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Senate Panel slams NDLEA over Delta Tragic Shooting, Demands Justice for Victims

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The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions has strongly condemned the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) over a tragic shooting incident that claimed the life of a two-year-old, Onosereba Omhonria, and left his one-year-old brother, Eromonsele, fighting to save his eyesight.

The devastating incident occurred on July 13, 2023, in Asaba, Delta State, when NDLEA operatives opened fire while the children were with their mother in her shop. Onosereba succumbed to his injuries at the Federal Medical Center in Asaba, while Eromonsele now requires urgent medical intervention abroad to restore his sight.

The victims’ father, Mr. Fidelis Omhonria, alongside legal counsel from Matthew Edaghese & Co., petitioned the Senate committee, demanding justice, accountability, and ₦2 billion in compensation to cover the loss of their child and Eromonsele’s medical expenses.
The NDLEA’s offer of ₦25 million in compensation sparked outrage among lawmakers. Senator Neda Imaseun (Edo South), Chair of the Ethics Committee, described the amount as grossly inadequate and demeaning.

“A two-year-old is dead, his younger sibling is battling to save his eyesight, and all you’re offering is ₦25 million? That is callous,” Imaseun said. He stressed the irreplaceable value of a young life and the irreparable trauma inflicted on the family.

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Matthew Edaghese, Esq., representing the family, accused the NDLEA of employing deceitful tactics to delay justice, including false claims about his absence at a purported meeting with the House Committee.

“The NDLEA’s conduct has been callous and inhumane. They have ignored the $150,000 evaluation conducted for Eromonsele’s treatment abroad. The family is devastated, yet the agency has failed to take responsibility,” Edaghese said.
The Senate panel has resolved to work closely with the House of Representatives to ensure that the family receives fair compensation and that the NDLEA is held accountable.

“This case will not be swept under the rug. Justice must be comprehensive, ensuring medical care for the surviving child and adequate compensation for the life lost. The world is watching,” Edaghese stated.

The incident highlighted systemic issues within Nigeria’s law enforcement agencies and the justice system. The Senate’s insistence on accountability sends a strong message about the need for reform and the protection of citizens’ rights.

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As deliberations continue between the Senate and House committees, the public and the grieving family await a resolution that delivers justice and closure for the victims of this avoidable tragedy.

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FCTA to secure fulfilling, rewarding post-service life for retiring workers

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The Federal Capital Territory Civil Service Commission (FCT-CSC), in partnership with the Office of the Head of Service, FCT Administration (FCTA) has taken steps to ensure public servants transition into a prosperous and purposeful post-service life.

Chairman of the Commission, Mr Emeka Ezeh, disclosed this in Abuja on Tuesday, at the opening of a pre-retirement workshop for retiring civil servants with the theme “How to Triumph In Retirement”.

Ezeh urged the retiring members of staff to develop concrete strategies that would turn their post-service years into a productive, financially secure and deeply rewarding chapter.

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He described the seminar as the very first collaborative initiative between the commission and the Head of Service’s office, underscoring a joint resolve to protect the post-service welfare of senior citizens.

He noted that after dedicating 35 to 40 years of active service or reaching the mandatory age of 60 to 65 years, officers often face anxiety regarding the future, making proactive guidance essential for a rewarding transition.

The chairman said that the seminar directly aligns with Section 7c(ii) of the Commission’s Establishment Act, which mandates the body to advise the FCT Minister on employee conditions.

According to him, a well-motivated workforce remains the bedrock of public sector productivity.

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Reflecting on recent structural transformations, Ezeh said that the FCT Civil Service has embraced disruptive innovations designed to enforce strict merit, transparency and administrative discipline across all cadre levels.

Among these landmark reforms, Ezeh highlighted the comprehensive staff verification exercise, which successfully harmonised personnel data across the entire FCTA into a single, secure and coherent central database under the commission’s oversight.

“Furthermore, the commission successfully cleared a long-standing backlog of promotion exercises spanning 2023, 2024, and 2025, restoring professional morale and resolving key career progression bottlenecks for thousands of workers.

“The integration of Computer-Based Testing for promotion examinations is also a major leap forward, ensuring the swift release of results, eliminating sharp practices, and instilling transparency in career advancements,” he said.

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Ezeh also announced the rollout of official FCT-CSC Guidelines on appointment, promotion and discipline, alongside two published Annual Reports, with a Standard Operating Procedure for conversion, upgrading, advancement and skipping nearing completion.

Attributing these institutional successes to the “Renewed Hope Agenda” of President Bola Tinubu and the visionary leadership of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, Ezeh praised FCTA for opening unprecedented career pathways.

He explained that the pathways allow FCT workers to rise to the ranks of Permanent Secretary and Head of Service.

He thanked Wike and the acting Head of Service, Mrs Nancy Nathan, for their collaborative support, stressing that the pre-retirement training initiative would become a sustained annual event.

