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Flood: We’re Facing Humanitarian Crisis, Bayelsa Govt Cries Out

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The Bayelsa State Government has expressed concern that the impact of the rampaging flood might result in a humanitarian crisis.

The Commissioner for Environment and chairman of the state’s Task Force on Flood Mitigation and Management, Mr. Iselema Gbaranbiri, raised the concern on Saturday while giving an update on the committee’s activities.

He said the flood in the state has totally or partially submerged no fewer than 300 communities and villages.

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Gbaranbiri also disclosed that about 700,000 persons have been displaced or affected by the flood.

READ ALSO: Govt Orders Closure Of Delta Varsity Over Flooding

He said virtually all the communities and streets in Yenagoa Local Government Area have also been submerged or partially flooded.

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Communities in five other local government areas, namely Sagbama, Ekeremor, Ogbia, Kolokuma/Opokuma, and Southern Ijaw were equally seriously affected by the flood.

The Environment Commissioner said there had been reported cases of corpses being washed up at the cemetery in Asokoro, raising concerns of an impending health crisis.

He, however, assured that the government would do its best to bring relief to the flood victims as the committee was working round the clock to address the challenge of the current crisis.

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On Friday, Governor Diri restated his proposal for a post-flood management roundtable between worst-hit states and the federal government.

The Bayelsa governor said such discourse had become necessary due to the infrastructure damage and the amount of state resources deployed in tackling the flood menace.

He spoke as he continued his on-the-spot assessment tour to Southern Ijaw Local Government Area and other Yenagoa Local Government Area communities.

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Areas visited included the Amassoma road leading to the Niger Delta University (NDU), which has been cut off at three points along the road and left commuters stranded.

Governor Diri said the unfortunate incident would prevent the resumption of lectures at the university now that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has called off its eight-month-old strike.

While lamenting the huge cost of fixing the damaged roads by his government, Diri stressed that individual losses of property and deaths would be minimal if a permanent solution was immediately adopted.

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His words: “I have already thought out a line of action. Post-flood mitigation is very important to us at this time. The post-flood period will be about our destroyed infrastructure, particularly roads.

“On Thursday, we saw the road leading to Sagbama from Ekeremor had been badly damaged by the flood. Now, the road from Yenagoa to Amassoma, where you have the Niger Delta University, has collapsed in three areas. So, even with the ASUU calling off its strike, the university cannot resume. That is what I have been talking about the peculiarity of Bayelsa State and our Niger Delta environment.

READ ALSO: Residents Groan As Flood Takes Over Delta Communities

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“It will cost the state billions of naira before those roads would be repaired. Also, there are individual losses in terms of houses that have collapsed as a result of the flood and the deaths we have witnessed.

“In the post-flood management, the federal government has to sit with the states to look for a lasting and permanent solution. One of such solutions is the construction of a dam so when water is released from wherever, we should be able to contain it in Nigeria.”

The governor equally inspected the state-owned airport and expressed delight that despite the magnitude of the flood, the airport was not submerged, contrary to speculations by opposition elements.

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He also visited the School of Nursing and Basic Midwifery in Tombia, Alamieyeseigha Road, Opolo, the Oxbow Lake Pavilion, and the State Assembly Quarters, Azikoro.

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Police Restores Peace After Bomb Explosion Rocks Imo Community

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The Imo State Police Command has restored peace and order in Obinwanne Community, Njaba LGA, after a bomb explosion rocked the area, killing the carrier and injuring two others.

A press statement issued by the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Henry Okoye, stated that the community was thrown into panic following the incident, but the swift intervention of police personnel restored normalcy.

He explained that operatives from the Njaba Divisional Headquarters received a distress call alerting them to the incident, which led to the immediate mobilisation of officers to the scene.

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It was confirmed that the blast was caused by an explosive device carried by one Mr Chinworeke Mmadu from Ebonyi State, which detonated prematurely, leading to fatal injuries that later claimed his life.

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According to the statement, two passers-by who sustained injuries were rushed to Santa Maria Hospital, where they remain in stable condition.

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“In furtherance of the response, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, DCP Hamzat A. Abdulkadir, visited the scene with operatives of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal, EOD, Unit. The area was carefully swept and has been declared safe for public use,” he added.

Okoye further disclosed that preliminary investigations revealed the deceased was carrying the explosive device, and inquiries are ongoing to determine his motive and possible affiliations.

READ ALSO:Woman Killed, Five Others Injured In Imo Market Explosion

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Commissioner of Police Aboki Danjuma, while responding to the development, wished the injured victims a speedy recovery and assured Imo residents of the Command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property.

He also urged members of the public to remain calm, be security-conscious, and provide timely information to aid security efforts.

