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Sale Of Assets: Shell Cannot Exit N’Delta Without Addressing Ecological, Health, Economic Consequences Of Its Operations – CSOs

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By Joseph Ebi Kanjo, Benin

Civil society organisations mostly operating from the Niger Delta region have called on the Federal Government to urgently produce a framework and guide on how oil companies disengage from areas where they have operated.

The CSOs recommended that such guides should be developed by a multi stakeholder group including
communities and civil society organizations.

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They further recommended that guidelines for any divestment (or sale) framework should include: “A scientifically developed post hydrocarbon impact assessment report that establishes the exact ecological and livelihoods impacts of oil extraction.

“A health audit of people located near extraction sites, and others
exposed to oil contamination and gas flaring. This audit will aim at
unravelling the negative health impacts of exposure to hydrocarbons.

READ ALSO: Shell Agrees To Sell Nigerian Onshore Subsidiary, SPDC For $2.4bn

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“A detailed plan and costing for remediating the ecological,
livelihood and health impacts of extraction.

“The establishment of independent frameworks for remediating all
identified impacts and compensation to the impacted individuals and communities.

“Posting of funds in a designated account commensurate for the cleanup of impacted ecosystems and restoration of livelihoods.”

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Their call and recommendations followed a recent announcement by Shell on its website and social media handles that it had reached an agreement to sell its Nigerian onshore subsidiary, SPDC, to a consortium of domestic and international oil companies for a total net fee of $2.8 billion.

READ ALSO: Hold Shell Accountable For Environmental Crimes Before Divesting, Era Urges FG

The finalisation of the transaction is, however, dependent on the approval of the Federal Government.

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The civil society organisations, in a statement signed by Nnimmo Bassey, Health of Mother Earth Foundation; Ken Henshaw, We The People; Tijah Bolton-Akpan, Policy Alert; Stephen Oduware, Niger Delta Alternatives Convergence, and two other CSOs, argued that Shell cannot just sell off their assets and walk away without addressing the “many cases and concerns about the ecological, health, economic, and social consequences of its operations in the Niger Delta.”

The statement made available to INFO DAILY by Kome Odhomor
Media/Communication Lead, Health of Mother Earth Foundation, reads in parts: “It is pertinent that Shell owns up to its responsibility for the ecocidal damage of territories they have exploited.

This means full payment for the remediation and restoration of the polluted areas as well as reparations to the host communities. They cannot walk away from the grave and irreparable harm they have caused,” the CSOs said.

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The civil society organisations, while condemning strongly the attempt by Shell to sell off onshore oil assets, further urged the Federal Government to “immediately place a moratorium on all oil company divestment (or sale of assets) in the Niger Delta, pending the ascertaining of issues of community concern.”

 

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Police, PSC Set Up Committee To Recruit 30,000 New Officers

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The Police Service Commission (PSC) and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) have set up a high-powered joint Ad-hoc Committee to drive the immediate commencement of the recruitment of 30,000 new officers.

The PSC disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, following the inauguration of the Ad-hoc Committee on Wednesday, 26th November, 2025 by the Chairman, Police Service Commission DIG Hashimu Salihu Argungu (rtd) at the Police Service Commission Corporate Headquarters, Jabi, Abuja.

The establishment of the committee followed the presidential directive to bolster the numerical strength of the NPF and enhance national security.

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According to the statement, the primary mandate of the Joint Ad-hoc Committee is to collaborate and brainstorm on creating a seamless, transparent, and efficient recruitment process.

READ ALSO:PSC Reviews Disciplinary Cases, Reinstates Dismissed Police Officers

It added that the committee will work to ensure the exercise is conducted with the highest standards of integrity and merit.

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In his remarks, the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, who was represented by DIG (Bar) Taiwo Lakanu (rtd), said that “the collaboration is crucial for a successful exercise”.

Lakanu, who is also the Chairman, Nigeria Police Force Matters Committee, PSC reiterated the commission’s commitment to ensuring that the recruitment is fair and based on established guidelines.

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, was represented at the event by CP Edwin Eloho of the Department of Training and Development, Force Headquarters.

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READ ALSO:Four Suspected Robbers Killed In Gunfight With Police In Delta

Egbetokun emphasised the importance of the recruitment in strengthening the police force’s capacity to serve and protect the citizens of Nigeria.

The IGP affirmed the NPF’s full cooperation with the PSC to ensure the timely and successful achievement of this national objective.

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“The inauguration of this committee marks a critical step forward in the Federal Government’s commitment to addressing security challenges and improving the police-to-citizen ratio across the country,” he said.

The PSC is the Federal Executive Body empowered to appoint, promote, dismiss, and exercise disciplinary control over persons holding offices in the Nigeria Police Force, except the IGP.

