Niger Delta
CP Lauds Hunters, Vigilante Groups Over Crime Reduction
The Edo Commissioner of
Police (CP), Mr Chris Ezike, said that hunters and vigilante groups were instrumental to the great successes recorded by the command in crime reduction in 2015.
Ezike, who made the remark in an interview with newsmen in Benin, described them as “critical stakeholders in community policing.’’
The CP said that upon his assumption of office, he quickly identified the need to adopt a strategy that would assist the command in fighting crime in the state.
“Our acts, which shifted from arms and ammunition to community-based policing, assisted a lot to bring a reduction in criminal activities since my assumption of office.
“My interaction with community leaders in the 18 Local Government Areas of the state brought a synergy between the command and the communities, where everybody now see themselves as stakeholders in the act of policing.
“Ours was to make the environment better, provide the needed fire power and provide the support to encourage the people to provide the vital information that led to the activation of our strategy and success was the result.
“We identified the hunters and the vigilance groups and encouraged the Enogies to help us reach out to the people in the areas for information.
“We also identified the problem of pressure points and then deployed specifically to get specific results. We identified the bye-pass to have acquired a notorious status and we deployed 13 strategic intervention vehicles that it became difficult for the hoodlums to operate with impunity.
“Our success at Igarra was the icing on the cake with a quantum of arms that came off the hoodlums and the non-explosive devices that came out of the arsenal of the hoodlums accounted for the calm witnessed during the yuletide in Edo North,’’ he said.
According to him, “the statistics will come out later. But I want to say that the success was robust and all thanks to the overwhelming and robust media and public support.’’
“There is an ongoing five-day training for vigilance groups, to help them develop the mechanism of safety and security and respect for human rights in their quest to assist the police to fight crime,’’ he said.
On the alleged involvement of police officers in cultism, the CP disclosed that several police officers were under investigation over their alleged involvement in cult-related activities in the state.
He said: “a lot of officers are under investigation based on suspicion. But you know that suspicion, no matter the quantum, cannot be used against anybody, except we are able to establish a case against them.
“But I can tell you that since these people now know that they are being watched, there is a renewed effort among officers and men of the command towards duty, knowing that they can be moved or sanctioned when found guilty.
“Previously, there was this lackadaisical attitude that tended to give some of the officers out as sympathizers of cult groups.
“But as I speak, everybody is on his or her toes, knowing that what applies to the cultist will apply to any one caught,’’ he added.
L-R: Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Dr Austin Tam-George, Chairman, Federated Chapel, Nigeria of Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State, Mr Ernest Chinwo and Director, Public Enlightenment, Ministry of Information, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, during the Commissioner’s courtesy visit to the chapel in Port Harcourt, recently. Photo: Egberi A. Sampson
The Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, has called on all court users to collaborate with the state judiciary in its fight against corruption.
Okungbowa made the call on Friday during a special court session held in Benin to mark the opening of the 2025/2026 Legal Year.
He commended the “Bail Is Free Campaign Organisation” for its continued support of the judiciary’s efforts to rid the system of corruption.
The opening ceremony provided an opportunity for the judiciary to reflect on the achievements of the past legal year and to outline goals for the year ahead.
According to the Chief Judge, key focus areas in the previous year included capacity building, administration of criminal justice, and staff welfare.
As the new legal year begins, Okungbowa emphasised the judiciary’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of integrity and transparency in the discharge of its duties.
In recognition of exemplary service, ten members of the state judiciary received the Chief Judge’s Award for being outstanding ambassadors of the institution.
Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Benin Branch, Mr. Idemudia Osifo, urged the Edo State judiciary to continue upholding the principles of justice, fairness, and judicial independence.
Osifo praised the judiciary for its industry, resilience, and steadfastness under the leadership of the Chief Judge, and also highlighted several persistent challenges.
He noted that many courts in Edo State still operated in dilapidated conditions and lacked modern facilities needed for effective justice delivery.
He lamented the prolonged duration of many court cases, which continued to erode public confidence in the system, and stressed the urgent need to improve the working conditions of judicial officers and support staff.
“The safety of judicial officers, lawyers, litigants, and witnesses must be ensured”, he said.
