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Author: Our Correspondent

Consumer Protection Commission charges against food adulteration
By Israel Adamu, Jos
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has charged against the wanton contamination of foods by vendors for profit purposes.
The Commission expressed this during a one-day sensitization campaign on “Food Quality Standards, Safety, Regulation, and Fair business” which held on Thursday in Jos.
Our correspondent reports that calcium carbide, bromate, sudan red colorant, sniper, and formalin are among several toxic chemicals being used for food processing.
Calcium carbide which is commonly used as ripening agents contains traces of arsenic and phosphorous which is extremely hazardous to human health, can affect the neurological system by inducing prolonged hypoxia among other diseases.
Mr Olatunji Bello the Vice Chairman of FCCPC who was represented by Dr Nkechi MBA while stressing the dangers of food adulteration to health noted that access to safe, unadulterated and nutritious food is a fundamental human right which should not be violated.
The commission therefore urged food industry stakeholders and the public to be sure to adhere to safety and healthy processing methods for food preservation.
“We urge you to abstain from the use of harmful substances in food processing, Observe hygiene and safety protocols at every stage of your operations.
“Label and package food correctly, in line with national and international standards.
“Respect consumer rights and refrain from deceptive or unfair business, let it be known that any operator who places profit over public safety will face the full wrath of the law” he stressed.
Bello who further charged food industry stakeholders that the future of their food businesses depends largely on integrity, urged them to see food safety and quality as not only a legal obligation but a moral duty.
For her part, Mrs Evelyn Eofi, the NAFDAC’s Assistant Chief Laboratory Technologist while also highlighting the dangers of chemicals used for food ripening noted that Calcium Carbide has reportedly been a major source of cancer which the public needs to be aware of.
Eofi charged consumers to be extra vigilant and not leave matters concerning their safety to NAFDAC alone, she further called on government to provide test strips for officials to use in tracking or identifying adulterated products.
Some participants present at the event expressed delight at the sensitization noting that most people are ignorant and use those chemicals without knowing the extent of damage it could cause to humans.
Alhaji Ismaila Jibia, the Chairman Plateau state traders Association Jos North said they are not aware that the use of such products can cause health challenges they would not have been involved as it also poses a direct threat to their immediate families as well.
He therefore urged government to do more on sensitization as a lot of people are ignorant of the dangers of such chemicals.
October 23, 2025
ECOWAS Role in Conflict Management and Resolution of the Malian Crisis
By Abdul Mahmoud Yayale
The protracted crisis in Mali has escalated into a stark referendum on the authority and efficacy of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). What began in 2012 as a Tuareg separatist rebellion swiftly co-opted by jihadist forces has morphed into a complex stalemate defined by repeated military coups, ethnic strife, and a fundamental clash between a defiant junta and the regional bloc. This confrontation reached its dramatic climax in 2024 when Mali formally announced its withdrawal from ECOWAS. This move signifies a fragmentation of West African unity, a severe blow to collective security, and a victory for a new model of mercenary-backed authoritarianism in the Sahel.
To understand Mali’s dramatic unravelling, one must first examine the deep-seated governance failures that laid the groundwork for collapse. For decades, the state in Bamako functioned as a corrupt, neo-patrimonial system that marginalized the vast northern territories. This created a profound vacuum of legitimacy and deep resentment among Tuareg and other northern communities. This tinderbox was ignited by the fall of Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, which led to an influx of battle-hardened Tuareg fighters and heavy weapons. The Malian government’s feeble response exposed its profound weakness, culminating in a pivotal coup in March 2012 by Captain Amadou Sanogo. This coup shattered the chain of command and became the immediate trigger for ECOWAS’s intervention.
Guided by its robust anti-coup protocols, ECOWAS swung into action, imposing sanctions and demanding a swift return to civilian rule. However, the crisis had already metastasized. The Malayan National Liberation Army (MNLA) secular rebellion was quickly hijacked by better-funded jihadist groups like Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and Ansar Dine, who imposed a harsh Salafist rule. Fearing a terrorist safe haven, ECOWAS backed a French-led military intervention, Operation Serval, in January 2013. The French force, with ECOWAS support, successfully pushed the jihadists from major urban centers. This was followed by the deployment of the UN mission, MINUSMA, in which ECOWAS troops were integrated. The 2015 Algiers Peace Agreement aimed to address northern grievances, but it was poorly implemented by a corrupt Bamako government. The root causes—systemic corruption and chronic marginalization—were never addressed, sowing the seeds for the next phase of the crisis.
