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NASS Suspends Plenary For Senator Dantong
Senate yesterday suspended plenary in honour of their late colleague , Senator Gyang Daylop Dantong who passed on last Sunday during an attack by gunmen at a burial service for his slain constituents.
Following a motion presented by the Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma Egba , the Senate observed one minute silence in respect of the deceased and also adopted the motion to suspend plenary till Wednesday. Speaking to newsmen after signing the condolence register opened for the late Senator at the National Assembly complex, President of the Senate, Senator David Mark for the umpteenth time called on Nigerians to embrace dialogue as the only means to attain a lasting peace in the nation, stressing that Senator Dantong had been sacrificed in the heat of the crisis he had worked so hard to quell and prayed that this sacrifice of the life of a peace maker would bring an end to the ‘senseless’ killings in Plateau State and other states.
His words, “we should never get tired of preaching that there has to be dialogue because that’s the only solution. Any other solution is not going to be a lasting solution .
“Once there is dialogue and people are able to speak out their minds, and it is resolved and decisions are taken, then, it will be a lasting solution. My prayer is that let Senator Dantong’s death bring peace to Plateau State in particular and to Nigeria in general.
“He has become the sacrificial lamb now and his death would be in vain if we continue with this madness beyond this point. That’s my prayer to the people of Plateau State and Nigerians in general.
Mark also called on those wielding small arms to surrender them to help stem the level of violence currently consuming Nigerian states.
“All those who have small arms and weapons at their disposal should surrender them and they should allow the security agencies to take charge of security within this country, whether it is in Plateau State or in any other part of Nigeria at all, because that is their responsibility. That is what they are paid to do for us,” Mark advised.
The Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremmadu. described Senator Dantong’s death as unfortunate and shameful.
He said it was very unfortunate that such a peace maker died in the midst of violence.
Other Senators from Plateau State also examined the circumstances surrounding the recurring crises in the state and called on the Federal Government to rise up to the occasion and ensure that peace was restored in the state while urging the Federal Government to also equip the state governor with some level of power to act as the chief security officer of the state.
Former governor of the state, Senator Joshua Dariye also stressed the need for dialogue and enjoined all to shun political, religious or tribal sentiments.
His words,” one cannot quantify the loss of a life. Even if the person is an ordinary citizen, a cleaner. Life before God is sacred and the sanctity of life cannot be reduced as had been reduced over the weekend. It’s very sad, we’ve been thrown into a moment of sadness.
“I believe that dialogue is still the best tool available. Even if you go to the war front to declare war, at the end of the day, you cannot get total peace without dialogue. I think that we must isolate it and see what the local community can do, what the state can do, what the Federal Government must do and then the international community with the media.
“This was a gentleman, a distinguished son of Nigeria who was voted by his people, served his people and died for his people. All we can say is that may God comfort the family.
“If we leave it like that, today, it is Plateau, tomorrow it may not be Plateau. We must all rise up. It is not about religion, we must close our ranks, whether the person is Christian or Muslim. If we allow political sentiments take the better part of us, then, one day, we may wake up to find that we don’t have the Republic of Nigeria. God forbid”.
Senator Victor Lar, who couldn’t hide his anger, expressed the need for the state government to be strengthened to deal with the situation.
According to him, the invaders camp is not hidden and they had been allowed to live above the law all this while even under the nose of the federal security agencies.
The Senate will later next week hold a valedictory session for the late Senator Gyang Daylop Dantong.
Senator Dantong over the weekend, slumped and died during a stampede following attacks from gunmen at a funeral service for 63 of his constituents slain by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives yesterday in Abuja suspended plenary session in honour of Senator Gyang Dantong who died on Sunday in Jos.
Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal said the leadership of the House took the decision to suspend plenary session after due consultation with other members.
A minute silence was observed for the late senator and all those who lost their lives at the recent Jos incident.
‘’ The leadership consulted widely, and came to the understanding that in view of what happened in Jos, ( death of Dantong ) we suspend plenary today .’’
Senator Dantong was a former member of the House of Representatives during the fifth Assembly.
Addressing newsmen on the decision taken by the House, Chairman House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Rep. Zakari Mohammed, said the decision to adjourn plenary session was on humanitarian ground.
‘’ We are just being human because the Senator ( Dantong ) did not plan to die that way.’’
Zakari, representing ( PDP – Kwara ) said the demise of Dantong further brings to question the House concern to the security situation in this country.
He stressed the need for review of the handling of the security situation in the country.
