Metro

Bayelsa Poly Workers Protest Withheld June Salaries

Published

11 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

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

17 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Police Command on Wednesday said two suspected cultists were arrested in Ohonre community, off Adolor College Road, Benin.

This was disclosed in a statement by the command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, and made available to newsmen electrically.

Ikoedem said the arrest was possible due to operatives response to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

The statement reads: “The Edo State Police Command has recorded another operational breakthrough following the swift disruption of a suspected cultists’ gathering in Ohonre Community, off Adolor College Road, Benin City.

“On 21st May, 2026, at about 19:00hrs, operatives attached to Ugbowo Division who were on surveillance patrol responded to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

“Acting promptly on the information, the police team mobilized to the location. On sighting the operatives, the suspects fled in an attempt to evade arrest. The operatives immediately gave them a hot chase, leading to the arrest of two suspects identified as Victor Peter ‘M’, 21 years and Iyemoma Ogbewe ‘M’, 35 years.

“A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of one cut-to-size gun believed to have been in their possession for unlawful purposes.

“Upon investigation, the suspects confessed to being members of the notorious Maphite cult group. Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other fleeing gang members.”

She said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the swift response of the operatives and reiterated the Command’s resolve to deny criminal elements any opportunity within Edo State.

He further urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, assuring that all reports would receive prompt attention.

Metro

Troops Eliminate Two Terrorists, Foil Pipeline Attack

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Army says troops have, in the last 24 hours, eliminated two terrorists, rescued four kidnapped victims and foiled pipeline attacks in a series of coordinated military operations across Taraba, Kogi and Rivers.

This is contained in operational updates issued to reporters on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the reports, troops of 93 Battalion deployed at Akate in the Donga Local Government Area of Taraba engaged suspected terrorists in a forested area, killing two of them.

According to the report, items recovered from the scene include an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, magazines, mobile phones and other personal effects.

In Kogi, it said the troops of 21 Battalion, in collaboration with vigilantes, rescued four kidnapped passengers along the Anyigba–Itobe road in Ofu Local Government Area.

It added that the victims were reportedly abandoned by their captors while attempting to cross a seasonal stream due to sustained pressure from advancing troops.

According to the military, efforts are ongoing to rescue other victims still in captivity.

The report said that troops of 12 Brigade successfully repelled an ambush along Kabba–Okene road while withdrawing from an earlier operation, forcing the assailants to flee with gunshot wounds.

“Meanwhile, in Rivers, troops of 5 Battalion acting on credible intelligence, foiled an attempt by suspected vandals to detonate a crude oil pipeline in Ahoada West Local Government Area.

“The swift response of the troops disrupted the operation before it could be executed, with the suspects fleeing the scene,” it said.

Metro

Police Arrest Private Chef Over Alleged N150m Theft, Drugging Of Employer, Burglary

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a chef, John Cosmos Govi, over his alleged involvement in a burglary operation at a residence in Abuja, where luxury items and valuables worth about N150 million were reportedly stolen.

The arrest was announced on Monday, May 25, 2026, by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, who said the suspect was apprehended by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) after investigations into allegations of criminal conspiracy, housebreaking, theft, malicious damage and administering harmful substances.

According to police findings, Govi, who allegedly gained employment as a chef at the residence, was said to have studied the movement of occupants, internal routine and security setup before allegedly carrying out the operation on April 23, 2026.

Investigators said he reportedly worked with two accomplices identified as Peter and Moses, who are currently on the run.

Police alleged that food prepared in the house was laced with a suspected sedative substance to weaken the occupants and security personnel.

After they reportedly became unconscious, the suspects allegedly broke into the property, damaged CCTV installations and stole 20 luxury wristwatches valued at about N150 million, alongside other valuables.

Speaking on the development, DCP Anthony Placid said the suspect was intercepted around the Gwagwalada axis of the Federal Capital Territory while attempting to flee to Lagos. He added that an iPhone 17 Pro Max, believed to belong to the victim, and a suspected chemical substance were recovered.

“We remain committed to dismantling organised criminal networks and ensuring that all fleeing accomplices are brought to justice,” Placid said.

Police said efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects and conclude investigations into the case.