Nation
THE STATES
Bauchi
The Commissioner of Police in Bauchi State, Zaki Ahmed, said the command has arrested 131 suspects for alleged kidnapping, rape, robbery and other offences from January 10 to February 28.
Ahmed disclosed this on Friday while briefing newsmen on the activities of the command in Bauchi.
He also said that the command had rescued 21 hostages of which 12 were women in Basirka/Balmo forest in Darazau local government area of the state.
“A total of 131 suspects were arrested which include 55 suspected kidnappers; 39 suspected armed robbers; 16 rape suspects and three thugs known as “Sara Suka”.
Borno
The Borno State Police Command on Friday advised residents of the state to be more vigilant by reporting strange happenings around them to law enforcement agents nearest to them.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Damian Chukwu, gave the advice while speaking with newsmen in Maiduguri.
Chukwu was reacting to Friday’s multiple blasts in Maiduguri in which three suicide bombers died and three petrol trucks were destroyed.
He said that the residents must collaborate with security agents by sharing vital information on suspicious movements around them.
“ I want to appeal to the people to be vigilant and be wary of happenings and people around them.
FCT
The UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Nigeria, Mr John Howell, has commended the Federal Government on the review of its visa policy, which he said would enhance doing business in Nigeria.
Howell told newsmen in Abuja last Thursday that the new visa policy would boost the country’s economy.
In its efforts to boost the economy and open up business space, the Federal Government in February reviewed visa processes for prospective foreign investors and tourists.
Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said that the essence of the new visa policy was to remove bureaucratic bottlenecks and encourage business travellers and tourists into the country.
Gombe
The Police Command in Gombe State has appealed to government hospitals, private hospitals and clinics to treat patients brought to them with suspicious injuries before reporting to police for investigation.
The command made the call in a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, DSP Obed Malum, and issued last Friday in Bauchi.
It also advised them not to reject such cases for lack of police report.
It, however, added that such cases should be promptly reported to the police for thorough investigation while treatment continued.
“The essence is to save lives first before any relevant action is taken,” the command said.
It urged the public to inform the police and any other security agency, persons found with suspicious injuries, including gunshot wounds, and assured of the informant’s safety and security
Kaduna
The Sokoto State Government is to establish a fertiliser, tomatoes and cement companies in the state.
Governor Aminu Tambuwal said this last Saturday in Kaduna State while marking the “Sokoto state special day” at the 38th Kaduna International trade fair.
Tambuwal, who was represented at the event by the deputy governor, Alhaji Ahmad Aliyu, said the gesture would bring about rapid development and would also boost the economy of the state and the nation in general.
“By the end of the first quarter, two of the companies will begin operation,”he said. He said, the state is also the largest producer of leather, solid minerals, and other precious stones; while most of it remained exploited.
According to him, all machinery have been put in place to reposition and revive collapsed industries in the state.
He said the government is also working with rural farmers in the state to be self sufficient in food production.
Kano
The Chief of Air staff, Air Marshal Saddiq Abubakar on Thursday pledged to continue to give priority attention to training and retraining of personnel in the service as part of renewed effort to enhance professionalism.
He made the pledge while addressing officers and men of the service at the Air Force Flying Training School in Kano.
Abubakar said the force had sponsored pilot to undergo professional training at home and abroad adding that the welfare of officers and men in the force must be given the needed attention.
This, he said was necessary in order to ensure professionalism and effective service delivery.
According to him, the Nigerian Air Force had effected the repair of 13 moribund Aircrafts with the aim of making them serviceable in order to tackle the security challenges in different parts of the country.
The Chief of Air Staff was in Kano to inaugurate two blocks of 63 flats for married officers and one block of 18 by 2 for senior non-commissioned officers.
Katsina
The Katsina State Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) on Saturday warned drivers against conveying passengers in the boot of cars used for commercial purposes.
Mr Abdu Bagadawa, Katsina State Sector Commander gave the warning while speaking with newsmen in Katsina.
