DIG Leads Onslaught Against Killers In Plateau

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April 17, 2025

By Ayodele Oni

After the killing of over 100 innocent souls, Inspector-General of Police, (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has directed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Kwazhi Yakubu, to take charge, coordinate the operations and calm the situation in Plateau state.

The DIG, in line with this directive, has led the police team on aerial surveillance of the Bassa and Bokos areas and is currently engaging stakeholders in the affected areas to reassure them of Police presence while ensuring confidence building.

After a general review of the operation, the IGP has also ordered the immediate deployment of additional police personnel and resources to Plateau State.

These deployments will serve to enhance rapid response capabilities and patrol of high-risk areas, to gather critical information and proactively address potential threats.

The Police team, led by the DIG Operations, has also commenced on-the-ground assessment for the strategic deployment of the additional operational resources.

The IGP condemned senseless killings in the State after his visit on Tuesday expressing sadness over the tragic loss of lives.

He described the acts as utterly reprehensible and a grave assault on the peace and security of the nation.

‎Force PRO, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi in a press statement explained that preliminary investigations and operations in response to these attacks have led to the arrest of two suspects in connection with the killings in Bokkos, who are currently assisting with the ongoing investigation.

“The Nigeria Police Force is diligently working to uncover the motives behind these attacks, identify and apprehend other suspects involved in the killings.”

The IGP assured the residents of Plateau State that the Nigeria Police Force is fully committed to restoring peace and order, and preventing further acts of violence in the State.

“Members of the public are urged to remain calm, cooperate with security agencies, and provide adequate information that may assist in the ongoing investigation.

‎”The Inspector-General of Police once again extends his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and stands in solidarity with the people of Plateau State during this difficult time.

“The Nigeria Police Force is committed to bringing the perpetrators of these heinous crimes to justice and ensuring the safety and security of all citizens in Plateau State.”

South West Governors Shun Politics, Embrace Regional Development – Oyebanji

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Ayodele Oni

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April 17, 2025

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By Ayodele Oni

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has declared that the six South West Governors are collaborating to ensure regional development achievable during the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s regime in the defunct Western region.

Oyebanji pointed out that the six governors are putting behind political differences and collaborating towards ensuring the development of the region.

The governor spoke in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital while declaring open the fifth edition of South West Secretaries to the State Government Forum, tagged, ‘Strategic Partnership for Regional Development’.

Oyebanji explained that the governors under the leadership of his counterpart in Lagos, Babajide Sanwo-Olu are putting ideas and policies together alongside other stakeholders for the socio-economic development of the states.

According to him, the era of state governments independently approaching governance programmes without synergy from others is gone, saying that only through collaboration would afford the region opportunities for economic and social growth.

While emphasizing the strategic roles of the Secretaries to the State Government to the success of any administration, the governor called on the six participating SSGs to remain committed to offering quality and actionable advice to their respective governors.

Oyebanji acknowledged the efforts of the Development Agenda For Western Nigeria (DAWN) commission in the quest for the regional development, revealing that the three areas of focus in agriculture, rail line and AI are critical in changing the narratives and positioning the region for accelerated development.

The governor said, ” I want to commend the DAWN commission for their efforts and job well-done and particularly the three thematic areas in rail line, agriculture and Artificial Intelligence, because this is the game changer. What will happen to us as a race will depend on how we will catch up with the world.

“In Ekiti State, I just met some stakeholders where we discussed how to empanel AI as a tool for our primary and secondary schools,we want to catch them young.

“The establishment of the South West Development Commission(SWDC) is the outcome of collaboration, so between the South West governors Forum, DAWN commission and the SWDC, the three structures should be able to put in place the roadmap for development of our zone.

“The best government we have had as a zone was during Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and it was regional government, when they leverage on the comparative advantages of the regions then to develop South West and everything we depend on today were done during that era.

“There is a limit to what we can do alone and I must commend Governor Sanwo-Olu for leading us well in the region.”

The Director-General, DAWN Commission, Dr. Seye Oyeleye lauded the forum of the SSG, adding that it would provide a platform for sharing ideas and policies towards regional development and progress.

Oyeleye urged the state governments to set machineries in motion alongside the SWDC in implementing the three key areas rail infrastructure, livestock agriculture and Artificial Intelligence as developed by the commission.

He said, “To this end, we immediately embarked on the preparation of comprehensive concept notes and position papers focused on the three critical sectors identified as key to driving our regional transformation: regional rail infrastructure, livestock agriculture, and artificial intelligence.

