All posts by Benin

Enforcement

By Deborah Coker

Benin, March 27, 2020 (NAN) The Edo Commissioner for Police, CP Lawan Jimeta, has directed officers of the command to ensure the enforcement of all legitimate orders given in pursuant to the containment of COVID-19 by the Inspector General of Police.

This was contained in a statement by the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Chidi Nwabuzor, which was made available to  News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Benin on Thursday.

Jimeta while urging officers to observe personal safety measures, further directed officers and men to ensure that cases of unnecessary arrest and detention of suspects were not condoned.

According to Nwabuzor, “The CP warned officers and men to ensure that all legitimate orders given in pursuant to the containment efforts are strictly enforced within their areas of jurisdiction.

He admonished them that
detention of suspects must be reduced to a reasonable level and that only very serious cases such as armed robbery, murder, kidnapping and other non bailable cases should warrant detention.

The CP further directed that measures be put in place to screen persons to be detained into the cell facility, premises and offices.

“So in compliance with the Inspector General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu, the Edo Police Command, under the
leadership of the Commissioner of Police, has directed the strict enforcement of all directives towards curtailing the spread of the virus,” he said.

Nwabuzor further gave the following telephone numbers as the command’s emergency lines and advised the public to call in time of distress: 0807777372, 08037646272, 07033940263, 08123827225,
08056776365.

He also gave the telephone numbers of the Area Commanders to include Benin Metro – 08034714271; Area Commander Oba Market – 08035872107; Area Commander Ikpoba Hill – 08037147450; Area Commander Ekiadolor – 08125273054; Area Commander Ekpoma – 08036733676; Area Commander Uromi – 07068486688 and Area Commander Irrua – 08033124830.

Others are Area Commander Auchi – 07053586644; Area Commander Igarra – 08027000443; Squadron Commander 5 PMF Benin City – 08033102180; Squadron Commander 60 PMF Iyamoh – 08036673651 and DPO Agenebode – 08037641597.

He further said that in compliance with the state government’s directives, the CP advised the public to adhere to the directives, especially market men and women who do not deal in essential commodities to stay clear from various market places in the state, avoid crowding of markets, other places and stay at home.

“To this end, the CP enjoined citizens to avoid social visits to police headquarters, police stations and other police offices and minimise official visits, except absolutely necessary and pray to Almighty God to sustain our lives in this trying times.” (NAN)

DCO/FF/ISMA

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Edited by Fela Fashoro/Ismail Abdulaziz

NDLEA impounds 6 vehicles carrying N25m cannabis sativa in Edo

By Deborah Coker

Benin, March 24, 2020 (NAN) The Edo Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Tuesday impounded six vehicles, containing about 1,687kg of substances suspected to be cannabis sativa.

Addressing newsmen in Benin, the Commander of the agency in Edo, Mr Buba Wakawa, put the value of the substances at about N25 million.

He said that sustained monitoring by the agency’s operatives led to bursting of the syndicate trafficking the hard drugs.

“This is the first time that six vehicles will be impounded in a single swift action by the command.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the cartel targeted the emergency created by the Coronavirus pandemic for massive shipment of drugs but the command swiftly nipped their nefarious plan in the bud.”

Wakawa put the value of the impounded vehicles to about N10 million, bringing the total losses suffered by the drug peddlers to N35 million.

“The operation, which was carried out by the Auchi Area Command of the agency, based on intelligence gathering, took place at Agenebode in the Etsako East Local Government Area of the state.

“It is one of the most successful operations executed by the state command since January.

“All six vehicles had a full shipment of cannabis set for distribution to other states of the federation.”

He said that Edo was notorious for cultivation of cannabis.

“Therefore, as drug control managers, we have adopted both primary and secondary strategies to check this criminal act.

“We do this by tracing and destroying cannabis farms as well as intercepting harvested and processed cannabis before it gets to the final consumers.”

Citing Section 32, sub-section (C) of the NDLEA Act, Wakawa said that that: “All instrumentality of conveyance, including aircraft, vehicles or vessels which are used to facilitate the transportation, sale, receipt, possession or concealment of substances shall be forfeited.

“The six vehicles seized from the interstate cannabis smuggling cartel, include a Toyota Sienna vehicle with registration number AA 826 MKR Katsina.
“It contained 40 bags of cannabis, weighing 440 kg, while another Toyota Sienna vehicle with registration number MAN 614 AA Kaduna, had 41 bags of the substance, among others,’’ the commander said.

