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Edo People Love You, Chukwu, Edo Gov. Aide To Davido, Recants Earlier Remark

By
Ayodele Oni
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Davido

By Ayodele Oni

 

Apostle Kassy Chukwu, an aide to Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, has clarified that his comments on Afrobeats Star, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, was personal and never represented government’s position.

 

Chukwu, in a withdrawal of his earlier threat, apologised to Davido.

 

Chukwu had criticised Davido after the singer reacted to comments made by Okpebholo about Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke during the state’s governorship election.

 

Davido had said Okpebholo’s children should be ashamed of their father following the governor’s remarks about Adeleke.

 

In a viral video, Chukwu clarified that his response to Davido was not made on behalf of the Edo State Government.

 

He also said he did not act on the instruction or approval of Governor Okpebholo.

 

Chukwu explained that he reacted personally because he was offended by Davido’s comment about the governor’s children.

 

 He apologised to Okpebholo for any embarrassment his comments may have caused.

 

Chukwu also begged the people of Edo State, stressing that his comments represented his personal opinion and did not reflect the views of Edo residents.

 

 “I want to apologise to every good-meaning Edoite. And to my brother Davido, I love you. Please disregard my earlier comment.”

 

Chukwu further assured Davido that he was welcome in Edo State.

 

“Edo love you and of course you are welcome home anytime, any day in Edo State.”

 

The governor’s aide also described Edo people as loving and accommodating.

He apologised to residents who considered his earlier video disrespectful or unacceptable.

 

Chukwu added that Okpebholo was a peace-loving governor who did not tolerate violence or disrespect.

 

He also praised the governor’s efforts in improving roads, infrastructure, education and security across the state.

 

According to him, Edo is safe for investors and the state’s nightlife should be revived.

Chukwu again stressed that Okpebholo did not ask him to make the controversial statement.

 

He stressed tbat he had spoken based on his personal opinion and was withdrawing the statement while apologising to the governor, Edo residents and Davido.

IGP Vows More Onslaught On Bandits, Honours Fallen Officers

By
Ayodele Oni
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Tunji Disu at Memorial Parade for the dead police

By Ayodele Oni

 

The Nigeria Police Force has assured Nigerians that the loss of its personnel will not weaken its resolve to confront violent criminal groups.

 

The force also vowed to bring to justice those responsible for the killing of 10 police officers during a gun battle with suspected bandits in Kebbi State.

 

The Inspector-General of Police, (IGP) Olatunji Rilwan Disu, gave the assurance on Monday at a memorial parade held at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, in honour of the fallen officers of the Special Intervention Squad.

 

The officers were killed on August 10, 2026, during an encounter with suspected bandits along the Rafin Makuku axis of Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

 

According to Disu, police personnel had intercepted a heavily armed group of suspected bandits moving between Zamfara and Kebbi states when the confrontation occurred.

 

Ten officers were killed in the ensuing gun battle, while two others sustained injuries. Two civilians also lost their lives.

 

The IGP said the police, however, inflicted significant casualties on the attackers, with at least 17 suspected bandits neutralised and four motorcycles belonging to the group destroyed.

 

Disu described the deceased officers as gallant personnel who paid the supreme price while carrying out their constitutional duty to protect lives and property.

 

“These gallant officers died doing what they swore an oath to do — to serve, to protect, and to defend lives and property.”

 

He maintained that their sacrifice reflected the risks routinely undertaken by police officers across the country to ensure that Nigerians could live, work and sleep in relative safety.

 

The IGP acknowledged the pain suffered by the families of the deceased, noting that every fallen officer represented the loss of a husband, father, son, brother or loved one.

 

He assured the families that the Police Force would not abandon them and would continue to support them in honour of the sacrifice made by their relatives.

 

“To the families of our fallen heroes, I extend, on behalf of the Nigeria Police Force, my deepest condolences. We grieve with you, we stand with you, and we will not abandon you,” Disu added.

 

He also called on Nigerians to remember the 10 officers and thousands of other police personnel who continue to risk their lives in the line of duty.

 

According to him, the sacrifices of security personnel should remind Nigerians of the human cost of confronting banditry, terrorism and other forms of violent crime across the country.

 

Disu assured Nigerians that the police would remain committed to its constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property, stressing that the Force would strengthen collaboration with the Armed Forces, sister security agencies, state governments and communities.

