The Nation Newspaper

Category: Saturday Magazine

  • Unlocking the untapped N30trn potential of Nigeria’s livestock sector

    Unlocking the untapped N30trn potential of Nigeria’s livestock sector

    Nigeria’s livestock sector presents a unique opportunity for transformative growth, with the potential to drive economic development, enhance food security and create significant employment. By embracing innovative strategies, private sector investments and robust regulatory frameworks, the industry can overcome current challenges and emerge as a leading player in both local and global markets. In this special report, DANIEL ESSIET delves into the key opportunities, challenges and initiatives that could unlock the sector’s full potential for sustainable growth.

    The livestock industry on a global scale presents significant opportunities for foreign investment and business ventures. According to Statista, a prominent business intelligence organisation, the value of the global meat industry, estimated at $897 billion in 2021, is forecasted to grow to $1,354 billion by 2027. Indeed, the industry plays a crucial role in the agricultural landscape of nations, significantly contributing to economic growth and employment generation.

    In Nigeria, the livestock sector currently contributes 17 per cent to the agricultural gross domestic product (GDP), 5 percent to the national GDP, and accounts for 36.5 percent of protein consumption. The industry offers a diverse array of products, including pork, poultry, eggs, beef, and milk, and provides substantial income-generating opportunities across the value chain, employing 33 percent of the population, which translates to approximately 4.6 million households. Nigeria is home to a wide variety of livestock, including cattle, sheep, goats, poultry, and pigs. There is considerable potential to access international markets by meeting global standards for meat and dairy production.

    With a population of over 200 million people, demand for animal protein is on the rise. As urbanisation increases and the middle class expands, the demand for meat and dairy products is expected to continue growing. The Nigerian livestock industry is valued as a N30 trillion national asset, with a projected growth rate of 1.2% year-on-year through to 2026. However, the sector currently faces significant challenges that hinder its growth and stability. Climate change is a major obstacle, altering environmental conditions and affecting livestock productivity. Additionally, navigating various regulations related to origin traceability and food safety remains complex and burdensome for producers.

    Rising costs of domestic animal feed are a critical concern, driving up production expenses and reducing profitability for farmers. Livestock diseases exacerbate the situation further, negatively impacting animal health, productivity, and access to markets. The spread of disease, coupled with inadequate infrastructure and limited technical knowledge—particularly in areas such as water supply services, veterinary care, and market integration—makes it increasingly difficult to manage these health risks effectively.

    These combined challenges expose livestock producers and traders to heightened risks, threatening the sustainability of the industry and its ability to meet demand for food and other products. Moreover, the reliance on imported raw materials for animal feed, including maize, wheat, and cereals, has contributed to escalating production costs due to rising prices. This surge in costs has significantly eroded the earnings of businesses and cooperatives, causing many prominent local companies to fall behind their international counterparts. Addressing these issues requires comprehensive solutions that enhance resilience to climate change, streamline regulatory compliance, reduce feed costs, and improve infrastructure and expertise in disease management.

    According to projections from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Nigeria’s population is expected to grow rapidly and undergo substantial demographic changes, with estimates suggesting it could reach nearly 400 million by 2050. Nevertheless, Nigeria’s strategic location offers significant advantages, positioning it effectively to meet both regional and global demands for livestock products.

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has emphasised the importance of the livestock sector in Nigeria, recognising it as a key driver of income and economic development. With a diverse range of indigenous livestock breeds catering to a variety of consumer preferences, both domestically and internationally, he highlighted that the sector holds considerable potential to boost the nation’s economy. At the recent two-day Consultative Workshop on Livestock Reforms held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, the President assured Nigerians that his administration would not repeat the mistakes of previous governments, which overlooked the livestock value chain. He stressed that the sector offers numerous opportunities for generating income and enhancing national prosperity.

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    Mr President has underscored the need to reposition the sector strategically to ensure it plays a central role in achieving national goals such as food and nutrition security. He also stated that his government will avoid dependence on dairy imports. He pledged a robust framework to stimulate prosp The livestock sector is critical, and we will give it all it needs to bring value to our country. Stakeholders, I assure you that you will not regret the collaboration and investment in this sector. It is about time that we do it right,” he said.

    He stated that Nigeria’s collective mission is to transform the livestock sector from its current subsistence model into a thriving, commercialised industry erity in the sector, saying his government will revamp and reposition the industry to create employment and attract foreign direct investment. “The livestock sector is critical, and we will give it all it needs to bring value to our country. Stakeholders, I assure you that you will not regret the collaboration and investment in this sector. It is about time that we do it right,” he said.

    He stated that Nigeria’s collective mission is to transform the livestock sector from its current subsistence model into a thriving, commercialised industry. The sector, he added, must make a substantial contribution to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) while providing decent jobs and sustainable livelihoods for the country’s growing population. He further highlighted that with 563 million chickens, 58 million cattle, 124 million goats, 60 million sheep, and 16 million pigs, Nigeria is the leading livestock producer in West Africa.  “Yet, despite this vast resource, we face stark realities,” he lamented. “Our annual production of animal-source foods, like milk at 0.7 billion litres, meat at 1.48 million tonnes, and eggs at 0.69 million metric tonnes, falls far short of our needs. Our per capita consumption levels—8.7 litres of milk, 9 kg of meat, and 3.5 kg or 45 eggs per year—are troublingly low compared to global averages. These are 44 litres of milk, 19 kg of meat, and between 160 and 180 eggs per year. “What is more worrisome to me is the average milk yield by cow breeds managed by our pastoralists: it is a mere 0.5 to 1.5 litres per day, compared to a global average of 6.6 litres per day. We can do much better!” Tinubu lamented further.

    He noted that the long-term neglect of the livestock sector has placed a heavy burden on the country’s import bills, with milk and dairy products alone accounting for $1.2 to $1.5 billion annually. To place Nigeria’s livestock sector on a path towards sustainable development and greater economic contribution, the President has established a special Ministry of Livestock Development. The creation of this dedicated ministry is seen as a pivotal step toward addressing the challenges confronting the country’s livestock sector. Its primary role will be to oversee and facilitate the sustainable growth of the industry, ensuring that it contributes significantly to the nation’s economy. With the resources that will be allocated to it, stakeholders believe the newly established ministry will be able to implement a range of focused policies and investments. These will target key areas such as productivity, trade and value addition, climate adaptation and mitigation, as well as improving governance within the sector.

    One of the key figures is the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara. Dogara emphasised the importance of focusing on increasing the self-sufficiency of beef production within the livestock sector. He believes that by doing so, Nigeria can reduce its reliance on beef imports and better meet the growing domestic demand for beef. Speaking at a town hall meeting on “Tax Reform Bills: Charting the Way Forward,” hosted by a national television station, Dogara acknowledged that President Bola Tinubu has taken a significant step in addressing the challenges facing the livestock sector.

