Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to promoting literary excellence, intellectual discourse, and the growth of knowledge-driven communities.
The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Nyerhovwo Tonukari, stated that his government will continue to support initiatives that celebrate creativity, scholarship, and national development.
Speaking at the public presentation of the book Hallmarks of Labour written by Izoma Philip Chikwuendo Asiodu, Governor Oborevwori said literature plays a vital role in shaping societal values and inspiring future generations.
He noted that Delta State is proud to identify with platforms that honour outstanding contributions to nation-building through the power of the written word.
Prof. Tonukari, delivering the governor’s message, commended Asiodu for his distinguished contribution to Nigerian literature and described the book as a testament to the values of hard work, dedication, and integrity.
He encouraged emerging writers to continue striving for excellence in their craft.
The event, held at the Metropolitan Club, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, brought together eminent personalities and literary enthusiasts, including former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd.), who chaired the occasion.
Discussions at the ceremony also highlighted the themes of the book, with speakers reflecting on the author’s emphasis on the virtues that define meaningful achievement and national progress.
….as he confesses how he invited two other persons to join him in killing her
THE prime suspect – a Security Guard allegedly involved in the murder of Justice Ifeoma Okogwu (retired) who has been on the run has finally been arrested.
He was tracked down yesterday (Saturday) along with his close friend whom he invited including another person to join him in the gruesome act.
Recovered from him was the GSM handset of the woman. The arrested security guard was supposed to be on duty that very fateful night and had be on the run since the sad incident.
This was contained in a terse statement by the Delta State Police Command’s Spokesman Bright Edafe a Superintendent of Police, on Sunday morning.
It reads:
“On 6th December 2025, Operative of Homicide Section of State CID, Delta State Police command acting on intelligence has arrested one Godwin Mngumi aged 25 years, the Security Guard who allegedly murdered Justice Ifeoma Okogwu (Rtd) in Anambra State and the phone of the late RTD justice has also been recovered from him.
“He confessed that he invited his friend one Nnaji Obalum and one other suspect at large over to the house where they carried out the dastardly act together.
“Nnaji Obalum has also been arrested while the manhunt for the third suspect is ongoing.
A Magistrate, Mohammed Suleiman Kumo has been arraigned before a Gombe High Court presided over by Justice H.H. Kereng, over a N1.4 million bribery allegation.
He was docked on a three count-charge bordering on extortion and bribery.
The charges stated: “That you, Mohammed Suleiman Kumo, being a Magistrate at the Chief Magistrate Court, did receive for yourself monetary benefits of one million naira through Zenith Bank account number 2273938871 belonging to one Adamu Ahmed, a Registrar in your court, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 10(a)(i)(ii) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.
“That you, Mohammed Suleiman Kumo, being a Magistrate at Chief Magistrate Court Pantami, in such capacity, on or about the 11th day of November 2024 in Gombe State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did receive for yourself a monetary benefit of four hundred thousand naira (N400,000) through your Zenith Bank account number 2273938871 belonging to one Adamu Ahmed, a Registrar in your court, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 10(a)(i)(ii) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000″.
When plea was taken he pleaded not guilty.
The Prosecuting Counsel, Abubakar Aliyu asked the court to remand the defendant in Gombe State Correctional Centre.
On bail which was opposed by the prosecution, the Judge stated that “Having recognised that the defendant was granted administrative bail by the EFCC and came to court from home and based on that, I grant the defendant bail in the interim pending the ruling on his bail application”.
The case was adjourned to January 13 and 14, 2026 for further hearing.
The Minority Leader of the 9th House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, OON, has congratulated the immediate past Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, on his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the South-South Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative.
In a goodwill message on Wednesday, Rt. Hon. Elumelu described the appointment as “well-deserved, timely, and reflective of Senator Okowa’s exceptional leadership capacity, national relevance, and unwavering commitment to the progress of Nigeria.”
He noted that Senator Okowa’s track record as a consensus builder, strategic thinker, and champion of people-centered governance makes him an asset to the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President and the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Elumelu stressed that Senator Okowa’s new role adds immense value to the Renewed Hope Initiative, particularly in advancing sustainable development and strengthening socio-economic inclusion across the South-South region and the nation at large. He commended the former governor for his outstanding contributions to national growth, political stability, and the strengthening of democratic institutions.
According to Elumelu, the appointment is not only a national recognition of Senator Okowa’s service but also a source of pride for the people of Delta State. “On behalf of the Elumelu family and the good people of Delta State, I heartily congratulate our leader, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, on this elevation to a national assignment that perfectly aligns with his passion for public service and human development,” he stated.
The former Minority Leader supplicated for Senator Okowa, praying God to grant him divine wisdom, strength, and grace to translate the Renewed Hope Agenda into visible and lasting progress for the people of Nigeria, especially the South-South region.
He also took the opportunity to appreciate Senator Okowa for his steadfast support, guidance, and commitment to the uncommon success of the Governor Sheriff Francis Oborevwori-led administration in Delta State, particularly in driving the administration’s More Agenda with Renewed Hope.
Elumelu expressed confidence that Senator Okowa will excel in his new national assignment and continue to be a source of inspiration to leaders and citizens across the country.
…as he performs the groundbreaking ceremony for the Cubana Millennium City
DELTA State Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori on Tuesday performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the Cubana Millennium City.
Represented by his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, he stated that “Today’s groundbreaking is more than the start of a physical project; it is a clear signal that Delta State is emerging as one of Nigeria’s most promising investment destinations.
“The Cubana Millennium City represents confidence; confidence in our economy, in our people, and in the stability and opportunities Delta State offers investors across the world.
“This project, strategically located off the Benin–Onitsha Highway at Wichtech Junction, will unlock new value along this corridor, it will create a thriving hub of commerce, hospitality, entertainment, and modern living.
“The economic and social returns will ripple across our State, boosting small and medium enterprises, expanding local supply chains, and creating quality jobs for our youth.
“As an administration, our commitment is simple: Delta State must be the easiest place to invest, to build, and to grow.
“We are strengthening infrastructure, enhancing security, removing bottlenecks, and supporting every investor who believes in our vision.
“The Cubana Millennium City demonstrates that when the environment is right, investment follows, and thrives.
“I extend sincere appreciation to Dr. Obinna Iyiegbu, the Cubana Group, and its partners for choosing Delta State for this transformative project, your decision is a strong vote of confidence, and I assure you that this government will stand firmly behind all genuine investors who choose to build here.
“To our traditional rulers and community leaders, thank you for providing the stability and support that investors’ value and to our young people, prepare yourselves.
“Projects like this are opening doors, doors to jobs, skills, and entrepreneurship. The future being built here today is yours.
“As we break ground, let us recognize that we are laying the foundation for more investment, more growth, and greater prosperity”, he added.
In a goodwill message, the Ugoani of Okpanam, His Royal Majesty Dr. Michael Ogbolu assured that the community will do all within its powers to support and protect the project for the benefit of the community.
*The Ugoani of Okpanam, His Royal Majesty Dr. Michael Ogbolu speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony
The First Lady of Delta State, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori, on Tuesday inaugurated the newly completed Tobore Oborevwori Cottage Hospital in Ughelli North Local Government Area, describing the project as a “beacon of hope, healing, and humanity” for the people.
The ceremony, held on December 2, 2025, marked a major milestone in the local government’s healthcare expansion efforts, led by Chairman Olorogun Jaro Egbo, who described the hospital as part of a broader vision to deliver accessible, affordable, and reliable healthcare to residents of Ughelli North.
In an emotionally charged speech, the First Lady expressed deep gratitude to the local government council for naming the facility after her, stating that the honour underscored the value placed on her modest contributions to the welfare of Deltans.
“It gladdens my heart to know that my modest contributions are being recognized and valued. It feels good to be home, home sweet home,” she said.
She commended the council chairman and his team for “breaking barriers and creating access to affordable, quality healthcare for our people,” adding that the project aligns perfectly with the commitment of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration to human-centered development.
The First Lady praised her husband for his reforms in the state’s health sector, citing the recent reduction of dialysis fees from ₦75,000 to ₦40,000, the provision of new dialysis and CT machines across government hospitals, and the ongoing rehabilitation of 150 Primary Healthcare Centres across the 25 Local Government Areas.
“God will help the governor to achieve more. He is working, and it is showing,” she declared.
Highlighting her philanthropic activities, Deaconess Oborevwori noted that her ‘You mata Charity Foundation’ recently conducted a free medical outreach for children with special needs in Ughelli, providing medications, wheelchairs, and assistive devices.
She recalled a remarkable moment during the outreach where a woman who delivered triplets received over ₦8.1 million raised through spontaneous donations, describing the gesture as “a testimony of God’s grace.”
She assured that similar outreaches will be extended to Delta North and Delta South.
In his address, Chairman of the Local Government Council, Hon Jaro Egbo said the new facility was conceived as part of his administration’s strategic plan to strengthen the local health system.
“Healthcare is not a privilege for a few, but a right for all,” he said.
Egbo expressed deep appreciation to Governor Oborevwori for providing an enabling environment for development, noting that the Renewed Hope For MORE Agenda has been the foundation upon which several projects including the cottage hospital have been executed.
He also thanked the First Lady for commissioning the project, describing her as an embodiment of compassion whose influence continues to inspire the people of Ughelli North.
Egbo urged residents to protect the facility from vandalism, stressing that sustainability depends on community ownership and cooperation.
Chairman of the occasion and head of the Ughelli North Local Government Advisory Committee, Chief Miller Uloho, extolled Governor Oborevwori for his “exceptional leadership,” recalling the governor’s role in resolving long-standing land acquisition disputes in Osubi that threatened the airport project.
