News
JUST-IN: Police Nab Niger Delta Congress President After Calls for Protest Against Emergency Rule
The Niger Delta Congress (NDC) president, Nubari Saatah has been nabbed for calling for a protest against Emergency Rule.
In a statement issued by the group on Sunday, they condemned the state of emergency and the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy and the state legislature. NDC is a socio-political group established in Port Harcourt in 2019 to help promote the political and economic autonomy of the Niger Delta region.
It was learnt that the police arrested Saatah on Tuesday evening and were holding him at the Octopus division in Diobu, Port Harcourt.
The NDC statement reads in part, “By suspending two branches of government and imposing a military caretaker, the federal government has made it clear that political rivalries can supersede democratic principles. We demand that President Tinubu immediately reverse this decision, reinstate Governor Fubara and the elected assembly, and commit to dialogue over diktat. To this end, we call on our people to take to the streets in a peaceful protest against indirect and undemocratic rule in Rivers State.”
While confirming the arrest to FIJ on Wednesday, the NDC’s national spokesperson said he got a call from Rivers State Police on Tuesday, asking him to report to the division in Port Harcourt. This was after he had received a letter from the State Intelligence Department in Lagos, inviting him to appear at the SID office in Ikeja on or before 11:00 am on Tuesday.
“I told them that I was not in Rivers State but in Lagos. I also told them that the president was in Rivers. The reason for the invite was a statement on Sunday and a radio interview aired on Monday calling for a protest against this state of emergency in the state,” Ogboru disclosed.
“I told the police officer that there was no need for me to attend the invite in Lagos since I was planning to be in Rivers, and he said it was fine. It was this morning that I got to know that the president had been apprehended and was still in detention.
“Because the NDC is a peaceful organisation, we were even ready to honour their invitation and dialogue with them.”
Ogboru also disclosed that the national president was arrested alongside another NDC member, who was later released that same day. The arrest was made by operatives of the Octopus Squad, a unit of the police force.
He said he still spoke with Saatah on Tuesday morning, only for the police to arrest him by evening. He said none of them have been able to reach the president since his arrest.
“What the police are doing is unconstitutional. We were very clear that the protest would be peaceful, so I don’t know why the police are doing this,” Ogboru said.
“After learning of the arrest, I called the police officer who called me earlier. He said he was not aware of any arrest. It was later that we got to know that the Octopus Squad of the police arrested him.”
Amayie King, the founding chairman of the congress, also told FIJ that the police used another member who was arrested to get the detained national president.
“He is like a PA to the president. The police felt that if they got to him, they would definitely get to the president. He was released immediately after they arrested the president,” King said.
King, who is also the coordinator of the Throw it Back (TIB) movement, a community of human rights defenders, said Saatah was arrested around 5:30 pm.
“I spoke with the commissioner of police this morning, and he said it’s just an invitation. He claimed that they wanted to talk to the president. They are just trying to shut down people’s voices by all means,” King told FIJ.
Gists9ja understands that if the police force does not release the NDC president by the end of Wednesday, the protest they are trying to avert in Rivers could happen.
Grace Iringe-Koko, the police spokesperson in Rivers, could not be reached for comments. When FIJ dialled her number around 11:20 am on Wednesday, a lady who identified as her personal assistant told our reporter that she was in a meeting.
“You are speaking with her PA. She is in a meeting. You may need to drop a message for her,” said the lady.
FCT minister Nyesom Wike has opened a can of words declaring that all the noise Governor Hope Uzodinma is making is over Senate Presidency.
He disclosed this at ongoing TVC interview today.
READ:
All this noise against the Rainbow Coalition is about the ambition of Governor Hope Uzodinma to be Senate President in 2027 .
By Gloria Ikibah
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, has expressed sadness over the death of former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris.
Idris, a former industrialist and two-term governor of Kogi State, reportedly died in the United Kingdom on Sunday, September 20, 2026.
