Metro

Protests Mar Ogoni Oil Exploration Congress In Rivers

Published

7 months ago

February 8, 2025

The efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure oil resumption in Ogoni is under threat as protests disrupted a planned congress in Bori, the traditional headquarters of the Ogoni in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The planned Congress, apparently to sensitize the Ogoni people on the planned oil resumption, was organized by a group set up by the Office of the National Security Adviser, NSA, Nuhu Ribadu to facilitate the process.

An eyewitness reported that the event was shut down by protestors carrying placards with various inscriptions some of which read: “Ledum Mitee and Ribadu, Leave Ogoni Alone”, “On Ogoni Development Authority We Stand”, “Exonerate Ken Saro-Wiwa”.

It will be recalled that a delegation of Ogoni people led by Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara had recently visited President Tinubu to negotiate a possible resumption of oil production in Ogoni.

The President then mandated the National Security Adviser (NSA) to ensure that all Ogoni stakeholders were included in the dialogue process.

According to Vanguard, Prior to the protest on Saturday, the decision was greeted with mixed feelings as various interest groups expressed their displeasure in the way the oil resumption plan has been carried out.

The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) had earlier expressed displeasure over exclusion from the process. MOSOP in a statement by its president, Fegalo Nsuke, accused the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu of bias and for turning its back against MOSOP after an earlier commitment to ensure that the group’s position was considered in the dialogue process.

Nsuke said the struggle of the Ogoni people had been championed by MOSOP, noting that the Ogoni people are very conscious of the sensitive situation and will rely on the position of MOSOP on the way to go.

He expressed worries that MOSOP, being left out, could create distrust in the hearts of the Ogoni people.

MOSOP also expressed worries that “the process was being rushed in a way that could generate tension, anxiety and crises in Ogoni”.

A coalition of civil society groups known as the Ken Saro-Wiwa Exoneration Campaign, KSWEC, on Friday, called for “honesty and transparency in the process”.

The group said the approach being adopted was not acceptable to the Ogoni people and called for the exoneration of nine Ogoni activists killed along with Ken Saro-Wiwa by the Nigerian Government on November 10, 1995.

The coalition also called for a panel of investigation to unravel the immediate and remote causes of the death of four Ogoni leaders killed earlier on May 21, 1994.

Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight others had been executed on the orders of General Sani Abacha after a widely condemned trial in Port Harcourt. The convicts were denied the right to appeal their sentences.

Also, Ogoni in the United States and Canada had earlier condemned the planned resumption of oil production in Ogoni and called for the exoneration of the innocent men including Ken Saro-Wiwa.

The protest on Saturday represents a major setback for President Tinubu’s determination to resolve the Ogoni issues and resume the production of oil in Ogoni.

The President had only last week approved a University of Environmental Technology in Ogoni.

Related Topics:#Ogoniland Ogoni Oil Exploration

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Metro

Lagos: Police Arrest Security Guard For Stealing Generators, Others

Published

11 hours ago

August 23, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a 38-year-old security guard for allegedly breaking into an apartment and carting away household items worth about N1.8 million.

Police spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed the arrest in a statement released on Saturday, adding that the suspect was tracked down by officers attached to the Iju Police Division.

He said operatives from the Iju Division apprehended the suspect following a report from a resident of the Ifako area, who returned home on August 15 to find his house burgled.

“Stolen items included a Sumec generator, a Fireman generator, a National air conditioner, and three air conditioner compressor engines, all valued at N1.8 million.

“Detectives arrested the suspect in the same neighbourhood after investigations revealed he conspired with others, who are still at large, to commit the crime,” Hundeyin said.

He added that the stolen items have been recovered, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend his accomplices.

Hundeyin said the case would be charged in court upon completion of investigations.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olohundare Jimoh, assured residents that the command would leave no stone unturned in bringing criminals to justice and urged employers to conduct proper background checks before hiring staff.

Metro

NAF Kills 35 Terrorists In Border Airstrikes Near Cameroon

Published

11 hours ago

August 23, 2025

Editor

The Nigeria Air Force said it had killed more than 35 jihadists in raids Saturday on militant fighters that had gathered near the Nigeria–Cameroon border following an attempted attack on ground troops.

The air strike was the latest by the Nigerian military, which is battling a resurgence of attacks in the country’s embattled northwest.

“Acting on multiple intelligence from several sources, the Air Component executed precision strikes in successive passes, engaging the terrorists and neutralising more than 35 fighters at four identified assembly areas,” said a Nigerian Air Force statement.

It re-established communication with the ground troops that had been threatened, and they confirmed that the “situation around their location had been stabilised,” the statement added.

The strike had “intensified efforts” to dominate the battles field and “deny terrorists freedom of action,” said the statement.

While Nigeria’s 16-year-old insurgency has slowed since violence peaked around 2015, attacks have picked up since the beginning of the year.

The Air Force said the latest operation demonstrated the force’s commitment to providing close air support to ground forces, “while also disrupting terrorist logistics and movement corridors along the north east border regions.”

AFP

Metro

Police Arrest Man For Allegedly Dismembering Pregnant Sister-in-law In Kwara

Published

11 hours ago

August 23, 2025

Editor

The police command in Kwara says it arrested a man, who allegedly dismembered the body of his pregnant sister-in-law, Mrs Esther Enemo at Egbejila Road in Temidire community, Ilorin.

This is contained in a statement by the command Spokesperson, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, on Saturday in Ilorin.

According to Ejire-Adeyemi, the command wishes to inform members of the public of a tragic incident that occurred in the early hours of Aug. 21, at Temidire community in Ilorin.
‎
‎”At about 9 a.m., a resident of the area reported a suspected foul play within the residence of one Mrs Esther Enemo.

“In a swift response, a team of police detectives visited the scene, where the dismembered body of Mrs Esther Enemo (aged 39 years) was discovered in the bush behind her residence.

“Further search led to the recovery of other parts of her body concealed in a sack and dumped beneath a nearby community bridge.
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‎”The suspect, (names withheld), aged 29 years, younger brother to the victim’s husband, who was seen leaving the house a few minutes before the discovery of the incident, has been arrested in connection with the crime.

”Meanwhile, the husband has also been contacted for necessary clarification.
“The remains of the deceased have been deposited at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) morgue for autopsy.

‎”The Commissioner of Police (CP), Ojo Adekimi, has ordered a full-scale investigation into the matter, assuring that the command will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that justice is served,” he said.
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Ejire-Adeyemi expressed the command regret of the unfortunate incident and appealed to members of the public to remain calm and avoid speculations that would incite fear or tension within the community.

He assured that the police would unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident and bring the perpetrators to face the full weight of the law.

He urged the residents to continue to cooperate with the police by providing useful information that would aid ongoing investigations and security operations.

He reiterated the command to resolve to protect all residents and ensure peace prevailed in the state.

NAN