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NNPC Searches For Crude Oil In 8 States

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Encouraged by the recent discovery of crude oil in commercial quantity in Bauchi and Gombe States, the Federal government has now directed the Nigeria National Petroleum Company, NNPC Limited to search for crude oil in other states in the north.

Last year, President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurated the first oil fields in the two states. It was the first time oil had been discovered in the region and, it came barely five years after the administration ordered NNPC to stop serching for oil in the Lake Chad basin.

The government oil firm failed to discover oil after many years of intense searching and huge capital investment.

The ground-breaking ceremony of the Kolmani Oil Prospecting Lease (OPL) 809 and 810 at the Kolmani field site in Bauchi and Gombe States, therefore came as a huge relief to the oil company after naysayers said crude oil can never be discovered in the north.

The magazine learnt that the success in Bauchi and Gombe States have further propelled the federal government on the need to mobilise equipment to other states in the region with the hope that more oil fields will be discovered.

According to a document cited by the magazine, the NNPC said it has now opened more prospecting sites in different locations in Gombe, Bauchi, Yobe, Adamawa, Niger, Nasarawa, and others, adding that efforts will be concentrated more in the frontiers.

This is necessary, the oil firm said it necessary to shore up the oil country’s oil reserve.

In 2017, the Buhari administration announced that it has suspended crude oil exploration in the Borno State and would only resume if it gets sufficient security clearance guaranteeing the safety of its personnel and operations.

Even though Boko Haram attack was blamed for the decision, not a few said the prospecting work had to be suspended by NNPC following its failure to discover the commodity in commercial quantity in the area.

Polaris Bank: CBN Denies Rejecting N1trn Bid For Former Bridge Bank

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has described reports that it subverted due process in the sale of Polaris Bank as spurious and malicious. The apex bank said the report claiming that it sold the former bridge bank to the lowest bidder was untrue.

Report claimed that the bank was sold for N50 billion to Strategic Capital Investment Limited, SCIL rather than another company which made a higher bid of over  N1 trillion to acquire the bank.

Recall that the Godwin Emefiele-led CBN announced the sale of the commercial bank to SCIL in October 2022, four years after it took over the former Skye Bank Plc which was later renamed Polaris Bank.

At the time of the sale to SCIL late last year, the CBN had already  invested close to N1.2 trillion in Polaris Bank, according to figures obtained by the magazine.

Therefore, not a few stakeholders have raised questions on the appropriateness of selling the commercial bank for barely N50 billion to SCIL. Some have even suggested that Companies with higher bid were prevented from landing the deal, while other said the bank was acquired by cronies in the presidency.

But the CBN in a statement on Wednesday said the claims are untrue.

According to the statement signed by its spokesman Osita Nwanisobi, the apex bank said the report was meant to mislead the public, saying it followed due process with its divestment and sale to SCIL.

The report is not true and, “Contrary to claims in the aforementioned online publication, the divestment from Polaris Bank was supervised by a Divestment Committee (Committee) comprising senior representatives of AMCON & CBN and supported by reputable legal and financial advisers,” CBN said.

“In addition, the divestment mode, process and decision received requisite board and regulatory approvals.”

“The entity in question, Fairview Acquisition Partners, had indicated an interest in acquiring two banks, including Polaris Bank, for a total sum of N1.2 trillion, an indicative offer which significantly discounted the existing N1.305 trillion debt owed by Polaris Bank to AMCON and so represented a material loss to the Federal Government.

“Notwithstanding, along with twenty-four (24) other parties, Fairview Acquisition Partners was invited by the financial advisors to participate in the sale process via the execution of a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA), the first stage of the process.

“The financial advisors informed the Committee that Fairview Acquisition Partners neither executed nor returned the NDA despite verbally confirming receipt of the agreement and after follow-up from the financial advisors.

“Therefore, Fairview Acquisition Partners did not take the opportunity to update their offer by participating in the divestment process and thus did not make a binding purchase offer for Polaris Bank.”

