A Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, has ordered Chief Ali Odefa, the expelled National Vice Chairman of the PDP South-East, to pay N100 million in damages. This ruling follows a lawsuit filed by 20 PDP members, including party executives from the Oguduokwor ward in Onicha Local Government Area.
The plaintiffs, who filed under Suit No: FHC/AI/CS/FHR/197, sought enforcement of their fundamental rights after Odefa accused them of forging documents to falsely suspend him as the PDP National Vice Chairman.
Justice Hilary I. O. Oshomah ruled that Odefa had maliciously involved the police, making unfounded criminal accusations in a civil political matter. The court found that Odefa failed to present any evidence of forgery in support of his claims. It also issued an order prohibiting Odefa and the police from harassing or intimidating the plaintiffs.
The court awarded N5 million in damages to each of the 20 plaintiffs, totaling N100 million, to be paid within seven days. Failure to comply would result in a 10% daily interest charge. At the hearing, the OC Legal of the Ebonyi State Police Command, Benson Emenike, represented the Commissioner of Police, while Odefa’s counsel was absent despite prior notice. Odefa was expelled from the PDP on December 12, 2024, following allegations of anti-party activities.
U.S. immigration agents raided business establishments in Newark, New Jersey, on Thursday and detained undocumented residents as well as citizens, including a U.S. military veteran, the city’s mayor said.
The raid in New Jersey’s most populous city, hailed in the past by mayor Ras Baraka for its “sanctuary” policies protecting migrants, follows President Donald Trump’s pledge to deport millions of immigrants who are in the U.S. illegally.
Trump issued a raft of executive orders after taking office on Monday that aim to clamp down on illegal immigration. He has taken steps to punish officials who resist enforcement of his sweeping crackdown.
In a raid of a business establishment in Newark, outside New York City, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents failed to produce a warrant as they detained “undocumented residents as well as citizens,” Baraka said in a statement.
“One of the detainees is a U.S. military veteran who suffered the indignity of having the legitimacy of his military documentation questioned,” Baraka said.
Baraka said the act violates the citizens’ rights under the U.S. Constitution. “Newark will not stand by idly while people are being unlawfully terrorised,” he said.
Baraka did not identify the business raided by name. The White House and ICE had no immediate comment on the raid.
Baraka is one of the first local officials in the U.S. to state a specific raid following the start of Trump’s immigration crackdown.
In 2017, he signed an executive order cementing Newark’s sanctuary status and was a vocal opponent of Trump’s immigration policies during the president’s first term.
Of the estimated 11 million immigrants in the U.S. illegally or with temporary status in 2022, about 44% lived in states with “sanctuary” laws that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
That figure does not include those in sanctuary cities and counties in places without a statewide law, such as New Mexico.
U.S. media outlets reported that federal law enforcement and ICE agents had arrested nearly 500 undocumented migrants wanted for outstanding crimes in sanctuary cities, including some from New York and New Jersey. The reports cited ICE officials who said the arrests took place on Tuesday and Wednesday
Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to reinstate 38 Nigerian Army officers who were retired prematurely eight years ago.
Falana, who is the counsel for the 38 soldiers, also urged Tinubu to take judicial notice of the fact the then administration of President Muhammadu Buhari refused to comply with the order of the National Industrial Court and the resolutions of the National Assembly, directing the officers’ reinstatement.
Falana stated this on Wednesday during an interview with journalists in Lagos.
The human rights lawyer also cited injustice and lack of fair hearing in the case of the 38 officers, insisting that due process was not followed in their matter.
He, therefore, sought their reinstatement on the grounds that they did not commit any offence.
Falana further stated that the officers were forced to retire by the Nigerian Army on June 9, 2016, saying that the unjust retirement affected nine major generals, 11 brigadier-generals, seven colonels and 11 lieutenant colonels.
According to the then military authorities, their offences included partisanship during the general election of 2015, involvement in arms procurement fraud and jeopardising national security.
Falana said, “As the Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, I wish to inform President Tinubu that what happened to the 38 Army officers under the previous administration is incredible and unfortunate. I’m also using this medium to inform you that the infamous action on the 38 officers is patently illegal and unjustified.
“The Nigerian Army cannot and should not be allowed to treat the valid and subsisting order of the National Industrial Court and the National Assembly resolution on the 38 officers with levity.
“Mr President, there is a need for you to intervene now because if you fail to intervene, the premature retirement of these 38 officers will send a wrong signal to serving military officers that it does not pay to offer selfless service to Nigeria.
