NEWS
Panic In Edo As Cult Clash Leaves Several Injured
Iruekpen community in Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State was thrown into chaos following a suspected cult clash that left several people injured.
The incident has stirred controversy, as fingers point at Hon. Marcus Onobun, a member of the House of Representatives, over alleged links to the violence.
Residents alleged that the clash may have been connected to gatherings of the banned Eiye confraternity at Onobun’s residence in Iruekpen.
These claims have raised alarms about the resurgence of cult activity in the area and prompted calls for urgent intervention.
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“No individual, regardless of political office or influence, should be allowed to promote violence or compromise the safety of our community. Hon. Marcus Onobun must be held accountable under the law,” a resident said under condition of anonymity.
Echoing the sentiment, another community leader noted, “The fight against cultism in Edo State must be impartial. The same laws that apply to the average citizen must also apply to public office holders. If Hon. Onobun has breached the law, he must face the consequences.”
However, Hon. Onobun has denied any connection to the incident. He dismissed the allegations as a politically charged attempt to discredit him.
“I just contacted the person in charge of my Iruekpen home, and I was told there was no such gathering or incident involving my residence,” he said.
“What I heard was that the incident occurred at an ‘ashawo joint’ and involved two boys fighting over a land issue. I’ve been informed that they have already been arrested.”
He further added, “The last time I was in Iruekpen was April 22, 2025. To associate me or my house with this incident is pure mischief.
Those spreading this narrative should focus on governance and address this barbaric act rather than politicise it—especially since the clash didn’t even occur near my house.”
Community members are now urging the Edo State Government and the police to conduct a transparent investigation and take decisive action to restore peace in Iruekpen.
A road accident, involving a tanker truck conveying petroleum products opposite the Odukpani Local Government Secretariat, Cross River State, ignited a fire, leading to the destruction of several shops and affecting vehicles.
These transpired on Sunday, when the tanker accidentally overturned which led to the fire that spread to nearby shops and buildings.
Fortunately, the tanker driver was rescued and taken to a hospital for medical attention.
Confirming the incident, the Cross River State Police Command said that officers from the Odukpani Division were deployed to the scene to secure the area and prevent further harm.
The Command said the Fire Service had also been alerted and was expected to deploy personnel to contain and extinguish the fire.
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As of the time of filing this report, no death has been confirmed.
However, the police said a number of shops and vehicles had been affected by the inferno.
The Command urged residents and motorists to keep away from the immediate area and allow emergency responders unhindered access to the scene.
It also advised members of the public to exercise caution around the area because of the risk posed by the burning petroleum tanker.
The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, said further updates would be released as verified information became available.
Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Joe Ajaero, has accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of failing to meaningfully engage with organised labour, alleging that the government has remained aloof despite repeated attempts to open dialogue.
Ajaero made the remarks during an appearance on the Mic On Podcast, where he spoke about the relationship between the labour movement and the Federal Government over the past few years.
According to the NLC president, the government has not been engaging with labour and only responds when workers and other groups take steps to force its attention.
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“For the past two, three years, you know, it’s not a government that is engaging. This government doesn’t engage,” Ajaero said.
He described the administration as “aloof”, stressing that meaningful engagement had been lacking between the government and organised labour.
Ajaero recalled that the NLC had, by December 17, 2025, announced plans to take its grievances to the streets after months of attempts to communicate with the President.
He said the labour movement had written to President Tinubu from June through December but received no response.
“Well, by December 17th, 2025, we pulled out that we are going to the streets. After writing a letter from May, sorry June, to December to Mr. President and there was no response,” he said.
According to him, the planned action eventually led to the intervention of some state governors, who facilitated an interface between labour and the government.
He said the intervention became necessary after other channels of communication, including the office of the Minister of Labour, had failed.
“Because the whole channel—whether through the Minister of Labour or any other office—failed, collapsed. So some governors met with us, and since that time we have talked once or twice,” Ajaero said.
However, the NLC president suggested that the situation had not significantly improved, alleging that the issues raised by labour since December had largely been left unresolved.
“And those issues… December last year to now, they’re just doing their business. Everybody is their enemy,” he added.
The Nigeria Police Force has disclosed a series of operational successes recorded across eight states, including the rescue of kidnapped victims, the recovery of firearms and rocket launchers, the repulsion of bandit attacks and the arrest of suspects linked to armed robbery and murder.
The Force made the disclosure on Saturday, October 3, 2026, in its 24-hour operational update covering security operations recorded on October 2 and related reporting periods.
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According to the Police, the operations were recorded in Sokoto, Benue, Katsina, Ogun, Taraba, Cross River and Oyo states.
Sokoto: Police Foil Bandit Attack, Recover Rocket Launchers
In Sokoto State, Police tactical teams, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) engaged suspected bandits who attacked Tsabre Village.
The Police said the attackers were overpowered and fled into the forest with casualties.
A subsequent bush-combing operation led to the recovery of two rocket launchers, two empty AK-47 magazines, a Tecno keypad phone, a torchlight, an army jungle hat, a sweater cap, five pairs of sandals and a rain jacket.
The Police said no casualty was recorded on its side.
Katsina: Bandits Repelled on Funtua-Zaria Road
In Katsina State, a joint team comprising VCRU, 83 Police Mobile Force (PMF) and other tactical operatives engaged suspected heavily armed bandits who reportedly blocked the Funtua-Zaria Road and opened fire on commuters.
The Police said the attackers were repelled and traffic flow was restored along the road.
Four injured commuters were evacuated for medical treatment.
The incident is being investigated by the SCID, Katsina.
Ogun: Police Rescue Nine Kidnapped Travellers
In Ogun State, the Police disclosed the rescue of nine travellers who were kidnapped on September 29, 2026, by armed men along the Benin-Sagamu Expressway.
According to the Force, the victims were released unharmed following sustained pressure mounted by the Police and sister security agencies.
“Their statements were taken and they were reunited with their families,” the Police said.
The case is being investigated by the SCID, Abeokuta.
Katsina: Four Kidnap Victims Rescued
The Police also reported the rescue of four kidnapped victims in Katsina State, as reflected in its consolidated operational returns for the reporting period.
The Force said the matter was being investigated by the SCID, Katsina.
Oyo: Three Arrested Over Alleged Robbery, Murder
In Oyo State, operatives of the VCRU arrested Akinrinola Oluwatobi, 28; Okunola Mathew, 24; and Ibrahim Rabiu, 23, in connection with the alleged armed robbery and murder of Mrs Wahab Rukayat.
The Police said the suspects were arrested following credible intelligence after operatives raided a criminal hideout in the Sabo area of Ibadan.
An iPhone 7 Plus belonging to the deceased was reportedly recovered during the operation.
The Force further stated that the complainant identified the suspects during an identification parade and that they confessed to the crime.
The case is being investigated by the SCID, Ibadan.
The Police said the various operations formed part of its ongoing efforts to combat banditry, kidnapping, cult-related activities, armed robbery and other crimes across the country.
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