Metro

Bayelsa Poly Workers Protest Withheld June Salaries

Published

5 months ago

July 12, 2025

Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, Federal Polytechnic Ekowe, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State has embarked on a protest over their withheld June 2025 salaries and check-off dues.

The protesting workers on Friday shut down the institution’s liaison office and the lodge of the Rector, Dr Lukman Adegoke in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

NASU accused the rector of executive rascality and abuse of office for disregarding the window given to them to settle out of court when the union went on strike between April 28 and June 30 this year to demand their months of withheld check-off dues.

Bayelsa State Chairman of NASU, Comrade Nelson Ebimie, told newsmen that only two months of the check off dues have been released and described the rector’s actions as overbearing, maintaining that the liaison office would remain under lock and key until the right thing is done for the welfare of his members.

He stated: “There is no way one man will oppress the entire union. First, he stopped our dues without any complaints; when we discussed it, he took us to court. When we were in court he requested for out of court settlement.

“We tried to suspend the strike. Now, what we heard is no work no pay. We thought he was joking, but now he has stopped all NASU members’ salaries.

“On this day, with the national and state council backing, this office remains locked. That means there is no work in here. I want to urge us that everybody should stay alert.

“We are ready to go to all lengths: let us be focused, let us avoid everything that belongs to the school. Our focus is the rector and the council, because the council also refused to advise him.”

NASU Chairman, Federal Polytechnic, Ekowe Branch, Etebu Ebifiye, accused the board of complacency, which paved the way for Dr. Adegoke to carry out his schemes against them unhindered.

Ebifiye emphasised that apart from withholding their salaries and check-off dues, the rector is not worker-friendly, alleging he had deprived many NASU of their appraisals while sacking others.

He said: “The rector is not worker-friendly. He has sacked our brothers and sisters without due process. He directed all the HODs and the deans that NASU members should not be apprised, while the matter was still in court.

“As if that was not enough, he started threatening that he is not going to pay us at the end of June. Not until yesterday did he started paying NASU members and SSANIP members’ salaries.

“He also paid 19 members of NASU; he did not deduct the check-off dues from those 19 members. And for the council chairman, he has been complacent. We are urging the Federal Government to dismiss Dr Agbabiaka and the council chairman.”

On their part, the NASU Chairman, International Institute of Tourism and Hospitality, Yenagoa, Comrade Ozato Ozato; Bayelsa State Polytechnic, Aleibiri, Angbari Samson; and College of Education, Sagbama, Ebi Alex, condemned the withholding of workers’ salaries, especially given the present economic realities and assured their colleagues of their continued solidarity.

“How can you suspend the salaries of workers in this economy? It is very very bad and that is why we are here. Whatever the Federal Government needs to do to put an end to all these things without delay, they should go ahead and do it.

“For my fellow comrades, I want to assure you people that this trouble is for all of us because today it is Federal Polytechnic, Ekowe, we don’t know who will be the next. Whatever it will cost us to see justice is done, we are going to do it.”

When contacted, the media officer, Federal Polytechnic, Ekowe, Mr Nimizuo Pereseigha, said the Rector, Dr Lukman Adegoke, is out of town and declined to comment on the workers’ action.

Metro

Hoodlums Stab Police Officer To Death In Ondo

Published

25 minutes ago

November 27, 2025

Editor

Two persons suspected to be hoodlums have been arrested by the operatives of the Ondo State Police Command for allegedly stabbing a police officer to death in Akure, the state capital.

The suspects, identified as Shina Jacob, 25, and Felix Olalekan, 32, allegedly attacked the police inspector during an altercation at Oke-Arata within Arakale axis.

The killing of the police officer came a few days after a personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) was stabbed to death by a mentally unstable man in Oba-Ile area of Akure.

According to sources, after the inspector, who was recently transferred from the Anti-Cultism Unit to B-Division, was stabbed, the area was thrown into a state of panic as residents and traders hurriedly fled.

While confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Olayinka Ayanlade, disclosed that the officer was rushed to the hospital after he was stabbed but gave up the ghost while receiving treatment.

“An altercation ensued between the officer and some recalcitrant individuals, during which the officer was tragically stabbed. This unfortunate event triggered an immediate and coordinated police response.

