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Niger Delta

Ex-Militants Invade Bank

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16 years ago

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A group of ex-militants from the former Bakassi Freedom Fighters on Thursday stormed a branch of Eco Bank Plc located at Mary Slessor Road, Calabar, Cross River State to protest what they called “irregularity in the payment of our allowances.”

  The Tide’s source gathered that the ex-militants, who arrived the bank at about 3 pm, created commotion and obstructed traffic on the road.

  He source learnt that the aggrieved ex-militants on arrival at the bank, immediately blocked its entrance and prevented customers from entering the bank.

  Their presence was said to have scared the customers who ran to a safe distance and watched them display their grievances.

  It was also gathered that due to the rowdiness at the scene, the bank alerted the state’s Police Command, which immediately mobilised policemen to monitor the situation.

  The protest was said to have stemmed from complains that there were irregularities in the payment of their allowances in the state since the inception of the post-amnesty programme.

  It was further gathered that about 20 of the ex-militants, who have been camped at a  Housing Estate in Ekperi-Ikang, Bakassi Local Government Area, were yet to receive their allowances from the beginning of the post-amnesty.

  One of them, who identified himself as Frank, said there was confusion in the payment of their allowances in the state.

  He alleged that the payment structure of their allowances was deliberately distorted to create chaos, adding that in some months the bank paid them N19,000.00.

  He stated that 20 of the ex-militants were yet to be paid one month allowance, saying the protest was in Sympathy of their colleagues who had been marginalised in the payment of the allowance.

  A source, however, said the issue of omission was being handled.

  The source, who pleaded anonymity, said an arrangement had been made to give each of the excluded militants N10,000 pending when the issue would be resolved.

  Last year, over 100 of the ex-militants had invaded the bank to protest the non-payment of their salary believed to have been released by the Federal Government.

Their activities had forced the bank to shot down its activities.

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Niger Delta

Court Declares DESTMA Activities Unconstitutional

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6 days ago

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January 12, 2026

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The Delta State High Court sitting in Warri has declared the power of the Delta State Traffic Management Authority (DESTMA) to arrest traffic offenders and impose fines as illegal and unconstitutional.
In a judgment delivered on Wednesday in Suit No. W/348/2016: Chuks Christian Ofili v. Attorney-General of Delta State & Anor, Hon. Justice Ejiro Emudainowho struck down Section 18(1) of the Delta State Traffic Management Authority Law, 2013, holding that it conflicts with the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The court held that DESTMA and its officials lacked the legal authority to impose fines, penalties or sanctions, or to confiscate vehicle number plates without first charging and securing a conviction before a competent court.
Justice Emudainowho ruled that the seizure of the claimant’s number plate and the imposition of a N30,000 fine without trial amounted to a “flagrant violation” of the claimant’s right to fair hearing and freedom of movement under Sections 36(1) and 41(1) of the constitution.
Among other reliefs, the court set aside the “Notification of New Traffic Offences and Penalties” issued against the claimant, ordered the refund of N30,000 paid for the release of the number plate, awarded N500,000 as legal costs and N300,000 as damages, with 10 percent interest per annum.
Reacting to the judgment, the claimant’s counsel, Olukunle Ogheneovo Edun, said the ruling affirms constitutional supremacy.
“The court was clear that only a competent court of law can impose penalties. Administrative agencies cannot assume judicial powers”, he said.
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Niger Delta

COAS Praises Bayelsa On Military Welfare … As Diri Hands Over Residential Quarters To Army Chief

