News

DHQ Vows To End IPOB Reign, Sit-at-home In S’East

Published

1 year ago

March 7, 2025

Editor

The Defence Headquarters has reaffirmed its commitment to ending the influence of the Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network , in the South-East, as well as eradicating the sit-at-home culture enforced by the group.

Speaking at a briefing on Thursday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Markus Kangye, acknowledged that fear still keeps some residents indoors on Mondays despite the military’s ongoing efforts.

However, he assured that security forces were making significant progress in restoring normalcy.

“Who gave the order? IPOB/ESN criminals. Because of what was happening in the South-East, Operation Udo Ka was set up – just like Operation Hadin Kai in the North-East. The past three commanders in the region have worked tirelessly to encourage people to go about their normal business. However, in some areas, residents still stay home out of fear. The commanders are working hard to free the South-East from IPOB/ESN influence,” Kangye stated.

He also defended the military’s counter-terrorism efforts amid concerns raised by the 2025 Global Terrorism Index, which ranked Nigeria sixth globally and recorded 565 terrorism-related deaths in 2024.

Kangye insisted that reports from the Nigerian military offer a more accurate account of the country’s security situation than external sources.

“Something is happening in my house; I am the head of the house; I have children, I have a wife, and then Kuma Shi (someone else) is reporting what is happening in my house to me. Which one would be more correct? The one I tell you as the head of the house or the one Kuma Shi is reporting from outside?” he queried.

He urged the media to verify and correct misleading narratives about the nation’s security landscape.

“I’m not countering what they put out there, but as observers, you should be the ones to give the correct version of what is happening in Nigeria,” the DHQ spokesman said.

Reeling out the achievements of the military between 27 February and March 6 2025, Kangye said a total of 92 terrorists were neutralised while 111 suspected others were arrested.

He also said troops also apprehended 18 oil thieves and rescued 75 kidnapped hostages.

“In the South-South, troops foiled oil theft estimated to the tune of about N521,802,360.00 only.

“The breakdown revealed: 452,396 litres of stolen crude oil, 224,175 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil and 1,920 litres of PMS. Additionally, t111111roops discovered and destroyed 87 crude oil cooking ovens, 28 dugout pits, 23 boats, 33 storage tanks, 61 drums and 47 illegal refining sites.

“Other items recovered include two pumping machines, three tricycles, five motorcycles, two mobile phones and six vehicles among others,” he added.

He also said troops recovered 117 and 2,939 assorted weapons and ammunition rounds, respectively.

“These include, 58 AK-47 rifles, 21 locally fabricated guns, 26 Dane guns, 7 pump-action guns, 4 PKT guns, 2 GPMGs, one QJC W85 gun, one

HK 21 gun, one M60 MG, 11 RPG bombs, 2 RPG tubes and one fabricated 60mm mortar.

“They also recovered quantity 2,278 rounds of assorted 7.62mm ammunition, 26 live cartridges, 64 rounds of 9mm ammo, 18 magazines, as well as other 8 assorted arms,” Kangye stated.

News

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

Published

2 hours 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

7 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

8 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.