He described the governor as “a naturally gifted leader” whose capacity earned him a seat on the maiden flight that opened the Osubi airport.
Uloho also applauded Jaro Egbo’s performance, urging him to sustain the developmental momentum, and appealed to the First Lady to ensure the new cottage hospital remains functional, well-funded, and properly maintained.
Executive Secretary of the Ughelli North Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Tega Ighovo, announced that the hospital is fully equipped with modern facilities, including an ambulance and diagnostic equipment, enabling it to serve as a referral centre for primary healthcare clinics across the Local Government Area.
The immediate past Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, has been honoured with the “Best Security Supportive Politician of the Year” award at the maiden edition of the RazorNews Inter-Agency Cooperation Award
The award, which was held on Tuesday December 2, 2025 at the prestigious Shoragate Hotel, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos recognised political leaders whose contributions have significantly strengthened Nigeria’s security architecture and highlighted Elumelu’s consistent support for inter-agency collaboration, intelligence sharing, and legislative backing aimed at bolstering national security efforts.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Olohundare Moshood Jimoh on behalf of the organizers presented the award to Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu who was represented at the event.
The event, themed “Inter-Agency Unity: The Power of Collective Action,” brought together key players from Nigeria’s defence, intelligence, policing, and emergency response sectors, as well as political institutions and the private security industry.
Organisers said the award seeks to celebrate individuals who work “behind the scenes” to empower security agencies in tackling the nation’s evolving threats.
Elumelu, who served as Minority Leader from 2019 to 2023, has been widely commended for his strategic engagements with security agencies and his advocacy for improved security funding, better welfare for operatives, and stronger policy frameworks to combat insurgency, banditry, illegal arms proliferation, and community-level insecurity.
During his tenure as the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Elumelu championed several motions and legislative interventions that called attention to violent attacks in rural communities, youth restiveness, cybercrime, and the need for rapid Government response in high-risk zones.
His constituency projects also frequently incorporated safety-related components, including community-based surveillance initiatives and support for local vigilante structures operating under the guidance of formal agencies.
Over the years, Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu has distinguished himself as a strong supporter of security agencies across his constituency.
He built residential quarters and a staff clinic for DSS operatives, renovated several DSS facilities, and supported the rehabilitation of police stations and provision of operational vehicles as well as the rehabilitation of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) command office, connecting it to the national grid and provided solar lights to enhance efficiency of the corps.He also installed hundreds of solar streetlights to boost night-time safety and enhance patrol visibility.
Through firm legislative advocacy on security issues and empowerment programmes that reduce youth vulnerability, Elumelu has strengthened both the operational capacity of security agencies and the overall safety of communities in his Constituency and beyond
According to RazorNews, Elumelu’s recognition stems from “his unwavering commitment to supporting Nigeria’s security agencies and promoting inter-agency harmony at both legislative and grassroots levels.” The award committee emphasised that political leadership is a crucial but often overlooked pillar in national security advancement.
The ceremony also honoured several institutions and individuals, including the Nigerian Army (Outstanding Defence Force of the Year), the Nigeria Customs Service (award for illicit arms and drug interception), and leading private security organisations recognized for operational excellence.
Organisers noted that the awards aim to shift national focus toward the importance of collaboration, unity, and shared responsibility in addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.
Political observers say this recognition further cements Elumelu’s standing as a statesman whose influence extends beyond legislation into national cohesion and security advocacy.
His emergence as the Best Security Supportive Politician underscores the necessity for political actors to actively champion policies and partnerships that strengthen national stability.
As security remains one of Nigeria’s most pressing concerns, Elumelu’s award is expected to resonate with constituencies, stakeholders, and national leadership as an example of how political engagement can meaningfully contribute to safer communities.
THE wife of a veteran Journalist, Alphonsus Nweze, Mrs. Chioma Nweze has narrated how two younger brothers of the husband sold his land for N12 million three days immediately after the burial.
Late Nweze, known for his coverage of Anambra State while living in Asaba, died in early October this year following a motor accident on his way home from Onitsha and was buried on the 14th of last month.
He is survived by his wife, Chioma and four children.
She narrated the sad development last Saturday when members of the Anambra State Correspondents’ Chapel paid her a condolence visit at the family’s residence in Asaba.
The delegation, led by the Chapel Chairman, Chief Chuks Ilozue, presented a cheque of N600,000 as part of a support fund raised by fellow journalists and other concerned individuals.
While expressing appreciation for the gesture, the grieving widow broke down in tears as she recounted how her husband’s siblings allegedly disposed of his property while the family was still mourning.
Her words: “I beg you to continue praying for us. Just three days after my husband’s burial, two of his younger brothers went and sold Alphonsus’ (my husband) land for N12 million without consulting me or my children.
“When he was alive he resisted pressure from relatives who were urging him to sell it. My husband refused to sell that land because he wanted something secured for our children. Now, after his burial, they went and sold it. I heard they requested the account number of someone my husband trained, saying they would send what they claimed was my husband’s share through him. I told them I am not interested.
“It was inappropriate for anyone to involve me in land sales or financial dealings so soon after husband’s death. I cannot be selling land or collecting proceeds just after burying my husband. They should keep our portion of the land. We are not selling”, she stated in tears.
The governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Soludo had earlier sent a condolence message to the family.
The message reads, “On behalf of the Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, I deeply express profound grief and condolences to the Anambra State Correspondents’ Chapel on the tragic and untimely demise of their member, Mr. Alphonsus Nweze, a dedicated journalist with Apex News, an online publication.
“Mr. Nweze, was a committed member of the Correspondents’ Chapel, who lost his life in such a painful fatal road accident on Tuesday afternoon along the Onitsha-Asaba Express Road, leaving behind not only his dear family, friends and colleagues but also memories of his passion for truth, integrity, and public service through journalism is tragically painful.
“We will continue to remember him as a diligent and courageous reporter whose work contributed meaningfully to the information landscape of Anambra State.
“Alphonsus Nweze was more than a journalist; he was a voice for the truth and an advocate of responsible reporting. His untimely death is not only a loss to his family and colleagues but to our entire state. We will miss him”.
IN a bid to avert another crisis in Okuama, the Delta State Police Command convened a high-level stakeholders’ peace meeting involving representatives of Okuama, Okoloba and Akugbene communities to address emerging tensions arising from boundary disputes and fishing rights.
The meeting which was held at the Area Police Command, Warri on Monday brought together community leaders, youth representatives, security stakeholders and traditional authorities for frank deliberations aimed at preventing conflict and restoring lasting peace.
Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda told the gathering that the Command would not allow preventable disputes to undermine the peace and stability of Delta State.
He described the meeting as a proactive initiative designed to listen to all concerns, mediate fairly and reinforce the commitment to peaceful co-existence.
The CP warned that any attempt to breach the peace or resort to self-help measures would attract firm and decisive police action.
Stakeholders in attendance, including the Ag. President General of Okuama community, representatives of the Okoloba community led by Dr David, and delegates from the Akugbene community, expressed gratitude for the timely intervention of the Police Command.
They acknowledged that the unresolved issues primarily revolve around boundary adjustments and fishing rights, and they reaffirmed their readiness to cooperate for the greater good of all parties.
“Additional inputs”, according to a press release by the Command’s Spokesman Bright Edafe a Superintendent of Police, “were provided by Pastor Edewor, Mr Prince (Youth President, Okoloba), Chief Okoloko Tata (Akugbene), Comrade Cletus (Akugbene), Aaron Young (Okwama) and others who shared valuable perspectives on restoring trust and strengthening communal relations.
“Following extensive deliberations, all parties adopted several key resolutions. Community leaders agreed to caution their youths against carrying arms during fishing activities and to discourage any acts of self-help capable of provoking violence. It was unanimously resolved that no community should impose boundaries on waterways, and that all individuals should be free to fish without intimidation or obstruction.
“Stakeholders further agreed that the request letter previously submitted to the State Government on boundary adjustments must be diligently followed up to ensure appropriate governmental attention and implementation.
“It was also agreed that the DCP Operations, DCP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, will invite the Chairmen of the affected Local Government Areas for a follow-up meeting with the Commissioner of Police to review strategies for monitoring activities along the waterways, in line with resolutions reached during the 2024 Government House Annexe meeting.
“Furthermore, any individual or group that violates the peace agreements or engages in conduct likely to disturb public order will be arrested and handed over to the Area Commander for prosecution.
A Peace Committee WhatsApp platform will also be created to strengthen communication, enhance early-warning systems, and promote sustained engagement between Okwama and Okoloba stakeholders”, the release further stated.
*Delta State CP Olufemi Abaniwonda (4th from right) in a group photograph with representatives of the warring communities during the peace meeting
Nigeria’s defence minister, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has resigned his appointment, with immediate effect.
In a letter dated December 1, sent to President Bola Tinubu, Abubakar said he was quitting on health grounds.
President Tinubu has accepted the resignation and thanked Abubakar for his services to the nation.
President Tinubu will likely inform the Senate of Badaru’s successor later this week.
Badaru Abubakar, 63, was a two-term governor of Jigawa state from 2015 to 2023. He was appointed as a minister on August 21, 2023, by President Tinubu.
His resignation comes amid President Tinubu’s declaration of a national security emergency, with plans to elaborate on its scope in due course.
–Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President, (Information and Strategy)
… vows to resist such brazen intimidation and forceful dispossession through every lawful means
People of Issele Azagba community in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State, South South, Nigeria have called on the Delta State governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori to urgently intervene to douse the rising tension in the community following what it describes as the encroachment on its ancestral farmland by developers of the proposed Cubana Millennium Estate.
Community leaders led by the President General of the Issele-Azagba Development Union, Elder Patrick Isichei addressed a press conference at NUJ Press Centre in Asaba on Monday to drive home their message in addition to an Open Letter submitted to the Delta State Governor.
