ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

The Nigeria Union of Journalists has expressed concern over rising insecurity, illegal revenue collection, open grazing and the growing misuse of public infrastructure across Delta State.

The union made its position known in a communiqué issued at the end of its congress in Asaba on Tuesday.

The congress, presided over by the Delta State Chairman of the union, Churchill Oyowe, reviewed key socio-economic, security, educational and environmental issues affecting the state.

On insecurity, the union said the increasing cases of kidnapping, armed robbery, cult-related violence and other crimes remained a major concern.

The union called on the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services and other security agencies to strengthen intelligence gathering, deepen community policing and improve collaboration with stakeholders to restore public confidence.

The congress also expressed concern over the activities of individuals allegedly operating as local government taskforces on federal roads, accusing them of harassing and extorting money from motorists.

It called for the immediate disbandment of all illegal road taskforces and urged security agencies to take action against those involved.

The union also raised concerns over reports of arbitrary and unauthorised levies imposed on parents and students in public schools across the state.

The congress called on the state government to investigate the allegations and sanction any official found culpable.

The union also criticised the growing use of flyovers in Asaba, Warri and Effurun as makeshift markets and motor parks by traders and tricycle operators.

Congress called on relevant government agencies to reclaim the facilities and enforce traffic regulations.

The union also expressed concern over weak enforcement of the Delta State anti-open grazing law.

It said continued violations of the law could threaten peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders, reduce agricultural productivity and worsen food security challenges.

The congress urged law enforcement agencies to ensure strict implementation of the law.

The union reaffirmed its commitment to promoting good governance, public accountability and citizens’ welfare, pledging to continue monitoring developments across the state in the interest of the public.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

The Borno State High Court sitting in Maiduguri has ordered the remand of a man, Gambo Mohammed, in a correctional facility over an alleged N13.65 million land fraud and money laundering case brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Mohammed was arraigned before Justice Babagana Shettima by the Maiduguri Zonal Directorate of the EFCC on a four-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering, obtaining money under false pretences and criminal misappropriation involving a total sum of N13,650,000.

According to the anti-graft agency, the defendant allegedly collected the money from one Umar Abubakar under the pretext of facilitating the purchase of two plots of land located opposite Maimalari Barracks in Jere Local Government Area of Borno State.

The EFCC alleged that after receiving the funds, Mohammed diverted the money to his personal use instead of completing the land transaction as agreed.

One of the charges filed against him stated that he fraudulently obtained the sum of N13.65 million from the complainant in 2025, purportedly as payment for two plots of land situated at Dubai Musari Ward, opposite Maimalari Barracks in Jere Local Government Area, knowing the representation to be false.

The charge reads in part: “That you, Gambo Mohammed, (a.k.a Modu Gambo), sometime in 2025, within the jurisdiction of this honourable Court, with intent to defraud, did obtain the sum of N13,650,000.00 from one Umar Abubakar, purportedly as purchase price for two plots of land situated at Dubai Musari Ward opposite Maimalari Barrack of Jere Local Government, Borno State, which you knew to be false.”

The prosecution maintained that the alleged act contravenes provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

When the charges were read to him in court, Mohammed pleaded not guilty to all four counts.

Following his plea, prosecuting counsel, A.D. Abdulmalik, requested the court to fix a date for trial and urged that the defendant be remanded in a correctional centre pending the commencement of proceedings.

Delivering his judgement, Justice Shettima subsequently adjourned the matter until July 13, 2026, for a pre-trial conference.

The court also ordered that Mohammed be remanded at the Maiduguri Maximum Security Correctional Facility pending further hearing of the case.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

The TinCan Island Port (TCIP) Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has recorded a revenue collection of N111.2 billion in May 2026, consolidating its status as one of the Service’s top-performing commands.

The newly deployed Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Joseph Anani, disclosed this on Wednesday during his maiden interactive session with maritime journalists at the command headquarters, saying the result reflects improved compliance by stakeholders, operational efficiency, and the commitment of officers.

Anani said the Command would sustain and improve on the performance through stricter enforcement of extant laws, deeper collaboration with stakeholders, and greater deployment of technology to facilitate legitimate trade and boost revenue generation.

“I am pleased to inform you that the Command is currently performing commendably in the area of revenue generation. This positive trajectory reflects the dedication of our officers, improved compliance levels, and enhanced operational efficiency. We intend to consolidate these gains and strive to surpass previous achievements,” he said.

He stressed that strict adherence to the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 would remain central to operations at the command, adding that enforcement would continue to be carried out firmly, fairly, and professionally in line with ongoing modernisation reforms.

The CAC also emphasised the importance of the media in Customs operations, describing journalists as key partners in promoting transparency, accountability, and public enlightenment.

“This meeting marks an important step in our deliberate effort to build stronger bridges of understanding and cooperation between the Command and the media,” he said, noting that stakeholder engagement would remain a priority under his leadership.

He assured that the Command’s Public Relations Unit had been strengthened to ensure timely information sharing and improved engagement with journalists, while also pledging capacity-building support for media practitioners through training and sensitisation programmes.

Anani urged journalists to uphold professionalism and ethical standards in their reportage, warning that accurate and balanced reporting remained vital to sustaining public trust.

He also expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for the confidence reposed in him, commending ongoing reforms aimed at repositioning the service for improved efficiency and global competitiveness.