Metro

[UPDATED] Official Activities Paralysed As Students’ Govt, IYC Shut NPDC, Benin Office

Published

4 years ago

October 27, 2021

Mail gate of the NPDC office, Benin

Official activities at the the Benin office of the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, were brought to a partial halt on Wednesday as Niger Delta Students’ Union Government in collaboration with Ijaw Youths Council, IYC, Western Zone shut down the office.

The students and IYC members who arrived the Benin office as early as 9:00am shut all entries to the office, thereby obstructing staff, contractors and visitors from going out or coming in.

The angry students and IYC members who waited at the entrance for several hours were later asked to present representives for a meeting of which they did and they were inside for the meeting which lasted for hours.

But coming out of the meeting, they all expressed disappointment as it shows all over their faces

Fielding questions from newsmen after the meeting, Comrade Romeo Emieye, coordinator, Petroleum Industry Act, PIA, workshop which was organised by the NPDC for the students, said there was an agreement reached as regards the the workshop but unfortunately what they met on ground was different from the agreement reached hence they came to express their displeasure.

He lamented that they were expecting to hold a meeting with the management team of the company but unfortunately the manager, security and other staff who do not have a say in the company came to attend to them.

Emieye who told journalists that they were told by those that attended to them in the meeting that top management staff of the company were all not around because but were out to join one of the management staff whose daughter is getting married tomorrow, further lamented, “this means they know what they are doing. Just to show us the blueprint of the workshop is an Issue. The Community Relations Department is currently running away from us.The manager, security is saying he is not aware of all the approval made.”

He continues, “At this point, we now understand that, the NPDC management is playing a game with the Niger Delta students. They are saying we should reconvene here tomorrow and that the management team will be on ground, of which we are not sure.
We will not accept a laptop bag that has no laptop but just a cord.”

The Coordinator vowed that they were going to reconvene at the office tomorrow morning, and that if they failed to yield to their demands they would shut NNPC office in Abuja and other subsidiary offices across the Niger Delta.

Also speaking, Olu-Derimon Omaghomi, secretary, Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, Western Zone, said the meeting ended in a deadlock as nothing was achieved.

Omaghomi who corroborated Emieye’s claims that there were some agreement that were reached as regards transportation fee, feeding and daily stipends for all participants, called for the sack of the Managing Director, NPDC.

Omaghomi said, “These students from the nine Niger Delta states are stranded. The workshop is supposed to end today and the accommodations will expire today. The training is in two batches of 25 persons. The first batch are stranded and the last one is also stranded.

“We want the Managing Director, NPDC to be sacked. He is a northerner. We cannot be producing crude oil, and a northerner who doesn’t have oil in his state to head the company. We call on the Federal Government to sack the MD with immediate effect.”

Also speaking, Osemudiamen Ogbidi, one of the participants and spokesperson, Nigerian Students and Youth Association (NISAYA) said “We cannot benefit and boast as Niger Deltans. Over the years, we have had series of meetings amounting to neglect and marginalization from corporate organizations. I belong to the second batch list for the workshop, but we were given a laptop bag without laptop in it.”

Another participant who does not want his name in print noted, “They promised to organise a workshop with payment of stipend and a laptop to each participant. But on the day of the workshop, they came with laptops bag that had no laptop but only charger. And the stipend they promised to pay, they have been playing prank on us.”

Metro

NDLEA Officers, Soldiers Attacked In Edo

Published

10 hours ago

October 27, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and Army personnel were on Monday attacked at Ukpuje town, Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

Mitchell Ofoyeju, State commander of the NDLEA who stated this in a statement, said an officer of the agency sustained an injury during the attack.

Ofoyeju, who said the community is notorious for cannabis cultivation and trafficking, noted that as the team advanced through the town, they encountered resistance from local cultivators, who ambushed them, resulting in an exchange of gunfire which led the team to abort the operation before proceeding later.

He said one officer was struck by a sharp object on the hand. He stated that the officer has since received medical attention and is expected to make a full recovery.