The community is protesting that despite an ongoing boundary adjustment exercise between Issele-Azagba and neighbouring Okpanam community which has not been completed, posited that any development activity at this stage here is both unlawful and provocative.
Said he, “Issele Azagba community welcomes development projects but opposes what it sees as the forceful takeover of our land.
“We are not anti-investment, but the Cubana Group should come to do the needful and not to forcefully acquire our lands.
“As law-abiding citizens of Delta State, we want our voice heard. Our patience must not be seen as surrender or weakness”.
Also speaking at the briefing, Hon. Ike Augustin Ijeh said the community was surprised to find that the land which historically belongs to Issele Azagba is forcefully taken Cubana group.
He noted that the annoying aspect of it is that the documents Cubana is processing for the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) on the said land bear Okpanam.
“This is our ancestral land, our heritage. Choosing to obey the law doesn’t make us cowards”, Ijeh stated.
Although he commended the State government for its earlier attempts to reduce tensions but criticised what he called a troubling silence from its end.
“Are we no longer Deltans? No community is more Deltan than Azagba. We have supported the government in all ways, including bulk votes during elections and had never voted in the opposition outside the ruling party.
Ijeh demanded that the government should therefore come clean by making its position clear.
“Is it because we have no one in government to speak for us? We have fully complied with the Deputy Governor’s earlier directive asking both communities to stay off disputed lands until the boundary committee completes its work. But the developers’ presence violates that order and may cause unrest.
“We are now appealing to the Delta State Government to take urgent and decisive action to stop all development activities on the land, enforce the stay-off directive, complete the boundary adjustment process, prevent further tension or conflict, and ensure that due process is followed to avoid threat to peace”, he concluded.
*Issele Azagba community during the press conference. Seated 4th from left is Elder Partick Isichei; on his immediate left is Hon. Ike Augustin Ijeh among other notable community leaders
… wants ‘Operation Know Your Tenants’ initiative he introduced months ago to be activated
THE Asagba of Asaba, Obi (Prof) Epiphany Azinge (SAN) held an emergency meeting of Asagba-in-Council at Ogwa-Uku Ahaba on Sunday.
At the commencement of the meeting, the Asagba highlighted some insecurity issues that occurred lately in Asaba especially at Koka and Abraka axis as well as how Late Justice Ifeoma Okogwu was murdered in cold blood in her residence.
He made it clear that peace is paramount in Asaba kingdom and it is the greatest industry the community is enjoying today and won’t be compromised for any reason under his watch.
This was contained in a press statement by the Palace Media.
It partly reads: “On the murder of Justice Okogwu in her Asaba residence, Nna Agu (Asagba) notified Council that preliminary investigation points towards a security man she got from a private security company and that investigation is still ongoing to unravel the actual culprit(s).
“Nna Agu reiterated the need for the Operation Know Your Tenants that he initiated months ago and also advised that we know our security guards well too.
“HRM harped on the need for all to make sure Asaba is secured always, particularly as we approach Christmas which comes with lots of celebrations and initiatives from our people in the diaspora, and such cannot be jeopardised because of insecurity.
Amid the exexigencies, and declaration of a state of emergency on security across Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, finally approved State Police, which he’s repeatedly pledged its creation, but with a caveat: It’s only for states that require its establishment.
In a statement he issued, Tinubu said, “Today, in view of the emerging security situation (in the country), I have decided to declare a nationwide security emergency, and order additional recruitment into the Armed Forces,” adding, “The police will recruit additional 20,000 officers, bringing the total to 50,000.”
Tinubu also pledged federal support to states with existing security outfits, and urged the National Assembly “to begin a legislative review, to allow states that require state police to establish” the bodies. Put succinctly, the President can’t decree state police for states, as you can’t force an unwilling horse to drink water.
The threat by United States President Donald Trump to order American military bombing of terrorists and bandits’ hideouts in Nigeria over alleged “Christian genocide,” and the return of a rash of abductions of mostly schoolgirls across Northern Nigeria, has made state police more compelling and inevitable.
Tinubu’s pronouncement comes as more sections of Nigeria reinforce their calls for state police. Pre-the president’s directive, the Southern Governors’ Forum (SGF) and Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers’ Council reiterated their demand for state police, as “community-based and regional outfits have proven the need for decentralised policing,” reports Vanguard on November 26.
In a communiqué at their meeting at the Iperu residence of Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun on Monday, November 24, they underscored the crucial role of traditional institutions in national stability, especially in intelligence gathering and grassroots security, citing “their proximity to local communities and capacity to provide early-warning intelligence,” and urged states to formally integrate traditional rulers into their security councils.
Welcoming the attendees, Governor Abiodun, chair of the forum, reaffirmed that the creation of state police is “non-negotiable,” as a key step in addressing rising insecurity across Nigeria, adding that a “policing model closer to local communities will enhance safety, improve intelligence gathering, and strengthen early-warning systems.”
Lately, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal “swore to Almighty Allah” on September 3, that he knew and, via his phone, could show the locations of bandit leaders in the state; and that “banditry would end in two months” if he’d the power of control over security agencies.
In a viral video, Lawal’s frustration boiled over, lamenting that, “Most of the time, I shed tears for my people because I can see a problem but cannot order security operatives to act in time. We have entrusted everything to God and surely, He will come to our rescue.”
Having “control over security agencies” means the possession of authority to direct and deploy a law enforcement, whose head doesn’t take or wait to take “orders from Abuja” whenever there’s fire of insecurity in the state, but from the governor, who’s constitutionally the Chief Security Officer of the state. And this is where state police comes in!
In the wake of Governor Lawal’s concerns, the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) asked the Federal Government to declare a “State of Security Emergency in Northern Nigeria,” while President Tinubu promised to refocus attention on the creation of state police.
In a communiqué signed by its spokesperson, Prof. Abubakar Jiddere on September 3, the NEF noted that security agencies “remain overstretched, under-resourced, and in some cases complicit through silence or inaction, leaving citizens vulnerable and eroding public trust in government,” recalling three separate attacks in Zamfara and Kaduna, which left about 80 dead, including 35 executed by the bandits despite ransom payments, and many injured and others abducted.
“These incidents are not isolated cases but part of a persistent pattern of organised criminal violence and banditry that have claimed thousands of lives, displaced hundreds of thousands, crippled economic activities, undermined food security, and inflicted deep psychological and social trauma on communities,” the forum said.
Warning that “continued inaction or insufficient responses will not only exacerbate human suffering but also jeopardise national cohesion, democratic sustainability, and regional peace,” the NEF urged the government to deploy adequately-trained and equipped security forces with clear rules of engagement, to protect civilians, secure border regions, and provide compensation, rehabilitation, and humanitarian support to victims, including displaced persons.
On the same September 3 at the State House, Abuja, President Tinubu, during a meeting with members of the Northeast Governors Forum, led by Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, said his administration would work closely with the leadership of the National Assembly, “to remove political and bureaucratic bottlenecks” stalling the establishment of state police.
Saying the time had come for “a clear, collective path towards community-based policing that reflects the peculiar needs of different regions,” Tinubu declared: “I have been looking at the security situation more carefully. I have seen the Civilian JTF (a Joint Task Force of security agencies and local volunteer groups in the North-East) react to the security challenges, finding so many creative ways to protect neighbourhoods and communities around you, and that provoked my thinking about state police again.
“Politics apart, we can discuss with the National Assembly leadership to really look at a critical path to that again, see how we can eliminate or douse political alliances from state police that will be indigenous to the community and provide the additional safety buffer and effectiveness in the area. We have to look at it collectively together,” Tinubu said.
He noted that “political concerns around state police will always surface,” but they must not be allowed to derail urgent security reforms, adding that his government was committed to ensuring that the proposed structure “will be insulated from partisanship and designed purely to strengthen safety across communities.”
Time and again, the security situation in Nigeria has elevated creation of state police to national discourse. But the consensus around its establishment waned as quickly as it’s mooted, leaving security worse off than previously.
The call for state police initially received less enthusiasm from state governors, especially the 19 Northern governors, whose regional interest appears to override consideration for security, making it difficult to scale the requirements for its creation.
Recent upsurge in terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of criminality across Nigeria, particularly in the North Central, North-East, and North-West zones, has prompted a rethink by the 19 governors to endorse state police.
In May 2025, the governors “formally approved the proposal for state police, citing the need for more effective, locally-driven security management,” and urged the National Assembly “to expedite work on necessary legislation to enable its establishment.”
In the last count by mid 2025, about 34 of Nigeria’s 36 state governors had indicated interest to form state police. But when the chips were down on September 18 for a collective action, the National Economic Council (NEC), empowered to process and facilitate the policy for transmission to the Executive Council of the Federation (ECF), commonly referred to as Federal Executive Council (FEC), failed to act.
The NEC didn’t even list state police on the agenda for its 152nd meeting in Abuja under the headship of Vice President Kashim Shettima, with a report by The Nation on September 19 headlined, “Again, NEC dithers on state police deliberation, adoption,” stating that, “it was reported that the matter was stepped down at a previous session.”
Besides sectional interest, why the dithering on state police? FEAR, media talkingheads parrot regularly! Fear that dubious-minded individuals: governors, politicians, and persons of power and influence will misuse the system to settle scores.
For crying out loud, isn’t misuse of a centralised police force for selfish ends rampant in Nigeria? Aren’t we witnesses to the unnecessary allocation of thousands of police officers to VIPs, leaving huge gaps in adequate policing and coverage of vulnerable areas nationwide?
The issue is the number of police personnel available for law enforcement, as President Tinubu’s order for “immediate” withdrawal of 100,000 police officers from VIPs, to be redeployed for regular policing, has confirmed the misuse of federal police!
