News

PAP: IPDI Tackles Group Over Attack On Otuaro

Published

1 year ago

July 22, 2024

Group known as Ijaw People’s Development Initiative (IPDI) has sent a stern warning to persons it regarded as “enemies of Niger Delta” who according to the group are “sponsoring unpopular, unfounded, mischievous, barbaric and lackadaisical attacks against the administrator of the Presidential Amnesty programme, Dr Dennis Brutu Otuaro.”

Reacting to an attack by the group
on the PAP administrator, IPDI said it would not allow “enemies from the pit of hell to defame, demarket and distract the PAP administrator.”

The group, the IPDI described as “non-existing faceless parochial, branding and parading under, the Project Niger Delta (PND),” was said to have attacked the PAP administrator after the president of Ijaw National Congress, INC, Professor Benjamin Okaba endorsed him on behalf of Council.

The group’s, National president, Comrade Ozobo Austin in a statement said, “Our attention has been drawn to an odious, vexatious, inciting and a provocative online publication by enemies of Niger Delta parading under the cover of a faceless group “Project Niger Delta” attacking the most qualified and experienced Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, Dr Dennis Otuaro and the president the Ijaw National Congress, INC.

The statement reads, “We wish to state that those sponsoring attacks against Dr Dennis Otuaro are agents of darkness and enemies from the pit of hell and that such attacks and unpopular opinions never represent the collective interest of the Ijaw nation.

“The sponsors of the attacks should also know that Dr Dennis Otuaro is not deterred by any attack from any quarter but very committed to transforming the almost collapsing presidential Amnesty programme to benefit the Niger Delta region.

“It is our candid advice to the bandwagons to retrace their steps and stop inimical attempts to pull down their brother for selfish interests, and join hands with him to build a legacy for the PAP for the benefit of the region.

“It may interest you to know that Dr Dennis Otuaro is a man who has brought sparkling reforms, innovations and total commitment to advance and improve the performance of the amnesty programme and that only enemies who want to keep the office in a total blackout for the interest of their pockets are attacking him.”

IPDI described PND’s statement as “misleading” and “unfortunate”, stating that Okaba’s endorsement was a testament to Otuaro’s unwavering leadership and commitment to revolutionary reforms of the PAP to better beneficiaries and the Niger Delta region at large. They accused PND of being “agents of darkness” attempting to discredit Otuaro and Okaba.

“We want to state unequivocally that the sponsors of the said publication acted in ignorance, because there is no part of the INC constitution that states that the president must gathered the entire Exco before expressing gratitude and appreciation in away of endorsement of deserving Ijaw sons and daughters who are doing well.”

IPDI commended Okaba for the wisdom to support his own, saying he had done what is noble and that the endorsement was for the interest of the Niger Delta people. They urged the public to disregard PND’s statement, which they claimed was fueled by jealousy, envy and a desire to incite and divide the region.

The IPDI’s statement stressed, “We stand solidly behind Dr. Otuaro, who has consistently demonstrated his dedication to the progress and transformation of the presidential Amnesty programme in a few days in office.

“We will not allow the antics of mischief-makers like faceless PND to distract Otuaro from accomplishing his set goals in the office. The faceless PND are the bounce of hungry men who want to cash out by blackmailing Otuaro and the PAP office.

“We know the people behind the attack, they are some purportedly angry members of the same Ijaw National Congress,INC.It is our warning that such persons should desist from further attack on Otuaro. If they have a dispute with their INC president, let them sort it out between themselves because if they try it, we will expose their identities.

“The PND day dreamers and sponsors who are suffering from mouth diarrhea and dementia should know that Dr Dennis Otuaro is the substantive administrator of the presidential Amnesty programme and not a self-acclaimed PAP Administrator.

“The president Bola Ahmed Tinubu, NSA and the National Assembly are relating with him cordially and that PND sponsors should hide their face in shame.

“We, however, strongly condemn the PND sponsors’ statement alleging that some Ijaw big brothers are depriving and enslaving the voiceless majority and making themselves lords over the Ijaws in Delta and beyond.

