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Gunmen attack Edo farming communities kill dozens, destroy properties

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A brutal assault on seven farming settlements in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State has left a trail of death and destruction, with reports indicating at least 23 fatalities and numerous injuries. The harrowing incident, which occurred on Friday, February 21st, has displaced hundreds and plunged the once-thriving agrarian communities into chaos.

The targeted settlements—Marindoti, Gbelemontin Domiju, Kola Village, Taiye Camp, Eto Camp, Dipe Community, Bala Dele Community, and Thousand Community—were home to a diverse population of farmers from Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, and Benin ethnic backgrounds. Eyewitness accounts paint a grim picture of armed assailants, suspected to be Ijaw militants, unleashing indiscriminate violence, setting homes ablaze, and destroying property.

While police reports confirm seven deaths and six injuries, residents claim the toll is significantly higher, with some reporting as many as 15 fatalities in individual communities. The attack, believed to be a reprisal for the killing of a suspected cocoa thief by local vigilantes, has exacerbated existing tensions between farmers and alleged militants accused of land encroachment and theft.

The devastation is palpable. Homes lie in ruins, and displaced residents, carrying meager belongings, have fled in fear. Igbala Obazuaye, head of Marindoti community, recounted years of extortion and violence, highlighting the breakdown of law and order. Other survivors, like Nafisat Abdulazeez, detailed the sheer terror of the attack, pleading for urgent government intervention.

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Despite the police’s assertion of a “communal clash,” residents insist the attack was an unprovoked act of terror aimed at extorting and intimidating peaceful farmers. They have called for increased security presence, including a permanent army base, and assistance in rebuilding their shattered lives.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Betty Enekpen Isokpan Otimenyin, has vowed a thorough investigation, while the deployment of troops from the 4 Brigade of the Nigerian Army has brought a semblance of calm. However, the deep scars of this tragedy and the urgent need for lasting security and support remain.

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Lagos govt declares two-month traffic diversion for Independence Bridge repairs

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The Lagos State Government has announced a diversion plan ahead of emergency repairs on Independence/Mekwen Bridge, inbound the Marina/CMS route.

The state Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Oshiyemi, announced the diversion in a statement on Sunday.

Oshiyemi stated that the diversion would begin on March 19 and last until May 26, 2025.

“During repairs, the road from the National Open University of Nigeria through Bonny Camp Bridge to Independence Bridge will be closed to vehicles.

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“Likewise, the service lane at Bonny Camp Underpass Bridge inbound Independence Bridge will not be accessible to motorists.

“However, the service lane from Ahmadu Bello Way to Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue will remain open to traffic,” he said.

Oshiyemi listed alternative routes for motorists to ease traffic flow during the repair period.

Motorists going to Victoria Island from Ahmadu Bello Way are to use Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, Akin Adesola Street, Falomo Roundabout, and then Obafemi Awolowo Road to Ring Road.

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Those heading to the Third Mainland Bridge should take Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, Akin Adesola Street, Alfred Rewane Road, Osborne Road, and then link Ring Road.

Motorists going to Inner Marina and CMS from Ahmadu Bello Way should follow Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, Akin Adesola Street, Falomo Roundabout, and Obafemi Awolowo Road to J.K. Randle Road.

Drivers heading to Ahmadu Bello Way from Inner Marina or CMS will go through the traffic access available.

Oshiyemi assured residents that the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority would manage traffic throughout the diversion period.

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Police arrest 2 suspected ritualists for beheading minor in Adamawa

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The police in Adamawa State have arrested two suspected ritualists for the killing of a 10-year-old Almajiri boy in the Jada Local Government Area of the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, of the Adamawa State Police Command, SP. Suleiman Nguroje, made this known in a statement he signed and shared on the police X account on Sunday.

The statement pointed out that the suspects, Ibrahim Abdul Malik (27) and Aliyu Abdul Malik (18), both residents of Anguwan Sarkin Yamma, Jada, allegedly killed and beheaded the victim, identified as Abdalla Lawali of Anguwar Dubai, Jada.

According to the statement, Abdalla was reported missing on March 7, 2025, while credible intelligence led police officers from the Jada Divisional Headquarters to the suspects, after days of searching.

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Upon their arrest, security personnel recovered the decomposed body of the boy in a sack, while his severed head was found buried in a shallow grave within the suspects’ residence.

During interrogation, the suspects confessed to the crime, claiming they were influenced by evil forces.

Meanwhile, the Adamawa State Commissioner of Police, CP Dankombo Morris, Psc (+), has condemned the barbaric behaviour and directed the case to be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for discreet investigation and diligent prosecution.

The police commissioner assured that justice will be served in the matter.

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He called on members of the public to always be vigilant and report any suspicious movements around their neighbourhood to the police.

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Anambra State: Six killed as truck rams into vehicles, pedestrians

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The accident, which occurred on Saturday night at around 9 p.m., at Upper Iweka axis of Onitsha, involved a truck that lost control and rammed into pedestrians, two tricycles, and a commercial bus filled with passengers.

A tragic auto crash at the Upper Iweka axis of Onitsha has claimed the lives of six people, with several others injured.

The accident, which occurred on Saturday night at around 9 p.m., at Upper Iweka axis of Onitsha, involved a truck that lost control and rammed into pedestrians, two tricycles, and a commercial bus filled with passengers.

Confirming the incident, the Anambra State Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, stated that it had taken over the scene to maintain order and facilitate investigations.

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Ikenga in a statement issued on Sunday said, “The accident claimed the lives of six persons and left a few others with various degrees of injury.

“The aim of the takeover is to ensure order in the area as well as to facilitate investigations into the incident.

“Eyewitness accounts reveal that the accident occurred as a result of loss of control of a truck that rammed into pedestrians, two tricycles and a commercial bus loaded with passengers.”

The police spokesperson said that some of the injured are currently receiving treatment in the hospital, while the deceased has been deposited in the morgue and some relatives of the victims have been contacted and debriefed about the incident.

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“To this end, the Command while condoling the families and friends of the deceased and wishing the injured a quick recovery, cautions drivers to always do the necessary checks before plying the road,” he added.

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