    His words:  “There is no northern leader of my lifetime that has done what the President has done for the North with the creation of the Ministry of Livestock Development. This is a sector with a global market size with potential for diary, beef. In the next three years, the value of the industry will rise to $2.5 trillion. If in the North we are able to organise ourselves, in such a way they we can capture just 5 per cent of the global market size in terms of dairy and beef production, that gives us $250 billion; we don’t need VAT from any state in Nigeria to survive. The North can survive on its own. We are the most endowed part of Nigeria.”

    He stated that the livestock sector holds vast potential, emphasising that its growth would play a crucial role in strengthening the national economy. Dogara’s vision for creating a robust livestock sector, one capable of driving economic growth, providing more jobs, and improving food security, aligns with the goals set by the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, as outlined in his remarks upon assuming office on November 4.

    The Minister reiterated his determination to chart a new path for the sustainable development of the livestock sector, focusing on policies and initiatives that will foster growth and address existing challenges. He posited: “As you are aware, livestock is not just a sector; it is a way of life for millions of Nigerians and a vital component of our food security, rural development, and cultural heritage. Our mission, therefore, is not just to grow this sector but to transform it into a sustainable, resilient, and inclusive ecosystem for the private sector actors to thrive. As a practicing livestock farmer, I am not oblivious of the challenges facing this sector. From limited and high cost of quality feed to disease outbreaks, farmer-herder’s conflicts, over grazing, ageing stocks, climate change, limited access to credit facilities and modern technologies and inadequate infrastructure just to mention but a few.

    “These are significant hurdles, yet I believe they are not insurmountable. This journey will require smart work, collaboration, and innovative thinking. I am confident that with the experience and expertise within this Ministry, we can make significant strides towards unlocking the true potential in the livestock sector in no distant time. One of my top priorities is to ensure that our policies and programmes empower stakeholders within the sector, from smallholder farmers to large-scale producers. We shall work to create an enabling environment that allows for investment, climate smart livestock farming, modernization and commercialisation.”

    The Ministry aims to attract private sector investment to establish commercial farms, tanneries for the export of processed hides and skins, breeder stock, poultry abattoirs, and other related enterprises. The minister reiterated that the goal is to create a solid foundation that will prepare the country to become a global leader in the livestock sector through private sector-led growth. Nigeria boasts approximately 415 identified grazing reserves, covering a total of 4.3 million hectares, all located in the northern states. However, only about 141 of these reserves are officially gazetted and legally secured. This presents both opportunities and challenges in terms of securing grazing areas for pastoralists. In addition, there are emerging clusters of agro-pastoralists in southern states, including the Iseyin-Igangan axis in Oyo State, the Adada-Nkpologu-Adani-Iggah axis in Enugu State, and the Awgu-Nkanu-Abakaliki axis in Ebonyi State. Analysts believe the existence of these clusters reflects the growing presence of livestock farming beyond the traditional northern regions, highlighting the expansion of agro-pastoralism in southern Nigeria. This shift represents an opportunity to diversify and expand the scope of livestock production across the country, although it also presents challenges in terms of infrastructure and resource management.

    The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Federation of Agricultural Commodities Association of Nigeria (FACAN), Dr. Victor Iyama, emphasised that revitalising Nigeria’s livestock industry requires a systems approach. He noted that engaging small-scale livestock producers from all parts of the country is essential for ensuring the industry’s sustainable growth. Key components of this revitalisation, according to Dr. Iyama, include improving animal breeding, enhancing production systems, and addressing challenges related to land, water, and grazing management across the major regions of the country. Drawing on the success of Australia, he suggested that the establishment of large and medium-sized ranches and dairy farms across Nigeria could be pivotal in transforming the country’s livestock industry into a more sustainable and profitable sector. He reiterated that the involvement of small-scale livestock producers is crucial to creating a critical mass that will drive the industry’s long-term success.

    The immediate past Director of the African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), Dr. Nick Nwankpa, emphasised the significant role that extensive livestock production industries play in Nigeria’s economy. He believes that continuous improvements in animal husbandry and production efficiencies could greatly benefit the livestock sector. A key approach to achieving this growth, according to Dr. Nwankpa, is the establishment of large and medium-sized ranches and dairy farms focused on producing weaners, in-calf heifers, and young breeding bulls. These initiatives, he and other stakeholders assert, would not only provide stock for new start-up farms but also promote the genetic upgrading of indigenous animals.

    Udeme Utuk, a prominent livestock expert, is at the forefront of advocating for the sector’s potential. Sharing Dr. Nwankpa’s optimism, Utuk believes that the livestock industry—particularly dairy farming—has the capacity to significantly increase Nigeria’s annual milk production. This, in turn, could play a key role in strengthening the nation’s economy, particularly through improved production efficiency and greater market competitiveness.

    At its optimal levels, Dr. Nwankpa pointed out, the livestock sector could support greater employment, foster entrepreneurship, provide high-quality food, and generate income—provided operators have access to adequate information on markets, technology, research, support services (including livestock-related technical skills), and finance for the production of animals and plants for human use. Among the key recommendations for developing Nigeria’s livestock sector is the establishment of regional dairy development centres, which would greatly benefit milk production and value addition in the country. AU-IBAR has maintained a valuable partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to explore avenues for better collaboration and coordination with the Ministry of Livestock Development on critical issues related to the livestock sector, animal health, agriculture, and sustainable development. The key priority areas and strategies include enhancing animal health, promoting sustainable livestock production, and improving disease control. In collaboration with AU-IBAR’s Resilient African Feed and Fodder Systems (RAFFS) and the Africa Pastoral Market Development Platform (APMD) projects, the FAO is working closely with the Federal Government to enhance livestock productivity, boost trade, and improve the livelihoods and resilience of pastoralists across the country.

    At the First APMD Analytics and Implementers Engagement Workshop in Abuja, the Director of AU-IBAR, Huyam Salih, emphasised the importance of implementing the Africa Pastoralist Market Development (APMD) initiative. She stated that the initiative represents a collective commitment to transforming Africa’s pastoral sector. Salih highlighted that the primary goals of APMD include boosting livestock productivity, improving the livelihoods of pastoralists, and promoting regional cooperation across the continent. Represented by the Project Coordinator of APMD, Prof. Ahmed Elbeltagy, the Director explained that the platform embodies “our aspiration to elevate the role of pastoralism in inclusive economic growth, sustainable development, and enhanced livelihoods.”

