News

PAP: N’Delta Groups Knock Boyloaf Secretary, Gbaboyor, Over Attack On Otuaro, Tompolo

Published

8 months ago

October 15, 2024

No fewer than 20 Niger Delta coalition groups have strongly condemned an alleged “blackmails, abuses and unfounded lies peddled” against the administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, Dr. Dennis Brutu Otuaro, and High Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo by one Jude Gbaboyor, secretary to Niger Delta former agitator, Ben Ebikabowei, alias Boyloaf.

The groups described Gbaboyor as an enemy of Niger Delta, added that he was sacked from the amnesty office as a staff by the immediate past coordinator of the presidential Amnesty Programme PAP, Brigadier General Idiomu due to wrong doings.

The groups airing their voices are: Niger Delta Ex-fighters, NDF, Movement for Youths of Good Conscience, MYGC, Urhobo Defenders, Ijaw People’s Development Initiative, IPDI, ODM, Niger Delta Indigenous Voice, NDIV, Niger Delta Youth Initiative, NDYI, Isoko Youths For Good Governance, IYGG, Ijaw Students Initiative, ISI, Human Rights Protection Group, HRPG, Niger Delta Transparency Network, NDTN.

Others are, Niger Delta for Good Governance, NDGG, Bayelsa Eyes Group, BEG, Bayelsa-Rivers Coalition, BRC, Edo Riverine Coalition, ERC, Ondo Ijaw Movement, OIM, Rivers Ijaw Protection Group, RIPG, New Age Freedom Fighters, NAFF, Coalition for Underprivileged Rights Protection Group, URPG, Niger Delta Descendants Front, NDDF and Niger Delta Elite Group, NDEG.

A joint statement signed by its leaders, Elder Emury Bekenawei, Comrade Peter Luke, Mr Cletus Itari, Comrade Efe Tam, Comrade God’spower Joseph, Chief Obonk Stanley, Chief Catalyst Don Pedro, Comrade Gbugbemi Tunde, Comrade Tamaralaye Android, Comrade Joseph Metal, Comrade Daniel Ekio, Comrade Fire Ebi, Comrade Thunder Lafia, and others said Gbaboyor, according to them, is acting under the auspices of his boss, Boyloaf should be called to order to avoid bad blood among leaders in the region.

They said Gbaboyor character assassination, blackmails, abuses and disrespect for Tompolo and Otuaro are called for concern as responsible stakeholders of the region.

The coalition who carpeted Gbaboyor’s Facebook ranting, exonerated Otuaro from the unfounded blackmails peddled, citing that the alleged secret document and others were posted and published by the embattled Henry Okah on his Facebook page in 2020.

The groups said Gbaboyor is attacking Otuaro because, Otuaro refused to allow himself to be manipulated by him ( Gbaboyor) and his boss, stressing that the public should disregard all lies peddled by the desperate and hungry beggar.

However, when a proper investigation was launched by newsmen to unravel the true position of the alleged classified document, it was revealed that Okah who is a member of the said Meinbutu voice Facebook page, posted the alleged classified document in the group by himself in 2020.

This investigation showed that the said document was long posted in the public space before the Otuaro recent appointment as administrator of the presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP.

The groups concluded that “Gbaboyor accusations are baseless, unfounded, mischievous, barbaric, null and void, adding that Gbaboyor only displayed his ignorance in the public space and that his information lacks facts and should not be taken seriously.”

They further stated that a document that had been in the public space for about four years can no longer be described as a classified document, noting that only ignorant like Gbaboyor could make unnecessary and attention seeking noises about it.

Stressing further, the groups said Tompolo was the face of the Niger Delta Emancipation Struggle and only insane and poor students of history like Gbaboyor could speak ill about him to seek cheap attention.

They demanded that Ebikabowei alias Boyloaf should call his boy, Gbaboyor to order, to avoid them teaching him a lesson, adding that his stupidity would soon clear from his eyes by the time they finish descending on him.

The Niger Delta coalition groups noted that Otuaro’s reforms as administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme PAP, have been felt in every nooks and crannies in the Niger Delta region, stating that only enemies whose manipulative tendencies were curtailed were angry with him.

The joint statement reads, “nobody has the monopoly to abuse and defame people and go scott free, the law is explicit, we believe he knows the punishment for what he is doing. In case he is ignorant of the devices of the law, he should be wary and begin to refrain, because ignorance is not an excuse in the law.

“We want to state unequivocally that abusing and blackmailing people because someone turns down your selfish demands and manipulative moves, are not traces among the Ijaw people.

“We watched a video where the insane Gbaboyor was lamenting that he asked Dr Dennis Brutu Otuaro for a favour, though he refused to disclose the kind of favour and that it was turned down. It plays out clearly from the video that the reason for Gbaboyor clandestine and lackadaisical activities were because his request for undue favour and attempt to influence his way to Otuaro was denied.

“It is shameful that Gbaboyor could condescend so-low to blackmail and defame people for selfish reasons, we are truly disappointed in him, such a poor mindset parading like a saint in a broad daylight. We urge the public to verify our information on Henry Okah Facebook account. The document is still there till date.

“We appeal to Dr Dennis Brutu Otuaro not to be deterred by characters like Gbaboyor who speaks for his stomach. Please continue your good works we are seeing your reforms and innovative leadership qualities as PAP administrator. We are solidly behind you to support and propagate your good work.””

