Category: Southeast report

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Alkali Usman, has directed the deployment of four Commissioners of Police to Delta on election duty.

The Police Spokesman in Delta, DSP Bright Edafe, announced the directive in a statement in Asaba on Friday.

He said the deployment was to ensure effective policing and adequate security during the general elections in the state.

He said that CP John Babangida would be in charge of the election in Delta, while CP Mamman Sanda will handle Delta-North.

Edafe further said that CP Zachariah Fera would be in charge of Delta-South while CP Adebola Hamzat would take charge of Delta-Central.

He said the police would work with sister security agencies to provide adequate security at polling units, collation centres and INEC offices in the state.

He said that Marine Police had also been deployed to secure the waterways, to ensure free movement of voting materials, officials and the electorate.

The officer restated the ban on vehicular movement between 12.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. on the election day.

“Only officials on emergency and essential duties will be allowed passage during this period.

“The ban on security escorts for politicians during the election still stands, politicians are advised not to move with their security details on election day,” he said.

Edafe urged the public to call the police in the event of any distress or complaints with the following number: 08036684974, 08125958005 and 09053872287.

As Nigerians go to the polls today to elect a new President and national assembly members, a former Senate leader, Senator Victor Ndoma- Egba (SAN) has joined the call by prominent leaders within and outside the country for a peaceful conduct of the exercise and smooth transition process in the country.

Ndoma-Egba made the call in Calabar while speaking with newsmen on the eve of elections.

He expressed confidence in what his party; the All Progressives Congress (APC) had done in nearly eight years of the administration saying that the party should coast home to victory without any possibility for a run-off.

Underscoring the call for a peaceful conduct during and after the elections, Ndoma-Egba noted that Nigerians as stake holders in the corporate existence of the country owe it a duty to ensure that the elections were conducted in a rancour free atmosphere noting that ” we are over 209 million Nigerians, God forbid, if we were to have a refugee crisis what will happened to us.”

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO), of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku has called on youths of the Niger Delta region to shun any act capable of truncating the electoral process as 2023 presidential and National assembly elections hold nationwide, on Saturday, February 25, 2023.

Also the State Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Dr. Yong Ayo-Tamuno has passionately appealed to the state electorate, particularly the youths not to sale their votes during the elections, noting that their vote is their birthright.

The duo spoke at a one-day conference in Port Harcourt, the state capital to sensitise the youths against electoral violence, with the theme, Niger Delta Youths: “Say no to electoral violence.”

Speaking through his Special Assistant (SA) on Youth Affairs, Asimie Dango said, “Go out there and cast your votes to the candidate of your choice freely and peacefully, follow your minds, avoid any act that can disrupt the process, cause violence and probably lead to suspension of the poll, say no to all forms of violence in the elections,” he said.

• As three CPs resume duty

Imo State Police Command has assured Imolites of the Command’s readiness to provide adequate security during the elections and beyond.

The Commissioner of Police Imo State, CP Mohammed Barde who gave the assurance also banned the use of security aides and escorts accompanying their principals and politicians to polling units and collation centres on election day.

He ordered the strict enforcement of IGP’s directives on the restriction of all forms of vehicular movement and transportation across the 27 LGAs of the state from 12midnight to 6am during the Presidential and National Assembly elections for not on essential duty.

He said the ban on unauthorised use of sirens, revolving lights, covered plate number and tinted glass is still in force as violators will be made to face the wrath of the law.

“These directives are part of the security measures put in place by the command to guarantee the conduct of a peaceful, secured, free, fair, credible and acceptable election,” adding that they shun dissemination of false information, vote buying, ballot snatching and the use of slanderous language that may stir up violence.

Meanwhile, three Commissioners of Police have been deployed to the State to provide water tight security before, during and after the 2023 elections.

The newly posted commissioners of police are CP Banji Ogunrinde, Imo East zone, CP Chris Aimionowane, Imo West Zone and CP Alex Wannang, Imo North.

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday performed groundbreaking of 2×30/40MVA substation worth N6.8 billion at Ibiono Ibom in Akwa Ibom State, to improve power generation and supply to the people.

Buhari, represented by the Minister of State for Power, Prince Goddy Jeddy-Agba, said the substation was in fulfilment of his campaign promises to Akwa Ibom State.

“We are here for an official groundbreaking of the construction of 2×30/40MVA substation at Ibiono Ibom.

“The contract for the engineering, procurement and construction of 2×30/40MVA substation at Ibiono Ibom in Akwa Ibom State was awarded in favour of M/S Jamec West Africa Ltd. with completion period of 18 months.”

“The project is a campaign promise fulfilled to the good people of Akwa Ibom. I want to thank the good people of Idedep for donating the parcel of land for which the project will be sited,” Buhari said.

Governor Udom Emmanuel pledged the state government support to the completion of the project as scheduled.

Emmanuel, represented by the Commissioner for Power and Petroleum Development, Mr. John Etim, hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for putting politics aside to award the project to Akwa Ibom State.

Assistant Director (Transmission), Federal Ministry of Power, Mr. Philip Okpanefe, said the Federal Government awarded the contract for the construction of the substation to JAMEC West Africa Ltd to complete the project within 18 months.