“This is a desperation taken too far. It is shameful. Our big brothers are the reason why the Niger Delta Emancipation struggle is still making strong impacts. They should be commended for their selfless sacrifices and unwavering contributions to the Niger Delta struggle. They are not enslaving and depriving anybody rather have empowered thousands of persons to earn a living.

“We want to state again that the faceless and parochial authors of the said provocative publication are poor students of history, where were these faceless people when the mein part of the Ijaw were dominating the political space beginning from military to democracy, instead of them using such opportunities to advance the development of Ijaw nation and groom young youths, they spent the long privilege to be blocking, and enslaving their brothers and thinking they will be there forever.

“It is sad, we should refrain and stop the pull him or her down syndrome in Ijaw nation and Niger Delta region and work with our big brothers who are more concerned about the Ijaw and Niger Delta struggle.

“It should be also noted that Otuaro is not seeking any endorsement from anyone, his appointment is valid, verified and stamped by Mr president Bola Ahmed Tinubu and NSA. He is the popular choice of Ijaw nation and the Niger Delta at large, so Otuaro attackers should go and hug and kiss the transformer and die”, the noted.

News

Edo Journalist Hospitalised After Being Attacked By Political Thug

Published

1 hour ago

December 4, 2025

Editor

Juliet Asein, a female journalist with the Edo Broadcasting Service (EBS), has been hospitalised after she was allegedly assaulted by the suspended Coordinator of the Edo State Public Safety Response Team (PSRT), Kelly Okungbowa, widely known as Ebo Stone.

The incident occurred on Wednesday inside the Edo State Government House, where Juliet who covers the Office of the First Lady was said to have been shoved and slammed against a wall during a confrontation with Ebo Stone.

The violence reportedly stemmed from a disruption at an empowerment programme for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), organised by the First Lady’s Office and held within the Government House.
‎
Trouble reportedly broke out when some PWDs stormed the venue’s entrance, protesting alleged exclusion from the programme.
‎
‎In the commotion, an EBS cameraman attempting to film the scene was allegedly harassed by Okungbowa, prompting Juliet to intervene, which reportedly led to her being physically attacked.

READ ALSO:NUJ Reacts As Sacked Edo Taskforce Boss Assaults EBS Staff
‎
‎Okungbowa, a chieftain of the ruling APC and the former PSRT coordinator, previously faced public backlash after the taskforce he headed was linked to a tragic incident in which a two-year-old girl died in a crash involving team members.
‎
‎The public outcry that followed led Governor Monday Okpebholo to suspend him from the role.

Confirming Juliet’s state of health, a family member Andrew Enabulele, said she began experiencing severe pains later that night and could not sleep.
‎
According to him, ‎she was taken to a private clinic on Thursday before being referred to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) for further medical care.

READ ALSO:Iran Has Executed At Least 841 People This Year — UN
‎
‎He said: “We took her to a private clinic where doctors said she may have suffered muscle spasms.

“She has now been referred to UBTH, where she is receiving treatment. She is a mother of twin toddlers, so we are praying for her quick recovery,” he added.
‎
Meanwhile, Ebo Stone had visited the NUJ Press Centre, Benin on Thursday, where he reportedly apologized to leadership of the Council after the Union had condemned the act, threatening a press conference to that effect.

After meeting the Chairman and the Secretary of the council for the apology, the NUJ Chairman urged members to sheath the sword.

News

MOWAA Controversy: Edo Assembly Threatens Arrest Warrant On Obaseki, Others

Published

2 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Editor

Edo State House of Assembly Ad hoc Committee constituted to investigate the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) and Radisson Hotel on Thursday threatened to issue an arrest warrant on former Governor Godwin Obaseki for refusing to appear before it.

The Committee was constituted following a request by Governor Monday Okpebholo to probe funding and ownership of the projects including the extent of the state government N3.8bn investment in MOWAA and N28bn in Radisson Hotel.

But the Committee said it has powers to ask the Police to bring any individual before it to answer questions.

Other persons, besides Obaseki, that were invited by the Committee were a former Edo Finance Commissioner, Mr. Joseph Eboigbe, former Attorney General of Edo State, Mr. Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, Managing Director, Tilbury House Nigeria Limited, Mr. Pramod Thorat, Project Manager of Hospitality Investment and Management Company (HIMC) Mr. Ugochukwu Anigbogu, Managing Director, Afrinvest Capital Limited, Managing Director, Meristem Trustees Limited and Managing Director, Emerging Africa Trustees Ltd.

