Niger Delta
Delta Safer, Calmer, Kidnapping Dropping –Army
The Commander, 63 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Abdulmoshood Shonibare, says Delta has recorded notable improvements in security, with the state now safer, calmer and rate of kidnapping cases dropping in recent months.
Shonibare stated this while addressing Newsmen shortly after the Delta State Security Council meeting chaired by Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori in Government House, Asaba, Wednesday.
Shonibare said that the session reviewed the state’s security situation since the last ad hoc meeting and found that enhanced coordination among security agencies, traditional rulers, and local government authorities had yielded positive results.
“Delta State is calmer than it was a few months ago, and we can all attest to this. The cases of kidnappings have dramatically reduced, and cultists no longer have a foothold stated.
He cited a recent rescue operation in which two female students and a male student kidnapped in separate incidents, were rescued unhurt.
“The operation, conducted with the Nigerian Police Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad, led to the killing of two suspected kidnappers and the recovery of two AK-47 rifles, magazines, and 16 rounds of ammunition,” he said
The army boss disclosed that security forces have been intercepting fleeing criminal elements, including members of the proscribed IPOB group, who were attempting to hide in Asaba, Warri, and surrounding areas.
“Those who think Delta state is a safe haven should think twice. We are coming after them,” he warned.
On grassroots security, the Brigade Commander said measures were underway to tackle drug abuse and trafficking, describing them as major drivers of crime.
Shonibare noted that recent visits by senior military officers, including the General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major Gen. E.E. Emeka, and engagements with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Delta, had strengthened anti-drug operations in Ughelli, Abraka, Warri, and other hotspots.
On his part, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi, highlighted the police command’s achievements in collaboration with other security agencies.
“These includes the neutralization of several kidnap suspects, recovery of multiple firearms including AK-47, pump-action rifles and the seizure of ?5.7 million in ransom money from kidnappers,” he said.
Olufemi assured residents and investors of a peaceful festive season, noting that preparations for the ember months were already underway.
“Last year, Delta had one of its most peaceful Christmas celebrations. This year will be even more peaceful. Deltans can return home to celebrate with their loved ones without fear,” he said.
Earlier in the meeting, Gov. Oborevwori reiterated his administration’s commitment to infrastructural development, empowerment programmes, and strengthened security as the year draws to a close.
He assured that all necessary measures would be put in place to protect lives and property.
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The Cross River House of Assembly has passeda total sum of N642,160,260,164.66 as 2025 supplementary budget for the state.
It would be recalled that the house, on Dec. 24 2024, passed the 2025 Appropriation Bill, tagged “Budget of Sustainable Growth”, totalling over N538 billion.
The supplementary budget shows a variance of about N142 billion, representing 26 per cent increase over the initial budget.
Presenting the report, Wednesday, the Chairman of the Assembly’s Finance and Appropriation Committee, Okon Owuna, said the addition was to accommodate several critical expenditures that were not captured in the original 2025 budget.
Owuna said the development had provided the fiscal space to introduce additional expenditures across critical sectors.
He also said that the supplementary budget introduced an upward adjustment across sectors like administration, economic, law and justice, among others.
“The key factors necessitating the supplementary budget include new obligations and emergency spending not captured in the original budget.
“There are also recently approved strategic programmes requiring immediate financial backing and improved outlook from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), internal grants and state shares from Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).
“The budget will be financed from IGR, Aids and Grants and FAAC,” he said.
In separate reactions, other lawmakers said that the approval of the supplementary budget was necessitated by Gov. Bassey Otu’s commitment to infrastructure development in the 18 Local Government Areas of the state.
Speaker of the House, Elvert Ayambem, remarked that the supplementary budget was for the welfare of citizens of the state.
Ayambem further said that projects in all the LGAs had been duly captured with a view to transforming the state.
The Cross River State Government has procured two new aircraft to increase the fleet of Cally Air to four.
Vice President, Kassim Shettima, inaugurated the two new aircraft at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar, recently.
Speaking at the inauguration, Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, said the state government planned to increase the fleet of Cally Air to seven.
“We already have two aircraft that are flying, we are adding another two today, and very soon, we shall add another three to make it seven,” he said.
Otu said that his administration was strongly building on three areas of development earlier initiated by his predecessors.
He named the threes areas as tourism, rural development and industrialisation.
“I came into government to meet three engines that were started by my predecessors. The first engine is tourism which was begun by Donald Duke.
“I also saw rural development which was anchored by Liyel Imoke, and I saw industrialisation which was started by Prof. Ben Ayade.
“The plans of these leaders were to move the state away from dependency on the centre.
“When I came into office, I saw the reason to integrate these three engines in order to create a robust economy that can take the state to another level
“Today, we are building on the aviation sector which is very key to our tourism development target,” he said.
The governor added that the Cross River Government was keying into President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda as a way of promoting economic growth and citizens’ wellbeing.
Recall that two aircraft earlier procured for the take-off of the Cross River-owned Cally Air are currently being managed by ValueJet pending the issuance of operating license.
Deputy Governor, Edo State, Dennis Idahosa, has said that the Monday Okpebholo-led administration would open up riverine communities in the state for sustainable development.
Idahosa stated this during the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign for Aug.16 Ovia federal constituency by-election, in Inikorogha, Ovia South West Local Government Area of the state.
The deputy governor told the gathering that the new administration was keen to see development across the nooks and crannies of the state.
According to him, all that is needed from the people is support and patience with the nine months old Okpebholo-led government that hit the ground running immediately after inauguration.
Idahosa who described the Inikorogha community as peace loving, said it has always supported him politically and otherwise.
Adorned in the traditional regalia of the community, Idahosa said, “I have always seen myself as one of your own even before decorating me with this traditional attire.
“All I need from you is massive votes in support for the APC candidate and our governor on Saturday,” he appealed.
He assured the community that the APC candidate would join the good work of the party as the representative of the constituency.
“Our candidate, Omosede Igbinedion, is not a neophyte in the business of lawmaking. The party chose her because we are sure of her capacity to deliver”.
While addressing the people, the APC candidate promised to synergise with the deputy governor and the state government to bring laudable projects to Ovia federal constituency.
A chieftain of the party in the community, Okubo Robert, promised to mobilize support for APC to ensure he emerges victorious at the poll.
While noting the community’s continued support to the APC in previous elections, Robert expressed optimism that Saturday’s by-election would not be different but yield the desired results.
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