Meanwhile, stakeholders in the sector insist that the controversy that trailed the sale of the bank would have been avoided if the apex bank had made the process that led to the acquisition more transparent.

Fr. Mbaka Returns To Adoration Ministry

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Ejike Mbaka Fr

By Akinwale Kasali

After spending Eight Months  in a Monastery, the Spiritual Director, Adoration Ministry Enugu Nigeria Catholic Chaplaincy, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, is back to base.

The controversial clergyman who usually dabbles into political issues was sanctioned by the Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev. Callistus Onaga.

Sent to a Monastery he was replaced by Rev. Fr. Anthony Amadi as the Chaplain of the Adoration Ministry Chaplaincy.

There was a protest by members of the Adoration Ministry who were loyal to Fr. Mbaka. They staged series of protests, threatening fire and brimstone.

This came as the church issued a clarification on the reports of the transfer.

Mbaka had in a video message posted on the Church’s ’s official Facebook handle appealed to his supporters, telling them ‘goodbye’ promising that he would be with them.

Mbaka in his farewell message stated, “I wish to use this opportunity to bless and encourage you as I depart to the monastery in obedience to my Bishop. I want you to remain calm as written in Psalm 46:10.

“This is a time we shall know the real adorers. Please, back me with your prayers so that I will go and embark on deeper reflections and interior waiting on the Lord. I want to remind you of Jeremiah 29:13, God will reverse everything.

“God has good plans for us and not to destroy us. This is not a time to be sorrowful. Be calm and vigilant. Stop every form of protest and demonstration.”

Before his suspension eight months ago, the Church was closed down earlier in the year and on June 3, 2022 the Catholic Diocese of Enugu banned Mbaka from commenting on political issues after activities in the ministry were suspended.

It was later reopened and it was strictly monitored. The Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese  turned the Ministry into a Chaplaincy to monitor the excesses in the Ministry.

Why Catholic Bishop Rejected Umahi’s State Honours Award

By
The Source
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Peter Nworie Chukwu

By Charles Igbo

“Rather than give me an award, I would prefer you set in motion actions that would facilitate the termination of murder and sundry charges against my Priest, Rev. Fr. Timothy Ngwuta”

Nigerians love titles and awards, especially when such awards come from Government – State or Federal. Very few Nigerians reject such awards. Now, there is a new entrant. It is the  Roman Catholic Bishop of Abakaliki, His Lordship, Most Rev. Peter Nworie Chukwu.

His Lordship rejected a State Honours Award given to him by the Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. David Umahi.

The State Honours Award is fashioned after that of Rivers State, instituted by the Governor Nyesom Wike Government. This other day, Wike went beyond  Rivers State, and conferred Umahi with the highest Rivers State’s  Honour, reserved, or so most people thought, for serving Governors and former Governors of Rivers State – Grand Service Star of Rivers State – GSSRS.

In a letter dated 12th December 2022, Umahi told the Bishop of his desire to honour him with a State Honours Award. The Governor personally signed the letter, with all his titles and Honours Awards on display  – Engr. Chief David Nweze Umahi, FNSE, FNATE, GSSRS, CON.

The category for the Bishop was “Commander”. Umahi said the State Government decided to honour His Lordship in recognition of his illustrious service to Ebonyi State and humanity. The day of honour – 22nd December 2022.

Titled NOTIFICATION OF YOUR SELECTION FOR THE MAIDEN STATE HONOURS AWARD 2022 AS COMMANDER, EBONYI HALL OF FAME (CEHF), the letter read in part: ” I am pleased to inform you that you have been selected by the Government of Ebonyi State for the conferment of State Honours Award as Commander,  Ebonyi Hall Of Fame (CEHF), pursuant to Ebonyi State Honours Law No 008 of 2022. This Award of Honour is in recognition of your illustrious service to Ebonyi State and humanity.”

Bishop Chukwu was asked to forward a brief of his biographical note and personal attainment to: [email protected].

However, instead of receiving His Lordship’s details, what the Governor received was a letter which rejected the Honours Award .