 

He reiterate that the objective was to disrupt criminal networks and prevent them from threatening communities and innocent citizens.

 

The IGP vowed that the loss of the 10 officers would not deter the police from confronting the criminals responsible for attacks on security personnel.

 

“We shall not be intimidated, we shall not relent, and we shall not allow the sacrifices of our fallen heroes to be in vain.”

 

Disu added that the police would continue to pursue criminal elements, disrupt their activities and ensure that those responsible for attacks on police personnel and civilians were brought to justice.

 

The memorial parade, he said, was not only an occasion to mourn the fallen officers but also an oppoIGP rtunity to renew the Force’s determination to strengthen security across the country.

 

He urged police officers to remain resolute in the discharge of their duties and called on Nigerians to support security agencies in the fight against violent crime.

 

Disu said building a safer Nigeria required sustained cooperation among security agencies, government institutions and communities, particularly in areas affected by banditry and other forms of insecurity.

 

He prayed for the peaceful repose of the 10 officers and for God to grant their families the strength to endure the loss.

 

The IGP reiterated that the Police Force would continue its operations against bandits and other criminal groups until they were brought under control, stressing that the sacrifices of fallen officers would remain a source of renewed determination for the Force.

Nigeria Is Not An Islamic Nation – Bishop Oyedepo; “I Was Misquoted” – Jingir

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Bishop David Oyedepo

By Ayodele Oni

 

The President and founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide, popular as Winners, Bishop David Oyedepo, has challenged Islamic cleric Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir over comments reportedly suggesting that Nigeria belongs to the Muslim community.

 

Jingir was said to have made the remarks at a political gathering in Kano State, while explaining his support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket ahead of the January election.

 

The cleric reportedly argued that Muslims constitute the majority in Nigeria and described Christians as a minority.

 

Reacting in a sermon captured in a video circulating online, Oyedepo urged Nigerians to consider the size and influence of major Christian congregations across the country.

 

The Living Faith Church founder referenced prominent Christian ministries, including Redemption Camp, Salvation Ministries and Dunamis, while questioning the basis for describing Nigeria as an Islamic nation.

 

Oyedepo expressed strong disagreement with the claim, arguing that the presence and size of Christian congregations across the country contradict such a description.

 

The cleric also issued a warning about events he said could unfold in Nigeria over the next 12 months, urging Nigerians to pay attention to developments in the country.

 

Meanwhile, Jingir, who is Chairman of the Izalatil Bid’a Wa’ikamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS), has denied claims that he harbours hatred towards Christians, describing such allegations as false and insisting that his recent comments were misunderstood.

 

 Jingir made the clarification while speaking at a one-day national symposium in Jos themed, “Enhanced Political Participation and Social Justice as a Panacea for Unity and Development in Nigeria.”

Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir
Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir

Addressing the controversy, Jingir said his comments were not intended to portray hatred towards Christians or people of other faiths.

 

He explained that Islam promotes love, fairness and justice, regardless of religious affiliation, adding that Muslims would be held accountable for mistreating non-Muslims.

 

Jingir also cited the example of Prophet Muhammad’s peaceful relationship with people of other faiths, urging Nigerians to embrace peaceful coexistence and mutual respect.

 

The cleric further called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, state governors and other political leaders to govern with fairness and justice, regardless of religious or political differences.

 

He urged the President and other leaders to ensure that both Muslims and non-Muslims receive fair treatment while discharging their responsibilities.