“We have also written a detailed letter to the President through the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), seeking for justice and their reinstatement in line with the National Industrial Court and the National Assembly resolutions. We sincerely believe and are confident that AGF Fagbemi will do the needful and advise the President accordingly.”
• Laments extortions at security roadblocks • Says truck drivers pay N1.2m bribes across 700 checkpoints
From Sola Ojo, Abuja
The Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiga, has decried the existence of 700 checkpoints where truck drivers conveying agricultural products are forced to pay an average of N1.2 million per trip, hence the high cost of meat in the market.
The minister, who was one of the guest speakers at the Daily Trust’s 22nd Annual Dialogue in Abuja, also attributed the high cost of meat in the market to the extortionate checkpoints manned by both state and non-state actors.
“Our people who transport cows have to pass through about 700 checkpoints manned by state and non-state actors. The drivers are paying an average of N1.2 million as they travel from one part of the country to another, which will be transferred on the goods they are carrying.”
He called on the responsible government authorities to dismantle the checkpoints, particularly those created by non-state actors.
“We are calling on the responsible government authorities to rise to this occasion by dismantling these checkpoints, especially those created by non-state actors on the road to make food available and affordable for Nigerians.”
Ibrahim said so much efforts have been put in place to make food available to Nigerians.
He cited flooding in some parts of the country, and even the Russian /Ukraine war that has affected food prices globally as another part of the challenges. “As the population continues to grow, Nigeria needs to do more including tackling insecurity to be able to provide food for its population.”
Ibrahim, who said Brazil is now a force in food production, tasked the Federal Government to adopt some of the models used abroad.
He also said Nigerians should be tired of saying the country has potential, stressing that it was time to activate that potential.
The minister said agriculture policies should address the issue where people produce for only family consumption with little to sell. He said there was a need to change the way we do things in the agricultural sector for us to get a different outcome.
Speaking in the same vein, the National President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Kabir Ibrahim, alleged that the Anchor Borrower programme of the previous administration failed due to corruption.
According to him, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) gave billions of naira to prime anchors, who instead of giving the money to real farmers used it to buy rice from the market.
This, he said, led to the failure of the programme, which was intended to boost rice and wheat production between 2015-2016.
“Between 2015-2016, there was an effort to make rice available through the Anchor Borrower programme. But instead of giving the money to the real farmers, the CBN gave the money to the prime anchor.
“So, they took the money to the market and started buying what was expected to be grown by indigenous farmers,” he noted.
The AFAN boss also lamented that food access has been affected by insecurity and other challenges.
He called for large-scale dry season farming, adding that it was the only way to tackle the food shortage and affordability.
He also called for efforts to tackle incessant farmers, herders clashes, adding, however, that his ministry was working with stakeholders to resolve the issue in some states.
Meanwhile, Mrs Mira Mehta, CEO and co-founder of Tomato Jos, has said Chinese expatriates are responsible for 95 percent of the tomato paste produced in Nigeria.
Mehta, an experienced executive in the agribusiness and consumer packaged goods sector of the economy, lamented that most Nigerian farmers were not competitive.
She added that food manufacturers struggle to grow food in the country which has resulted in high cost of produce.
Explaining expensive in Nigeria compared to countries like Kenya, which share a similar per capita ratio with Nigeria, Mehta whose company is based in Kaduna, said the country imports over 30 percent of food spend which has negatively impacted production.
“Apart from insecurity, there are other reasons for the high cost of staples in Nigeria, including about 30 per cent to importation.
“This is huge because to bring in food to fill the deficit, we have to import with dollars and considering the exchange rate, food prices will be high.
“Kenya shares similar per capita with Nigeria. Meanwhile, the average Kenyan spends less than half of his salary on food, while his counterpart in Nigeria spends two-thirds of his salary on food.
“So, to address high food cost, the Nigerian government must have a deliberate plan to support farmers, make precision farm technology available and affordable and develop and implement policies that will attract more persons, especially the young generation, to agriculture,” she said.
Commerical banks in the country yesterday issued warnings to their customers about the rise in fake bank alerts, a tactic commonly used by fraudsters to deceive individuals and businesses.
According to statements from different banks seen by Daily Sun, these fake alerts often appear as genuine notifications of deposits or transfers, leading recipientto believe they have received money
Victims typically proceed to release goods or services without verifying the payment, only to realize later that the funds were never actually transferred.