It said those declining to appear before it could not claim they were refused right to fair hearing.

Chairman of the Committee, Hon Addeh Isibor, who spoke at the resumed sitting of the Committee, said Obaseki and others sent letters through their lawyers stating reasons why they declined the Committee’s invitation.

He said Obaseki cited lawsuit filed in various courts against MOWAA as reasons for his absence.

Peeved at the action of Obaseki and others, Hon Isibor said the Committee was on a fact finding and not to witch-hunt anybody.

He insisted that the Committee would submit its report based on fact.

According to him, “These gentlemen have unilaterally chosen to absent themselves that there exist court cases regarding our sitting or issues under consideration.

“We know the position of the law. We are not dunces but cerebral people. We are constitutionally mandated to carry out investigation or hearing on any matter to which we have the power of appropriation.

“The mere filing of a suit in court cannot amount to stay of proceeding. They ran to court after we commenced the public hearing.

“No judge can stop our sitting. We will reach a decision on the matter. If you choose not to make yourself available, you cannot claim you were refused right to fair hearing.

“It is more offensive that none of the SANs attached court processes to the letters. They know they rushed to court at midnight. These are empty letters.

“They want to stop this Committee from getting to the root of the matter. We reject the letters as lacking in merit. Edo Assembly is not a party to the suit.

“The Committee has powers to ask the Police to bring those concerns here. We have no letter stopping the Committee from completing its assignment.”

News

Police Kill Two Suspected Kidnappers, Arrest 12 Others In Imo

Published

2 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Editor

Two suspected kidnappers have been killed by the operatives of Agwa Division, led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Imo State Police Command.

According to the command’s spokesperson, DSP Henry Okoye, who briefed newsmen at its headquarters in Owerri, the deceased kidnappers were gunned down as the Agwa Division officers engaged their gang while on routine patrol along Obudi–Mgbala Road on Tuesday.

Okoye disclosed that while other gang members fled with injuries, two pump-action rifles, seven live cartridges, and two Android phones were recovered from the suspects. The officers rescued a yet-to-be-identified female victim, who later died in an undisclosed hospital while receiving treatment.

Okoye said, “The Imo State Police Command has recorded notable successes in its ongoing operations against kidnapping and violent crimes across the State.

“On 02/12/2025 at about 2022hrs, operatives of Agwa Division, led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Agwa, while on patrol along Obudi–Mgbala Road, engaged a gang of kidnappers using a white Keke bus, Reg. No. EHM 542 XL.

“Two of the suspects were neutralised, while others fled with injuries. Recovered items include two pump-action rifles, seven live cartridges, two Android phones, and the body of an unidentified female victim. The recovered items and bodies have been deposited at the mortuary as investigation continues.

“In another development, on the same date at about 1800hrs, operatives of Nekede Division, led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Nekede Division, acting on credible intelligence, raided Umuezeruokam Forest linking Avu Forest.

“The operation led to the arrest of twelve (12) suspects and the recovery of twelve (12) phones, two daggers, one cutlass, assorted hard drugs, one saw blade, and one bunch of arrows. The case has been transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit for further investigation.

“The Commissioner of Police assures residents of sustained efforts to eliminate criminal elements and maintain public safety,” he added.

Meanwhile, in a move that is mounting security concerns as the Christmas and New Year festivities approach, the Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, has issued a stern reminder that the long-standing ban on fireworks remains in full force and will be enforced with zero tolerance.

The directive, contained in a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, signals a renewed clampdown on the use, sale, storage, and public display of all pyrotechnic devices, including popular but notorious items such as knock-outs and bangers.

According to the command, the decision is part of broader measures to forestall crime during the festive period, arguing that fireworks often provide convenient cover for criminal elements to unleash attacks, cause panic, or evade detection.

“Experience shows that criminally minded persons can take advantage of fireworks to unleash terror on law-abiding residents,” Edafe stated, stressing that the ban is not merely seasonal but an essential security protocol.