News

‘It’s An Act Of God’ – N’Delta Rights Activist, Ozobo, Narrates Ordeal In Kidnappers’ Hands; Decries Worsen Security In Delta

Published

3 months ago

March 9, 2025

Niger Delta human rights activist, Comrade Austin Ozobo, has narrated how he and others were attacked by herdsmen along the Ohoror/Bomadi Road in Delta State.

Ozobo, while narrating his ordeal in the hands of the daredevils, said the kidnappers called him and other persons with him internet fraudsters, otherwise known as “Yahoo Boys.”

Ozobo, who is the National President of the Ijaw People’s Development Initiative (IPDI), said it was an “Act of God” that his life and those of others were spared during the attack.

He described the security situation in Delta State as very “alarming,” stressing that “one could no longer travel for fear of herdsmen.”

Narrating his ordeal in the hands of the herdsmen on Saturday, February 22, Comrade Ozobo said, “We were coming from a burial ceremony at Torugbene when our vehicle broke down around 6 p.m., about a kilometer before Agadama on Ohoror road.

“We were trying to find a solution, looking for a tire and a mechanic to fix the car. The process took us several hours. Eventually, we were able to get a mechanic and a new tire to fix our vehicle. Exactly at 10:30 p.m., the new tire and mechanic arrived.

“While we were fixing the car, all our attention was on the tire. Everyone pointed their phone torches at the mechanic who was fixing the tire. Suddenly, we saw some persons pointing torches at us, surrounding us in a circle. At very close range, they pointed their torches along with AK-47 and AK-49 rifles at us and ordered us to go down, warning that if anyone attempted to run, they would shoot.”

According to Ozobo, “Immediately, all of us went down. They took advantage of us. At first, the leader of the gang asked where we were coming from. They even called us Yahoo Boys, saying we should bring all our belongings because we were Yahoo Boys. We told them we were not Yahoo Boys, that we were just coming from a burial.

“One of them whispered to the leader that they should take us to the forest, but the leader downplayed that decision. Instead, they took all our phones and money. After that, they asked us to unlock our phones and transfer money. We were all crying that we didn’t have money to transfer. We were praying to our God to intervene.

“At that time, there was no security patrol along the Ohoror road. The military stationed at the extreme end of the bridge under construction in that area did not intervene. No one came to our rescue. The operation lasted for about an hour. We were all lying on the ground while people started unlocking their phones.

“One of the attackers approached me and asked me to delete my phone data instead of unlocking it. That was my sad experience.

“I was trying to delete information on my phone, and in the process, I managed to delete my banking apps from both of my phones.

“Suddenly, he came back and accused me of disobeying him. I asked how I was disobeying him, but he used a cutlass to hit me on my back about three times. The leader then intervened, saying it was not ‘delete’ but ‘unlock’ that his boy was trying to say.

“I was trying to unlock my phone, but out of annoyance and frustration, I couldn’t settle down and do it properly. The leader then pointed out that everyone else had finished unlocking their phones and, since I was being defiant, they should take me to the forest.

“But the ancestors of Ijaw land and God Almighty would not allow that. I was praying within me.

“Suddenly, the leader ordered me to give them my password. I called out my password, they entered it, and my phone opened. Thereafter, the leader told the boys they had overstayed at the scene and should move to the forest. Before they left, they asked us to stand up and move.

“I wasn’t pleased with this because, in several instances, robbers or bandits have asked victims to move before shooting them from behind. I wasn’t comfortable with the idea. When others stood up, I didn’t.

“After some time, we moved to our vehicle and managed to escape from the scene that night.”

Comrade Ozobo described Ohoror/Bomadi road as a death trap, saying, “Before our incident, Manager’s brother, one Febogha, was killed about two or three days earlier, on February 22, Saturday. After our incident, the same herdsmen operating in the area killed two residents at Uwheru Community.

“When I spoke with people from Agadama Community, they told me the situation was out of control, and they could no longer stay in their homes comfortably or sleep with both eyes closed. They even evacuated students from the extreme end of the community. Many residents have left that part of the community. Last Saturday, I was told that herdsmen raided Agadama again, forcing all residents to flee to Ohoror Community.”

Comrade Ozobo said, “The situation is precarious and tense,” pointing out that Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is not doing anything about it. “That has been my anger. How can you be ruling a state, your people are being attacked, and you say you are not aware of it? You cannot say you are not aware of it!”

