News

How Bandits Attacked Edo Monarch, Kidnapped Wife – CSOs Tell IGP

Published

1 year ago

March 3, 2024

Editor

A coalition of civil rights organizations has urged the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, to ensure the swift release of the kidnapped pregnant wife of a traditional leader in Agbede, Edo State.

In a petition to the IGP, and signed on its behalf by Adeleye Taiwo, the coalition expressed deep concern over the distressing incident.

The coalition called upon the police hierarchy to deploy a specialized team to rescue the pregnant wife of Chief Alh. Mutairu Kabiru Igene, also known as Amari, and bring the perpetrators to justice.

According to the petition, the incident unfolded while Chief Mutairu Igene and his pregnant wife, Mrs. Mujanetu Kabiru Igene, were harvesting yams on their farm on February 28, 2024.

Armed men believed to be of Fulani descent launched a sudden attack, attempting to abduct the couple. Chief Mutairu Igene valiantly resisted the assailants but suffered severe injuries in the process.

Left wounded and unconscious, he was discovered in the bush the following morning and rushed to a private hospital, where he remains in the intensive care unit.

However, his pregnant wife, Mujanetu Igene, remains captive under deplorable conditions, enduring torture and humiliation.

Taiwo emphasized that time is of the essence as the pregnant woman lacks access to medical care, posing a significant risk to both her and her unborn child(ren).

He stated, “The pregnant woman is naturally in a state of vulnerability and weakness. Being abducted and forced to trek for several kilometers in the wilderness with her Chief husband hospitalized is the epitome of cruelty. We urge you to prioritize the release of the Chief and his wife.”

The armed men, suspected to be of Fulani origin as per eyewitness accounts, are demanding a ransom of N20 million for the release of the pregnant woman, adding to the anguish of the Agbede community.

The community has long faced threats from Fulani herds and armed men, resulting in the destruction of their crops and harm to their loved ones.

The CSOs noted that incidents of kidnapping in the Agbede region have reached a critical level, prompting many to abandon ancestral farmlands, which threatens food security and livelihoods.

The coalition further warned that failure to promptly release the Chief’s pregnant wife could lead to further protests and outrage in the community.

News

EFCC Orders Arrest Of Dismissed Officer On Lege Miami’s Show

Published

8 minutes ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has condemned the actions of one of its former staff, Olakunle Alex Folarin, who was recently spotted participating in a matchmaking programme on social media platforms hosted by popular entertainer Lege Miami.

The agency has ordered his immediate arrest for retaining official EFCC property, including an identity card, following his dismissal for certificate forgery.

The anti-graft agency, in a statement on its official X handle on Monday, said Folarin served as a driver at the EFCC’s Ibadan Zonal Directorate.

He was, however, dismissed after investigations confirmed he had forged his academic credentials.

It said, “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, condemned in the strongest terms, the involvement of one of its former staff, Olakunle Alex Folarin, in a matchmaking programme running on Lege Miami social media platforms.”

“Folarin was recently dismissed from the Commission for certificate forgery. He was a driver at the Ibadan Zonal Directorate of the EFCC.”

The statement said EFCC Executive Chairma,n Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has ordered Folarin to be arrested and emphasised that Folarin’s actions should not be associated with the commission.

“The Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has ordered his arrest for being in possession of some Commission’s properties, including an identity card, which he should have handed over upon being dismissed from the EFCC.

“The public is advised against associating Folarin’s post-dismissal conduct with the EFCC,” the statement concluded.

News

NERC Transfers Regulation Of Electricity Market To Bayelsa

Published

24 minutes ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has transferred regulatory oversight of the electricity market in Bayelsa State to the Bayelsa Electricity Regulatory Agency.

In a notice on its social media handles on Monday, the commission said this was in compliance with the amended 1999 Constitution and the Electricity Act 2023.

“In compliance with the amended Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electricity Act 2023 (Amended), the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has issued an order to transfer regulatory oversight of the electricity market in Bayelsa State from the Commission to the Bayelsa State Electricity Regulatory Agency,” the commission said.

Recall that with the Electricity Act 2023, the commission retains the role as a central regulator with regulatory oversight on the interstate/international generation, transmission, supply, trading, and system operations.

The Act also mandates any state that intends to establish and regulate intrastate electricity markets to deliver a formal notification of its processes and requests NERC to transfer regulatory authority over electricity operations in the state to the state regulator.

The transfer order by NERC directed Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company Plc to incorporate a subsidiary distribution company to assume responsibilities for intrastate supply and distribution of electricity in Bayelsa State from PHED.

PHED was also directed to complete the incorporation of PHED SubCo within 60 days from August 21, 2025.

“The subcompany shall apply for and obtain a licence for the intrastate supply and distribution of electricity from BYERA, among other directives,” the commission said.

It concluded that all transfers envisaged by the order shall be completed by February 20, 2026.

With this order, Bayelsa has joined states like Lagos, Imo, Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti, Enugu, Niger, Edo, Oyo and Plateau, which have got the power to regulate electricity markets.

The state can now generate, transmit, and distribute electricity while issuing licences to investors within the value chain.

News

Things To Know As INEC Begins Physical Voter Registration Monday

Published

27 minutes ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

The Independent National Electoral Commission commenced the physical, in-person phase of its 2025 Continuous Voter Registration exercise across Nigeria today, Monday, August 25.

This follows the online pre-registration that commenced on August 18, 2025.

In an update on its X handle on Monday, the commission provided details of the schedule, locations, and eligibility of voters.

INEC said in-person registration will run Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, and urged eligible Nigerians to complete their registration at INEC state or local government offices in their area.

The commission said those eligible to register or update their details include:

New voters aged 18 and above who have not registered before.

Holders needing to replace lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

Voters seeking to transfer their registration to a new location.

People who need to update or correct their voter information (name, address, etc.).

The electoral umpire asked registrants who completed online pre-registration to proceed to their INEC State Head Office or LGA office to finalise the process.

The commission also published a list of registration centres on its official portal.