Connect with us

Metro

Ogoni Women Threaten Nude Protest Over Oil Exploration

Published

on

Women from the Ogoni ethnic nationality in Rivers State have vowed to protest nude if the Federal Government goes ahead with the move to resume oil extraction in the area, without addressing what they term key issues in the area.

This was revealed in a statement jointly signed by 15 women groups in Ogoni, including ‘Mba Okase Initiative, Eedee Ladies of Tai, De Voice of Eleme Women Association, League of Queens International, Gbogbia Feefee Women, Lekeh Foundation, We the People under the auspices of ‘Ogoni Women Coalition for Sustainable Environment’.

Others are; KEBETKACHE Women Development and Resource Centre, Global Concern Women and Youth Development Initiative, Miikeekor Environmental Development Initiative, Concern Ogoni Daughter, Peoples Advancement Centre, Ogoni Women Coalition for Sustainable Environment, Yerebaneko Women Group Tai and Ogoni Women Development Initiative.

Advertisement

The women in the statement issued in Port Harcourt on Wednesday said they would not allow the resumption of oil activities in their area until the key issues that led to the discontinuation of oil exploration in the area in the 90s were addressed.

READ ALSO: Tinubu Signs Bill To Establish Federal University In Ogoni

They further said the area was not ripe and ready for oil exploration without the fundamental issues being addressed, even as they alleged that the women were being excluded in the ongoing oil resumption talks.

Advertisement

Meanwhile, fielding questions from newsmen, the Leader of Mba Okase Initiative, Dr Mrs Patience Osaroejiji, said women of Ogoni are ready to go nude in protest to get the world’s attention if the apex government go ahead with its plan to resume oil exploration without looking into the issues that cost the death of a generation of Ogoni leaders.

According to Osaroejiji, “If as we have taken position today and the government goes ahead to resume, we the women of Ogoni will come out en masse and protest naked until the world hears us.”

Osaroejiji regretted that the women of Ogoni are not duly represented in the ongoing consultations in the area, adding that women are being neglected.

Advertisement

READ ALSO: Protests Mar Ogoni Oil Exploration Congress In Rivers

On jet part, Lezina Pat Ntetep, who is the Coordinator of Eedee Ladies of Tai, while reading the statement tagged “Ogoni Oil Again in the Eye of the Storm, Ogoni Women Stand Against Oil Resumption in their Land”, said Ogoni women and their communities have for decades endured the impacts of the industry’s adverse activities.

Ntetep stated that the Federal Government has not addressed issues raised in the Ogoni Bill of Rights which led to the stopping of oil business in the area, adding that oil exploration would resume only when key issues in the area are addressed.

Advertisement

“It is disconcerting that in the ongoing frenzy to resume oil extraction in Ogoniland, the concerns raised in the Bill of Rights which led to the termination of oil extraction and the repression of the people, have not been addressed.

“Similarly, there has been no attempt to secure justice for the countless families that lost lives, livelihoods and properties in what is still the worst attack on a peaceful Indigenous population by Nigerian security forces.

READ ALSO: CSOs Condemn Planned Resumption Of Oil Extraction In Ogoniland, Demand A Halt

Advertisement

“Persons who committed acts of genocide and abuses against unarmed populations, and boasted publicly about it, have still not been brought to justice.

“It is worrying why the government will decide to resume oil extraction in Ogoniland when the pollution of the last decades is yet to be cleaned and the recommendations of UNEP are yet to be fully complied with, ” she stated.

Continuing, Ntetep said, “Flowing from the foregoing, it is our recommendation that the government puts a stop to any planned attempt to resume oil activities in Ogoniland.

Advertisement

“It should rather concentrate on redeeming the ecological disaster in the area, decommissioning aged oil infrastructure, replacing the lost livelihood of the people and securing justice for the countless Ogoni waiting for closure.”

Metro

Soldiers Kill 80 Bandits In Kebbi Border Clash

Published

on

Troops of the Nigerian military have neutralised no fewer than 80 armed bandits attempting to infiltrate Kebbi State from the Zamfara border, in one of the most decisive security operations recorded in recent months.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Communication and Strategy, Abdullahi Idris Zuru, disclosed this in a statement released on Sunday, describing the operation as a major victory in the state’s ongoing war against banditry.

According to him, the success recorded in Ngaski Local Government Area was the result of the strategic deployment of fully equipped troops across Kebbi’s borders with Sokoto, Zamfara, and Niger States, as directed by Governor Nasir Idris.

