Nation

THE STATES

Published

12 years ago

September 22, 2014

Bauchi

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a
banker and four others for alleged forgery and stealing a vehicle belonging to the Zamfara State government.
The state’s Police Public Relations Officer, Haruna Mohammed, said one of the suspects, Dahiru Aminu, was arrested with a white Toyota Hilux, belonging to the Zamfara State Ministry of Water Resources.
He said preliminary investigation showed that the suspect stole the vehicle from the compound of one Abdullahi Auta of Rijiyar Gabas,Tudun Wada ward in Zamfara State.
“They conspired with One Kawule Ahmed, a painter at Magaji Quarters in Bauchi and painted part of the vehicle. They also conspired with Ibrahim Adamu Aliyu of the Bauchi State Board of Internal Revenue to forge particulars for the vehicle,” he said. The police spokesman said investi-gation led to the arrest of two principal suspects, one Mohammed Zayyanu and Aminu Wada, who is a staff of a commercial bank in Gusau.

Benue

The Benue State House of Assembly has directed its
Committee on Commerce and Industry, to investigate the condition of the Makurdi Modern Market and submit its report within two weeks.
The directive followed a motion moved by Mr Joshua Ogbole, representing Adoka/Ugboju Constituency , urging the state government to rehabilitate the market.
Ogbole said that about 350 stalls in the market had been burnt down within the past 10 years.
He further said that the drainage channels in the market had been blocked, thereby leading to flooding of some parts of the market. The motion was seconded by Dr Adoga Onah, representing Oju I Constituency, stating that the motion was apt and timely.
FCT

The Independent National Electoral Commission
(INEC), has advised members of the public to utilise its citizen contact centre to obtain relevant information about electoral process. INEC Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mr Oluwole Osaze-Uzi, gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Abuja, last Thursday.
“INEC Citizen Contact Centre is a facility allowing the general public constant access to the commission with enquiries and exchange of information.
“As a situation room, the centre offers the public opportunity for getting real time responses to enquiries, incident-reports, complaints and queries about any aspect of the electoral process.’’
Osaze-Uzi said that the centre, located at the commission’s headquarters, could be accessed via social media and hotlines.
The hotlines are 07098115257, 07098117563 and 07098110916. The social media include facebook (www.facebook.com/inecnigeria); twitter (www.twitter.com/innecnigeria); email (iccc@inec.gov.ng), and website (ww.inecnigeria.org).

Gombe
The Independent National Electoral Commission
(INEC), said on Wednesday, it planned to create 403 additional polling units in Gombe State.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Istifanus Dafwang, told newsmen in Gombe that the addition would be distributed to the 11 local government areas on 15 per cent equality.
He added that the remaining would be shared based on the population of registered voters across the state.
According to REC, polling units in the state will increase from 2,218 to 2,621 when the additional polling units are finally approved and created.He said the units were part of the 30,000 newly-created ones nationwide by INEC. Dafwang directed the Electoral Officers in the 11 local government areas to propose the new polling units in their areas based on population.
Lagos
The governorship aspirant on the platform of All
Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Dr Leke Pitan, has promised to focus on human capital development, if elected as the state governor in 2015.
Pitan made the promise while addressing supporters at the Ikeja venue of “Dr Leke Pitan and Friends Free Medical Outreach”.
He said the programme would be enlarged to accommodate many people in the state if he became the governor.
“I can assure you to expect more of this programme, we are going to make the development of human capital our main focus,” he said.
Pitan, a former Commissioner for Healthcare Education in the state, assured the people that he would execute programmes and policies that would have positive impact on the people.

Nasarawa

Senator Suleiman Adokwe, (PDP-Nasarawa) on
Thursday, donated N2.5 million cash and food items to persons displaced during the recent communal clashes in some parts of the state.
Adokwe, who was represented by Mr Lawani Aboki, said while presenting the items in Lafia that the gesture was part of his contribution to ameliorate the hardship of the victims. He called on public-spirited individuals to support displaced persons and the entire people of the state.
He urged them to always embrace peace and dialogue as means of settling disputes.
The Coordinator, Adokwe Media Committee and Strategy, Mr Abdullahi Ladan, said that the donation was the second of its kind to the affected persons.

Osun
The Speaker of Osun State House of Assembly, Mr
Najeem Salaam, has urged members of the Governorship Election Tribunal in the state to be fair and thorough in disposing petitions before them.
Salaam, in an interview with newsmen in Osogbo on Thursday, said members of the tribunal must be ready to protect their integrity in handling of the petitions.
A 3-man panel, chaired by Justice Sulaiman Ambrusa, is hearing election petition filed by PDP governorship candidate in the August 9 poll, Mr Iyiola Omisore.
Omisore is challenging the victory of Governor Rauf Aregbesola at the tribunal.
The Speaker urged members of the tribunal to be factual and address the issues as they appeared.
“I want to urge members of the tribunal to be honest and upright in handling the election petition before them.