This issue has become more prevalent with increasing digital transactions. Banks and regulatory authorities in Nigeria has constantly encouraged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities immediately.
Access Bank, in an email notification to its customers, said, “Dear valued customer, Just received a credit alert? Hold on! Do not rely solely on SMS or email alerts. Always confirm payments into your account through secure channels like Access More, Internet Banking or *901#.
Be cautious of fake alerts- stay one step ahead and verify before completing any transaction. Stay vigilant!”
There have been a shocking escalation in fraudulent activities lately especially in the nine months of 2024, leaving banks and customers vulnerable.
According to the FITC fraud and forgery report for Q3 2024, fraud cases reported by banks jumped by an alarming 65% from 11,532 in Q2 2024 to 19,007 in Q3 2024. The monetary figures are equally disturbing as in Q3 2024, fraudster attempted to steal an eye-watering N115.9 billion-more than double the N56.6 billion recorded in the previous quarter.
This caused the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to raise an alarm, warning Nigerians to beware of falsified SWIFT documents being used to back such allegations.
The apex bank disclosed that it has received a wave of complaints from private entities, individuals, law firms, and government agencies, claiming that foreign funds transferred to their accounts remain uncredited.
Many of these complaints, the bank noted, come with fake SWIFT MT103 forms and acknowledgment copies that cannot be verified on the SWIFT network, indicating that the alleged transfers never took place
Construction work has intensified on the $1.96 billion Kano-Maradi rail project despite the strained relations between the Federal Government and the military junta in Niger after a lull.
The Nigerien government had accused the Bola Tinubu administration of plotting to destabilise the francophone country.
The project, partly financed by the Africa Development Bank, will run through 122 communities in 25 Local Government Areas across three states in Nigeria, and 11 communities in three communes in Niger Republic.
Approved by the Federal Executive Council in September 2020, the 283.75 km standard gauge railway line will connect Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa states in Nigeria with Maradi in Niger Republic.
Findings by The PUNCH indicate that 3,252 displaced persons have yet to be compensated three years after the project commenced.
A settlement audit report prepared by the project consultant, Windforce Safeguards Limited, said the victims include farmers whose farmlands are on the rail line’s right of way and several residents who had been forced to leave their ancestral homes.
The rail project, which would be completed in 2026, was expected to displace 12,695 homes and 2,064 assets on the railway corridor, according to a study commissioned by Africa Finance Corporation.
Out of the N20.325 billion earmarked for asset valuation, N12.307bn had been paid to 16,032 of the 19,284 enumerated persons.
However, about 5, 531 persons are dissatisfied with the compensation paid to them.
Also, residents of Dalli, Yammawar Wanzamai, Tsadoji, Fitare, Wailare, Firji, Danheji, Yamel, muduru, Durbi, Guru and Gamoji communities within the rail corridor in Kano State complained about the meagre compensation they were paid for their assets.
Speaking to The PUNCH, Babangida Idris, who hails from Garo in Mashi local Government area of Katsina state, said he and seven other farmers have yet to be paid despite the promises made by officials.
“I and seven other affected persons were invited to the palace of our district head where the officials promised to ensure that we get our compensation within the shortest time possible. This is the third month since we had the meeting but not a kobo has been given to the eight of us,” Idris lamented.
He appealed to the authorities to expedite action on the payment to enable them to purchase another farm or use the money for other businesses.
“It’s unfortunate that we are denied the opportunity of cultivating our farms while the compensation is not forthcoming,” he said.
Another farmer, Alhaji Nuhu Idi from Dokawa village also in Mashi LGA, expressed dissatisfaction what his compensation, saying he was short-changed.
“I am not satisfied with what I was paid. Two of us were paid N500,000 which we shared N250,000 each,’’ he disclosed.
According to him, about N60, 000 was deducted as bank charges from the N500,000 they were paid.
“We collected the money because we had no choice. If we had rejected it, we would have lost it entirely because we don’t know if we will get additional compensation,” he said.
According to him, a similar fate befell other farmers in the area as the compensation was grossly inadequate, citing the devaluation of the naira and the economic situation in the country.
He accused the contractors in charge of the compensation of cheating the farmers, noting that no fewer than 50 persons were under-paid.
Mohammad Danladi of Yanzaki village in Jigawa State said he was compensated for his farmland, but added that the contractor has yet to pay for the additional farmlands acquired for construction of an overhead bridge.