‘’We are extending the right signals now that we have to take bold steps to handle the security situation in the country,’’ he said.
Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi, Abuja
A group of Eminent persons from the Niger Delta region under the aegis of The Niger Delta Watch Dog has warned the Federal Government against yielding to the call to decentralize pipeline surveillance in the region.
The Eminent persons who said this in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt said those calling for decentralization of pipeline surveillance are ignorant of the dangers it poses to the peace and stability of the Niger Delta.
.They argued that the proposal poses significant risk to the peace security and economic stability of the region.
According to the release” While decentralization is often perceived as a means of promoting inclusivity and local participation, in this specific context it poses significant risks to peace, security, and economic stability.
It further said”evidence from community dynamics across the region suggests that decentralization will cause more harm than good, leading to increased conflict, fragmentation of authority, and heightened threats to critical national infrastructure.
“By contrast, the centralized model currently implemented by Tantita Security Services under the leadership of Government Ekpemupolo Tompolo has demonstrated measurable success in stabilizing the region, reducing conflict, and safeguarding Nigeria’s economic lifelines”
While describing the Niger Delta region as the backbone of Nigeria oil and gas, it added that any changes in policy will lead to crisis in the region.
“The Niger Delta region remains the backbone of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, hosting extensive pipeline networks that are vital to national revenue and economic sustainability.
“Given the sensitive nature of this infrastructure, the framework through which pipeline security is managed must prioritize stability, coordination, and conflict prevention.
“Any policy shift particularly toward decentralization must therefore be carefully evaluated in light of the region’s socio-political realities”
It said
The release jointly signed by Chief Idowu Asonja ,Ellington Pokumo the Public Relations officer of the group Comrade Douye kojo Isoun and others,
said decentralization will lead to escalation of Inter-Community land dispute, intensifies rivalry between groups as well as heightens the struggle against Territorial control among others.
“Decentralizing pipeline security will likely intensify existing disputes between neighbouring communities as many communities in the Niger Delta have been involved in conflicts over Land ownership and territorial boundaries as well as Control of natural resources and
“Claims over oil pipelines passing through their territories” adding
“Such instability not only disrupts social harmony but also directly endangers pipeline infrastructure, increasing the risk of vandalism, sabotage, and production losses”
It said the gains recorded so far by the present centralization policy should be preserve as any shifts could wrecked havoc in the region.
“Any policy shift must preserve these hard-earned gains. At this time, decentralization presents a significant risk, while the current system continues to offer stability, security, and economic assurance for the nation.
“It is therefore strongly advised that the Federal Government of Nigeria carefully scrutinize and ultimately disregard calls for the decentralization of pipeline security contracts. “Available evidence and prevailing realities suggest that such calls may not be driven by the broader national interest, but rather by narrow, self-serving agendas that could reignite conflict within the region, this we know the Government does not need” the group said
The Director-General of the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency (RSIPA), Dr. Chamberlain Peterside, has used the platform of the revived BRACED Commission to unveil investment opportunities and plans in Rivers State.
The BRACED Commission just bounced back and has already held a roundtable in Port Harcourt preparatory to an economic summit in the near future.
The roundtable featured the investment promotion agencies of the cooperating states: Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo, and Delta states.
Dr Peterside not only chaired the roundtable but made presentations for Rivers State economic landscape.
He hailed the rebound of the BRACED Commission which did well at the onset. “The governors of the region were one and united for one cause. Then, politics came and everything scattered. The agenda is simple, to integrate the economy of the region into one strong bloc.”
He admitted that Rivers State’s investment promotion agency is very young, plus six months in the limbo of state of emergency. “This thus is a very unique opportunity to get resurgent momentum.”
He listed the achievements of RSIPA in the short period since its establishment, saying it has received numerous investment proposals.
“We’ve engaged actively with the private sector, both those currently operating in the state and those intending to invest. We do realize the fact that investment begins from domestic investors. and you have to guide them.
“Through outreach programmes and establishment of a One-Stop-Center (OSC), we have created a streamlined system for addressing investor needs, supporting their business operations. For the first time in Rivers State, prospective investors and small and medium enterprises now have a centralized hub that can address their challenges and find solutions that enable them to thrive.”
He outlined the plans ahead thus: “One of our cardinal focuses at RSIPA is to enhance the operating climate and improve the ease of doing business.
“We are committed to creating a vibrant and business-friendly environment that attracts and retains investment. We are also working closely with other ministries, departments, and agencies to harmonize our activities.
