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Imo: Security Operatives Foil Attempt To Abduct INEC Officials, Materials

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Vigilant security operatives in Imo, on Saturday, foiled an attempt by alleged political thugs to abduct INEC officials and cart away election materials.

The incident happened at a Registration Area Center in Amaimo, Ikeduru Local Government Area.

It was learnt that the attempt by the thugs to whisk away the INEC officials into their waiting vehicle was quickly repelled by the security personnel deployed in the centre.

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READ ALSO: Off-season Election: Alleged Ballot Box Snatcher Gunned Down In Kogi [VIDEO]

An eyewitness account said that the armed security operatives fired into the air from a distance, when voters in the area raised an alarm over the presence of the thugs.

“The thugs quickly retreated into their bus and sped off on hearing the sound of the gun,” the eyewitness told NAN on the condition of anonymity.

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An unarmed Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) operative at the scene told Newsmen that “the thugs were coming to hijack the INEC officials and election materials.

“But luck ran out on them when some people started shouting during a stampede caused by fear.

“It was their shouting that alerted the armed security personnnel, who quickly shot into the air, forcing the thugs to take to their heels,” the NSCDC operative said on the condition of anonymity.

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READ ALSO: Bayelsa: Voting Commences In Sylva’s Ward After 3 Hours Delay

NAN also reports that there was heavy presence of security personnel on major roads in the state.

In Owerri, the state capital, and its environs, armed security personnel mounted checkpoints at strategic locations as early as 6:00a.m. to enforce restriction on movements.

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Heavily armed soldiers were seen at different entry points into the city, stopping and searching vehicles, as well as interrogating the drivers and passengers before allowing them to go.

A NAN correspondent monitoring the poll also reports that all the polling units in Isu Njaba had materials and INEC officials on ground as early as 8.00am.

Consequently, the accreditation of voters commenced at about 8.30am in the area without any security presence at the time of filing the report

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Motorists, Commuters Lament Slow Pace Of Repairs On Benin-Sapele Road

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Residents living on the Benin-Sapele Road axis of the ancient city on Monday decried the slow pace of the ongoing repairs on the highway.

Signs of the failed road stretching from the By-pass axis to the Ologbo-koko Junction began in 2018 due to poor drainage design or failure to maintain drains.

At a stage, the road became near impassable due to political differences between the state government who ought to have done some palliative work, and the Federal Government whose duty it is to rehabilitate the road that linked the west to the South-south corridors.

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Signs of relief however set in when the current Edo State Government took over a portion of rehabilitation the road earlier embarked upon by Levant Construction Firm.

READ ALSO:How I Survived Kidnap, Assassination Attempt – Rivers Speaker

However, despite the take over of the portion of the ongoing repairs, there seems to be no tangible improvement.

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Lamenting the slow pace of the ongoing repairs, a resident of Ogheghe by the by-pass who identified himself as Igbinovia Lucky, said since he moved into his apartment in 2022, it has been a nightmare coming to the city and going back home at close of work.

According to him, more times are spent on the road especially in the evenings when workers are going back home.

He said most times, a journey which ordinarily should take an average of 30 – 45 minutes, lasts up to 5 or 6 hours.

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READ ALSO:Benin-Sapele Highway Explosion: CSO Wants State Of Emergency Declared, Construction Of Coastal Railway

Also, a transporter, Sunday Ochuko, who ply the road said the bad state of the road has drastically reduced the number of hours and trips per day for drivers.

The bad state of the road has increased accident risks occasioned by trucks that often get stuck, tip over, or delay for days. The end results is incidents of theft, livestock being abandoned or offloaded from trucks, and security concerns including kidnappings along certain stretches.”

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According to him, vehicles suffer greater wear and tear with motorists spending more on fuel (due to inefficiencies, slow speeds, detours) and repairs.

“Apart from businesses, individuals are affected. What might be a 1‑hour trip becomes 5‑6 hours. This reduces the number of trips, lowers work hours, and increases delays in supply chains.

READ ALSO: Dangote Hits Out At PENGASSAN, Says Union ‘Serial Saboteurs, Serving Oligarchs’

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“The corridor is vital for trade between Edo and Delta states, but poor road quality makes it harder to move goods efficiently to market, possibly reducing competitiveness”, Ochuko said.

He continued: “Farmers face similar difficulties transporting produce; some goods spoilt or get damaged before reaching markets, thus reducing their incomes, reduced food supply and raising costs.

“Fares for passengers have nearly doubled on the Benin to Sapele route. Transport operators are making fewer trips per day.”

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On her part, a fruit seller who buys fruits from Benin to sell in Sapele lamented the delays and losses of goods due to damage, spoilage, or pilferage.

She said due to the bad road, sellers many times have to raise prices because transporters who pass along the road Increased fares.

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Gunmen Kill 12 Forest Guards In Kwara

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Gunmen in central Nigeria have killed at least a dozen guards who protect forests and flush out criminal gangs and jihadists, police said.

The attack occurred on Sunday when the attackers raided Oke-Ode, a small town around 70 kilometres (45 miles) from the Kwara state capital, Ilorin.

Police said the armed men “invaded” the area, “shooting sporadically”.

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Police and forest security services responded and “discovered 12 lifeless bodies” of the guards. Four others were wounded.

READ ALSO:Insecurity: Army HQ Directs GOC Ibadan To Relocate To Kwara

It was not immediately clear who the gunmen were.

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But gangs known locally as bandits and jihadists operate out of bases hidden in forests across the northern and central states.

The criminal gangs loot and burn down villages as well as carry out kidnapping for ransom.

The state has witnessed a series of deadly attacks in recent months, with locals blaming the Mahmuda group, a gang loyal to Mahmud al-Nigeri, a senior leader of the Ansaru terror group.

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READ ALSO:Foreign Currency Found On Beggars As 40 Evacuated In Kwara

Ansaru grew out of a 2021 split within the Boko Haram group and the group then allied itself with Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).

Nigeria’s national security adviser Nuhu Ribadu said last month that Ansaru has “urban sleeper cells” and “remote forest bases” in Niger and Kwara states in central Nigeria.

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In mid-August, Nigerian authorities announced the capture of al-Nigeri along with fellow Ansaru figure Mahmud Muhammad Usman.

Kwara state governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq called for “increased security deployments” to help “roll back the activities of criminals.”

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Kidnappers Demand N10m To Free in-law Of Delta Governor’s Media Aide

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Tension has gripped Jesse community in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State following the abduction of Mr. Francis Amakare, an in-law to Prince Joseph Orhomonokpaye, Senior Special Assistant on Community Newspapers to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.

According to The Guardian, Amakare was reportedly kidnapped on Friday, September 26, while returning home. The abductors, said to have operated swiftly and without resistance, have since contacted his family, demanding ₦10 million for his release.

A family source confirmed the ransom demand and disclosed that the kidnappers warned against involving security agencies, heightening fears among relatives and residents.

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As of press time, Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, said he had not received an official report of the incident.

Meanwhile, local vigilantes and community security outfits in Jesse have launched a manhunt for the abductors.

READ ALSO:Delta Sacks, Demotes Health Workers For Extorting Pregnant Women

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Prince Orhomonokpaye, who was visibly distressed, is reportedly working with authorities and community leaders to secure Amakare’s safe release.

The incident has once again highlighted rising insecurity in Delta State and the growing wave of kidnappings across the Niger Delta region.

We are no longer safe in our homes or on the roads. Every day we hear of kidnappings, yet little seems to change,” a resident lamented.
Negotiations with the kidnappers were reportedly ongoing at the time of filing this report.

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