The NBA urged the judiciary to invest in ICT infrastructure to enhance justice delivery, reduce delays, and increase transparency.
It also pledged its commitment to promoting access to justice and defending the sanctity of the legal profession.
As the new legal year begins, the association urged the judiciary to uphold the noble ideals of justice, fairness, and independence.
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has congratulated the Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty, Obi, Prof. Epiphany Azinge, on the occasion of his first year coronation anniversary.
In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, Oborevwori lauded the monarch’s dedication to peace, unity, and the cultural advancement of Asaba.
He described Obi Azinge as a revered traditional ruler and academic whose leadership over the past year has brought renewed pride to the Asaba Kingdom and inspired confidence in traditional institutions across the State.
Oborevwori said: “On behalf of the Government and people of Delta State, I warmly congratulate Your Majesty, Obi, Prof. Epiphany Azinge, SAN, OON, the Asagba of Asaba, on the joyous celebration of your first coronation anniversary.
“Your reign has already demonstrated a deep commitment to the values of peace, inclusiveness, and development.
“As an accomplished academic and respected traditional ruler, you have brought honour not only to the Asaba Kingdom, but also to the entire Delta State.”
The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s support for traditional institutions and assured the Asagba of continued partnership in advancing the interests of the Asaba people.
He wished the monarch long life, wisdom, and a peaceful and prosperous reign.
Obi Prof. Azinge ascended the throne as the Asagba of Asaba in 2024, succeeding the late Obi Prof. Chike Edozien, and has since been recognised for his efforts in promoting cultural heritage, peace and community development.
By: Albert Ograka, Asaba
The Akwa Ibom State Government has launched the Nigeria Solar for Health Project (NISHP) to tackle the challenges of epileptic power supply to the health sector.
The State Governor, Umo Eno, stated this in his keynote address during the state launch on Friday in Uyo, saying that the project would be in collaboration with the EU.
According to the Governor, the project is to strengthen the state’s vision of universal, reliable and sustainable energy access for all communities, especially in rural and peri-urban areas.
Eno, represented by the Deputy Governor, Sen. Akon Enyaenyi, stated that Akwa Ibom State has taken bold steps to domesticate the Electricity Act 2023 through its own Electricity Policy (2024) and Electricity Law (2024).
He said those two instruments mark a turning point in its journey toward a fully-fledged Akwa Ibom State Electricity Market (AKSEM), one that is state-led, private-sector-driven.
According to him, it will be inclusive in all ramifications and acutely focused on developing and sustaining the all-important off-grid sub-sector of the State Electricity Market.
“Electricity is not just a commodity, it is the foundation of healthcare, education, security, and prosperity.
“By establishing a credible electricity market and regulatory framework, we are creating a platform where on-grid and off-grid solutions can coexist, complementing each other to deliver reliable power to all sectors, including our hospitals and health centres”, Eno said.
The Governor further said the project would provide clean, reliable solar energy to healthcare facilities across the state; enhance healthcare delivery, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
He added that it would reduce dependency on diesel and improve environmental sustainability; create local jobs and build technical capacity in solar maintenance and energy services.
Eno commended the state steering committee for taking up the important responsibility.
He said the committee, drawn from both the Ministries of Power and Health, would serve as the vital bridge between policy, implementation and progressive community outcomes.
“Let me assure our development partners, the EU, NTU International, and the REA, that the Akwa Ibom State Government will provide all necessary supports to ensure that this project becomes a model for sustainable energy access in healthcare, not just in our State but across Nigeria.
“This launch is more than a ceremony, it is a statement of intent”, he said.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Power, Mr. Robson Iniobong, said electricity is the very thing that guarantees and announces the functionality of every other sector.
Iniobong stated that the Governor had prioritised his interest in power and health sectors to provide quality services to the people.
In his remarks, Mr. Tinyan Ogiehor, Senior Stakeholders Engagement Manager of NISHP, said the project would establish solar mini-grids at approximately 19 Public Health Centres (PHCs) across the state.
Ogiehor added that the solar project would also reach the state central cold store, with a view to positively impacting healthcare delivery and boosting economic activities.
“Beyond powering the PHCs, this project will enhance the operations of about 75 small businesses located within these facilities”, he said.