Islamic Cleric To Tinubu: Treat Christians And Muslim Equally

By
James Orji
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Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir
Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir
Controversial Islamic cleric, Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, who recently received flacks from Nigerians, over his comment that Muslims are more in numbers than Christians in the country, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure that Christians are well treated in his government.
Sheik Jingir also urge the president  to ensure fairness and justice for all Nigerians, irrespective of their religious, ethnic or political affiliations.
The cleric spoke in Jos at a one-day national symposium themed “Enhanced Political Participation and Social Justice as a Panacea for Unity and Development in Nigeria,” where he dismissed allegations that he harbours hatred for Christians.
The cleric said recent comments he made at a mass wedding ceremony organised by the Kano State Government for 1,500 couples had been misunderstood and misrepresented by some Nigerians.
“I don’t hate Christians”
Addressing the controversy, Jingir said his remarks were never intended to portray Christians or other non-Muslims negatively.
“A lot of people are saying I dislike Christians. I didn’t say I dislike Christians. It is a lie. My remarks were misinterpreted,” he said.
According to him, Islamic teachings emphasise justice, compassion and peaceful coexistence, rather than discrimination against people of other faiths.
He maintained that Muslims would be held accountable for acts of injustice committed against non-Muslims, stressing that Prophet Muhammad lived peacefully with people of different religious backgrounds.
Jingir appealled to political leaders, urging them to rise above partisan, ethnic and religious considerations in the discharge of their responsibilities.
“I call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to cheat non-Muslims and Muslims alike. I also call on you not to cheat those who are not in the same political party with you. You should lead with justice and fairness to all Nigerians,” he said.
His message comes amid continuing debates over religious and political divisions in Nigeria, with the cleric insisting that governance must be anchored on fairness rather than the identity or political affiliation of citizens.
Jingir also defended the right of Nigerians to freely choose their preferred candidates during elections, stressing that political choice should remain a fundamental right.
“Everyone has the right to vote for whoever he feels is okay with him to vote for during an election,” he said.
The JIBWIS chairman further called on Nigerians to embrace peace, unity and mutual understanding, warning that meaningful development would remain elusive in an atmosphere of insecurity and division.
“Without peace, there will be no development,” he said, urging Nigerians to strengthen peaceful coexistence among the country’s diverse ethnic and religious communities.

Niger: Gunmen Raid Five Villages, Kill 40, Abduct 100 Persons

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Gunmen

By Ayodele Oni

 

Coming few hours after gunmen invaded a mosque in Niger state on Friday, suspected bandits in military-style uniforms stormed four villages in the State’s remote Borgu Local Government Area moments after Friday prayers, leaving more than 40 people dead and over 100 abducted in what residents are calling the deadliest attack in the area this year.

 

The rampage tore through Dekara, Gidan Zana, Sabon Gida, and Masaka — communities tucked along the border with Kebbi, Kwara, and the Republic of Benin.

 

Witnesses told the BBC that the attackers rode into Dekara right after worshippers left the mosque.

 

“They gather people in the open, picked out men, women and children, and marched them into the forest,” a resident said. From there, the gunmen fanned out to neighbouring villages, shooting, burning, and abducting.

 

Police spokesman Wasiu Abiodun confirmed the toll: “More than 40 people were killed. Over 100 were abducted. We suspect these are bandits, but the pattern is getting worse.”

 

Local lawmaker Jafar Muhammad Shetiman also confirmed the attacks, warning that the scale and audacity point to something—darker.

 

Officials say Borgu has become a corridor for armed groups — bandit gangs, jihadists, and cross-border fighters — who exploit vast forests and weak security presence.

 

Shetiman raised a chilling alarm: “There are fears that some of these gunmen are now trying to recruit young people in the communities they attack.

 

In recent months, residents say jihadist fighters have entered villages and imposed religious restrictions. The area’s proximity to Benin makes it a safe haven for groups fleeing military pressure in the North West.

 

Earlier this month, 145 people were rescued from kidnappers in Konkoso, Kasuwan-Daji, Tungan-Makeri and Shafachi. Authorities said they were part of 308 people rescued nationwide, including over 160 from neighbouring Kwara. Last week alone, more than 20 people were killed.

 

And in November 2025, gunmen abducted over 200 pupils from a school in Papiri. They were freed about a month later after negotiations.

 

Despite repeated military and police operations, large swaths of Niger State remain inaccessible. Armed groups operate from forested hideouts, striking isolated communities and vanishing before reinforcements arrive.

 

The latest massacre underscores the collapsing security architecture in North Central Nigeria.

 

From kidnapping for ransom, to looting, to alleged ideological recruitment, the Borgu attacks show how criminal gangs and jihadist elements are merging into one deadly force.

 

Governor Umar Bago has yet to make a public statement on the latest killings. Residents say they are living in fear, with many now fleeing to bigger towns.

 

“The forests have become their barracks. Our villages have become their hunting ground,” a community leader in Dekara said.

 

As burial preparations begin and families wait for news of the abducted, one question echoes across Borgu: Who will stop the next attack?

Kogi Probes Death Of Four After Amala Meal

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Poisoned Food

By Ayodele Oni 

 

Following the death of a family of four after a meal of Amala, the Kogi State Government has launched an investigation into the sad incident.