He said that any commercial driver caught conveying passengers in the boot of his vehicle would be arrested.
“We have directed our officers and men to arrest any commercial vehicle driver carrying passengers in the boot of his car.
“It is totally unacceptable for drivers to be treating human beings like sheep or goats.
“Transporting passengers in the vehicle boot is dangerous,” he said.
Kogi
The Kogi State Judiciary has offered to train prosecuting officers of its state police command on how to apply Information Communication Technology (ICT) to speed up prosecution.
Justice Nasir Ajanah, who made the offer on Thursday in Lokoja, when the new Commissioner of Police, Mr Wilson Inalegwu, paid him a courtesy visit, said that such knowledge was key to quick dispensation of justice.
“Educating prosecuting officers on using the ICT will broaden their capacity in the tackling of high level crimes.
“Criminals use electronics and computers in the commission of crimes; unless the prosecutors are kept abreast of what is going on, it is so easy for criminals to get away with their crimes.
“The judiciary has a computer centre and we are ready to partner with the police to train your officers,” he said.
On measures to ensure quick dispensation of justice, the Chief Judge said that the state judiciary would embark on a two-week special adjudication from March 20.
Kwara
The Kwara State Government has restated its commitment to collaborating with relevant organisations in its drive to develop the state.
The state’s Deputy Governor, Mr Peter Kisira, stated this on Thursday, in Ilorin, while receiving a delegation from Star Deep Water Petroleum limited.
Kisira noted that government alone could not shoulder the responsibility of providing social amenities for the people, adding that there was need to partner with private organisations and agencies to meet the needs of the people.
The deputy governor pledged the readiness of the government to maintaining and sustaining projects provided by the company in the state, particularly in Eruku and Isanlu-Isin communities.
He commended the company for the scholarship awarded to indigenes of the state and across the country.
Lagos
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Saturday advised security officers to be friendly with residents in their host communities, being the primary source of intelligence gathering.
Ambode, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr Idiat Adebule, gave the advice at the Passing Out Parade of Cadet Officers Basic Course 29/2016 of the Department of State Services Academy, Ojo, Lagos.
He also urged them to be diligent, disciplined and dedicated to the responsibility of ensuring the security of lives and property.
“The constitution makes security a direct responsibility of government.
“The training and retraining of security personnel are part of government strategies to equip security officers with knowledge and skill to discharge their duties.
“The state government will continue to support our security agencies with equipment and facilities to enhance their performances in ensuring security for all,” he said.
Niger
The Niger State Police Command last Saturday confirmed the killing of a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Aaron Sunday, serving with Kpakungu Division, Minna, by suspected hoodlums in Barkin-Sale area.
Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP Bala Elkana, who confirmed the incident to newsmen in Minna, said it occurred at about 6pm on Friday when the deceased was performing his official duty.
Elkana said that over 13 suspects had been arrested in connection with the incident, adding that the arrested suspects would help police to fish out the rest of the hoodlums.
He said that the command had declared war on hoodlums in Minna, and urged parents to advise their wards to desist from taking the law into their hands.
“Any youth caught in the act will be made to face the law; it is high time we stop the madness,’’ he said.
The remains of late Sunday have been deposited at the Minna General Hospital morgue.
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has announced that the mangrove wetlands in Ogoniland have been officially designated a Ramsar Site of International Importance by the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
The designation, according to HYPREP, underscores the global ecological significance of Ogoniland’s mangrove wetlands and highlights ongoing restoration efforts aimed at addressing environmental degradation in the area.
In a press statement issued by the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, the recognition was described as a major milestone for the agency, the people of Ogoni and other stakeholders working towards environmental restoration in the region.
Zabbey explained that the mangrove wetlands, which cover more than 31,700 hectares, consist of islands, tidal creeks, mudflats and mangrove forests that support a wide range of biodiversity. The ecosystem provides habitat for several species including fin fish, shellfish, crustaceans, crocodiles, turtles and the endangered grey parrot.
