Category: South East

OPERATIVES of the Delta State Police Command have shot dead two suspected armed robbers in separate operations.

The police also arrested a suspected “weeds” dealer while conveying the products covered in plantain to an undisclosed destination.

A statement by the Police spokesman, DSP Bright Edafe, disclosed that one of the deceased suspects was part of a four-man gang operating Miramble Guest House, Okere Road in Warri.

But upon a distress call, policemen on surveillance patrol, raced to the scene and during a gunfire exchange, one of the hoodlums who later died was “fatally wounded while others escaped.”

One locally made double barrel cut-to-size gun and a live cartridge were recovered.

In another incident, the statement said Policemen on stop and search duties were forced into a gun duel with “two young boys on foot” and during the crossfire, maimed one of the suspects.

While the other escaped, the injured suspect died before getting to the hospital.

One locally made gun, an expended cartridge, as well as one live cartridge were also recovered.

In yet another development, a suspected Indian hemp dealer, Demilola Adefuwa, 42 has been arrested by the police.

According to the statement, Adefuwa while driving a Toyota Sienna with registration number: SAP 889 AA, was intercepted by operatives along Benin-Sapele Road, Thursday evening.

On searching the vehicle “nine bags of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp covered with plantain leaves” were recovered.

Substantive local news is a rare commodity in many communities across Nigeria. In areas with high levels of violence, crime, and poverty, a history of stigmatization can further compound this absence. Often the only local news available is negative.

In a journalistic environment where the mantra “if it bleeds, it leads” continues to resonate—and is amplified ever more by the clickbait web—there is a professional bias in favor of reporting on kidnapping, insurgency, banditry, police brutality, and other negative tropes. But how do audiences process and react to stories about their communities presented within negative frames? How would stories that address these systemic problems—while also exploring their solutions inspire readers? The answer to the latter question is Solutions Journalism.

Freshwater capture fisheries in the Lower River Niger Basin provide 47 to 80 percent of the animal protein consumed, as well as livelihood opportunities on a large scale for the neighboring settlements. However, in the absence of a solid estimate of the total economic value of these fisheries, their importance remains very poorly recognized by institutions and in development plans, which hampers rural development. Furthermore, the respective role of fish and agricultural resources in livelihoods and in rural welfare has never been quantified.

Economically, fishing on the lower Niger River has the potential for growth into large industries down the value chain that could lead to wider business networks in terms of supply services, fishing, and marketing which could provide job opportunities to the teaming populace. It could also provide investment opportunities in feed mills, equipment manufacturing, processing, packaging, and the provision of raw ingredients for research and education. The fish industry also provides an alternative source of high-valued animal protein needs, contributing over 60percent of the total protein intake of the rural population. Fish has a nutrient profile superior to all terrestrial meats and equally has high digestible energy that can meet the nutritional requirements of the body.

In Nigeria, commercial fishing on the lower Niger River started over 50 years ago. Meeting the fish protein demand of the current population of over two hundred million people in Nigeria may require over 3 million metric tons of fish. Even with aquaculture, production is currently only 1,073,059 metric tons (313,231 metric tons from aquaculture and 759,828 metric tons from fisheries). The consumption of nearly 19.38gms/output/day is low and far below the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) recommendation of 65gms/output/day.

 

The Niger Delta alone in the lower Niger River contributes more than 50 percent of the entire domestic Nigerian fish supply, being blessed with an abundance of both fresh, brackish, and marine water bodies that are inhabited by a wide array of both fin fish and non-fish fauna that supports artisanal fisheries.

The Niger Delta is also naturally blessed with numerous cash crops, a cash crop is grown for sale to return profits either by its direct usage or derivatives.

 

 

Delta State is in Nigeria – some 265 miles or (426 km) South-West of Abuja, the country’s capital. It is situated around 5° 25′ 24” N, 6° 1′ 30″ E on the World Atlas. Delta state boasts of a workforce group that is over 58 percent of its entire population according to the 2006 census.

