Metro

Economic Hardship: Delta Protest Canceled As Soldiers Arrest Journalist

Published

2 years ago

February 23, 2024

Soldiers from the Nigerian Army 3 Battalion in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State in the early hours of Friday arrested the South-South Bureau Chief of Galaxy Television, Mr. Dele Fasan, for recording video clips during a planned labour protest in the metropolis.

Also, the soldiers whisked a human rights activist, Comrade Israel Joe, to a nearby military barracks, following a mild, rift between him and other activists including Kelvin Ejumudo and others.

However, the planned protest could not hold in the Delta metropolis as it was cancelled after critical stakeholders met and discussed the issues on Thursday night.

The molestation of the television journalist took place at the popular DSC roundabout in Effurun where the soldiers allegedly brutalised and hit him with the butt of the guns.

Witnesses said that Fasan was picked up by the soldiers in the presence of the police team led by a Deputy Commissioner of Police, DC Operations, Aina Adesola.

But Fasan was released by the soldiers following the intervention of the police boss and his colleagues who appealed to the Army Commander, Major AE Ohegbe, on whose order he was released and the handcuff pulled off.

Confirming his arrest in a chat with newsmen shortly after, Fasan said he was “trying to get video clips of the protest scene which was already taken over by security operatives when the overzealous soldiers accosted him.”

Fasan, however, commended the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations, DCP Aina Adesola for promptly intervening in the matter.

He said, “The military were not civil at all during the protest. But the police led by DCP Aina Adesola, the Navy, the DSS, and NSCDC operatives were civil as they all intervened and I was released”.

Fasan spoke further saying that the Army Commander, Major Ahegbe, later apologised to him after the ugly act had already been done.

Also speaking with journalists, the National Secretary of Human Rights Protection Congress, Comrade Kelvin Ejumudo said the Civil Society Organisations came out to ensure that the protest did not hold following the threat across the nation.

“We don’t want any protest at all because when it happens, people will lose their properties. People will lose their money”, he said.

“While we were at the protest venue, we had the proponent (Israel Joe) of the protest for selfish reasons come here, and we had a one-on-one rift and he had been taken away by security operatives.

“I will not condone any idea of protest in this state because, at the moment, Nigeria is volatile,” he added.

He, however, urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all the 36 state governors with the local government chairmen to, as a matter of urgency, tackle the hunger in the land.

“Nigerians don’t want food. We want employment, we want our refineries to be functional, we want to produce what we can sell,” he stated.

The Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations, DCP Aina Adesola while speaking with newsmen said he was sent to the scene by the Commissioner of Police to maintain peace.

Metro

Police Recover 75 Stolen Phones, Five Laptops In Lagos

Published

6 hours ago

October 18, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Police Command has recovered 75 mobile gadgets and five laptops abandoned by fleeing suspects during a routine patrol conducted by the Rapid Response Squad in Ikeja.

The operation, according to the command, was part of ongoing efforts to strengthen security and combat property crimes across the state.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, the recovery followed the interception of two suspects who abandoned two large “Ghana Must Go” bags upon sighting police operatives near Allen Roundabout, Ikeja.

“On Sunday, 5th October, 2025, at about 5:30 a.m., operatives inspected the bags and discovered 32 iPhones of different models, 38 other smartphones of various brands such as Samsung, Redmi, Tecno, and Honour, as well as five laptops, several smart wristwatches, AirPods, a Samsung Tab, and a Sorapad.”

Speaking on the recovery, the Commander of the Rapid Response Squad, CSP Shola Jejeloye, said, “Preliminary investigation indicates that the items were stolen property hurriedly abandoned by the suspects.”

“Members of the public who may have lost similar devices are advised to visit the RRS Headquarters, Alausa, with verifiable proof of ownership for proper identification and reclaim,” the statement read.

The state Commissioner of Police, CP Moshood Jimoh, commended the RRS operatives for their vigilance and professionalism, reaffirming the command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and proactive crime prevention.

He assured residents that the command would continue to enhance patrol visibility and maintain public safety across all parts of Lagos.

The command had earlier arrested four members of a notorious car-snatching and armed robbery syndicate said to be responsible for several violent attacks on vehicle owners within and outside the state.

In a statement on Friday, Adebisi said the suspects were arrested by officers of the Command’s Tactical Squads following intelligence-led operations between October 15 and 17.

Adebisi said, “The notorious and vicious armed robbery and car-snatching gang was responsible for a series of violent attacks on vehicle owners.”

Metro

NSCDC Mining Marshals Smash Illegal Mineral Storage Network In Rivers

Published

10 hours ago

October 18, 2025

Editor

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Mining Marshals, South-South Zone, have dismantled an illegal mineral storage network uncovered within the Onne axis of Rivers State.

CSC Babawale Afolabi, National Public Relations Officer of the command disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.

According to the statement, the efforts was in a bold step to protect the nation’s resources and ensure the safety of local communities.

It said the operation, led by DSC Emmanuel Abiahu, followed credible intelligence and was carried out in collaboration with officials of the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, just as the team discovered warehouses stockpiling mined minerals without valid permits, licenses or evidence of royalty payment to the Federal Government.

It said the illegal activities does not only undermine the economy but also poses environmental and safety risks to residents.

DSC Abiahu noted that the action was in direct response to the directive of the Commandant General, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, mni, OFR, who has consistently emphasized the need to protect Nigeria’s solid mineral wealth and create a fair, regulated space for legitimate miners, investors, and communities that depend on the sector for livelihood.

He warned that all operators within the region must comply with the law or face decisive enforcement action, adding that the Corps remains committed to safeguarding lives, livelihoods, and the environment through sustained surveillance and collaboration with stakeholders.

The NSCDC called on citizens to continue supporting security agencies with credible information that will help curb illegal mining and ensure that the benefits of Nigeria’s natural resources serve the people and the nation at large.

Metro

Nigerian Troops Rescue 17 Kidnap Victims, Including Four Chinese Nationals

Published

10 hours ago

October 18, 2025

Editor

The Nigerian Army has rescued at least 21 kidnapped victims, including four Chinese nationals, during coordinated operations across Kwara and Kogi States.

This was contained in a statement by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Polycarp Okoye, on Saturday.

The statement said the daring rescue, was carried out on Thursday, October 17, 2025, adding that the operation involved personnel from the 2 Division, 12 Brigade Lokoja, and the 22 Armoured Brigade, Ilorin, under Operation FANSAN YAMA, a military offensive aimed at flushing out bandits and kidnappers in the North Central region.

According to the army, the victims, who included 14 men, five women, one infant, and four Chinese nationals, were freed after troops intensified attacks on criminal hideouts in both states, stressing that some of the captives were said to have been held for more than four months before their release.

It further explained that the successful rescue was a result of the army’s renewed strategy to combat insecurity in the region.

“In a sustained effort to eliminate bandits and other criminal elements operating in Kwara and neighbouring states, troops of 2 Division and Sector 3, Operation FANSAN YAMA, successfully rescued 21 kidnapped victims.

“The coordinated operations by troops of 12 Brigade, Lokoja, and 22 Armoured Brigade, Ilorin, led to the rescue of the kidnapped persons who include 14 males, 5 females, 1 infant, and 4 Chinese nationals.

“The victims revealed that they were abducted from different locations across Kwara and Kogi States. Following the troops’ intensified offensive, the bandits were forced to release their captives, some of whom had been with them for over four months,” the statement said.