“They came recently and took measurements of some farms where they want to construct an overhead bridge. We are yet to be paid for that one,” Danladi said.
Speaking in the same vein, Adamu Abdullahi of Kadandani village, Makoda LGA, Kano State, confirmed receiving some money but regretted that it was below his expectations.
“The people were here again where they took measurements of our farms including my farm for the construction of a bridge. We are still expecting the compensation,” he said.
Also speaking on the issue, Danladi Isah, another farmer and Ward Head of Kadandani village explained that many people were unhappy with the evaluation of their farmlands.
Hanafi Hambali from Rimin-Guza village in Rimi LGA, Katsina State, said some officials collected his details about four months ago, but he has not been paid to date.
They (officials) came here three times about four to five months ago and collected our details and assured us that we would be paid soon. The second time they returned, they gave us some papers and reassured us that the payment will be made in no distant future. But up to this moment, we have not received anything,” Hambali said.
However, Ibrahim Abubakar, a farmer in Yanzaki village of Roni LGA, Jigawa State, confirmed receiving compensation for his farmland. “Yes, I was compensated and I don’t have any complaints,” he said.
The head of Kayauki village in Batagarawa, Katsina State, Muhammadu Hamisu confirmed that all the farmers in the area had been compensated.
We were compensated a few months back and we were satisfied with what was paid to us. We don’t have any complaints regarding the payment,” he said.
Another farmer, Bishir Lado who hails from Makurda village in the Rimi LGA of Katsina State, also confirmed receiving the compensation.
“We were compensated in this area and were also satisfied with the payment,” he added.
The final settlement audit report released in September 2024, recommended a review of the compensation amount paid to the victims, noting that the valuation of their assets was based on the ‘depreciation valuation method’ contrary to the ‘replacement valuation method’ stipulated in the Resettlement Action Plan and AfDB policy.
The adoption of the depreciated valuation method in line with the Land Use Act ‘’impoverished the PAPs more which is against the SDGs and does not satisfy the AfDB policy,’’ the audit declared.
It criticised the valuation method stating that the AfDB valuation of assets did not require a depreciated valuation method because the AfDB policy makes it clear that “If people living in the project area are required to move to another location, the borrower shall offer the choice of replacement property of equal or higher value, with security of tenure, equivalent or better characteristics, and advantages of location, or cash compensation at full replacement cost.”
The report noted, ‘’There is no negotiation with the PAPs (Project Affected Persons) about the exact amount that she/he will be receiving. Most PAPs indicated that they learned their amount of compensation only at the time of disbursement.
‘’The affected assets were not geo-referenced, as witnessed during the audit exercises from the asset enumeration forms issued to the PAPs.
‘’The audit team verified that no PAPs signed the indemnity certificate as a party to the compensation process as the community indemnity certificate was issued and signed off by the village heads.
‘’Furthermore, there is an issue of diversion due to the engineering design of the alignment after compensation payment, as witnessed in Yan Zaki, Unguwan Kusa, Makurda, and Durbi communities. Thus, the new PAPs are yet to be compensated.’’
The audit recommended that compensation should be negotiated transparently with the affected individuals and disclosed, using the mandatory AfDB individual agreement form in the future.
It confirmed that 32 per cent of those interviewed were dissatisfied with the compensation which was deemed insufficient.
‘’These PAPs mentioned that their compensation amounts were insufficient. They cited calculation criteria as one of the reasons for the inadequate compensation.
Seventy-eight per cent are not aware of how their assets were valued as the PAPs indicated that they learnt the exact amount of compensation only at the point of disbursement,’’ the audit further said.
It frowned on delays in compensation payments, especially in areas where there was a realignment of the route, adding that new set of displaced persons have not been compensated in Yan Zaki, Unguwan Kusa, Makurda, and Durbi communities, while communal assets such as the community cemetery had not been paid for in Chedi Ingawa, Katsuhu, Chadi, Yamel and Duru communities.
The Ministry of Transportation and Nigerian Railway Corporation officials failed to speak on the complaints by the victims.
Meanwhile, our correspondent in Kano State who visited the project site around Kwanar Dangora village reports that work had been completed in the area.
A resident of Kwanar Dangora village, Abdullahi Dogo, said work on the rail project resumed a few weeks ago after it was suspended for some time.
Another resident, Bala Doka, revealed that the workers have moved to Dawanau area along Daura road en route Jigawa State.
Our correspondent who visited the project site in Jigawa State observed the workers actively proceeding with construction work.