The moves against state police appear to go beyond the fear of its misuse. The governors’ no-show stems from accountability they don’t render for the huge monthly allocations for “security votes” that allegedly serve as conduits for official looting.
The creation of state police will make it difficult, if not impossible, for governors to continue to allocate hefty amounts for security votes, as these will be redirected to funding more expensive law enforcements, which are budgeted for and oversighted by the State Houses of Assembly.
As of November 2025, the Nigeria Police has about 371,800 officers, with over 200,000 serving the elite (VIPs), leaving 171,800 officers to police 236.7m Nigerians. With this abysmal number, the security situation in Nigeria has long past “a stich in time saves nine.”
The spike in insecurity, and return of abductions of schoolgirls across Northern Nigeria, should tutor the governors and others opposed to State Police to move away from catering to selfish interests, and support its creation and establishment now, not later! And President Tinubu should fix it as one of the security challenges he says “are surmountable!”
*Mr Ezomon, Journalist and Media Consultant, writes from Lagos, Nigeria. Can be reached on X, Threads, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp @EhichioyaEzomon. Tel: 08033078357_ .
The recent press release attributed to legislators and local government chairmen from Delta North, expressing opposition to the idea of locating an eventual Anioma State within the South-East geopolitical zone, presents a number of positions that merit calm, factual examination. In matters of state creation, a constitutional, multi-layered process, clarity is balm and analysis the lamp that steadies the public mind. As Shakespeare cautioned in Hamlet, “Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice”; therefore, what follows is an attentive listening to the claims made, and a measured examination of their implications.
1. The Release Affirms a Longstanding Aspiration – Yet Frames It Narrowly
The statement opens by acknowledging the deep historical roots of the Anioma statehood movement. This is accurate. The quest predates current political actors, and spans generations. However, the press release immediately narrows this aspiration to a single, rigid interpretation: Anioma must comprise only the nine LGAs of Delta North; Anioma must remain strictly within the South-South geopolitical classification. This approach raises a strategic contradiction: a historical aspiration is invoked, but the full spectrum of historical debates, including earlier arguments linking Anioma identity to the wider Igbo cultural sphere is not acknowledged. History is broad; the document selects its preferred chapter.
2. The Geopolitical Question: Identity vs. Administrative Alignment
The assertion that Anioma is “historically, geographically and administratively aligned with the South-South” overlooks the following complexities: Historically, identity debates around Anioma have involved linguistic, cultural, and ancestral ties, issues not confined to South-South boundaries. Geographically, Delta North borders the South-East and shares closer contiguity with it than with parts of the deep South-South. Administratively, placement in the South-South is a consequence of the 1963 and 1996 state boundary arrangements, not an immutable identity decision. A state creation discussion is inherently constitutional and national, not merely regional. Thus, declaring any geopolitical alignment “non-negotiable” may simplify what is, in reality, a multi-dimensional question. As the Bard wrote in Julius Caesar, “The fault… is not in our stars, but in ourselves, that we are underlings.” Decisions about identity must engage with complexity, not dismiss it.
3. The Release Overstates the Power of Local Legislators in State Creation
The Nigerian Constitution outlines a rigorous procedure for state creation. It is not the sole prerogative of State Houses of Assembly, Local Government Chairmen, or Senators of a particular district. It requires concurrence from broad national institutions, including two-thirds of all state assemblies, two-thirds of National Assembly members, support across all LGAs in the affected area, a national referendum, and presidential approval. The press release, therefore, may inadvertently exaggerate the influence of the signatories. State creation is a national process, not a district-bounded political preference. Their statement is one voice among many constitutionally required voices.
4. Silence on Key Legislative Realities
Notably, the press release does not address crucial national developments: The ongoing constitutional review process has discussed one additional state for the South-East, a long-standing national equity issue. More than ninety senators have publicly or privately expressed openness to addressing geopolitical imbalance. Several Delta legislators at the national level have signalled support for serious deliberation on state creation matters, regardless of boundaries. By omitting these realities, the statement creates the impression that Delta North alone can determine the geopolitical outcome, an implication not supported by constitutional procedure.
5. Internal Tensions in the Messaging
There is a rhetorical paradox in the document: It endorses Anioma State creation “in the strongest possible terms,” yet it simultaneously rejects one of the few constitutionally viable opportunities currently on the table. This dual posture, support coupled with rejection, is reminiscent of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, where the protagonist “wouldst not play false, and yet wouldst wrongly win.” The press release expresses desire for the end, but refusal of the available means. As an analysis, this does not assign motive; it merely identifies structural contradiction.
6. The Larger Question: Who Determines the Geopolitical Placement?
Geopolitical placement for a newly created state is not determined by sentiment, local preference alone, administrative history, or press statements. Instead, it arises from national negotiation, constitutional requirements, and the need to address long-standing geopolitical imbalance. A state, once created, is situated by federal law. The press release implies that local opposition determines national outcome; constitutionally, this is not the case.
7. Strategic Considerations the Release Does Not Engage
A comprehensive analysis must note that the statement does not address whether the South-South region is currently being considered for new states, whether the creation of a new state in South-East affects national balance more effectively, whether administrative convenience outweighs national equity concerns, or the political consequences of rejecting a viable opportunity rather than engaging with it. These omissions reduce the strategic depth of the release.
No Cause for Alarm. The Conversation is Larger Than One Document
The press release reflects a political viewpoint, not a constitutional finality. It represents a position, not the position. State creation is a long, multi-tiered, multi-institutional journey in which the National Assembly, State Assemblies, Local Governments, referendum outcomes, and federal policy priorities all play decisive roles. In Shakespeare’s Coriolanus, we are reminded that “what is the city but the people?” Likewise, what becomes of a statehood aspiration is ultimately shaped by the collective will expressed through constitutional pathways, not the fears, preferences, or interpretations of any single group.
Thus, analytically speaking: There is no cause for alarm. The process is unfolding within a national conversation far broader than one press release.
….Ex-gov Okowa extolling Justice Okogwu as a fearless and just Judge
Digging into the archives , this Reporter recalled the story he filed to Lagos when the little daughter of the Asaba-born slain Judge, Justice Ifeoma Okogwu (retired) was kidnapped some years ago as VANGUARD’s State Correspondent in Asaba then.
It was published on January 25, 2012.
*By Austin Ogwuda
Asaba — A kidnap suspect, who claimed to be a law student at the University of Benin, Christopher Oyana, has been arraigned along with one other before a Delta State High Court sitting in Asaba, on a five–count charge of kidnapping the seven-year-old daughter of a female High Court judge in the state.
Delta State Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. Mamuzo Erebe, leading the team of state counsel, told the court that the said “Christopher Oyana and Felix Ekpo, on or about March 8, 2009, in Asaba, within Asaba judicial division, with intent to deprive Ifeoma Okogwu, female, the mother of the child of seven years, forcibly took her away and detained her.”
Prosecution further told the court that the accused persons “demanded the sum of N2 million cash from Ifeoma Okogwu, with threats of killing her child, if the said demand was not complied with”.
She was an excellent Judge, ex Governor Okowa attests
On 21st March 2017, former Delta State governor, Ifeanyi Okowa Okowa while receiving retiring Justice Ifeoma Okogwu on a farewell visit to him at Government House, Asaba commended her for her meritorious service to the State.
Okowa while appreciating the Judiciary in the State commended them for their boldness, support and understanding as he assured them (Judiciary) of the cooperation of the Executive arm in providing conducive working environment for them.
*Delta State Police Command’s update on the alleged assassination of the Judge.
Delta State Police Command on its part on Sunday gave an update and how they have spread the dragnet to catch the runaway security guard who was supposed to be on duty that very night she was murderer in cold blood.
The press release from the Command’s Public Relations Unit which directly fingered the said security guard, is hereby reproduced verbatim.
*Delta CP Olufemi Abaniwonda
PRESS RELEASE
MURDER OF JUSTICE IFEOMA OKOGWU (RTD)
COMMISSIONER OF POLICE CONDOLES WITH THE FAMILY OF THE DECEASED AND ASSURES THEM OF JUSTICE
On the 24th of November 2025, the DPO ‘A’ Division Asaba received a complaint from the brother of Justice Ifeoma Okogwu (Rtd) that he visited her residence only to discover her lifeless body in the sitting room with her hands, legs and mouth tied. Upon receipt of the complaint, the DPO swiftly led men to her residence, where the corpse was evacuated and taken to the mortuary for autopsy. One suspect, Lucky Matthew, has been arrested, while the principal suspect, Godwin Vanem, is presently at large.
On the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Delta State CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (Homicide section) for discreet investigation. Preliminary investigation revealed that the said Godwin Vanem is suspected of having committed the dastardly act and fled the apartment. The command has launched a manhunt for the fleeing suspect.
The Commissioner of Police, Delta State, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, on behalf of the command, condoles with the family of the deceased and assures them of justice.
Anyone with any useful information that can help in the investigation can reach the command through any of the following emergency numbers.
ABUJA — Chief Emmanuel Afam Eboh, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Policy Adviser to Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North Senatorial District at the National Assembly, has dismissed as “fake news” the rumour that Asaba would be replaced as capital of the proposed Anioma State.
Reacting swiftly to online speculations, Chief Eboh said in a statement issued in Abuja that the Anioma State Creation Bill sponsored by Senator Nwoko explicitly designates Asaba as the capital, noting that no discussion or proposal had ever suggested otherwise.
Chief Eboh described the rumour peddlers as “grossly ignorant”, stressing that the legislative process is guided by strict rules that do not permit arbitrary changes once a bill has been laid before the National Assembly.
He declared that “the legislation stands sacrosanct and irreversible” and said “those behind the fake news clearly do not understand the rigour of the lawmaking process.”
