Niger Delta

Police Decry Pension Scheme, Parades Man With 375 AK-47

Published

4 years ago

August 20, 2021

The Nigeria Police retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) have again demanded to be exited from the scheme, saying it denies them access to their benefits and entitlements.
In a press statement on their behalf made available to newsmen in Calabar and signed by the sixteen State chairmen of branches including CP Abayomi Akeremale, (Rtd.), Chairman of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chapter and Rtd. CSP Uwem Uyoh, Chairman of Akwa Ibom State chapter, regretted that “they have been coerced into a system that has robbed them of their entitlements which their counterparts in other security agencies are still enjoying.”
They gave instances of the maltreatment of retirees; “an instance is the denial of the 300% annual basic salary and the 80% monthly basic salary as gratuity and monthly pension, respectively on retirement.
“The gratuity has been replaced with what is craftily described as lump sum which is far below 25% of annual salary of a retiree after 35 years of meritorious service and a monthly pension of what is less than 20% of the last monthly basic salary of the retiree.
“Whereas, military and other intelligence community personnel who are not contributing to their retirement benefits are paid 300% of their last annual salary and 80% of their last monthly salary as their gratuity and pension respectively.”
Meanwhile, the newly appointed Cross River State Police Commissioner, Aminu Alhasaan, last weekend, paraded one Godwin Ubung with 375 AK 47 live ammunition.
In his maiden media briefing at the State Police Headquarters, Diamond Hill, Calabar, CP Alhasaan said the Obanlikwu Division of the police, in northern Cross River, carried out the arrest, and described the operation as a major breakthrough.
“Barely 24 hours of my assumption, was a major breakthrough recorded. On 11/8/2021 at about 0530hrs, surveillance patrol team, led by the DPO Obanliku Division, intercepted one Ubung Godwin “m’ of Bebuabie Village and one Christopher Udie ‘m’ of Betukwel village in Obudu LGA with unregistered motorcycle.
“On sighting the police, the said Christopher took to his heels abandoning his accomplice with the motorcycle while Ubung Godwin ‘m’ was arrested and the following items were recovered in his possession namely: One chain of GPMG live ammunition. Three Hundred and seventy-five (375) AK47 live ammunition.
“The suspect is being investigated to establish the source and mission of this illegal act, and also to bring all the culprits involved to book.”
The new CP also solicited the cooperation of all Cross Riverians, stakeholders, community youths, leaders, religious and traditional leaders to ensure insecurity is reduced to the barest minimum in the state.
“Furthermore, I want to reiterate my resolve to align with the vision and mission of the Inspector General of Police among which includes respect for fundamental human rights, policing in line with the international best practices, zero tolerance of crime/criminality
and his initiative of Operation Restore Peace (RP) in our respective area of responsibility (AOR) at all times,” he stated.
In an interview with Journalists, the suspect denied being the owner of the ammunition, saying his cousin, who ran away on sighting the police, was the owner.

By: Friday Nwagbara, Calabar

Niger Delta

Court Declares DESTMA Activities Unconstitutional

Published

2 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Delta State High Court sitting in Warri has declared the power of the Delta State Traffic Management Authority (DESTMA) to arrest traffic offenders and impose fines as illegal and unconstitutional.

In a judgment delivered on Wednesday in Suit No. W/348/2016: Chuks Christian Ofili v. Attorney-General of Delta State & Anor, Hon. Justice Ejiro Emudainowho struck down Section 18(1) of the Delta State Traffic Management Authority Law, 2013, holding that it conflicts with the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The court held that DESTMA and its officials lacked the legal authority to impose fines, penalties or sanctions, or to confiscate vehicle number plates without first charging and securing a conviction before a competent court.

Justice Emudainowho ruled that the seizure of the claimant’s number plate and the imposition of a N30,000 fine without trial amounted to a “flagrant violation” of the claimant’s right to fair hearing and freedom of movement under Sections 36(1) and 41(1) of the constitution.

Among other reliefs, the court set aside the “Notification of New Traffic Offences and Penalties” issued against the claimant, ordered the refund of N30,000 paid for the release of the number plate, awarded N500,000 as legal costs and N300,000 as damages, with 10 percent interest per annum.

Reacting to the judgment, the claimant’s counsel, Olukunle Ogheneovo Edun, said the ruling affirms constitutional supremacy.