In a condolence message, Enikanolaiye commiserated with the immediate family of the deceased, the Kogi State Government and people of the state, as well as his associates across the country.
The minister described the death as “unexpected” and urged Nigerians to draw consolation from the exemplary life Idris lived and the legacies he left behind as a man of peace committed to the good of all.
Enikanolaiye said Idris made significant contributions to business, public service and philanthropy, leaving behind projects that defined his tenure as governor.
He said: “The former industrialist has left very bold footmarks on the sand of time in business, public service, and philanthropy. The greater Lokoja water scheme, the international market, several roads and bridges, State Secretariat phase two, and construction of housing estates across the state, in addition to prompt payment of salaries are some of the legacies that defined his public service.
“He was a very tolerant leader and a voice of unity who saw humanity in all irrespective of creed, class, and tribe.
“For me at a personal and community level, it was the late Governor that put, for the very first time, asphalt on the only road that links my communities from Iyamoye through Igbagun to Isanlu in Yagba South East District which made access and movements easier for the people.
“I have been one of the direct beneficiaries of this transformative project. The road is now overdue for rehabilitation.
“This is one death too many. It is particularly sad that his death occurred at a time when his guidance and wealth of experience were highly required in this special general election season. Nigeria will miss him.
“No one can question the Almighty God, the owner of life. I wish the former governor, Al janah fridaus, and the family the strength to bear this irreparable loss.”
The minister prayed for strength for the family to bear what he described as an irreparable loss.
By Gloria Ikibah
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has congratulated First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu on her 66th birthday, describing her as the “Mother of the Nation”.
Kalu commended the First Lady for her service to the country, particularly her interventions aimed at empowering women, supporting families and vulnerable citizens, and investing in young Nigerians.
In a congratulatory message issued on Monday by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, the Deputy Speaker said Senator Tinubu’s leadership had reflected compassion and brought what he described as a profoundly human face to the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He also praised her commitment to raising funds for the renovation and completion of the National Library of Nigeria, describing the initiative as symbolic of her vision for the future.
Kalu said: “Your Excellency, your life of service continues to demonstrate that leadership finds its highest expression in compassion. Through your interventions across the states of our federation, particularly your commitment to the empowerment of women, support for families and vulnerable citizens, and investment in the hopes and aspirations of young Nigerians, you have brought a profoundly human face to the administration of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
“Your remarkable commitment to raising funds for the renovation and completion of the National Library of Nigeria is especially symbolic of your vision for the future. A nation that invests in its libraries invests in the minds of its children”.
The Deputy Speaker further described Senator Tinubu as a source of inspiration to emerging leaders, praising her humility, quiet strength and graciousness in office.
“At 66, we celebrate not only the gift of your life, but the countless lives that have been enriched by your generosity of spirit and commitment to service,” Kalu said.
He prayed for continued strength, sound health and wisdom for the First Lady.
FCT minister Nyesom Wike’s words on marble
Enikanolaiye Mourns ex-Kogi Governor Ibrahim Idris
Kalu hails Oluremi Tinubu at 66, Praises Support for Women, Vulnerable Nigerians
-
News15 hours agoUzodinma Wants To Become Senate President But Wike Is Not Supporting Anyone From Southeast – APC Chieftain Reveals
-
Politics15 hours ago‘They Don’t Want Wike To Win’ – Fayose Reveals Five APC Governors Secretly Backing NDC
-
Sports15 hours agoLaLiga: Barcelona Reveal Plan For Messi’s Return
-
Metro15 hours agoWoman Hacks Her Husband To Death After Hearing His Plans For A Second Wife
-
News15 hours agoSix killed, two injured in Kogi road crash
-
Sports15 hours agoRaphinha Hits Second Straight Hat-trick As Barcelona Beat Sevilla
Warning: Undefined variable $user_ID in /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/themes/zox-news/comments.php on line 49
You must be logged in to post a comment Login