“Acting swiftly, the Commissioner of Police deployed a team of operatives to the scene, resulting in the arrest of two suspects directly connected to the incident. They include Shina Jacob ‘m’ aged 25 years and Felix Olalekan ‘m’ aged 32 years.

“The injured officer was also rescued and rushed to the hospital; however, despite all efforts, the police inspector sadly passed away while receiving treatment. The follow-up operation conducted last night formed part of the Command’s sustained and strategic efforts to rid the state of violent criminal elements and prevent further breaches of public safety,” Ayanlade stated.”

The command, however, warned that it will not tolerate any form of assaults or attacks on police officers, adding that the Nigeria Police will hesitate to deal decisively with any personnel infringing on the human rights of the citizens.

“The arrested suspects will be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations. The command strongly cautions members of the public against circulating unverified information capable of causing panic, creating unnecessary fear, or diverting critical security resources.”

In other news, the Owelle of Onicha-Olona, Chief Jerry Nkeweshe, has demanded the withdrawal of a police statement linking him to the killing of three youths in the Okwe community near Asaba, Delta State.

The Delta State Police Command had announced a manhunt for Nkeweshe and others alleged to have led an armed group that attacked the community on November 24, resulting in the deaths of the youths.

The command’s spokesperson, Bright Edafe, confirmed the killings and said the suspects were being sought in connection with the attack.

But reacting through his lawyer, Kelechi Nnadi, on Wednesday, Nkeweshe denied any involvement and described the police statement as false and damaging.

Nnadi said his client was not in Okwe or anywhere within Asaba on the day of the incident, explaining that Nkeweshe had left the city earlier that morning for medical attention in Umunede, where he stayed throughout the day.

Metro

Bandits Demand N500m As Ransom To Release 13 Kaduna Locals

Published

7 hours ago

November 27, 2025

Editor

The people of Kurama Chiefdom in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State have cried out over N500 million being demanded as ransom by bandits before the release of 13 residents of the area, including an ECWA Pastor.

They said that it was impossible for them to raise such an amount.

Gunmen had about two weeks ago stormed the villages of Gidan Yawa, Maiyamma, Jantsauni, and Maidoki around 10:30 pm, shooting three people dead and abducting thirty others in the night.

The bandits have now reduced their captives to thirteen and demanded the sum of N500 million before they are released.

The National Publicity Secretary of the Federated Kurama Association, Mr. Pius Again Kaura said, “We are finished. These are the breadwinners of their families; farmers, fathers, a pastor.

“And the bandits are asking for half a billion naira. Where will poor villagers find such money?

‎”Our people are helpless. We have no guns, no soldiers, no money. We are at the mercy of these killers.”

He explained that the affected villages are purely farmers that live on the outskirts of Yarkasuwa.

According to him, “This latest atrocity is only the most recent in a long chain of bloodshed visited upon the Kurama nation.

“In recent years, the District Head of Garun Kurama, the District Head of Gurzan Kurama, a Catholic priest of Yadin Garun Kurama Parish, the wife and son of the Lere LGA APC Chairman Hon. Jonathan Shekarau, and countless farmers have all been kidnapped or murdered. Many remain in captivity or were killed when ransom could not be paid.”

They appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and Governor Uba Sani to come to their rescue and ensure the victims are released and united with their families.

Metro

BREAKING: Bandits Abduct Teenage Boy, Six Girls From FCT Community

Published

9 hours ago

November 27, 2025

Editor

A 16-year-old boy and six girls have been abducted from Gidan-Bijimi in Kawu ward, Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

According to Daily Trust, Gidan-Bijimi shares a boundary with Marke village near the Kaduna State border.

A resident of Kawu, Suleiman Shuaibu, confirmed the incident to the Daily Trust via telephone on Thursday morning.

He said the armed bandits, carrying AK-47 rifles, invaded two houses in the community around 9:47 p.m., firing sporadically and abducting six young girls and a 16-year-old boy.

The attack threw the community into chaos, he noted.

He added that some vigilantes attempted to confront the attackers but were overwhelmed due to the bandits’ superior firepower.

Shuaibu also revealed that the abducted girls are aged between 17 and 23.

“It was around 9:53 pm when a call came from Gidan -Bijimi community that some bandits invaded the village and abducted six young girls, unfortunately my cousin sister happened to be among the victims,”he said.

He said some residents were forced to flee their homes after the incident, even as he said contact is yet to be established with the abductors.