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L-R: United States Deputy Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, US Assistant Secretary of State, Linda Thomas-Greenfield and Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary, Erin Clancy, during the Media Round-Table on the 2nd  Regional Security Summit in Abuja on Friday.

L-R: United States Deputy Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, US Assistant Secretary of State, Linda Thomas-Greenfield and Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary, Erin Clancy, during the Media Round-Table on the 2nd Regional Security Summit in Abuja on Friday.

Benue
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has ordered the
management of Benue State University to stop the implementation of the new conditional charges introduced for students of the university.Ortom made the information known in Makurdi  in an interview with newsmen.
He said the decision to order the stoppage of the conditional charges had become imperative following complaints by students and parents.Our correspondent  reports that the new school administration under the leadership of Prof. Msugh Kembe, had introduced different charges across faculties, ranging from 45,000 to N55,000 per student.
The conditional charges included development levy, accreditation, utility, practical, consumables and certificate.

Bauchi

Bauchi State Police Command  said it had arrested four
suspects for being in possession of stolen treated mosquitoes nets.
The Spokesman for the command, DSP Haruna Mohammed, made this known in a statement in Bauchi.
Mohammed named one Alhaji Modu, 32, of Lawan Bukar Ward and Ibrahim Ali, 30, of Shehuri North, all in Maiduguri town in Borno State as principal suspects arrested.
He said the suspects were arrested by a combined detachment of men from Bauchi State Police command and Military men from the 33 Artillery Brigade, Bauchi.
Mohammed said that the suspects were arrested along Azare to Kano road in Bauchi State with 42 bags of treated mosquito nets donated by the United States Agency for International Development.

Ekiti

A 38-year-old hunter, Emmanuel Lamidi, has been re
manded in Prison Custody by an Ado-Ekiti Magistrates’ Court for allegedly shooting his friend in the farm.
The Magistrate, Mrs Doyin Akosile ordered that the accused be remanded in custody pending Director of Public Prosecution’s (DPP) legal advice. She adjourned the case till June 16, for further hearing. The Prosecutor, Sgt. Ikebuilo Monica, had told the court that the accused committed the offence at about 23:00 hours on May 8, at Awelewa farm, Ilawe-Ekiti. She alleged that the accused, on the said day, time and place, unlawfully killed his friend, Benjamin Patrick by shooting him with a dane gun on the chest when they went hunting together. According to her, the offence contravened Section 325 of the Criminal Code, Cap C 16, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.

FCT

Two applicants, Ikechukwu Emeoka, 30 and Enejo James,
20, have  appeared in a Kado Grade 1 Area Court for allegedly mobbing a Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Emeoka, and James,  pleaded not guilty to a four-count charge of belonging to gang of thieves, resisting arrest, obstruction of police officer on duty, assault and causing grievous hurt.
The Prosecutor, Florence Avihioboh, said the defendants were caught during a police raid at criminal hideout in Berger, Wuse Zone 6 by a team of detectives lead by the Utako DPO on May 7.

Kwara

An agriculturalist, Mr Ogirinye Innocent, has called for
increase in the volume of inter trade relationship among African countries to boost development and unlock the continent’s agricultural potential.
Innocent made the call during a workshop on agricultural entrepreneurship organised by the Association of Deans of Agriculture in Nigerian Universities, (ADAN) in Omu-Aran, Kwara. Our correspondent  reports that the workshop was in conjunction with the College of Agricultural Sciences, Landmark University, Omu-Aran. He spoke on the topic: Agro-Preneurship: A Veritable Tool for Food Security and Economic Prosperity.  Innocent, who is also the Coordinator of Youth Initiative for Sustainable Agriculture (YISA), an NGO, said that increased trade relationship would avail farmers improved access to global market advantages.
Nasarawa

Governor Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State says he
will pursue a rapid rural and urban development pact for the people of the state with dynamism.
Al-Makura said this  when he inspected the ongoing construction of Akwanga-Angwan-Zaria bridge in Akwanga local government area of the state.
“I will fulfill my covenant with the people of the state by embarking on projects that will be of benefit to the people in both rural and urban communities,” the governor said.
He promised that his administration would embark on provision of massive infrastructure to both rural and urban communities in the state.