“This work has been guided by a commitment to excellence and the ambition to position the Southwest as a leader in these strategic areas.To ensure the highest level of expertise and innovation, we have engaged some of the most accomplished professionals and thought leaders in these fields.

“Today, they will share with us their insights and well-researched

strategies through detailed presentations that promise to provide actionable frameworks for development. We selected regional rail infrastructure, livestock agriculture, and artificial intelligence as priority sectors through careful deliberation, not arbitrary choice.

”The Southwest possesses significant comparative advantages in these areas, which also present unique opportunities for cross-state collaboration yielding benefits exceeding what states could achieve independently.”

“Tinubu’s Dereliction Of Duty On Catastrophic Scale” – Atiku Abubakar

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The Source

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April 17, 2025

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“On April 2, 2025, President Bola Tinubu flew out to France. Had this absurd announcement come just a day earlier, Nigerians would have dismissed it as an April Fool’s joke. But sadly, it’s no prank — just another insult to a nation pushed to the brink by a presidency that treats its citizens like fools.

“The official excuse?

“A so-called “working visit.” But Nigerians aren’t buying the spin. The Presidency scrambled to clarify that it wasn’t a medical trip — how noble. But even if it’s not medical tourism, what justification is there for gallivanting across Europe while Nigeria bleeds? What kind of leader borrows billions only to blow scarce funds on vanity trips abroad? It’s not just irresponsible— it’s contemptuous.

“Let the facts speak for themselves. By the time Tinubu struts back from this latest escapade, he will have racked up a staggering 59 days in France since assuming office. “See Paris and die?” No — see Paris and abandon your country.

“While Tinubu dines under chandeliers in the land of good governance, the country he governs is spiraling into chaos.

“Plateau has turned into a killing field — over 100 lives lost in relentless attacks. Benue is bleeding. Boko Haram is seizing territory. And every single day, Nigerians sink deeper into poverty, insecurity and despair.

“This isn’t just negligence. It’s dereliction of duty on a catastrophic scale.

“If Tinubu had even a shred of empathy, he would cut his trip short and return immediately. A leader with an ounce of patriotism wouldn’t need to be begged to show up in times of crisis.

“The constitution says the security and welfare of the people is the primary purpose of government. But under Tinubu, that sacred duty has been trashed.

“Let’s be honest: there is absolutely nothing Tinubu is doing in France that he couldn’t do in Lagos, or even in Iragbiji. This so-called “working visit” is nothing more than a vacation cloaked in official jargon.

“Nigeria is in a full-blown state of emergency. Not a contrived political emergency like what Tinubu declared in Rivers for partisan gain — this is a national collapse.

“So when, exactly, will Tinubu declare a state of emergency on his own disastrous presidency?

“Signed:

Paul Ibe
Atiku Media Office
Abuja”

Simon Ekpa’s Trial Begins June

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The Source

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April 17, 2025

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By Gideon Njoku

A Finnish Court has fixed June 2025 for the beginning of the trial of Simon Ekpa in Finland.

Ekpa, of Nigerian parentage, but a Finnish citizen, was arrested in Finland in November 2024 and clamped into detention over alleged terrorism and incitement of violence in his fatherland, Nigeria, and most especially, the South-east region where he is from.

He is, he claims, an agitator for Biafran Nation, independent of the Nigerian Nation.

However, not a few people doubt his sincerity and agenda given the unprecedented blood letting in the South-east, and the destruction of economic activities and businesses, allegedly, on his orders.

On arrest in November, Ekpa’s assets were frozen by the Finnish authorities, and he was kept in custody at one of the country’s toughest prisons – Kylmakoski Vankils.

However, reports, shared by the BBC Pigeon English, disclosed that Ekpa’s new Lawyer, Kaarle Gummerus confirmed he has received the pre-trial case file and that Ekpa would appear in Court in June.

His first

Lawyer, Ilkka Kopara, is no longer representing him, reports say.

Ekpa came into national consciousness when Nnamdi Kanu, Leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, was arrested in Nairobi, Kenya, by Nigerian Authorities and renditioned to Abuja in 2021. On Kanu’s detention, Ekpa surfaced and declared himself the IPOB Leader’s disciple. He made to take over the leadership, issuing orders. But he soon fell out with the organization and worked at cross-purposes with its leadership.

He was noted for insisting on the much condemned sit-at-home order in the South-east even when IPOB had denounced it. Atimes, it lasted for days and contributed to untold hardships for the people of the zone, capped with blood-letting and violent deaths.