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6 days ago

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January 12, 2026

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The Nigerian Army has commended the Bayelsa State Government for promoting the welfare of its officers and men as part of efforts to enhance peace and security in the state.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, gave the commendation on Thursday when he led other senior military officers on a courtesy/condolence visit to the State Governor, Douye Diri, in Government House, Yenagoa.
Gen. Shaibu praised the Bayelsa government for constructing and handing over residential accommodation to the Nigerian Army 16 Brigade at Elebele.
The army chief noted that the initiative would greatly ease the brigade’s accommodation challenges.
Shaibu, who explained that he was on a maiden operational visit to the state to assess the combat readiness of men and officers of the Command, also commiserated with the governor and the Ewhrudjakpo family on the passing of the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
“My reason for coming here are two-fold. We are here for my maiden operational visit to the 6th Division area of  responsibility, which also covers Bayelsa State.
“I’m also here with a heart of gratitude and appreciation for what you have done for the 16 Brigade, which is the construction and completion of apartments  made up of nine units of three bedroom flats for non-commissioned officers and two blocks of nine units of two bedroom apartments for non-commissioned officers.
“This gesture will go a long way in mitigating the accommodation challenges that the Brigade is facing. It will be a great relief for the Nigerian Army”, he said.
Responding, Diri thanked Gen. Shaibu for acknowledging the modest contribution of the state government towards improving the safety of lives and property of the citizenry.
He lauded the various security agencies for exhibiting a high sense of professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
 “I like to use this opportunity to commend the Nigerian Army and other armed forces for what you are doing to ensure that Nigeria is safe and secure. For us in government, we all appreciate and understand that you are making sacrifices for our public safety.
“I implore you to continue to do what you are doing very well at all times. We are always here to support you in whichever form that we can, so that you will also have a conducive environment to enable you discharge your duties creditably.
“l’m equally happy that we were able to start and complete those buildings. We know that, like you rightly said, it will ease the accommodation demands of the officers in the 16 Brigade”, he said.
By; Ariwera  Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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Niger Delta

Eno Inaugurates Committees On TSA, International Airport Status 

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6 days ago

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January 12, 2026

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Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has inaugurated two inter-ministerial committees to supervise the implementation of the International Airport Status for the Victor Attah International Airport, and for the Treasury Single Account for Internally Generated Revenues.
While inaugurating the committees at the Government House, Uyo, Eno expressed confidence in the competence of the members of the committee to achieve the mandate.
“The committees’ establishment marks another strategic step in the administration’s drive to strengthen governance systems.
“It will also ensure the fast-tracking and the completion of major development projects in the state”, the Governor said.
He further said the members of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on International Airport Status Implementation include Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Enobong Uwah, who would serve as the Chairman.
Others are the Commissioner for Finance/Special Duties, Mr. Emem Bob; the Managing Director, Ibom Air, Mr. George Uriesi; and Mr. Ephraim Udosen, Permanent Secretary for Special Duties, among others.
“The Inter-Ministerial Committee on the Implementation of TSA-IGR has Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Emem Bob, as Chairman.
“Others are the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Uko Udom, SAN; Commissioner for Science and Digital Economy, Dr. Frank Ekpenyong; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs,  Mr. Frank Archibong; Commissioner for Lands, Dr. Ubong Inyang, among others.”
The Governor noted that the members’ expertise would contribute significantly to the state’s infrastructural growth and financial stability.
He urged them to intensify efforts and ensure that all preparatory works remained on schedule.
“I charge the committee on the state’s airport with the responsibility of ensuring accelerated progress and meeting all required benchmarks ahead of the facility’s operational kick-off in April, 2026.
“I expect this committee to work tirelessly to ensure the realisation and commencement of full operations at the international airport by the first week of April 2026″, he said.
Eno emphasised the need for transparency, fiscal discipline and effective coordination across government agencies, saying that no agency of government was permitted to operate a single independent account.
He reaffirmed the termination of contracts for consultants on revenue generation, adding that all revenue must be generated and expended through a unified treasury account.
The Governor urged all MDAs to work with the Inter-Ministerial Committee, headed by the Commissioner for Finance to ensure that the expected results were achieved and on time.
He maintained that tenement rates would be paid into the treasury single account and urged full compliance from homeowners across the state.
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