As the team advanced through the town, they encountered resistance from local cultivators, who ambushed them, resulting in an exchange of gunfire. The hostile environment forced the team to abort the operation and retreat for safety.

The statement read, “A combined team of NDLEA and Army personnel came under attack on Monday at Ukpuje town, Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

“Unfortunately, one officer was struck by a sharp object on the hand. This officer has since received medical attention and is expected to make a full recovery.

“I commend the bravery of our officers and the army personnel involved. Our mission here is to ensure that illegal drug activities are disrupted, particularly in areas notorious for drug cultivation.

“Although we faced resistance, we are grateful that no life was lost, and our team was able to carry out the operation efficiently.”

Ofoyeju said the NDLEA would intensify efforts against drug cultivation and trafficking in Edo State.

“We will not relent in our pursuit of a drug-free society. Operations like these are crucial in our fight against narcotics,” he added.

The raid in Ukpuje is part of a broader strategy by the NDLEA to combat drug trafficking and promote community safety. Illicit cannabis cultivation has long been a challenge in the area.

The operation in Ukpuje underscores the ongoing collaboration between law enforcement agencies to tackle the growing menace of drug abuse and trafficking in the state.

The agency in the past months have also visited spots known for illicit drug sales in the state to arrest dealers.

It has also got the conviction of barons and dealers while seizing drugs and also in sensitization programmes on the ills of drug abuse.

Metro

Soldiers Kill 80 Bandits In Kebbi Border Clash

Published

2 days ago

October 26, 2025

Editor

Troops of the Nigerian military have neutralised no fewer than 80 armed bandits attempting to infiltrate Kebbi State from the Zamfara border, in one of the most decisive security operations recorded in recent months.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Communication and Strategy, Abdullahi Idris Zuru, disclosed this in a statement released on Sunday, describing the operation as a major victory in the state’s ongoing war against banditry.

According to him, the success recorded in Ngaski Local Government Area was the result of the strategic deployment of fully equipped troops across Kebbi’s borders with Sokoto, Zamfara, and Niger States, as directed by Governor Nasir Idris.

Zuru explained that Governor Idris had earlier requested additional military reinforcements to strengthen border security, a move that has since led to the neutralisation of hundreds of bandits and the restoration of peace in several communities.

He said credible intelligence reports prompted the strategic positioning of troops around Makurdi village, where soldiers engaged the heavily armed attackers in fierce gun battles on Friday and Saturday nights.

“About 80 bandits were neutralised, while several others escaped with gunshot wounds,” said Director of Security, Abdulrahaman Usman, adding that dozens of motorcycles and two abducted victims were recovered during the operation.

Zuru noted that the Kebbi State Government’s collaboration with security agencies, particularly the Nigerian Army, has been crucial in sustaining the momentum against banditry. 4

He added that Governor Idris had donated 100 Hilux vehicles and 5,000 motorcycles to enhance troop mobility and response capacity.

Reacting to the success, the Emir of Yauri, Zayyanu Muhammad, commended the gallantry of the troops and lauded Governor Idris for his unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the state.

“The people of Kebbi are proud of the sacrifices of our soldiers and the leadership of Governor Idris, whose efforts are restoring peace and hope to our communities,” the Emir said.

Security sources said the latest onslaught has forced several bandit groups to retreat deeper into neighbouring forests, signalling that Kebbi is becoming increasingly unsafe for criminal elements.

According to The PUNCH, troops of Operation Hadin Kai had killed more than 50 terrorists and repelled multiple coordinated attacks on military locations across Borno and Yobe States.

The Nigerian military said the simultaneous attacks occurred between midnight and 4am on Thursday when terrorists launched assaults on troops’ positions in Dikwa, Mafa, Gajibo and Katarko, situated within Sectors 1 and 2 of the Joint Operations Area 1.

