More militant groups declare ceasefire in Niger Delta

More militant groups in the Niger Delta have announced ceasefire, on a condition that security agencies should stop forthwith harassment and intimidation of their suspected members.
But peace is still elusive as yet another group, Niger Delta Greenland and Justice Mandate, has attacked a major delivery line operated by the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) in Udu Local Council of Delta State. The group also warned that no repair should be carried out on the damaged pipeline.

Following the Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark-led peace initiative in the region, the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) had, at the weekend, resolved to end all forms of hostilities, including jettisoning its avowed plan to declare a republic.
The group’s spokesman, Brig-Gen. Mudoch Aginigbo, announced on Saturday that it was ending hostilities and would support the peace initiative.

Also following the Pan Niger Delta Coastal States Consultative Meeting convened by Clark, the Reformed Egbesu Fraternities comprising Egbesu Boys of the Niger Delta, Egbesu Red Water Lions and Egbesu Mightier Fraternity announced yesterday a 60-day ceasefire.

They commended the convener and all the traditional rulers who participated in the meeting which the militant groups said reviewed the bombing campaigns against critical oil infrastructure and realised they were hurting not only Nigeria but Niger Deltans as well.
The Spokesmen of the Reformed Egbesu Fraternities, General Tony Alagbakeriowei and Commander Ebi Abakoromor, however underscored the big place of the neglected region in the country’s political economy. “ We are conscious of the fact that the Niger Delta alone accounts for 70 per cent of the annual national budget, 67 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product and 80 per cent of Nigeria’s foreign exchange, yet the Niger Delta has nothing to show and remains plagued by serious environmental degradation and social dislocation of our traditional and customary rights.
“Between 1957 and 2016, over two trillion barrels of the finest quality and grade as well as 1.2 trillion SCF of gas have been exploited and exported from the Niger Delta, yet we remain the poorest in all ramifications among all the oil- and gas-producing regions the world over.

“Angered by the above basic facts and worsened by the realisation that over 90 per cent of the Oil Mining Leases (OML) are owned by Northerners and the South West indigenes, we commenced our symbolic protests in the creeks with a view to unilaterally declaring a sovereign state of the Niger Delta on August 1, 2016.

“Aware that our collective strength and efforts no doubt have had a very negative impact on the economy of the country, coupled with our commitment and determination to continue with our bombing of oil and gas infrastructure and the declaration of the Niger Delta Peoples Republic, we have been pressured and appealed to by the Niger Delta Coastal States Stakeholders Consultative Meeting convened by Chief Dr E. K. Clark and most importantly, the Niger Delta Dialogue Contact Group led by His Royal Majesty, King Alfred Diette Spiff.

“Nigerians from all shades of opinion pleaded that we come to the negotiation table. In view of the persistent pleas and appeals, we the Consultative Council of the Reformed Egbesu Fraternities unilaterally declare cessation of hostilities for a period of 60 days to enable the Niger Delta stakeholders to commence an all-embracing dialogue with the Federal Government.
“However, under this 60-day period, we call on all relevant security agencies to stop forthwith all military harassment and intimidation of suspected members of these and other organisations.

“We caution against the preconceived notion of the service chiefs of the armed forces who had persistently stated recourse to military option if dialogue fails. This, to the best of our knowledge, is an act of intimidation and a ploy to truncate the negotiation process if at all there is sincerity and commitment on the part of the Federal Government,” the group said.

In a statement, the Niger Delta Greenland and Justice Mandate said: “The formidable strike team in charge of ‘Operation Zero’ brought down another major trunk/delivery line operated by NPDC in Udu Local Council area (Urhobo) of Delta State. We would also like to warn that no repair should take place on that pipeline pending when signals come from us.

“Peace cannot be realised in an unjust environment. Like we said from the onset, the Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate is not just about causing calamity and delighting in chaos, rather a child of circumstance, born to correct an injustice that has lived with us, from the time of our fathers.”