Speaking on behalf of the community, Sen. Ita Enang, former Special Assistant to President Buhari on Niger Delta Affairs, said the project, when completed, would enhance economic growth of the people, as small scale businesses would spring up due to availability of regular power supply.

Abia State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Prof. Uzochukwu Chijioke has cautioned politicians and leadership of parties against destroying campaign billboards of other parties.

Chijioke, speaking at a forum of peace accord signing between political parties ahead of the general election, condemned attacks by politicians and supporters on their opponents.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) boss, who urged politicians and parties to engage in issue-based campaigns, advised the political class to be civil and decent.

Chijioke, who promised the commitment of the electoral commission towards ensuring credible elections, enjoined politicians to refrain from statements that had the capacity to incite violence.

“We urge you to maintain a principle mandate of seeking to establish a reasonable level of civility and decency in public discussion and debate associated with election and campaign.”

“The thrust of all demands as documented is for the political leaders to commit to run issue-based campaigns and refrain from statements that have the capacity to incite any form of violence.

“On our part as INEC, as we prepare for the 2023 general election, we are committed to ensuring that insider abuses in the commission are not tolerated. And that action capable of causing electoral violence is not within our purview.

“We ask God to be with us as we prepare for the 2023 general election.”

A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, has granted an order that the Federal Government and the Hydrocarbon pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) should stop activities on Ogoni oil impacted sites until further notice.

The order followed a Freedom of Information Act (FOA) suit filed against (HYPREP) and its Project Coordinator, Dr. Ferdinand Giadom, by a group called ‘Corporated Trustees of Ekere PYE Ogoni Initiative’, who is seeking information in respect to Ogoni Trust Fund maintained in Escrow Account for the Clean-up of Ogoniland.

Joined in the suit are the Project Coordinator of the Federal Government agency, the Minister of Environment, Muhammed Abdullahi; the Minister of State for Environment, Udom Udi; the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The group had written to Giadom to make available a schedule indicating a total amount received from the Federal Government and the joint Venture partners into the Ogoni Trust fund from the establishment of Ogoni Trust Fund to date.

The plaintiff in the suit also requested for the total amount of money withdrawn, utilised, approved for used from Ogoni Trust Fund for the remediation project and total accrued bank interest on Ogoni Trust Fund.

The group also requested to know the yearly budget of HYPREP, expenditure and amount retired into the Ogoni Trust Fund from 2017 to date; as well as the addresses of contractors and contact details of the members of Board of Directors of contractors awarded each contract.

The presiding judge, Justice Phoebe Ayua, directed parties to maintain status quo on the matter, as the matter was adjourned till March 21 for accelerated hearing.

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A leading visa outsourcing and technology services specialist VFS Global, has said the number of visa applications processed in 2022 from Nigeria was  more than 40 per cent.

In a statement, Head-Sub Saharan Africa of the firm, Hariprasad Viswanathan noted that global travel will continue to be on the rise in countries like Nigeria.

According to him, Canada emerged as the top location for outbound travel from the country in terms of visa application volumes followed by Schengen (like France) and South Africa.

 “When international borders started to open in mid-2021, the travel and tourism industry expected a slow recovery, primarily due to too many travel restrictions still in place, coupled with an uneven vaccine rollout globally. However, the surge in travel activity in 2022 took  the industry by surprise, exceeding the conservative recovery projections,” he said.

Viswanathan  said increase in international travel was expected to continue this year due to high demand.

“With the opening of international borders and easing travel restrictions, the industry is witnessing peak ‘revenge’ travel. The resumption of in-campus classes at overseas universities was also a major contributing factor to this spike,” he added.

He urged applicants  to apply for their visas  as early as possible this year due to the surge in demand for outbound travel in 2022 and with limited appointment slots available.

Viswanathan also advised them to carry out  all requisite documentation, including a printout of the checklist, to submit along with the duly filled application form.

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Usman Alkali Baba, has set up a special investigation panel under the IGP Monitoring and Mentoring Unit to commence investigations into some weighty allegations of unprofessionalism, high-handedness, and extra-judicial killings leveled against its officers serving at the Zone 13 Command, Ukpo-Dunukofia, and the Anambra State Command on social media platforms.

A statement issued on Friday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi said: “In light of the serious allegations leveled against the officers – CSP Patrick Agbazue, officer-in-charge of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Anambra State Command; SP Nwode Nkeiruka, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Zone 13 Headquarters, Ukpo-Dunukofia, and Inspector Harrison Akama attached to the RRS, they reported at the Force Headquarters, Louis Edet House, Abuja today Friday 17th February, 2023, on the directives of the IGP for commencement of investigations to ascertain the veracity of the allegations for further necessary action, while the panel has been given a period of two weeks to come up with a report of investigations.

“The Force enjoins any member of the public who has had experiences or information on acts of high-handedness, extortion, or extra-judicial killings by the officers in question, to forward same with detailed information via mobile number 08036242591, or by email via pressforabuja@police.gov.ng, igpmufhq@npf-c4i.com to enable the panel achieve a holistic investigation.

“The Inspector-General of Police has assured that the findings of the investigations will determine the next line of action, even as he promises that the Force will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that justice is done in the case and sanctions meted to any officers found guilty accordingly.”