In the letter dated December 16, 2022, which  Bishop Chukwu personally signed, he rejected the Honour on two grounds. First, that he had not stayed long enough as the Bishop of Abakaliki Diocese to be considered for such honour. So, he asked Umahi to bestow that honour to his (Bishop’s) predecessor, Most Rev. Michael Nnachi Okoro for his long and meritorious service to God and humanity.

But here’s the most important reason, and why many think the Bishop rejected the Honours Award.

A Priest, under him, Rev. Fr. Timothy Ngwuta has been charged to Court by the Umahi Government of murder and sundry charges. The Bishop has solid reasons to believe his Priest is innocent of the charges.  So, he asked for his release from the Governor. His letter of rejection read  in part:

“Your Excellency, I wish to respectfully decline this award. I am barely one year in office. I am still struggling to fit into the high demands of the ecclesiastical office of the Bishop. So, I feel that I have not achieved much as to deserve an award. If I may suggest, I would wish that this award be bestowed on my predecessor, Most Rev. Michael Nnachi Okoro, for his long and meritorious service to God and humanity. Rather than give me an award, I would prefer you set in motion, actions that would facilitate the termination of murder and sundry charges against my Priest, Rev. Fr. Timothy Ngwuta.”

Recall that Nigeria’s award winning Novelist and Writer, Chimamanda Adichie, recently, rejected the National Honours offered him by the President Muhammadu Buhari Government.

Umahi will leave office on May 29, 2023, at the end of his two-term tenure in office  as Governor of Ebonyi State.

“I Have No Reason To Meet With Wike, I Am Not Embattled, I Am Enjoying Myself” –  Ayu

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Iyorchia Ayu - PDP Chairman

By Adesina Soyooye

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, says he has no reason to meet with Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike.

Ayu said this in reaction to a  report which made the rounds that both men met in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, January 4, 2023. It was accomplished by a photograph.

Wike has been in a long-drawn “fight” with Ayu  since after the PDP’s Presidential Primary where Atiku Abubakar  beat Wike to a second place. The fight extended to Atiku when he skipped a very expectant Wike and picked his Delta State counterpart, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, as his running mate.

Wike and his loyalists who include four other PDP Governors, hold Ayu responsible for Wike’s loses.

Wike accuses Ayu of corrupting the system which threw up Atiku, and also holds of contributing to his loss of the Vice Presidential slot.

Wike and his Group, initially, known as G-5, but now Integrity Group, are asking for the resignation of Ayu as the National Chairman of the Party for a Southerner. Their reason, they posit, is that it is a breach of the PDP constitution for both the National Chairman and the Presidential Candidate to be from the same Region – North. Wike, also, points out that both Ayu and Atiku had pledged that Ayu would step down if the Candidate emerges from the North. While Ayu, allegedly, made the promise before the Primary, Wike said Atiku personally told him so, as well as offered him the Vice Presidential slot 24 hours after the Primary.

None was fulfilled and Wike and his group are angry. They have distanced themselves from PDP activities, including the Presidential Campaign. None of them is supporting Atiku’s Presidential aspiration. All efforts to reconcile both factions, within and outside the Party, have failed.

So, when the news broke on Wednesday that Ayu and Wike met and held a meeting in Port Harcourt, most PDP faithful were drunk with joy. They heaved a sigh of relief that, finally, peace was at hand.

But the report turned out to be fake. Ayu poured cold water on it.

In a statement signed on his behalf by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Simon Imobo -Tswam, Ayu dismissed any such meeting  with Wike. He said there was no reason for that. He said he never travelled to Port Harcourt. He said he is not embattled. And that he was enjoying a short break with his family.

The Statement issued on Wednesday reads:

Ayu Did Not Meet Wike In Port Harcourt Today

“The PDP National Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, denies that he met the River’s State Governor, HE Nyesom Wike today in Port Harcourt, the River’s State Capital, or anywhere else in Nigeria today.

“Dr. Ayu states clearly that:

“1. He never travelled to Port Harcourt and,

“2. He has not set eyes on Gov. Wike lately.

“The photograph trending on the social media is an old one. The story accompanying it is, therefore, false and mischievous.