‘‘We are in this struggle, not to create any acrimony with our friends and brothers in the riverine axis, who are equal citizens of this over-sapped region, but to call the attention of the world to our peculiar experience; that we, as people of diverse tongues and orientation, have kept faith with both the Nigerian government and oil multinationals over the years, by being peaceful, patient and law-abiding all through the years, but have in turn been abused and abandoned by these same supposed partners.

They have all along taken our quietness and disposition for peace and choice for orderliness for granted. We have watched and seen that they only encourage lawlessness and violence.’’

Niger Delta Avengers announce ceasefire

The Niger Delta Avengers have pledged to lay down their weapons and resume talks with the Nigerian government after months of attacks on the country’s oil and gas infrastructure that have crippled the economy.

In a message posted on the group’s website late on Saturday, the NDA said it would “observe a cessation of hostilities” in the Niger delta and would support any effort to negotiate with “the federal government of Nigeria, representatives from the home countries of all multinational oil corporations and neutral international mediators.”

“We will give our Niger Delta elders and genuine stakeholders that tacit support to the dialogue table with the government and the Multinational oil Corporations whenever the enabling environment prevails,” said Mudoch Agbinibo, the spokesman for Avengers.
The group, however, said it would only a negotiation team put in place by a Niger Delta elder, Edwin Clark, with the aim of “achieving the short, medium and long-term frameworks and objectives to de-escalating conflicts in the Niger Delta.”

“Most of the frameworks and objectives are clearly stated in various reports, declarations and recommendations of the likes of the Sir Henry Willinks minority rights reports of pre-independence Nigeria (1957-8), The Kaiama Declaration document, The General Alexander Ogomudia report, The Leedum Mittee headed Niger Delta Technical Committee report and restructuring to fiscal federalism,” Agbinibo said.
But the NDA warned that it would resume hostilities if “the Nigerian government and the ruling political APC continues to use security agencies/agents, formations and politicians to arrest, intimidate, invade and harass innocent citizens, suspected NDA members and invade especially Ijaw communities.”
Since the start of the year, the NDA has carried out a string of devastating attacks on Nigeria’s oil pipelines and facilities.

Oil majors including Shell, Exxon, Chevron, Eni and the state-run oil group NNPC have all been targeted this year.
The attacks have reduced Nigeria’s output by a third, hammering government revenue at a time of low global oil prices.

The oil sector accounts for 90 percent of the nation’s foreign exchange earnings and 70 percent of government revenue.
The NDA has claimed to seek a fairer share of Nigeria’s oil wealth for residents of the region as well as self-determination and political autonomy.

Tension as militants kill three soldiers in Bayelsa

IYC urges security agencies to identify avengers

The fear of a reprisal by the military has gripped the residents of Nembe Local Council of Bayelsa State following the killing of three soldiers attached to the joint force known as ‘Operation Delta Safe’ (ODS) by suspected militants.The killers were said to have also made away with military gunboats, rifles and other ammunition, after they ambushed operatives of the ODS at a checkpoint.
Meanwhile, the splinter group of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide has urged the security agencies to intensify efforts to identify the real faces behind the Niger Delta Avengers.
The attack on the soldiers occurred about 9:30 a.m. yesterday at a military checkpoint which has been mounted at the entrance of the Nembe community since the beginning of militancy in the Niger Delta.

It was learnt that there were deafening sounds of gunshots in the community during the surprised attack that lasted for about 30 minutes. There was pandemonium as residents who thought their community was under siege ran in different directions for safety.
The gunmen, who operated from an unspecified number of speedboats, were said to have dressed in white attire to hoodwink their targets. The attire, it was learnt, was designed to create an impression that the attackers were in a funeral procession.A resident of Nembe who spoke in confidence to our correspondent said there was general apprehension in the community.
He said: “The attack was deadly and well-planned. Nobody had expected that such a thing would happen at such a time when the jetties were busy with people preparing to go about their normal business activities.
“I am sure even the soldiers did not expect such an incident to happen at that time. Some persons who were already sailing out of Nembe said they saw the gunmen but dismissed them as mourners because they were dressed in white robes.”

