News

Obaseki Commends Military, Says FOB In Ehor Has Reduced Kidnapping

Published

2 years ago

August 17, 2023

Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has said the Forward Operational Base (FOB) in Ehor, Uhunmwode Local Government Area of the state has reduced the activities of kidnappers in the axis.

Obaseki said this when he received the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Valentine Uzochukwu Okoro, who led other top military personnel on a courtesy visit to the Government House, in Benin City.

Obaseki, who thanked the the Chief of Army Staff for the approval to build the FOB as a way of addressing the insecurity in the axis, disclosed that the FOB is almost ready for commissioning.

He lauded the military and other security forces in the state for their sustained collaboration with the state government in ensuring a formidable security architecture that guarantees the protection of lives and property of Edo people as well as the safety of businesses and investments in the State.

He said, “We want to thank your men for the support and assistance they continue to render to us in Edo to secure our state. The Brigade Command and your men in Benin and across the state are very active players in our security council and security architecture. We have enjoyed a very warm and cordial relationship with them and we do all to make sure they are comfortable.

“I thank you for giving the permission for the Army to be part of the squad that is training our vigilante network as we just completed the training of 1,500 of our men. From inception, the military has been part of designing the programme, helping us with the screening and things we need to do properly.”

On the FOB Obaseki said : “Please thank the Chief of Army Staff for the approval we received to build Forward Operational Base (FOB) in the State. The FOB in Ehor is almost ready and we would like to go through you to ask that he comes to commission what he has started.

“That deployment has helped us tremendously in the state because, before the deployment, the incident of kidnapping on that axis of the road was bad. We have now seen the direct benefits of having the military support our security efforts.

“Also, we want to thank the Chief of Army Staff and tell him that when he comes, he should use the opportunity to do the second foundation laying for the FOB in Sobe which has been approved, and also the operations taken in that axis which has been very successful reducing the number of incidents of kidnapping and activities of bandits in that area significantly.”

Obaseki added, “We are anxious to start the building of the FOB there so that the men can be stationed there. Unfortunately, some of the bandits displaced from this area have moved up North towards the Akoko-Edo axis and increased the incidents in these areas.

“We thank you for the operation you have commenced this week. I am sure you will help us get more resources from the Auchi Brigade to support the efforts in that area.”

Earlier, Okoro commended the governor for his support and the conducive environment created for the officers and men of the military to effectively perform their duties of securing lives and property in the State.

He said, “I recently assumed command of 2 Division and decided to visit formation to familiarise myself with the operating environment. Thank you for what you have done to mitigate power supply in our cantonment and for other support to our men in Edo State. I assure you of the collaboration of the Army to check security and ensure citizens live in a secured environment.”

News

Group Protests Alleged Sale Of Workers’ Housing Estate To NAF

Published

4 hours ago

August 2, 2025

Editor

Bauchi State Concerned Citizens group has raised alarm over the alleged sale of 270 newly built housing units along Ningi-Kano Road, Bauchi, to the Nigerian Air Force.

Addressing the press, the group’s chairman, Comrade Aliyu Ladan, on Friday described the development as “an unfortunate and illegitimate move” that threatens the rights and welfare of Bauchi residents.

“The houses were part of a 1,000-unit project initiated under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to alleviate accommodation problems for workers.”

He said the units had already been allocated to residents through a due process managed by the facility manager.

Ladan accused the Federal Ministry of Housing of negotiating with the Air Force to take over the estate, a move he described as “a complete violation of residents’ fundamental rights.”

The group called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene, warning that the decision could lead to unrest.

The group demanded the cancellation of the alleged sale and urged the government to protect residents’ rights.

Responding, State Controller of the Federal Ministry of Housing, Architect Nwamadu Herbert, stated that although negotiations are ongoing, no transfer has been made as directives are awaited from the Ministry’s headquarters.

He dismissed the protesters as “illegal occupants,” clarifying that the houses remain under the ministry’s custody pending directives from headquarters.

News

Bauchi Gov To Corps Members: Advocate For National Development, Transformation

Published

4 hours ago

August 2, 2025

Editor

Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state has called on all the Narional Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to always advocate for national development and transformation in the country.

Mohammed, who made the call during the swearing in ceremony of the 2025 Batch ‘B’ stream 1 corps members on Friday, also urged them to take the noble call with utmost seriousness and commit themselves to achieve the scheme’s objective of national unity and development.

Represented by Mr Mohammed Umar, Head of Civil Service in the state, the governor assured the corps members that the people of the state appreciated and supported the goals and objectives of the NYSC scheme.

“Therefore, we have decided to collaborate with you in every possible way to ensure the success of the Scheme in the State.

“To this end, we have completed the renovation of corps members’ hostels and built a brand new Multipurpose Hall in the camp.

“This is the first phase of the project and the second phase, which I assure would start very soon shall include, construction of staff accommodation, a clinic and other necessary facilities.

“I can assure you that my government would continue to do anything within the limit of our resources to make the corps members and staff comfortable during orientation exercises in the camp,” he said.

Earlier, Mr Umoren Kufre, the state Coordinator of NYSC reminded the corps members that life in camp is highly regimented, adding that participants were expected to adhere to the orientation course timetable, NYSC Bye-laws, extant rules and other relevant policies.

According to him, 1,107 corps members comprising 608 males and 499 females had been successfully registered before the commencement of the swearing in ceremony out of the 1,700 corps members posted to the state.

He commended the state governor for his unwavering commitment to the realisation of the NYSC objectives in the state.

“I am indeed happy for the complete renovation of corps members’ hostels at the NYSC permanent orientation camp and the construction of a brand new Multi-purpose Hall.

“There can be no better demonstration of commitment, love and fatherly care than what we are seeing in the camp now.

“It is now clear for all to see that His Excellency is a great lover of the youths and particularly the corps members,” he said.

News

JUST IN: NNPCL Boss, Ojulari Allegedly Forced To Resign

Published

5 hours ago

August 2, 2025

Editor

The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, Bayo Ojulari, has allegedly been forced to sign a resignation letter.

This is according to a Peoples Gazette report on Saturday.

According to the report, Ojulari was hijacked on Friday and pressured to sign a resignation letter by Ola Olukoyede, chairman of anti-graft EFCC, and Adeola Ajayi, director-general of the State Security Service.

It was reported that the alleged incident occurred on Friday, according to sources who spoke with the news platform.

Sources said Mr Ojulari was repeatedly questioned about what he might know of Olatimbo Ayinde, a British-Nigerian oil businesswoman who has recently emerged as one of the most powerful forces steering the Tinubu administration.

“Mr Ojulari told us he didn’t know Olatimbo Ayinde,” the source, who preferred anonymity, told Peoples Gazette.

However, the spokesman of EFCC, Dele Oyewale, has not officially responded to the enquiry on the matter.

Also, Mr Ojulari did not immediately return multiple requests seeking comments about the development on Saturday afternoon.

Recall that NNPCL had recently raised alarm over sabotage of the state-owned oil firm’s leadership.

Ojulari was appointed in April 2025 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.