Wakawa disclosed, however, that the drivers of the impounded vehicles escaped arrest.

“Meanwhile, intensive efforts by the command are underway to apprehend members of the cartel and bring them to book.”

Wakawa appealed to Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo to assist the command with utility vehicles to boost the agency’s operations in the state. (NAN)
DCO/FLP/SN

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Edited by Folorunso Poroye/Silas Nwoha

Ologbo crisis: Edo CP meets community leaders, sues for peace

Crisis
By Deborah Coker
Ologbo (Edo), March 20, 2020 (NAN) The Edo Commissioner of Police, Mr Lawan Jimeta has sued for peace in the crisis-prone Ologbo Community in Ikpoba-Okha Local government area of the state.

He made the peace overtures during a meeting with leaders of the community on Friday over the recurring crisis in the community.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Jimeta was accompanied to the meeting at Ologbo by top police officers in the command, including the Commander, Mopol 5, Benin, Mr Habib Mohammad.

The community comprised of the Bini and Itsekiri tribes.

Jimeta told the leaders that his major task was to ensure peace across the state,

“It is unfortunate that my first visit to this community is to broker peace, as peace had eluded the once peaceful community which have vast potentials for development.”

He described the recurring crisis in the community as sad, disheartening and inhuman, and urged them to learn to accommodate each other and settle their differences peacefully.

“No society can develop without peace. Crisis and unrest will  prevent investors from investing and developing this community,” he said.

Jimeta lamented that crisis erupted few days he met with elders of the community in his office, during which all resolved to live in peace.

The police commissioner said that the Friday meeting with stakeholders in the community was to fashion out ways of ensuring not just momentary peace, but lasting peace in the community.

“It is essential for all to embrace peace in the community to ensure and sustain development in this community,” Jimeta said.

While responding to the various issues raised by stakeholders during the meeting, the CP said that he was in the community not to re-write the history of their forefathers, but to stem criminality.

“Crime is crime irrespective of who commits it.

“We are asking all of you that have lived together all these years to re-embrace peace and continue to live again in peace.

“We have arrested some persons in connection with crimes in the community and these persons have been charged to court.

“We will ensure that all those who are connected to crimes in the community are apprehended and brought to book.

“However, there is need for the tribes that make up the community to sit at a round table and resolve all frictions,” he stressed.

Earlier, the Divisional Police Officer in Ologbo, Mr Musa Baraya stated that the latest crises was started by youths from the palace of the Enogie, His Royal Highness Jackson Akenzua.

Baraya said the youths were the first to attack the Itsekiri youths as well as other youths in the community, an action which led to counter attacks by the various constituents that make up the Ologbo community.

He however appealed for patience and understanding from leaders of the community so that lasting solution could be found by security agencies.

Meanwhile, Mr Scott Omasan, President General, Iyasere Descendants, who spoke on behalf of the Itsekiri’s  gave an  assurance that his kinsmen would work with the police to restore peace in the community.

Also, Mr Bossi Joe, President, Ijaw Ethnic Nationality in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area appealed to the police to caution the Enogie over his utterances against the Ijaw people.

NAN reports that the Bini ethnic group did not attend the meeting.

Mr Friday Osazuwa, General Secretary Ologbo Dukedom told NAN explained that they did not attend the peace accord and security meeting because it coincided with the invitation to them by the Oba of Benin.

He assured that they were not against peaceful resolution of all contending issues in the community.

Osazuwa, however, said that leaders of thoughts were putting heads together to know what line of action to take next. (NAN)
DCO/ECN/MZA

edited by Emmanuel Nwoye/Maharazu Ahmed

Otaru of Auchi commends Army for combating crimes nationwide

Army

By Deborah Coker

Auchi (Edo), March 17, 2020 (NAN) The Otaru of Auchi Sacred Kingdom, His Royal Highness Aliru Momoh, on Tuesday commended the Nigerian Army for assisting in combating crimes nationwide.

Momoh, the Ikelebe III of the kingdom, made the commendation when the Commander, 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. Usman Bello, paid him a courtesy visit in his palace in Auchi.

“The Nigerian army is carrying out its professional duties in combating crimes nationwide and needs to be commended for it.

”The Nigerian army is the hope of this nation and a very disciplined service,” he said.

Earlier, Bello said that he was grateful that the Otaru believed in the capabilities of the army to protect the sovereignty of the nation.

He said that the army, in collaboration with other security agencies, would continue to ensure the security of lives and property in Edo and its environs.