Residents of Dundubus, Sabon Garin Dan Malam villages and Shuwarin, and Andaza towns in Jigawa and Dutse environ were excited by the project’s progress.
Malam Musa, a resident of Dundubus, said, “It’s our hope that the project would bring economic benefits and improve transportation in the region.
“We are very happy that the work has started again. We hope that when the project is completed, it will bring economic benefits to our community. We expect to see more businesses and jobs opportunities.”
A trader in Sabon Garin Dan Malam, Nura Garba shared a similar optimism about the project’s potential impact, saying, “I believe the railway will make it easier for us to transport our goods to other places. It will also attract more customers to our community. We are looking forward to seeing the positive changes it will bring.”
Alhaji Abdullahi Shuwarin, a community leader in Shuwarin town in the Kiyawa LGA, emphasized the importance of the project for the region’s development.
According to him, “The railway project is a game-changer for our community. It will connect us to other parts of the country and facilitate trade. We hope that the government will complete the project on time.”
Malam Adamu Aminu, a farmer in Andaza village, Kiyawa LGA, underscored the potential benefits of the project for farmers like himself.
“With the railway, we will be able to transport our farm produce to other markets easily. It will also reduce the cost of transportation. We are hopeful that the project will improve our livelihoods,” Aminu added.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed February 21, 2026 for the conduct of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections.
The INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu disclosed this during the commission’s first consultative meeting with leaders of political parties in Abuja, yesterday.
Yakubu, who recalled that the last FCT area council election was held on February 12, 2022, said that by the effluxion of time, the tenure of the current Chairmen and Councillors ends 2026.
He said voting would take place in all the designated Polling Units (PUs) across the 68 constituencies to elect the six Area Council Chairmen and 62 Councilors.
“In compliance with the mandatory legal requirements, the notice for the election will be published next month i.e. February 26, 2025,” he said.
Yakubu said primaries for the election would hold from June 9 to June 30, 2025, while the candidate nomination portal would open from 9am to 6pm from July 21 to August 11.
“The final list of candidates will be published on September 22, 2025. Campaigns in public by political parties will commence on September 2025 and end at midnight of Thursday February 19, 2026,’’ he said.
The INEC boss added that the detailed timetable and schedule of activities for the election as well as the list of constituencies and type of elections in the FCT would be uploaded to the INEC website before the end of the meeting.
He also reminded leaders of political parties that the primaries for the November 8, Anambra governorship election would commence on March 20 to April 10.
He advised political parties to forward their schedule of activities for the election to the commission before the end of the week.
This, according to Yakubu would enable INEC to plan better for the deployment of personnel and resources for the monitoring of party primaries and campaign activities.
Yakubu, who said that 2025 would be a busy year for INEC, noted that the commission would soon come up with plans for other routine activities such as the resumption of nationwide Continuous Voter registration (CVR) and the conduct of outstanding by-elections.
The National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Julius Abure, has dispelled insinuations that the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi and the Abia State governor, Dr. Alex Otti, is working against the leadership of the party.
The National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, who made this known in a statement, said Abure has insisted that the misunderstanding has been exaggerated and must be seen as a family affair which must be resolved amicably within the family.
Abure, who was welcomed by the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, into the fold of national chairmen of the political parties, yesterday, at the first consultative meeting, appreciated both the High Court and Court of Appeal for their judgements which favoured the party.
He vowed that under his watch, the party would reconcile all aggrieved members of the party and reposition the party for future elections.
“Let me first appreciate the Appeal Court for doing justice, for looking at the whole matter and resolving it in our favour which ordinarily is in line with the law of the land, the Constitution, the electoral law and the party constitution.
“I want to say essentially that the squabbles within the party ought to be a family affair, and that is how I see it. For me, there are no hard feelings.
“As I said before, all those who may have one grievance or the other against the leadership of the party, it is an opportunity for all of us to come together, reconcile our differences and chart a way forward for our party.
“I am open for reconciliation and the party will apply every measure to bring everybody within the party for us to discuss and chart a way forward for the party.
“I believe the interest of Nigeria and the interest of the party supersede every other interest. So, it is my appeal for every aggrieved member of the party to come back for the interest of the party and the interest of Nigeria.”
On his relationship between Mr. Peter Obi and Governor Alex Otti over their involvement in the crisis in the party, Abure said” “I am sure that very soon, all our differences will be put aside, and we will again speak authoritatively with one voice and come out stronger and very effective in the political space.