READ ALSO:Police Rescue Stolen Boy, Arrest Six Over Child Trafficking In Anambra

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The NPF is the principal law enforcement agency in Nigeria. It is designated to, amongst others, prevent and detect crime, protect lives and property, and maintain public order and safety.

President Bola Tinubu on Monday presided over a high-level security meeting with Nigeria’s top military and intelligence chiefs at the State House, Abuja, as the administration intensified efforts to confront emerging and persistent security threats across the country.

The closed-door session was confirmed by the Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, who shared updates via his X handle, @DOlusegun.

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READ ALSO:FCT Police Reacts To Alleged Assassination Attempt On Naval Officer Yerima

The Service Chiefs in attendance included the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Army Staff, Major General Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Idi Abbas; and Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice-Marshal Kennedy Aneke, as well as IGP Egbetokun, and the Director-General of the Department of State Service.

The appointments of the new Service Chiefs, announced by President Tinubu in October 2025, form part of a broader effort to reinforce Nigeria’s security architecture.

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Also present was Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye, who continues to serve as Chief of Defence Intelligence, alongside other senior security advisers and heads of relevant agencies.

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Guinea-Bissau Coup: FG Gives Update On Ex-President Jonathan

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Former President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, is safe and has left Guinea-Bissau following the military takeover that disrupted the country’s electoral process, the Federal Government confirmed on Thursday.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, told journalists in Abuja that Jonathan departed on a special flight with members of his delegation, including Mohamed Chambas.

“Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is very safe and out of Guinea-Bissau. He left with a special flight with members of his delegation, including Mohamed Chambas,” he said.

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Jonathan had been in the country as head of the West African Elders Forum Election Observation Mission, monitoring the presidential and legislative elections held on Sunday. The military seized control before official results were announced.

READ ALSO:Coup In Guinea-Bissau? Soldiers Deployed Near Presidential Palace After Gunfire

In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, Jonathan, alongside Filipe Nyusi, former president of Mozambique and head of the African Union Election Observation Mission, and Issifu Kamara, head of the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission, condemned the coup as a direct attempt to disrupt Guinea-Bissau’s democratic process. The statement called for calm and reaffirmed support for the country during the crisis, stressing the need to preserve peace and stability.

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The Federal Government also condemned the military action, describing it as an unconstitutional change of government that violated the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.

The crisis escalated on Wednesday when military officers declared “total control” of Guinea-Bissau, closed its borders, and suspended electoral activities.

Heavy gunfire was reported near the presidential palace, and key access routes were blocked. General Denis N’Canha, head of the presidential military office, announced that a command “composed of all branches of the armed forces was taking over the leadership of the country until further notice.”

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READ ALSO:Gabon Votes In First Presidential Election Since 2023 Coup

Incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embalo later confirmed in a phone call with France24 that he had been deposed, while opposition candidate Fernando Dias also claimed victory in Sunday’s elections. The military claimed it had uncovered a plot involving “national drug lords” and the importation of weapons “to alter the constitutional order.”

Jonathan and other election observers had been temporarily trapped in the country as outgoing flights were suspended. While he remained in Guinea-Bissau, his spokesperson confirmed he was unharmed and maintaining contact with colleagues. Jonathan and fellow African leaders condemned the intervention and urged the immediate release of detained electoral officials so that the process could be concluded.

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The joint statement from Jonathan and the observer missions urged the African Union and ECOWAS to act swiftly to restore constitutional order and called on the people of Guinea-Bissau to remain calm, emphasising the importance of safeguarding peace, stability, and public welfare during the period of uncertainty.

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Okpebholo Fires EDOGIS Managing Director

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Managing Director of the Edo State Geographic Information Service (EDOGIS), Dr. Tony Ikpasajah has been sacked.

Ikpasajah was reportedly sacked over issues relating to revocation of a 13, 545 hectares of land belonging to Presco Plc in Ologbo, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of the state.

Government sources said the Governor was embarrassed that he was not properly briefed about the issues.

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The source, who confirmed the sack, said Ikpasajah has been issued an official letter relieving him of his appointment.

READ ALSO:EDOGIS Assures Public Of Prompt Release of C of O

On Wednesday, Edo State Government, in an advertorial invoked sections Sections 28 and 38 of the Constitution to revoke the Presco land.

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Barely 24 hours later, Secretary to the Edo State Government, Musa Ikhilor, said Ikpasajah acted unilaterally, without authorisation, and in complete disregard for established procedures and the actual number of hectares intended for excision from PRESCO PLC’s total landholding.

The statement said a formal administrative review has been initiated to address the unauthorised actions of the former EDOGIS Managing Director and to strengthen internal controls to prevent future breaches.

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