The APC leader condemned the rumour as “the most sinister and mischievous propaganda ever concocted in the renewed quest for Anioma State creation,” and accused “ mischievous political mercenaries” of attempting to undermine the collective aspirations of Anioma people.
Eboh warned that individuals circulating the rumour “will soon be exposed.”
He reaffirmed Senator Nwoko’s longstanding support for Asaba, both as the current capital of Delta State and as the “irrefutable headquarters” of the proposed Anioma State.
“Senator Nwoko, a deeply committed Anioma son, has never wavered in his passion for Asaba and love for the people.The quest for Anioma State is not a personal ambition but a noble continuation of a 70-year agitation championed by our forebears.” he said.
Eboh urged residents of Asaba, Delta North, and the general public to disregard the rumour, noting that Senator Nwoko maintains a respectful and cordial relationship with the Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty, Obi Professor Epiphany Azinge, whom he holds in high regard.
He listed recent interventions by Senator Nwoko aimed at strengthening Asaba’s development profile, including his call for the upgrade of the Federal College of Education (Technical), Asaba, into a full-fledged university, and efforts toward rehabilitating the Asaba–Onitsha road among others.
According to him, these initiatives reflect the senator’s commitment to “consolidating Asaba’s growth as Delta’s capital today and Anioma’s headquarters in the future.”
Eboh appealed to the people of Delta North to continue supporting Senator Nwoko as the creation of Anioma State would benefit all.
“Senator Ned Nwoko remains resolute and focused in his push for the creation of Anioma state with Asaba as the capital” Eboh concluded.
TWO Palm wine tappers were allegedly kidnapped at Emuhu community near Agbor, in Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State, South South, Nigeria few days ago.
According to report, one of the tappers was found at Urhonigbe forest in nearby Edo State by the search party made up of security men and local vigilante groups.
He was discovered in a dying state.
The surviving Tapper however managed to narrate how the kidnappers killed his colleague after the deceased family offered the sum of N10,000 (ten thousand naira only) as total sum they could gather as ransom.
Infuriated by the paltry payment of N10,000, they (kidnappers) immediately snuffed life out of the said tapper describing the amount as an “insult” before shooting him dead.
It was not immediately clear how much they actually actually demanded as ransom.
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has called on investors particularly Deltans at home and in the diaspora to take advantage of the state’s steadily improving socio-economic climate to invest in the State.
The Governor who made the call on Friday in Ubeji, Warri South Local Government Area, while inaugurating a multi-million-naira hospitality and tourism investment, the Swiss International Rancho Valerie Hotel, said; “the time to invest in Delta State is now.”
“Warri is rising again, Delta State is progressing steadily. The shadows of yesterday have given way to the bright possibilities of today and the greater promises of tomorrow,” the Governor declared.
Saying the hotel is a bold testament to the rising economic profile of Warri, Oborevwori ordered the immediate rehabilitation of failed portion of the Ubeji/Egbokodo/Refinery Road.
He said the new hospitality facility reflects the renewed confidence investors now have in Delta State, adding that Warri is reclaiming its place as Delta’s commercial and tourism hub.
According to him, the establishment of the hotel will not only provide premium accommodation, but also stimulate local enterprise, create jobs, enhance community peace, and contribute meaningfully to the socio-economic growth of the state.
He said: “This hotel is not just another project; it is a clear statement that Delta State is open for business. It affirms that our state is safe, investor-friendly, and capable of hosting world-class hospitality and tourism ventures”.
Governor Oborevwori praised the hotel’s owner, Mr. Mode Akoma, describing the project as an inspiring story of vision, resilience, and determination.
He commended Akoma’s choice to invest in his home community rather than elsewhere, calling it a demonstration of deep commitment to Delta’s development.
“If you had invited me to commission a hotel you built outside Delta State, I would not have attended. But I am proud that you chose to develop your community. This project brings jobs, brings peace, and brings progress,” he added.
The Governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to infrastructure renewal, enhanced security, and investor-friendly policies under the MORE Agenda.
While congratulating the owners and management of Swiss International Rancho Valerie, he emphasized that the success of such projects underscores the limitless investment opportunities available in Delta State.
Earlier in his welcome address, General Manager of the hotel, Mr. Todowede Opeyemi, said the facility would provide exceptional hospitality services that meet international standard.
He added that the management is committed to contributing to the state’s development by helping unlock Delta’s rich tourism potential.
“Every guest who visits us deserves more than just a stay; they deserve an unforgettable experience, one that reflects our culture, our hospitality, and our warmth as a people,” Opeyemi said.
Senator Prince Ned Nwoko stands today as one of the most influential and forward-thinking voices in the Nigerian Senate, and his representation of Delta North has revealed a rare blend of intelligence, courage, and integrity. As the district approaches another electoral cycle, the argument for his return to the Senate is not only persuasive, it is strategically necessary.
In a political environment where seniority, experience, and national presence determine a senator’s capacity to attract projects and influence policy, Delta North cannot afford to begin again at the bottom of the legislative ladder. A second term for Ned Nwoko elevates the district into the ranks of senior lawmakers, giving it a stronger voice and greater access to the levers of national development.
Ned Nwoko has distinguished himself as a senator of class and depth. His background in international law and global diplomacy gives him an uncommon perspective, allowing him to navigate national issues with clarity and sophistication. He is not a man of theatrics or empty showmanship; he is a thinker, a strategist, and a leader who understands that progress is built through deliberate actions rather than noisy political performance. This quiet intellectual strength has shaped his approach to leadership and has set him apart from many of his contemporaries.
He has also earned a reputation for boldness. At a time when many elected officials prefer to avoid sensitive conversations or difficult national debates, Senator Nwoko has consistently spoken with courage on issues that matter, economic reforms, transparency in governance, security challenges, youth development, and institutional restructuring. His voice carries weight not because it is loud, but because it is informed, principled, and fearless. He has shown again and again that he is not in politics to protect his comfort; he is there to speak truth, defend the needs of his people, and push for reforms that many shy away from.
One of the most compelling reasons Delta North must support his second term is his unblemished integrity. Ned Nwoko is one of the few public figures in the country whose name is not entangled in corruption scandals. His wealth predates politics. His financial independence frees him from the pressures, compromises, and moral concessions that often distort the judgment of elected officials. For a constituency that values dignity and credibility, having a senator whose reputation cannot be weaponized against the district is an invaluable advantage.
What many do not know about Ned Nwoko is that his service extends far beyond the Senate chambers. Quietly and without publicity, he has funded medical treatments for the sick, assisted widows, provided relief to families in crisis, supported students, and empowered young people with the tools they need to build a better future. These humanitarian acts are not political performance; they reflect a lifetime commitment to service and compassion. His philanthropic work existed long before his political life and continues without cameras or microphones, proving that his humanity is genuine and not a function of ambition.
His legislative contributions underscore his commitment to national growth. Senator Nwoko has been involved in motions and bills that strengthen institutions, improve economic prospects, and secure the future of young Nigerians. He is a long-term thinker, advocating improvements that will outlast political cycles and create lasting impact. In addition to his work at the national level, he has attracted federal attention to local needs, roads, electrification, community development interventions, and youth empowerment initiatives across Delta North.
His leadership style, calm, focused, and deeply connected to the people, has earned him the respect of constituents across social and political divides. Ned Nwoko listens. He engages. He understands. His approach is not impulsive or performative; it is grounded in empathy and guided by vision. In him, Delta North has found not just a senator but a steady hand, a refined mind, and a leader whose loyalty to the people is evident in both words and actions.
To remove him at this stage would mean losing the momentum, influence, and national positioning the district has gained under his tenure. A new senator would begin from zero, without seniority or established networks, delaying ongoing interventions and weakening Delta North’s voice in the Senate. Continuity is not a political luxury, it is a developmental necessity.
Senator Ned Nwoko has shown what leadership looks like when intelligence meets courage, when integrity guides power, and when compassion shapes service. He is bold, untainted, effective, and dignified. For Delta North, his second term is not merely an option; it is the path to sustained progress, greater influence, and a future built on credibility and vision.
In every measure that matters, character, competence, courage, and consistency, Ned Nwoko stands prepared to lead again. The question before the people is simple: why start over when the best choice is already delivering? Senator Ned Nwoko has earned a return, not through noise, but through quiet, undeniable impact.
… Security guard disappears the very night of the murder
By Austin Ogwuda
AN Asaba-born female Judge, Justice Ifeoma Okogwu (retired) has been gruesomely murdered.
According to report, the Judge was killed in a suspicious manner on Sunday night at her residence located behind The Pointer Newspapers in Asaba, Delta State capital.
The victim’s brother, Ogbueshi Godfrey Okogwu who confirmed the sad incident told The Pointer that “My eldest sister was murdered in her house on Sunday night.
“We only received the news on Monday morning, so we presume the incident happened during the night. A major red flag in the investigation is the disappearance of the night security guard stationed at the Judge’s home. The guard on the morning shift claimed he met the gate wide open when he arrived.
“He said he simply sat there. Sat there doing what? I do not know. I do not understand this situation at all. The family has already provided Police with the name, details and logo of the private security company responsible for deploying the guards.
“Police have detained the morning guard and summoned the owner of the security outfit to report to the station. It remains unclear whether the proprietor has complied”, Ogbueshi Godfrey Okogwu stated.
Describing the disturbing state in which the judge was found, Okogwu noted that her legs, hands and face were tightly bound and her entire house had been thoroughly ransacked.
“Only God knows what truly happened. We will not know anything concrete until the Police complete their investigations”, he further said
A whatsApp message sent to the Delta State Police Command’s Spokesman Bright Edafe a Superintendent of Police for confirmation was not responded to at the time of the report.
