Metro

Protests In Bayelsa As Govt Relocates RDA Headquarters From Wike’s Ally’s Community

Published

2 months ago

April 21, 2025

Protests have erupted in Bayelsa State over the state government’s relocation of Kolo Creek Rural Development Authority (RDA) headquarters from Kolo community to Emeyal community, both in Ogbia Local Government Area.

Kolo community is the hometown of Mr George Turnah, a former aide of Governor Douye Diri, who switched loyalty to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, after falling out with Governor Douye Diri.

The governor and Turnah, who is the lead Convener of ‘New Associates’, a political group loyal to Wike, have been involved in heated exchange of words in the recent past over the plan to host rally in support of President Bola Tinubu and Wike in Yenagoa, the state capital.

Kolo Creek RDA was one of the unrecognised local government areas created by the former governor of the state, Chief Solomon Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, in 2000.

However, the current controversy, which had sparked protests by the people of Kolo community, was the decision by the state government to relocate the RDA local government headquarters to Emeyal II ahead of the planned creation of more local government areas in Bayelsa State.

The people had denounced the relocation, citing the ongoing rift between Turnah and Diri as the reason for the decision.

According to the people, the decision to marginalise the people of Kolo community because of the politics of Turnah was in bad faith, according to Daily Trust.

They noted that discreet moves by the state government to approach the National Assembly to create a full-fledged local government named Ogbia North Local Government Local Area from the existing Kolo RDA and site its headquarters in Emeyal II instead of the Kolo community, which is the headquarters of Ogbia constituency III, will trigger avoidable crisis.

Chief Solomon Ederi Aginaye, 1st Deputy Agholo, King of Kolo Kingdom, declared that the people, through protest, have expressed their grievances over the attempt to shortchange them.

According to him, the people are disturbed because their interest was not taken into consideration by those who have made up their minds to ‘’gang up against Kolo”.

He lamented that since Kolo community supported the governorship ambition of Senator Douye for his first and second term, the Kolo community has not benefitted in terms of projects and appointments.

Chief Aginaye appealed to Diri to resist the temptation to allow his interest to override the interest of the state.

He said: “The people are calling on President Bola Tinubu, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, the House of Representatives Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas and Wike to stop the evil orchestration by the Diri administration against peace loving people of Kolo and reinstate Kolo as the headquarters of Kolo Creek RDA as a full-fledged local government area which has now been fraudulently renamed Ogbia North Local Government Area in the proposal submitted to the National Assembly’’

Governor Diri, had in a meeting with representatives of Kolo and Emeyal communities in Government House last weekend, disclosed that the meeting was called to ensure that there was law and order in Ogbia Constituency III following the disagreement about what he called the perceived relocation of the headquarters of Kolo Creek Local Government Area from Kolo community to Emeyal II.

Diri, who insisted that Kolo remains the headquarters of the RDA, explained that the notice for the creation of new local government areas from the Federal Government was received late, leaving the state government with a very short time to make a decision.

He emphasised that councils were yet to be created, stressing that historically, no civilian administration has been able to create local government areas.

Metro

Man On Hard Drugs Dies After Jumping Into Well

Published

17 hours ago

June 7, 2025

Editor

The Kwara State Fire Service on Saturday recovered the lifeless body of a 43-year-old man who jumped into a well in the Edun area of Ilorin West Local Government Area, following Sallah celebrations.

The deceased, identified simply as Kareem, was said to be under the influence of a hard drug, Synthetic Cannabinoids locally known as ‘Colorado’.

Kareem jumped into the well at Ile Alapo, Edun, shortly after returning from the Eid-el-Kabir prayers on Friday.

In a statement issued on Saturday, by Head of Media and Publicity for the state fire service, Hassan Adekunle, confirmed the recovery of the body.

According to the statement, “The distress call was received by the Fire Service control room at about 10:29 hours, reporting that a man had fallen into a well,” adding that firefighters were swiftly deployed to the scene, where they successfully retrieved the body.

“The victim, identified as Kazeem, reportedly jumped into the well under the influence of a hard substance known as Colo (Colorado) shortly after returning from Eid prayers.

“The body was handed over to Inspector Babatunde Amos of the C Division Police Station, Ilorin.

“The Ministry awaits formal identification and claim of the body by the victim’s family.”

Efforts to contact the spokesperson of Kwara Police Command, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi was proved abortive unsuccessful, as she did not respond to calls or messages sent to her WhatsApp number as at the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, the Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Falade Olumuyiwa, expressed sadness over the tragic incident.

