News

Bauchi Govt Frowns On Tree felling, Confiscates 3 Trailers, Arrests 9 Suspects

Published

5 years ago

November 6, 2020

Editor

By Our Correspondent, Bauchi

The Bauchi State Environmental Protection Agency (BASEPA) has arrested nine suspected tree fellers and confiscated three trailers fully loaded with charcoal in Bauchi.

Mr Hamisu Shira, the state Commissioner for Housing and Environment made the disclosure in Bauchi on Friday while parading the suspects to the press at BASEPA headquarters, Bauchi.

The commissioner, who maintained that it was the policy of the present administration to go against tree felling in the state, disclosed that all the trailers and suspects were arrested on Thursday evening based on intelligence received from a good Samaritan.

“The essence of your invitation to BASEPA today is to brief you about a recent sad development that happened on Thursday. It is something that our Ministry and BASEPA have been campaigning against for a very long time.

“A very patriotic member of our cabinet called me last night to say that he has just observed three trailers load of charcoals coming out of his constituency and was on their way to either Jos or Kano.

2nd left: Hon. Hamisu Shira, Bauchi State Commissioner for Housing and Environment

“I immediately called the commissioner of police who responded by directing his men to swing into action. The vehicles were confiscated and nine suspects were arrested.

“There is a law that was recently passed which clearly states the punitive measures and the provisions of the law stating that, any culprit that is caught doing this act would be punished and prosecuted,’’ said the Commissioner.

He further disclosed that the suspects would be charged to a court of law where they would be trialled, adding that there won’t be any question of justice delayed.

Shira said that the value of the trailers of charcoals confiscated worth a hundred millions of naira.

He pledged to canvas that henceforth, any vehicle that is confiscated conveying charcoal from any part of the state would not be released to the owner, rather it would be put up for government use.

The commissioner also said that anybody who provided intelligence on the activities of tree fellers in the state would be adequately compensated.

He added that anybody who also planted a tree would equally be compensated.

“I will like to use this opportunity to appeal to the media to kindly help us educate Nigerians, that felling of trees is a crime,’’ he said.

News

Edo NLC Crisis: Caretaker Committee Drags Rival Exco, Govt To Court

Published

42 minutes ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The division in the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), took a new dimension on Wednesday as Prof. Monday Monday Lewis Igbafen-led caretaker committee approached the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Benin Judicial Division, seeking to affirm its authority and restrain a rival executive from parading itself as the council’s leadership.

Joined in the suit are the Edo State Government, the Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

In a suit marked: NICN/BEN/12/2026, and filed before the court in Benin, the claimant, Igbafen, acting for himself and on behalf of the NLC Caretaker Committee in Edo State, is challenging the continued occupation of the union’s secretariat and control of its assets by members of the Bernard Egwakhide-led factional State Executive Council.

The claimants are asking the court to declare that the caretaker committee (Igbafen-led faction), constituted on August 11, 2025, by the NLC national leadership, remains the only lawful authority to administer the affairs of the Edo State Council pending fresh elections.

They further seek a declaration that the continued occupation of the NLC secretariat located at No. 1 Teboga Road, Benin City, as well as the retention of union assets, financial records, and official instruments by the defendants, is illegal and void.

The suit also prays for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from parading themselves as officials of the NLC Edo Council or interfering with the functions of the caretaker committee.

In addition, the claimants are seeking a mandatory order compelling the defendants to immediately hand over the secretariat, vehicles, financial documents, cheque books, and all other properties belonging to the union.

The caretaker committee further urged the court to restrain the state government and its officials from interfering in the internal affairs of the union, alleging undue support for the dissolved executive.

The claimants further demand N50 million as general and exemplary damages against the defendants for alleged unlawful usurpation of office and acts prejudicial to the administration of the council.

According to court documents made available to our correspondent, the crisis followed the dissolution of the Edo State Council by the NLC National Executive Council on February 27, 2025, over allegations of misconduct, anti-union activities, and constitutional violations.

However, the matter has yet to be assigned a hearing date.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

6 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

7 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.