Metro

Delta: Aggrieved Youths Protest Alleged Marginalisation By Govt, Oil Firms

Published

4 years ago

March 28, 2022

Scores of aggrieved youths of Isoko ethnic nationality in Delta State under the auspices of Isoko Development Union, Youths Wing, on Monday, barricaded the ever-busy Emevor-Iyede-Ughelli Asaba expressway as they staged a peaceful protest over alleged marginalisation by the State Government.

Consequently, economic and official activities were disrupted along the area for several hours as most travelers got stranded, with other commuters compelled to make diversions through other routes as the protesters caused gridlock on the expressway.

The protesting youths carried placards with inscriptions such as ‘We demand the release of the N10 million Social Security Fund’, ‘Isoko youths tell Okowa to respect Isoko tradition’, ‘Okowa failed to meet with Isoko Youths’, etc.

Speaking with journalists, the President of the IDU, Youth wing, Comrade Obokpaino Fidelis, who led the protest said that “the protest is as a result of the marginalisation of the IDU, Youths wing, by the Delta State Government and the Multinational Oil Companies operating in Isoko land.”

According to him, the multinational oil companies operating in Isoko land have been denying the host communities of their corporate social responsibilities and whenever they are approached for dialogue, the oil companies refused granting us the audience.

He said, “Isoko Development Union, Youths Wing was created 16 months ago, saddled with the responsibilities of handling all youths activities in Isoko nation.

“But since its creation till now, the State Government has resolved not to give IDU Youth Wing attention for interaction.

“We are being denied of our Corporate Social Responsibilities by the Multinationals Oil Companies operating in Isoko Land. And whenever we approached the Oil Companies for dialogue, they refused granting us audience.

“Even the Commissioner of Police, the Army, and DSS, including the State Government, they all denied having audience with us, which is the major reason why we barricaded the road today in a peaceful protest over the marginalisation being done to IDU Youths Wing by the Delta State Government and the Multinational Oil Companies.

“We the Isoko Youths are being marginalised of the N10 million Social Security Fund which the State Government is giving to other ethnic nationalities across the State.

“Also, we are being marginalised of the Social Corporate Responsibilities which all Oil Companies exploring Oils in Isoko land is supposed to perform to our Youths, women, and men.

“That’s why we are here to express our displeasure to the State Government and all multinational Oil Companies operating in Isoko that enough is enough. We, the Isoko Youths, say no to marginalisation.

“We are therefore demanding an interactive session with the State Government to present our demands to the Executive Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa. And also, with the multinational oil companies operating in Isoko land.”

The Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, who later met with the protesters on his way to Asaba, appealed to them to remain calm assuring that he would present their case to the State Governor, Dr. Okowa, for positive action.

PUNCH

Related Topics:#Delta State Isoko nationality

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Metro

Police Arrest Mother, Daughter Over Alleged N18m Romance Scam

Published

1 hour ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, NPF-NCCC, have arrested a woman and her daughter over their alleged involvement in a romance scam that reportedly defrauded a Malta-based victim of more than N18 million.

The police disclosed that the arrests followed investigations into allegations bordering on computer-related fraud, identity theft, and money laundering after receiving intelligence from the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU.

In a statement issued by the Acting Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Uwana Imah, the suspects were identified as 39-year-old Urowhe Diana and her 22-year-old daughter, Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

According to the statement, preliminary investigations revealed that a Lagos resident identified as Emmanuel Amanfo, who is currently at large, allegedly collaborated with Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru to open and operate multiple bank accounts used in carrying out fraudulent transactions.

“One of the victims was identified as a resident of Malta whose identity has been withheld,” the statement said.

The police further disclosed that proceeds from the alleged romance scam were transferred through money transfer operators and direct deposits into several Nigerian bank accounts belonging to Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

Investigators also alleged that the funds were later moved into an Ecobank account owned by Urowhe Diana, where the money was allegedly spent.

According to the statement, forensic analysis of the suspects’ digital activities allegedly linked both mother and daughter to the cybercrime operation, leading to their eventual arrest.

The police added that efforts were ongoing to apprehend Emmanuel Amanfo, who was described as the husband of Urowhe Diana and stepfather of Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

“Investigation into the matter is still ongoing, and the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” the statement added.

The Nigeria Police Force reiterated the commitment of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to safeguarding Nigeria’s cyberspace and tackling cybercrime across the country.

The NPF-NCCC also urged members of the public to report suspicious cyber-related activities through its official online reporting portal and designated communication channels.

Metro

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

19 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.