    She added, “Pastoral livestock plays a pivotal role in Africa’s social and economic fabric, providing food, income, and security for millions of people. However, the sector continues to face challenges, including climate change, limited market access, and policy gaps. The implementation of the APMD Platform will allow us to overcome these barriers. By fostering collaboration and embracing innovation, we can unlock new pathways for sustainable growth. This analytics and iimplementers’ workshop marks an essential step in developing the detailed implementation plan and strengthening pastoral communities and stakeholder’s contribution to the process of sector transformation.” Stakeholders have called for the establishment of dedicated zones to enhance livestock breeding, within a comprehensive development plan aimed at transforming the sector. This plan, driven by private sector-led growth, seeks to cultivate a vibrant industry capable of meeting local demand, securing a larger share of livestock exports, meeting international quality standards, and achieving double-digit growth by 2025. There is an increasing demand for effective regulatory frameworks that ensure transparency and accountability in livestock production practices.

    One such advocate for change is the Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya. She has been at the forefront of efforts to implement innovative strategies that tackle the challenges facing livestock production in the state. In Lagos, she has worked closely with various stakeholders to promote accountability in the transportation of livestock, both within the state and to other regions. This collaborative initiative has led to the development of detailed guidelines for the safe handling of animals during transportation, ensuring their well-being throughout the process.

    Overall, the livestock industry faces a variety of challenges, but also significant opportunities for expansion, particularly in areas such as cattle breeding and beef production. A key focus is the establishment of nursery stables for distributing high-grade cows to farmers, alongside breeding centres equipped with top-quality bulls to improve the genetic stock. These centres would offer artificial insemination services, enabling farmers to enhance their herds and boost productivity.

    The private sector, especially large and medium-sized farms, has substantial potential to increase beef production. However, farmers require targeted support to realise this potential fully. This includes technical advice to guide best practices, alongside financial assistance to purchase essential resources. Access to credit for buying seeds, fertilisers, livestock buildings, and cattle is crucial to enabling farmers to improve their productivity and efficiency. With these measures in place, Nigeria’s livestock industry could make significant strides towards becoming a key player in both local and international markets.

    In conclusion, the livestock sector in Nigeria stands at a pivotal crossroads, with immense potential for growth and transformation. By harnessing the collective efforts of stakeholders, including government bodies, the private sector, and local farmers, the industry can overcome its current challenges and realise its full potential. Strategic initiatives, such as the establishment of breeding zones, the creation of breeding centres, and the promotion of transparency in production practices, are crucial to positioning Nigeria as a global leader in livestock production. With targeted support in areas like infrastructure, technical expertise, and financial resources, the sector can not only meet domestic demands but also expand its footprint in international markets. If the right measures are taken, Nigeria’s livestock industry has the capacity to become a key driver of economic growth, job creation, and food security, paving the way for a prosperous and sustainable future for all stakeholders involved.

  • PoS platforms to the rescue of Niger, Sokoto rural communities

    PoS platforms to the rescue of Niger, Sokoto rural communities

    In many rural areas in Nigeria, poor network connectivity and the lack of bank services hinder efficient financial transactions. The situation has forced people to often depend on Point-of-Sale (PoS) platforms to meet their financial needs. In this report, JUSTINA ASISHANA explored the impact of such a payment system in some communities in Niger and Sokoto states.

    Limited access to banks

    In the Lavun Local Government area of Niger State, there is only one bank, the United Bank for Africa (UBA), which is located at the local government headquarters, Kutigi.

    The local government, which has about 13 communities, relies on PoS services for their financial transactions. They are also able to send and receive money from different parts of the country, buy mobile data and transact business.

    Travelling to the bank incurs significant transportation costs, making banking often unattractive.

    Haruna Mohammed from Danchitagi Community said PoS payment systems have come in handy.

    “We appreciate the PoS operators much because they help us. We are too far from the bank. If you want to go to the UBA, which is about 75 km away from here, we pay about N3, 000 to N4, 000 for transportation.

    “Without the PoS operators, we would not have been able to survive financially in this community. Our relatives outside the community can send us money and we receive it from the PoS operators,” he said.

    In Sokoto State, several of the banks are in the centre of the town which is between 50 and 75 kilometers from several communities in Sokoto’s main town.

    Usman Alerio from Gagi Community said when it comes to financial transactions; going to the PoS operator is easier for them in the community than going to the banks.

    “It is close to us and it serves us. It is easier than going to the bank. It reduces the cost of transportation. It favours me. In this community, there are no banks nearby. Most of the banks are in the centre of the city, PoS is better than going to the banks,” he said.

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    A 72-year-old Yusuf Muhammad, in the Tamadi Community in Sokoto State, said that his three children live outside Sokoto, and he has been able to benefit from the services of PoS operators as he had not stepped into banks after he opened his account, but could receive the money his children sent to him through the PoS operators.

    “I don’t bother to go to the bank. As far as my ATM card is still valid and I know my PIN, I can withdraw my money from the PoS people. It is easy and better for me,” he said.

    Denis Felix in Tamadi Community said that services from the PoS operators are fast and easy since there is no bank in his community.

    “To access a bank, you may have to transport yourself from Tamade to the town which will cost about N2, 000. I prefer to go to the PoS operators. I also go to the bank once in a while,” he said.

     Impact on daily lives

    PoS services are integral to the economic activities of these communities. In areas such as Rigi Sambo and Tudun Wada, they support business transactions and personal financial needs, including receiving money from relatives. Without PoS service, many residents say they would face significant hardships.

    PoS services help in bridging the financial digital divide as they connect remote communities to digital payment ecosystems, fostering financial inclusion and economic growth. PoS technology streamlines transactions and boosts local enterprises.

    PoS is working to close the financial exclusion gap in communities that might have been left behind in the digital revolution.

    Challenges with PoS systems

    Despite their reliance on PoS machines, residents highlighted the need to improve network connectivity and reduce failed cash transactions and cash availability.

     Residents and PoS operators alike face challenges. Poor network connectivity often disrupts transactions, leaving customers with debits that do not reflect on one of the parties’ systems.

    Abdullahi Musa from the Jima Community said that using PoS services becomes frustrating when there are failed transactions.

    “There are times that you want to withdraw money, it will debit your account, but on the PoS, it will show as unsuccessful. It has happened to me several times. Sometimes they tell me to wait for 24 or 28 hours, when it would be reverted but after waiting without it being reverted, I have to go to the bank to file a complaint so that I can be reimbursed,” he said.

    Adejo Joseph, a PoS operator in the Tudun Wada Community in Sokoto, noted that these days, there is cash scarcity and a lack of adequate network connectivity, which sometimes makes it difficult for him to conduct transactions.