“No Judgement Sacking Sole Administrator Ibas” – Rivers Judiciary

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Adesina Soyooye

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April 17, 2025

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By Adesina Soyooye

The publication that a Federal High Court Port Harcourt, on Tuesday, in a judgement, sacked the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas has been refuted by the State Judiciary.

The report had said that Justice Boma Diepiri of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, in a ruling, sacked Ibas. However, Diepiri is of the Rivers State High Court and not of the Federal High Court.

In a rebuttal on Wednesday, the Chief Registrar of the State High Court, David Ihua- Maduenyi, said no Judge in the State, including tye Honourable Justice Diepiri who was alleged to have delivered the judgement, gave such ruling.

The report on the removal of Ibas was viral on Tuesday in the Social Media.

The rebuttal reads: “The attention of the Rivers State Judiciary has been drawn to a fake news report alleging that His Lordship, Hon. Justice Boma Diepiri, delivered a judgement sacking the Sole Administrator of Rivers State. This is false in its entirety.”

Justice Diepiri, the statement pointed out, is a Judge of the Rivers State Judiciary, and couldn’t have crossed over to the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, to deliver such a ruling. Moreover, the Honourable Judge is on Easter Vacation.

For the records, the statement pointed out, a Federal High Court and a State High Court are two separate entities. In dismissing the whole story as nonsense, the statement noted that the inclusion of Justice Diepiri’s name in the fabricated report, underscores the crass ignorance of the author.”

In the past couple of days, a number of fake stories have been emanating from Rivers State. The most brazen was that Ibas had summoned suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy, Dr. Ngozi Ordu to appear before him to answer to some questions relating to the appointments made in the State since 2023.

Army Appoints Anele First Female Spokesperson

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Adesina Soyooye

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April 17, 2025

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By Adesina Soyooye

Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele has broken the jinx by becoming the first female Spokesperson of the Nigerian Army.

She was, on Wednesday, April 16, appointed by the Army as the Acting Director, Army Public Relations. She succeeds Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, thus becoming the first woman to hold the position.

Lt. Col. Anele is a member of the Direct Regular Course 15. She also attended the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations. She had, before her appointment, attended and completed a six-month strategic course at the Nigerian Army Resouce Centre. Thereafter, Anele was posted to the Department of Civil-Military Relations where she was before her new appointment.

In the course of her career, she had also served as the Public Relations Officer in the office of the Chief of Army Staff.

Her predecessor, Major General Nwachukwu, has been posted to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre.

Kano: How Notorious Killer Voluntarily Submitted Himself

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Suleiman Anyalewechi

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April 17, 2025

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By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Kano State Police Command on Wednesday April 16, 2025, informed that serial killer, and one of the ancient city’s dreaded criminals, Umar Auwal, is now in its custody.

A statement from the Command’s spokesperson, Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, said 20-year old Auwal, popular as Abba Dujal, who have confessed to masterminding countless high profile killings and criminal activities within Kano and Jigawa States, voluntarily turned himself in.

This is as the State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Bakori, called on other criminals to consider following Auwal’s footsteps.

His surrender, however, was said to be a product of intense clearance operations targeting some identified equally high risk criminal enclaves across Kano.

The clampdown on the identified criminal hot spots, Kiyawa noted, is part of a wider ongoing effort aimed at ridding the State of criminal elements and their activities.

“Auwal turned himself in. and admitted to his crimes during the operation”, the Police Spokesman noted.

According to Kiyawa, Auwal, during interrogation, confessed to being involved in several cases of culpable homicide, armed robbery and theft of motorcycles, and mobile phones in different locations in the State.

Auwal, a resident of Wudil local council of the state, was said to have admitted stabbing and killing a man popular as “Boka”, in the Sabon Gari area of Kano metropolis, after snatching his infinix Hot 40 IPhone.

He later disposed of the phone for a paltry N40,000, the police stated.

In the same vein, Auwal confessed to have snuffed life out of one other person in the densely populated Kurna Quarters in Ungogo local council of the state after also snatching the victim’s Samsung S26 phone which he, subsequently, sold for N160,000.

In one of his dastardly interstate operations, Auwal said he killed a man in Ringim town, Jigawa state, stole his motorcycle, and disposed of it at the cost of N300,000.

The Police spokesman assured that Auwal, who is presently cooling his heels in custody, will be prosecuted as soon as investigations are concluded.

CP Bakori lauded Auwal for surrendering himself after all the bouts of criminal activities.

He advised other criminal elements to embrace peace, shun criminal activities.

