Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The Nigeria Police Force is to organise a National Security Summit to tackle issues bordering on national security.
Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Abuja, Hyiecent Dagala, made this known on Tuesday during a courtesy visit to Governor Mohammed Bindow of Adamawa in Yola.
Dagala said the summit would bring together all major stakeholders in the security sector to brainstorm and proffer solutions to the security challenges facing the country.
The DIG, who is also the coordinator of the police operation in the North-East, said that the summit would look into issues of clashes between farmers and herdsmen and kidnapping, among many others.
Dagala said that his visit to the North-East was on the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to meet with officers and men in the sub-region to discuss challenges in their areas of operation.
FCT
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Culture and Tourism, Mr Matthew Urhoghide, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for suspending Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Babachir Lawal.
The lawmaker told journalists on Wednesday that the move was evidence that the president was ready to fight corruption irrespective of who was involved.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, who announced the suspension in a statement on Wednesday, said Buhari also ordered investigation into allegations of violations of law and due process against the SGF.
The Senate Ad hoc Committee on Mounting Humanitarian Crises in the North-East had, in an interim report, indicted Lawal in the award of contracts under the Presidential Initiative on the North-East (PINE).
Jigawa
A Chinese company, said its proposed sugarcane company in Kaugama local government area of Jigawa State would generate 5,000 indirect jobs to youths in the state.
The representative of the group, Mr Wilkins Lam, said this at a sensitisation workshop in Dutse on Thursday.Lam said that the company would also provide clinic and a vocational school in the area. He added that the facilities, when established, would enhance the livelihood of communities both within and outside the project area.
The representative assured that as a reliable and committed investor, the group would continue to service its obligations as contained in the Memorandum of Understanding signed with the state government.
Kaduna
The Nigerian Army on Wednesday, began a special military exercise in Southern Kaduna code-named ”Operation Harbin Kunama II” – Scorpion Sting-, to checkmate farmers/herdsmen and ethno-religious crises in the area.
The three-decade-old crisis mostly occurred in Kaura, Kafanchan and Zango-Kataf local government areas.
The operation, which is also to flush out bandits and cattle rustlers, will be extended to parts of Plateau, Kano and Bauchi states.
Speaking at the event, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, called on the people of the area to maintain the peace and avoid reprisal attacks.
Buratai said the operation was to ensure security and safety of the people.
Lagos
A housewife, Remilekun Adepegba, who allegedly assaulted and beat her 13-year-old housekeeper to a pulp, was on Wednesday charged before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court.
The 35-year-old, who resides at No. 111, Otta Road, Orile-Agege, is facing a charge of assault.
The accused offence was committed on April 4 in her residence at her apartment, according to the prosecutor, Insp. Clifford Ogu.
Ogu said the accused beat up her 13-year-old housekeeper, alleging that she failed to do her duties.
“The woman descended on the girl and beat her until she became unconscious. It was one of the neighbours who intervened and rushed her to the hospital.’’
Nasarawa
The Nasarawa State Police Command, on Wednesday, said it lacked adequate manpower and communication gadgets to tackle crime in the state.
The state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Abubakar Sadiq, made this disclosure in Lafia in a welcome address to the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Mr Shuaibu Gambo, who was on a two-day working visit to the state.
“The command has a paucity of manpower, the problem is compounded daily by the transfer of men in large numbers out of the command.
“Presently, the command has a staff strength of 4,000 men to police, the population of more than two million residents of Nasarawa; I believe this is grossly inadequate,” he said.
Niger
Eight gunmen last Sunday kidnapped a Trader, Alhaji Nuhu Isa, in Lambata village of Gurara local government area of Niger State.
The Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in the state, Mr Philip Ayuba, disclosed this to newsmen in Minna, last Tuesday.
Ayuba said the gunmen had already used the victim’s cell phone to call his family and demanded N1 million ransom.
He said the kidnappers came with sophisticated weapons shooting indiscriminately in the village before taking the trader away.
He said the command had already swung into action to rescue the trader alive.
“We are collaborating with other security agencies to rescue the trader alive,” the commandant said.
Oyo
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, has alerted the Oyo State Police Command of moves by some individuals to misuse the law enforcement agents in the manner that could cause the breakdown of law and order.