    “You know, these days, even in banks, you cannot withdraw a certain amount, but from us, the withdrawal limit is addressed as the people can get more money from the PoS services. Another challenge we face includes declined transactions where the customer is debited but we are not credited. Sometimes, it becomes very rowdy. Telling them that they will need to make a complaint at the bank is challenging. Also, network problems from network providers and from the banks are often frustrating,” he said.

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in 2018 directed all banks to refund all failed electronic transactions within 24 hours, but several people who spoke to our correspondent said their monies were not refunded until they went to the banks to make complaints.

    Solutions

    Ubanjin Ahmed, a financial expert in Minna, said that PoS services have increased financial inclusion down to the last mile customer regardless of geographical location, adding that the coming of PoS operations to communities has helped in fostering digital financial inclusion and that the PoS terminals encourage seamless cashless transactions, boosting digital public goods (DPG) adoption.

    While speaking to MFWA DPI Journalism Fellows during its training in Abuja, the Head of Digital Skills and Services in the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), Hauwa Wakili said that broadband penetration is still at 42 per cent as of October 2024; saying that NCC is working to achieve a national broadband plan of 70 per cent by 2025.

    She said that sometimes lack of connectivity is caused by vandalism which is a big menace in the telecom sector.

    “Sometimes, when we experience this lack of connectivity, it is as a result of activities of vandals; not vandalism only on fiber cuts, but also vandalism on base stations and vandalism on towers. That is how bad it is.

    “It is so rampant. We experience about 24,000 fibre cuts in one year; which makes it 65 fibre cuts in a day. One fibre cut in a state could affect another or even regions. It could have a ripple effect in regions. And so, you have that downtime,” she stated.

    She said that the fibre cuts also affect the quality of service, even as she lamented that it has been increasing over the years and it is a very big challenge for the telecoms industry and consumers who use telecoms services as several of them would not be able to transfer or receive money or engage in any financial transactions when this fibre cuts occur.

    • This report is produced under the DPI Africa Journalism Fellowship Programme of the Media Foundation for West Africa and Co-Develop.

  • 15 killed in Plateau attack

    15 killed in Plateau attack

    No fewer than 15 people, including women and children, have been killed by attackers in Gidan Ado village, Ganawuri Chiefdom of Riyom Local Government of Plateau State.

    It was gathered that the victims were killed about 8pm on Sunday night .

    National President, Irigwe Youth Development Association Mr Ezekiel Bini, who confirmed the killing, condemned the attacks, describing it as barbaric. He said the coordinated killing of innocent persons less than 48 hours to the Christmas celebration was unacceptable.

    He called on the security agencies and government to curtail any security challenge and protect the citizens ahead of the Christmas and new year celebration.

    The Police Command had last Thursday taken security measures ahead of Christmas and restricted in five local government areas from 6pm to 6am to avert security challenges.

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    Chairman of Riyom Local Government, Sati Shuwa, who visited the village in company of his Deputy, Gwong Song and Secretary, Abraham Tongjing, also condemned the act.

    Shuwa, who attended the mass burial of the dead, who included a pregnant woman and one year old child, said it was sad, especially as the local government held a security meeting with stakeholders, security agencies, community leaders on their peaceful existence less then 24 hours before the incident.

    He expressed sadness that despite the meeting, some people still went ahead and put tears in the heart of the villagers.

    He said with evidence and a visit of the General Officer Commanding (GOC) to the scene, drastic measures would be taken to arrest the perpetrators.

    The first traditional ruler of Ganawuri Chiefdom, Ata Aten Yakubu Chaimang and National President, Ateng Development Association, Clement Chup also condemned the killings.

    Governor Caleb Mutfwang had been preaching peace ahead of the yuletide before the incident occured.

    Last December, close to Christmas, over 300 persons were killed in Mangu Local Government Area.

  • Ibadan fire: Couple, grandson cried to their death – Neighbours

    Ibadan fire: Couple, grandson cried to their death – Neighbours

    Residents of Omotara’s Compound, Ori Eru, Idikan, in Ibadan North West Local Government Area of Oyo State have revealed how a 60-year-old man, known as ‘Baba Yunus’, his wife, and their eight-year-old grandson, Samuel, were burnt to death Friday morning in their house.

    The residents described the incident as devastating, and sorrowful, saying that the deceased cried till they died.

    The residents said they couldn’t rescue them because of the burglary on their window which was the only exit point  for them when the fire started.

    Some of the residents, who spoke in tears with our correspondent, noted that  the fire was so fierce  that no one could move close to it.

    One of the residents, Bose Ayinde, who also lived inside the house that got burnt said, “The fire started at midnight when we had all slept. We suddenly heard a loud voice “e gba wa o! e gba wa o (save us , save us)!  We even thought it was thieves that came to our house. We woke ourselves announcing that thieves were around but we subsequently found out that our house had caught fire.

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    “When we rushed out, we realised it was a fire, we couldn’t help the victims because the fire was so severe to the extent that no one could  even move close to it. We are very sad because the husband, wife and their grandson got burnt to death.”

    Also bemoaning the heartrending incident, Alfa Aliu Omotara, who resides in a house directly opposite the burnt house said, “We suddenly heard the victims shouting fire, fire, around 3am.  The fire started from their parlor. All our efforts to rescue them proved abortive.

    “NEPA used to give us light between 12:30am to 6:30. When the fire started, the victims started shouting for help.  The couples slept inside the room but the fire started from their parlour, so, there was no other exit point for them to go out except through the parlour because the exit point in the room had been blocked with loads.

    “If the exit door inside the room was free, though the victims’ belongings would burn, they would have  escaped.  Their efforts to escape through the window proved abortive because of the burglary on the window, the wife died first, the husband and son came to the window shouting for help, we were downstairs looking at them upstairs, but we couldn’t help them because the fire was so ferocious  that no one could  even move close to it.

    “It’s been over 60 years since the house was built. The owner of the house was a friend to my father. Baba Yunus and his wife were good people.  They were easy going. For  over 10 year they that they lived in this area, no one ever heard them fighting.

    “The incident was a bitter and sorrowful experience for people in this area. People should be careful with fire, particularly electricity.

    Also speaking, another resident, Mrs Dupe Ajibade said, the incident was a sad development because those who lost their lives were good persons, particularly the wife. She was so lovely and kind.

    “The incident happened around 3am when we heard a loud noise. If not for people in the area that tried their best to curtail the fire, all houses close to the area would have got burnt.

    “The house had already being razed before the arrival of fire fighters. The incident was a great loss. We burst into tears when the  bodies of the deceased were laid on the ground.

    “We heard the husband was cooking with a hot plate but slept off during the process. The husband, a 60-year-old, was a bike rider, while his wife sold provisions.”

