News
Again army storm another Delta community, nab 10, recover ammunition
People of Olota community in Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State, have decried Nigerian Army invasion of their community.
It was gathered that the soldiers, in a search operation over the killing of 17 military personnel at Okuama storm Olota community in search for arms and suspects on Thursday.
Olota, an Urhobo community is said to be 50km away from the Okuama community where irate youths murdered 17 military personnel on March 14.
In the ongoing search for suspects involved in the killing of 17 soldiers and alleged snatching of military arms in Okuama, neighbouring Olota had suffered invasion by soldiers, who allegedly left one Joseph Willie dead.
In the latest development, soldiers were said to have invaded Olota again, burning two houses and destroying another, before taking away the community Chairman, Matthew Olokpa, and no fewer than nine others..
The President-General of Olota, Prosper Evuarherhe, could not be reached for comment as of the time of filing this report, but a resident who witnessed the incident said, “As of this moment, soldiers have invaded Olota again.
“Soldiers reentered Olota in three gunboats this (Thursday) morning. They have held the Chairman, Matthew Olokpa; Bigi Edjekpewhu, German Obiokute, Kenneth Okorodudu Atua, and others.
“Gunshots roared in Olota. We ask those in authority to intervene and tell the soldiers to leave Olota in peace. They have left with those apprehended, no fewer than 10 persons. They burnt two houses and destroyed one.
“They also left with some boats belonging to residents. The community chairman was beaten to a stupor before they moved him with the others, along with a 75-engine boat belonging to Kenneth. This latest crisis may not be connected with Okuama.”
However, according to a post by the Nigerian Army on its X handle on Thursday night, the service said an armoury containing a significant cache of arms and ammunition was uncovered at the residence of a gun runner in Olota community.
The Army said the armoury was concealed in the residence of one Mr. Kenneth.
The post read, “In a successful operation to eradicate illegal weapons in the South-South region, Nigerian Army troops have uncovered an armoury containing a significant cache of arms and ammunition at the residence of a gun runner in Olota community and adjoining communities of Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State.
“Responding to actionable intelligence, the troops raided the identified armoury concealed in the residence of one Mr Kenneth, a notorious gun runner in the said community.
“A search of the armoury yielded one G3 rifle, 853 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, and 19 rounds of 7.62mm special. The operation further extended to other adjoining locations within the community, resulting in the discovery of four G3 rifles and magazines, one Pump Action Semi Automatic Gun, three Sub-Machine Guns and magazines, as well as 476 live cartridges.
“Additionally, the troops recovered five locally fabricated guns, a large plastic bag containing a substance suspected to be cannabis sativa and two speed boats with 75 horsepower outboard engines The troops also apprehended three suspects during the operation.
“The Nigerian Army remains resolute in sanitising and mopping up illicit munitions in possession of criminal elements in the region, as it works tirelessly to maintain peace and security for all law-abiding citizens.”
By Gloria Ikibah
As part of efforts to strengthen the country’s security architecture, President Bola Tinubu, has sent a formal communication to the House of Representatives on seeking legislative approval for the repeal and re-enactment of the Nigerian Police Trust Fund (NPTF) Establishment Act, 2025.
The request which was transmitted to the House for consideration and passage on Wednesday at plenary, underscores the need to improve the management and administration of the fund, enhance police training, and provide modern equipment for the Nigeria Police Force.
According to the letter,, the proposed amendment is aimed at boosting the operational capacity, accountability, and sustainability of the Police Trust Fund in line with current security challenges.
The President urged lawmakers to give the bill expeditious consideration, as the said the reform will improve the welfare of police personnel and support skill development across the force.
In another development, the House Committee on Rules and Business has moved to tighten legislative discipline, directing all standing and ad hoc committees to submit reports on bills and motions within set timelines in line with House procedures.
Chairman of the committee, Rep. Francis Uwaive, reminded all committee chairmen to treat all assigned matters within 30 days, with the risk of losing such assignments after 60 days if no progress is made, except where a short extension is granted.
A firm deadline has also been set for all outstanding reports, with the end of April 2026 as the cut-off point, and non-compliance attracting automatic discharge.
Amid the formal proceedings, lawmakers briefly paused to celebrate two members marking their birthdays, acknowledging their contributions to public service and national development.
The mood later shifted as the House paid tribute to a former member of the Fifth Assembly, observing a minute’s silence in his honour following his passing after a prolonged illness.
He was remembered for his dedication and service to his constituents in Benue State, with colleagues noting that his death represents a significant loss to the legislature and the country.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said on Wednesday that their naval forces stopped two ships attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz and directed them to the territorial waters of the Islamic Republic.
“The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps naval force this morning identified and stopped in the Strait of Hormuz two violating ships,” the Guards said in a statement.
“The two offending ships… were seized by the IRGC’s naval forces and directed to the Iranian coast.”
They identified one ship as “MSC-FRANCESCA”, which they said belonged “to the Zionist regime” in reference to Israel, and the other as “EPAMINONDAS”, which they said was “tampering with navigation systems and jeopardising maritime security.”
The Guards further warned against any action against the regulations imposed by the Islamic republic in the strait “as well as activities contrary to the safe passage” through the waterway.
Tehran has said vessels must seek permission to leave of enter the Gulf through Hormuz, through a route that in peacetime accounts for a fifth of the world’s oil and gas exports along with other vital commodities.
Source: AFP
Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has advised the Nigerian government to rethink its stance on refusing to negotiate with terrorists, saying dialogue may be key to ending the country’s long-running violence.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday, the Kaduna-based cleric argued that Nigeria is being influenced by a “Western slogan” that does not always reflect reality.
He stressed that talks, rather than force alone, could help break the cycle of attacks affecting many parts of the country.
Gumi also warned that weak border control is worsening insecurity, allowing weapons and criminal elements to move freely.
According to him, this has made it more difficult to defeat terrorism and protect citizens.
He pointed to ongoing tensions involving the United States and Iran, saying even powerful nations engage in negotiations despite public positions against it. He urged Nigeria to draw lessons from such situations.
He said: “We should not be misled by the Western slogan, ‘We don’t negotiate with terrorists.’”
Gumi added that violence often leads to more suffering for civilians, as both terrorist attacks and military operations tend to harm innocent people.
He further explained: “As long as Nigeria’s borders remain porous, the cycle of violence will persist.”
The cleric emphasised that understanding the root causes of terrorism is crucial to finding lasting solutions, warning that force alone cannot resolve the crisis.
In his words: “The lesson is clear: lasting solutions require realism, dialogue, and strategic understanding, not just force.”
Gumi suggested that Nigeria may need a neutral mediator to help open dialogue and reduce tensions, similar to efforts seen in other conflict zones.
Reps Begin Review of Police Trust Fund Law, Tighten Timeline for Committee Work
Iran Seizes Two Ships attempting to cross Strait of Hormuz
Gumi wants Nigerian government to consider dialogue in tackling terrorism
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