Comrade Ozobo lambasted Governor Oborevwori, saying, “When you talk about development, it is a wide term. When people say a governor is developing a state, it’s a broad term. It’s not just about constructing roads. How many poor families have cars to drive on the roads?” he asked.

He said, “Development encompasses empowerment and proper security.

“Constructing roads alone cannot qualify you (Oborevwori) as a development master.”

Comrade Ozobo urged Governor Oborevwori to directly address the insecurity threatening the lives and properties of citizens and residents of the state by tackling the security challenges at Ohoror/Bomadi.

(DAILY POST)

Related Topics:#Kidnappers Austin Ozobo Delta

Up Next

Nigerian Govt Takes Over Funding Of Tai Solarin Varsity Of Education

Don't Miss

1966 Coup: Youth Council Demands $10trn Compensation For Igbos, Plans Mass Protests

Comments

News

FG Selects 12 Varsities For Electric Vehicle Production

Published

2 hours ago

June 7, 2025

Editor

As part of the First Nigeria Policy of the President Bola Tinubu administration, the Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Mr Oluwemimo Osanipin, has disclosed that twelve universities have been selected for electric car manufacturing.

The twelve universities, comprising two from each geopolitical zone of the country, according to the DG, will be financed by the Bank of Industry and other key financial institutions.

Mr Osanipin made the disclosure in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, during a stakeholders’ engagement with the Association of Motor Dealers of Nigeria (AMDON) and the Nigeria Automotive Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (NAMA).

The theme of the engagement was “Import of Used Cars and Dealership Regulation in Nigeria.”

He stated that Nigeria was also committed to component and parts manufacturing as part of its preparation for the production of Made-in-Nigeria vehicles and in fulfilment of the First Nigeria Policy.

According to him, the country is on its way to achieving 100% locally made electric vehicles, adding that the federal government has already built stations in ten of the universities in readiness for the project’s takeoff.

He said, “When I came in, one of the major initiatives I pushed for was component development, but let me state here that no country, no company, no OEM manufactures its own vehicle entirely.

For example, the company that manufactures Mercedes has suppliers who produce engines for them, but they handle the design and interior. Other suppliers produce bulbs and braking systems. No OEM manufactures all the components, but we are conscious of what happens after sales.

Apart from producing parts to service vehicle production, you produce more parts to service after-sales because, let’s say annual production is 500,000, but the vehicles you service on the road amount to about 18 million. What this means is that we need to produce more parts.

That’s why we are pushing for components and parts production. As of today, we are expanding. We have identified the components that we can manufacture with comparative advantage and lower cost, such as plastic parts, which can be derived from petroleum by-products.

There are many things that we can produce here in Nigeria. We are working with major assemblers. In terms of design, we have initiated a programme involving twelve universities, two from each geopolitical zone, to design what we call the University Shuttle Bus, which will be 100% electric.

It will be designed in Nigeria, and most of the parts will be sourced locally. We are working on it. When the universities complete the design, we will collaborate with assemblers and vehicle manufacturers and seek financial support from institutions such as the Bank of Industry and other financial entities to enable production.

Gradually, we are progressing towards fully designed and manufactured electric vehicles in Nigeria. In preparation for this, we have started building charging stations in several universities, and in the next few months, we will cover no fewer than ten universities.

By the time we complete this, we will have built some foundational infrastructure. Gradually, we are shaping the future and advancing component parts production.”

News

Why I’m Yet To Visit Ooni Of Ife — Alaafin Of Oyo

Published

2 hours ago

June 7, 2025

Editor

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, has explained why he has not yet visited the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, clarifying that the delay is due to scheduling and not any disagreement between them.

Oba Owoade’s recent visit to the Oluwo of Iwo sparked widespread speculation on social media, with many interpreting the gesture as a snub to the Ooni of Ife.

The speculation intensified following comments from the Oluwo, who asserted that the Alaafin holds superiority over all traditional rulers in Yorubaland, sparking talk of tension between the two monarchs.

In a viral video circulating online, the Alaafin addressed the matter directly, clarifying that there was no conflict between him and the Ooni. He explained that a visit to the Ooni had been planned but had to be postponed.

Speaking in Yoruba language, he said, “It is not something you hide. Before we made all preparations for this journey, one of the kings I intended to visit was the Ooni of Ife.

“I informed my PA and Chief of Staff earlier to know when we would visit him, and his PAs were also contacted before we were informed he went to Kazakhstan.”

“People who do not know about this are the ones spreading rumours on the internet. I have no rift with the Ooni. There was even a time I was with the Soun (of Ogbomoso), and we both spoke with the Ooni on the phone.”