  • Woman throws 10-month-old baby into river over friends’ mockery in Delta

    Woman throws 10-month-old baby into river over friends’ mockery in Delta

    A young lady identified as Blessing Jonathan, has been arrested for throwing her 10-month old baby, Prevail, into a river at Aviara, Isoko South Council area of Delta State.

     It was gathered that Blessing, whose age could not be ascertained, committed the crime on October 31.

     The suspect said her action was borne  out of “anger,” following taunts and insults from her peers.

     She claimed that her friends and other women mocked her by making derogatory remarks that she had a “fatherless child”. 

     Unsettled and angered by their uncharitable remarks, Blessing resolved to throw the baby into a river.

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     Her evil deed wasn’t discovered immediately as  the Police only received report of the missing baby early December, when report of the floating corpse made the rounds.

     On retrieving the corpse, it was discovered to be the remains of the missing child.

     Confessing to the crime, the suspect said she didn’t know  what came over her to carry out such dastardly act and that she “misses” her baby.

     The State Police spokesman,  SP Bright Edafe,  said she would be charged to court soon.

  • Police bust kidnap gang, nab five for other offences

    Police bust kidnap gang, nab five for other offences

    The Police Command in Enugu State says its operatives have busted a kidnapping gang hideout and nabbed five suspects for burglary and car stealing within the state.

    The Command’s Spokesman, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, made this known in a statement on Saturday in Enugu.

    Ndukwe said that the feat was achieved following intensified fight against crime this yuletide.

    According to Ndukwe, multiple operations carried out by the command have led to recovery of firearms, ammunition, military uniforms and stolen items, including a car.

    He said that on Dec.15, a combined team of operatives from Nsukka Area Command, acting on intelligence, raided a kidnapping gang’s hideout in Nru community within Nsukka council area.

    “The suspects engaged the operatives in a gunfight, but fled with gunshot injuries under superior police firepower.

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    “A loaded revolver pistol, a cut-to-size single-barrel gun, two live cartridges, military camouflage uniforms, a Moniepoint POS machine and ATM cards were recovered.

    “Preliminary investigations revealed the gang’s involvement in a recent case of kidnapping and other heinous crimes in the Nsukka axis. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.”

    The command spokesman said that in a different operation, on Nov. 14, operatives from the Abakaliki Road Police Division of the Command arrested four burglary suspects.

    “The suspects had burgled and stole bicycles, laptops, phones and other items from a house in GRA, Enugu.

    “The stolen items were recovered, while the suspects confessed to the crime,” he said.

    Ndukwe noted that operatives from the Central Police Station in early December, apprehended a suspect for stealing a red Volkswagen Passat car from where it was parked inside premises of a church at Coal Camp, Enugu.

    He said that the car was recovered, while the suspect confessed to the crime.

    “The state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Kanayo Uzuegbu, has reaffirmed the Command’s unwavering commitment to ensuring public security and safety in Enugu State during the festive period and beyond.

    “He urges citizens to remain vigilant, report suspicious individuals and their activities, and also cooperate with law enforcement agents to maintain peace and security across the state,” he said.

  • Killings continue over disputed Ebonyi land

    Killings continue over disputed Ebonyi land

    •Warring parties shun Supreme Court judgment

    The Southeast region is believed to have an exploding population without a corresponding land mass to accommodate it. As a result, numerous land disputes have broken out over time in many communities.

    While some of these clashes are inter-state and are believed to be caused by the creation of new states by past military regimes, many others are between communities within one particular state and in many cases within same local government area.

    Some of these disputes, which in some cases have spanned many decades, have turned violent, leading to loss of lives and destruction of properties. However, in a bid to avert bloodshed, a few of these disputes have been litigated in court.

    One of such is the land dispute between Okwor in Ishiagu and Umuobor in Akaeze, two communities located in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. The two communities are generally regarded as brother towns because they speak basically the same Igbo dialect and have similar cultural practices and customs.

    The two communities bordering the two towns, Okwor and Umuobor, had lived in peace for many years until a land dispute arose over 50 years ago over a fertile parcel of land at the border known as Elueke land.

    Court judgment

    Perhaps in a bid to avert bloodshed and violence, Okwor community had filed a law suit in court in the 1980s. In a lead judgment, Justice Araka J ruled that the land belonged to the defendants, namely Umuobor community.

    Not satisfied with the ruling, Okwor headed for the Appeal Court, but the appellate court, in its judgment delivered by Justice Nnaemeka-Agu and concurred to by Justices Ogundare and Macaulay, affirmed the trial court’s decision and declared that the Umuobor community is the rightful owner of the disputed land.

    Still not satisfied, Okwor community headed for the Supreme Court, but the apex court in a judgment delivered by Justice Ephraim Akpata, affirmed the decisions of the lower courts. “On the whole, the appeal fails. It is accordingly dismissed. The judgment of the Court of Appeal affirming the decision of the trial court is hereby upheld,” Justice Akpata stated.

    Other Justices of the court in the panel include Justices Adolphus Karibi-Whyte, Saidu Kawu, Abubakar Bashir Wali and Uche Omo.

    Violence continues despite court judgments

    But the judgments delivered by the courts have failed to bring lasting peace to the communities as violent clashes have continued to occur intermittently over the land. Penultimate Monday, four persons were reportedly killed in a fresh outbreak of violent clash that started about two months ago after a woman and a labourer were abducted and killed in the farm.

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    The incident has since sparked series of attacks and counter attacks between the two communities leading to the death of many persons from both parties.

    A source in Umuobor claimed that the four people killed recently were abductees of the Ogwor warriors. At the last count, no fewer than 10 person have been killed since the commencement of the clashes with more than 10 others reportedly missing.

    Reports say that the clashes were reignited following recent alleged attacks by the people of Ogwor on Umuobor community while they were harvesting their crops on the contentious land. Many people received gunshot injuries and machete cuts and had to be rushed to hospital in an attack that occurred in August.

    Shortly after that, another attack was carried out on the community during which a woman and a labourer were killed on a farmland. The slain woman hailed from Ogwor community while the labourer, said to hail from Ezza clan in the state, was helping her to cultivate the farm.

    The incident, as would be expected, angered Ogwor people who allegedly retaliated by killing some members of Umubor community while some others sustained grievous injuries.

    Prior to the clashes, security agents and Chairman of the local government, Emmanuel Ajah, had asked the two communities to refrain from going into the land until further notice; a decision that was ignored.

    Victims narrate ordeal

    Chukwu Chibuike, who received gunshot wounds in the face and other parts of his body, told our correspondent that he had gone to the farm to harvest potatoes when he was attacked.

    Chibuike said: “I was harvesting potatoes when I saw a group of men coming towards me and I was scared because they painted their faces with charcoal and wore clothes I couldn’t understand.