 

The four members of the same family, reportedly died after consuming flour(amala) in Ihima, Okehi local government area of the state.

 

The family’s dog was also reported to have died after eating the same meal, raising concerns about possible food poisoning or contamination.

 

In a statement, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, confirmed that Governor Ahmed Ododo has directed the Commissioner for Health to immediately commence a comprehensive investigation into the tragic incident.

 

Fanwo stated that the governor was deeply concerned and has ordered health authorities to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the deaths.

 

“The investigation must establish the facts and determine whether the food consumed by the deceased was contaminated or whether any other medical or environmental factor contributed to the deaths,” the statement said in part.

 

He added that relevant food samples and other available evidence would be examined in line with established public health procedures.

 

The commissioner said the reported death of the family’s dog after consuming the same food would also form a key part of the investigation.

 

According to Fanwo, the governor has directed the Ministry of Health to collaborate with relevant agencies and stakeholders to ensure a thorough investigation and implement appropriate public health measures based on the findings.

 

He urged residents to remain calm and avoid speculating about the cause of the deaths until the investigation is concluded and verified facts are made available.

 

“The government urges members of the public to remain calm and avoid drawing conclusions about the cause of the deaths until the investigation is concluded and the facts are established by the relevant authorities.”

 

Governor Ododo also commiserated with the bereaved family and the people of Ihima, praying for strength and comfort for those affected by the tragedy.

 

The Kogi State Government assured residents that further information would be released as soon as verified findings emerge from the investigation

Anambra SSG: Gov Soludo Nominated Me As Member Of ‘Fake Agency’

By
James Orji
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0
Charles Soludo
Professor Charles Soludo
The Anambra State Government has  distanced itself from the controversy surrounding a purported Federal Government agency that has been described as fake, explaining how the state became involved in an initiative it believed was an official federal programme.
The Secretary to the Anambra State Government, Chiamaka Nnake, whose photograph and name appeared in connection with the so-called “Made-in-Nigeria Agency,” made the clarification in a statement.
Nnake explained that her involvement began in February 2026, when Governor Chukwuma Soludo nominated her as Anambra State’s focal person for an office that presented itself as operating under the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
According to her, the process initially appeared entirely legitimate.
In January, the state government had received a letter from the purported Made-in-Nigeria Office requesting the nomination of a state focal person.
 Following the governor’s approval, Nnake was nominated, after which she joined a WhatsApp group comprising focal persons from the 36 states.
The group, she said, was used to discuss activities and plans attributed to the purported federal office.
The controversy deepened when the same office approached the State government with a request to host the South-East Made-in-Nigeria Fair.
The request was approved by the state, and an inaugural meeting was subsequently held in Anambra, with the purported national coordinator in attendance.
Preparations then began for the event, which was scheduled for December 2–5, 2026.
But what appeared to be a legitimate Federal Government initiative soon unravelled after the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission raised concerns and discovered that the office was purportedly fake.
The revelation left the Anambra Government in an embarrassing position, having already committed itself to preparations for the proposed fair.
Seeking to put the controversy to rest, Nnake said her participation was limited strictly to the official engagements initiated through the state government.
She maintained that she had no knowledge of, involvement in, or connection with any other activities, claims or developments associated with the purported office.
Her clarification effectively draws a line between her legitimate role as a state-nominated focal person and whatever activities may have been carried out by those behind the alleged fake agency.

Fuel Subsidy Restoration Will Reverse Nigeria’s Economic Gains

By
James Orji
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0
Mohammed Idris - Minister of Information and National Orientation
By Mohammed Idris
 
The renewed call for the restoration of petrol subsidy under any guise demands a clear-eyed examination of what Nigeria has gained from reform and what the country would have to surrender by reversing course.
 
The scale of the problem is important to remember. In 2022, when Nigeria was struggling with declining oil production and weak revenues, the country spent about $10 billion on fuel subsidies. The World Bank also warned that the subsidy was consuming resources that could otherwise have gone into education, healthcare, infrastructure and social protection.
 
This is the system that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu inherited and boldly decided to change.
 
At the Federal Government’s recent presentation of “Nigeria’s Reform Scorecard: The Benefits, Costs and Harms Prevented,” the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr Taiwo Oyedele, disclosed that subsidy savings mobilised N15.8tn in resources for the Federation between June 2023 and December 2025.
 