He noted that beyond biodiversity conservation, the wetland also provides essential ecosystem services such as fisheries production, flood control, water purification and carbon storage. According to him, the international recognition will further support local livelihoods, promote ecotourism and bring global attention to the region.
The HYPREP coordinator disclosed that the designation followed a meticulous process that began in 2024 when the project submitted a memorandum to the National Council on Environment seeking support for the recognition of the Ogoni wetlands as a Ramsar site.
Following the council’s review and approval, the Honourable Minister of Environment and Chairman of HYPREP’s Governing Council, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, formally wrote to the Ramsar Convention Secretariat requesting international recognition of the wetlands.
After a comprehensive ecological assessment, the Ramsar Secretariat granted the designation, officially recognising the Ogoniland wetlands as one of the world’s sites of international importance.
Zabbey said the recognition would strengthen ongoing environmental restoration efforts in the area and encourage stronger conservation measures and sustainable management of the wetlands for the benefit of present and future generations.
He added that the designation also fulfils a key recommendation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Environmental Assessment Report on Ogoniland, marking another significant step in the implementation of the report’s recommendations.
The HYPREP project coordinator reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to restoring the Ogoni environment through the remediation of oil-polluted land, shorelines and mangrove ecosystems.
He also called for collective responsibility and stakeholder support to sustain the progress of the Ogoni cleanup programme and facilitate the development of a comprehensive and sustainable management plan for the Ogoni mangrove wetlands.
The Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mrs Lauretta Davies-Dimkpa, has attributed the successes of the 12-day programme organised for adolescent girls aimed at eliminating Female Genital Mutilation(FGM) in some parts of the State to the ability of the respective stakeholders to take ownership of the programme.
Mrs Davies-Dimkpa, who dropped the hint in an interview at the end of the programme in Elele-Alimini Community in Emohua Local Government Area on Saturday, said the event had a buy-in component, an ownership mentality, whereby facilitators, staff, and everyone involved took ownership of the project.
She explained that the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) had packaged a series of training sessions for adolescent girls aimed at ending the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in some communities across the State.
According to her, the initiative was designed to educate young girls on the harmful effects of the practice and empower them to become advocates against it within their communities.
She noted that the programme, which lasted for several weeks, targeted adolescent girls from different local government areas where the practice is still prevalent, stressing that
data collected by UNICEF and the Ministry revealed that Female Genital Mutilation is still practised in some parts of the State, prompting the need for intensified sensitisation and community engagement.
Mrs Davies-Dimkpa explained that the programme adopted a “train-the-trainer” approach where adolescent girls were educated on the dangers of the practice and encouraged to share the knowledge with their peers, families and communities.
“This is a programme by the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation with support from UNICEF and UNFPA to train adolescent girls towards ending Female Genital Mutilation, which is still practised in some local government areas,” she said.
She further explained that each participating local government area had a three-day training session, with the exercise running for a total of 12 days.
The local government areas, where the programme took place, she noted, included Ahoada West, Abua-Odual, and Emohua, adding that the initiative is part of broader efforts by the state government and development partners to eliminate harmful traditional practices and protect the rights and wellbeing of girls.
She revealed that prior to the training of the adolescent girls, the Ministry and its partners had also engaged community facilitators, including older women and men, to sensitise them on the dangers associated with Female Genital Mutilation.
According to her, the involvement of community leaders and adults is essential in addressing the cultural and social factors that sustain the practice.
Speaking on the response of the participants, the permanent secretary expressed satisfaction with the level of engagement and enthusiasm shown by the girls throughout the training sessions.
She noted that many of the participants said they were learning about the harmful effects of Female Genital Mutilation for the first time.
“The girls are between the ages of 12 and 17 and from the interactions we had with them, they were very excited. Some of them are hearing these things for the first time and never knew that the practice is harmful,” she said.
