Crime

8 Die in Cult-related Attacks in Benin

By Web News 670

After what looked like a respite for almost a year, cult-related killings have resumed in Edo State as no fewer than eight persons were feared dead in various parts of Benin City due to rival cult clashes.

Although the identities of the cult groups remain unclear, it was gathered last night that the killings were because a young man abandoned his cult group to join a rival group, which was said to be a taboo in his group.

He was said to have been killed by members of his former group while members of his new group embarked on a revenge mission.

Reports say one of the groups had gone to look for one of their targets around Wire Road but did not see him and they killed his mother.

The killings reportedly took place in Asoro, Igbukguoko, Evbuotubu from Ogida side, Wire Road, Ibiwe, Ebo Street areas and had led to several persons being injured.

But the Edo State Police Command said two men were killed in separate gun attacks in Benin City, on Wednesday.

The Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Chidi Nwabuzor said: “I do not know about eight people getting killed and it is not good for members of the public.

“What I know is that on Wednesday, one man in Ugbowo axis was attacked and killed, so, I promptly asked the control room to do something about it. And the DPO in that area swiftly moved to the crime scene to evacuate the body.”

“Also in the afternoon of the same day, we got information that a Public Work Volunteer, PUWOV, official while discharging his duties was killed by some suspect who came in a vehicle and opened fire on him.”

Vanguard/Maxwell Oyekunle

News

Max Air Aircraft Rams Into Air Peace Plane At Benin Airport

By Web News 1583

A plane in the fleet of Max Air on Saturday rammed into an Air Peace plane at the Benin airport, damaging the elevator and rendering the plane grounded and unserviceable in the aftermath of the accident.

Air Peace said that no fatalities were recorded in the accident which happened about 2 pm.

A statement by the airline says “The management of Air Peace hereby notifies the general public that an incident occurred today around 14:00hrs at the Benin Airport, Edo State, when a taxing Max Air aircraft 5N-ADB rammed its right wing onto our parked aircraft, 5N-BUQ, which was boarding our Abuja bound passengers at the time the incident occurred.

“The hit damaged the left elevator of our aircraft thereby rendering the aircraft grounded and unserviceable.

“Passengers on-board the Air Peace aircraft were disembarked and another aircraft deployed to operate the flight.

“We sincerely apologise to all the passengers this situation would likely affect today for any inconvenience caused them, as a result.”

Adewumi Faniran

Crime

Shootings In Benin As Awaiting Trial Inmates, Convicts Clash

By Web News 921

An uprising in one of the custodial centres in Edo State known as White House on Sapele Road on Thursday created panic among residents, as gunshots rent the air.

Commuters, drivers, passersby and business owners around the prison vicinity scampered for safety when they heard the gunshots around 1 pm.

Many thought, there was an ongoing jailbreak, as they took to their heels not wanting to be caught in the crossfire.

A woman, who works in a business centre close to the custodial centre and identified herself only as Jane, said she started to hear the gunshots around 1.30 pm.

“I started noticing that something was wrong in the prison with noise coming out from the facility. We thought it was a small issue until men in the facility started shooting and everyone nearby took to their heels,” she added.

Another source said he thought the prisoners attempted a jailbreak as they did during the #EndSARS protest last year.

The spokesperson for the custodial centre, Aminu Sulaiman, in a statement, said the situation had been brought under control.

The statement read, “Around 12.30 pm, some awaiting-trial inmates, especially the recaptured escapees, started a protest which led to a confrontation between them and the convicted inmates. Reinforcement was immediately mobilised from the state headquarters to enforcing law and order.

“The situation has been completely controlled and the custodial centre is calm. There was no escape of any inmates or death.

“Sister security agencies showed solidarity by drafting their men around the outer perimeter fence to compliment the correctional service armed squad personnel to ensure total security of the custodial centre.

“Meanwhile, the investigation into the incident has been instituted by the controller to unravel the immediate and remote causes of the disturbance.”

Adewumi Faniran/EverydayNewsNgr

Education

Edo College Abuse Video: Govt Suspends Principal, House Master

By Web News 1877

…to prosecute abusers with Child Rights Law

The Edo State Government has watched with disdain the disturbing viral social media video of abuse by students of Edo College, Benin City, the Edo State capital. 

The State Ministry of Education on inquiry discovered that the incident took place at the college premises and involved Senior Secondary School (SSS) students of Akenzua Hall of residence, who are writing their National Examinations Council (NECO) final examination.

The disturbing video exposed the incompetence of the management of the school authority and the delinquent behaviour of the students who carried out the abusive action. 

On account of the above, government has taken the following actions:

1. The Principal of Edo College, Mr. Peter Edomwonyi, has been instructed to proceed on suspension effective immediately. He is to hand over all property and assets of the school in his possession to the next most senior Vice Principal of the school. He is to remain on suspension until the investigation of the incident is concluded and government provides further directive on the matter.

2. The House Master for Akenzua Hall of Residence, Mr. Oamen Stanley, has also been suspended indefinitely, with immediate effect.

3. All the students involved in the abusive behaviour have been handed over to the Ministry of Justice for investigation and prosecution in accordance with the Child Rights Law.

4. The Edo State Ministry of Health is reaching out to the victims to ascertain the state of their health and provide the necessary support.

The Edo State Government is committed to maintaining a school environment that is safe for children and offers apologies to the victims of the abuse, their parents and members of the public. 

Osarodion Ogie Esq. Secretary to Edo State Government