Protesters on Thursday looted a truckload of rice at the Urora community in the Ikpoba-okha local government area of Edo State.
The protesters found the vehicle parked on a road as they protested in the community.
One of them to journalists the rice was released to the state by the Federal Government but was allegedly diverted by government officials.
They vowed to search for all locations where the federal government palliatives for Edo State were hidden.
READ ALSO: Four killed, 34 injured as Boko Haram insurgents infiltrate #EndBadGovernance protesters in Borno
The protesters also recorded video of the looting from the unidentified truck.
However, the state Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, in a statement denied that the rice belonged to the state.
Nehikhare alleged that the videos making the rounds about the looting were parts of a desperate attempt to score cheap political points by opposition parties.
He said: “The Edo State Government has received information about the looting of bags of rice from an unidentified truck and private residences in parts of Benin City in the wake of the ‘EndBadBGovernance protests.
“The videos making the rounds are said to have emanated from the Urora axis of Ikpoba Hill, Benin, and the government does not have a warehouse in that location.”
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#EndBadGovernance protesters loot truckload of rice in Edo
EndBadGovernance: Hoodlums attack, beat lone protestor in Ondo
A lone protester was on Thursday beaten to a pulp by hoodlums in Akure, Ondo State.
He was attacked at the popular NEPA roundabout when he was trying to lure some people to join him in the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest.
TVN reports that residents of the state shunned the protest, with security personnel manning each of the junctions in Akure metropolis to forestall a breakdown of law and order.
According to a source, the protester, who arrived at the junction, packed his car without knowing that some commercial motorcyclists had resolved to deal with anyone trying to disrupt their business.
The source stated that, “the young man who arrived in his car parked at the roundabout.
“After waiting for some minutes, he increased the music playing in his car, and thereafter, he came down and placed a placard on his windscreen.
“One of the Okada riders moved towards the car to read what was written on the placard.
“After reading what was on it, he signalled the rest of his people, who descended on the guy.
“When he was asked some questions, they pounced on him.
“They really beat the guy, but he was fortunate to quickly get into his car and zoomed off.”
EndBadGovernance: Hoodlums attack, beat lone protestor in Ondo
JUST IN: Security agencies have uncovered Senator sponsoring #EndBadGovernance protest
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, says security agents have received intelligence of a Senator sponsoring the #EndBadGovernanceinNigeria protests against the government.
The minister stated this at a press briefing, following a security meeting with heads of security agencies in Abuja, on Thursday.
According Online reports that the scheduled protests began today in Abuja and in several parts of the country despite calls by government officials for citizens to shun the protests.
Wike said the Senator, whom he said would be invited in due time for questioning by relevant agencies, took security agents with him to deliver food to the protesters.
“Now we also have intelligence that a senator had to invite some security agencies to lead some of them to go and provide food for the protesters. That is sponsorship.
“A senator providing food for protesters. At the appropriate time, security agencies will invite the senator and find out how you will be sponsoring this kind of thing against the government of the day,” he said.
The minister again called for protesters to obey the court order restricting them to the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, noting the violence and killings that had occurred in other parts of the country on the first day of the protest.
He disclosed that the security agencies also had intelligence that miscreants planned to hijack the protest to destroy properties tomorrow, stating, however, that security operatives would not allow it.
“We believe that this is a democratic government and so we must act according to the rule of law. We also believe that this protest is their entitlement so that the government can address the issues raised. Obeying the rule of law is obeying court orders.
“You saw what happened today when some people tried to move into Eagle Square. Miscreants may not have succeeded in what they wanted to do, but we have intelligence that they are coming out tomorrow to destroy property that will lead to loss of lives.
“The security agencies will not allow that. Every protester, please, go to the MKO Abiola stadium and do your protest. That is what the court said,” he declared.
Zamfara APC condemns attempted attack on Matawalle’s residence by protesters
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State has condemned an attempt by some protesters to attack the residence of the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, in Gusau.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Gusau by its Publicity Secretary in the state, Yusuf Idris, the party lamented that thugs were positioned to destroy its members’ properties during the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protest in the state.
The statement read: “We observed that many thugs were strategically deployed to attack and destroy personalities and properties of the APC members.