The inevitable backlash arrived in 2020. Public patience with President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta (IBK), widely seen as corrupt and incapable, had evaporated. Mass protests filled the streets, and Colonel Assimi Goïta staged a coup in August 2020. ECOWAS responded by condemning the coup, suspending Mali, and demanding a rapid transition. When Goïta staged a second coup in May 2021, ECOWAS escalated its response, imposing harsh economic and financial sanctions. This strategy proved to be a catastrophic miscalculation. While the sanctions crippled the economy, the pain was felt most acutely by ordinary Malians, not the junta. The military government skillfully framed the sanctions as a neocolonial attack on Malian sovereignty, a potent nationalist rhetoric that resonated deeply with a population weary of foreign influence. Instead of capitulating, the junta dug in, its resolve strengthened by a wave of popular support that ECOWAS had inadvertently helped to create.
As its relationship with ECOWAS shattered, the junta executed a dramatic geopolitical pivot. It expelled French forces in 2022 and terminated the UN mission (MINUSMA) in 2023. To fill the void, it deepened its alliance with the Russian Wagner Group. The arrival of Wagner consolidated the junta’s authoritarian grip and provided it with a powerful, brutal military partner and a formidable external backer. This maneuver significantly eroded ECOWAS’s leverage. The bloc, facing internal divisions, found itself outmaneuvered. Its primary tool of coercion—sanctions—had backfired, and it had no viable military option or diplomatic carrot to counter Russia’s influence. The limits of ECOWAS’s power were laid bare.
The human cost of this political failure is immense. Jihadist violence has persisted and intensified, with inter-communal conflicts flourishing in the security vacuum. Over two million people remain displaced, and the country stands as a tragic epicenter of instability. Mali’s formal withdrawal from ECOWAS in 2024 is the bitter epitaph on this failed intervention. The Malian case serves as a critical lesson for regional conflict management. It demonstrates that enforcing democratic norms through top-down coercion is futile without simultaneously addressing the underlying drivers of conflict: governance deficits, economic despair, and social fragmentation. ECOWAS, while demonstrating normative commitment, ultimately lacked the effective leverage and nuanced strategies for a crisis of this complexity. To reclaim its role as a credible guarantor of stability, ECOWAS must evolve beyond simply punishing juntas. It must develop more sophisticated, preventive, and inclusive approaches that build legitimacy from the ground up and genuinely address the root causes of conflict. The future peace and security of West Africa depend on its ability to learn this arduous lesson.
Abdul Mahmoud Yayale, is a Graduate of international Relation from Maryam Abacha American University of Niger
October 23, 2025
South Sudan crisis, implication on the Horn of Africa
By Solomon Iliya Jefrey
Since gaining independence in 2011, South Sudan has been engulfed in persistent cycles of violence, humanitarian disasters, and political instability. What began as a hopeful journey to self-determination has devolved into one of the world’s most devastating crisis. The South Sudan conflict, primarily driven by power struggles, ethnic polarization in the Horn of Africa. This article critically assesses the South Sudanese crisis and explores its broader implications for regional peace, stability, and development.
The Horn of Africa, comprising Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia, Sudan, and South Sudan,and is one of the most geopolitically volatile regions in the world. The crisis in South Sudan has intensified cross-border insecurities, refugee influxes, and economic disruptions, thereby threatening regional integration and cooperation. Understanding the roots and impacts of this crisis is crucial to shaping sustainable peacebuilding strategies within both South Sudan and its surrounding region.
The origins of the South Sudan crisis can be traced to the historical marginalization and underdevelopment of southern Sudan prior to independence. The two civil wars between northern and southern Sudan (1955–1972 and 1983–2005) left deep scars that shaped the political landscape of the new state (Johnson, 2016). After independence, internal divisions within the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) escalated, culminating in civil war in December 2013 between President Salva Kiir and former Vice President Riek Machar. What began as a political disagreement quickly transformed into a full-scale ethnic conflict between Dinka and Nuer communities (International Crisis Group, 2021).