“There is no political party without some differences; it is a game of interests and there will always be conflicting interests in every political environment.
“I believe we will come out better and stronger. Now we have seen our strengths, we have also seen our weaknesses, and I am sure that all of these put together will reshape the party and make it better, and we will perform better in future elections.
A group of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national officials have charged aggrieved leaders of the opposition party to accept the leadership of the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum or resign.
The national officials, at a press briefing, in Abuja, yesterday, said Damagum’s case was settled until December 2025. They said it was wrong for party members to be demarketing the party instead of exploring internal crisis resolution mechanisms.
The Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, who spoke on behalf of the national officials, said the demarketing of the party by aggrieved members must stop.
PDP leaders have been divided on whether Damagum should be replaced or allowed to continue as acting national chairman. The division in the opposition party deepened recently with the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division, affirming the nomination of former National Youth Leader, Sunday Ude-Okoye as replacement for Senator Samuel Anyanwu as national secretary.
However, Anyanwu has appealed the judgment while the appellate court has directed the parties to maintain the status quo.
Nevertheless, Osadolor, who noted that “all have sinned” said party stalwarts must bury their pride and join hands with the acting national chairman in the building of the party.
“Worrisome is the action of a member of the party who under the guise of ‘due process advocates’ act on behalf of self-serving leaders lurking behind the scenes mischievously causing misunderstanding in the party.
Worrisome is the action of a member of the party who under the guise of ‘due process advocates’ act on behalf of self-serving leaders lurking behind the scenes mischievously causing misunderstanding in the party.
“This behavior is apparently self-serving on their path as it is not in the interest of the PDP in any way. It is ethically and morally wrong for members of the party to move around creating confusion instead of exploring our internal mechanism for peace.
“This is no longer the time for blame games. All have sinned. From the BoT chairman who endorsed an opposition governor, to candidates that negotiated and supported other party candidates with promises to get their return support, to NWC members and leaders that lost their polling units.
“We must all come down from our high horses, forget pride for now and join hands with the party as led by Amb. Illya Damagum to reposition this party back to winning ways. Court distractions and media demarketing of the PDP must stop forth with. You do not need to like the officers but the party is more important. If you want to resign and go, be a proper opposition, do not be here and be going from television house to radio house abusing the party.
“The case of the acting national chairman is settled till December, 2025, and on that of the national secretary, we’re waiting on the courts. Let’s learn to love and support PDP first and always.”
Osadolor added that the abysmal performance of the PDP in the last 10 years would continue except members get their acts together.
According to him, “from 2013 till date, personal ambitions have driven us to heights of pure mischief and arrogant use of power. This has led to agreements not being kept and the ambiguities in our Constitution being explored by those in position, even through the courts.
We are all complicit by being perpetrators, supporters or silent. No one is coming to save us, we must stand up and become heroes, we brought ourselves here. Tomorrow beckons on us, to rise up and surmount these challenges.
“As we await the outcome of the ongoing litigations, let us work towards the upcoming constitutionally backed stakeholders engagements, embrace each other, and put plans in place to amend the ambiguities, the loop holes in our Constitution.
“Our individual ambitions must be within the ambit of the law and must be pursued with sincerity and loyalty to the party, not the mischief and arrogance that we always display.”
A team of Kogi State security operatives has successfully rescued three pastors and 13 other kidnapped victims from hoodlums in the Ofu Local Government Area.
The victims, including the pastors who were guest ministers at a crusade in Ejule, Ofu LGA, were abducted on Monday, January 20, after the second day of the three-day religious event.
The incident occurred around 11 p.m. while they were en route to their guest house via a street off the Ejule-Anyigba road.
Upon receiving an alert, the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with other security operatives, launched a coordinated search operation that extended over two nights.
The team tracked the kidnappers to a forest and engaged in a fierce two-hour gun battle. The assailants eventually fled with injuries, leaving the hostages unharmed.
Kogi State Deputy Governor, Joel Salifu, praised the bravery and swift action of the security personnel involved in the rescue.
In a statement issued by his Press Secretary, Emmanuel Unubi, Salifu expressed relief over the safe return of the victims and reiterated the state’s zero-tolerance stance toward criminal activities under Governor Ahmed Ododo’s administration.
“Kogi will never serve as a haven for criminals. The government remains fully committed to ensuring the safety and security of lives and property,” Salifu affirmed. (NAN)