Of this amount, approximately N5.43tn accrued to the Federal Government, N6.52tn to states and N3.88tn to local governments.
 
It is important to explain these figures honestly. The N15.8tn is not sitting in a government account as a separate pool of cash called “subsidy savings.” It represents resources released within the Federation’s wider fiscal system and made available across the three tiers of government.
 
The additional resources available to states and local governments have strengthened their capacity to meet salaries and pensions obligations and to invest in infrastructure and essential services, including primary healthcare, basic education, roads and other needs. At the federal level, the broader fiscal space created by the reforms has supported major investments and obligations that would have been considerably more difficult to sustain under the old subsidy regime.
 
 
The Federal Government’s Reform Scorecard records approximately N6.47tn in additional expenditure on strategic infrastructure, covering major investments in transport, housing, agriculture, security and other strategic projects. These include major national corridors such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, and the Trans-Sahara Superhighway.
 
The reforms have also made room for significant investments in human capital and social support. Over 10 million Nigerian households have benefited from social transfers. The administration has also extended more than N400bn towards landmark social investment initiatives like the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND (N223.8bn), the MOFI Real Estate Investment Fund, MREIF (N150bn) and the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation, CREDICORP (N50bn).
 
Renewed domestic and foreign investor confidence founded on the reforms has helped make the Nigerian stock market the world’s best-performing in 2026, pushed the external reserves to the highest level in almost 20 years, and helped the country grow oil production to exceed its OPEC quota for the first time in years.
 
The additional fiscal space has also supported wage adjustments, minimum-wage obligations and pensions, while expanding the capacity for investments in education, healthcare, agriculture, electricity, security and other critical areas of national development.
 
Nigeria is also entering a new phase in its petroleum sector, with marked expansion in domestic refining capacity. Reversing policy now will undermine this progress and introduce fresh uncertainty for investors at precisely the time Nigeria should be consolidating domestic refining and strengthening energy security.
 
Our Reform Scorecard also assesses the economic harm that the reforms have helped Nigeria avert. Had the subsidy regime remained unaddressed, petrol scarcity would have returned, pushing prices above N3,000 per litre on the black market. The legacy Ways and Means financing, which stood at about N30 trillion in May 2023 and has since been curtailed, would have doubled to N60 trillion or more. The Scorecard projects that, without the reforms, the inherited situation of 27 States unable to reliably pay salaries would undoubtedly have worsened.
 
There is another important argument being overlooked. Nigeria already carries a second energy subsidy, on electricity consumption, which cost the country an additional N3.14tn between June 2023 and December 2025. This subsidy helps bridge the gap between actual power production costs and the capped tariffs paid by most consumers. Reintroducing a petrol consumption subsidy on top of this would deal a double blow to Nigeria’s fiscal position.
 
The above illustrates an important point: restoring the subsidy would almost instantly return Nigeria to the economic conditions of 2022, recreating the same fiscal pressures, distortions, scarcity and incentives for arbitrage that made the old system unsustainable in the first place.
 
We are not claiming that the reforms have solved all of Nigeria’s economic challenges; there is indeed still much work to be done to translate improved fiscal capacity into better services, jobs, infrastructure and living standards. But the proper response to the hardship associated with reform is not to dismantle the reform; it is to accelerate the benefits – which remains what the Tinubu administration is resolutely focused on.The objective is clear: to move public resources away from subsidising consumption and towards investing in the Nigerian people and the productive foundations of lasting prosperity.
 
This is also why the debate over restoring subsidy must ultimately come down to hard choices. Do we restore petrol subsidy, or sustain student loans and consumer credit for young Nigerians? Do we restore subsidy, or preserve higher allocations to states and local governments? Do we restore subsidy, or continue funding roads, rail, power and security? Do we restore subsidy, or strengthen the fiscal capacity required to expand healthcare, education and social protection for vulnerable Nigerians?
 
It is equally significant that the Organised Private Sector and the wider economic community have cautioned against reversing the reform, recognising that fiscal sustainability, policy stability and a competitive downstream petroleum sector are essential to investment, job creation and economic growth.
 
Nigeria cannot build tomorrow’s economy by returning to yesterday’s unsustainable subsidy regime. We have moved beyond that model.
 