Beyond elite rivalries, structural weaknesses such as dependence on oil, weak institutions, and recurring environmental disasters have aggravated the crisis. The country’s overreliance on oil, accounting for over 90% of its revenue, has left it vulnerable to global price shocks and internal sabotage. Additionally, recurrent floods, droughts, and food shortages have fueled displacement and famine (Food and Agriculture Organization [FAO], 2023). The result has been a protracted humanitarian emergency, with millions displaced internally and across borders, and a shattered economy marked by poverty and inflation.
South Sudan’s instability does not exist in isolation. Its strategic location at the heart of the Horn of Africa makes it a regional concern. The spillover effects of its conflict have undermined regional peace, security, and cooperation in several ways.
The South Sudan crisis has triggered one of Africa’s largest refugee movements. Over two million refugees have fled to neighboring countries, mainly Uganda, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Kenya, straining already limited resources and heightening social tensions (OCHA, 2024). Uganda alone hosts more than one million South Sudanese refugees, placing immense pressure on its infrastructure, healthcare, and education systems. These movements have also complicated regional relations as host communities grapple with economic and social burdens.
The proliferation of small arms and light weapons across South Sudan’s porous borders has intensified insecurity in the Horn of Africa. Rebel movements and criminal networks exploit weak border controls to engage in arms smuggling, cattle raiding, and illicit trade. These activities have destabilized border regions, especially between South Sudan and Ethiopia, Kenya, and the Central African Republic (Young, 2020). Furthermore, transnational armed groups have taken advantage of political vacuums to expand their influence.
South Sudan’s crisis has disrupted trade routes and economic integration within the Horn. The country’s oil pipelines run through Sudan, making both nations economically interdependent. Instability in Juba has led to frequent interruptions in oil production and transport, thereby reducing revenues for both states. Additionally, insecurity along transport corridors has discouraged investment and increased the cost of cross-border commerce (World Bank, 2024). The ripple effect extends to regional markets, undermining the goals of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) for economic cooperation.
Regional political tensions have fueled political rivalries among regional powers. Countries such as Uganda and Sudan have supported opposing factions at various times, reflecting their competing interests in oil and security. These interventions have occasionally prolonged the conflict instead of resolving it (Young, 2020). Meanwhile, IGAD’s mediation efforts have been constrained by the divergent agendas of member states. The resulting regional polarization complicates the peace process and risks entrenching instability across the Horn.
The humanitarian toll of the South Sudan conflict is catastrophic. Millions of people remain displaced, and entire communities have been devastated by violence, hunger, and disease. Food insecurity affects over half the population, with some areas on the brink of famine (World Food Programme [WFP], 2024). Neighboring countries hosting refugees face rising demands for aid, which has stretched the capacities of humanitarian organizations and regional governments alike.
The crisis has also eroded social cohesion, both within South Sudan and in refugee-hosting states. Ethnic mistrust and trauma have deepened, complicating peacebuilding and reconciliation efforts. Moreover, the widespread use of sexual violence as a weapon of war has left lasting physical and psychological wounds, with cross-border implications for gender-based violence interventions (Human Rights Watch, 2022).
Multiple peace initiatives have been undertaken to address the South Sudan crisis. The 2015 Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (ARCSS) and the 2018 Revitalized Agreement (R-ARCSS) remain central to ongoing peace efforts (United Nations Mission in South Sudan [UNMISS], 2023). These agreements, facilitated by IGAD and supported by the African Union and United Nations, established a transitional government in 2020 and reduced large-scale hostilities. However, implementation has been inconsistent due to elite rivalries, lack of accountability, and weak institutions (International Crisis Group, 2021).
At the regional level, IGAD and the African Union have played significant roles in mediating peace, while neighboring countries such as Sudan and Uganda have hosted negotiations. Despite these efforts, peace remains fragile. The multiplicity of actors, overlapping mandates, and competing national interests have often diluted the effectiveness of regional diplomacy (Young, 2020). Sustainable peace in South Sudan thus requires coordinated regional action that aligns humanitarian, political, and economic interventions.
The crisis in South Sudan has profound implications for regional stability, development, and governance. Due to security threats, there is spread of armed groups, illicit trade, and transnational crime undermines regional security architectures. Persistent insecurity in South Sudan threatens to destabilize neighboring fragile states, particularly Sudan and Ethiopia.