“The court was clear that only a competent court of law can impose penalties. Administrative agencies cannot assume judicial powers”, he said.

Niger Delta

COAS Praises Bayelsa On Military Welfare … As Diri Hands Over Residential Quarters To Army Chief

Published

2 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Nigerian Army has commended the Bayelsa State Government for promoting the welfare of its officers and men as part of efforts to enhance peace and security in the state.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, gave the commendation on Thursday when he led other senior military officers on a courtesy/condolence visit to the State Governor, Douye Diri, in Government House, Yenagoa.

Gen. Shaibu praised the Bayelsa government for constructing and handing over residential accommodation to the Nigerian Army 16 Brigade at Elebele.

The army chief noted that the initiative would greatly ease the brigade’s accommodation challenges.

Shaibu, who explained that he was on a maiden operational visit to the state to assess the combat readiness of men and officers of the Command, also commiserated with the governor and the Ewhrudjakpo family on the passing of the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.

“My reason for coming here are two-fold. We are here for my maiden operational visit to the 6th Division area of responsibility, which also covers Bayelsa State.

“I’m also here with a heart of gratitude and appreciation for what you have done for the 16 Brigade, which is the construction and completion of apartments made up of nine units of three bedroom flats for non-commissioned officers and two blocks of nine units of two bedroom apartments for non-commissioned officers.

“This gesture will go a long way in mitigating the accommodation challenges that the Brigade is facing. It will be a great relief for the Nigerian Army”, he said.

Responding, Diri thanked Gen. Shaibu for acknowledging the modest contribution of the state government towards improving the safety of lives and property of the citizenry.

He lauded the various security agencies for exhibiting a high sense of professionalism in the discharge of their duties.

“I like to use this opportunity to commend the Nigerian Army and other armed forces for what you are doing to ensure that Nigeria is safe and secure. For us in government, we all appreciate and understand that you are making sacrifices for our public safety.

“I implore you to continue to do what you are doing very well at all times. We are always here to support you in whichever form that we can, so that you will also have a conducive environment to enable you discharge your duties creditably.

“l’m equally happy that we were able to start and complete those buildings. We know that, like you rightly said, it will ease the accommodation demands of the officers in the 16 Brigade”, he said.

By; Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Eno Inaugurates Committees On TSA, International Airport Status

Published

2 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has inaugurated two inter-ministerial committees to supervise the implementation of the International Airport Status for the Victor Attah International Airport, and for the Treasury Single Account for Internally Generated Revenues.

While inaugurating the committees at the Government House, Uyo, Eno expressed confidence in the competence of the members of the committee to achieve the mandate.

“The committees’ establishment marks another strategic step in the administration’s drive to strengthen governance systems.

“It will also ensure the fast-tracking and the completion of major development projects in the state”, the Governor said.

He further said the members of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on International Airport Status Implementation include Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Enobong Uwah, who would serve as the Chairman.

Others are the Commissioner for Finance/Special Duties, Mr. Emem Bob; the Managing Director, Ibom Air, Mr. George Uriesi; and Mr. Ephraim Udosen, Permanent Secretary for Special Duties, among others.

“The Inter-Ministerial Committee on the Implementation of TSA-IGR has Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Emem Bob, as Chairman.

“Others are the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Uko Udom, SAN; Commissioner for Science and Digital Economy, Dr. Frank Ekpenyong; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Frank Archibong; Commissioner for Lands, Dr. Ubong Inyang, among others.”

The Governor noted that the members’ expertise would contribute significantly to the state’s infrastructural growth and financial stability.

He urged them to intensify efforts and ensure that all preparatory works remained on schedule.

“I charge the committee on the state’s airport with the responsibility of ensuring accelerated progress and meeting all required benchmarks ahead of the facility’s operational kick-off in April, 2026.

“I expect this committee to work tirelessly to ensure the realisation and commencement of full operations at the international airport by the first week of April 2026″, he said.

Eno emphasised the need for transparency, fiscal discipline and effective coordination across government agencies, saying that no agency of government was permitted to operate a single independent account.

He reaffirmed the termination of contracts for consultants on revenue generation, adding that all revenue must be generated and expended through a unified treasury account.

The Governor urged all MDAs to work with the Inter-Ministerial Committee, headed by the Commissioner for Finance to ensure that the expected results were achieved and on time.

He maintained that tenement rates would be paid into the treasury single account and urged full compliance from homeowners across the state.