“It is very unfortunate that on the first day of the protests, the protesters attempted to attack the former Governor Bello Matawalle’s personal residence.”
The party recalled that Matawalle’s residence was burgled by some thugs in 2023 and urged security operatives to prevent reoccurrence.
“Luckily, the quick intervention of the security personnel who blocked the protesters from destroying the minister’s house saved the situation.
“We commend the security agencies in the state for being proactive.
“Those political thugs, most likely implementing the directives of their leaders, would have razed down the minister’s house and property.
“They also attacked the residence of Senator Sahabi Yau at his hometown of Kaura Namoda, where they destroyed many valuables and damaged his Toyota Hilux van in the name of peaceful protests.
“We have earlier forecast the possible hijacking of the protests by the hoodlums and other miscreants in the state which they actualized.
“We wish to implore security agencies in the state to give our members and all well-meaning citizens the desired protection of lives and property.
“We are calling on youths not to allow themselves to be used by bad politicians, especially as the nationwide protest is supposed to be peaceful and address concerns in the country.
“The protest which is a constitutional right of Nigerians should be peaceful and without any threat to life and property,” the statement added.
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Protest: Edo Govt, APC in war of words over ownership of looted rice at Benin warehouse
The Edo State Government and the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) bickered on Thursday over the ownership of looted rice from a truck parked in a warehouse located in the state.
TVN reports that as the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest was ongoing in the state, a viral video of residents looting rice from the truck at the warehouse in Urora Quarters, Uhunmwonde Local Government Area, resurfaced on several social media platforms.
In the 40-second viral video, the residents were seen and heard claiming that the warehouse allegedly belonged to the state government.
According to them, “This is our rice, which the government gave us but hid. We have located it; see rice everywhere.”
“This is Urora; see the trailer of rice they gave us. The state government hid it. Everybody, go and get your own rice,” they said.
Most of the residents were seen carrying more than one bag of 10kg rice.
Reacting to the video, the Edo State Government denied ownership of the warehouse.
A statement by the State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, said the state Government does not keep relief materials in its warehouses, adding that the government’s feeding program for vulnerable persons in the state is implemented through religious bodies.
Nehikhare, however, accused the APC state chapter of being behind the viral video.
“The Edo State Government has received information about the looting of bags of rice from an unidentified truck and private residences in parts of Benin City in the wake of the #EndBadGovernance protests.
“The videos making the rounds are said to have originated from the Urora axis of Ikpoba Hill, Benin City, and the government does not have a warehouse in that location.
“The videos from the Urora axis of Ikpoba Hill, Benin City, are the handiwork of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in a desperate attempt to score cheap political points.
“The government supports the vulnerable with relief materials through religious organizations, particularly the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, and Muslim leaders in the state.
“The state government does not keep any relief material by itself but reaches out to the people through these channels.
“The State Government further accused the APC of misleading the public with the video, adding, “We will not put this tactic past the All Progressives Congress (APC), which is spreading malicious content to score cheap political points.
“This condemnable action is intended to cause chaos in the state, and the APC is discouraged from such ignoble practices,” he said.
In its response, Acting State Chairman of APC, Emperor Jarret Tenebe, said the viral video allegedly exposed Obaseki’s deliberate plan to deprive Edo people of accessing various palliative measures.
Tenebe, who spoke at a press briefing in Benin City, alleged that there are also reports that a substantial part of the rice is being sold in markets by a prominent PDP market woman leader.
“If Edo people were ever in doubt, the video that emerged on social media today, showing an abandoned trailer load of repackaged Federal Government rice with Edo State Government inscriptions discovered by Urora residents, has exposed Obaseki’s deliberate plan to deprive Edo people of accessing different palliative measures.
“We have intelligence about several warehouses in the state hoarding rice and other grains meant for Edo people. There are also reports that a substantial part of the rice is being sold in markets by a prominent PDP market woman leader,” he stated.
The APC chairman opined that the governor’s actions amounted to economic sabotage, which the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission should take note of.
Protest: Edo Govt, APC in war of words over ownership of looted rice at Benin warehouse
EKSU ex-DVC’s security guard masterminded his killing
The Commissioner of Police, Ekiti State Command, Mr Adeniran Akinwale, said on Thursday that the police had arrested six prime suspects in connection with the kidnap and killing of the former Deputy Vice Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Prof Olorunfemi Olaofe.