The Economic Fragility in South Sudan has also contribute in the disruption of trade routes and has reduced oil revenues which has weaken regional economies and deter investment, it also hampers IGAD’s vision of regional integration.
The mass displacement of South Sudanese has transformed the Horn of Africa into a humanitarian hotspot The mass displacement of South Sudanese has transformed the Horn of Africa into a humanitarian hotspot, straining regional resources, border management, and social cohesion. At the same time, divergent approaches among regional powers toward South Sudan’s conflict have created diplomatic frictions that undermine collective action and weaken IGAD’s credibility as a peacebuilding institution. The South Sudan crisis thus remains a central threat to peace and development in the Horn, with its regional implications, ranging from refugee inflows to economic disruptions, underscoring the interconnectedness of security and governance across the region. Addressing this crisis requires both national and regional commitment: South Sudan must prioritize the full implementation of the R-ARCSS, strengthen state institutions, and promote inclusive governance, while IGAD should harmonize member states’ interests, enhance border management, and support economic recovery programs benefiting South Sudan and its neighbors. International partners must also align humanitarian assistance with long-term development goals to reduce dependency and foster resilience., straining regional resources, border management, and social cohesion. At the same time, divergent approaches among regional powers toward South Sudan’s conflict have created diplomatic frictions that undermine collective action and weaken IGAD’s credibility as a peacebuilding institution. The South Sudan crisis thus remains a central threat to peace and development in the Horn, with its regional implications, ranging from refugee inflows to economic disruptions, underscoring the interconnectedness of security and governance across the region. Addressing this crisis requires both national and regional commitment: South Sudan must prioritize the full implementation of the R-ARCSS, strengthen state institutions, and promote inclusive governance, while IGAD should harmonize member states’ interests, enhance border management, and support economic recovery programs benefiting South Sudan and its neighbors. International partners must also align humanitarian assistance with long-term development goals to reduce dependency and foster resilience. Ultimately, peace in South Sudan is not just a national imperative, it is a regional necessity. The stability of the Horn of Africa depends on transforming South Sudan from a source of conflict into a cornerstone of cooperation and prosperity.
Solomon Iliya Jeffrey, is a Graduate of History and International Studies from IBB University, Lapai
October 23, 2025
Bingham University, commissions multipurpose laboratory, office complex
By Israel Adamu,Jos
Bingham University, Karu,on Thursday achieved a historic milestone with the official commissioning of a multipurpose laboratory and office complex at the Institution’s college of medical sciences .
Our correspondent reports that the complex was named after the President of the Evangelical Church West Africa (ECWA) Rev Dr Job Ayuba Bagat and was presided over by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Haruna Kuje Ayuba and other top management staff of the University.
The edifice was commissioned by the General Secretary of ECWA, Rev.(Dr) Ayuba Asheshe.
The Vice Chancellor of the Institution Prof Ayuba who spoke at the occasion said Bingham University is committed to upgrading more of its facilities.
He also pledged the institution’s unwavering dedication to academic and moral excellence .
In his words “We thank God that we now have an iconic building complex and an edifice that is standing tall, today’s commissioning is therefore not just about unveiling a physical edifice but a celebration of our collective vision, dedication and strong determination to improve infrastructure developments..
“In Bingham University, by the grace of God, we would remain committed to providing both our students and faculty with the best facilities within the limit of resources to enable them to excel and make meaningful contributions to society. ”
Prof. Haruna Ayuba, further explained that the university was not only nurturing but also shaping young ones with the knowledge, skills and spiritual values to be change agents and globally-minded citizens.
The vice chancellor noted that Bingham University has a spiritual heritage with diverse faculty members playing important roles in nurturing and shaping tomorrow’s leaders.
Prof Ayuba enjoined staff and students of the college of medical sciences to use and maintain the edifice efficiently and sustainably.
He appreciated the Pro chancellor of the Institution Prof Andrew Haruna and members of the governing council, the board of trustees and the entire university community for their support .
Speaking earlier the President of ECWA Rev Dr Job Ayuba Bagat, lauded the Vice Chancellor of Bingham University and his management team for the gracious recognition.
He said the gesture speaks volumes , not just about the generosity of the institution, but also about the shared vision they uphold for Christian education rooted in excellence, integrity, and service.
This complex would serve as center for learning, research and innovation within the college of Medical sciences., he added.