 

Sapele local government area is found in Delta state, South-south geopolitical zone of Nigeria. The LGA is made up of several towns and villages such as Elume, Ugborhen, Amukpe, Ogiedi, Onoghro, Okuoke, Inabome, and Amuokpokpor. The estimated population of Sapele LGA is put at 298,310 inhabitants with the LGA mostly populated by members of the Urhobo ethnic group.
The Urhobo language is commonly spoken while the religions of Christianity and traditionalism are widely practiced in the area. Notable landmarks in Sapele LGA include the Sapele sports stadium and the Sapele Port. The surrounding forest especially features Entandrophragma cylindricum, commonly called Sapele after the town.
Fishing and agriculture are the main occupations of the people of Niger Delta, especially in the wetland area of the region like Amuokpokpor-Elume which is the predominantly fishing community in Sapele. Amuokpokpor-Elume is a riverside community whose livelihood and source of revenue rely solely on fishing and its derivates.

 

The sudden fall from grace to grass

“Na hunger we dey”

In February 2022 the community woke to a devastating loss of flora and fauna due to oil spills from the wellhead operated by Conoil, the community lost its major source of income and economic livelihood. Decades of oil prospecting and exploitation have blighted the Niger-Delta communities, leaving the inhabitants in pitiable conditions with their means of livelihood washed away. A lot of households have slipped into poverty and many whose source of revenue comes from fishing to fund the education of their children could no longer afford to pay their school fees leading to them dropping out of school.

 

 

 

 

Mary Youngman (middle) makes 50,000 naira per day from selling a sack of periwinkle, but after the spill “I can’t even eat again, na hunger we dey” she lamented.
From left: Elizabeth Azu, Mary Youngman and Endurance Edam work as a team picking periwinkle on a commercial scale, they pick up to three sacks of periwinkle daily. Jointly they make an average of 150,000 naira. The people of Amuokpokpor use periwinkle shell for building instead of the very expensive granite. Periwinkle shell is mixed with sand and cement to make a very strong concrete used for pillar, lintel and conduit. All these are now in the past.

 

 

The community councilor, Hon Azu Sam from ward 18 of the indigenous fishing folks in Amuokpokpor-Elume, said, “we are in deep water” as they could no longer engage their occupation as a result of the colossal pollution of the Amuokpokpor river.
The community leaders took bold steps by writing the state government and other concerned stakeholders in the Ministry of Environment but did not get any response. The community which is mostly impacted by the spill was not visited.

 

In the account of the impact of oil spill on their livelihood, he narrated how oil extraction has impacted most disastrously on their socio-physical environment in Amuokpokpor community, oil bearing communities massively threaten the fragile subsistent peasant economy and biodiversity and hence their entire economic livelihood and very survival. The socio and environmental costs of oil production have been extensive. They include destruction of wildlife and biodiversity, loss of fertile soil, pollution of air and drinking water, degradation of farmland, and damage to aquatic ecosystems, all of which have caused serious health problems for the inhabitants of the areas surrounding oil production.
The occurrence of oil spills in Nigeria is frequent. Recall in February 2001, oil spill was reported in Ughelli which led to pollution of the water, thereby making it not navigable for fish and carrying out economic activities and loss of aquatic lives in the river.
​​
In 2021, there were around 386 publicly available oil spill records. 120 of these had no estimated quantity of oil spilled provided by the company.

 

 

Based on reports available 23,950.271 barrels of oil (3,784,142.864 litres) were spilled. That is around 120 oil tanker trucks full. The Niger Delta has witnessed untold environmental damage and many traditional livelihoods have been ruined from oil spills.

 

Taking destiny into their own hands

“The past explains how I got here, but the future is up to me”

How did they respond? The community came together to devise a way forward as they could not wait forever on the government for intervention and clean-up is not going to happen anytime soon. They decided to diversify by engaging in other lucrative and sustainable occupations. In the white-collar setting, this is called career change. They shifted focus from fishing, their choice of occupation which some families have passed down from generation to generation, and engaged themselves in tapping rubber trees, growing cassava, and tapping palm oil called “Banga” in local parlance. The community leaders put their heads together and identified other lucrative professions the community can venture in. Members of the community opted for different occupations based on prior skills, resources, and technical support available.