The Police also said that the security guard to the ex-DVC was not really kidnapped alongside the professor as earlier reported but made the operation easier for the kidnappers.
Olaofe was taken away by armed men from his residence at Federal Housing Estate, Ado Ekiti alongside his security guard, on July 9, 2027.
He was discovered dead and buried in a shallow grave in the bush along Airport Road at Afao Ekiti on Wednesday, July 31.
The Police Commissioner, in a statement on Thursday by the Police Public Relations Officer, Ekiti State Command, Sunday Abutu, said the body of the retired university teacher had been exhumed from the shallow grave and deposited in the morgue.
The CP, in the statement, related the situation, saying, “An unknown gang of armed men allegedly stormed the residence of Prof. Femi Olaofe, kidnapped him alongside his security guard, one Abdul Opotu, and took them to an unknown destination with the professor’s Toyota Camry Car.”
He stated that the police, on receipt of the information, deployed Rapid Response Squad operatives to the scene for the possible rescue of the victims and the arrest of the perpetrators, noting, “They had already whisked the victims away before the arrival of the operatives. The operatives, however, combed the forest between Ado Ekiti and Afao Ekiti and recovered Olaofe’s Camry car.
The commissioner stated that “a discrete investigation and a painstaking operation for rescue of the victims and arrest of the perpetrators led to the arrest of one Omowaye Ayodele at Bencom Guest House, Akure, Ondo State.
“Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed to the commission of the crime and mentioned one Kenneth, Amodu Gbenga, Nnamani Chukwuka and Ojо a.k.a Ojo Ijan as his accomplices. He confessed further that Abdul Opotu who was the security guard of the victim (Prof. Olaofe) was the one who invited them to kidnap the professor.
The commissioner stated that Ayodele (suspect) said that the security guard was not really kidnapped alongside the professor as earlier reported, but only played along and made the operation easier for them.
Ayodele confessed that the two AK-47 rifles used to kidnap the Professor were in possession of Kenneth who is currently at large.
The police commissioner said, “Further investigation led to the arrest of Amodu Gbenga, who also confessed to the commission of the crime during investigation and further narrated how he used to supply food and water to the gang members in their hideouts located in a bush behind Government College, Off Ijan Road, Ado Ekiti.
“The two suspects led the police operatives to their hideouts for the possible rescue of the victim but was discovered that the gang in custody of the victim had already relocated with the victim to another unknown location.
“Further investigation on Tuesday 30th July led to the discovery of a shallow grave in a bush located at Off Afao Road, behind the new Airport site, Ado Ekiti, where a human being was suspected killed and buried.
“Consequently, Order of Exhumation and Coroner Forms were obtained from the Magistrate Court, Ado Ekiti, while the Ministry of Environment was contacted. On Wednesday 31st July, the police led the Ministry of Environment and some medical practitioners to the scene where the corpse was exhumed and later identified as the earlier kidnapped Professor Olaofe.
“The Corpse has been deposited At Ekiti State Teaching Hospital morgue, Ado-Ekiti, for autopsy.
“Effort is ongoing for the possible arrest of the fleeing members of the gangs including the security guard of the kidnapped and murdered professor who masterminded the crime. Meanwhile, six suspects have been arrested so far and are in custody undergoing investigation,” Akinwale stated.
Security officials take over Benue amid nationwide protest
Residents of Benue State, particularly, the youths, on Thursday, shunned the nationwide protest against hardship in the country, as there were no impediments to government and commercial activities in the state.
TVN observed that residents in the state appeared to comply with the admonition of Governor Hyacinth Alia, stakeholders, and youth groups not to participate in the protest against national hardship.
Most offices, including Federal and State Secretariats, remained open and civil servants were seen going about their normal duties.
The streets were deserted in the early hours, but commercial banks were open for business. Commercial town service buses and motorcyclists were seen transporting people to their various destinations without molestation.
Passengers were seen boarding vehicles from various parks in Makurdi to travel to different parts of the country.