“He also adds, for the purpose of factual accuracy, that he is in no way embattled.

“The National Chairman is, rather, enjoying the New Year Break with his family.

“The general public and, especially the PDP Family, is advised to ignore the story and focus on the historic task ahead of the party next month.”

The Presidential election is scheduled for February 25, 2023.

Lagos -Abeokuta Road: Fashola “Yabs” Obasanjo; “The One Wey Dey Write Letter, De Road Wey Lead To Im House, E No Do Am”

By
Adesina Soyooye
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0

By Adesina Soyooye

Minister of Works, Raji Fashola, has hit out at former President Olusegun Obasanjo over Obasanjo’s public letter to Nigerians, and especially, the Youths, on New Year’s Day.

In the letter, Obasanjo officially endorsed Peter Obi, the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, as his chosen candidate for the Presidential seat in 2023, and urged Nigerians to vote for him. He chose Obi well ahead of his Vice President when he was in office, Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, and Bola Tinubu, a former Lagos State two-term Governor, of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Obasanjo, also, wrote off the APC Government of President Muhammadu Buhari and described the experience of Nigerians under it as “jumping from frying pan to fire.”

Since the endorsement of Obi, Obasanjo has come under strong Media attack by the Presidency, the APC and the PDP. He has been called names, and his endorsement of Obi dismissed as worthless by the APC.

On Wednesday, January 4, it was the turn of Fashola to take on Obasanjo. And he did.

Answering a question on the slow pace of work on the Lagos-Abeokuta Road, and when it will be completed in an interview with the BBC Pidgin, Fashola threw a brushstroke at Obasanjo.

The Minister said the road is being done. Then, referring to the years of the PDP in power, Fashola said for 16 years, they did not do the road. He said the money budgeted for the road, they “swallowed it.” And from no where, he threw a punch at Obasanjo.

He said: “The one wey dey write letter, the road wey lead to im house. E no do am.”

In August, 2022, Tinubu had led a high profile delegation to Obasanjo’s Abeokuta home to seek his support and endorsement of him.

For the records, Obasanjo  was Nigeria’s President for eight years out of the 16 years Fashola was referring to, in a PDP Government.

FG Ignores Court Action, Directs NDDC Board Members To Resume Work Immediately

By
Ayodele Oni
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NDDC Board

By Ayodele Oni

In a swift move to apparently avoid any halt by Court, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Obong Umana Okon Umana, has performed the inauguration of the Governing Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The board, led by Lauretta Onochie, former aide of President Mohammadu Buhari, has been directed to  begin work immediately.

The inauguration, on Wednesday followed a letter emanating from the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, signed by Permanent Secretary, Adebiyi Olufunso, that the event would hold.

The Senate had on December 20, 2022 confirmed Lauretta Onochie as Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) along with 12 others, after President Muhammadu Buhari had transmitted a letter containing their names in accordance with the NDDC (Establishment) Act, 2008.

The permanent secretary, in the letter, dated December 29, 2022, said: “Following recent confirmation and clearance of the newly constituted board of NDDC by the Senate, the President has further granted approval for the inauguration of the board to commence work immediately.”

The acting Managing Director of the NDDC, Emmanuel Audu-Ohwavborua, had earlier held a valedictory meeting with the management staff to prepare for the handing over to a new management.

Performing the inauguration ceremony in Abuja, the Minister stated at the ceremony that “I appreciate His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari for fulfilling the law by keeping his promise of approving the Board of NDDC in line with section 2 subsection 1 of the NDDC Act 2000.

“Today, we are witnessing the inauguration of the board in fulfillment of Mr. President’s promise that he will put in place a genuine board for the commission after the completion of the forensic audit,”

President Buhari’s Special Assistant on Social Media, Lauretta Onochie, from Delta State representing the South South Geopolitical Zone, was inaugurated to now mount her seat as Chairman of the Board of NDDC, while Major-General Charles Airhiavbere (Rtd) from Edo State was inaugurated as the Executive Director, Finance, and Charles Ogunmola from Ondo State, as Executive Director, Projects.