Contrary to apprehension over the new tax policy coming into effect by January next year, a University Don, Dr. Ochuko Emudainohwo has clarified that the new policy is not going to suffocate the poor masses but to be leveraged upon.
Dr. Emudainohwo made the clarification as a Guest Speaker at the Delta Online Publishers Forum (DOPF) 2025 Lecture Series in Asaba on Thursday with the theme: ‘Nigeria’s New Tax Law: Implications and Opportunities for Businesses and Society’.
Emudainohwo, an Associate Professor of Accounting at Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba urged business owners policymakers and the entire citizens to embrace the reform and contribute to a more accountable and sustainable fiscal environment.
He described Nigeria’s 2025 tax law as a strategic framework designed to promote inclusive economic growth and diversify the nation’s revenue base.
He listed some objectives of the 2025 Tax Law, stressing that the law which is structured to strengthen the economy, simplify taxation and enhance fiscal accountability comes with 7 principal benefits, namely:
*Reduced dependence on oil revenue: Encouraging a diversified national economy.
*Streamlined tax administration: Income taxes and company taxes are consolidated into a single framework, reducing bureaucratic complexity.
*Support for SMEs: Companies with an annual turnover below N50 million are exempt from capital-based and corporate income taxes.
*Promotion of entrepreneurship: Reduced tax burdens encourage innovation and business growth.
*Enhanced transparency: Digital tax platforms improve accountability and limit revenue leakages.
*Improved compliance efficiency: Businesses and individuals benefit from simplified filing procedures.
*Strengthened economic resilience: A more robust fiscal framework better withstands external shocks.
On a final noted, he stated that “The law is designed to be pro-people, supporting businesses while boosting government revenue”.
Earlier on Wednesday, the previous day, the Chairman of Delta Online Publishers Forum (DOPF), Mr. Emmanuel Enebeli charged members of the forum to uphold the ideals of the organisation and maintain the highest standards of digital journalism.
Enebeli gave the charge during the 2025 annual retreat of the Delta Online Publishers Forum (DOPF) in Asaba whereby new members were inducted into the fold.
Enebeli cautioned that membership should not be taken as a symbolic gesture but as an invitation to active participation and professional excellence in the State’s digital media space.
Said he, “Do not go home and sleep after joining this Forum because the membership of any website that remains inactive will be reviewed for necessary action.
“Do not use your platforms to attack people. Do not publish unverified reports. This is very important. We must work together to promote and grow DOPF”, he admonished.
EXCEPT governments at all levels take the issue of electricity supply to the citizenry seriously no meaningful development would likely take place.
The Chapel Chairman, Comrade Ifeanyi Olannye stated this in his welcome address at the Second anniversary of the Chapel Executive and the Chapel’s Press Week held at Hotel Beniza, Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria.
He however lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for mustering political courage through his Renewed Hope Agenda to assent to Power Sector Amendment Bill as passed by the National Assembly.
In the same vein, he commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s courage for his M-O-R-E Agenda to light up Delta State by assenting to the Electricity Bill as passed by the State House of Assembly.
According to him, “Our push as Journalists is deliberate to enable government sustain the fight against darkness through effective partnership with the private sector to end the age-long power failure in the state and country at large”.
He noted that that was why the theme of a lecture, ‘Understanding M.O.R.E Agenda of Governor Oborevwori’s Administration: Meaningful Development in the Power Sector as Panacea for Economic Recovery and Development in Delta State and Nigeria’ was carefully chosen.
Governor Oborevwori, represented by the State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, extolled journalists and described the press as dependable partners in the dissemination of government policies and programmes.
He noted that theme of the event was apt, adding that electricity remained critical to the economic development of any nation.
His words, “Let me thank the leadership of the Chapel for deeming it fit to take a look in the cause of this your gathering, a very important issue which affects all of us -Electricity.
“The power sector is very critical to most of the things we do as a government and as a society. So, being able to bring experts in that field to talk to us helps us to know how we can indeed engage different stakeholders in the energy ecosystem”.
He commended the Chapel leadership for the event and while pledging continued government support to the media, he urged them to remain objective in their reportage.
The Obuzor of Ibusa, His Royal Majesty Professor Louis Nwaoboshi, has reaffirmed that the Anioma people of Delta State are historically rooted in Igboland. He noted that the push for correct regional alignment dates back to 1939, when colonial authorities first established Nigeria’s regional boundaries.
Speaking in Ibusa, the monarch said Anioma communities were mistakenly placed under the Western Region, despite being Igbo-speaking and culturally aligned with the Eastern Region. He attributed the misplacement to inaccurate geographical markers used by the British during boundary demarcation.
According to him, the true boundary between the Eastern and Western Regions should have been located beyond Abudu, in present-day Edo State.
“The boundary between North and West is not the River Niger, just as the boundary between North and East is not the River Benue. Therefore, the East–West boundary should have been after Abudu. We were placed where we should not be,” he stated.
He maintained that communities such as Ibusa, Aboh, Ogwashi-Uku, Ubulu-Uku and others in Delta North have always belonged to Igboland linguistically, culturally and historically.
“We have been shortchanged since 1939. Our fathers began this agitation long before now. I am not a pioneer. The people of Aboh, Ibusa, and Ubulu-Uku were already advocating for proper placement before the regions were consolidated,” he said.
Professor Nwaoboshi explained that he established a cultural organisation in 1980 to continue the longstanding agitation and safeguard Anioma identity.
The monarch also highlighted the contributions of Anioma leaders through the years, referencing a notable son of the region.
“Fortunately, Senator Ned Nwoko is our son. He was here when we encouraged him to continue the struggle. It is in his blood because his father was among those who agitated in 1939. These families have been at the forefront from the beginning,” he said.
He revealed that the name “Anioma” was conceived to unify Igbo-speaking communities in Delta North after Igbo groups in places like Imo and Anambra had already strengthened their identities.
The monarch added that historical evidence supports the claim that the agitation predates Nigeria’s independence, citing a 1981 newspaper report that traced the movement to 1938 and identified traditional rulers from Aboh, Ibusa, Isele-Uku and Agbor as early advocates.
Professor Nwaoboshi blamed political reclassification for the identity confusion faced by some Anioma people, pointing to successive shifts from the Western Region in 1939 to the Mid-Western Region in 1963 and later to Delta State in 1991.
He dismissed contemporary geopolitical labels such as “South-South” as artificial constructs that do not reflect authentic historical boundaries.
In his closing remarks, the monarch urged unity and reaffirmation of shared heritage.
“It is time they understand that we are one. Awaken and embrace your brothers,” he said.
…. threatens to sue and as well report the CP and PPRO to Police Service Commission for misconduct
…gives 14 days ultimatum to the Police command to retract the story linking him with the killing
… says this is not the first time the CP has been targeting him
BARELY 48 hours after the Delta State Police Command’s Spokesman, Bright Edafe released a press statement accusing the Owelle of Onicha-Olona, Chief Jerry Nkeweshe of allegedly invading a disputed parcel of land with armed thugs resulting to the death of three youths in Asaba, the Chief has reacted from an unknown destination through his lawyer.
Recall that Bright declared that the command had mounted a manhunt in search of Chief Jerry Nkeweshe in connection with the bloodbath.
However in another twist, Chief Jerry Nkeweshe spoke through his lawyer at a press briefing in Asaba on Wednesday and opened up a can of worms.
The briefing:
“My name is Kerechi Nnadi, a Lawyer and Head of S. Kerechi Nnadi and Co. This briefing is in response to the publication by the Police Public Relations Officer accusing my client, Chief Jerry Nkeweshe, of allegedly murdering about three youths at Okwe over a piece of land
“Unfortunately, my client was not near Asaba or Okwe or anywhere around this area throughout Monday.
“He was at Umunede attending to his health and was there in the company of certain persons whose names I am not permitted to mention.
“How come he led armed men to recover a piece of land in Okwe when he is not the owner of the said land?”.
Continuing, the lawyer said that “It was Olufemi Abaniwonda, the Commissioner of Police, who authorized some policemen to go to Okwe to execute the recovery of land.
“He had meetings with the people before he deployed the police yesterday, in his office on the 19th of November. Let him deny it.
“So does it mean he asked them to dress in military camouflage to go and kill people? So the Commissioner of Police is complicit in the death of the youths that died at Okwe. Let him deny it. We have intelligence reports.
“The last time, he (CP) connived with the Chairman of Aniocha North, Hon. Emmanuel Chinye Bazim, to cook up a fake and fictitious allegation of cyber-terrorism against my client. The matter only subsided after pressure was mounted on the Inspector General of Police, who directed the AIG to investigate.
“The truth came to light that there was no such publication by my client, not in any place, in any format, in any blogosphere.
“The current development represented another attempt to damage my client’s reputation.
“This is not the second time the Commissioner of Police is attempting and doing this in the territory of the totalitarian image of my client. I will not allow this to slide.
“We are going to take action against the Commissioner of Police for defamation and for framing him up in a manner which he is criminally responsible and complicit.
“We are also going to write to him to retract this publication within 14 days, failure of which we are going to sue him and sue Bright Edafe apart from taking other actions before the Police Service Commission.
“Is that how to police a State? You go to press and put a man’s life in harm’s way. The family of those who died may target this man and kill him, accusing him when he never did any such thing”, the lawyer stated.
Continuing, he said, “We are asking the press to please balance their report and do investigation on their own. Who owns the land? Their names are not hidden from the Commissioner of Police. He met with both sides on the 19th in his office. So if somebody died there, he should know who to arrest.
“There is no connection whatever with the land. We are in Court over that issue. Let the Commissioner of Police provide the killers”, the lawyer stated.
