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Stop Disrupting Road projects, FG Warns Niger Delta Youths

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The Federal Government has warned youths in the Niger Delta region to refrain from disrupting ongoing road projects in the area.

The government criticised the entitlement mentality of some youths who believe the region’s oil production gives them the right to harass contractors and demand money.

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It emphasised that such behaviour does not occur in other parts of the country.

The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Works, Olufunsho Adebiyi, issued the warning while addressing journalists during an inspection tour of federal road projects in Rivers State on Friday.

READ ALSO: Army Destroys 34 Illegal Refineries In Niger Delta

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Adebiyi noted that the budget allocation for the six geo-political zones is nearly equal, but said, “The challenge is that what N10 can achieve in the North-West might only achieve one per cent of the same in the South-South.

“Additionally, the traffic volume on roads varies. For instance, the traffic volume on this road requires significant diversion and traffic control measures to facilitate construction work.”

He appealed to residents of the Niger Delta to adopt a different mindset, saying, “This entitlement mentality that ‘it’s our oil money,’ which leads to placing demands on contractors, leaves insufficient funds for the actual project. This mindset is wrong. The nation operates a single treasury system. It’s like growing up in a village where everyone eats from the same pot.

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“If you stop your contractor in the South-South from working, you leave resources for contractors in other zones. It’s necessary to change this mindset and encourage contractors to perform.”

READ ALSO: Teenage Girl Sells 7yr Old Brother In Delta Community

Adebiyi also shared his experiences inspecting road projects in other regions, saying, “When I visit the North-East, North-West, or North-Central, do you know how they welcome me? They prepare rural denunu (a local drink) for me.”

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He urged truck drivers using the East-West Road and local residents to stop damaging road pavements, citing poor maintenance practices such as spilling diesel, engine oil, and using pavements for drying food items.

On the Port Harcourt-Enugu Highway, Adebiyi stated that four contractors are handling the project to expedite its completion. He praised the completed sections, particularly on the Aba side, while calling on residents to maintain the roads. “In Port Harcourt, completed sections have become like dustbins, with waste piling up,” he lamented.

READ ALSO: Tinubu Appoints New MD, CEO For Niger Delta Power Holding Company

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Adebiyi expressed satisfaction with the quality of work on the Bodo-Bonny Road but urged contractors to increase their pace, emphasising that the project must be completed by the end of the year.

For your information, this project must be commissioned this year at all costs,” he declared.

Anyone who stands in our way will be dealt with. Mr President is passionate about this project, and it must be delivered by December at the latest.”

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He added, “We are not joking. This project and several others have come to stay.”

 

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Police Disown Viral Recruitment Notice, Warn Against Fraud

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The Nigeria Police Force has disowned a recruitment notice circulating on social media, describing it as fake and warning Nigerians not to fall victim to fraudulent schemes.

The document, titled “Nigeria Police Force Recruitment Exercise 2025”, had invited applications from SSCE, OND, HND, and B.Sc. holders, listing requirements such as age limits, fitness standards, and academic qualifications. It also outlined an alleged application process through a supposed police recruitment portal scheduled to open on September 23, 2025.

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The notice claimed that candidates were expected to be Nigerian citizens by birth, hold a valid National Identification Number, and meet minimum height and academic criteria. It also warned against membership of secret societies and directed applicants to submit various documents, including birth certificates and guarantor declarations.

READ ALSO:Police Vows To Arrest Killers of NSCDC Officers In Edo

In a post on its verified X handle on Thursday, the Nigeria Police Force dismissed the claims and stamped the document “FAKE” to alert the public.

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The Police Service Commission (PSC) had earlier issued a similar warning. On August 30, PSC spokesperson Ikechukwu Ani clarified that no recruitment exercise had been announced for 2025.

The advertorial currently in circulation is fictitious and diversionary,” Ani said. “The Commission has repeatedly urged young Nigerians eager to join the police to be patient and await the official process.”

READ ALSO:Police Vows To Arrest Killers of NSCDC Officers In Edo

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He added that the forged documents being circulated bear no resemblance to the Commission’s official communication.