    “They told me not to run. They were armed and I was afraid of them. So, when they were coming very close to where I was, I started running because I couldn’t withstand such armed men.

    “As I was running, I didn’t know that some of them were stationed in different locations, including bushes. Immediately I burst to the road I was trying to follow to escape, I was shot in the face and I fell down.

    “When I fell down, they thought I was dead. One of them said, ‘I didn’t miss target, I have killed him.’

    “When they came back to where they had shot me, they did not see me, so they started wondering where I was. By that time, I had run into the bush and they started tracing me with the blood from the bullet injuries I sustained.

    “They started quarrelling with the guy that shot me and boasted he never missed his target, asking him why he deceived them that he killed me when he did not.

    “They told him that they did not want anybody they shot to escape and that they wanted whoever they shot to be buried so that the body of the person would not be found.

    “They started tracing my blood because my blood was dropping as I was escaping.

    “When I noticed that they were tracing my blood, I tore my clothes and tied my face to control the blood.

    “I also tied all other parts of my body that the stray bullets hit, so blood stopped dropping on the ground. I ran very fast and saw them where they were looking for me.

    “I got to another community, followed a road that links the community to my own and continued trying to escape.

    “I fell down there because of the severe pains I was having on the head as a result of the bullet wounds. I was lying there when some people saw me and carried me to the hospital.

    “By that time, I was unconscious.

    “When I regained consciousness, I discovered that I was in the hospital.

    “At the time I was running to escape, they were saying, ‘let them be going to the government. After government decides, we will decide our own in the bush here because government cannot decide for us.’”

    Another victim from Umuobor, Uzoma Chukwu, said the armed men accosted him as he was riding to the market on his motorcycle to buy some goods and ordered him to park his bike.

    He said the assailants also blocked the Okigwe/Afikpo highway where they searched and abducted another man from Akaeze and tortured both of them.

    He explained that he and the other victim that was also tied to a tree beside him were bundled into a vehicle and taken to a police station after they had been tortured.

    Chukwu said: “I told them that I was going to the market to buy the belts that I sell, but they responded that I was a dead person; that my people were killing their own people and I must be killed too.

    “They started torturing me and dragged me to a place. I forcefully passed urine there because of the torture.

    “They moved me from there to where they tied me to a tree. They waited for some time and brought a tyre, put fire on it and started dropping the tyre fire on my head.

    “Some were hitting me with machetes while others were dropping the fire on my head.

    “There was also another Akaeze person they tortured and he was also tied to a tree. The guy was returning from Owerri and boarded a truck.

    “They ordered a woman that was in the truck to alight, beat her up and told her to go. Then they took the guy and started torturing him. They opened the guy’s laps with the fire from the tyre, took both of us into the bush and continued torturing us.

    “After torturing us, they called someone to come and carry us to the police station and the person came with a vehicle that was playing loud music. We were pushed into the vehicle and taken to the police station. The person was the general chairman of Ishiagu.

    “We were blindfolded and taken to Ishiagu police station. When they got to the police station, they uncovered our faces and the DPO started quarrelling with them, asking why they treated us that way.”

    Community leaders trade blame

    The Chairman of Umuobor community, Nkemakolam Johnson, accused Ogwor community of violating the directive from the authorities that restrained both parties against activities on the land.

    Johnson said: “Ishiagu people took over our land and we went to court and challenged it up to the Supreme Court and got a judgment against them, but Ishiagu people insisted that they cannot leave the land for us.

    “They have been attacking us, killing us and using machetes on us.”

    But his Ogwor counterpart, Emmanuel Ajah, said that the disputed land at Elueke belongs to his community. According to him, it was given to a man from Umuobor by their Ogwor forefathers in the olden days for farming to enable him feed himself when he was banished for seven years for committing a crime against the Umuobor community.

    He noted that when the man returned to Umuobor after the seven years in exile, he came with many food items that he harvested from the land that was given to him by their Ogwor forebears. The Umuobor people were happy and urged him to take them to the land and he did so, he said.

    According to Ajah, the Umuobor people refused to be doing what kept their kinsman on the Elueke land by performing traditional rites as a licence to be farming on the land. This, Ajah noted, angered the man that brought them to the land.

    “We have no boundary with Umuobor Akaeze. If you come to our left side from where they are, you get to Okue Autonomous Community also in Ishiagu. We have boundary with Okue there.

    “If you come to our right-hand side, we have boundary with Amagu where former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim, hails from and it’s also in Ishiagu.

    “Then in our front, we have boundary with the people of Ugwueke, Abia State.

    “This Elueke land that they are contesting with us is the good deeds of our forefathers and it is what is causing this problem.

    “Our forefathers accepted a man from Umuobor who killed a sheep in their community and it was a taboo to kill a sheep in Umuobor in those days. So, our forefathers accepted the man because he was banished from the community for seven years and he ran to them for settlement in Ogwor and begged for a land in Elueke where most of these Umuobor people are currently living.

    “So, our forefathers accepted the man to live there, farm for them and feed himself. Every year, he renewed his stay on the land by performing traditional rites.

    “After the seven years of banishment, he returned to the community with much food from the Elueke land and his people asked him where he cultivated the food and he told them it was in Ogwor, Ishiagu from a land that was given to him by the people.

    “They then told him that they would follow him to the land for cultivation because that land is very fertile and they followed him and started farming on the land.

    “As they continued to farm on the land, the man told them that they should be renewing their activities on the land the way he was doing by performing traditional rites, but they refused.

    “The man told them that it was not good, that if he was not renewing his stay on the land, he would have died of hunger when he was banished from Umuobor.

    “They got angry and incited the man’s son when the man had issues with his wife and the son stabbed the man to death.

    “Immediately the man died, they started laying claim to the land and began to attack and kill our people.”

    Ajah alleged that Umuobor people have killed nine of their members and destroyed their crops.

    He said: “In 1989, they killed seven persons from our place. In 2005, they killed another person, a man known as Sunday, and his body was not seen till today. In 2015, they killed another person from our side, making it nine persons they have killed.

    “As they were killing us, government continued to make peace and we were accepting the peace because we know that the land belongs to our forefathers even though they made a mistake by allowing them to stay on the land.

    “Umuobor people intensified efforts to take over the land as they were killing us. They took us to court and you know that at times court’s judgment can be faulty, and the court ruled in their favour because they were always appearing in the court each time the matter came up.

    “After the court judgment, they left that Elueke land and encroached on our land known as Ovia Ogwor and they continued tormenting us.

    “There is a level you will be pushing a person and the person will react, especially when you push him to the wall.