Contacted, the PPRO, Bright Edafe challenged Chief Jerry Nkeweshe to come out of hiding, report to the Police station and prove his innocence if he felt he was wrongly accused.
Residents of Ebeye, Ogumu and Ngbeken Streets in Agbor, Delta State, South South, Nigeria have called for the urgent intervention of the Delta State government to save them possible mishap as a result of an ongoing construction of a Gas Plant within the area.
According to Ika Mirror, “The angry residents said that they need urgent intervention from relevant government authorities as the gas plant poses a great danger to the lives and properties of people living in the area when completed.
“The residents completely condemned the location of the gas plant in an area that is purely residential.
“They said that they have met severally with the man behind the project, unfortunately, he refused to stop the project,warning them to stop their agitation as they have no right to challenge him on where to build his project.
“The gas plant which is located at Ebeye Street by Ogumu Street junction shares the same compound with tenants who cook daily with firewoods. They appealed to both the Delta State and Ika South Local Governments to quickly wade into the issue”, stated the report.
Recall that there had been series of gas explosions in Agbor in the past.
There was a particular incident that claimed over 23 lives leading to the placement of embargo against indiscriminate location of gas plants within the community.
THREE youths have allegedly lost their lives following a bloody confrontation over land ownership in Asaba, Delta State capital.
Ironically, the bloodbath took place under the nose of Policemen at Police ‘B’ Division located on Asaba -Benin highway.
Delta State Police Spokesman, Bright Edafe, a Superintendent of Police SP gave a vivid account of the incident in a press release on Tuesday obtained by The Townhall.
It reads:
“The Delta State Police Command has activated a full-scale manhunt for Chief Jerry Nkeeshe, the Owelle of Onicha-Olona, and all members of the armed group responsible for the deadly attack that claimed the lives of three innocent youths on 24th November 2025 near ‘B’ Division, Asaba.
“Preliminary investigations reveal that the said chief allegedly led a group of vigilantes and suspected cult members, some brazenly disguised in Army camouflage, to a parcel of land at Okwe community along the Asaba–Onitsha Road in a deliberate attempt to lay claim to the property. The group proceeded to enforce an unauthorised quit notice, without a court order.
Their illegal operation encountered resistance, resulting in a violent confrontation. The armed group allegedly opened fire indiscriminately, causing severe gunshot injuries to three youths, who were later confirmed dead while receiving treatment at the hospital.
“In response to the criminal attack, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, immediately ordered the deployment of tactical teams, intelligence operatives, and specialised investigators to track, identify, and arrest all individuals involved. The CP condemned the act as an unprovoked, reckless, and brazen display of lawlessness that will not be tolerated under any guise.
“He calls on residents of Onicha-Olona, Asaba, and neighbouring communities to support the ongoing manhunt. He emphasises that the Command will not relent until every perpetrator of the violence, irrespective of title, influence, or backing, is apprehended and made to face the full weight of the law.
“The CP further reassures the public that normalcy has been restored in the area. He adds that sustained surveillance, intelligence-led patrols, and coordinated search operations are in progress to prevent any further breakdown of law and order.
“The Delta State Police Command remains steadfast in protecting the lives and property of all residents. Members of the public are encouraged to report any sightings, suspicious movements, or credible information about the suspects through the Command’s dedicated emergency lines: 08036684974.
SP. BRIGHT EDAFE, ANIPR, FCIA, FIPMDPOLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,DELTA STATE COMMAND, ASABA”.
The Oromoni Family, today, remembers two beautiful souls who shaped the family’s heart. One year has passed since saying goodbye to an angel in human form Mother of the family, and four years have gone by since they lost a cherished Son. Their love still lights the days, and though grief lingers, the family finds comfort in the cherished memories they hold dear.
Though the family, is plunged into deep reflection as they mark a solemn double remembrance — the fourth anniversary of the tragic death of their son, Sylvester Oromoni Jnr, and the first anniversary of the passing of his mother, Mrs. Rosemary Oghenevwaire Sylvester Oromoni, according to family sources, the remembrance dates fall only days apart. While Sylvester Jnr, a student of Dowen College, Lekki Lagos, died on 30 November 2021 in circumstances that generated national outrage and widespread calls for justice, his mother, Mrs. Rosemary Oromoni, passed away a year ago and is being remembered today as always.
Described as a “two-in-one remembrance,” the family noted that the emotional weight of losing both mother and child within a short span remains an unbearable burden.
The late Sylvester Jnr’s death, which attracted nationwide condemnation and renewed debates about bullying and child safety in schools, continues to resonate across Nigeria. For the family, friends, and supporters, who have remained steadfast in their demand for justice, the anniversary rekindles painful memories.
Meanwhile, the remembrance of Mrs. Rosemary Oromoni evokes yet another dimension of grief, as she was widely believed to have died from emotional complications arising from her son’s tragic passing.
Family members say the double remembrance will be a quiet reflection moment, honouring both mother and child whose memories remain deeply etched in the hearts of loved ones.
As the two solemn dates are marked, sympathisers across the country are expected to join the Oromoni family in prayers, solidarity, and renewed calls for justice for Sylvester Jnr, whose death remains one of the most emotionally charged cases in Nigeria’s recent history.
May their spirits guide us, and may we find peace in the love that never fades.
Amid swirling speculation over the status of Asaba as the capital of the proposed Anioma State, official documents have now put the controversy to rest.
Persistent rumours across social media had suggested that plans were underway to relocate the capital to another city within Anioma once the state is created. But a review of the Anioma State Creation Bill has confirmed that such claims are entirely unfounded.
In an effort to verify the rumours, our correspondent contacted Senator Ned Nwoko, who is championing the Anioma State creation effort in the National Assembly. The senator’s office promptly forwarded the official bill, offering direct insight into the provisions guiding the proposed state structure.
According to the bill, Asaba is unequivocally designated as the capital of the proposed Anioma State. The document makes this declaration “boldly and without ambiguity,” effectively dispelling speculation that a relocation was being considered.
The document also clarifies the composition of the proposed Anioma State. It comprises only the nine local government areas of Delta North Senatorial District, countering misinformation that territories from neighbouring Anambra State might be merged into the new entity. The bill does not include, reference, or propose the annexation of any part of Anambra State, contrary to claims circulating online.
In addition to clarifying geographical and administrative boundaries, the bill offers historical grounding for the renewed agitation. It states that the demand for an Anioma homeland dates back to 1954, when the people of the region submitted a formal request to the colonial administration in London.
Although that early effort fell short of achieving its goal, the bill asserts that it “laid the foundation that remains solid today,” emphasizing the longevity and legitimacy of the quest for statehood.
The document further argues that Anioma is economically viable, highlighting its significant deposits of oil and gas as key assets that can sustain the proposed state. It underscores that the creation of Anioma State would not impose undue economic burden, reinforcing confidence in the region’s capacity for self-governance.
As debates around state creation continue to gain traction nationally, the Anioma proposal remains the most prominent. With the bill now providing clear positions on its capital, boundaries, and historical justification, proponents hope the clarification will shift public focus back to the merits of the long-standing demand.
For now, lawmakers and constituents alike can rely on one certainty: if Anioma State is created, Asaba will be its capital, just as it has been envisioned for decades.
…as Police blame it on misinformation emanating from the students
Kwale town was thrown into confusion on Monday morning following the alleged invasion of Girls’ Secondary School in the town.
As a result of the rumour coupled with the recent abduction incidents across the country, students ran helter skelter as parents rushed to the school in search of their children.
The news which spread like wild fire temporarily shut down activities in the town as residents became jittery.
In a sharp reaction to the purported school invasion, the Spokesman of the Delta State Police command, Bright Edafe, a Superintendent of Police (SP) clarified what triggered the panic.
This was contained in a press release which reads, “The Delta State Police Command wishes to inform the public that the rumour alleging an invasion of Girls’ Secondary School, Utagba-Ogbe, Kwale, on 24th November 2025 at about 0930hrs is entirely false and misleading.
“The panic originated from misinformation circulated among students and was further amplified by unverified online reports suggesting community anxiety and alleged gunshots.
“Upon receiving the report, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, immediately ordered a coordinated response and deployed the DCO Kwale Division, SP Udofia Kufre, to lead a patrol team for immediate on-the-ground verification and security assessment.
“The Vice Principal of the school and the security man on duty were interviewed, and both confirmed that no attack occurred and that the panic emanated solely from misinformation among students.
“As a precautionary measure, adjoining schools within the Kwale axis were visited and all were found to be calm, safe, and in a normal academic session.
“Parents who rushed to pick up their children are advised to remain calm, as the earlier rumour has been decisively addressed and normalcy has been fully restored”.
“CP Olufemi Abaniwond”, it further stated “warns strongly against the spread of unverified rumours capable of causing fear or disrupting academic activities.
“The CP reiterated the Command’s unwavering resolve to respond swiftly to any credible threat while ensuring the safety of all educational institutions across the state.
“He further urges school authorities to strengthen internal communication, promptly report suspicious observations to the nearest police formation, and maintain close collaboration with local security outfits to enhance monitoring around school environments”.
In the same vein, the Chairman of Ndokwa West Local Government Council, Goddey Obi Nzete also cautioned against spreading unverified information, noting that such rumours were capable of causing unnecessary fear and disruption of public peace.
The Council Chairman who paid on-the-spot assessment immediately the rumour went viral called on parents and the general public to remain calm, assuring that security agents were fully alert to safeguard lives and property.
Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal complained in a viral video on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, that he knew the locations of the bandits terrorising his state, but that the power to direct security agencies to eliminate them resides elsewhere, and not in him as the Chief Security Officer of the state.
“I swear to Almighty Allah, wherever a bandit leader is located in Zamfara State, I know it. With my phone, I can show you their locations today. But we cannot act because we don’t have the power. If I had control over the security agencies, I assure you banditry would end in two months,” the governor said.
Recalling an incident where security forces ignored alerts of bandit attacks, including one in Shinkafi local government, “because they lacked clearance from Abuja” (Nigeria’s capital city, and the seat of government), Lawal, virtually resigning to faith, said: “Most of the time, I shed tears for my people because I can see a problem but cannot order security operatives to act in time. We have entrusted everything to God and surely, He will come to our rescue.”
Lawal’s frustration with the security in Zamfara, and the entire Northern states, indicates a troubling situation notwithstanding reports of security agencies’ “substantial degrading” of terrorism, banditry and other criminal activities across the country.
The decades-long insecurity in Nigeria attracted a renewed global attention lately, as United States President Donald Trump pressured President Bola Tinubu’s administration to tackle reported “Christian genocide” in Nigeria or he’d deploy American assets to bomb identified enclaves of terrorists he claimed have “killed thousands of Christians in Nigeria.”
As if to confirm, and bluff Trump’s claim, insurgent activities have heightened in Northern Nigeria, with terrorists attacking military formations, and ambushing troops in the North-East, killing scores, and executing captured soldiers, including a Brig.-General, live-streamed on social media.
On Sunday, November 23, five police officers lost their lives and two others sustained injuries, as suspected bandits ambushed a tactical team in Sabon Sara village, Darazo local government of Bauchi State, on a visibility patrol aimed at preventing and managing farmer–herder conflicts.
On Friday, November 21, bandits stormed St Mary’s primary and secondary school in Papiri ward of Agwara local government of Niger State, and took away 303 pupils (girls and boys) and 12 (4 females, males) teachers – bringing to memory the high-profile abductions of 276 students of Government Secondary School, Chibok, in Borno State on April 14, 2014; and 110 students of the Government Girls Science and Technical College (GGSTC), Dapchi, Yobe State, on February 19, 2018.
(While over 80 of the Chibok schoolgirls remain in captivity as of the 10th anniversary of the abduction on April 14, 2024; a Christian captive among the Dapchi schoolgirls, Leah Shariba, was denied freedom on March 21, 2018, when her abductors released 106 of the girls, for refusing to covert to Islam, and remains the poster abductee till this day)
On Monday, November 17, bandits invaded the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School for Danko/Wasagu local government of Kebbi State, killed the school’s Vice Principal and a military personnel, and abducted 25 students.
The next day, bandits killed three worshippers, and abducted 38 others inside a church at Eruku in the Ekiti local government of Kwara State. And the following day, a jihadi group abducted Revd Father Pascal Bobbi from his parish in Kaduna State, and slaughtered him in cold blood.
That these attacks and abductions – which feed into the narrative of “Christian genocide” in Nigeria – have resurged in educational institutions exposes the government Safe School Initiative (SSI) programme, designed to protect especially boarding schools in remote areas, as inefficient and ineffective to deter attackers, who look to operate in cahoots with public officials, politicians, religious and traditional leaders, security operatives, and local criminals.
Like in the Chibok abduction when the school authorities reportedly ignored the Borno State government order to close down, and relocate the students to the state capital, Maiduguri, to write their WASC examinations; the authorities of St Mary’s school allegedly shunned the Niger government’s directive closing down boarding schools in the area.
The Secretary to the Niger State Government, Alhaji Abubakar Usman, noted this in a statement, thus: “This unfortunate incident comes despite prior intelligence report obtained by the government indicating an increased threat level in parts of Niger North senatorial district.
“In response to these credible security alerts, the State Government had earlier issued a clear directive suspending all construction activities and ordering the temporary closure of all boarding schools within the affected zone as a precautionary measure.
“Regrettably, St. Mary’s School proceeded to reopen and resume academic activities without notifying or seeking clearance from the State Government, thereby exposing pupils and the staff to avoidable risk.”
Do heads of these female or mixed boarding schools in the North refuse, on their own volition, the state governments’ directives to shut down in areas of ongoing criminal activities, or they carry out counter-orders from third parties intent on sabotaging the system for whatever reasons: monetary, political, religious, or sectional?
The Bishop of the Catholic Kontagora Diocese and Chairman of the Niger Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Most. Revd Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, who updated the number of abductees from 215 to 303 (female and male) students, and 12 (4 female and 8 male) teachers, denied the charge that the school rejected the directive to shut down, saying neither the school nor the Diocese recieved such a circular.
Accusing the government and security agencies of playing propaganda with alleged prior warnings to the school to shut down its boarding facilities, Bishop Yohanna asked the government to stop shifting blames and using the circular as a way to paint the school as disobedient to official directives.
Yohanna’s words: I have just got back to the village this night after I visited the school where I also met with parents of the children, to assure them that we are working with the government and security agencies to see that our children are rescued and brought back safely, but was greeted with what I term ‘propaganda’ that the school was given a prior warning by the government through a circular.
“That is not true, we did not receive any circular; it must be an afterthought and a way to shift blame. In the past, around 2022 when we heard of rumours of security challenge, we did not hesitate, we shutdown immediately. Is it when there is a circular from the government asking us to shutdown that we will now not obey?”
There’ve been reports of security agencies rejecting or ignoring “actionable intelligence” to prevent impending attacks; failing to respond or quickly to distress calls about ongoing attacks; or refusing to pursue retreating attackers, such as in Chibok when security agencies allegedly “allowed” the terrorists a 72-hour “free passage” to transport the abducted schoolgirls in trucks to the Sambisa forest.
Worrying are attacks carried out within minutes of security agencies withdrawing their entire operatives from or retaining a limited number at targets that attackers have advertised in advance for assaults. This occurred lately in Zamfara and in Kebbi, whose Governor, Dr Nasir Idris, alleges “sabotage” by security operatives.
“We got credible intelligence from the DSS (Department of State Services) that this school was likely to be attacked… The decision was that we would provide round-the-clock protection. This is clear sabotage,” the governor said, as he’s initiated a legislative investigation into the troops’ withdrawal before the bandits struck.
A teacher, who survived the attack, told reporters that heavily-armed security personnel had spent Sunday night at the school, interacting and taking photographs with students. But “sadly, for yet-to-be-determined reasons, they reportedly left the school before dawn,” and about 30 minutes after they withdrew, the kidnappers struck,” the teacher said.
What about a harrowing incident on November 9 when security was fully deployed in Yan Kwada village of Faruruwa, Shanono local government of Kano State, but bandits came, threw away crying babies, seized their breastfeeding mothers, rustled cattle to the bargain, and rode away triumphantly on motorcycles?
Chairman of the Community Security Forum (CSF) of Faruruwa, Alhaji Yahya Bagobiri, confirmed the incident to newsmen on November 10, saying: “We continue to see these attacks almost daily despite the presence of the military and other security forces. Even yesterday (Sunday), we heard that bandits were coming to attack, and we alerted the security, but nothing was done until they came around 9 p.m.
“They raided homes and whisked away five nursing mothers. What the bandits did was that, anywhere they saw a nursing mother, they threw away the baby and took away the mother. One of them luckily escaped back to her family, but we don’t know the whereabouts of the remaining four women whose babies have continued to cry to be breastfed.”
As of Sunday, November 23, all 38 church worshippers abducted from Eruku in Kwara had been set free, as stated by President Tinubu via his verified X handle, @officialABAT, and confirmed by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; while 50 of the 303 pupils seized at Danko/Wasagu in Niger had escaped to freedom, as confirmed by the Niger CAN chairman, Bishop Yohanna.
The seriousness of the latest insecurity in Nigeria has elicited a chain of staccato reactions from the highest echelons of government:
• President Tinubu cancelled his travel to Angola and South Africa for international engagements. • Directed the Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle, to relocate to Kebbi, to oversee rescue of the kidnapped students there. • Ordered the withdrawal of police personnel attached to VIPs for deployment for regular policing duties.
• Newly-appointed Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, receiving a baptism of fire early on in his position, visited Kebbi the same day of the abduction, to rally the troops to action. • Vice President Kashim Shettima also visited Kebbi to commiserate with the victims, and convey government’s response to the attack. • He’s representing Nigeria at the G-20 summit in South Africa, and the African Union meeting in Angola.
• Senate passed a motion calling for recruitment of 100,000 soldiers to boister the military, and a probe of the Safe School Initiative; • Forty-one Unity Schools across Nigeria, and all public primary and secondary schools in Katsina closed down; and many other states in the North followed suit, shutting boarding and day schools, and some institutions of higher learning.
Realistic as Tinubu’s change of mind to travel is, it would’ve been unthinkable, and unreasonable for him to leave a burning house for a “foreign jamboree,” as critics often classify such travels. Who would put out the fire on his behalf and in his absence? Nigeria would be in a conflagration or ashes by the time he returned to the country! His decision is apt under current security exigencies!
The Senate call for recruitment of additional personnel for the military, desirable and timely, misses the point. Agreed that 100,000 new officers will boost the military’s overstretched personnel due to deployments for internal security rather than to stem external aggression against the territorial integrity of Nigeria!
The country needs more than more numbers for the military alone when insecurity has overwhelmed over half of the population and landmass, and threatened the socio-economic and political wellbeing of the people. State Police is of utmost and urgent demand, and President Tinubu’s promised to work with the National Assembly for its creation!
LAST LINE: In part (2) of this header, a look at how State Governors, especially the 19 Northern Governors, were against before they’re for State Police; and how, as “Chief Security Officers,” they can truly be in charge and control of security agencies in their domains!
* _Mr Ezomon, Journalist and Media Consultant, writes from Lagos, Nigeria. Can be reached on X, Threads, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp @EhichioyaEzomon. Tel: 08033078357_ .
