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Withdraw Troops From Bakassi Peninsula, Group Tells FG …Seeks Amnesty For Militants
A group under the
aegis of Association of Bakassi Aborigines (ABA) has urged the Federal Government to immediately withdraw troops from the oil-rich Bakassi peninsula, which was ceded to Republic of Cameroon some years ago.
According to ABA, the call became necessary in view of the intimidation and harassment of the displaced people by soldiers drafted to the area by the Federal Government.
Briefing journalists in Calabar, at the weekend, the National President of the association, Comrade Maurice Bassey Asuquo, charged the Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban ki-Moon and the international community to put pressure on the Federal Government to, without further delay, conduct a plebiscite or referendum for the displaced people of Bakassi to decide their future.
According to Asuquo, the plebiscite will enable the displaced people of Bakassi determine the country of their choice between Nigeria and Cameroon.
He said, “we call on the UN Secretary General and the Federal Government to create room for a plebiscite so as to enable us vote on where we want to belong.
“We agree that there was a plebiscite of 1961 but then, such a plebiscite is long outdated because even after the plebiscite, the territory continued to be part of Nigeria with no complaint, until about 1997 when Cameroon went to court,” he lamented.
The president maintained that the Federal Government has the right to protect lives and property of residents of the area, adding that the drafting of troops can only be done when there is agitation and violence.
He stressed that the constant presence of the military in the area was making lives unbearable for the residents.
“We call for the granting of amnesty to misguided youth who have been forced to take up arms. There’s no problem that cannot be solved through the use of dialogue, even though these youth have been misled to illegally carry arms,” he said.
The Aborigines urged the Federal Government to, without further delay, initiate dialogue to enable the parties discuss on how to promote and facilitate speedy remediation of the already volatile military build-up in the peninsula.
Speaking on the topic, “Unnecessary Military Build-Up and Occupation of New Bakassi Lands and Intimidation of Displaced People of Bakassi”, the Legal Adviser to the association, Barrister Etta Okpa of the Kanu Agabi Chambers, averred that dialogue was the only panacea for resolving the challenges of security and peace in the area.
Etta criticised the Nigerian military for taking undue advantage of the situation instead of exploring dialogue to promote peace and security.
Recently, soldiers from the 13 Amphibious Brigade invaded communities and camps in the New Bakassi settlements which are not at war with Nigeria”, stressing that “we vehemently condemn this new wave of state-sponsored violence against the displaced, innocent and law-abiding people of Bakassi.”
Lamenting the military’s unnecessary high-handedness against the people, he said that the attitude of the military goes a long way to show the crass hypocrisy and rot which had bedeviled the Nigerian state over the years.
While urging the militants in Bakassi to sheathe their swords and embrace dialogue, the group urged the Federal Government to grant amnesty to the Bakassi Strike Force.
Etta averred that it is by so doing that the Federal Government can gain more grounds to recover the Bakassi land ceded to Cameroon, and placed under foreign control, stressing that this approach will speedily douse tension in the region.
The group lamented how funds meant for resettlement programmes initiated by the Federal Government some years ago was being sabotaged and abysmally diverted into private pockets by corrupt and powerful individuals.
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.