News

Idahosa Optimistic Shaibu Will Perform As National Sports Institute DG

Published

1 hour ago

June 22, 2025

Editor

The Edo State deputy governor, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, has expressed optimism that his predecessor in office, Hon. Philip Shaibu will excel in his new role as Director General of the National Institute for Sports (NIS).

The deputy governor expressed his optimism during the Thanksgiving Mass to celebrate the appointment at St. Paul Catholic Church in Benin on Sunday.

Idahosa, who appreciated President Bola Tinubu for the appointment, said Shaibu will bring to bear on the new job his experience as an astute sports administrator.

“We are indeed grateful for what God has done. We will continue to thank God on his behalf, because, he has served our state.

“Now, God has given him the opportunity to serve the nation. We will continue to pray for him for a successful tenure,” he stated.

The former deputy governor appreciated Idahosa for according him the honour with his physical attendance at the Thanksgiving Mass.

He assured the state of his readiness to effectively be a good ambassador effectively by working to reposition of the NIS in line with the renwew hope agenda of the President.

“I will try my best to bring the institute back to life. I will ensure that the reason for setting up the NIS is achieved,” he stated.

News

Falana Slams Government Over Failure To Prosecute Suspected Killers In Benue

Published

2 hours ago

June 22, 2025

Editor

Human rights lawyer and senior advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana (SAN), has criticized the Federal and Benue State Governments for consistently failing to prosecute suspects arrested in connection with ongoing violent attacks across Benue State.

In a statement issued under the platform of the Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond (ASCAB), which he chairs, Falana lamented that although hundreds of suspects have been arrested over the years for crimes ranging from illegal possession of firearms to mass killings and kidnapping, most of them are never charged or brought to trial.

The legal luminary’s reaction follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent visit to Benue, during which he directed the Nigeria Police Force to arrest and prosecute all those involved in the latest wave of violence in the state. However, Falana described the president’s order as potentially symbolic, pointing out that previous arrests had not led to convictions or justice for victims.

Falana also berated the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, for alleging that residents of Yelwata community provided shelter for the killers. He described the statement as an attempt to shift blame onto victims instead of addressing the systemic failures of security and governance.

Providing a timeline of law enforcement actions, Falana stated:

On December 30, 2024, the Benue State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hassan Yabanet, announced the arrest of 273 suspects involved in capital crimes, along with the recovery of 20 firearms and 51 rounds of ammunition.

On January 17, 2024, Police spokesperson Olumuyiwa Adejobi revealed that an illegal firearms factory had been uncovered in Benue. Two suspects—Friday Aduduakambe and Iorwashima Iornyume—were arrested, and a cache of weapons, including nine locally made pistols and one unfinished AK-47, was seized.

On April 17, 2025, Governor Hyacinth Alia disclosed that three herdsmen were arrested over the killing of 11 people in the Otobi community, Otukpo Local Government Area.

On June 19, 2025, Community Volunteer Guards apprehended three suspected kidnappers at the Otukpo motor park with ransom money collected from their victims.

According to Falana, between January and June 2025 alone, dozens of violent crime suspects have been arrested, including 43 suspected killers in the last 10 days. Despite these arrests, no significant prosecutions have been reported.

“It is undoubtedly clear that the authorities have continued to treat suspected killers in Benue State like sacred cows,” he said. “The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Benue State, Mr. Fidelis Mnyim, must take immediate steps to ensure that justice is served.”

Falana stressed that the right to life, guaranteed under Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution, is meaningless unless the state acts decisively to punish those who violate it.

He warned that unless concrete action is taken, the ongoing culture of impunity will only worsen the bloodshed and erode public trust in the rule of law.

News

Troops Nab 8 Kidnap Suspects, Rescue 2 Victims In Kwara

Published

3 hours ago

June 22, 2025

Editor

Troops of the 22 Armoured Brigade, deployed at the Forward Operation Base (FOB) Patigi, in Kwara have nabbed eight suspected kidnappers and rescued two victims.

This is contained in a statement signed by Lt. Stephen Nwankwo, Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations of the Brigade in Ilorin on Sunday.

“Acting on credible intelligence, troops launched a tactical operation on Saturday, targeting a hideout on the outskirts of Latandaji Village in Patigi Local Government Area.

“During the engagement, troops encountered mild resistance, but swiftly subdued the criminals with superior firepower,” he said.

Nwankwo said that the operation led to the rescue of two kidnap victims, identified as Amos Moses and Philip Michael, while eight suspected kidnappers were arrested.

He, however, said that one Mohammed Mohammed sustained gunshot wounds during the exchange of fire and had been taken to hospital for medical attention.

The brigade spokesman said that further operational exploits in the area led to the recovery of two motorcycles and two expended cartridge shells, believed to be used by the suspects.

“All arrested individuals are currently in military custody for preliminary investigation and will be handed over to relevant authorities for prosecution,” Nwankwo said.

He said that the operation underscores the Nigerian Army’s unwavering commitment to ensure safety of lives and property across the country.

“We urge members of the public to continue providing actionable intelligence to security forces in order to dismantle criminal networks.

“The Nigerian Army remains resolute in its mission to safeguard communities and restore lasting peace in all regions of deployment,” he said.