Danjuma further advised the public to report any suspicious item or object to the nearest police station or through the command’s emergency lines for prompt action.

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Deborah Okwori, Murdered Fashion Designer Buried Amid Tears

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Deborah Eneyi Ohekuru Okwori, professionally known as Deb’rah Porsche, has been laid to rest in her hometown of Ugaga Ohuhu Owo, Oju Local Government Area, Benue State.

DAILY POST reports that Deborah was allegedly murdered by her jilted lover, Lintex Ogale, in Lagos on September 3, 2025. Ogale reportedly stabbed her multiple times before fleeing.

She was rushed to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

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The suspect was later arrested and remanded at Kirikiri Correctional Centre pending further legal proceedings.

Recall that the moment the casket arrived in her hometown, Deborah’s mother moved mourners to tears with a poignant tribute: “Since you did not wait to dance at my burial, I’ll dance for you instead.”

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She was seen dancing around the casket, expressing her grief and love for her daughter in an emotional display.

Family, friends, and community members gathered to honor Deborah’s life.

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Police Ask Court To Issue Arrest Warrant Against Andy Uba Over Alleged N400m Job Scam

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The Inspector General of Police, IGP, Kayode Egbetokun has formally asked a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to issue a bench warrant for the arrest of ex-senator Andy Uba over a N400 million job scam.

The police intend to arrest Uba and bring him to court for trial.

The IGP sought the arrest order on Wednesday following the persistent absence of Uba, who once represented Anambra South in the Senate, to appear in court for arraignment over the alleged appointment fraud.

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The trial judge, Justice Mohammed Umar had, in July, slated Wednesday for the arraignment of Uba and his co-defendant, Benjamin Etu.

When the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/538/2024 was called on Wednesday, counsel to the defendants, C.L Odiniru apologized for Uba’s absence and said the former senator is sick and receiving treatment in the United States.

READ ALSO:Court Remands Man Who Beat Wife In Viral Video

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Counsel to the prosecution (IGP), Aminu Abdullahi, however told the court that the defense counsel had, during previous proceedings in the matter, given sickness as reason for the absence of the first defendant without adducing any documentary evidence to show that he is actually sick and cannot face his trial.

Abdullahi prayed the court to issue a bench warrant for the arrest of the former senator.

Defense counsel, Odiniru, opposed the application for a bench warrant and following a directive of the court, said the defense has obtained documents showing that Uba is receiving treatment abroad.

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But responding, Abdullahi said granting the application for bench warrant will be in the best interest of justice.

Justice Umar who was apparently angry over the repeated absence of Andy Uba, said the court will do whatever it takes to ensure that he is present to face his trial if he failed to come to court on the next adjourned date.

READ ALSO:Abuja Court Jails Ex-legislative Aide For N120m Fraud

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I will give you another opportunity by giving you another date. This case must be heard this year. Even if it means issuing a bench warrant of arrest, the court will do that,” the judge said and adjourned the matter till October 28, 2025 for Uba and his co-defendant to take their plea.

It would be recalled that the prosecution had, on March 5, 2025, amended a two-count charge filed against Uba and his co-defendant, Benjamin Etu, before the former trial judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo.

The police had earlier named Uba and two others in the first charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/538/2024.

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The co-defendants, in the two-count charge filed on October 10, 2024 by Abdulrashid Sidi in the Legal/Prosecution Section at the Police Force Headquarters, Abuja, were Crystal Uba and Benjamin Etu as 2nd and 3rd defendants, respectively.

But in the amended charge filed March 4, 2025, by Sidi, Uba and Etu are listed as 1st and 2nd defendants, while Crystal Uba’s name was dropped.

READ ALSO:Kenya Court Seeks UK Citizen’s Arrest Over Mother’s Murder

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In count one, it was alleged that Uba, Etu and Hajiya Fatima, now at large, sometimes in 2022, conspired amongst themselves to commit the offence.

Uba and others were accused of obtaining by false pretence, by making a presentation to Mr George Uboh that they had perfected ways for giving appointment as Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, to any interested person who could afford N400 million.

A presentation which you know is not true and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related offences Act, 2006,” the charge stated.

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READ ALSO:Men Can Take Wives’ Surnames —South Africa’s Top Court Rules

The offence, the prosecution said, is contrary to Section 1 (2) and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related offences Act, 2006.

Uboh, in a letter dated April 5, 2023, and addressed to the IGP, said the petition was based on documentary evidence and voice recording, adding that the evidence is overwhelming and irrefutable.

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No fewer than six witnesses had been listed to testify against the ex-lawmaker and Etu.

The case was re-assigned to Justice Umar, following the suspension of the former judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo, by the National Judicial Council, NJC.

 

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