The Olubadan made the accusation at his palace in Ibadan while receiving the new Deputy Inspector General of Police, South West, DIG Foluso Adebanjo.
Adetunji specifically mentioned the case of Oloode village in Oluyole local government where one Lukman Alao was deposed as Baale and promptly replaced on January 9 with Baale Dauda Odeyemi.
According to the first class monarch, “ Alao has become a law unto himself using mercenaries procured outside Oyo State to molest and arrest law abiding citizens.
“Part of his mode of operation is continuous use of number plate of Baale Oloode long after his removal from office.
Osun
The Osun State Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr Olufimihan Adeoye, said citizens have no absolute rights that cannot be violated by the police.
Adeoye, while paying a courtesy visit to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Correspondents’ Chapel in Osogbo on Wednesday, however, said that such violation must be within the ambit of the law.
He said that the operations of the police were limitless; hence, he advised the public to always cooperate with police officers on official duties.
“Rights are not absolute free and they can be violated by the police as long as they are done within the ambit and in accordance to the law.
“The police can stop and search any person, but it must be done professionally and in accordance with the law; so, there is no absolute freedom of movement.
“When a policeman stops and searches an individual, such a person should allow the officer, once it is established that the policeman is genuine.
Sokoto
The Sokoto State Chapter of the Agricultural and Allied Employees Union (AEWUN) has postponed its delegates conference it earlier planned to hold.
A source told newsmen in Sokoto on Thursday, that the postponement of the conference might not be unconnected with the fear of possible breach of the peace.
It was gathered that the executives to run the affairs of the union for the next four years were to be elected on Thursday,if not for the sudden shift in the date.
It was also learnt that the action was taken sequel to the alleged interference of “ external forces and interests”in the exercise.
It was further gathered that tension has been brewing in the union, especially over divided interests on the chairmanship post.
Taraba
Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba State, on Thursday urged traditional rulers to promote love and unity while striving to make their domains models in the efforts toward peace and stability.
“We want permanent peace in the state and traditional rulers are key to this quest. You must strive to be models by setting good examples for all to follow,” he said.
Ishaku spoke in Jalingo, at a meeting with traditional rulers from Jalingo and Ardo Kola local government areas.
The governor reminded the traditional rulers of the important roles they were expected to play as custodians of good cultures and warm traditions, and appealed to them to always offer suggestions that would aid the quest for a better Taraba.
He also tasked them to mobilise and sensitise their subjects on policies and programmes of government to gauge their feelings and also ensure massive support.
Strategic regulators and other stakeholders have expressed satisfaction with the pace, quality and magnitude of work carried out by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) in Ogoniland, in line with the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
In their separate speeches at the 2025 4th quarter key regulators / asset owners meeting held in Port Harcourt, the strategic stakeholders commended HYPREP for the significant milestones achieved with excellent efficiency and transparency, demonstrating capacity and commitment to sustaining collaboration with development partners for the overall success of the Project.
The regulators particularly lauded HYPREP for the landmark success in the implementation of the land and shoreline remediation, mangrove restoration, provision of reticulated potable water, the various sustainable livelihood programmes, donation of ambulances to health facilities in Ogoni, the construction of Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, as well as the ongoing Ogoni Power Project, adding that their independent field reports have shown proofs of HYPREP driving even beyond its mandates.
The goodwill messages were made by representatives of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Centre for Environment and Human Rights Development (CEHRD), Society for Women and Youths Affairs (SWAYA), Stakeholders Democracy Network (SDN), Nigerian Pipelines and Storage Company (NPSC), and Federal Ministry of Environment. Others are the Rivers State Ministry of Environment, the Rivers State Ministry of Health, the National Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Rivers State Ministry of Power, the Rivers State University, the Rivers State Ministry of Water and Rural Development, and Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited.
Following the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit’s presentation on the status of HYPREP projects, participants offered feedback on areas of concern. They reassured HYPREP and the people of Ogoni of their continued support for the Project’s success. They also suggested that the quarterly review meeting be sustained as it enables them to report, evaluate and proffer solutions to areas of concern.
Participants also commended HYPREP for improved community and stakeholder engagement and for adding to what they saw the previous time. “We commend HYPREP for the quality work done at sites. The progress is phenomenal, because HYPREP is scoring good grades, above average,” Prof. Iyenemi Kakulu from Rivers State University said.