“Collaboration for us is key; we see Rivers State as a single ecosystem where all stakeholders work together to support investment inflow and build a favorable environment for businesses to flourish.”
For the region, he lamented the situation whereby “the carpet is shifting under our feet. The IOCs (international oil corporations) have moved offshore. The issue before us now is how should the region act now. We should target big ticket investment proposals. This is because some proposals will involve other states. There is thus need to collaborate.”
He gave examples of projects that cannot be for one state. “Railway system is not for one state. At the moment, there is no railway line that links Benin to Port Harcourt to Calabar. BRACED can push this agenda.
“There is an oil route from Opobo to Akwa Ibom where Sterling Oil is operating. It’s a route of interest. Governor Sim Fubara wants us to synergise with other states economically. The best time is now because all the governors are now in one political party.”
He called on all the agencies in the BRACED states to sell the idea to their governors.
“Let the governors know that BRACED task is not a competition but as a collaboration. We have the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the South-South Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (SSCCIMA), the Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines, and Agriculture (NDCCITMA), etc. This is the ripest time to strike the iron.”
The Director General of the Bayelsa Investment Promotion Agency (BIPA), Mrs. Patience Ranami Abah, also shook the floor when she presented what she termed ‘Closing the Value Capture Gap’.
She showed how the states will win bigger by playing together to present an economic front.
David Franklin, a deputy director, who represented the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Abuja, said investment in people is the beginning of prosperity.
“The South-South is the hub of power of Nigeria due to the hydrocarbon industry, blue economy, agriculture, tourism, etc.”
The Director General, BRACED Commission, Amb.Joe Keshi, in his welcome remarks, said the roundtable was themed around synchrosnising investment frontiers in a strategic framework for south-south economic integration.
The roundtable ended with a communique that recommended setting up a monitoring committee, and other organs to drive integration and investment.
Some of the key resolutions in the Communique issued at the end of the two-day symposium included the call for a BRACED Investment Promotion Charter with a harmonized Regional Investment Promotion Framework and a roadmap.
The Communique called for infrastructure alignment, uniform economic reforms, human capital development plan, and a technical oversight group.
The communique urged state governments, investors, and development partners to collaborate in transforming the BRACED states into a beacon of economic dynamism.
The Defence Headquarters has placed troops on nationwide alert ahead of the Easter celebrations, assuring Nigerians of tightened security.
The DHQ also reaffirmed that ongoing support from the United States is strengthening counter-terrorism operations, with a visible impact expected in the coming weeks.
Addressing journalists during the end-of-the-month briefing on Tuesday in Abuja, the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj Gen Michael Onoja, assured citizens of heightened vigilance by troops during the Easter celebrations.
Onoja said the Armed Forces had already placed personnel on alert nationwide to prevent any security breach during the holiday period.
He added that similar measures were implemented during previous festive seasons, including Christmas and Eid-el-Fitr, and would be sustained.
“We know that festive seasons usually have heightened security activities. The military command gives instructions to ensure all personnel are on alert. This time will not be different,” he said.
He emphasised that security agencies would not relax despite the celebrations, noting that adversaries often attempted to exploit such periods.
“I can assure you that we will always be on alert, particularly at this period of festivities, because we know that the threats expect us to relax.
“But we are not going to relax. Everything will be okay for this Easter,” he added.
Speaking on the ongoing collaboration with the US forces, Onoja said the impact of the collaboration may not be immediately visible due to the nature of military engagements, but expressed confidence that the benefits would become evident in the coming weeks and months.
He said the U.S. support to Nigeria’s operations had been significant, particularly in the areas of intelligence sharing and training, noting that the assistance was being provided on favourable terms to strengthen ongoing counter-threat operations.
According to him, “You are aware that they are bringing intelligence and training support to us, which we need. They are giving that to us on very favourable terms. There are lots of things I cannot say because of confidentiality.”
He added that the intelligence being provided included information on the location of threats and hostile elements, stressing that Nigerian troops would act accordingly.
“All we can say is that these things take time. There is a gestation period when we are conducting military operations.
“You will not see it immediately, but in the next few months or weeks, you will feel the difference in the impact of the assistance that the U.S. is providing,” Onoja stated.
On February 16, 2026, DHQ confirmed the arrival of approximately 100 US military personnel and equipment at Bauchi Airfield.
According to the military high command, the personnel, who are not combat troops, were in Nigeria strictly for technical assistance, training, and advisory roles in counter-terrorism efforts.
However, insecurity has continued to surge in several parts of the country since their deployment, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the collaboration.