Advertisement

Zuru explained that Governor Idris had earlier requested additional military reinforcements to strengthen border security, a move that has since led to the neutralisation of hundreds of bandits and the restoration of peace in several communities.

READ ALSO:Troops Eliminate Three Kidnappers During Ransom Collection In Plateau

He said credible intelligence reports prompted the strategic positioning of troops around Makurdi village, where soldiers engaged the heavily armed attackers in fierce gun battles on Friday and Saturday nights.

Advertisement

“About 80 bandits were neutralised, while several others escaped with gunshot wounds,” said Director of Security, Abdulrahaman Usman, adding that dozens of motorcycles and two abducted victims were recovered during the operation.

Zuru noted that the Kebbi State Government’s collaboration with security agencies, particularly the Nigerian Army, has been crucial in sustaining the momentum against banditry. 4

He added that Governor Idris had donated 100 Hilux vehicles and 5,000 motorcycles to enhance troop mobility and response capacity.

Advertisement

READ ALSO:Lagos Inaugurates 24-hour Traffic Management Operations

Reacting to the success, the Emir of Yauri, Zayyanu Muhammad, commended the gallantry of the troops and lauded Governor Idris for his unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the state.

The people of Kebbi are proud of the sacrifices of our soldiers and the leadership of Governor Idris, whose efforts are restoring peace and hope to our communities,” the Emir said.

Advertisement

Security sources said the latest onslaught has forced several bandit groups to retreat deeper into neighbouring forests, signalling that Kebbi is becoming increasingly unsafe for criminal elements.

According to The PUNCH, troops of Operation Hadin Kai had killed more than 50 terrorists and repelled multiple coordinated attacks on military locations across Borno and Yobe States.

The Nigerian military said the simultaneous attacks occurred between midnight and 4am on Thursday when terrorists launched assaults on troops’ positions in Dikwa, Mafa, Gajibo and Katarko, situated within Sectors 1 and 2 of the Joint Operations Area 1.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Metro

One Injured As Truck Falls Off Lagos Bridge

Published

on

A fully loaded six-tyre truck on Saturday plunged off the Oshodi Bridge in Lagos after reportedly suffering brake failure, leaving one man severely injured.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority said its operatives swiftly intervened to rescue the victim and restore traffic in the area.

According to a statement by the Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, Adebayo Taofiq, the truck, with registration number AKD 135 YK, was laden with toner printing materials when it lost control while descending the Oshodi-Oke bridge inward Mile 2 and fell into the terminal ditch below.

Advertisement

“In an exemplary display of operational precision and institutional alertness, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) once again demonstrated its unwavering commitment to public safety, emergency responsiveness, and traffic orderliness as its operatives today rescued a severely injured male victim following a ghastly accident involving a fully loaded six-tyre truck with registration number AKD 135 YK, which suffered a brake failure and plunged off the Oshodi Bridge into the terminal ditch while descending from Oshodi-Oke inward Mile 2.

READ ALSO:Four Escape Death As Trucks Collide In Anambra

Preliminary information gathered from the scene indicated that the ill-fated truck, reportedly laden with tonner printing materials, experienced a critical mechanical failure while descending the bridge, thereby losing control before skidding off the carriageway and tumbling into the terminal below,” Taofiq said

Advertisement

He added that LASTMA officers arrived at the scene within minutes to commence rescue operations and prevent secondary accidents.

He said, “Upon arrival, the officers immediately commenced rescue operations and successfully extricated a male victim who sustained grievous injuries in the accident.

“The injured man was expeditiously conveyed to a nearby medical facility for urgent treatment, while the driver of the truck was apprehended and handed over to security operatives from Makinde Police Station, Oshodi, for further investigation into the cause of the brake malfunction and other contributory factors.”

Advertisement

READ ALSO:Five Die As Dangote Truck Crashes Into Tricycle In Ogun

Taofiq noted that the accident could have resulted in more casualties but for the prompt and coordinated efforts of LASTMA officials who diverted traffic and cleared the wreckage.

“To forestall secondary collisions and ensure the safety of road users, LASTMA operatives swiftly cordoned off the accident scene, diverted vehicular movement, and supervised the clearance of the wreckage thereby restoring traffic normalcy within a remarkably short period,” he said.

Advertisement

The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Bakare Oki, commended the operatives for their swift and professional response.

“Mr. Bakare Oki, lauded their exceptional response, diligence, and adherence to standard safety protocols during the operation.