Others inaugurated on Wednesday were Dimgba Erugba, representing Abia State; Emem Willcox Wills, from Akwa Ibom State; Denyanbofa Dimaro, from Bayelsa State; Orok Duke, Cross River State; Pius Odudu, from Edo State, Anthony Ekenne, from Imo State; Gbenga Edema, from Ondo State; Elekwachi Dimkpa, from Rivers State; Mohammed Kabir Abubakar, from Nasarawa State, representing North Cenral Geopolitical Zone; Sadiq Sami Sule-Ikoh, from Kebbi State, representing the North West; and Prof. Tahir Mamman (SAN), from Adamawa State, representing the North East Geopolitical Zone on the Board of the NDDC.

Some Itsekiri leaders from Delta state and stakeholders from coastal area of Ondo state have approached the court to stop the president from inaugurating the board of the commission.

Itsekiris grouse is that as the major oil producer in the country, the position of managing director of NDDC belongs to them, while Ondo state is protesting that the nominee for the position of executive director, projects is not from oil producing area of the state.

“I Will Not Work For Tinubu’s Presidential Victory” – Ngige

By
The Source
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Chris Ngige

By Charles Igbo

President Muhammadu Buhari’s Minister for Labour and Productivity,  Dr Chris Ngige has said he will not work for the emergence of the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as the President of Nigeria.

Ngige, a former (illegal) Governor of Anambra State is, like Tinubu, a member of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

But speaking to Reporters on Wednesday,  January 4, 2023 in his village, Alor, Anambra State, Ngige said he would not work for any of the four frontline Presidential candidates for the 2023 General elections.

The frontline candidates are Peter Obi of the Labour Party, LP, Bola Tinubu of the APC, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP.

He also refused to be drawn into predicting the possible outcome of the Presidential election.

Ngige’s reason is simple. He told Reporters that the four frontline candidates are his friends, and that he would never work against any of them.

The Minister asked Nigerians to look at the programs of each of the Candidates, and choose the best.

Not a few people say Ngige is playing safe. One of the strong candidates, Peter Obi,  is from same State as Ngige – Anambra. Obi, a former two- time Governor of the State,  succeeded Ngige in office. On the other hand, Ngige’s Minister for State, Festus Keyamo, SAN, is the Spokesperson for the APC Presidential Campaign Council, PCC.

OPINION: All Hail OBJ, The Endorser-in-Chief!

By
The Source
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By Steve Osuji

What shall we do without our Baba OBJ! He has managed to sneak himself into the pantheon of Nigeria’s great statesmanship. Love him or hate him, he is the cause célèbre of Nigeria’s politics today.

Wily, rustic, jovial, cunning, commonsensical, Baba Obj is loved and hated equally by Nigerians.

There is commander-in-chief, an exalted position Baba Obj has occupied the longest in Nigeria. And now there’s ENDORSER-in-Chief, a position he has carved out for himself and enjoys solely.

Since he left office in 2007, his Abeokuta Hilltop Mansion is the place to go by office-seekers, insecure office holders and clout chasers. All you need is one photo opportunity with Baba Obj and your adversaries are put on notice already.

For instance,  since 2007, none has become president without the express endorsement of Obj, aka MATTHEW AREMU OKIKIOLU OLUSEGUN OBASANJO.

After his tenure, he endorsed Umaru Musa Yar’Adua for the presidency of Nigeria, over and above notable Southern contenders like Dr Peter Odili and Donald Duke. A man of much native intelligence, he resisted every pressure and told the world it had to be a northerner: a southern president must hand over to a northern president and vice-versa.

And that was not the first time he showed such nobility of intention and patriotic fervour. In 1979, as a military Head of State, a 42-year-old Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo  willingly and wilfully handed over power to civilians after a period of military hiatus. In his fair and just nature,  he insisted in handing over to a northerner. As a General, he could have handed over to his girlfriend if he was so minded… or stayed put!

But the native fair-mindedness in him led him to tilt towards a northerner in the person of ALHAJI SHEHU SHAGARI. This was against the great AWO, his kinsman who was by a better proposition.