In his speech at the event, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who was represented by Prof Damian-Paul Aguiyi, Director of Technical Services, commended the regulators and asset owners for their cooperation with the Project, and for making themselves available for fieldwork and the regular review meetings.
Prof Zabbey reiterated HYPREP’s commitment to best practice in waste management, particularly waste generation and disposal, calling on the Regulators for adequate logistics support, saying HYPREP’s priority is to focus on the core recommendations by UNEP, especially, remediation(soil, shoreline) mangrove restoration, provision of potable water, interventions in public health care services and sustainable livelihood for the people.
The Project Coordinator further highlighted the status of the Project, the successes achieved across all thematic areas, and assured that HYPREP will soon complete most of the ongoing projects and roll out others. He explained that the purpose of the meeting was to review the progress of the Ogoni cleanup, ensure quality control, and foster effective collaboration.
Consequently, the quarterly key regulators/asset owners meeting is HYPREP’s strategic stakeholder management model, further underscoring the Project’s commitment to transparency, partnership for development, and accountability, all of which are harbingers of effective project delivery.
Speaking to newsmen, HYPREP Project Support Lead and representative of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, Engr Ehioze Igbinomwanhia, described his involvement with HYPREPas an encouraging and insightful experience, saying, the Project is implementing a wide range of projects across Ogoniland, spanning immediate remediation works as well as livelihood support initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of affected communities.
Engr Igbinomwanhia emphasised that Renaissance Africa Energy remains fully committed to supporting the objectives of the Ogoni cleanup project, noting that the company has a long history of collaboration with HYPREP.
He added that the partnership has been characterised by continuous learning, adaptation and a willingness to respond to observations and recommendations aimed at improving outcomes.
He further emphasised the importance of safety in all project operations, particularly given the challenging terrain and operating conditions in Ogoniland.
He noted that safety is treated as a critical priority and that contractors are continually reminded to maintain high safety standards, stressing that lessons learnt from previous operational challenges like the collapse of the water tank in Gwara Community are being applied to strengthen safety practices and overall performance.
The Rivers state Government has identified six local government areas with the highest burden of maternal and Neonatal mortality in the state.
State Commissioner for Health Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh said this in an interview with newsmen at the Maternal and Neonatal Reduction innovation initiative ( Mamii)Rivers state activation workshop and state engagement meeting in Port Harcourt.
The event was organized by The Federal Ministry of Health in conjunction with its Rivers state counterpart in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh also restated the preparedness of the state government to support current efforts by the federal government towards the reduction of maternal and infant mortalities in the country.
She mentioned the affected Local Government Areas to include, Andoni,Akuku Toru and Ahoada West
The rest according to the Commissioner are, Bonny, Etche and Emohua Local Government Areas.
She said the workshop will enable the team from the federal ministry of health and social welfare to brainstorm with the view to finding solution to the problem.
The Commissioner also gave reasons why the Mamii initiative was the best as far as finding solution to maternal mortality was concerned.
“The uniqueness of the Mamii initiative driven by the federal ministry of health and social welfare was that we used evidence to elicit the reasons for this deaths, so that the solutions will be context specific and tailored to the particular environment where those deaths are occuring
“For us in Rivers state we have six Mamii LGAs , nationally we we have 172 local government areas “the Commissioner said.
Earlier in her opening remarks,Dr Oreh said the state government is prepared to work with the federal ministry of health and social welfare to check the rate of maternal mortality in the state.
She commended The Minister of Health and Social welfare Professor Ali Muhammad Pategi for driving the Mamii initiative across the country and expressed optimism that the programm will see to the end of maternal mortality in the country.
Also speaking the National Coordinator Nigeria health sector Renewal Initiative Dr Adam Ahmed said Rivers state is the last state among Mamii states in the country to host the team.
He said the team will visit the affected Local Government Areas with the view to interacting with the people on how to check the trend.
He expressed the hope that with continuous efforts, maternal mortality will be checked.
Also speaking the permanent secretary Rivers state Ministry of Health Professor Justinah Jumbo said the government is not leaving any stone unturned towards reduction in maternal deaths.
The permanent secretary said Governor Siminalaye Fubara is a health friendly Governor who is desirous in improving the quality of health of Rivers people.
John Bibor