Plateau

Councillors in the 17 local
government areas of Plateau State are being owed seven months salaries by the state government, our correspondent reports.
The councilors, who were elected on February 25 and sworn-in two days later, had yet to collect their take-home packages.
The state government said they must undergo its ongoing Biometric Data Capturing of all civil servants under its payroll, before enjoying their salaries.
Some of the councillors, who pleaded anonymity, told newsmen that they were living under the mercies of their council chairmen, who on compassionate ground, approved some stipends for them.

Yobe
About 200 trade associations in Yobe State
said they would buy nomination form for Governor Ibrahim Gaidam to re-contest in 2015 election.
Coordinator of the associations, Alhaji Yusuf Haruna, told newsmen in Damaturu that the gesture was based on Gaidam’s performance from 2009 to date.
“On behalf of the over 200 associations and groups, I wish to inform you that we have volunteered to purchase nomination form for the post of governor for Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam to contest in 2015,” Haruna said.
He said the associations had endorsed the governor to ensure continuity of the infrastructural development in the state.
“All of us here representing the 200 associations have testified that Yobe assumed the status of a state with viable socio-economic development from 2009 to date.

Minister of National Planning Commission, Mr Sulaiman Abubakar; Gov. Jonah Jang of Plateau State and Vice President Namadi Sambo, at the National Economic Council Meeting in Abuja, recently. Photo: NAN

Nation

Rumuaholu Community Denies Land Grabbing Allegations, Accuses Obio/Akpor Chairman of Interference in Land Dispute

Published

1 week ago

June 12, 2026

The Tide

The Ekeanyanwu family of Rumuaholu Community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State has strongly refuted allegations of land grabbing levelled against it, describing recent media reports as false, misleading, and deliberately fabricated.

The family made its position known during a press briefing held on Wednesday at the residence of Dr. Colonel Ogwumerum Eke in Rumuaholu. The briefing was attended by community leaders, stakeholders, and family representatives.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Dr. Eke dismissed claims attributed to the Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Hon. Gift Worlu, which allegedly labelled the family as land grabbers. He described the allegations as baseless, frivolous, and lacking any factual foundation.

According to Dr. Eke, the Ekeanyanwu family remains the legitimate owner of the parcel of land known as Ohia Agbada, comprising approximately 6,000 plots situated along the Obiri-Ikwerre Airport Road corridor. He further maintained that Victory Estate, located within the disputed area, belongs exclusively to the Ekeanyanwu family and not to the Rumuosi Community as claimed by the council chairman.

Dr. Eke stated that ownership of the land had been affirmed by the courts, citing Case No. CCC/22/2015 at the Choba Customary Court. He explained that while the suit was instituted against another family in Rumuaholu, the Rumuosi Community sought to be joined in the matter but their application was rejected by the court.

He further disclosed that the family currently holds 15 subsisting court judgments in its favour relating to the disputed land, including judgments from the Customary Court, High Court, and Court of Appeal.

The family spokesman alleged that the Obio/Akpor council chairman, in collaboration with the local Anti-Land Grabbing Committee, was attempting to undermine the court decisions and dispossess the family of its land through what he described as “backdoor means.”

Dr. Eke accused the chairman of assuming the role of an appellate authority over matters that had already been conclusively determined by competent courts.

Expressing concern over recent developments, he alleged that individuals acting under the influence of the council chairman had destroyed properties worth millions of naira within Victory Estate. He described the action as a direct affront to existing court judgments and the rule of law.

Displaying copies of court judgments during the briefing, Dr. Eke questioned the rationale behind branding judgment creditors as land grabbers, insisting that those challenging the court rulings were the real offenders.

He called on members of the public to disregard what he termed misleading radio announcements purportedly made by the council chairman and urged government institutions and security agencies to uphold the sanctity of court judgments.

Also speaking at the briefing, Elder Prince Ndaokani, Principal Oji Owhor of Rumuaholu Community, supported the Ekeanyanwu family’s claims. He maintained that the disputed land originally belonged to Dr. Eke’s late father, who, according to Ikwerre native customary law, acquired ownership through the clearing and development of the land.

However, the allegations were dismissed by the Chairman of the Obio/Akpor Anti-Land Grabbing Committee, Chief Alex Wali, who responded on behalf of the local government council.

Chief Wali declined to engage directly with the claims made by Dr. Eke, stating: “That man cannot be gifted with our valued response to his tirades. People like that should not be in public but should be rotting in jail for heinous crimes against humanity.”