Twice, Obj has acted the SUPER PATRIOT, working in the greater interest of Nigeria against the perverse ane pervasive primordialism of today.

In 2011, Obj supported GOODLUCK JONATHAN to become president of Nigeria. In 2015, he supported MUHAMMADU BUHARI to become president of Nigeria. In 2019, he grudgingly supported ATIKU ABUBAKAR, again, much against his wish. Atiku won but was rigged out by APC rigging machine( in collaboration with INEC).

Today, ahead of the 2023 general elections, Obj has pitched his tent with a certain PETER OBI.

It’s a kind of New Year gift to Nigeria and all hell has been let loose. In a longish and well-crafted letter addressed to the Nigerian youth, Baba Obj openly and plaintively endorsed Obi, the Labour Party candidate and he urged young men and women of Nigeria to take back their country.

Youth lokan, he tells them in derogation of a certain Bola Tinubu, the candidate of the ruling APC who had brazenly and arrogantly claimed that 2023 was his turn (Emilokan). Baba Obj suggests that only an dimwit would insist that the presidency of a country was his right and entitlement.

Not when the country has been taken to the valley of death by the selfsame party claiming entitlement. Obasanjo in his new year missive, therefore supported a smarter, younger and virile candidate Obi against ailing and semi-senile old order candidates.

Obj, the statesman and super-patriot is also worried  about inclusiveness and accommodation for all facets of Nigeria’s ethno-geographic components to sustain the very survival of a nation he loves deeply. A simple matter of equity, fairness and justice to all.

But the grumpy old order cares not about these virtues. Their stock in trade have always been to snatch, grab, cheat and muddle up things. But that era is in its twilight.

The old, gross, era won’t pass without a scuffle. Consider the Presidency in a fit of android mojo described  Obj as a morally squalid and  frustrated man. Why would a former General and two-time head of state be frustrated.

On the contrary, most of Nigerians are frustrated by the overwhelming poverty Buhari and APC have led Nigeria into. Coupled with the fact that very little thinking is currently being imbued into the system.

The APC media on its part, could only muster a hollow  bluster to the effect that nothing can stop  a BAT victory. Childish blah, blah.

On a final analysis, Baba Obj, the endorser-general has done it again as he had done over a dozen times. He has stolen the show… he has torched the coven of the old order and they run helter-skelter.

Osuji is a Columnist, former Editorial Board Member The Nation, and former Special Adviser to former Governor Emeka Ihedioha of Imo State

Ondo Police Command Douses Tension Over Reported Clashes In Two Communities

By
Ayodele Oni
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Nigeria Police Force

By Ayodele Oni

Gale of bloody clashes have been reported in some parts of Ondo state, leaving one person dead.

The incidents happened at Ogbese where the death was recorded in a clash between Fulani and Hausa settlers that engaged in a bloody clash at a popular Market in Akure North Area of Ondo State.

The incident which, started on Tuesday evening and snowballed into a full blown crisis by Wednesday morning, led to the burning down of several shops at the market.

A source said the clash was ignited by a fight between the Fulani settlers in the commercial town.

Another incident at  Ikare-Akoko in Akoko North East Local Government Area of Ondo, was a pandemonium that resorted to sporadic shooting by two rival groups in the area.

It was learnt that the bloody crisis left life-threatening injuries on some members of the duo groups.

It was further gathered that an attempt by a group of youths to stage New Year Carnival at Okoja area which attracted resistance from an opposing section of the community led to the melee.

The town had been engulfed in communal crisis for sometimes which also led to the closure of the Ikare central mosque for several months.

The state police command through the Public Relations Officer, Funmi Odunlami Omisanya, in a reaction however explained that “no clash between Hausa/Fulani in Ogbese. The police got a report that about eight shops were razed by fire at midnight with accusing fingers being pointed at a particular extraction.

“On the issue of Ikare clash, the warring parties have been warned to maintain peace.  Police and soldiers are patrolling the town to ensure law and order within the area. Thanks.”

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