READ ALSO:Obasanjo Holds Memorial Service For Late Wife, Stella, Says She Lived Serving Others

Advertisement

“He reiterated the Agency’s unrelenting vigilance in ensuring the protection of lives and property on Lagos roads, particularly during the ember months, when traffic density and accident risks are significantly heightened,” the statement stated.

According to the statement, Oki said the agency remains vigilant in protecting lives and property, especially during the ember months when road accidents are more frequent.

He noted that heavy-duty recovery vehicles and mini trucks have been strategically deployed across the five administrative divisions of Lagos, supported by over 2,700 personnel stationed at critical traffic points for quick emergency response.

Advertisement

“Mr. Oki further emphasized that the agency’s ongoing 24-hour traffic management operations were instituted to guarantee seamless vehicular movement across the state before, during, and after the festive season.

READ ALSO:Truck Rams Into Students In Ogun, Kills WASSCE Candidate

“He disclosed that heavy-duty recovery vehicles and mini trucks have been strategically deployed across the five administrative divisions of Lagos, supported by over 2,700 personnel stationed at critical traffic nodes and corridors for optimal coverage and swift emergency response,” the statement said.

Advertisement

Oki urged motorists to maintain their vehicles regularly and adhere strictly to traffic regulations.

He reaffirmed LASTMA’s commitment to “proactive traffic regulation, timely rescue operations, and continuous public enlightenment to make Lagos roads safer for everyone.”

READ ALSO: Truck Crushes Vigilante Members To Death In Edo

Advertisement

The Oshodi area, particularly the busy Oshodi-Apapa Expressway corridor, serves as a major transport node in Lagos, linking routes from the port and mainland and regularly experiencing severe traffic gridlocks.

Heavy-duty trucks, including those laden with cargo bound for terminals and depots, are frequent contributors to the congestion.

Mechanical faults, including brake failure and tyre bursts, remain a recurring cause of road accidents across Nigeria.

Advertisement

According to the FRSC 2022 compendium, mechanical/vehicle-defect factors account for about 10 per cent of road crashes nationwide.

Continue Reading

Metro

50 Arrested For Violating Environmental Sanitation Laws In Edo

Published

on

The Environmental Taskforce on Saturday arrested no fewer than 50 persons in Benin for violating environmental sanitation laws in Edo State.

The suspects were arrested in Egor Local Government Area of the state as the new Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in the state, Mr Saidi Akintayo, led a monitoring operation across the city.

The operation covered strategic areas such as Third East Circular Road Junction, Sapele Road, Ekiosa Market, Siloko Road, Ugbowo, and New Benin Market, amongst others.

Advertisement

Akintayo said the exercise aimed at ensuring compliance with the monthly environmental sanitation directive of the Edo State Government.

READ ALSO:CSOs, Academia, Impacted Communities Launch Climate Justice Campaign In Edo

The commandant, who led his management team, said the exercise also aligned with the corps’ renewed drive to support federal and state efforts toward maintaining a clean, safe, and healthy environment for residents.

Advertisement

“A clean environment is a healthy environment. It is our collective duty as citizens to ensure that our surroundings are kept clean at all times,” he said.

“The corps will continue to support government efforts by enforcing compliance and sensitising the public on the importance of environmental hygiene.”

During the exercise, residents and traders were seen sweeping drains, clearing refuse, and cleaning up their premises, a development that the NSCDC boss described as “encouraging.”

Advertisement

READ ALSO:Reps To Probe Edo, Delta Communal Crisis

The commandant’s team later visited the local government secretariat, where he was received by the Executive Chairman, Osaro Eribo.

At the secretariat, the 50 suspected offenders were arraigned before a mobile court.

Advertisement

The commandant lauded the synergy among local authorities, the environmental task force, and security agencies, describing it as crucial to sustaining the gains of the exercise.

He reiterated the NSCDC’s readiness to enforce environmental laws, support public health initiatives, and maintain peace and order across Edo.

READ ALSO:Tenebe Fingers Edo APC Chieftains As Plot To Replace Him As Chair Thickens

Advertisement

Our presence underscores the Corps’ unwavering commitment to protecting lives, property, and the environment,” he said.

“We will continue to stand with the government to ensure Edo remains clean and safe for all.”

In a similar development, the Chairman of Oredo Local Government, Mr Gabriel Idusere, who joined the monitoring exercise, commended residents for their cooperation.

Advertisement

He, however, acknowledged public complaints about the delay in refuse evacuation.

Idusere assured that the council had put in place measures for prompt waste collection, particularly in markets and densely populated areas.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending