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Police Invite Premium Times Journalist Over Yet-to-be-published Story

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The police have summoned a reporter with PREMIUM TIMES, Emmanuel Agbo, over a yet-to-be-published report that he is working on.

Agbo received an invitation letter dated May 31, 2024 from the office of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Intelligence Response Team, Abuja via WhatsApp on Monday, according to the platform in a report on Tuesday.

The police were reported to have sent the letter after the journalist requested a formal invitation instead of their initial invitation via a phone call.

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The journalist was said to have been initially contacted over the telephone on May 30 by a man who identified himself as a police officer named Ezemba Ezekiel.

The man reportedly requested that the journalist come over to the office of the police’s Intelligence Response Team in Guzape, Abuja.

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“I am Ezemba Ezekiel from the Intelligence Response Team. I am calling you on behalf of Homadils. You are expected to come over to our office at Abattoir in Guzape to clarify a petition,” he said via phone call.

The firm, Homadils Realty Limited, mentioned by the police officer in the phone conversation, is said to be a land developer and major party to a land dispute which Agbo’s planned story is focusing on.

According to the platform, the police invitation came after Agbo reached out to the Chief Executive Officer of Homadils, Bilkisu Aliu, over the phone over allegations levelled against her by a family laying claim to the land in dispute.

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Following the phone call with the policeman on Monday, Agbo requested a formal invitation by writing to him through PREMIUM TIMES.

An invitation letter dated May 31 was sent to the journalist via WhatsApp on Monday with Agbo’s name in a petition without giving any details.

READ ALSO:Police Arrest 70-year-old, Three Others For Kidnapping

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It further requested the journalist to appear on Wednesday, June 5, at 2 pm at the IRT Complex, Old Abattoir by Guzape Junction, Abuja.

In its reaction, PREMIUM TIMES assured the police of supporting their investigation and requesting details of the petition they received from Homaldis.

The Managing Editor of PREMIUM TIMES, Idris Akinbajo, in the letter delivered to the Deputy Commissioner of Police, on Monday said although the letter was dated May 31, it received the invitation on June 3.

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“We have received a letter from you to our reporter, Agbo Emmanuel, in which you invited him to appear before you on 05/06/2024 at your office at ‘IRT Complex, Old Abbatoir by Guzape Junction, Abuja’. We received the letter today, 03-06-2024, although it is dated 31-05-2024,” Akinbajo wrote in the letter delivered to the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, IRT, on Monday.

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“We, Premium Times, are an online newspaper dedicated to using investigative journalism to hold power accountable and deepen democracy as enshrined in Section 22 of the Nigerian Constitution.

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“We are thus always ready to assist law enforcement agencies in the course of their professional duties. However, in your letter to Mr Emmanuel Agbo, you only stated that your ‘office is in receipt of petition…’ but did not provide any details of the petition.

“We ask that you provide more details of the petition to enable our reporter, Mr Agbo, to make adequate preparations and bring along relevant materials when he appears in your office. We trust that you will treat this promptly so we and Mr Emmanuel Agbo can prepare adequately and assist you in the course of your work. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or clarifications,” Akinbajo stated.

The platform noted that the police invitation was due to a dispute involving Homadils Realty Limited and a family over a piece of land in Guzape, a choice area of Abuja.

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It added that the dispute has thrown up allegations of document falsifications which, it learnt, are being investigated by the Federal Capital Development Authority.

In recent times, there has been a surge in the cases of police targeting journalists for doing their legitimate work in Nigeria.

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In March, some gunmen attached to the Defence Intelligence Agency abducted the then editor of FirstNews newspaper, Segun Olatunji, from his home in the Iyana Odo, Abule Egba area of Lagos State.

Olatunji’s abduction was linked to a story published by FirstNews titled, “Revealed: “Defence Chief running office like family business – Public Interest Lawyers”, published by many other online platforms.

similarly, in May, a journalist with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism, Daniel Ojukwu, was abducted by men of the Intelligence Response Team of the Inspector General of Police.

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Ojukwu regained his freedom after days 10 days in police custody following protests by some Civil Society Organisations in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

 

 

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NAF Launches Attack On Terrorists In Borno

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The Nigerian Air Force, NAF, operating as part of the joint task force of Operation Hadin Kai, has carried out a coordinated air interdiction at AbbagaJiri in the Timbuktu Triangle, Borno State.

According to Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information of NAF, the air strikes successfully paved the way for ground troops.

He explained that the operation was based on actionable intelligence from multiple sources, which confirmed the presence of terrorists, their structures, and concealed logistics facilities in the area.

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Ejodame stated that NAF air assets were deployed in integrated surveillance and precision strike roles to target identified threats.

READ ALSO:NAF Hits Bandit Logistics Hub, Neutralises Many In Zamfara

The operation aimed to degrade terrorist capabilities, deny them sanctuary, and shape the battlefield for ground forces, all while strictly adhering to rules of engagement and protecting civilians.

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He added, “The Identified terrorist structures were decisively engaged and destroyed, denying the terrorists freedom of action, while a follow-up engagement neutralised armed elements observed converging on the location.”

Subsequent advances by ground troops into the area confirmed the effectiveness of the air strikes and validated the success of the joint air–land operation.”