Niger
The Vice Chancellor, Federal University of  Technology
(FUT), Prof  Musbau Akanji, Minna said the institution would establish solar energy to tackle inadequate power supply within the university community. Akanji stated this  in Minna at a news conference where he outlined his achievements since assumption of office in December 2012. “As a university of technology we have problem of power supply.
“As I am speaking with you now, we pay average of N9 million monthly as electricity bill to Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC). “We purchase diesel of N16 million every month to get electricity for average of 12 hours,’’ he said. Akanji pointed out that universities all over the world must have power supply for 24 hours to be able to make progress.

Ondo
The Department of Petroleum Resources( DPR) in Ondo
State, is to sanction any filling station found diverting and hoarding petrol in the state.
The DPR Operations Controller in Ondo State, Mr Adewale Oseni, stated this while speaking with newsmen  in Akure.
Oseni said that DPR had put machinery in place to ensure that any product coming to the state was not diverted or hoarded by retail outlets.
He decried the high level of diversion and hoarding of petroleum products by some retail outlets in the state, saying this had caused untold hardship on residents.

Ogun
Two men, Ayomide Amoo, 45, and Promise Isiramel, 23,
have appeared before an Ota Magistrates’ Court in Ogun State charged with smoking weed suspected to be Indian hemp. The accused, whose addresses were not provided, are facing charges bordering on causing the breach of peace.
The Prosecutor, Sgt. Chudu Gbesi, told the court that the accused committed the offences on April 16 and April 18 at about 10.30 a.m. at Olurin Street around Power Line, Iyana-Iyesi, Ota.
Gbesi said that the accused conducted themselves in a manner likely to cause the breach of peace by smoking weeds suspected to be India hemp in public.
Plateau
The Plateau State Government  said it generated
N2.06 billion as revenue in the first quarter of the year.
The Acting Chairman, Plateau State Internal Revenue Service (PSIRS), Mr Dashe Arlat, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Jos.
Arlat described the revenue collected within the period as “very encouraging’’ compared with the N1.84 billion realised in the corresponding period in 2015.
“From the amount so far realised this first quarter of the year, it is glaring that we have improved with our revenue generation having surpassed that of last year with N219, 506, 232.

Sokoto

The traditional leader of Igbo community in Sokoto
state, Eze Ozo Nweke, has advocated cross-cultural marriages among members of the NYSC in the country.
Nweke spoke on Tuesday at the NYSC permanent orientation camp, Wamakko, headquarters of Wamakko local government area in Sokoto State.
,Nweke spoke during the cultural fiesta and a skills acquisition exhibition by the 1,604 corps members deployed to the state, currently undergoing a three-week orientation.
According to the monarch, more of such marriages should be encouraged among the corps members nationwide.
“Such marriages also boost peace, unity and sustainable cohesion of Nigeria,” he added.

Taraba
Wife of Taraba State Governor, Mrs Anna Ishaku,
has launched a free medical treatment in Jalingo tagged: “Medical Rescue Outreach” which targets at least 80,000 patients across the state.
Ishaku said that her “Hope Afresh Foundation” was targeting 5000 people across each of the 16 local government areas of the state.
She explained that she was motivated by persistent calls to her office for assistance in settling medical bills.
Mrs Ishaku urged the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Innocent Vakkai, to look into the high bills charged by hospitals in the state to enable the less privileged people to access medical treatment.

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

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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
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Asarama Kingdom Condemns Gruesome Murder of A Commercial Vehicle Driver

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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
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Rivers Commissioner Commends WAEC Conduct, Vows Sanctions for Malpractice

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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.

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