The Provost of the College of Medical Sciences , Prof Haroun Isah lauded the ECWA President and Vice Chancellor for the good works they are doing in the institution.
October 23, 2025
Court okays prosecution of labour minister, Onyeojecha over alleged electoral offences
By Our Correspondent
A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted a member of the House of Representatives, representing Isikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia State, Hon. Amobi Godwin Ogah to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to prosecute the minister of state for labour, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha for alleged forgery of election results in 62 polling units during the 2023 general elections.
Justice M.G. Umar of the Abuja Federal High Court, in his ruling dated September 23, 2025, on an ex-parte motion brought by Hon. Amobi Godwin Ogah said he was satisfied that the applicant has placed relevant materials in his affidavit to warrant the judgment.
Hon. Onyejeocha had dragged Hon. Ogah to the National and State Houses of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal after the 2023 elections claiming victory. But Ogah accused her of forging the results she tendered before the tribunal and Onyejeocha eventually lost the case.
While Ogah contested on the platform of Labour Party, Onyejeocha was the APC candidate in the elections.
Ogah, thereafter proceeded to the High Court seeking the leave to apply for an Order of Mandamus against INEC to prosecute Onyejeocha, now a minister for alleged forgery of results.
The lawmaker had alleged that after he was declared winner of the federal constituency by INEC, “Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha forged the results in respect of the polling units listed, which results were tendered during the trial of the petition at the Election Tribunal to prove the allegations contained in the petition.
“That Hon. Nkeiruka Chidubem Onyejeocha forged Exhibit 3 and passed them off as the official election results and documents of the respondent, and, the respondent vehemently disputed the authenticity of Exhibit 3 during the trial of the Election Petition.
“That Hon. Nkeiruka Chidubem Onyejeocha even attempted to deceive the judiciary by presenting the forged documents i.e. Exhibit 3 to the Election Tribunal and Court of Appeal as documents that were issued by the respondent”
In granting the lawmaker the go ahead to apply to INEC for the prosecution of Onyejeocha, Justice M.G. Umar said “I have considered Order 34 Rules 1,3 and 4 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019 upon which this application is based and I am of the view that it is trite that application of this nature where the Court is required to exercise discretion, it must be so considered judicially and judiciously.
“Consequently, I am satisfied that the applicant (Ogah) has placed relevant materials in th affidavit in support of this application and this court is there by persuaded to exercise discretion in favour the applicant.
“An order is here by made granting leave to the applicant to apply for an Order of Mandamus against the respondent compelling the respondent (INEC) to investigate and prosecute Nkeiruka Chidubem Onyejeocha for the electoral offence of forging the election results of the polling units within the Isikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia state”.
October 23, 2025
INSPIRATION:Take a Break — Find Clarity in Stillness
By Mary Ewa
Sometimes, life feels like a race with no finish line — a constant motion that leaves us breathless, confused, and weary. We push ourselves endlessly, trying to meet expectations, chase goals, or prove our worth. But in the midst of all this striving, have you ever asked yourself, “When was the last time I truly took a break?”
Take a break — not because you’re weak or unmotivated, but because you are human. Confusion, saturation, and suffocation are not signs of failure; they are signals from your soul, whispering that it’s time to pause. All we often need is just a little break — a gentle step back from the noise, so that clarity can find us again.
Life does not become better through constant struggle or by enduring avoidable pain. Too often, we mistake endurance for strength, but true strength sometimes lies in knowing when to rest, when to release, and when to realign. Life is like a moving train — it won’t stop simply because one passenger is seated in discomfort. You can’t change the direction of the train by refusing to move; you change your experience by adjusting your seat, your posture, your perspective.
So, take that moment. Breathe. Step aside. Reclaim your peace. The world is already heavy with burdens — don’t add unnecessary weights to your own soul. You don’t have to suffer endlessly to prove your resilience.
Be driven, yes — but let your drive be guided by goodness, kindness, and wisdom. Standards and systems may shape society, but only compassion shapes humanity. If you let yourself be consumed by the world’s chaos without centering your spirit, you risk being drowned before your time.
Remember this: rest is not retreat. A pause is not a loss of progress. Taking a break is how you find your balance, how you rediscover your strength, and how you remind yourself of what truly matters.
So today, choose peace. Choose clarity. Take a break — and let life meet you where stillness begins.
October 21, 2025
Notorious Armed Assassin Shot Dead In Benue State
By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi
A notorious armed Assassin, Mr Saater M, of Wannune town, Tarka Local Government Area of Benue State who had been on the Police Command’s wanted list, has been reportedly shot dead during a gun duel with the Police in Makurdi.
In a press statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer PPRO, Benue State Command, DSP Udeme Edet for the Commissioner of Police, Emenari Ifeanyi, revealed that Saater, upon sighting a team of Police detective who were deployed to apprehend him, opened fire on them, stressing that during gun duel with the Police, the deceased sustained gunshots wounds and was taken to the hospital where he was confirmed dead.
“On 18- 10-2025 credible intelligence revealed that the suspect had clandestinely returned to Makurdi with plans to carry out further attacks. Acting swiftly on this information, a team of detectives was deployed to apprehend him around, George Akume way, Makurdi. Upon sighting the operatives, the suspect opened fire on them. The Police responded appropriately and succeeded in subduing and arresting him.”
“During the encounter, the suspect sustained gunshots and was immediately taken to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, where he was later confirmed dead. His corpse has since been deposited at the hospital’s morgue,” PPRO explained.
According to the statement, items recovered from the suspect include; One (1) AK-47 rifle, one locally fabricated short gun, several 7.62mm live ammunition, cartridges, seven (7) SIM cards suspected to have been stolen.
The Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, CP Emenari Ifeanyi, implores all residents to desist from criminal activities and report suspicious persons and movements to the nearest Police station or other security agencies, assuring that the Command remain committed to securing lives and properties of Benue residents.
October 21, 2025
Southern Ijaw Stakeholders caution Tompolo over Bayelsa visit
By Our Correspondent
A coalition of stakeholders and youth groups from Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State has faulted Mr. Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo over his recent visit to the state and the alleged secret meeting with former President Goodluck Jonathan.
They alleged that claims by both individuals that the meeting was meant to deliberate on issues relating to security and peace in the Niger Delta are entirely deceptive and provocative because of the nature of persons involved.
In a statement, the coalition of youths including the Southern Ijaw Unity Forum, the SILGA United Voices for Peace, One Southern Ijaw Agenda, and the Indigenous Movement for SILGA Development, acknowledged that freedom of movement is a fundamental human right under the 1999 Constitution, but noted that Tompolo’s visit to Bayelsa on the 17th of October, 2025 signals political interests capable of fueling political crisis in the state.
The statement, jointly signed by Comrade Timothy Amadiowei, Mrs Victoria Elijah, Chief Thompson Kurobo and Josiah Apoi on behalf of their various groups, said it is very sad that former President Goodluck Jonathan is talking about security and peace in the Niger Delta..
They alleged that not only did the former President pay no attention to the alleged killings, but he also failed to call those who masterminded the massacre to order.
According to them, Jonathan allegedly knows the level of bitterness, tension and rift the March 27 2024 incident has created in the Niger Delta among different parties from the Ijaw struggle platform, but he allegedly failed to broker peace among them, and even when the incident degenerated to blackmails, witch-hunts and victimisation in which stakeholders were accused of crimes they knew nothing about so that they could be nailed.
They allegedly when people’s houses were being burnt down and others forced to flee their homes, the former President allegedly said nothing, but sadly enough, he is now telling the world that the secret meeting was about peace and security when he has allegedly neglected to call aggrieved stakeholders to broker peace.
According to the statement, “The massacre of over 80 persons in Igbomotoru Community on the 27th of March, 2024 still remains fresh in the minds of Bayelsans and the international scene.”
“Properties worth billions of Naira were wantonly destroyed during the Igbomotoru raid masterminded by surveillance contractors because of political interests and nobody said anything about it.
“Many youths are being owed salaries by pipeline surveillance contractors running into several months with no indication that they will be paid, after putting their lives on the line to protect oil and gas facilities in the state, yet the former president has not used his position as a father to intervene.
“Tantita Security is yet to pay salaries of those it disengaged from service owing to political differences arising from the 2023 Bayelsa State Governorship elections – nobody is saying anything about it. We use this medium to call on Tompolo to pay the arrears before continuing with his politically-driven public donations.