He maintained that nothing would prevent the council chairman from carrying out his constitutional responsibilities as the chief executive and chief security officer of the local government area.

According to him, the protection of lives and property remains a fundamental responsibility of government at all levels, and the council would continue to discharge its duties in that regard.

The dispute is the latest chapter in a long-running land ownership controversy in the area, with both sides maintaining opposing claims over the disputed property.

By Akujobi Amadi

Nation

Asarama Kingdom Condemns Gruesome Murder of A Commercial Vehicle Driver

Published

1 week ago

June 12, 2026

The Tide

The Asarama General Assembly in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State has condemned the gruesome murder of a commercial vehicle driver by some identified criminal elements in the community.

It would be recalled that on Thursday the 28th of May 2026, the kingdom was thrown into mourning, following the gruesome murder of a commercial vehicle driver by some criminal elements

The Assembly which said this at a media briefing in Port Harcourt also called for the establishment of a Mobile police and police anti cultism departments at the Asarama Police Division.

The Okangh Ama /Paramount Ruler of Asarama kingdom HRM king Appolus J Nteijaewaye who read the text for the briefing onbehalf of The Asarama General Assembly at the briefing said the community condemned in totality the gruesome incident.

He said the kingdom also extends its condolences to the bereaved family of the murdered driver, stressing that as a kingdom it would leave no stone unturned to ensure that such an incident never occur within it’s territorial space again.

The General Assembly also commended the prompt intervention of the Nigerian police Force which led to the arrest of some members of the criminal gang, adding that even though the crime was committed at Asarama, some of those allegedly involved were not indigenes of Asarama kingdom.

“As a kingdom we use the sober moment of this unfortunate incident to further commend the prompt reaction of the leadership and men of the Nigeria Police Force in Rivers state that led to their effective results aimed at eliminating criminality and deterring the evil ones in our society “

The Community also described the incident as a pointer to the level of vulnerability of not only Asarama kingdom but the entire society, against the background that the sanctity of life ought to be sacred and protected by individuals, groups, communities and governmental institutions”

Meanwhile ,The Asarama General Assembly has called for the establishment of a Mobile Police as well as police anti cultism departments at the Asarama Police Division

It said this has become necessary inview of the strategic location of the kingdom as a gateway to the rest of Andoni communities and Opobo -Nkoro Local Government Area.

“Owing to the peculiarity of our geographical location especially the amphibious nature of Asarama kingdom, intricately linked with its neighbouring inter ethnic Ogoni and Opobo -Nkoro Local Government Areas in general and intra Andoni communities in particular, the relevant authorities should urgently approved special mobile police force,Anti cultism and Marin units to be attached to the Asarama Divisional headquarters”

The kingdom also decried the continuous neglect of the Asarama police Division, since it’s establishment adding that the division up till date,does not have a single firearm as well as enough personnel

It said this situation has exposed the community to activities of criminal elements.

“The sordid state of the only security outfit that ought to police our territory and beyond now seems to complicate the delicate insecurity that we are already exposed to, first as a nation and second as a people inhabiting an intricate amphibious gateway kingdom

“Consequently we hereby cry to the appropriate authorities to urgently equip the Asarama Divisional Police headquarters with adequate men arms and ammunition “the Community said.

John Bibor

Nation

Rivers Commissioner Commends WAEC Conduct, Vows Sanctions for Malpractice

Published

3 weeks ago

June 2, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Peters Nwagor, has commended the orderly conduct of the ongoing 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination in the state and urged schools to sustain the standard.

Dr. Nwagor gave the commendation on Tuesday during a monitoring tour of selected secondary schools in Port Harcourt and environs where the WAEC exam is ongoing.

The commissioner, who was accompanied by directors and monitors from the Ministry of Education, said he was impressed with the peaceful atmosphere at the centres visited.

“The students conducted themselves properly and wrote their papers under conducive conditions. Invigilators and supervisors also performed their duties professionally,” he stated.

Nwagor noted that the Rivers State Government had invested heavily to ensure the smooth and credible conduct of the examination across the state

He urged candidates to reciprocate government’s effort by shunning all forms of examination malpractice and focusing on their studies.

“Government has done so much to ensure successful examinations in our schools. Students should take advantage of it by remaining focused,” the commissioner said.

While no case of malpractice was recorded in the centres inspected, Dr. Nwagor warned that any principal, teacher, invigilator, or official caught aiding malpractice would face strict sanctions in line with regulations.

He also commended school administrators, teachers, WAEC officials, and security personnel for upholding the integrity of the process.

Centres visited included County Grammar School, Ikwerre/Etche; Government Comprehensive Secondary School, Borokiri; Government Secondary School, Borokiri; and Pabod Model Secondary School.