We do not downplay or deny the challenges associated with subsidy removal and other major reforms. President Bola Tinubu and his administration are daily working – and succeeding – at translating these sacrifices into improved living standards, stronger public services and greater economic opportunities for the Nigerian people.
 
Idris is Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Bauchi Police Command Detains Three Vigilantes Over Death Of Suspect

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Nigerian Police

By Ayodele Oni 

 

The Bauchi State Police Command has commenced investigation into the death of a suspect while in detention at the custody of vigilante corps.

 

Already, the Command has confirmed the arrest of three suspects in connection with the death of a male suspect, Abdulrazak Ibrahim in custody of Vigilante office in Bakin Kura area of the State.

 

The Command’s spokesman, SP Nafiu Habib said in a statement that police have opened inquiry into the death of the 39-year-old suspect, who was taken into vigilante custody, following complaint of alleged theft lodged by the victim’s mother, Hauwa Ibrahim.

 

The incident, according to the statement was reported to police on August, 20, 2026 at about 1839hrs by the Chairman of the Vigilante Group, Bakin Kura Local Government.

 

“Preliminary findings by the police revealed that the deceased was invited to the Vigilante Office following a complaint of theft lodged by his mother, one Hauwa Ibrahim, for investigation, recovery of stolen properties, and to identify possible receivers.

 

“It is unfortunate that during the process, Abdulrazak Ibrahim died while in the custody of the vigilantes.

 

“In response, the Command immediately deployed detectives attached to ‘A’ Division Township to the scene”, leading to the arrest of three members of the Vigilante Group on duty at the time of incident.

 

“Physical examination revealed that the body was intact with no visible sign of violence. However, an autopsy will be conducted to ascertain the actual cause of death.

 

“The corpse of the deceased has been evacuated to ATBU Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, and deposited in the mortuary for preservation.”

 

 Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police in the State, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, who sued for calm, ordered a thoroughly investigation to ensure justice is served.

Lawyers Stuck At Oghara–Sapele Road As NBA Raises Alarm, Seeks Urgent Intervention

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Oghara–Sapele Road

By Ayodele Oni

 

The Nigerian Bar Association, (NBA) has raised an alarm as its members and other travelers got stuck in  traffic along Oghara–Sapele Road in Delta State for two days, due to an obstruction caused by two trucks.

 

The NBA called for the immediate intervention of relevant security and traffic management agencies, following reports that lawyers and other travellers heading to Port Harcourt for the 2026 NBA Annual General Conference have remained stranded on the on the highway.

 

In a statement issued on Sunday, and signed by the NBA National Publicity Secretary, Bridget Edokwe, Esq., the Association said it had received reports that the affected travellers had been stranded since the previous day, causing considerable hardship, delays and uncertainty for those travelling to Rivers State for the conference.

 

According to the NBA, two trucks were blocking the roadway, disrupting vehicular movement along the route and leaving lawyers and other motorists unable to continue their journeys.

 

The Association expressed particular concern about the safety, welfare and wellbeing of the stranded travellers, noting that the length of time they had remained on the road could expose them to further risks.

 

“The NBA is deeply concerned about the safety, welfare and wellbeing of all affected travellers,” the statement said.

 

It consequently called on the Delta State Traffic Management Authority (DESTMA), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Traffic Section of the Nigeria Police Force to intervene immediately, remove the obstruction and restore the free flow of traffic.

 

The NBA urged the agencies to treat the situation as an emergency, stressing that travellers had already spent a prolonged period stranded on the road.

 

“We particularly urge the relevant agencies to treat the situation as an emergency, given the prolonged period for which travellers have remained stranded and the potential risks to their safety and security,” the Association stated.

 

It further appealed to all relevant authorities to deploy the personnel, equipment and other resources necessary to clear the road without further delay.

 

According to the NBA, urgent intervention is required not only to ease the traffic gridlock, but also to guarantee the safe and unhindered movement of lawyers and other travellers proceeding to Port Harcourt for the 2026 Annual General Conference.

 

“The NBA further calls on all relevant authorities to deploy the necessary personnel and resources without further delay to resolve the situation and ensure the safe and unhindered movement of lawyers and other travellers proceeding to the 2026 NBA Annual General Conference,” the statement added.

 

While acknowledging the efforts of agencies and personnel working to facilitate safe travel, the Association urged them to act promptly to bring the situation to an immediate resolution.

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