He seized the moment to urge residents of the state to steer clear of drug abuse, warning that such habits often lead to devastating consequences.

Metro

NAF Airstrikes Kill Terrorists, Destroy Hideouts In Borno

Published

17 hours ago

June 7, 2025

Editor

The Nigerian Air Force said it has carried out precision airstrikes on key Boko Haram strongholds in Borno State, neutralising several terrorists.

The service also said the airstrikes crippled terrorists logistics infrastructure ahead of the Eid celebrations.

According to a statement on Saturday, by the Director of Public Relations and Information at NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the airstrikes were conducted under Operation HADIN KAI on June 5 and 6, targeting terrorist enclaves in Tumbumma Baba and Chiralia, located in the Southern Tumbuns region of the state.

The strikes, which he said followed credible intelligence reports, were aimed at structures used by the insurgents for storage and operational coordination.

He noted that Battle Damage Assessments confirmed the neutralisation of several terrorists and the destruction of key logistics structures.

Ejodame said, “In a series of precision airstrikes conducted on 5 and 6 June 2025, the Nigerian Air Force, under Operation HADIN KAI, decimated key Boko Haram hideouts at Tumbumma Baba and Chiralia in the Southern Tumbuns, Borno State.

“Acting on credible intelligence, NAF aircraft targeted terrorist structures reportedly used for storage and coordination, delivering direct hits and crippling planned attacks aimed at disrupting Eid celebrations.

“Battle Damage Assessments confirmed the neutralisation of several terrorists and the destruction of key logistics structures. This pre-emptive action underscores the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to safeguarding civilian lives and supporting national security objectives.”

Metro

My Wife Poisoned My Food, Attempted To Kill Me ‘Cos I Planned To Marry Another Wife —Husband

Published

21 hours ago

June 7, 2025

Editor

Grade A Customary Court, Court 2, Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, has dissolved the wedlock between a couple, Odion and Elohe, on the account of lack of care, constant violence and irreconcilable differences.

Odion stated that Elohe failed in her responsibility towards him.

He explained that his wife showed him no care and was indifferent to his well-being.

The plaintiff said that the defendant was in the habit of abandoning the home for months and failing to give any reasonable explanation on her return.

According to the plaintiff, the defendant became hostile and denied him sex after a revelation in the church that he would take a second wife.

Odion further stated that Elohe attempted to poison him.

He told the court he was no longer interested in their relationship and thus prayed for divorce.

The plaintiff also requested an order restraining the defendant from threatening or interfering with his private life.

Elohe denied all the allegations brought against her.

She also refused that their marriage be dissolved.

Elohe stated that it was Odion who stopped having sex with her.

She added that she moved out of her matrimonial home after he made her life miserable.

Odion stated, “My marriage to my wife has brought me no joy. I regret marrying her.

“My wife and I met in Lagos.

“She moved in with me after we dated for a while.

“We did not hold a marriage ceremony, and I did not pay her bride price.

“She started misbehaving after we had our first child.

“My wife would leave home for weeks without my consent and would never bother about how I fared.

“She would return home whenever it pleased her and give explanations that were unreasonable.

“Things got worse between my wife and I after there was a revelation that I was going to take a second wife.

“She started denying me sex and also rained curses on me on daily basis.

“My lord, my wife wishes me dead.

“She deserted me when I took ill and had to go through a surgical operation.

“She was away for a year and two months.

“My wife went as far as telling people that I was dead.

“Elohe did the worst when she attempted to poison me.

“I had stomach ache after I ate the food she prepared and laced with poison.

“My lord, I no longer wish to stay in marriage with my wife.

“I, therefore, pray this honourable court to put an end to our relationship.

“I further request an order restricting her from threatening and interfering with my private life.” Elohe responded, “I do not agree to divorce.

“I have laboured to raise our children. He can not throw me out now when time is ripe to enjoy the fruit of my labour.

“My husband lied that I denied him s3x. He was the one who stopped having sex with me.”

We always had misunderstandings, but we never fought.

He later moved out of the house.”

Giving judgment, the court president, Mrs O.E. Owoseni, stated that there was no marriage to be dissolved because no customary marriage held between the duo and no bride price was paid. According to her, both were cohabiting.

Owoseni, however, ordered both parties to go their separate ways since the plaintiff was no longer interested in their marriage.
(Tribune)