Most eateries, newspaper vendors and telecommunications outlets at High Level, Wurukum, Wadata and North Bank areas in Makurdi also opened their shops for business.
Security agencies were observed patrolling the Makurdi metropolis, with their vehicles stationed at strategic points to prevent any breaches of security.
A cross-section of Benue people appealed to the federal government to take measures to mitigate the hardship in the country.
A civil servant, Adakole Agbo, stated that urgent steps must be taken to reduce fuel prices and food costs to help common people survive.
Efforts to get the views of the Police Public Relations Officer for Benue State Command, SP Sewuese Anene, were unsuccessful. However, an officer mentioned that there were no reported cases of arrest as they patrolled the streets at the time of filing this report.
Security officials take over Benue amid nationwide protest
Porest: Police arrest five as suspected thugs attack, injure two lawyers in Delta
Suspected thugs have reportedly brutalised and wounded two lawyers, Barristers Omes Ogedegbe and Dafe Avwunufe, during the ongoing nationwide protest against bad governance.
The incident occurred at the DSC roundabout in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State.
TVN gathered that it was the intervention of military personnel that saved the lawyers from being killed.
The lawyers, who are members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Effurun branch, are currently at the Ekpan General Hospital receiving treatment for serious injuries sustained due to the brutalization.
The police have arrested five suspected thugs in connection with the attack and brutalisation of the lawyers.
The suspects are currently detained at the Ekpan Police Station.
The Vice Chairman of the NBA Effurun branch, who confirmed the attack, said, “The Chairman of the Uvwie Local Government Area, on whose behalf the thugs claimed to be acting, came to the police station to release them, promising to cover the medical bills.
According to him, “We resisted that. We will rely on you to get involved with any of our national leaders to ensure that the thugs are not released.”
Porest: Police arrest five as suspected thugs attack, injure two lawyers in Delta
Security arrests five in Lafia as protest turns violent in Nasarawa
The #EndBadGovernance protest in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, saw a surge of activity on August 1, as predominantly youthS and underaged children gathered to voice their frustrations.
The protest, which remained calm throughout the morning, escalated in the afternoon as demonstrators began to converge near the Government House.
Security operatives quickly intervened, dispersing the protesters who were marching towards the state’s seat of government.
The demonstrators, carrying placards with various messages of discontent, were stopped and dispersed by uniformed officers.
Despite the intervention, some protesters moved further into Lafia town, setting tires ablaze and causing minor damage, including the destruction of vehicles at the state APC office.
While the situation remained tense, there were no reported injuries or incidents of looting.
However, five youths were arrested in the state capital for attempting to incite violence.
Security arrests five in Lafia as protest turns violent in Nasarawa
#EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protesters make bonfire near Buhari’s Katsina residence
Some protesters taking part in the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria in Daura, Katsina State, on Thursday, made bonfire near the residence of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
This was as hoodlums in their numbers hijacked the hunger protest in some parts of the state.
Our correspondent gathered that some persons were injured and property destroyed in the process.
In Katsina, the state capital, protesters wielding placards with various inscriptions stormed the Government House to register their grievances.
However, before the arrival of the protesters at the Government House, some hoodlums reportedly hijacked the process, looting shops and vandalising property.
In Daura, Buhari’s hometown, protesting residents made bonfires near the former President’s residence.
The protesters were chanting in Hausa, “Hunger wants to kill us,” and “We don’t want”.
Efforts to speak to the Katsina State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Abubakar Sadiq, proved abortive at the time of publication.
Similarly, According Online reports that commercial activities in and around Katsina State metropolitan areas were grounded over the protest.
According Online report has it that banks, markets, filling stations, motor parks and offices were shut while major roads and streets were deserted, unlike the usual vehicular movements and pedestrians.
Earlier, a leader of the protesters, Umar Jibrin, told journalists that they embarked on the protest for the government to tackle hunger, insecurity and restore fuel subsidy.
He said many Nigerians, especially Northerners, were dying as a result of hunger and insecurity occasioned by the activities of terrorists.
“There are a lot of people who are dying because of hunger and insecurity. We embarked on this protest for the government to address these challenges.
“We are calling on the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu to restore fuel subsidy and tackle the issue of naira devaluation,” he said.