Chrome News

Governor Okpebholo Charges Newly Trained Forest Guards TO Secure Edo Forest Areas Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has charged 497 newly trained forest guards to secure ungoverned forest areas and strengthen the state's security architecture. The governor gave the charge during the passing-out parade and induction ceremony for the recruits at the Police Training School, Ogida Barracks, Benin City. Represented by his Chief of Staff, Musa Yakubu, Okpebholo reaffirmed his administration's commitment to improving security and ensuring residents live in a peaceful and safe environment. Congratulating the recruits on completing the rigorous training programme, the governor urged them to uphold discipline, professionalism and integrity as they begin active duty across forest communities in the state. He described the Forest Guard initiative as a key part of his administration's security strategy to reclaim forests from criminal groups, curb illegal activ...

EDO POLICE ANNOUNCE RESTRICTION OF MOVEMENT AHEAD OF JULY 11 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS The Edo State Police Command wishes to inform the general public that there will be a restriction of movement throughout Edo State from 12:00 midnight (0000hrs) to 3:00 p.m. (1800hrs) on Saturday, 11th July, 2026, to ensure the peaceful, orderly, and secure conduct of the Local Government Council Elections. The restriction is part of the comprehensive security measures put in place by the Command in collaboration with other security agencies to guarantee a peaceful electoral process, protect voters, electoral officials, and sensitive materials, as well as prevent any breakdown of law and order. Consequently, all vehicular and human movement within the state is prohibited during the stated period, except for officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, accredited election observers, duly accredited media personnel, security agencies, emergency and other essential service providers on e...

BUILDING LASTING PEACE IN GELEGELE THROUGH JUSTICE, INCLUSION AND RESPONSIBLE LEADERSHIP By Dr Harrison I. Okao, JP (Ohen Osa) Director General, Centre for Good Governance, Development and Socio Cultural Advocacy. The renewed debates over the ownership of Gelegele, the location of the oil wells around Ughoton and Gelegele, and the question of whether the Pere or the Odionwere exercises traditional authority have generated passionate reactions from several Edo youth groups and organisations. These are legitimate concerns that deserve careful attention. However, they must be approached with wisdom, historical evidence, respect for the rule of law, and an unwavering commitment to peace. On the question of ownership, it is important to recognise that the Gelegele land dispute has a long legal history. The Supreme Court, in Suit No. SC.131/1982, delivered its judgment on 19 August 1983, affirming earlier decisions that recognised the title of the Ughoton community over the dispu...

The Aiguobasinmwin Movement Worldwide has called on security agencies to investigate a viral video in which some youths allegedly made statements threatening violence over the ownership of Gelegele, warning that such remarks could undermine peace in Edo State. In a statement signed by its President, Mr. Iyamu Osaro Culture, the group said its attention had been drawn to the video in which individuals, identified as Ijaw youths, allegedly threatened that Benin people would face violence if they entered Gelegele community. According to the group, some of the individuals featured in the video had previously participated in a peaceful protest to the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) office in Edo State to demand youth empowerment, but noted that their recent comments were inflammatory and capable of escalating tensions. The movement maintained that Gelegele is an integral part of Ughoton Community in the Benin Kingdom, adding that the Okao of Gelegele wa...

OTUEDON'OGBENBE tasks Edo South chairmen-elect on transparent governance Forum congratulates Edo South council chairmen-elect Group seeks accountability, grassroots development from Edo South  chairmen-elect Benin Journalists Forum urges inclusive leadership for Edo South council chairmen-elect Group seeks transparent leadership as Edo South chairmen-elect emerge By Patrick Ahanor, Benin City.  OTUEDON'OGBENBE, popularly known as the Benin Journalists Forum, has called for transparent, accountable and inclusive leadership from the newly elected chairmen across Edo South Senatorial District, urging them to prioritise grassroots development and deliver on the mandate entrusted to them by the electorate. The forum made the call while congratulating the chairmen-elect on their victory in the just concluded Edo State local government elections. In a statement jointly signed by its Convener, Comrade Edosa Okunbor, and Secretary, Elder Patrick Ahanor, the group congratula...

AIGUOBASINMWIN MOVEMENT WORLD-WIDE  "FACT ABOUT GELEGELE AND WHY EDO STATE GOVERNMENT SHOULD IMPLEMENT THE 1983 SUPREME COURT JUDGEMENT" It is on record that oil exploration started in Gelegele in 1963 with Phillips Oil Company. Phillips later assigned OML 96 to Dubri Oil Company Limited in 1987. Dubri Oil Company operates the Gelegele Flow Station right inside the community. They treat and evacuate crude from the Ovia and Gelegele fields there. Since 1987, the Gelegele & Ovia fields have produced about 7.778 million barrels of light crude oil and 27.91 billion SCF of associated gas. Dubri operates Oil Mining Lease OML 96, 221 sq km southwest of Benin City, with its flow station at Gelegele. Gelegele is described as a "major oil and gas bearing/producing community" in Ovia North East LGA and also as "oil rich".   The community has been dealing with gas flaring from the flow station for over 63 years, plus issues of environmental pollution. ...