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Borno
The Nigerian Army last Thursday said that it killed 10 Boko Haram insurgents in a clearance operations in Marte Local Government Area of  Borno State.
A statement issued in Maiduguri  by the spokesman  of the 8 Task Force Division, Col. Timothy Atigha, said the troops also recovered bicycles and cows from the insurgents.
He also said that the troops launched  two separate attacks against  the insurgents at Maza, Danari and Mowo villages of Marte and Monguno Local Government Areas.
“In continuation of ongoing efforts to deny terrorists freedom of action in its area of responsibility, troops of the 8 Task Force Division have neutralised 10 terrorists in Maza village of Marte Local Government Area of the state.
“The terrorists fell into an ambush laid by troops at about 9: 00 p.m.  on Tuesday,  as they attempted to sneak back into their swampy hideouts in the Lake Chad Basin.
” The troops also recovered 52 rustled cows from the insurgents at Danari and Mowo villages in Monguno Local Government Area,” he said.

Ekiti
The Secretary-General of  the Lagos State branch of  Ekiti Parapo, Mr Sunday Olowoyobiojo, has urged youths  to acquire vocational skills  which will enable them  affect their generation positively.
Olowoyobiojo, made the plea  in an interview with newsmen in Ado-Ekiti last Thursday.
Ekiti Parapo is the umbrella body of all Ekiti  indigenes in Nigeria and the Diaspora.
Olowoyobiojo  said  it was  important for all youths to embrace  the Federal Government’s diversification initiatives  in the agriculture sector  irrespective of their profession.
“In this 21st Century, for Nigeria to achieve meaningful growth and development, her youths must realise that attainment of academic qualifications or professional certification is not enough”, he said.

FCT
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has concluded arrangement to establish a Global Commission on the Future of Work.
ILO Director-General, Mr Guy Ryder said this in a statement made available to newsmen last Wednesday in Abuja.
Ryder said that the commission would be launched on                         ( August 2)  and the names of Commission members would be announced during the event at ILO headquarters in Geneva.
According to him, the responsibilities of the commission will evolve around four centenary conversations on work and society, decent jobs for all.
He said others are the organisation of work and production, and the governance of work.

Gombe
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), last Wednesday began the distribution of  990 tonnes of grains to over 40,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Gombe State.
NEMA Director General, Mustapha Maihaja, said the grains were to cushion the effect of hardship faced  by the displaced persons in the North East Zone.
The reports that the grains, which  comprised of  maize, soya beans and Guinea corn, were being distributed under the Federal Government Special Food Intervention Programme.
Maihaja, who was represented by Malam Abdulsalam Mohammed, said  a household of father, wife and four children was entitled  to 25 kg of maize, 12.5 kg of soya beans and 12.5 kg of  guinea corn
“Those that are more than six will get 100 kg of the assorted grains. The grains will be given  to all IDPs in the 11 local government areas of the state,” he said.

Kaduna
The Kaduna State Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), says it has intercepted two suspected human traffickers and rescued 44 minors in Kaduna.
The Sector Commander, Malam Umar Ibrahim, told newsmen in Kaduna on Thursday that the suspects, a driver and one other adult were arrested last Wednesday on Kaduna – Zaria Expressway.
According to him, the suspects were arrested by FRSC patrol team led by Assistant Route Commander, Audu Usman, when he stopped a Fiat Bus (J5) with registration number XC 532 ZAR for overloading.
“Our patrol men along Kaduna – Zaria expressway, around 3 p.m. on Wednesday, stopped a white and blue colour fiat bus popularly known as J5 for overloading,” he said.
Kogi
Executive Director, Centre for Human Rights and Con
flict Resolution (CHRCR) in Kogi State, Mr Idris Miliki, has called for the establishment of government institutions to manage conflicts at state level.
Miliki made the call in an interview with newsmen last Wednesday in Lokoja.
He noted that while a lot of resources were being deployed to fight insecurity, not much attention was given to the management of conflicts.
The rights activist said that conflict and security could trigger emergencies and create unpleasant situations, adding that none should be accorded less attention.
Miliki expressed concern that conflict leading to killings in Omala, Bassa, Abugi, Ogaminana and some flash points in Kogi, were not properly addressed.

Lagos
The National Council of the Nigeria Boys’ Brigade says it has perfected plans to raise N100 million to enhance youth development.
President, Boys’ Brigade Nigeria, Mr Sunny Nwosu, made the assertion at a news conference last Wednesday in Lagos.
Nwosu said that the funds would be used to complete its national headquarters in Abuja and for the development of its vocational centres in Abuja and Lagos.
He said that its investiture slated for August 27 at St. Ferdinand Catholic Church, Ipaja, Lagos would be used to raise the money.
“We want to mould a future for youths with the fear of God because, without fear of God many things will go wrong in the country,” he said.

Ogun
An Idi-Ogungun Customary Court at Agodi in Ibadan, last Thursday dissolved a 7-year-old marriage between one Ganiyat Safejo and her husband, Suleiman Safejo over lack of adequate care.
The president of the court, Chief Mukaila Balogun and the court assessors, Ganiyu Alao and Aare Samotu, resolved that the relationship between the couple has broken down irretrievably.
“Having carefully considered the evidence of parties, the court is of the view that the relationship between the couple has broken down to a point of irreconcilability.
“Therefore the marriage is hereby dissolved and custody of the only child of the marriage is to remain with the plaintiff.
“Defendant is ordered to be forthwith financially responsible to his child by paying the plaintiff, via the court registry, the sum of N3, 500 monthly being money for child support,” Balogun said.

Ondo
Governor  Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, last Wednesday, urged residents to take advantage of the free services of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria.
Akeredolu, gave the advice during a courtesy visit to him by members of the Ondo State chapter of the council in Akure.
He said a lot of people were suffering because they did not have the means to engage the services of a lawyer,
“We should have the offices in local government areas, where it will be easily accessible to the people.
“The offices can be a reference point manned by a lawyer who is a corps member. He or she will be given some orientation for immediate advice and documentation, which will be sent to the headquarters if it deserves further attention”, he said.
“The offices can be a reference point manned by a lawyer who is a corps member. He or she will be given some orientation for immediate advice and documentation, which will be sent to the headquarters if it deserves further attention.

Plateau
Sacked councillors in Plateau State have given Governor Simon Lalong a 30-day ultimatum to pay their N1.57 billion accrued salaries and allowances or face another court action.
The councillors, through their counsel, Mr Gyang Zi, gave the ultimatum in a letter dated August 14, 2017.
Reports that Lalong had on July 15, 2015, sacked the councillors and replaced them with interim management committees, even though they had nine months to complete their two-year tenure.
Miffed by the action, the councillors in 15 out of the 17 LGAs, dragged the government before Justice David Mann of the Plateau High Court in Jos, who gave judgment in their favour on August 4.

Taraba
Taraba State Co-ordinator of New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), Mr Dennis Nev, has commended Governor Darius Ishaku for opening up rural roads across the state.
Nev told newsmen recently in Jalingo that the projects would open up growth opportunities for rural dwellers and boost the Taraba economy.
He particularly identified the ongoing construction of Lacheke-Pantisawa, Wukari-Tsokundi, Chanchanji-Takum and Mararaba Baissa roads as “huge steps” that would ease movement and boost commercial activities.
Nev also commended Ishaku for fulfilling his promise to fix the Chanchanji bridge.
“Fixing that bridge is a dream come true for the people. The governor promised to do it during his campaign and it is good that he has kept his word,” he said.

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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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