The police authorities reiterated that any official recruitment exercise would be publicly announced through verified government platforms.

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Okpebholo Warns Companies Against Fuelling Edo–Delta Boundary Dispute

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Edo State governor, Monday Okpebholo, has issued a stern warning to companies attempting to exploit the lingering boundary dispute between Edo and Delta states.

Okpebholo cautioned the companies to desist from encroaching on Edo territory while the matter remains before the National Boundary Commission (NBC), for adjudication and adjustment.

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The governor’s stance follows a recent reports of encroachment on Edo territory by the Delta State Government and companies allegedly attempting to establish operations on disputed lands.

Okpehbolo, accompanied by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Zone 5, Salman-Dogo Garba, and other top security officials, spoke when he paid a fact-finding visit to the disputed areas.

READ ALSO:Textile, Garment And Tailoring Workers Assault Journalists In Edo

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The disputed territory lies between Urhonigbe Community in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State, and Umutu community in Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State.

Represented by his deputy, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, Okpebholo, while addressing residents of Urhonigbe community, assured them of his administration’s commitment to safeguarding their interests, but urged restraint.

He further urged the affected communities to remain peaceful and law-abiding, stressing that the dispute was being handled at the highest level of national authority.

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“We are here at the boundary to see the disputed area and the actual demarcation. We are appealing to the Federal Government and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure that the NBC steps in and expedites action so that this dispute is resolved once and for all.

READ ALSO:NDLEA Destroys Over 18,000 KG Of Cannabis In Edo Forest

“This River Ethiope is a natural boundary. We don’t want any crisis in the South-South or between Edo and Delta states. We are brothers, having once been Bendel State before Delta was created. We want peace, and we want the right thing done quickly.”

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“Please don’t take laws into your hands. As a government, we will protect the territorial integrity of Edo State. But we must maintain peace and harmony with our neighbors while this matter is before the NBC,” he pleaded.

Okpebholo emphasised that while his administration was committed to defending Edo territorial claims, it would do so with fairness, peace, and respect for due process.

Our ultimate goal is to ensure justice, preserve harmony, and protect the integrity of our people and our State,” he affirmed.

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In his remarks, AIG Salman-Dogo Garba urged restraint, describing both Edo and Delta as inseparable partners in peace and development despite the dispute.

“I appeal to the communities, Edo and Delta are still brothers despite this land dispute. Be peaceful, avoid violence, don’t take up arms over this matter as it is already before the NBC,” he advised.

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Release Nnamdi Kanu For Medical Treatment, Ohanaeze President Begs FG

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The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Senator John Azuta-Mbata, has called on the Federal Government to release the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, to enable him to seek proper medical attention.

This is as Azuta-Mbata called on Igbos across the country to ensure they register in the ongoing voters’ registration exercise and obtain their voter cards.

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Azuta-Mbata said this in a short video message of himself speaking, which he sent to The PUNCH on Thursday.

READ ALSO:FG Makes History Compulsory Subject In Primary, Secondary Schools

Kanu’s detention has remained one of Nigeria’s most contentious political and security issues in recent years. Kanu, who was first arrested in 2015 on charges bordering on treasonable felony, jumped bail in 2017 and fled the country.

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He was rearrested in Kenya in June 2021 in a controversial operation by Nigerian security operatives and has since been held in the custody of the Department of State Services.

He also urged the government to explore a political solution in handling the issue of the detained IPOB leader, saying the apex government does not have any advantage in the continuous detention of the IPOB leader.

READ ALSO:IPOB Faults Soludo For Linking Igbo Youths To Kidnapping

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Azuta-Mbata stated, “I’m calling upon Ndigbo-nine (Igbos in general) wherever you are in Nigeria to quickly go and take advantage of the voter registration exercise that is going on right now. Go and get your cards as quickly as possible.

“Secondly, I would like to call upon the federal government of Nigeria to quickly release Nnamdi Kanu. The Government has no serious advantage in keeping him. It is important that the government ensures his safety and his welfare, and that the Government must allow him to go and get medical treatment as quickly as possible.

“The Government must adopt a political solution to this situation. I do not believe that the Government has any serious advantage in keeping him any further.”

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