News

Insecurity: Okpebholo meets security chiefs over killings, abductions

Published

11 hours ago

March 18, 2025

Admin

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, on Monday, said security remains a top priority of his administration as he moved to halt killings and abductions in the state.

The governor revealed this on his verified X handle, as he held a meeting with security chiefs and key stakeholders to deliberate on strategies to enhance security across the state.

The governor’s pledge came as the daily protest in Ekpoma over the alleged killing of a suspected “Yahoo boy” by the police last week continued on Monday.

In the past few weeks, there have been clashes between farmers and alleged produce thieves in Ovia, which was said to have claimed 22 lives.

Also, cases of kidnapping have been on the rise as 21-year-old Seminarian, Peter Andrew, of the St.Peter Catholic Church in the Ivukwa Community, Etsako East Local Government Area of the state was killed last Thursday by his abductors.

He was kidnapped on March 3 alongside Rev Fr Peter Ekweli, who had been freed and reunited with the church.

Speaking against the backdrop of the killings and abductions, Okpebholo said discussions during the security meeting focused on proactive measures to tackle security challenges, restore peace, and ensure the citizens can live, work and conduct business without fear.

The governor said, “Earlier today (Monday), I convened a Security Council Meeting with security chiefs and key stakeholders to deliberate on strategies to enhance security across Edo State.

“Our discussions focused on proactive measures to tackle security challenges, restore peace, and ensure that citizens can live, work, and conduct business without fear.

“Security remains a top priority on our administration’s agenda because where there is security, there is progress.

“This administration is committed to building a safer, more prosperous Edo for all.”

Speaking during the protest in Ekpoma, a resident told The PUNCH that the crisis started last week.

He said the police stopped a car at a checkpoint while the driver took to his heels after he was stopped.

In the process, one of the police officers shot the fleeing suspect, leading to his death, while his brother, who was with him in the car was arrested and taken to the state command headquarters in Benin.

The resident said, “The boy who is suspected to be involved in Internet fraud known as Yahoo Yahoo was stopped by the police, but he opened his car and took to his heels.

“One of the officers shot him, and he died. His brother was in the car with hi,m and he was arrested and taken to the state command in Benin.

“Members of the community have been protesting since then. Today (Monday), they moved to Ambrose Alli University, hoping that the students will join the protest but the school is not in session.”

News

Reps Order Urgent Technical Audit, Safety Measures for Otedola Bridge

Published

15 minutes ago

March 18, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has directed the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to carry out a comprehensive technical audit of Otedola Bridge within 30 days, focusing on its gradient, descent, and structural integrity. The audit is expected to recommend modifications such as gradient reduction, reinforced safety barriers, and emergency escape lanes, all to be implemented within 12 months.

In an urgent bid to enhance road safety, the House also instructed the Ministry to approve emergency funds for immediate repairs on damaged sections of the bridge within 90 days while a full redesign is underway.

The House further directed the mandatory establishment of weighbridges and vehicle inspection stations along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway within 60 days, ensuring that all tankers meet legal weight limits and braking standards. Defaulters will face vehicle impoundment and prosecution. Additionally, a biannual digital certification system for fuel tankers is to be introduced within six months to eliminate mechanically unsafe vehicles from Nigerian roads.

To curb tanker-related accidents, the House imposed an immediate restriction on fuel tanker movement across Otedola Bridge from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m, with strict enforcement by the Nigeria Police, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA). Special movement hours will be designated under close monitoring.

Safety enhancements such as speed cameras, rumble strips, and improved signage will be installed within 90 days to alert drivers about the steep descent and enforce compliance.

In a long-term effort to improve safety standards, the Federal Ministry of Transportation has been directed to develop a mandatory training and certification program for tanker drivers within six months. This program will focus on handling heavy-duty vehicles on steep gradients and emergency response procedures.

Additionally, a joint task force comprising the FRSC, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Lagos State emergency agencies, and transport unions has been mandated to conduct a full investigation into the March 11, 2025, tanker explosion and previous incidents on Otedola Bridge.

The findings must be submitted within 21 days, ensuring that all responsible parties—whether drivers, transport owners, or regulators face legal consequences.

These measures come in response to growing concerns over frequent accidents on Otedola Bridge, with lawmakers emphasizing the need for immediate intervention to prevent further loss of lives and property.

These resolutions to the adoption of a matter of urgent public importance on the “URGENT NEED TO ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF FREQUENT ACCIDENTS ON OTEDOLA BRIDGE, LAGOS-IBADAN EXPRESSWAY”, by Rep. Sese Winghan member representing Badagry Federal Constituency of Lagos State on Tuesday at plenary.

In hos lead debate, he said: “On March 11, 2025, at approximately 8:00 p.m., a petrol tanker overturned and exploded on Otedola Bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, resulting in a devastating inferno that destroyed vehicles, properties, and caused severe traffic disruptions on this critical transport corridor, with the full extent of casualties and losses yet to be determined.

“This tragedy is the latest in a series of fatal accidents on Otedola Bridge, including:

– June 28, 2018: A tanker fire killed at least 12 people and incinerated over 50 vehicles.

– November 2019, October 2020, March 2021: Multiple incidents of tanker crashes and explosions have established Otedola Bridge as a recurring danger zone for motorists and commuters.

“Investigations and expert analyses have identified multiple causes of these frequent accidents, including:

Engineering Defects: The steep gradient and sharp descent of Otedola Bridge places excessive strain on the braking systems of heavy-duty vehicles, increasing the risk of brake failure and loss of control.

Mechanical Failures: Recurrent incidents of brake malfunctions, burst tires, and vehicle overloading—as witnessed in the 2018 and 2019 tanker disasters—are linked to poor vehicle maintenance and regulatory failures.