    “In May this year, they came and stole all the cassava on our farms and harvested our okra (80 baskets worth N30,000 each). I reported the matter to the police as the village chairman.

    “In June this year, they kidnapped five of our people, including one Aja Ude. If not the way our Development Centre Coordinator was calling them on the phone and begging them, those five persons would have been dead by now.”

    Council chairman reacts

    Chairman of the council, Emmanuel Ajah, condemned the killings and vowed that the killers would not go unpunished.

    He said: “This is a resultant effect of a land dispute between the two communities which has lasted for decades, and my administration has done her best to handle this issue since we came on board.

    “A committee I formed had mediated on this issue and came up with a resolution that the said land shall be parceled this November 2024; a solution adopted by the stakeholders of the two communities. But to my surprise, this evil act came up.”

    The council boss stated that he visited the area alongside security agents during which he condoled with the victims’ families so as to foster a peaceful atmosphere in the communities involved.

    “During my visit, I urged the Ogwor community not to seek revenge for the killings but to trust in my ability to address these security challenges,” he said.

    But despite the efforts of the committee, the violence has continued with the recent killing of four persons and abduction of many others.

    Police Spokesperson, Joshua Ukandu, said tactical teams of the state police command had been deployed to the communities to prevent further breakdown of law and order.

    Governor Nwifuru intervenes

    In a bid to forestall further bloodshed, Governor Francis Nwifuru declared the land a bigger zone on Wednesday and barred both communities from entering into it. The decision was announced by Secretary to the State Government, Prof Grace Umezurike, in a statement.

    The statement reads: “The governor of Ebonyi State, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, has observed with serious concern, the lingering crisis between the people of Umobor-Akaeze and Ogwor-Ishiagu in Ivo LGA over a piece of land.

    “Consequently, the governor has declared the disputed land a buffer zone and directed both parties to steer clear from the disputed land as anybody found in the land would be made to face the wrath of the law.

    “The governor also directs security agencies to beef up security to ensure full compliance with these directives, and maintain law and order in the area.

    “The Governor further invites 20 stakeholders from each of the communities to a crucial meeting scheduled for Monday 16th December, 2024.”

    Group wants Supreme Court Judgement enforced

    Meanwhile, a group, the Akaeze Heritage and Economic Development Forum (AHED), has called on the state government and security agencies to enforce the Supreme Court judgment that ended the age-long land dispute between the two communities.

    The President of AHED, a non-political, non-religious and socio-economic group, Mr. Emmanuel Ude, condemned in strong terms the recent attacks on Akaeze indigenes from Umobor by their Ogwor neighbours from Ishiagu over the same land, whose case had been rested by the apex court.

    He noted that the Supreme Court sitting in Lagos had on September 27th, 1991, delivered a landmark judgment on the case marked SC.3/1990, which was brought before it by the Ogwor people in Ishiagu.

    Ogwor people took the matter to the apex court after the appeal court ruled in favour of Umobor people in Akaeze.

    But the apex court still delivered its judgment in favour of the Umobor people in Akaeze.

    Ude lamented that ever since the judgment was delivered, Ogwor people had never obeyed the apex court ruling, but in defiance of the judgment continued to harass, intimidate, inflict bodily wounds on Umobor people.

    The AHED boss described the continuous attacks that had left many Akaeze indigenes injured and maimed as provocative, especially coming after the Supreme Court had in a landmark judgment decided the land dispute in favour of Umobor.

    He wondered why the people of Ogwor in Ishiagu had refused to obey the judgment of the apex court describing their violent conduct as contemptuous and a flagrant violation of law and an act of disobedience to the court.

    The president lamented the recent onslaughts that left many Akaeze indigenes riddled with bullets and called on security agencies, especially the police, to fish out the aggressors.

    Ude said: “We hereby condemn in strong terms the actions of the Ogwor people of Ishiagu. The recent attack is one too many and it must stop in the interest of peace and brotherliness.

    “We view the attack as provocative and unwarranted. It is needless because there is no more land dispute between Umobor in Akaeze and Ogwor in Ishiagu as the Supreme Court, the highest court in the country, had resolved the dispute and delivered its judgment in favour of Umobor people in Akaeze.

    “The Elueke land is no longer in dispute following the judgment of the apex court.

    “The people of Ogwor are not above the law and they must obey the judgment of the Supreme Court. We are calling on the state government, the local government and security agencies to mandate the Ogwor people to obey the judgment.

    “Another misleading claim is that Ogwor people are now referring to a part of the Elueke land as Ovia Ogwor. They are claiming that they have obeyed the Supreme Court judgment by leaving the Elueke land but that Umobor people are encroaching on another land called Ovia Ogwor.

    “We are calling on the Governor of Ebonyi State, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwaifuru, to include this in his unification strides in Ebonyi State. We are also calling on Ivo Local Government authorities and security agencies especially the police to investigate the ongoing attacks on our people and arrest all the persons behind them.

    “They must be made to face the wrath of the law to serve as deterrent to anyone or group of people either from Ogwor or Umobor not to go such destructive extent as life has no duplicate”.

    Ude added: “Umobor and Ogwor are neighbours who should not allow land dispute to destroy the love, respect, friendship, brotherhood, inter-marriage, schooling together, socio-economic activities and LGA that Akaeze and Ishiagu share in common and enjoy freely.”

    He sympathised with the victims of the recent attacks, saying that AHED had already visited them in the various medical facilities where they were receiving treatments.

    He said AHED would formerly petition security agencies in the state and the Inspector-General of Police over the development.

  • I didn’t kill Soboma George, says death row inmate Doubra Ogbe

    I didn’t kill Soboma George, says death row inmate Doubra Ogbe

    • Appeals for transfer from Kano to southern facility

    Fourteen years ago, Soboma George, a repentant Niger Delta militant and alleged leader of a Port Harcourt cult, the Outlaw Gang, was gunned down on a bloody August evening on Nembe Street in the Borokiri suburb of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    The incident occurred shortly after Soboma, former warlord and leader of an arm of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), and other agitators in the Niger Delta region accepted the offer of amnesty by then President Umar Yar’Adua in 2009.

    Soboma, although widely alleged to be the leader of the Port Harcourt-based cult group, the Outlaws, was both greatly feared and revered almost in equal proportion in the Niger Delta region, especially in Port Harcourt.

    Ironically, he was killed after watching a football match he organised as part of his philanthropic projects in the neighbourhood.

    He was leaving the venue of one of the matches in his football tourney when shooting broke out. He was killed with two others, including a groundnut hawker, Joy John Ejims.

    His death sent shivers down the area and sparked a widespread call for investigation. Doubra Ogbe and Emmanuel Gladstone (alias Tommy Pere Fiofiri) were among a trio of suspects fingered in the killing amidst rumours of a purported plot by the deceased to eliminate some top political leaders in the region.

