Nation
THE STATES
Bauchi
The Bauchi State Police Command says it has arrested over 150 suspected thugs popularly called Sara Suka within seven days.
According to a statement signed on Monday by the State Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Garba Umar, the arrest followed renewed strategies perfected by the command.
Umar said that the suspects were arrested at various black spots within the Bauchi metropolis.
He said that knives, machetes Shisha pots, packets of Tramadol tablets and other assorted drugs, suspected to be hard drugs were recovered from the suspects.
According to him, other items recovered include, seven packet of vulcanising solutions, 34 wraps of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp and six motorcycles suspected to be stolen.
Umar noted that some self-centered politicians in the state had perfected plans to disrupt the prevailing relative peace in the state their selfish interests.
Benue
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue has commended the Nigerian Military for effectively tackling insurgency in the North-East.
Ortom made the commendation in Makurdi on Tuesday when the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal, Sadique Abubakar, visited him.
He said that posterity would not forget the military personnel who paid the supreme price for the country.
Ortom commended President Muhammadu Buhari for giving topmost priority to security in his administration.
He urged all security agencies in the country to work together for the overall benefit of the society.
The governor urged the people of the state to always provide intelligence reports to the security agencies to assist them to fight crime.
Borno
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) said last Tuesday that it was working towards re-opening of its Orientation Camp in Maiduguri following return of relative peace to the State.
Director- General of NYSC, Brig:-Gen. Suleiman Kazaure, gave the hint while speaking with newsmen in Maiduguri.
Kazaure said NYSC was eager to re-open the camp following the return of peace to the state ravaged by the Boko Haram insurgency.
“There is relative peace now in the state, so we will like to come back as soon as possible. Remember, the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are still occupying the Orientation Camp”, he said.
Kazaure said the camp would be re-opened once the IDPs were evacuated from it.
” It is only in Borno that our corps members have yet to have their orientation camp in place.
FCT
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has decried the alleged rape of a 15-year-old girl by a traditional ruler in Katsina State.
The commission also described as worrisome the reported defilement of a seven-month-old baby by her 55-year-old stepfather in Musawa Local Government Area of the state.
The acting Executive Secretary of the commission, Mrs Oti Ovrawah, made the assertion in a statement signed by the commission’s Chief Press Officer, Fatimah Mohammad, on Tuesday in Abuja.
Ovrawah called on the Katsina State Government to ensure that the traditional ruler and the step-father were investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law to serve as deterrent to other Nigerians.
She called on the Police, judiciary and other stakeholders to be more diligent in ensuring that all reported cases of rape were thoroughly investigated.
Jigawa
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Jigawa says it has arrested 27 suspects, including six nationals of Niger Republic, for allegedly burning down its office in Maigatari Local Government Area of the state.
The corps’ spokesman, Mr Adamu Abdullahi, confirmed the arrest to newsmen in Dutse last Tuesday.
Some suspected hoodlums had on March 30 allegedly razed down the NSCDC’s office in Maigatari town.
“As I told you the other time, we had identified those suspected to have participated in burning down our office in Maigatari.
“So, yesterday in the night, we sent our men to the area and were able to arrest 27 suspects”, he said.
Kaduna
The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) last Tuesday said it had evacuated no fewer than 139 destitutes from Kaduna metropolis between March 17 and April 3.
The command’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Orndiir Terzungwe, told newsmen in Kaduna that the age of the destitutes ranged from Six to 17 years.
Terzungwe said that the destitutes were initially kept at the State Rehabilitation Centre in Makera, Kaduna South Local Government Area, but were finally taken to Makarfi.
“Those who are from the state have been moved to Makarfi rehabilitation camp in Makarfi Local Government Area, where they will be properly rehabilitated.
“After rehabilitation those from the State will be taken to their local government areas of origin.
Kano
The Commissioner of Police in Kano State, Mr Rabiu Yusuf, has warned officers and men against demanding for money or any form of favour before granting bail to the suspects.
Yusuf also cautioned them against illegal investigation of cases, unlawful detention of suspects and prolonged detention, saying that they should respect human rights in the course of all investigations.