Human Error: Reckless driving, excessive speeding, and inadequate training of tanker operators further exacerbate the risks posed by the bridge’s challenging terrain.

Systemic Neglect: Weak enforcement of vehicle safety regulations, failure to restrict tanker movements despite previous policy commitments, and lack of necessary infrastructure upgrades have allowed these preventable disasters to persist.

“The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and other relevant agencies, bears a constitutional duty to ensure the safety of road users, yet Otedola Bridge remains an example of infrastructural and regulatory failure.

“The economic losses, fatalities, and psychological trauma caused by these recurring accidents demand urgent intervention to prevent further disasters”, the motion reads.

News

Police arrest six suspected kidnappers in Edo, recover arms

Published

50 minutes ago

March 18, 2025

Naijablitznews

By Francesca Hangeior

The Edo State Police Command has arrested six suspected kidnappers with cash suspected to be proceeds from kidnapping activities.

The command’s spokesperson, Moses Yamu, in a statement on Tuesday, said arms and ammunition were recovered from the suspects in the last 48 hours.

Yamu disclosed that the arrests and recoveries were made in several places in Edo North which has experienced kidnappings and killings in the last three weeks.

The statement read, “On 16/03/2024 at about 04:30hrs, operatives of the Agbede Police Division alongside vigilante personnel, while on stop and search in Aviele along Abumere by power line, intercepted and arrested three suspects Jamilu Idris (20 years) Usman Shuaibu (24 years) and Yahuza Usman (20 years).

“One English-made Beretta pistol, one dagger, and an Infinix phone were recovered from the suspects after they were searched.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects are part of a syndicate responsible for kidnaping and armed robbery, including snatching of motorcycles in that axis of the state. Investigation continues with a view to arrest other members of the syndicate.

“On 16/03/2025 at about 22:10hrs, operatives of the Auchi Division, in collaboration with the vigilante on routine stop and search at UBA junction Auchi, intercepted two young men. The young men who took to their heels on sighting the police were given a hot chase, and one Adamu Usman of Hausa Quarters was arrested while his accomplice escaped.

“The on-the-spot search led to the recovery of N1,345,100 believed to be proceeds of kidnapping. Also recovered were five micro sim cards, one machete, one dagger, two phones and a pack of cigarettes.

“During preliminary investigation, two additional suspects, Iliyasu Abubakar (19 years) and Safiyanu Mohammed (20 years) were arrested, while one of the sim cards was discovered to belong to one Ajibola Sunday of Igbirra camp in Auchi. When Ajibola Sunday was contacted and invited to the station, he identified the suspect as being part of the eight-man gang that kidnapped him and his mother-in-law on 11/03/2025 and their relations had to part with the sum of N10 million to secure their release.”

Yamu said that the Commissioner of Police, Betty Otimenyin, assured the public of the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property.

He assured all that perpetrators would be brought to justice.

News

Reps Move to Investigate Killings In Igbatoro Community

Published

52 minutes ago

March 18, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has condemned in its entirety the massacre and kidnapping at Igbatoro Famnilugba Community by armed herdsmen.

The House therefore called on the Federal Government to establish a Military Post in Igbatoro Community in Akure North Local Government of Ondo State to stop further killing and kidnapping of harmless farmers in that area;

The lawmakers also urged the Federal Government to take immediate and decisive action to apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators of the criminal act, and ensure that those kidnapped should be released as urgent as possible.

This resolution was sequel to the adoption of a matter of urgent public importance on the “Need for the Federal Government to Intervene In the Massive Massacre and Kidnapping at Igbatoro Familugba Community in Akure North by the Armed Herdsmen”, by Rep. Abiodun Derin Adesida on Tuesday at plenary.

Debating the motion, Rep. Adesida noted that gunmen, suspected to be herdsmen, in the early hours of Saturday, attacked four communities in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, leaving scores of people living in the communities were killed in the midnight attack.

He said: “The recent massacre and kidnapping at Igbatoro Familugba Community 1% of March, 2025 by a group of Armed herdsmen who massacre and kidnapped one of the farmers, who was later rescued with a ransom of 1, 200, 000 (one million, two hundred thousand, Naira, only;

“The people of Igbatoro Familugba, Ajegunle, Bolorunduro, Egbeta, OjuMola, Ago—Ada, Obatedo, Asaboro, Ago~Alhaji, Araromi Camp, Sunday Camp, Power line Camp, Ago—Dada and Ala Elefosan in Akure North Local Government of Ondo State are predominantly farmers producing Agricultural Produce in large commercial quantity.

“Alarmed that on 6 of March, 2025 herdsmen attacked some villages in Igbatoro Familugba Community on Sunday and Alhajido Camps, killing nine helpless persons in the middle of the night, machete those trying to escape and burnt down their houses.

“Disturbed that the attack started last Monday, but the most severe assault happened On Fridayfight wheré the bandits struck while people were asleep, opening firé–indiscriminately, many ran into the bush, while some were not so lucky”.

He stated that the attack by the armed herdsmen has caused immense suffering, trauma and devastation to the affected families and the community at large; even as he expressed worries that perpetrators of this atrocity have shown no regard for human life, dignity, or the rule of law.

“Also aware that Section of 14 (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 provides that it is the responsibility of the Federal Government to protect the lives and properties of its citizens;

“Cognizant of the need to take measures to prevent future occurrences of such violence and ensure the safety and security of all citizens”, he added.

The House observe a minute silence In honour of those that lost their lives, and directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to send relief materials to affected victims.

The House further mandated its Committee on National Security and Intelligence to investigate massive massacre and kidnapping at Igbatoro Familugba Community by Fulani Herdsmen and report within four (4) weeks for further legislative action.