“Nowhere Did I Ever Summon Governor Fubara” – Rivers Sole Administrator, Ibas

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Adesina Soyooye

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April 17, 2025

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By Adesina Soyooye

The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas, has refuted the viral report that he summoned suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy, Dr. Ngozi Ordu to appear before him for any probe or explanations whatsoever.

“Nowhere did I ever summon His Excellency, Governor Fubara, for any probe”, Ibas said in a statement released Wednesday, 16th April evening which he, personally issued.

The disturbing report which attracted strong condemnations of Ibas went viral Tuesday morning. The report attracted reactions from a cross section of Nigerians including Activist Professor of Law, Chidi Odinkalu and Human Rights Lawyer, Barrister Inebehe Effiong.

While Odinkalu described the summons as a dangerous abuse of power, and stated that “it is quite evident that these bandits are on a lawless mission to impunity, Inebehe

dismissed the summons as “silly and ridiculous” and urged Fubara to ignore it.

The purported summons said to have emanated from a special announcement by the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Professor Lucky Worika, asked Fubara and Ordu to appear before Ibas and justify all the appointments made since 2023 as well as explain why he thinks he should be reinstated as the State Governor.

Why the Rivers State Government did not immediately refute the story as soon as it surfaced on both Social and conventional Media Platforms, and went viral, is not known. But in the refutal, Ibas also debunked another report that he had appointed Mr Chidi Lloyd and Samuel Ishi Nwanosike to any Government office.

Ibas, also, clarified that the Local Government Area Sole Administrators he appointed in defiance of a Court order, have not been administered their oaths of office.

To stem the tide, Ibas said he has ordered an investigation into the source of the series of fake reports attributed to him and his office.

The statement, titled REFUTAL, reads:

“Nowhere did I ever summon His Excellency, Governor Fubara for any probe.

“Nowhere did I ever appoint Mr Chidi Lloyd and Samuel Ishi Nwanosike into any Rivers Government office.

“I have ordered investigations into all the series of online releases making the rounds about unfounded appointments coming from me.

“The LGA Sole Administrators have yet to be administered their oaths of office.”

Ibas was appointed the Sole Administrator of Rivers State on March 18 by President Bola Tinubu following the very bitter political crisis which engulfed the State – a product of the power struggle between Fubara and his estranged political godfather and predecessor, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Police Orders Arrest Of ABC Transport Owner’s Daughter, Declares Her Wanted

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The Source

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April 17, 2025

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By Charles Igbo

One of the daughters of Frank Nneji, founder of the reputable ABC Transport Ltd, Ihuoma Julia Nneji, is in trouble.

She was, late Tuesday evening, declared wanted by the Nigeria Police Force.

This is not the first time the young lady will be a subject of public controversy. A couple of months back, she was engaged in a messy spat with Martins Vincent Ortshe, popular as Very Dark Man. For whatever reasons, VDM had threatened to expose her if she failed to apologise to one man she allegedly tangoed with.

However, it is not known if her current problem has anything to do with VDM and the man on whose behalf he was fighting. But in declaring her wanted as posted in NPF’s official Facebook page, the offences listed were “criminal defamation, injurious falsehood and cyber stalking.”

It was futher alleged that she and her unnamed friends were engaged in cyber-bullying and blackmailing of an Abuja-based

businessman between August and September 2024. Nobody knows yet how serious the cyber bullying and blackmail are, but the NPF secured a Warrant of Arrest order from a Federal High Court, Abuja.

It is, also, not known whether Ms. Nneji is in Nigeria or not as she, allegedly, is also based in the United States of America.

Ganduje: Kwankwaso Seeking Salvation In APC, Declares NNPP Dead

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Akinwale Kasali

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April 17, 2025

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By Akinwale Kasali

Abdullahi Ganduje, National Chairman, All Progressives Congress APC, has labelled opposition Party, New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, as a “practically dead” Party.

The former Kano State Governor noted that the founder and former leader of the Party, Rabiu Kwankwaso is now seeking political redemption in the ruling APC.

Making jest of Kwankwaso, his estranged boss and political ally, Ganduje said he would be welcomed into the APC fold, and described the anticipated move as a kind of homecoming.

Ganduje made the remarks when he received a delegation from the Tinubu Support Group, TSG.

He said; “The NNPP is dead and it will soon be buried. Very, very soon. I am looking at where we will bury the body. The coffin has already been constructed. What remains now is to dig the grave, and already, they are digging the grave. Very, very soon.

“Even at that, the so-called NNPP national leader, he too, he says after losing everyone, he wants to come back to us. We will welcome him because he is coming back home.”