The source further said that following the incident, some residents in Nembe had started fleeing the community, while others were still contemplating to do so following a widespread fear of a reprisal.
Efforts to get the reaction of the spokesman of the Operation Delta Safe, Lt. Col Olaolu Dauda, were not successful as he promised to call back through a text message but was yet to do so at the time of filing this report.
The President of the IYC splinter group, Mr. Elvis Donkemezuo, who spoke against the backdrop of an allegation by the reformed Niger Delta Avengers that the council and some notable Niger Deltans were sponsoring the militants, urged the fighters to leave IYC and the Ijaw nation out of their antics.
Donkemezuo said his group had been intimated on reports in an online medium containing a statement from a group, the Reformed Niger Delta Avengers that named some Niger Delta leaders as sponsors of the NDA.

“But for the fact that our noble organisation, the IYC, was mentioned in relation to our erstwhile interim President, Udengs Eradiri, who the RNDA claimed is also known as ‘Brigadier General Murdoch Agbinibo’ and ‘serves as the NDA’s chief spokesman’ and the enormity of our ignoring this lame attempt at linking the IYC to the hostilities of the Avengers, we would not have dignified them with a response.

“Nonetheless, given that our silence would mislead the unsuspecting public and embolden the source of the publication, we have decided to set the record straight.“For the sake of clarity, we want to state unequivocally that Eradiri is no longer the President of the IYC. IYC is not Eradiri’s private estate.“Therefore, we urge those who have personal or business quarrels with him not to drag the name of the council into their tussles.“The IYC and the entire Ijaw nation distance ourselves from the NDA and any splinter group from it as well as all their sponsors,” Donkemezuo said.

FG, NFF absent at Keshi’s burial, as Eguavoen eulogises late coach

It was crying time yesterday at Illah, Oshimili North Local Council of Delta State at the final interment of the late former head coach of the Super Eagles, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi as family members, friends, admirers, fans and associates of the late football icon sobbed and wept uncontrollably.

The cream and gold coloured casket bearing the remains of the famous footballer, who died suddenly in Benin, Edo State on June 7, was lowered into the grave at exactly 1.55pm.
Curiously, there were no delegates from the Federal Government and the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), but officials of the Delta State Government were fully represented at the solemn ceremonies for the coach who won the African Nations Cup in South Africa in 2013. The burial ceremony began with a funeral mass at Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church.
The state government team was led by the Deputy Governor Kingsley Otuaro, who represented Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
Other members of the state cabinet including the Commissioner for Information and members of the state House of Assembly were present.
Also present was the senator representing Delta South, James Manager, as well as the member representing Aniocha/Oshimili constituency at the House of Representatives, Mrs. Amaechi Mrakpor.
Keshi’s team-mates particularly the glorious Super Eagles of 1994, led by Austin Eguavoen, made an overwhelming presence both at the church service and the graveside. It was an emotional moment for most of them who could not hold back tears when the ‘Big Boss,’ as Keshi was fondly called, was being committed into the waiting arms of Mother Earth.

Apart from Eguavoen, other team-mates of the late captain present were Peter Rufai, Uche Okechukwu, Alloy Agu, Mutiu Adepoju, Ben Iroha, Edema Fuludu, Victor Ikpeba, Henry Nwosu, Austin Popo, Friday Ekpo, Frank Howard, Greg and Taribo West, among others. Kanu Nwankwo made a late appearance.
Speaking on behalf of Okowa, Otuaro said he personally admired the late Keshi as a young man growing in Benin City, adding that Keshi and his generation of footballers came at a time to blaze the trail and usher the nation into a new realm of football.
Otuaro said Keshi’s exploits in the soccer world brought glory to the nation, noting that the state government was already working out modalities to immortalise him while also prevailing on the Federal Government to do the needful in memory of the fallen hero.
Meanwhile, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III in a letter of condolence to the bereaved Keshi family described the passing on of the football icon as a great loss to the nation and the entire humanity.