Speaking on the mission, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, said, “The success of the mission reflects the NAF’s resolve to dominate the air domain in support of joint operations.

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READ ALSO:NAF Hits Bandit Logistics Hub, Neutralises Many In Zamfara

Aneke further emphasized that the operation highlighted the service’s commitment to providing precise and decisive air power in support of ground forces.

In his words, “We will continue to deny terrorists freedom of movement, sanctuary, and logistics wherever they seek to hide. Air operations will remain relentless and intelligence-driven.”

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“Our operations are carefully planned and intelligence-led, ensuring maximum effect on hostile elements while safeguarding innocent civilians.”

READ ALSO:NAF Announces Two-hour Road Closure In Abuja For 10km Walk

The Nigerian Air Force will sustain pressure until terrorist networks are completely dismantled.”

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He further noted that the operation showcased NAF’s aggressive stance, precision employment of airpower, and dedication to sustained joint operations.

Aneke added that such missions play a crucial role in enabling ground troops to maintain momentum and deliver decisive outcomes against terrorist networks threatening lives, property, and Nigeria’s national security.

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Lagos Parks To Close For Maintenance – State Govt

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The Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency, LASPARK, has announced that all public parks under its management across the state will be temporarily closed for routine maintenance and upgrades.

In a statement released on January 9 and shared via its official platforms early Saturday, LASPARK said, “All parks under our management will be closed to the public from January 12 to January 31, 2026.

“This follows increased visitor activity during the recent festive season.”

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The agency listed several popular recreational spots that will be affected, including “Ndubisi Kanu Park, Alausa JJT Park, Dr. Finnih Abayomi Park in Oregun, and all other LASPARK-managed parks across Lagos State.”

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Explaining the reason for the closure, LASPARK added, “The temporary shutdown is necessary to carry out essential landscaping, facility repairs, and general upgrades to ensure that our parks remain safe, clean, and enjoyable for residents and visitors.”

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The agency also stressed that the exercise aligns with its broader mandate, noting, “This maintenance programme is part of our commitment to providing well-maintained green spaces that promote relaxation, wellness, and environmental sustainability.”

LASPARK assured residents that “all parks will reopen at the end of the maintenance period.”

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PAP Sends Additional 34 Foreign Post-graduate Scholarship Beneficiaries To UK Varsities

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The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has deployed an additional 34 foreign post-graduate scholarship beneficiaries to various universities in the United Kingdom for the 2025-2026 academic year.

This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri by Mr Igoniko Oduma, Special Assistant on Media to Dr. Dennis Otuaro, the Administrator, PAP.

According to the statement, the scholars’ programmes include data science, fintech analytics, cyber security, international energy law and policy, construction project management, public health, agri-food technology, electrical and petroleum engineering, among others.

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The statement added that more foreign post-graduate scholars will be sent to UK universities in the current academic session.

“In December 2025, nine students, who were the first set of offshore post-graduate scholarship developments by the PAP Administrator, Dr Dennis Otuaro, for the 2024-2025 academic year, graduated from their various programmes in UK universities.

READ ALSO:PAP Scholarship Scheme Vehicle For Better Future For Niger Delta —Otuaro

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“Otuaro has deployed over 9000 students to universities within and outside Nigeria for different industry-relevant programmes since he assumed office in March 2024,” the statement partly reads.

Speaking at the pre-departure orientation programme for the scholars at the PAP headquarters in Abuja, on Thursday, Otuaro said that the large-scale deployment was aimed at making the Niger Delta a knowledge-driven region.

He said that his leadership reinvigorated the programme to give it a new momentum in service delivery to the people of the region based on the mandate of President Bola Tinubu.

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Otuaro said, “We are sending all of you for post-graduate studies in various universities in the United Kingdom.

“The PAP now has a new momentum and direction because of the repositioning and broad reforms that we carried out in line with the mandate of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.

READ ALSO:Otuaro Tasks Media On Objective Reportage

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The objective behind the huge scholarships deployment is to ensure that we develop the needed human capital to transform the Niger Delta and generate knowledge-wealth.

“We want to develop relevant manpower in critical disciplines for our region and by extension, the country, because you are expected to contribute your quota to national development after successful graduation.”

The PAP boss, who was represented at the event by his Technical Assistant, Mr Edgar Biu, advised the scholars to study hard to achieve academic excellence in their various fields of research.

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According to him, the scholars have an obligation to justify the Federal Government’s investment in their education and future.

READ ALSO:I’m Not Distracted By Anti-Niger Delta Elements, Says PAP Boss, Otuaro

He reiterated his warning that beneficiaries should not take for granted the opportunity to further their academic pursuits in the interest of the Niger Delta and indeed the country.

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Otuaro expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his “enormous interest and support for the Programme”, particularly the approval of an upward review of the programme’s budget from N65billion to N150billion.

He also expressed gratitude to the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for his impeccable guidance and supervision of the programme’s initiatives.

Otuaro, therefore, cautioned the scholars to obey their host country’s laws and the rules and regulations of their various institutions, stressing that they are ambassadors of Nigeria, the Niger Delta and their communities and families.

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Highpoint of the orientation programme was the presentation of laptops to the scholars to help them in their studies.

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