The commander of 4 brigade also solicited the royal father’s support and blessings to encourage and strengthen the Nigeria soldiers in discharging their duties.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Commander, Nigerian Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Maj.-Gen. Dickson Hirobo, joined Bello in the visit to the Otaru’s palace. (NAN)

DCO/ACA/EMO
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Edited by Chidinma Agu/Ejike Obeta

Awaiting more info from reporter.

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Peace
By Deborah Coker
Benin, March 13, 2020 (NAN) The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare ll, has assured the Nigerian Army of support for peaceful coexistence among the people in Edo land.

Ewuare II gave the assurance on Thursday in Benin, when the Brigade Commander, 4 Brigade, Benin, Brig.-Gen. Usman Bello, led other senior officers of the brigade on a visit to his palace.

While commending the military, he described the Nigerian Army as the pride of the nation with a promise for more supports to the Brigade, Nigerian Army and other Security Agencies in the state.

Earlier, Bello in his remarks told the monarch that he was in the palace to solicit for royal blessings and usual palace support to the brigade and the Nigerian Army in general.

Bello promised that the Nigerian Army would continue to ensure the safety and security of lives and property in Edo and its environs. (NAN)
DCO/KOO/ISMA
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Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Ismail Abdulaziz

Crime
By Deborah Coker
Benin, March 12, 2020 (NAN) Commissioner for Police in Edo, CP Lawan Jimeta, has advised the Nollywood industry and celebrities to positively help change the narrative, especially on youths mentorship in the country.

Jimeta gave the charge on Thursday in Benin, when he received Mr Paul Obazele, National President, Legends of Nollywood on a courtesy visit.

He decried the involvement of youths in crime in the state, saying that the narrative needed to be changed to make them more productive to themselves and the society.

He explained that one of such ways was for the Nollywood industry as well as celebrities in the country to mentor youths in their localities positively as well as serve as role models to them.

The CP added that the fight against crime and criminality should not be left to security agencies alone, hence the command was adopting new strategies in combating the menace in the state.

He explained that one of such strategies being adopted by the command was engaging stakeholders in the various communities across the three senatorial districts of the state in town hall meetings.

He said the move was to partner with the stakeholders to identify the challenges in the fight against crime and criminality and finding possible ways to mitigate them.

Jimeta noted that criminals from other states had been discovered to always transit in Edo either using it as transit route or destination for crime.

“But we have realised this and we are not resting on our oars in ensuring that the trend stop and criminals avoid the state like a plague.

“So, we have put several and new strategies in place to achieve this and I can tell you without contradictions that the strategies are yielding results with the number of criminals being arrested on daily basis,” Jimeta said.

Earlier, Obazele commended the CP on his achievements in the fight against crime and criminality in the short period of his assumption of office in the state as CP.

He described the state as a volatile state, saying only a level headed and tactical officer like the CP could hold sway to achieve the desired result.

He urged the CP not to relent on his oars and to constantly interface with communities in the state to enable him be abreast with security challenges in the state. (NAN)

DCO/KOO/ISMA

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Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Ismail Abdulaziz

Glaucoma
By Deborah Coker
Benin, March 11, 2020 (NAN) No fewer than 500 persons have benefited from a free medical eyes services by the Nigerian Army Eye Centre, Bonny Cantonment, Lagos.

This was contained in a statement issued by Lt. Yusuf Mohammed, Assistant Director, Army Public Relations (ADAPR), and made available to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday.

Mohammed said that the exercise was to mark the 2020 World Glaucoma week and awareness campaign.

He said the 500 beneficiaries benefited from services which include free glaucoma screening and test, free eye examination, counseling as well as health talks/seminars.

He explained that the free medical outreach which commenced on Monday would end on Friday.

He said the exercise was inline with the vision of the Acting Corps Commander Medical, Col. Samuel Adama, initiative of repositioning the Nigerian Army Medical Corps to a highly professional and disciplined corps to meet contemporary health challenges of the Nigerian Army.

He also said that Adama was on ground at the venue of the exercise on Wednesday and was received and examined by the Director, Nigerian Army Eye Center, Col. Kalu Kalu.

He further said that also in attendance were the Acting Chief of Staff Nigerian Army Medical Corps, Col. Yusuf Ishaku and the Director Field Curative Medicine, Col. Chinedu Igboanusi among others. (NAN)
DCO/FF/ISMA
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Edited by Fela Fashoro/Ismail Abdulaziz