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By Gloria Ikibah

Member representing Ideato Federal Constituency of Imo State, in the House of Representatives, Rep. Ikenga Ugochinyere, has expanded his electricity intervention programme to seven communities with the installation of 500KVA transformers and other power infrastructure.

The latest phase of the Operation Light Up Ideato initiative covers Ogwume, Dikenafai and Akpulu, where transformers, electricity cables and other essential components are being installed to improve power supply.

The intervention cuts across Ideato North and Ideato South, with the latest installations building on earlier projects in Umuopia, Obodoukwu, Abukwa and Umukegwu.

The completion of the transformer installation in Akpulu, alongside ongoing work in Ogwume and Dikenafai, brings the number of communities reached by the initiative to seven.

According to the lawmaker, “the expansion underscored his “commitment to addressing critical infrastructure needs at the grassroots and ensuring that communities that have long experienced inadequate electricity infrastructure are not left behind.

“Unlike a one-off intervention, Operation Light Up Ideato is being implemented as a continuing community focused programme, with more transformers expected to be supplied and installed in additional communities identified as being in need.”

The programme is aimed at improving electricity infrastructure in communities that have faced inadequate power supply, while supporting economic and social activities at the grassroots.

Speaking on the continued expansion of the initiative, Ugochinyere, who is also Chairman, House Committee on Downstream Petroleum,  reaffirmed his determination to ensure that every community in Ideato requiring electricity infrastructure is eventually covered.

He stressed that the objective was to progressively close the gap in power availability across the federal constituency.

The latest intervention adds to ongoing constituency projects by the lawmaker aimed at addressing basic infrastructure needs across Ideato North and South.

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By Gloria Ikibah

The Federal Government has rejected claims that Nigeria or the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) backed the recent failed coup attempt in Niger Republic, describing the reports circulating on social media as false and mischievous.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Sola Enikanolaiye, said Nigeria “did not and will never support any military coup or unconstitutional change of government”, insisting that the country remained committed to democracy and constitutional order.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, Enikanolaiye said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had taken note of social media claims suggesting that the failed coup attempt in Niger had the backing of ECOWAS and, by implication, Nigeria.

He said, “The Federal Government of Nigeria categorically rejects these claims as baseless, irresponsible, and a deliberate attempt to misinform the public and tarnish Nigeria’s image.”

According to the minister, Nigeria remained a peace-loving country and a strong defender of constitutional government in West Africa, the Sahel and across Africa.

“Nigeria will never support illegality or unconstitutional change of government anywhere, no matter who is involved or which country is concerned,” he said.

Enikanolaiye referred to the Ministry’s Press Statement No: MFA/PR/2026/220 of August 30, 2026, saying Nigeria had already made its position on the situation in Niger clear.

He said the Federal Government had expressed deep concern over developments in Niger and called for “a peaceful, inclusive and participatory return to stability and constitutional order” in the neighbouring country.

“Nigeria views with deep concern any unconstitutional change of government,” the minister said.

He stressed that Nigeria’s position was also informed by its close historical, fraternal and cultural ties with Niger.

Enikanolaiye added that the use of force to resolve political disagreements was inconsistent with Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives.

“As a sisterly neighbour bound by close historical, fraternal and cultural ties, Nigeria desires only peace, security, democracy and development for Niger, the sub-region and the Sahel.

“As was stated in the Press Statement under reference, any resort to force to settle political differences is contrary to this objective and to Nigeria’s long-standing foreign policy”, he said.

While reaffirming Nigeria’s membership of ECOWAS, the minister dismissed suggestions that the country supported the military takeover.

He urged Nigerians at home and abroad to ignore videos and narratives circulating online

“While Nigeria is a proud and committed member of ECOWAS, it is unfair, mischievous and entirely false to suggest that Nigeria endorses or condones the military coup.

which, he said, were intended to create division.
“We urge the Nigerian public, both at home and abroad, to disregard the videos and narratives being circulated online by individuals seeking to sow discord”, he stated.

The minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance and the African Union’s position against unconstitutional changes of government.

“Nigeria remains firmly committed to the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance and to the African Union’s zero tolerance for unconstitutional changes of government”, Enikanolaiye stressed.

He said Nigeria will continue to work with ECOWAS, the African Union and the international community to defend democratic governance, uphold the rule of law and promote peace and stability in the region.

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The Department of State Services (DSS) has impounded 676 firearms and more than 330,000 rounds of ammunition in its ongoing operations against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes across Nigeria.

Director-General of the DSS, Mr Oluwatosin Ajayi, disclosed this while speaking with senior editors as he marked two years in office on August 28, 2026.

Ajayi, who has spent 36 years in the intelligence service, said the seizures were part of a broader effort by the agency to disrupt criminal networks, strengthen intelligence-led operations and improve cooperation with other security agencies.

The DSS boss, who began his career as a cadet officer and rose through the ranks to become the first cadet of the Service to attain the position of Director-General, also spoke extensively on the agency’s evolving approach to human rights, accountability, media relations and the fight against terrorism and insurgency.

He said his administration had focused on five major areas: strict law enforcement, inter-agency cooperation, accountability, respect for human rights, and infrastructural and administrative reforms aimed at improving operational efficiency.

According to him, the DSS has deliberately moved away from approaches that could blur the line between civil disputes and criminal matters, insisting that civil cases should be resolved through dialogue or the courts rather than arrests and the use of force.

“I have told my people there should be no arrest in any civil case,” Ajayi said, explaining that the Service now seeks judicial interpretation where necessary instead of resorting to coercive measures.

He cited the case involving Professor Pat Utomi and the alleged attempt to establish a shadow government as an example of the new approach. Rather than arresting Utomi, he said, the Service approached the court for an interpretation of the matter.

He also cited disputes involving the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, saying the Service had increasingly relied on judicial processes rather than arrests to resolve contentious matters.

A new approach to human rights

Ajayi said respect for human rights had become a central component of his administration, arguing that an intelligence agency could not effectively perform its duties while alienating the population it depended on for information.

He said the DSS had adopted what he described as “restorative justice”, including compensation and other forms of restitution where its operatives had wrongfully injured, detained or otherwise harmed innocent people.

The Director-General said the Service had paid more than N300 million in compensation in various cases, although he stressed that the figure did not capture all interventions because some cases were handled without publicity.

One of the cases involved a Jos-based businessman who was mistakenly shot by DSS operatives.

A court had ordered the Service in 2016 to pay him N10 million in compensation, but the judgment was not implemented at the time.

Ajayi said he ordered a review of such cases after assuming office and accepted responsibility for correcting past mistakes.

“When you wake up, that’s your morning. It’s never too late to do the right thing,” he said.

He said the victim’s condition had deteriorated considerably and that, after medical assessment, the Service not only provided medical treatment but approved an additional N10 million to help him rebuild his livelihood.

“We actually went further to set up a business for him, and he is now an employer of others,” Ajayi said.

He also disclosed that an Abuja-based businesswoman who was mistakenly arrested during an operation targeting suspected oil bunkerers was paid N10 million after investigators established that she was innocent.

According to him, the DSS subsequently supported efforts to rebuild her business.