Metro

PAP: Clark Charges IPF To Protect, Defend Otuaro

Published

1 year ago

June 20, 2024

National leader of the Pan Niger Delta Development Forum (PANDEF), Chieft Edwin Clark has tasked Ijaw media practitioners under the auspices of Ijaw Publishers’ Forum (IPF) to protect and defend Dr. Dennis Otuaro, the Presidential Amnesty Programme, administrator, in order for him to haven a successful implementation of his initiatives.

The Ijaw national leader and elder statesman urged the IPF to safeguard Dr. Otuaro from distractions and enemies of the region, who may seek to hinder his progress.

The Niger Delta foremost leader gave the charge when a delegation of the Ijaw Publishers’ Forum visited him in his Abuja residence to discuss burning issues in the Ijaw nation and Niger Delta region.

Clark emphasised the importance of Dr. Otuaro’s good initiatives in advancing the Presidential Amnesty Programme, which he said has brought hope and transformation to the lives of many beneficiaries in the region.

The elder statesman also gave reason why he opposed the appointment of non-Ijaw as the coordinator of the amnesty programme.

He stated emphatically that 95% of the beneficiaries of the amnesty programme are from Ijaw extraction and being the fact that Ijaws were the reason for the establishment of the programme, he would not allow non- indigene to be appointed as a coordinator of the presidential amnesty programme.

Clark reiterated that this was the only time Nigerian government had gotten it right by appointing a core member of the struggle from the Delta State to oversaw the presidential amnesty programme since inception of the programme.

He further commended president Bola Ahmed Tinubu for doing what is noble by appointing Dr Otuaro as the PAP administrator, urging him to ignore all blackmails and mischief against Dr Otuaro, describing such blackmailers as not patriotic sons of Niger Delta.

The statement reads, “IPF as Ijaw editors-in-Chief and Publishers, you have a mandate to protect, defend and watch over Dr Otuaro against all detractors and mischievous attacks. Be close to him and support his good polices and programmes to enable him discharge his duty unhindered”

Following this mandate, the IPF has reaffirmed its commitment to the protection and support for Dr. Otuaro, who is dedicated to improving the lives of the beneficiaries of the amnesty programme and advancing the Niger Delta region.

Metro

50-year-old Man Arrested For Alleged Murder Of Traveller

Published

7 hours ago

October 31, 2025

Editor

A 50-year-old man, Muhammad Wanzam, has been arrested by the Kebbi State Police Command for allegedly killing a traveller, Alhaji Babuga Muhammad, in Bena, Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of the state.

According to the Command’s spokesperson, CSP Nafi’u Abubakar, the incident occurred on October 16, 2025, when the victim was travelling from Bena town to his village, Karaye in Bagega District, Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The assailants reportedly blocked the road near Malakachi village, abducted the victim, and took him into a nearby forest, where he was attacked with a machete. The victim later died from his injuries.

Abubakar said police officers from the Bena Division visited the scene and took the body to the General Hospital, Bena, where he was confirmed dead.

Wanzam was later arrested in connection with the killing. During interrogation, he allegedly confessed to conspiring with an accomplice, Nuhu Bena, who is currently on the run, to commit the crime.

A search of Wanzam’s residence led to the recovery of one fabricated AK-47 rifle, a Dane gun, two live ammunition, one magazine, and the cutlass reportedly used in the attack.

The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Birnin Kebbi, for further investigation and to track down the fleeing suspect.

Police authorities urged residents to report suspicious activities to security agencies instead of resorting to self-help, assuring that efforts to ensure safety and order across the state are ongoing.

Metro

Police Rescue Suspected Phone Thief From Being Lynched In Delta

Published

7 hours ago

October 31, 2025

Editor

Police officers from the Sapele Division in Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State on Thursday night rescued a suspected phone thief from being lynched by some angry mob who apprehended him after he allegedly attacked one of their kinsmen around Shell Road and New Road in Sapele.

According to DAILY POST, the suspect, alongside a member of his criminal gang who fled the scene, allegedly stabbed and injured the victim, a Hausa youth, before stealing his mobile phone.

The victim raised an alarm, prompting his kinsmen and residents to come to his rescue.

The suspect was chased down and apprehended, while his accomplice escaped.

The suspected thief was beaten to a stupor until he confessed to the crime and revealed the name of one of his fleeing gang members as “Azaman.”

Metro

Another Accident On Otedola Bridge Causes Fresh Traffic Disruption In Lagos

Published

7 hours ago

October 31, 2025

Editor

Barely 24 hours after a multiple-truck crash on Kara Bridge caused major gridlock along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, another road accident occurred on Friday, involving a 14-tyre truck and a commercial bus on the Otedola Bridge, inward the Lagos Secretariat.

The incident, which led to yet another round of traffic congestion, was confirmed in a statement released on Friday by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, through its official X handle.

According to the agency, the crash occurred when a 14-tyre tipper truck carrying granite collided with an inter-state commercial Mazda bus.

The impact forced the truck into the road barrier, spilling its contents across the roadway opposite Capital Oil, just before the Otedola Bridge section of the expressway.

The statement read: “A 14-tyre tipper conveying granite had a collision with an inter-state commercial Mazda bus. The tipper ran into the barrier and spilled its contents on the road opposite Capital Oil, just before the expressway on Otedola Bridge inward Secretariat. There is no significant effect on traffic flow at the moment.”

LASTMA officials said recovery efforts were ongoing as a tow truck was expected to arrive at the scene, while personnel remained stationed at the location to manage traffic and ensure safety.

This latest crash comes a day after another tragic multiple-truck collision on Kara Bridge, outward Lagos, claimed at least eight lives and caused a massive traffic backlog stretching through Berger and adjoining routes.