NEWS
Edo Demolishes Property Linked To Kidnapping Gang In Benin City
The Edo State Task Force has demolished a property on College Road, Aduwawa, Benin City, linked to a notorious kidnapping gang.
A statement in Benin City on Wednesday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Fred Itua has it that the property belonged to a woman whose younger brother, Osamede Asemota, is a key leader of the gang.
Asemota, Fred stated, was arrested by the authorities and confessed to his involvement in kidnapping activities. He revealed that his last mission earned him N350,000 and that he had kidnapped a woman from her store at Ramat Park, taking her to a bush area along Agbor Road.
The gang, comprising five members, had been responsible for several kidnappings in the Aduwawa, Eyan, and Auchi Bypass axis of Benin City. Asemota’s sister, who owns the demolished property, is said to be unaware of her brother’s activities as she resides abroad.
When asked how he felt about his sister losing her property due to his actions, Asemota expressed confusion and regret.
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Asemota said: “We kidnapped the woman in her shop at Ramat Park and took her to the bush around Agbor Park. I was with her in the bush for two days while my share of the ransom money was later brought to me by my friends.
“We sometimes meet at this compound to plan and carry out our activities. The house belongs to my sister, who lives in Italy. I stay alone here, and I feel very sad and confused at this development. I don’t know how she will feel hearing this thing because she has been supportive of me, sending me money and other things. I feel really bad that I had to involve her property this way,” he lamented.
Another suspect, Michael Tare from Delta State, was also arrested in connection with the kidnapping. He revealed that he had received N1 million as his share of the ransom but returned to Benin due to greed, leading to his arrest.
The kidnap gang had demanded a ransom of N8 million from their victim and later demanded an additional N3 million, threatening to kidnap her again if she refused to pay.
The Edo State Task Force’s demolition of the property serves as a warning to those involved in criminal activities in the state.
The task force’s actions demonstrate the government’s commitment to tackling insecurity and holding those responsible for criminal activities accountable. The incident highlights the need for vigilance and cooperation between the government and residents to prevent kidnapping and other crimes.
The demolition of the property has sent a strong message to kidnappers and other criminals that the State Government will not tolerate their activities. The authorities are expected to continue their crackdown on criminal gangs, ensuring that those responsible for kidnapping and other crimes face the full weight of the law.
The Edo State Government’s efforts to combat insecurity have been yielding positive results, with several kidnappers and other criminals being arrested and brought to justice. The government is expected to maintain its momentum in the fight against insecurity.
The incident serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of kidnapping and other crimes on individuals and communities. It emphasizes the need for collective action to prevent such crimes and support those affected by them.
The United Nations has raised the alarm over a dramatic surge in attacks on schools worldwide, reporting a 166% increase between 2021 and 2024.
The rise highlights the escalating dangers faced by children in conflict zones.
United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, Nada Al-Nashif, revealed the figures during the annual meeting of the UN Human Rights Council on the rights of the child on Monday.
The session, themed “Mainstreaming the Rights of Children in Armed Conflict: Prevention and Protection,” focused on protecting children amid global conflicts.
Al-Nashif noted that the attacks were particularly concentrated in Sudan, Ukraine, the Gaza Strip, Myanmar, and Ethiopia, where children remain among the most vulnerable victims.
“In 2024, armed conflict directly affected nearly one in six children globally—about 470 million children,” she said. “Years of lost education, trauma, and lasting mental scars shape societies for generations. Long after the fighting subsides, children continue to face deadly risks.”
She highlighted Gaza as having the world’s highest number of child amputees per capita, warning that the impact of war goes far beyond immediate violence.
In Lebanon, government figures show that more than 450,000 people were displaced in less than a week, with at least 394 fatalities, including 83 children, during the 2024 conflict with Israel.
Al-Nashif also stressed the disproportionate risks for displaced children, who are more likely to die from disease linked to unsafe water and sanitation than from direct violence.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, a 2025 cholera outbreak killed 340 children, underscoring the long-term consequences of conflict.
She called on states to uphold their international obligations to protect children, insisting that protecting children is “both a legal obligation and a humanitarian moral imperative.”
Also speaking at the council, Vanessa Frazier, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, warned that violence against children continued at extreme levels in 2025.
She urged mainstreaming child protection across peace, security, humanitarian, human rights, and development efforts, emphasizing that children should actively participate in shaping policies designed to safeguard them.
Frazier highlighted her office’s global campaign, “Prove It Matters,” aimed at amplifying children’s voices in conflict resolution and peacebuilding.
The UN report underscores the urgent need for coordinated international action to protect children and ensure their safety in conflict zones worldwide.
Portugal officially inaugurated its new president, Antonio Jose Seguro, on Monday, pledging to bring stability to a nation shaken by political uncertainty and natural disasters.
Seguro, the centre-left candidate, won last month’s presidential run-off against far-right rival Andre Ventura, following weeks of catastrophic storms that killed at least seven people and caused approximately €4 billion ($4.6 billion) in damage.
Speaking at his swearing-in ceremony in Lisbon’s parliament, Seguro emphasized cooperation with the minority right-wing government and vowed to end the country’s “electoral frenzy.”
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“I will do everything I can to put an end to this electoral frenzy,” he said, pointing to the inability of previous governments to complete their terms.
Amid global crises, including conflicts in the Middle East and a more isolationist US approach under President Donald Trump, Seguro stressed the importance of multilateralism.
“The force of law has been replaced by the power of the strongest,” he remarked.
Seguro succeeds Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, a conservative who leaves office at 77 after serving two five-year terms.
While the Portuguese presidency is largely ceremonial, Seguro’s leadership signals a commitment to political stability and international engagement.
Nigerians are facing yet another economic blow as petrol prices surge again. The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has raised the gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to N1,175 per litre, marking the third increase in just one week.
The latest adjustment, announced to marketers on Monday, follows a temporary suspension of petrol sales at the refinery on Sunday. Diesel, also known as Automotive Gas Oil, has also been revised upwards to N1,620 per litre.
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A senior refinery official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the hike, noting that it reflects “prevailing market fundamentals and the cost environment we are currently operating in.”
Industry checks show that depot pricing systems have already updated the new rates, signaling an inevitable rise at retail stations.
In some cities, petrol is now being sold at over N1,200 per litre, adding pressure on Nigerian motorists and businesses alike.
This repeated surge comes after earlier increases that pushed gantry prices from N774 to N995 per litre earlier this week.
Experts warn that the hikes are likely to drive up transportation, logistics, and production costs, potentially impacting the prices of goods and services nationwide.
While the Federal Government, through the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), is working to secure crude supplies for the refinery via international traders, officials cautioned that this may not immediately reduce prices for consumers.
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