    Ogbe and Gladstone were arrested in Ondo State weeks after the shooting. Law enforcement and investigating authorities claimed that Ogbe was part of the plot to eliminate George, citing evidence that implicated him in the murder, although details of the investigation remain partly undisclosed.

    Many security sources had also suggested that George’s murder was the result of a power struggle within the region’s militant and criminal networks, as rival factions sought to control lucrative oil bunkering operations and other illegal activities in the wake of the end of armed agitations in the oil-rich delta of Nigeria.

    Amasoma, Bayelsa State-born Ogbe, in a recent exclusive interview with our reporter, denied the charge of pulling the trigger or any other involvement in the crime.

    He maintained that he had been wrongfully implicated and claimed he was arrested after being identified through questionable testimony and circumstantial evidence.

    His defence team throughout the trial argued, unsuccessfully, that the prosecution failed to establish his direct involvement beyond a reasonable doubt.

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    Despite these claims, Ogbe was found guilty and convicted by the High Court of Rivers State in Port Harcourt. He was sentenced to death by hanging on June 4, 2020.

    Shortly after his conviction, which he is appealing, Ogbe was transferred from the Port Harcourt Custodial Services to Gorondutse Correctional Centre in faraway Kano State, where he has been battling to prove his innocence.

    Officials of the Nigerian Correctional Services, who spoke to our reporter on the matter, said the transfer of Ogbe and other inmates was done to ease congestion in the facilities in the area.

    But some of his friends and associates who spoke on condition of anonymity doubted the excuse proffered by the authorities.

    Apart from fighting his conviction and trying to prove his innocence, the Bayelsa State-born Ogbe is now battling for transfer to a southern holding facility.

    In several interactions with our reporter, he maintained his innocence and lamented that his continued incarceration in a location that’s over 600km from his aged mother, wife, and children is taking a huge toll on his mental and emotional health.

    In one of his communications, he said: “I am making this report as a plea for support and justice regarding my current situation.

    “My continued separation from my wife, children and mother is causing me immense emotional trauma,” Ogbe lamented.

    “The cost of travelling to Kano is unaffordable for my family, especially since my father, who was the primary sponsor of my legal defence, passed away earlier this year (2024).

    “Now, my aged mother is unable to provide the necessary support. I am being incarcerated far away from my children and wife, who are supposed to form my support system as I fight my unlawful conviction.”

    Ogbe emphasised that his isolation had made an already difficult situation unbearable while he awaited the outcome of his appeal.

    “The isolation I face in Gorondutse Correctional Centre without the support of my family and friends is inhuman and unbearable,” he said, reiterating his claim of innocence and his commitment to proving it through legal channels.

    He revealed several efforts by him and his defence team, led by Mr. Ibilouye, to secure a transfer from Kano to any centre in the Niger Delta.

    Ogbe has submitted multiple applications to the Nigerian Correctional Service requesting a transfer to a southern facility.

    “I have also followed the required procedure, as instructed by the (former) Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Aliru Nababa.

    “My lawyer, Barrister Ibilouye, submitted the necessary applications to the Gorondutse Correctional Custodial Centre, the Controller of Kano State Correctional Service, the Assistant Controller-General, Kaduna Command, and the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service.

    “However, despite following all protocols, my transfer request has not been approved by the authorities.

    “I am pleading with my fellow Nigerians, human rights organisations, and anyone who can advocate on my behalf to urge the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service to approve my transfer application.

    “The isolation I face in Gorondutse Correctional Centre without the support of my family and friends is inhuman and unbearable.

    “I maintain my innocence in the case of the late Soboma George and I am actively appealing my death sentence at the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

    “I believe justice will prevail, but I need the emotional and moral support of my loved ones during this challenging time.

    “Please, for the sake of humanity and justice, I implore the authorities to allow me to be closer to my family,” he said.

  • EFCC secures final forfeiture of warehouse, 54 steel containers

    EFCC secures final forfeiture of warehouse, 54 steel containers

    The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the final forfeiture of a warehouse and 54 containers in Ogun State suspected to be acquired by fraud to the Federal Government.

    Justice Dehinde Dipeolu made the order yesterday following a December 17, this year motion on notice filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) through its counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) in suit FHC/L/MISC/820/24.

    The commission informed the court that it suspected the properties to have been acquired and or developed with proceeds of unlawful activity.

    The forfeited properties, including its appurtenances, are “a warehouse built on a landed property measuring 1.925 hectares at KM 8 along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Magboro, Obafemi Owode Local Government Area Of Ogun State” and 54 general purpose steel containers”.

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    Oyedepo told the judge that the EFCC’s grounds for the application were that the “court has the statutory powers under the provisions of Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006 to grant the reliefs being sought.

    “That the properties sought to be forfeited are reasonably suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities.

    “This Honourable court has the requisite jurisdiction to hear and determine this application.”

    Justice Dipeolu held: “The application succeeds and the same is accordingly granted.

    “A final forfeiture order is hereby granted forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria, properties contained in Schedule A herein which are reasonably suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities.”

  • Yuletide: FCT Police assure residents of safety

    Yuletide: FCT Police assure residents of safety

    As the festive period approaches, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has assured residents of its commitment to ensuring their safety and security throughout the Yuletide season.

    The Command urged citizens to take proactive measures to secure their homes and surroundings, particularly those planning to travel or leave their residences unattended.

    In a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer, FCT Command, SP Josephine Adeh, said to promote safety and prevent crime during this period, the FCT Police Command has offered several safety tips.

    She said: “Light up your surroundings: Ensure your homes and surroundings are adequately lit. Well-lit environments deter criminal activities and improve visibility.

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    “Maintain clear visibility: Remove visual obstructions such as overgrown grasses, bushes, or debris that may provide hiding spots for criminals.

     “Stay vigilant: Be alert and report any suspicious activities or unfamiliar persons loitering within your Area of Responsibility (AOR). Prompt reporting can prevent potential security threats.

    “Engage neighbours: If you plan to travel, inform your neighbors and ask them to keep an eye on your property. A watchful community can deter criminal activities and enhance security.

    “Lock up: Ensure all doors, windows, and gates are securely locked before leaving your home. Consider using additional security measures like alarms or surveillance cameras.

    “Avoid sharing travel plans: Be discreet about your travel plans on social media or with acquaintances to avoid alerting potential thieves.”

    Ade added that the FCT Police Command will intensify patrols and vigilance throughout the festive season to ensure a safe environment for all.

    According to the statement, the cooperation and timely reporting by members of the public will go a long way in ensuring the safety of lives and property.