to use this period to pray for Peace , stability and Progress of the State and the country at large.