The monarch, however, called on the public to ignore the unfounded rumours, describing them as baseless and the work of mischief makers.

This is coming few weeks after Oba Owoade addressed controversy sparked by a viral video showing him seated while greeting the Ooni at a public event hosted by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, in Ibadan.

Tribune Online reports that the footage captured the moment the Ooni arrived, prompting other monarchs to rise and exchange greetings, while the Alaafin remained seated.

Responding through a statement issued by his Personal Assistant, Kolade Oladele, the Alaafin dismissed the online reactions as a deliberate attempt by bloggers and commentators to sow discord between Yoruba traditional rulers.

He described the controversy as a distraction from pressing issues such as insecurity, economic hardship, and youth development.

He also reaffirmed his deep respect for the Ooni of Ife and all custodians of Yoruba tradition, stressing his commitment to inter-royal collaboration as a foundation for peace, unity, and progress in Yorubaland.

News

8 Phones With The Best Batteries In 2025

Published

3 hours ago

June 7, 2025

Editor

Finding a smartphone that can truly last all day and beyond remains a top priority for many consumers in 2025.

According to Phone Arena and GSMArena, here are some smartphones that offer exceptional battery life, ensuring you stay connected longer without frequent charging.

Contents
1. Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro
2. OnePlus 13
3. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
4. iPhone 16 Pro Max
5. Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra
6. Samsung Galaxy S25+
7. Apple iPhone 16 Plus
8. Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

1. Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro

The Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro is a powerhouse designed for gamers and heavy users. It features a massive 5,800mAh battery. Based on standardised tests, it can last around 18 hours 25 minutes of web browsing, 12 hours 41 minutes of video streaming, and 13 hours 41 minutes of gaming. This phone ensures you can game, stream, and browse without worrying about running out of power.

2. OnePlus 13

OnePlus 13 features a 6,000mAh silicon carbide battery, providing a remarkable battery life. Based on standardized tests, it can last around 21 hours 34 minutes of web browsing, 9 hours 12 minutes of video streaming, and 8 hours 12 minutes of gaming. Its efficient Snapdragon 8 Elite processor and fast charging capabilities (80W wired and 50W wireless) make it a top choice for users seeking longevity and performance.

3. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra comes with a 5,000mAh battery, offering up to 20 hours 49 minutes for browsing, and 8 hours 54 minutes for streaming videos and 14 hours 21 minutes. It charges to 100% in about 59 minutes with its 45W wired charger.

4. iPhone 16 Pro Max

Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro Max features a 4,685mAh battery, offering up to 22 hours 39 minutes for browsing, 10 hours 24 minutes for videos, and 12 hours 4 minutes for gaming. Its A18 Bionic chip and iOS optimization contribute to its impressive battery efficiency.

5. Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra

The Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra features a 5,500 mAh battery, delivering exceptional longevity. In battery endurance tests, it achieved an impressive 16 hours 16 minutes for browsing, 12 hours 30 minutes for videos, and 14 hours 18 minutes for gaming, placing it among the top performers in battery life. Additionally, it supports 65W wired charging, allowing for rapid recharging.

6. Samsung Galaxy S25+

Equipped with a 4,900 mAh battery, the Samsung Galaxy S25+ offers commendable battery performance. In testing, it provided 19 hours and 4 minutes of web browsing, 8 hours, 15 minutes of video playback and 13 hours and 31 minutes of gaming. The device also supports 45W wired charging, enabling a 70% charge in just 30 minutes.

7. Apple iPhone 16 Plus

The iPhone 16 Plus is renowned for its outstanding battery life. It features a 4,674 mAh battery, making it one of the best-performing iPhones in terms of battery endurance. Users can expect over 18 hours 5 minutes of video playback, 18 hours 5 minutes of web browsing, and 10 hours 32 minutes. It supports fast charging, reaching 50% in 30 minutes with a compatible 20W charger.

8. Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is the only Google Pixel phone on this list of phones with exceptional batteries. It features a 5,060 mAh battery. In battery tests, it achieved 18 hours 52 minutes of web browsing, 9 hours 24 minutes of video playback, and 10 hours 4 minutes of gaming. The device also supports 37W wired charging, reaching 63% in 30 minutes, and 15W wireless charging, ensuring users spend less time tethered to a charger.

When selecting a smartphone, battery life is a key consideration. These phones are leading the way in 2025 with exceptional battery performance to keep you connected throughout the day.