The police chief spoke at a lecture/ parade with officers and men working at State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Divisional Crime Officers and Investigation Police Officers (IPOs) in the state.
Yusuf, according to a statement issued by the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Magaji Majiya, said that the era of bribery and corruption was over in the police circle.
Katsina
The Police Command in Katsina State has warned against acts that could portray its officers and men in bad light.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Alhaji Abdullahi Usman, gave the warning while addressing police officers and men at Mai’adua on Tuesday.
Usman said he would sanction any officer found to have indulged in behaviours that could damage the reputation of the police.
He, however, assured them that their welfare would be taken care of ” to motivate you for effective performance”.
He urged the Mai’adua Local Government to report activities of criminals in the area to police for prompt action.
The commissioner lauded the Federal Government over the recent recruitment of 10,000 policemen which he said would enhance effective policing.
Kogi
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) last Tuesday said its decision on the November 21, 2015 governorship election in Kogi was not influenced by any external force.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, stated this while responding to issues at a stakeholders’ conference organised by the commission to validate its 2017-2021 Strategic Plan in Abuja.
Yakubu said that it was untrue that INEC’s decision to allow a particular political party to contest the election without a running mate for its candidate was at the instance of Attorney-General of the Federation.
He said that the election held on a Saturday had already been declared inconclusive before the All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate, Chief Abubakar Audu, died on Sunday.
Lagos
The Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) has called for removal of the inscription “Bail is Free” from police stations and law courts, saying that it is misleading.
In a statement in Lagos on Tuesday, the state Chairman of CLO, Mr Ehi Omokhuale, said that bail had not been free, and that the public should be properly informed.
“The CLO upholds that the “Bail is Free” inscription in our police stations and law courts is not only an institutionalised fraud against the citizenry, but a practice that makes our human rights stance a laughing stock in the eyes of the civilised world.
“We demand, therefore, that bail fees charged by the police and our law courts for the different offences should be published and the “Bail is Free” inscription replaced with “Bail Fees” Omokhuale said.
He also called on the state police command, local governments in the state and Lagos State Transport Management Authority (LASTMA) to curb extortion among their men and agents.
Niger
The Child Right Protection Agency in Niger last Tuesday received a 9-year-old boy found sleeping on the street in Minna from a good Samaritan, Malam Umar Tanko.
Tanko, who presented the boy to the Agency said the boy was found along Bosso Road, Bosso Local Government Area in Niger.
Tanko said the boy, found with bruises on his body, identified himself as Bayo from Ogun.
He said Bayo, who speaks only Yoruba, was seen sleeping in front of a shop near his house on March 29.
“When I asked what he was doing outside at night, he responded in Yoruba. I don’t understand the language, so, I called my younger brother who interpreted what the boy was saying.
Ogun
The Ogun State Government is to amend the law establishing Tai Solarin College of Education (TASCE), Omu- Ijebu.
Chairman, Ogun State House Committee on Education, Mr Victor Fasanya, said this during oversight visit to the institution on Tuesday.
He explained that the aim was to address the issue of two state institutions named after the late social crusader, Tai Solarin.
He added that the amendment was to effect adjustment in the institution’s name in fulfilment of the recommendations of the National Council of Colleges of Education accreditation team.
According to him, this is to ensure full accreditation of all programmes run by the institution.
The lawmaker commended the management of the institution for upgrading its facilities which had aided teaching and learning as well as adding beauty to the college.
Sokoto
Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State last Tuesday day approved the appointment of Alhaji Chika Sanyinna as the new General Manager of the State Transport Company (SSTA).
The governor also approved the appointment of six new Director-Generals including the immediate past General Manager of the transport company, Alhaji Ladan Balarabe.
According to a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Malam Imam Imam in Sokoto, the governor urged Sanyinna to reposition the company and make it a model.
He also urged him to justify his appointment by adopting innovative measures that would enhance the growth and development of transport sector in the state.
Nation
Key Regulators, Asset Owners Impressed With HYPREP’s Milestones
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.
Nation
Maternal Mortality: RSG Identifies 6 High Risk Local Government Areas
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
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