She expressed optimism that the knowledge gained from the training would enable the girls to serve as advocates for change within their communities.
She added that the Rivers State Government, alongside its partners, would continue to intensify efforts and expand community-based interventions aimed at ending the practice across the State.
Meanwhile, the participants for Emohua Local Government Area were drawn from Elele-Alimini, Egbeda, Rumuji, Ibaa, Rumuekpe, Rumuakunde, Eligbarada, and Ogbakiri Communities.
The participants,who spoke in separate interviews described the training as eye-opening, noting that it helped them better understand issues surrounding adolescent health, personal hygiene, reproductive health, and the harmful consequences of Female Genital Mutilation.
Favour Azukwu from Rumuekpe community, said the programme provided a deeper understanding of the dangers associated with the practice, particularly its impact on the health and wellbeing of girls and women.
She explained that the training sessions exposed participants to the medical, social and psychological effects of Female Genital Mutilation, including severe bleeding, infections and complications during childbirth.
She revealed that she personally experienced the practice at the age of 12 and suffered heavy bleeding afterwards, an experience that has strengthened her determination to advocate for its eradication.
According to her, many communities still practise Female Genital Mutilation because it is perceived as a cultural tradition, despite the dangers associated with it.
“I do not support Female Genital Mutilation because there are many dangers involved. I experienced severe bleeding when it was done to me as a child.
Another participant, Glory Ken, a 16-year-old secondary school student from Rumuji community, said the programme broadened her understanding of several important topics affecting adolescents.
She explained that beyond the discussion on Female Genital Mutilation, the training also focused on issues such as personal hygiene, reproductive health, peer education, and self-care.
According to her, the sessions helped participants understand the importance of making informed health decisions and supporting one another as peer educators.
“I learned about many things that affect young people in society and how to take care of myself. I also learned that Female Genital Mutilation is harmful to our health. The message I am taking back to my community is that this practice should stop,” she said.
Also speaking, Goodness Kenjika Nyeche described the programme as very impactful.
She noted that the training equipped participants with the skills and confidence to educate others about the harmful effects of Female Genital Mutilation.
She said she plans to organise sensitisation among adolescents in her community, particularly girls between the ages of 10 and 19, to ensure they understand the dangers associated with the practice.
“I learned many things from this programme and I feel very good about it. I will educate other young girls in my community and help them understand why Female Genital Mutilation should not continue,” she said.
For Queen Dike from Ibaa community, the programme helped clarify misconceptions surrounding the practice.
She explained that in some communities, the practice is still referred to as circumcision and is viewed as part of cultural identity.
She said the training helped participants understand that Female Genital Mutilation involves the cutting or removal of parts of the female genital organs and that it has serious health consequences.
She stressed that awareness and education are key to ending the practice, especially among communities that continue to uphold it as tradition.
“I think the programme is very helpful because many people still believe it is part of culture. More awareness is needed so people can understand why it should stop,” she said.
Another participant, MyJoy Echika Amadi, said the programme provided critical information about adolescent health and the dangers associated with Female Genital Mutilation.
She described the initiative as enlightening and said it encouraged young people to become advocates for change in their communities.
According to her, participants were encouraged to use various platforms such as churches, peer groups, schools and community gatherings to spread awareness about the harmful effects of the practice.
“This programme has enlightened us about the dangers of Female Genital Mutilation. I will do my best to create awareness in my community and encourage people to stop the practice,” she said.
Many of the participants emphasised that the knowledge gained during the programme has empowered them to challenge harmful traditions and promote healthier practices among young people.
They also called on the Rivers State Government, development partners and civil society organisations to sustain the sensitisation campaigns and extend the training to more communities across the State.
According to them, empowering young people with the right information will play a critical role in eliminating Female Genital Mutilation and protecting the rights, health and dignity of girls in Rivers State.
The participants expressed appreciation to the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, UNICEF and UNFPA for organising the programme and for investing in the wellbeing and future of adolescent girls in the State.
