Metro

June 12: Ijaw Tasks Tinubu On Economic Crisis, Restructuring

Published

2 years ago

June 12, 2024

The Ijaw National Congress has challenged President Bola Tinubu to solve Nigeria’s current economic crisis.

The apex body of the Ijaw nation has also implored him to address the imbalance in the number of local government areas in Nigeria as part of efforts to restructure the country.

INC President, Prof Benjamin Okaba, in a message to celebrate 2024 Democracy’s Day, declared that June 12 is worth celebrating, considering the relative human rights and freedom Nigerians have been enjoying under civilian administrations and the need to consciously immortalize the Iconic democrat, Chief M.K.O Abiola, who gave up his life on July 7th, 1998, in active democratic struggle.

He noted that the return to democratic rule has at least allowed the citizens to choose political leaders and advance their rights.

On the current economic crisis, Okaba demanded that the current Federal Government take urgent steps to overcome the hardship facing Nigerians, insisting that the masses who are battling with various livelihood and life-threatening challenges such as insecurity, inflation, unemployment, and criminality are becoming increasingly hopeless and helpless with each passing day

For the Niger Delta region, the INC helmsman said the expectation of the people is for the Tinubu administration to provide solutions to their challenges.

He said, ‘’The oil and gas-rich Niger Delta region, which is a critical component of Nigeria’s economy, expects the current administration to, without any further delay, address the multifaceted challenges facing the region in terms of Infrastructure development, environmental remediation, economic empowerment, good governance and inclusive representation in decision-making processes.”

According to him, the Ijaw people, who are one of the four largest ethnic nationalities and major producers of oil and gas resources in the country, expect greater commitment from President Tinubu’s administration to deal with ‘’her peculiar and persistent problems and concerns of resource injustice, lack of political inclusion, and representation in key political positions and decision-making processes, and environmental degradation.’’

Okada stressed that the Ijaw quest for true federalism was rooted in their desire for greater autonomy, resource control, and self-determination that would enable them to manage their affairs more effectively and promote their overall well-being.

“We wish to express our satisfaction with President Tinubu’s stance on restructuring. While we appreciate the need for more efficient management of our local government councils, which are the third tier of government that is also closer to the people at the grassroots, we want to caution those seeking local government council autonomy to first and foremost tackle a more fundamental injustice created by the wide disparity in the number of local government areas per state (where Kano, for instance, has 44 and Bayelsa at the other extreme has only eight).

“Granting local government council autonomy without addressing this politico-demographic imbalance amounts to the perpetration of criminal injustice, in-equity, and disregard for the sensitivity of the people of the Niger Delta region who have fewer Local government areas despite producing the wealth of the nation,” he said.

Related Topics:#June 12 Democracy Day Ijaw INC

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Metro

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

16 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Police Command on Wednesday said two suspected cultists were arrested in Ohonre community, off Adolor College Road, Benin.

This was disclosed in a statement by the command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, and made available to newsmen electrically.

Ikoedem said the arrest was possible due to operatives response to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

The statement reads: “The Edo State Police Command has recorded another operational breakthrough following the swift disruption of a suspected cultists’ gathering in Ohonre Community, off Adolor College Road, Benin City.

“On 21st May, 2026, at about 19:00hrs, operatives attached to Ugbowo Division who were on surveillance patrol responded to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

“Acting promptly on the information, the police team mobilized to the location. On sighting the operatives, the suspects fled in an attempt to evade arrest. The operatives immediately gave them a hot chase, leading to the arrest of two suspects identified as Victor Peter ‘M’, 21 years and Iyemoma Ogbewe ‘M’, 35 years.

“A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of one cut-to-size gun believed to have been in their possession for unlawful purposes.

“Upon investigation, the suspects confessed to being members of the notorious Maphite cult group. Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other fleeing gang members.”

She said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the swift response of the operatives and reiterated the Command’s resolve to deny criminal elements any opportunity within Edo State.

He further urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, assuring that all reports would receive prompt attention.

Metro

Troops Eliminate Two Terrorists, Foil Pipeline Attack

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Army says troops have, in the last 24 hours, eliminated two terrorists, rescued four kidnapped victims and foiled pipeline attacks in a series of coordinated military operations across Taraba, Kogi and Rivers.

This is contained in operational updates issued to reporters on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the reports, troops of 93 Battalion deployed at Akate in the Donga Local Government Area of Taraba engaged suspected terrorists in a forested area, killing two of them.

According to the report, items recovered from the scene include an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, magazines, mobile phones and other personal effects.

In Kogi, it said the troops of 21 Battalion, in collaboration with vigilantes, rescued four kidnapped passengers along the Anyigba–Itobe road in Ofu Local Government Area.

It added that the victims were reportedly abandoned by their captors while attempting to cross a seasonal stream due to sustained pressure from advancing troops.

According to the military, efforts are ongoing to rescue other victims still in captivity.

The report said that troops of 12 Brigade successfully repelled an ambush along Kabba–Okene road while withdrawing from an earlier operation, forcing the assailants to flee with gunshot wounds.

“Meanwhile, in Rivers, troops of 5 Battalion acting on credible intelligence, foiled an attempt by suspected vandals to detonate a crude oil pipeline in Ahoada West Local Government Area.

“The swift response of the troops disrupted the operation before it could be executed, with the suspects fleeing the scene,” it said.

Metro

Police Arrest Private Chef Over Alleged N150m Theft, Drugging Of Employer, Burglary

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a chef, John Cosmos Govi, over his alleged involvement in a burglary operation at a residence in Abuja, where luxury items and valuables worth about N150 million were reportedly stolen.

The arrest was announced on Monday, May 25, 2026, by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, who said the suspect was apprehended by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) after investigations into allegations of criminal conspiracy, housebreaking, theft, malicious damage and administering harmful substances.

According to police findings, Govi, who allegedly gained employment as a chef at the residence, was said to have studied the movement of occupants, internal routine and security setup before allegedly carrying out the operation on April 23, 2026.

Investigators said he reportedly worked with two accomplices identified as Peter and Moses, who are currently on the run.

Police alleged that food prepared in the house was laced with a suspected sedative substance to weaken the occupants and security personnel.

After they reportedly became unconscious, the suspects allegedly broke into the property, damaged CCTV installations and stole 20 luxury wristwatches valued at about N150 million, alongside other valuables.

Speaking on the development, DCP Anthony Placid said the suspect was intercepted around the Gwagwalada axis of the Federal Capital Territory while attempting to flee to Lagos. He added that an iPhone 17 Pro Max, believed to belong to the victim, and a suspected chemical substance were recovered.

“We remain committed to dismantling organised criminal networks and ensuring that all fleeing accomplices are brought to justice,” Placid said.

Police said efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects and conclude investigations into the case.