The “howdunnit” narrative of one fisherman turning rubber tapper revealed the technicality involved to tap rubber for a living. Rubber tapping is one occupation that requires technical know-how, it is the process of extracting latex from a rubber tree. The latex is harvested by slicing a groove into the bark of the tree at a depth of one-quarter inch (6.4 mm) with a hooked knife and peeling back the bark. Rubber trees must be approximately six years old and six inches (150 mm) in diameter in order to be fully ripped for latex tapping.
Rubber tapping is not damaging to the forest, as it does not require the tree to be cut down for the latex to be extracted. The latex that flows out from the rubber trees on tapping is channeled into a container and then transferred to clean buckets.
According to him, it must be done carefully and skillfully for the tapping panel to yield latex for up to five hours. Then the opposite side will be tapped, allowing this side to heal over.

 

 

 

 

The 54-year-old wakes up as early as 6 am and heads to the forest to tap rubber before the sun is up. He removes a thin layer of bark along a downward half spiral on the tree trunk with a knife. The spiral allows the latex to run down to a collecting cup. The work is done with time conscious before the day’s temperature rises, so the latex will drip longer before coagulating and sealing the cut. He taps from Monday to Saturday and collects the latex on Sunday. After collecting the latex, he then adds starch water to make it congeal. This procedure makes the latex solid and does not break when scaling during sales.

 

Currently, 33.3 percent or 23.2 million of the about 70 million people who should be working in Nigeria are out of work. An acceptable level of unemployment would be between 4 – 6 percent. Nigeria cannot afford more of its workforce out of jobs due to recurring oil spill. The country’s underemployment rate – people who work less than 20 hours a week – is also high at 22.8 percent.

 

No system is perfect

“We are working more and earning less”

Self-developing oneself in a new skill to survive at old age is tiring, in fact, it looks almost impossible. Lack of passion, lack of appropriate tools, and professional trainer all contributed to the limitations facing the people of Amuokpokpor’s response. Their new line of occupation is not bringing more income as they used to earn from fishing activities.
Amuokpokpor people now earn between 5,000 to 6,000 naira per week from tapping rubber.

 

 

 

 

Igeleba Festus, a 43-year-old father of six said he risks losing his life as a banga tapper if he should fall from climbing palm tree. On several occasions, he has had an encounter with snakes on top of the palm tree. He is still learning to use the climbing rope as he opted for a new source of livelihood.

 

“My father trained me how to swim and fish, fishing is less risky compared to tapping palm oil” he said as the risk attached to his new source of income weighed on him. Festus engaged himself in two other occupations: tapping rubber and palm oil. To feed his children and send them so school with daily earnings of about 2,000 naira from tapping banga is a problem as he could no longer tap rubber due to rain. He has a daily income shortfall of about 13,000 naira. This is not unexpected given the limitation as a degree of adaptation to their new survival skills and the fact that artisanal methods of production are employed.

 

 

Esther, a mother of 7 children has been into fishing for 10 years, she makes around 15,000 – 20,000 naira per day from this occupation before the oil spill. Out of suffering and hunger she transited into growing cassava to continue supporting her family. She now makes around 5,000 naira per week from cassava harvest. She spoke on the difficulty that comes with the new occupation she transited into; farming is now her new choice of occupation nevertheless her survival attracts some hardship. She emphasized that the technique required in fishing is different from that of growing cassava. Esther is still learning some skills needed for her to master farming through self-development and trial by error. Sometimes when the polluted river overflows its bank and enter her farmland, all the cassava she planted get destroyed, all effort is washed down the drain. Tilting of the ground is difficult compared to fishing for a woman but she just must continue doing it to survive. She describes the damage done to crops as seen on her fishing cage. The effect of the oil spill has turned one of the cages to black.