Conveying his heartfelt condolences over “this monumental loss,” the monarch prayed “God in His infinite mercy” to grant the family the fortitude to bear “this irreparable loss.”
In his homily, Parish Priest of the church, Rev. Fr. Dennis Arinze described death as private affair and that funeral is a public occasion while the grief of the loss of a loved one is being bore by the family.
The cleric recalled that the news of Keshi’s death filtered into the community like a whirlwind in the morning if June 8, adding that since then, the community has been in rude shock taking into consideration the circumstance surrounding his sudden demise, just few months after the death of his wife.

“Stephen Okechukwu Keshi will continue to live in our hearts. He was a trailblazer who brought professionalism, dignity and discipline to football. As a Catholic, he was a real family man. We have a lot to learn from his transition irrespective of our chosen careers.
“The death of Keshi is an opportunity for us to reflect on our lives and the country. Nigeria is the most populous nation in Africa blessed with abundant human, natural and water resources and arable land for agriculture. But we have nothing to show for God’s favour,” he said.

Amidst tears Eguavoen eulogized: “Our hearts are heavy, words are not enough to describe him. He was charismatic. He was our president with five others behind; hence people thought that there was a cult in the team.
“It was very difficult for anybody to deal with Keshi. May God give us the courage to swallow this bitter pill. We will continue from where he stopped.”

Military onslaught against pipeline vandals continues in Lagos, Ogun

In a bid to flush out the pipeline oil thieves operating at Isawo, Igando and Igbo-Olomu areas of Ikorodu in Lagos, and Arepo, Awawa, Elepete and Ibafo areas of Ogun State, the joint military forces have sustained an offensive against the oil theft cartel by bombing the area.
In an operation tagged ‘Operation Awatse’, (Hausa word for scatter), the military’s joint task force had at midnight on Thursday launched an aerial bombardment of the vandals’ enclaves, camps and hideouts.

The Joint Task Force comprises members of the Nigerian Navy (NN), the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and the Nigerian Army (NA), alongside the Department of State Security Services (DSS), the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Nigerian Police Force (NPF).
The offensive was due to the increasing cases of kidnapping, rape, acts of vandalism and armed robbery operations continuously being perpetrated by the vandals, who always come out of their enclaves to terrorize civilians in the respective communities.
In Ishawo, cases of kidnapping abound especially that of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) pastor and the recent abduction of the Oba of Iba, Oba Goriola. Fighter jets were deployed, attack helicopters and Alpha jets, not just to bomb the area, but as a show of force. When the intensive aerial bombardment began at midnight, pandemonium erupted as residents of the area thought the militants had struck.

Addressing journalists yesterday at the conference hall of the Western Naval Command (WNC), the Flag Officer Commanding, WNC, Rear Admiral Bobai Ducas Ferguson, said the offensive would continue until the vandals are sent out.
Given that the Operation Awatse has intensified efforts to clear out the enclave permanently, Bobai said they would still go beyond that to get to the chief sponsors of the vandals, to know who armed them with the heavy-duty weapons they were toting.
He said: “Last month, we got a directive from the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Gabriel Olonisakin, to carry out an operation in Arepo and dismantle the vandals’ camps scattered around Ishawo in Ikorodu, Ibafo and Arepo in Ogun State. Initially, we were directed not to use air power but when we carried out an assessment of the area, the vandals had moved from accessible areas to the mangroves. We got back to the CDS on how to take out the target through air power and we were directed to do a general assessment and deploy attack helicopters.
“But before then, we were in touch with Lagos and Ogun State Governments because the Areas of Responsibility (AOR) was within their domain.

“First, we deployed a surveillance aircraft to go see the area and we analyzed the videos and pinpointed the areas to be destroyed.
“The revelation from the video showed that a lot of pipeline vandalism was taking place in the area. We could see loads of jerry cans chained together in the area.
“The inaccessibility of the area helped their trade. Aside the fact that the water is shallow, they also cut down trees and blocked the waterways.
He further revealed: “On Thursday, we initiated action and we knocked down some. Later, the surveillance aircraft went up for another video surveillance to survey the area.