“It is very disappointing that sons of Bayelsa like Joshua MacIver and Pastor Reuben Wilson succumb to cheap puppet politics to outsiders to cause atrocities in our state”, they alleged.
They said they are not comfortable with the fact that surveillance contractors from other regions are teleguiding the affairs of Bayelsa State by orchestrating chaos and crisis; while keeping their own communities and regions peaceful and developed.
They called on Bayelsans to maintain peace and be law-abiding during this political maneuvering by desperate politicians.
October 21, 2025
China Commends Nigeria for Joint ONSA/DSS/Army Rescue of Four Kidnapped Chinese Citizens
▪︎ Secret Police stabilises rescued kidnapees at own medical facility
By Lucy Omakpo
The People’s Republic of China has commended the Nigerian government for the rescue of four of its citizens kidnapped in Kwara State. The rescue operation was conducted jointly by Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Department of State Services (DSS), and the military.
The commendation was conveyed on Sunday by the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, at the formal handover of the rescued kidnapees at the DSS medical facility in Abuja.
Represented by the Consul of the embassy, Wang Jun, the ambassador lauded the DSS for the swift intelligence-led operation, which he stated, resulted in the safe and timely rescue of the Chinese miners.
The Chinese nationals, identified as Dansu Zhou, Zhou Hai, Zhou Jia Jun, and Fan Xiu Guo, were rescued on Saturday by a joint team of security operatives compromising the Office of the National Security Adviser, (ONSA), DSS, Nigerian Army and the Police.
The Consul also thanked the DSS for what he described as the outstanding medical care the Service gave the rescued foreigners at their medical facility in Abuja, saying the move significantly contributed to the well-being and quick recovery of the kidnapees.
He praised the DSS medical facility in Abuja, stressing that up until the incident, the Chinese government was unaware that the DSS had such a state-of-the-art medical facility.
“Following their rescue, DSS operatives immediately took the our citizens to their facilty for medical evaluation. Then they were thoroughly examined by the best professionals before moving them to our embassy in Abuja,” noted Xingwei.
It was revealed that the Chinese nationals were ambushed and abducted by a gang of seven AK-47 – wielding bandits, on their way to a mining site at Saminaka village, Yagba West LGA, Kogi state.
It would be recalled that recent operations by the DSS across states in Nigeria have targeted criminal syndicates leading to disruption of their activities, interception of arms and ammunition, and dismantling of their networks.
Commendations have been pouring in for the Service for a recent major operation in Asaba, Delta State, in which the Service intercepted seven General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG), arms and ammunition, with stakeholders describing the feat as evidence of the commitment of the DSS to tackling insecurity and restoring peace and stability across the country.
October 19, 2025
Over 500 Youth groups in Plateau central back President Tinubu’s reelection
By Israel Adamu, Jos
A coalition of more than 500 youth support groups under the banner of Plateau Central Youths at the weekend declared their unwavering support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
Speaking at the APC Zonal Youth interactive session in Pankshin local government coincil of Plateau state , the group also lauded President Tinubu for the good works he is doing in the nation.
The group leaders Comrade Song Moro, and the Youth Leader of the APC on the Plateau Mr Nanloh Joseph Dashe who both spoke at the occasion described the event as “a resounding message of commitment” to the president’s vision and an indication of the readiness of the Youths in Pankshin and other local government of the state to ensure APC’s victory in 2027.
They added that The gathering today is to also educate young Nigerians about President Tinubu’s initiatives and the importance of supporting him again in 2027.
“We want young people to understand Mr President’s efforts in repositioning the economy positively,” they stated.
They also hailed the National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress Professor Nentawe Yilwatda for his unwavering commitment to the party and for improving the lives of the underprivileged in the society.
“We align completely with Prof Nentawe , We are proud of his exemplary leadership since he assumed office and we would work with him and other APC leaders in Plateau as well as other stakeholders to ensure Victory for APC in the forthcoming Presidential election.
The coalition also praised President Tinubu’s commitment to Nigeria’s progress, particularly his focus on economic revitalisation, infrastructural development, and national unity.
In their words “President Tinubu has shown remarkable vision in steering Nigeria towards prosperity,” .
“His policies are not only bold but inclusive, ensuring that every part of the country feels the impact of his governance.
“From agricultural transformation to job creation for our youth, Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda is laying a solid foundation for a stronger Nigeria, they added.
October 19, 2025