 

Measuring impact

“Half a loaf is better than no bread”

 

The entire community is keeping hope alive. Adaptation is key to survival. Building resilience has given the residents a reason to work together, support each other and develop capacity in new occupations. As tough and little as it may be, while waiting for government intervention to clean up they continue to earn some amounts. Self-development by learning on the job will continue to pay off. The have engaged themselves in other occupations instead of being idle which might tempt them into dipping their hands into illegal and criminal activities.

As evidence of impact, a survey was conducted on the socio-economic impact of their new occupations, the amount of income realized from respondents compare to farming revealed that farm income is low, but half a loaf is better than none.

From zero revenue to a weekly farm revenue ranging between ₦75,000.00 to ₦180,000.00. The average weekly income is ₦45,717.20

 

A relatively moderate household size was found in the study, with a mean size of 6.5 persons per household. Though a very large family size may constitute a social burden, larger families use their labour input to an advantage in commercial farming and forest products exploitation.

 

Table: Distribution of Socio-economic Characteristics of Respondents (n = 50)

 

 

The mean level of educational attainment is 3.00 and the implication of this is that on the average means every farmer in Amuokpokpor-Elume had secondary school education.

 

[Pictures Credit: Israel Olatunji Tijani]

 

•This story has been made possible by Nigeria Health Watch with support from the Solutions Journalism Network, a nonprofit organization dedicated to rigorous and compelling reporting about responses to social problems

Non-indigenes in Enugu State, under the umbrella of Brethren of Interfaith and Inter-Community Development Initiative, have assured Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of their resolve to support his bid to represent Enugu North Senatorial District in the National Assembly in 2023, on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

The non-indigenes also endorsed the governorship candidate of the PDP in Enugu State, Barr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah as their choice candidate in the 2023 general election.

The group, popularly known as “Brethren of the Rock”, comprising indigenes from TIV, Hausa, Yoruba, Igala communities and other four states of the South East geo-political zone and Delta State, gave the endorsement when they paid a solidarity visit to Ugwuanyi at the Government House, Enugu, on Friday, to appreciate the way he has promoted peace, security and harmonious co-existence among indigenes and non-indigenes resident in Enugu State.

Accompanied by the Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Enugu State Chapter, Rt. Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Edeh, the immediate past Chairman of CAN, Bishop Christian Obiefuna, the Traditional Ruler of Ibagwa-Nike, Enugu East Local Government Area, HRH Igwe Emma Ugwu and the Chairman of Council of Traditional Rulers, Enugu East Senatorial District, HRH Igwe Hyacinth Edeani, among others, the non-indigenes said that they are happy and comfortable with the way they live and relate in Enugu State.

They described the governor as a peaceful and friendly governor, the father of the fatherless, the father of non-indigenes and the man that brought enduring peace to the state, stressing that the governor through his peaceful disposition has united all of them in the state.

While endorsing Ugwuanyi, Mbah and the PDP family in Enugu State in the forthcoming elections, the Director General of Brethren of the Rock, Barr. Onuora Okeke, stated that it is worthy of commendation that people from other states “are now doing traditional marriage, wedding and other social activities in Enugu State because of the peace and security you (Ugwuanyi) have entrenched in the state.”

Onuora reassured Governor Ugwuanyi that the non-indigenes in Enugu State will mobilise massive support for the PDP and ensure that its candidates emerge victorious at the polls in 2023 in appreciation of his peaceful and good governance initiatives in the state.

“Your Excellency, we are here to show our solidarity. We are here to express our gratitude. We are here to endorse the PDP governorship candidature of Barr. Peter Mbah and we are here to reassure you that your senatorial bid is already confirmed.”

Onuora who disclosed that the group has the backing of the leadership of the Christian and Muslim communities in Enugu State as well as the traditional institution, among others, maintained that they will deliver on their mandate in 2023.

A 40-year-old man, Taiwo Edigie, has been killed by suspected cultists, with his head severed and dropped at a different location, from where his body was found along Oho Street, Uselu, Benin, Edo State on August 25, this year.