“In the video, one of the canoes had a GPMG gun and the interpretation is that what is happening there is well-planned, given how well armed they are.
“After the aerial bombardment, we will comb the area. Already, the Army, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the police have been able to identify the getaway routes and we have blocked it.
“The water component, which is the navy, has blocked the escape routes, too. Also, we have blocked the escape route at Abeokuta, Ogun State.”

Bobai, however, said one of the major challenges the military offensive is facing is the weather.
He said: “The weather is one of the major challenges because the clouds are low. So, the helicopter is finding it difficult to manoeuver. However, we will continue our offensive.”

On the casualty figures, the FOC said that is yet to be ascertained because the military is yet to get access to the area, adding that it would only be possible after the aerial bombardment.
Regarding possible arrests, he said the arrested vandals would be profiled, investigated and interrogated in order to get to the source of sponsorship for the cartel.

Niger Delta militants invade Lagos community

-Multiple sources confirmed that the militants invaded the community and started killing people without provocation

– The police have mobilised to the community blocking major entrances and stationing an armoured personnel carrier at a spot.

There was pandemonium in the morning of Tuesday, July 26, at Ewedogbon community in Igando area of Lagos as suspected Niger Delta militants invaded the area.

Multiple sources said many people were killed as the militants entered into people’s houses to torment them.
Militants have reportedly invaded Lagos
However, the casualty figure could not be ascertained at the time of this report.
Residents of the community said the militants came very early and in large number wielding guns and other dangerous weapons.

The resident who did not want his name mentioned said the militants stormed the area and started killing people.

“Please help us call emergency line right now, Ewedogbo area of Igando, LASU Road is on war, Niger Delta militant are killing people right now, no one can call or go out, I am an eye witness, please, help us spread the information,” he sent through WhatsApp

He said no one could come out of their houses as the gunmen occupied the streets breaking into people’s houses at will.
It was learnt that some policemen who had stormed the area at the time the militants wreaked havoc, ran back to mobilise.
Police sources also said the police had mobilised and had taken back the community from the militants as armoured personnel carrier had been stationed in the area.

Dolapo Badmos, Lagos police spokesperson said the police were aware of the invasion and had deployed large number of policemen to the area to protect lives and properties.

Lagos state has suddenly become a hotbed of kidnapping and militancy.
On different occasions, militants have attacked communities in Ikorodu and Igando and this is despite the huge funds pumped into security by the state governor, Akinwunmi Ambode.

NYSC member docked for allegedly sleeping with married woman

prison

A member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Bonaventure Okeke, was on Monday arraigned in a Gudu Upper Area Court, Abuja for allegedly committing adultery.
Okeke, who resides in Jahi 2 Market area of Abuja, was arraigned on a one-count charge of committing adultery with one Anozie Chinenye.

The plaintiff, Emeka Anozie of Hayingada Saminaka, Kaduna State, made a criminal complaint to the court against the defendant on March 24 through his counsel, Obioma Achilefu.
The plaintiff, husband to Chinenye, said the defendant, knowing that he is legally married to Chinenye, committed adultery with her on December 18, 2014.
He said the defendant was confronted on the issue over the cell phone and he confessed to have had sex with Chinenye once.

The plaintiff warned the defendant to stay away from his wife, but his warnings fell on deaf ears, adding that the defendant on August 18, 2015, went ahead to send transport money to Chinenye, who was schooling in Anambara State, to visit him at his residence and she did.
Anozie said the defendant kept Chinenye in his house from the said date till August 28 and continued committing adultery with her in spite of his warnings, adding that the act wounded his “heart beyond measure”.

The offence contravened Section 387 of the Penal Code Cap 89 Laws of Northern Nigeria, 1963.
The defendant pleaded not guilty.
The judge, Alhaji Umar Kagarko, admitted Okeke to bail in the sum of N100,000 and one surety in like sum and adjourned the case till August 30 for hearing.

Nigeria is safe for shipping activities, says Peterside

The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has assured that Nigeria is safe for shipping and other commercial activities in the maritime sector.

