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THE STATES

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Borno
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says the living conditions of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Borno State have significantly improved.
The North-East Coordinator of the agency, Malam Muhammad Kanar, stated this while speaking with newsmen in Maiduguri.
Kanar said this followed collaborative efforts by stakeholders.
He said unlike before, the IDPs were now living in a better environment due to such efforts.
“Actually, everything is going on well for the IDPs now, this is because of the collaboration between all stakeholders toward addressing their problems.

Ekiti
An Ado-Ekiti State Customary Court yesterday dissolved the 15-year-old marriage between Mercy Augustine and her husband, Linus Augustine on grounds of frequent beatings.
Other grounds for the dissolution were unruly behaviour, assault and adultery.
Mercy, 35, a public servant had filed a divorce petition, accusing her husband of maltreating, beating, and disgracing her in the presence of his relatives.
She also said that her husband was dating other women.
Mercy a mother of three children, explained that since she left the house of the respondent in August 31, 2013, he had refused to allow her visit the children in his custody.

FCT
The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Alhaji Abubakar Malami, says President Muhammadu Buhari is worried over the delay in the passage of the Proceeds of Crime Act by the National Assembly (NASS).
Malami stated this when he briefed State House correspondents on the outcome of a closed door meeting with President Buhari in the Presidential Villa, Abuja last Tuesday.
According to him, the President noted that there has not been any expeditious determination on the passage of the anti-graft bill by the NASS.
“It’s a routine briefing of the president as it relates to general issues that have to do with anti-corruption.
“Mr. President is worried about the anti-corruption bills that are pending before the National Assembly overtime. There has not been any expeditious determination on the passage of the bills and indeed, the asset management agency was also part of the discussion.

Jigawa
Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Jigawa State Command, recovered over N3.93 million debts owed some residents of the state between January and March this year.
The spokesman of the command, Mr Adamu Abdullahi, made the disclosure yesterday in Dutse in an interview with newsmen.
He said that the amount was recovered following complaints the command received from aggrieved creditors.
He said that the command’s Disputes and Conflicts Resolution Unit (DCRU) amicably resolved disagreements between the debtors and their creditors.

Katsina
The Katsina State Emirate Council, last Tuesday suspended four village heads for alleged encroachment into Rugu Forest.
The suspension was announced in a statement signed by Alhaji Bello Ifo, the Council’s Secretary on Tuesday in Katsina.
Those suspended were the Village head of Illelah, Alhaji Adamu Aliyu, that of Muniya, Alhaji Hamisu Ahmad, and Alhaji Ibrahim Aliyu of Guzurawa, all in Safana Local Government Area.
Also suspended was Aihaji Isah Madogara and that of Madogara in Batsari Local Government Area.

Kogi
The Police last Saturday said they had arrested six suspects in connection with an assignation attempt on Senator Dino Melaye in his home in Kogi State on April 15.
The force Spokesman, CSP Jimoh Moshood, told newsmen in Abuja that the arrested suspects included a Kogi State local government sole administrator and his orderly.
Moshood said that items recovered included one Hyundai Ambulance bus allegedly used in conveying the attackers, five AK 47 rifles, One Beretta pistol and two locally made single barrel shot guns.
Others were 25 expended shells of 7.62 mm ammunition, 13 expended sheels of 9 mm ammunition and 12 expended shells of gauge cartridge.
Moshood said that the firearms had been sent for ballistic expert examination, test and analysis at the Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department in Lagos.

Kwara
A philanthropist, Chief Jide Ajide, yesterday donated a Mathematics laboratory to a public secondary school in Isanlu-Isin, Kwara State.
Ajide said at the inauguration of the project that the laboratory equipped with modern instructural materials would encourage youths to study mathematics.
He urged well-meaning people to complement governments’ efforts in funding and developing education especially at the grassroots.
Ajide noted that many students had developed phobia for Mathematics, saying the attitude has continued to impede scientific and research breakthroughs.
“The laboratory is intended to complement government’s efforts toward enhancing learning, especially in Mathematics and Sciences.

Lagos
The United State  last Monday began an anti-bomb training for 60 Nigerian Police officers to equip them to clear explosives from reclaimed communities in the North-East and ensure safe return of citizens.
The Inspector-general of Police (I-G), Mr. Idris Ibrahim, said at the commencement of the four-week training in Lagos State that the communities are in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.
The I-G who was represented by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG), Operations, Mr. Joshak Habila, said that the training would also improve the capacity of personnel to be deployed to the Niger Delta.
According to the I-G, the officers are from the Explosives Ordinance Department (EOD). “These trained personnel are to ensure that the communities were cleared of all explosives for the safe return of displaced persons to their lands.

Niger
Commander, 31 Artillery Bri­gade, Minna, General Moshood Olanrewaju, has assured of the army’s readiness to tackle cattle rustling, kidnapping  and armed banditry in Niger State.
Olanrewaju gave the assurance in an interview with newsmen in Minna on Thursday.
He said that the army, in collaboration with other security agencies, had mapped out strategies to flush out criminals in the state.
According to the brigade commander, adequate security personnel has been mobilised for the operation.
“We have put in place sensitive security methods that will enable us apprehend all those involved in illegal activities.

Ogun
The FRSC has confirmed that two persons died while eight others sustained injuries in an accident along the IIo-Awela Road Road at Sango Ota in Ogun State yesterday.
The Unit Commander of the FRSC in Ogun, Mr. Adekunle Oguntoyinbo, made the confirmation while speaking on the development in Sango-Ota.
He said the accident, which he blamed on break failure, occurred at about 8.20 am.
Oguntoyinbo said the incident involved two buses, one of which was a commercial bus.
He said that the brake of the commercial bus failed and ran into a bus at the tollgate, resulting in the death of two persons and injuring eight others.
The unit commander said that the bodies of the dead had been deposited at the morgue of the Ota General Hospital in Sango-Ota, while the injured persons were also receiving treatment at the same hospital.

Sokoto
The Sokoto State Government yesterday said it had distributed 172 transformers of various capacities to different communities across the 23 local government areas of the state.
The State Commissioner for Rural development, Alhaji Abdullahi Maigwandu, who stated this during a chat with journalists in Sokoto, added that the 172 transformers were procured by the state government at the cost of N623 million.
Maigwandu explained that N103 million was spent on the supply and installation of the electrical equipment in different parts of the state.
According to him, the categories of transformer distributed included 500 kva, 300 kva and 200 kva and that some local government areas got five while others got three depending on request.
He further said the state government had concluded plans to install additional 100 transformers in some selected communities in the state.

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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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