On the same day, along Imuetiyan Street, off Ojo Road, Ugbowo, Benin, near the Federal Government-owned University of Benin (UNIBEN), a yet-to-be-identified young man was also killed, in connection with the ongoing cult fight in Edo.

Officers and men of Edo police command, irked by the rival cult killings in some parts of the state in the last 72 hours, responded by massive raids, which led to the arrest of thirty suspected cultists.

The arrested suspected male cultists included David Ebube, Chiedu Rex, Samuel Ebi, Charles Eke, Monday Work of God, Kelvin Izea, Harry Christ, Emmanuel John, Isreal Omale, Emmanuel Eghaghae, Destiny Reuben, Precious Osaemwingie, Biggy Tortive, Moses Edebo, Okoro Iyobun and Ezekel Ezi.

Others were Frank Amadasu, Efosa Kelvin, Desmond Moses, Jude Precious, Kenneth Osaratin, Joshua Osarodion, Chidi Adia, Osas Emmanuel, Osas Cliffod, Godstime Emmanuel, Julius Urhie, Philip Agho, Godbless Mathiew and Kingsley Edet.

Edo Deputy Police Public Relations Officer (DPPRO), Jennifer Iwegbu, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), yesterday in an online statement, disclosed that profiling of the arrested suspected cultists was still ongoing, stressing that anyone found culpable or related to any of the cult killings would soon be arraigned in court.

The state’s Commissioner of Police, Abutu Yaro, according to Iwegbu, while commiserating with the bereaved families, assured the good people of Edo of the command’s unrelenting efforts in ensuring that there was no hiding place for criminals in the Southsouth state.

Yaro specifically warned members of the Eiye and Aye cult groups to desist forthwith, or be ready for more arrest and prosecution in the days ahead.

As part of the measures to overcome contemporary security challenges, the 16 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, has organised a one-week tactical training for own troops and sister security agencies in the state.

Participants in the week-long training, tagged ’16 Brigade Tactical Exercise Without Troops 2022′, which ended in Elebele area of the state, were drawn from the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Police, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), among others.

Addressing participants during the closing ceremony on Friday, the Commander, 16 Brigade/Sector 2 Command, Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), Brigadier-General  Sadisu Yahaya, said from his interaction with them during the exercise, they had individually and collectively distinguished themselves and had sharpened their skills and knowledge of internal security operations.

He commended all the participants for the high standard of discipline and doggedness displayed throughout the duration of the exercise.

The commander stated: “I am delighted to be here once again for the closing ceremony of the 16 Brigade Tactical Exercise Without Troops 2022.  Just a few days ago,  I declared the exercise  open and I believe it has been a rewarding period for you all. I am convinced beyond doubt that the noble ideas behind the exercise have been achieved.

“As leaders in your various agencies, you have not only demonstrated your capabilities but also displayed the much needed synergy and cooperation that is required to overcome contemporary security challenges. History will continue to beckon on you for the show of commitment and resilence you have demonstrated during this exercise.

“Most importantly, the exercise presented a good  number of operational scenarios such as crowd dispersal, cordon and search, curfew, road block, patrol, ambush and raid operations which would have entered your level of proficiency.

“I am happy to note that you have had a rewarding experience from the lessons taught and be willingly ready to share the experience with your colleagues in your respective agencies when the need arises.

“It is pertinent to state that lessons learnt during this exercise will be put to use during the forthcoming ‘Exercise Still Waters’ which will start in a few weeks’ times.  I will, on this note, urge all participants not to forget what was taught during this exercise.”

The Anambra Development Union has highlighted the achievements of former Anambra State governor, Willie Obiano to celebrate his 67 birthday.

The group commended Obiano for his quiet leadership and sterling achievements while in office as the chief executive of the state.

It noted that the former governor was able to pay off N1.8bn pension arrears, while maintaining regular monthly payment in line with his promise to deliver on physical infrastructure.

The socio-political group recalled that the former governor, fondly called ‘Akpokuedike’, demonstrated commitment to and genuine love for the people, the state and Nigeria in general.