The director general, who said this while addressing multilateral and development agencies on the sidelines of the on-going IMO/MOWCA in Brussels, Belgium also noted that Nigeria is working with both local and international counter-piracy partners to eliminate criminality on its waterways.
He said: “We have a close working relationship with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) in order to foster an integrated approach to dealing with the menace. We have also increased surveillance and have deployed world-class maritime domain awareness assets in conjunction with the Nigeria Navy and the Nigeria Ports Authority to monitor our maritime environment”.

Peterside said that in addition, the country has deployed Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) in collaboration with the Nigerian Air Force as well as other naval assets to patrol and monitor the country’s waterways.
The DG observed that as a signatory to all IMO instruments and regulations relating to maritime security, Nigeria is committed to their compliance in order to eliminate piracy and criminality on the high seas.
He also said that Nigeria is mindful of the serious risk posed by piracy and maritime crimes to life, navigational safety and the environment saying this is why NIMASA is strengthening the Regional Rescue Coordination Centre located in the country as well as enhance information sharing activities.

While responding to questions on rising cases of militancy in the Niger Delta region of the country, Peterside said Nigeria is adopting a multi-faceted approach to deal with the challenge and assured the international shipping community that it is being tackled.
He urged the maritime community to draw a distinction between criminality, piracy and militancy.

Peterside appealed to international development agencies to work with Nigeria in resolving maritime security challenges in the country because of its strategic position to the overall maritime development in the continent given the size of her economy, population and geographical location.

Man, 36, arrested for allegedly impregnating daughter

Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni

…Gives her abortion pills
• Police Inspector rapes 15-year-old girl

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a 36-year-old man, Kennedy Michael, for impregnating his 16-year-old daughter and persuading her to have an abortion, while also molesting his neighbour’s 18-month-old baby girl.
According to the police, Michael was arrested after his neighbour, Uche, whose child was molested, reported the case. He disclosed that “Michael’s girlfriend, Ijeoma Ndukwe, assisted in procuring abortion for his teenage daughter, Maria.”
Uche added that when she discovered that something was wrong with Maria, she told her father, who instructed that his lover should take her to the hospital. It was there they discovered Maria was pregnant. After much interrogation, the girl confessed that her father was responsible for her pregnancy.

Ijeoma got angry and immediately confronted Michael, who confessed to her. They both agreed to abort the pregnancy. One of their neighbours learnt about the abortion and alerted the police. Ijeoma and Michael were immediately arrested.
After his arrest, Michael confessed that he has been sexually molesting his daughter since 2014, when she was about 14 years old. However, Michael and Maria’s mother separated a long time ago and he brought his daughter to Lagos to live with him.
Michael was also alleged to have ‘fingered’ (molested) a neighbour’s 18-month-old baby. The child’s father, Uche, said: “My wife wanted to bathe our child and discovered she had a tear inside her private part. Before then, it was only Michael that was with the baby inside his room.

“Upon confirmation from Mende Health Centre that our daughter had been violated, I contacted my lawyer. I also informed the police, so that he could be prosecuted. But the police swept the matter under the carpet.”
Uche added that when he heard from Maria’s friends that her father impregnated her and procured abortion for her, he didn’t want Michael to escape justice again.
Maria confessed that her father last had sex with her on Friday, July 8. Michael was arrested on July 12, after the intervention of Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Agency from Alausa, Ikeja.

Lagos State police spokesperson, Dolapo Badmos, who confirmed the incident, noted that the matter would be charged to court today. According to her, “we are aware of the case, the suspect is with us and we are charging him to court tomorrow (today).”
In another development, the family of Mary Udo in Mkpat Enin Local Council of Akwa Ibom State has accused a Police Inspector attached to Mkpat Enin Division of forcefully having canal knowledge of their 15-year-old daughter at gunpoint.
The minor, who narrated her ordeal in the hands of the police inspector to newsmen yesterday, said she was returning from African Church, Ikot Abasi-Akpan, last Thursday when the police team that stood on the road accosted her. She explained that the inspector pointed the gun at her, saying if she dared resist him touching her, he would shoot her.