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In her remarks, Nathan commended the retiring officers for their unwavering dedication, loyalty, and invaluable contributions to the growth and governance of the FCT.

She reassured the retirees that while their names may eventually leave the active government payroll, their developmental blueprints, institutional wisdom, and years of hard work would remain permanently embedded in the territory’s progress.

She emphasised that retirement should never be viewed as an end to personal relevance, but rather as a strategic repositioning to deploy decades of accrued wisdom toward mentorship, community development, and entrepreneurial ventures.

“To ensure holistic readiness, the training programme was structured around critical pillars, including strategic financial management of terminal benefits, sound investment choices, physical and mental health maintenance, and impactful community engagement,” she said.

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Nathan urged the retiring public servants to embrace purposeful living, noting that true triumph in post-service life occurs when contribution replaces compensation and personal fulfillment replaces daily routine.

Addressing administrative concerns, the acting head of service gave firm assurances that the FCTA is actively collaborating with relevant agencies to streamline processes and guarantee the prompt payment of retirement entitlements.

“The seminar is designed to offer participants actionable frameworks to manage lifestyle changes, mitigate financial risks, and maintain strong social connection networks,” she added.

Some of the participants expressed immense gratitude for the timely workshop, noting that the actionable strategies provided would significantly alleviate post-service anxiety and build firm confidence for a fulfilling future.

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Watch moment FCT minister Wike campaigns for Tinubu, Aduda

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…Vote Tinubu for President
Vote Aduda for Senate

Federal Capital Territory FCT minister Nyesom Wike has started campaigning for President Bola TInubu and Phillip Aduda in Abuja.

Watch the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, telling the people of Tungan Shanu village during the inspection of the ongoing construction of the road linking Tungan Madaki with Zuba Road today to vote President TInubu and Aduda for Senate.

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Court Directs INEC to Recognise NDC’s Two-Finger Logo

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The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) says its Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) will soon be inaugurated as the party intensifies preparations for the 2027 general elections.

The party disclosed this in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director Esq., on September 21, 2026.

According to the statement, the NDC is currently consulting with relevant stakeholders to develop and inaugurate what it described as a robust Presidential Campaign Council.

The party said its Presidential Candidate, Mr Peter Obi, and Vice-Presidential Candidate, Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, had held several meetings with the National Leader and leadership of the party as part of the process.

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The NDC said Obi and Kwankwaso had been given the opportunity to nominate key officials of the campaign council in consultation with the party.

Those positions include the Director-General of the Campaign, Deputy Director-General (North), Campaign Spokesman, Deputy Spokesman, Head of New Media, Finance Director, Deputy Finance Director and other positions.

The party said the arrangement was designed to promote inclusiveness and cohesion within the campaign structure.

It added that a full organogram of the campaign structure had been developed since August and made available to Obi and Kwankwaso for their input, while nominations had also been received from other stakeholders across the country.

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The NDC said it would announce and inaugurate the PCC after receiving the inputs of the presidential and vice-presidential candidates.

It also disclosed that a campaign timetable had been proposed since August, with arrangements for campaign funding and fundraising still being concluded.

According to the party, funds raised for the presidential campaign would be paid into the presidential campaign account and managed by officers nominated by the presidential candidate and his running mate alongside the party’s National Treasurer.

The party said the PCC inauguration, initially scheduled for the first week of September, was postponed because of the travel schedule of the presidential candidate.

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Meanwhile, the NDC has directed its state and Local Government Area (LGA) chairmen to commence the compilation and harmonisation of party agents ahead of the 2027 elections.

The directive, according to the party, is in line with the Electoral Act, 2026, and requires state and LGA chairmen to meet with candidates and relevant stakeholders to produce comprehensive lists of agents.

The agents will be divided into two categories: those for National Assembly elections and those for governorship and State Assembly elections.

The party said the lists would be scrutinised and ratified by its leadership, including the presidential candidate and his running mate, before training commences.

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The exercise is expected to be completed and the final lists submitted within two weeks of the directive.

The committee responsible for the appointment of party agents is chaired by the NDC Deputy National Chairman (South), Comrade Babatunde Alli. Vin Martin Ilo serves as secretary, while Dr Yunusa Tanko, Nafiu Dankura and the National Vice Chairmen of the six geopolitical zones are members.

The party also appealed to its candidates at all levels to discourage supporters and support groups from engaging in internal battles, urging them instead to concentrate on winning the elections.

“There are no battles to fight within the NDC,” the party stated, identifying the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as its common opponent.

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The NDC said it remained committed to supporting its candidates and urged them to focus on winning elections, stressing that its candidates were contesting under the party and not as independent candidates.

The party expressed its desire for all its candidates to win their respective elections and called on members and supporters to remain focused on the 2027 electoral contest.

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