Three members of the Edo State Security Corps, ESSC, have reportedly been killed by gunmen suspected to be cultists.

OSUNDAILY NG gathered that another individual who sustained injuries during the attack is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital in Benin City.

The Edo State Police Command, which confirmed the incident, stated that one suspect, identified as Bello Salami, 33, has been arrested in connection with the killings.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, said the suspect was apprehended at the Benin Airport while attempting to evade justice.

Yamu added that investigations are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang, while the arrested suspect will be prosecuted in court.

It was learnt that the deceased members of the State Security Corps, namely Eghosa Onaiwu, Lucky, and Charles, were unarmed when they were shot dead by their assailants on Wire Road.

A source who spoke to journalists said the vigilantes were relaxing at a house on Wire Road when the gunmen, arriving in a Lexus jeep, stormed the area in commando style and opened fire, killing them on the spot.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, further disclosed that another individual, who had been sitting near the house, was reportedly struck by stray bullets.

He added that the incident sparked panic in the neighbourhood, as the gunmen fired indiscriminately while fleeing the scene.

He explained that shortly after the attack, police received intelligence that one of the principal suspects was at the Benin Airport attempting to flee the city, and he was promptly apprehended by operatives of the airport police division.

The Director General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NIMET, Prof. Charles Anosike has stated that the media is a critical stakeholder in passing important information on the nation’s weather conditions.

Commending the media for reporting accurately on the nation’s weather forecasts and conditions as unveiled by NIMET, the DG charged newsmen and women on timely reports in order to help avert hazards associated with weather and climate.

Anosike spoke at a one-day media dialogue on Climate and Weather Reporting For Safety of Lives which held in Abuja on Tuesday.

According to the DG, “NiMet’s role is critical in safeguarding lives and livelihoods of millions of Nigerians.

“Our weather forecasts and early warnings enhance disaster preparedness, guide farming and food production, and help pilots avoid hazardous conditions.”

He stressed on the importance of the dialogue, stating that it was aimed at empowering the media and civil society organizations with the knowledge and tools necessary to carry out their vital roles more effectively.

Commenting further on the critical role of the media, he said, “The management of NiMet recognizes the importance and strategic role of the media that the success of NiMet’s mission does not rest solely on the accuracy of our scientific data and forecasts. It equally depends on the effective communication and dissemination of this information to the public, which is where you—the media and civil society groups—play an indispensable role.

The DG further highlighted the effort of NiMET in providing quality service, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, GCFR.

“Worthy of mention here, is that, within the last one year alone, we have sponsored staff to different categories of trainings within and outside the country. The above is in addition to taking necessary steps to address issues bothering on staff welfare, including the facilitation of the payment of outstanding salaries and other staff claims and benefits inherited by our management,” he said.

Also speaking, the facilitator, Mr. Bonaventure Phillips Melah of the First Green White Resources and Integrated Services said the theme of the dialogue was apt considering the trend of climate change.

He said, ” the theme today is weather and climate reporting; and I consider the topic as very crucial because weather and climate have direct impact on our everyday lives.

“Because the media plays a vital role in informing the public about these critical issues, this dialogue was therefore organized in recognition of the responsibility that rests on our shoulders with regards to the safety of lives and by extension, the overall wellbeing of humanity.”

He charged participating journalists to to ask questions where necessary in order to understand the technicality of weather reporting and to communicate NiMET’s predictions and reports accurately to the general public. He also commented the DG of NiMET and the management for considering the media and civil society organizations as critical stakeholders.

Other speakers hammered on the need for continuous media partnership in ensuring accurate and timely response to weather reports.

The Ogun State chapter of the Child Protection Network, CPN, has taken its campaign against gender-based violence, child abuse, and related concerns to markets across the state capital.

The initiative, led by the Community Child Protection Committee, visited several marketplaces including Lafenwa, Iberekodo, Ijebu Itele, and Ijebu Imushin, among others.

Addressing market women during the campaign, committee member Afolashade Odewale decried the alarming rise in cases of child abuse. She criticised parents for being excessively strict and emotionally distant, stating that such attitudes discourage children from speaking out.

Odewale urged mothers to cultivate close relationships, particularly with their daughters, to create a safe space where the girls can speak freely if they experience any form of molestation.

She said, “What is wrong is that you scream at her always, she will then lack the freeness to express herself and when she is not able to do that, she will not be able to tell you what is bothering her, she will not be able to tell you when a man fondles her breast, she will not be able to tell you when a man touches her buttocks when you are too harsh with her.

“Let your child be your friend, let your child be your first friend, especially the girl-child. Draw them closer, know when they are menstruating, draw them closer, know when they should be on menstruation and what to do and give them, draw them closer to give it to them.”

In her own remarks, the Deputy Coordinator of CPN, Mrs Margaret Adeleke, emphasised the need to break the culture of silence surrounding child abuse. She stressed that communities must actively support survivors and ensure that perpetrators are held accountable.