By Nwanosike Onu, Awka 

Anambra State has threatened to ban tricycle operations if the operators fail to heed government directives.

The government also lamented the increase in kidnapping, murders and other crimes.

About 15 persons have been killed since the EndSARS protests, while kidnapping and other crimes have risen. The government said the criminals perpetuate their mission using tricycles.

Secretary to the State Government Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu gave the ban hint yesterday in Awka at a meeting with tricycle operators at the Dr Alex Ekwueme Square.

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Chukwulobelu urged the tricycle operators to join the ATMC registration to stem crime. The government insisted that the registration would aid easy identification as security reports received in the last few weeks showed that tricycles were being used to commit crime.

He said: “If the operators refuse to identify the bad eggs among them, government will ban the operation of tricycles.”

Former Commissioner for Transport Uchenna Okafor announced the cancellation of all monthly dues paid by the operators.

 Simon Utebor, Yenagoa

BAYELSA State Governor Douye Diri has urged the people to be confident in his administration’s poverty alleviation scheme, ‘Diri Boost’, to enhance the state’s economic fortunes.

Diri spoke on Wednesday at the 12th State Executive Council (SEC) meeting. He stressed that the scheme was intended to enable the people create economic value out of the state’s vast agricultural and commercial potentials.

Represented by Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the governor urged Bayelsans to shun baseless rumours about the intervention programme, saying the administrative bottlenecks were responsible for the delay in its kick off.

Read Also: Diri hails Buhari for debt repayment to states

A statement by Ewhrudjakpo’s media aide, Doubara Atasi, reads: …”we thank Bayelsans for their understanding, and ask for more understanding and support. Let us not give attention to those rumours out there. Governor Diri means prosperity, and this government also means prosperity.

“Nobody should be in doubt as to the determination of this government to pursue the prosperity agenda having had a good foundation from restoration. The delay in the ‘Diri Boost’ scheme is due to administrative bottlenecks which are natural and, as soon as they are cleared, ‘Diri Boost’ will start.”

Bisi Olaniyi, Benin 

FREDERICK Shaibu, younger brother of Edo State Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu, has regained his freedom after a huge ransom was paid.

Sources said Frederick, who was released on Wednesday, is in good health but traumatised.

One of the sources said: “The family is happy to have Frederick back. He is also excited to rejoin his family after his ordeal.”

Read Also: Shaibu’s wife, Oshiomhole in war of words

Media aide to the deputy governor Benjamin Atu, and police spokesman Chidi Nwabuzor refused to confirm how much was paid as ransom. Nwabuzor insisted that investigation into the incident was on.

Fredrick was kidnapped about 7am on Monday while driving his children to school at Aruogba,  Irhiri axis of Benin.

The children were left in the car while the hoodlums took their father away.

 Mike Odiegwu, Port Harcourt

FORMER Niger Delta agitator Sobomabo Jackrich has said the region remains volatile because the Federal Government refused to address issues that led to the execution of the Ogoni Nine led by the late Kenule Saro-Wiwa.

Jackrich, in a statement to commemorate the death of the Ogoni Nine, urged the government to exonerate Saro-Wiwa and pursue the realisation of the issues which led to their death.

He said: “It is with pain and a bleeding heart that I join the world to remember the unjust killing of the Ogoni Nine, led by the renowned playwright and environmental rights activist,  Kenule Saro-wiwa, 25 years after they were killed by the Gen. Sani Abacha-led government on November 10, 1995.

“Saro-Wiwa, like Isaac Boro, inspired many of us in this struggle, and it hurts that we are still dealing with the issues they died for.

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“Saro-Wiwa raised valid questions that have troubled the average Niger Delta person, environment and the minority tribes. As such, the unjust conviction and murder of Saro-Wiwa and others in 1995 can be regarded as a conviction and killing of the peoples of the Niger Delta who have continued to demand for resource ownership and control, environmental justice, devolution of powers and others.

“As long as these questions remain unaddressed, they remain an indictment on the Nigerian State which continues to survive economically and, in every way, on the resources that solely come from the Niger Delta.

“As a leader in the Niger Delta who has been in the forefront of justice for our region, I join the Ogoni to demand for the exoneration of the Ogoni Nine, and also urge the Federal Government to give attention to the questions of the Niger Delta, total environmental impact assessment and repair of the region and compensation, necessary environmental justice, proper stakeholder engagement with the people, resource ownership and control, devolution of power and the total restructuring of Nigeria.

“I call on the government to stop criminalising the people’s agitations because a right can never be a gift or a privilege.”

Our Reporter

ENUGU State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has approved free transportation for indigenes who intend to return home for the yuletide.

A statement by Managing Director of Enugu State Transport Company (ENTRACO) Bob Itanyi noted that the gesture was in keeping with the governor’s commitment to the people’s well-being.

He said Enugu indigenes living in Zamfara, Kebbi, Yobe and Jigawa states, who had earlier registered, are also included. Itanyi added that all protocols and guidelines for the containment of COVID-19 would be strictly adhered to.

According to him, a timetable for the exercise would be released soon.

Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

IRATE youths of Ute-Okpu, Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta State, on Tuesday took to the streets to protest rising deaths of youths in the area.

It was learnt the youths got angry after four of them died.

The protesters reportedly burnt the market, but were unable to raze the monarch’s palace as they were stopped by a team of soldiers and policemen.

About 34 persons have died mysteriously in the last three weeks.

Read Also: Final year Law student drowns in Delta hotel pool

A resident, Roland Chuks Agbontai, who lost his 22-year-old son, is convinced that the strange deaths have not abated because the communal deities, Agba-Egbo and Akpu, have not been properly appeased.

He said after the youths consulted the oracle, they were told to appease both deities. But while Agba-Egbo was appeased, Akpu’s shrine was left desolate after a church uprooted the deity, he added.

But Commissioner for Health Dr Ononye Mordi attributed the deaths to yellow fever.

Police spokesman Onome Onowakpoyeya confirmed the incident.

Our Reporter

THE Federal Government, through Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), has donated medical equipment to Enugu State.

Commissioner for Special Duties and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Mrs. Mabel Agbo presented the items on Tuesday.

She said: “Today, SDGs formally presents 12 cartons of face masks, 100 automated hospital beds, 100 bedside lockers, 100 pillows and others to Enugu State as palliatives from the Federal Government.”

Commissioner for Health Prof. Emmanuel Obi, who received the items, praised the Federal Government and SDGs for the gesture.

“It is my honour, and on behalf of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, to say thank you to President Muhammadu Buhari. We will ensure that these items are used for the good of the people,” Obi said.