Metro

Flood: Bauchi Communities Laud FG On Culverts, Road Construction

Published

2 years ago

October 7, 2023

Editor

Some residents of Aria and Zadawa communities in Gamawa and Zaki Local Government Areas of Bauchi State have lauded the federal government for embarking on culverts, road construction and rehabilitation.

They made the commendation on Saturday during a field projects inspection by officials of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Bauchi State.

The two local governments were among the flood-prone LGAs in the state and the federal government through FERMA had swung into action to address the damages caused by flood in the areas.

Speaking with newsmen in Aria community, Malam Sama’ila Bako, the Community Head, said the road which linked many LGAs and other neighbouring states was cut off by flood last year, subjecting farmers and traders into untold difficulties.

“During the flooding, we lost food and property that cannot be quantified but we are grateful now that FERMA is constructing a culvert that will stand the test of time and pave ways for water to move freely,” he said.

Another resident, Shehu mu’azu, explained that everything came to a stand still when the road was washed off.

“Many people plying the road comes from different axis like Mai-gatari, Niger and Yobe states to the market but unfortunately when the rain came, the road collapsed.

“We are very grateful to the government for coming to our rescue, we are so overwhelmed and pray God bless and reward the government for coming to our aid,” he said.

In his contribution, Alhaji Mohammed Sakuwa, who revealed that things became bad for businesses, farming and travelling to go on as usual, appreciated FERMA for embarking on the project.

Also speaking in Zadawa community of Zaki LGA, Mr Tukur Abubakar recounted how the students, farmers, traders and herders used to be stranded for days anytime there was a downpour due to the deplorable condition of the road.

He thanked the federal government for finding it worthy to reconstruct the eight kilometres road, saying it would boost both the economic and academic endeavours of the people of the area.

In his reaction, Engr. Lanpan Joroh, the Federal Road Maintenance Engineer, FERMA, Bauchi State, explained that the federal government had given approval for two out of the five locations affected by flood in Gamawa LGA to be fixed.

“We are going to construct three cell box culverts and two cell box culverts at this location while waiting for an approval for the remaining three locations so that the roads will be motorable for the road users.

“With these two cell and three cell box culverts we are constructing here will take care of the flow of water in this area and prevent the people as well as the road from flooding,” he said.

Speaking on the 8 kilometres road rehabilitation in Zadawa community, Joroh explained that the road which linked many communities in the area was at 50 per cent completion.

He assured that the project which commenced in 2022 would be completed within the next one month.

Metro

Sowore Arraigned Over Alleged Cybercrime

Published

5 hours ago

December 3, 2025

Editor

The Department of State Services (DSS) on Tuesday arraigned politician and online publisher Omoyele Sowore before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged cybercrime offences.

Sowore, a former presidential candidate, faced a five-count charge accusing him of defaming President Bola Tinubu by calling him a criminal in posts on X and Facebook. The DSS claims that his actions violate the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, as well as the Criminal Code Act.

At the hearing, Justice Mohammed Umar granted Sowore bail on self-recognition. However, the court imposed strict conditions, barring him from making any statements capable of inciting the public or undermining national security. The judge warned that any violation of these conditions would lead to immediate revocation of his bail.

Justice Umar noted that Sowore, who previously contested for the presidency, was already under bail conditions with his international passport held by the court. He said these factors justified granting him bail without a monetary surety.

The arraignment on Tuesday came after two earlier attempts were unsuccessful. DSS counsel, Akinolu Kehinde (SAN), attributed the delays to legal obstacles introduced by Sowore’s defence team.

Sowore pleaded not guilty to all charges. His lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, also filed a fresh bail application during the proceedings, which the court considered before ruling.

Two other defendants — X Inc. (formerly Twitter) and Meta (Facebook) Inc. — are listed in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025. The DSS claims that these companies aided Sowore in publishing the posts allegedly containing defamatory statements against the president.

The case is the latest in a series of legal battles involving Sowore, who has in the past faced arrests and charges over his activism and online publications.

The Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, under which Sowore was charged, criminalises the online publication of false statements that can harm individuals or public institutions. The law also empowers the government to hold social media companies accountable if they facilitate the spread of such content.

Sowore’s arraignment has drawn reactions on social media, with supporters describing the charges as politically motivated, while others argue that public figures must exercise caution in their statements online.

Metro

Alleged Cybercrime: Court Grants Sowore Bail

Published

5 hours ago

December 3, 2025

Editor

Justice Mohammed Umar of the Abuja Federal High Court, on Tuesday, granted former presidential candidate and publisher, Omoyele Sowore, bail on self-recognition, cautioning him to refrain from making any utterances that could incite the public against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Sowore’s bail followed his arraignment by the Department of State Services (DSS) before the court on a five-count charge bordering on alleged cybercrime.

In the five-count charge, Sowore is accused of allegedly making derogatory remarks about President Tinubu on his social media handles.

Sowore, who is the convener of the #RevolutionNow movement, pleaded not guilty to the charges after they were read to him.

Earlier in the proceedings, his counsel, Marshall Abubakar, had raised a motion challenging the competence of the suit, arguing that the court lacked jurisdiction.

The prosecution objected, stating they had only just been served with the processes and needed time to respond.

In a short ruling, Justice Umar held that the objection on jurisdiction was not ready for hearing because the prosecution was served that morning, adding that the defendant needed to give them adequate time to file a counter-affidavit.

He then directed that the charges be read to the defendant.

When the charge was read, Sowore pleaded not guilty; his counsel applied for bail on self-recognition. The prosecution, however, opposed the application, arguing that Sowore posed a flight risk.

Justice Umar, in ruling on the bail request, granted Sowore bail on self-recognition and adjourned the matter to January 19, 2026, for trial.

Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in 2019, was accused of contravening the provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment Act, 2024, and the Criminal Code Act by calling President Bola Tinubu a criminal

The two other defendants listed in the charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025, are X Incorp (formerly Twitter) and Meta (Facebook) Incorp.

Metro

Delta: Suspected Kidnapper Killed In Gun Battle With Police

Published

11 hours ago

December 2, 2025

Editor

A suspected kidnapper has been killed during a gun battle with operatives of the Delta State Police Command in collaboration with Community Volunteers in Obiaruku Forest.

Delta State Police Public Relations Officer,SP Bright Edafe, confirmed the incident in a statement on Tuesday.

“Operatives of the Command State Anti-Cult Unit (SACU), in collaboration with community volunteers, were on intensive patrol when they received credible intelligence that suspected kidnappers were mobilising within the Obiaruku forest to carry out an attack.

“Acting swiftly on the information, the operatives advanced towards the location to forestall the planned criminal activity,” the statement said.

According to Edafe, on approaching the area, the suspects opened fire from multiple directions in a bid to repel the team.

“The operatives responded with superior firepower, leading to the death of one suspect, while others escaped into the forest with various degrees of injuries.

“One AK-47 rifle with forty-two rounds of live ammunition, nine mobile phones, and charms were recovered,” the statement added.