The SS1 pupil said the inspector then led her away from other members of the team to a dark portion of the road where he ordered her to undress.
“After he had forced me to remove my clothes, he ordered me to lie down and open my legs. As he was romping over me, he threatened to shoot me if I opened my mouth. But when I could not bear the pain any longer as blood was running out of my private part, he quickly took me into the vehicle and drove to the station, where he detained me from Thursday till Saturday. It was my uncle, Dr. Ime Stephen that came from Abuja and bailed me out with N10,000.”

When contacted, the state Commissioner of Police, Murtala Mani, confirmed the incident. Mani, however, did not disclose if the police have commenced investigation into the matter. He just said: “Yes I am fully aware.”

Gbaramatu women give ultimatum for release of students

Gbaramatu women and Association of Gbaramu Students during the protest along Warri/Sapele road on Wednesday in Warri, Delta State, demanding the release of 10 students by the military for their alleged membership of the militant group, Niger Delta Avengers (NDA).

Yoruba, Ijaw leaders restate call for community policing

The ever-busy Warri-Sapele Road in Warri, Delta state was shut down for several hours yesterday as hundreds of aggrieved Gbaramatu women and the National Association of Gbaramatu Students (NAGS) took to the streets to protest the continued of 10 students by the military for their alleged membership of the militant group, Niger Delta Avengers (NDA).

They are demanding the release of the youths within a week or face another massive protest in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.
Led by Chief Vero Tangnowei, the women chanted solidarity songs brandishing placards with several inscriptions. Some of them read: “ This is pure oppression, stop labeling them as members of NDA,” “Mr. President, Free our sons Now”, “ No child born to be taken # free our sons”, “ We need them back in school # Free our students”, “ Mr. President # free our brothers. Time is running out”, they are not NDA”

Others include “They are students of Gbaramatu Grammar School Oporoza” Bring Back our sons alive”, “ #10 boys are still in detention # free our brothers. They are the future.”
She accused government of wrongfully labelling their sons as militants.
Meanwhile, the Yoruba Unity Forum (YUF) and the Ijaw National Congress (INC) yesterday reiterated their call for community policing, insisting that it was the only means to reduce crime to the barest minimum in the country.

The leaders, who met at the palace of the Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba (Dr) Michael Adeniyi Sonariwo in Sagamu, Ogun State, said the purpose of their meeting was to rub minds with stakeholders in the area to ensure peace among residents.
The YUF was led by Mr. Yinka Odumakin while the INC has Chief Francis Dokpola as its head.

KAI officials caught in the act while extorting money from hawkers

Some officials of the Kick Against Indiscipline in Lagos State have been caught on tape while demanding bribes from street hawkers.

Some officials of the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI), a para-military agency set up by the Lagos State government to maintain law and order in the street, have been caught on tape extorting street hawkers » who violated the law banning street hawking in the state.

Also Read: "Power Pass Power: KAI officials assaulted by angry mob for harassing recharge card seller" »

According to eyewitnesses, the two officers who conducted a raid around Alapere, Ketu, 7up and Ojota axis, were unaware that they were being recorded on tape, while demanding and receiving various sums of money as bribe from the street hawkers » after arresting them for contravening the ban.

The bribe drama, according to those who witnessed it, happened a few metres away from the Alapere Police Station, and during the negotiation, the KAI officers eventually agreed to collect N4,000 from over 20 of such hawkers, while some could only manage to dole out N2,500, which was the minimum amount they were willing to collect.

The officers were recorded as calling the bribe monies as 'money for recharge card and phones.'

KAI officials assaulted by angry mob for harassing recharge card seller

According to reports, angry on-lookers descended on the officials and also beat them up.

A Kai (Kick Against Indiscipline), official was beaten by Lagosians after he and his colleagues beat up a recharge card seller and forced him into their van.

 According to reports, angry on-lookers descended on the officials and also beat them up.

The incident took place at Allen Avenue, Ikeja in Lagos.
Unable to over power the crowd, they fled leaving behind one of their colleagues.
The crowd the descended on him and beat him up, mercilessly.

The KAI official, who's name wasn't disclosed, was only spared after some good Samaritans begged them to spare him.