Metro

One Injured As Truck Falls Off Lagos Bridge

Published

2 days ago

October 25, 2025

Editor

A fully loaded six-tyre truck on Saturday plunged off the Oshodi Bridge in Lagos after reportedly suffering brake failure, leaving one man severely injured.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority said its operatives swiftly intervened to rescue the victim and restore traffic in the area.

According to a statement by the Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, Adebayo Taofiq, the truck, with registration number AKD 135 YK, was laden with toner printing materials when it lost control while descending the Oshodi-Oke bridge inward Mile 2 and fell into the terminal ditch below.

“In an exemplary display of operational precision and institutional alertness, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) once again demonstrated its unwavering commitment to public safety, emergency responsiveness, and traffic orderliness as its operatives today rescued a severely injured male victim following a ghastly accident involving a fully loaded six-tyre truck with registration number AKD 135 YK, which suffered a brake failure and plunged off the Oshodi Bridge into the terminal ditch while descending from Oshodi-Oke inward Mile 2.

“Preliminary information gathered from the scene indicated that the ill-fated truck, reportedly laden with tonner printing materials, experienced a critical mechanical failure while descending the bridge, thereby losing control before skidding off the carriageway and tumbling into the terminal below,” Taofiq said

He added that LASTMA officers arrived at the scene within minutes to commence rescue operations and prevent secondary accidents.

He said, “Upon arrival, the officers immediately commenced rescue operations and successfully extricated a male victim who sustained grievous injuries in the accident.

“The injured man was expeditiously conveyed to a nearby medical facility for urgent treatment, while the driver of the truck was apprehended and handed over to security operatives from Makinde Police Station, Oshodi, for further investigation into the cause of the brake malfunction and other contributory factors.”

Taofiq noted that the accident could have resulted in more casualties but for the prompt and coordinated efforts of LASTMA officials who diverted traffic and cleared the wreckage.

“To forestall secondary collisions and ensure the safety of road users, LASTMA operatives swiftly cordoned off the accident scene, diverted vehicular movement, and supervised the clearance of the wreckage thereby restoring traffic normalcy within a remarkably short period,” he said.

The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Bakare Oki, commended the operatives for their swift and professional response.

“Mr. Bakare Oki, lauded their exceptional response, diligence, and adherence to standard safety protocols during the operation.

“He reiterated the Agency’s unrelenting vigilance in ensuring the protection of lives and property on Lagos roads, particularly during the ember months, when traffic density and accident risks are significantly heightened,” the statement stated.

According to the statement, Oki said the agency remains vigilant in protecting lives and property, especially during the ember months when road accidents are more frequent.

He noted that heavy-duty recovery vehicles and mini trucks have been strategically deployed across the five administrative divisions of Lagos, supported by over 2,700 personnel stationed at critical traffic points for quick emergency response.

“Mr. Oki further emphasized that the agency’s ongoing 24-hour traffic management operations were instituted to guarantee seamless vehicular movement across the state before, during, and after the festive season.

“He disclosed that heavy-duty recovery vehicles and mini trucks have been strategically deployed across the five administrative divisions of Lagos, supported by over 2,700 personnel stationed at critical traffic nodes and corridors for optimal coverage and swift emergency response,” the statement said.

Oki urged motorists to maintain their vehicles regularly and adhere strictly to traffic regulations.

He reaffirmed LASTMA’s commitment to “proactive traffic regulation, timely rescue operations, and continuous public enlightenment to make Lagos roads safer for everyone.”

The Oshodi area, particularly the busy Oshodi-Apapa Expressway corridor, serves as a major transport node in Lagos, linking routes from the port and mainland and regularly experiencing severe traffic gridlocks.

Heavy-duty trucks, including those laden with cargo bound for terminals and depots, are frequent contributors to the congestion.

Mechanical faults, including brake failure and tyre bursts, remain a recurring cause of road accidents across Nigeria.

According to the FRSC 2022 compendium, mechanical/vehicle-defect factors account for about 10 per cent of road crashes nationwide.