The group said this in a statement jointly signed by its National President, Alex Osaemeka and Secretary, Chukwuka Udeokeke, on Friday in Abuja.

It listed some of the 67 impactful projects that Obiano initiated and completed to include: the first flyover in Awka, the state capital; the first digital databank for Anambra farmers and active situation room for progress monitoring and evaluation; introduction of Anambra rice; as well as introduction of the state’s brand with a new anthem, logo, core values and colours among others.

Praising the Anambra Rice brand, which has been described as the best in Africa, the group said it was gratifying to note that Chief Obiano did not make much noise about his achievements while in office.

Traders in Building Materials International Market Zone 2/3 Ogidi/Ogbunike, Anambra State have decried growing rate of crime perpetrated by kidnappers, hard drug dealers and robbers.

They called on Governor Chukwuma Soludo to demolish makeshift structures directly in front of the market to curb incessant criminal activities in the area.

Speaking during the inauguration of interim caretaker committees of the market, Matchet Line Association Main Market and Stationery, Paper and Computer Dealers Association, Onitsha, Chairman of the market, Mr Onyebuchi Adinu, regretted that shanties erected along the entrance gate and walls of the market were not owned by traders, but are shelters where the hoodlums operate from.

He however applauded government efforts in making market environments clean and conducive for commercial activities to thrive, just as he expressed approval and commendations for the ongoing decongestion exercise in every market across the State.

Special Assistant to the Governor on Commerce and Industry Mr Eloka Maduekwe, urged the new executives to take care of the market and ensure that interests of both traders and government were protected.

He assured the traders that the State government will respond to their requests.

Inaugurating the executives on behalf of Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Dr Obinna Ngonadi, Chief Commercial Officer of the Ministry, Mrs Jossy Eboh-Nwosu urged them to be humble in their leadership and to work relentlessly with government to build and modernize the market.

“Being leaders doesn’t make you kings over the traders but servants,” she said.

The South/South Forum of Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) has urged the intervention of the Inspector General of Police in the crisis rocking it.

It alleged the “incessant attacks” by ex-president of the union, Bola Audi Innocent, on the national offices in Lagos and Abuja are endangering the lives of staff of the union.

It passed a vote of confidence on the new leadership led by Dr Tommy Etim Okon, National President, Alade Bashir Lawal, Secretary-general and the Central Working Committee, adding that the South/South zone does not support the activities of the former president.

In a signed communiqué issued yesterday in Asaba, its zonal chairman, Bolum Martin, urged law enforcement agencies to do the needful as the removal of the former president by the union’s NEC was in accordance with the constitution of the union.

It urged the former president to allow legal process run its course than resort to self-help since his removal is the subject of litigation and urged members in the South/ South zone to remain calm.

Part of the communiqué reads, “The removal of Bola Audi Innocent is a subject of litigation in the court as we speak. The court has not made any pronouncement one way or the other on the matter as regard his status. So these incessant raids by the removed former president on the ASCSN offices in Lagos and Abuja cannot be justified and must stop.”

Concerned elders of Southeast extraction have condemned Sunday’s gruesome killing of an Army officer, Major Churchill Orji, at Azia in Ihiala Local Government of Anambra State.

They said the majority of the Igbo were not known for such evil acts, but were rather peaceful, hard working and accommodating.

Orji, who hailed from Nneogidi village, Agulu in Anaocha Local Government, was said to be a gallant Army officer.

The elders under the umbrella body of Conference of Igbo Elders for Peace and Development (CIEPD), urged security and law enforcement operatives to launch a manhunt for the killers of Orji, as well as ensure the restoration of peace across the Southeast.

In a statement signed by the National President, Dr. Festus Edochie and National Secretary, Mrs. Esther Amadi, the elders warned against attempts to stereotype the Igbo, noting that criminals existed among all ethnic groups.

The elders suspected the possibility that criminals killing and maiming innocent Igbo might have been brought from outside the Southeast, ostensibly to destabilise the region, as well as elicit hate among Nigerians.