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Final Farewell in Delta as Family, Community Honour Mama Eunice Ikpen
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By Gloria Ikibah
Family, friends and well-wishers gathered in Delta State to pay their last respects to the late Mrs Eunice Eziregbe Ikpen, whose burial drew a wide cross-section of mourners in Deghele, Sapele Local Government Area.
The funeral rites began with a service of songs and concluded with a well-attended ceremony at Bethel Baptist Church in Sapele. The occasion brought together relatives, clergy, public officials, academics, media professionals and community leaders, reflecting the breadth of her influence.
In his message, Rev. Dr Dickson Madoghwe encouraged Christians to lead lives grounded in faith and integrity, pointing to the late matriarch as an example of humility, dedication and service.
Beyond her role within the family and church, she was recognised for her contribution to preserving language and culture. She was known for translating the reintroduced national anthem, Nigeria We Hail Thee, into the Okpe language, a work that earned her respect among scholars and cultural organisations seeking accurate interpretations.
Tributes from loved ones described her passing as a deep loss to both her family and the wider Baptist community, particularly at Bethel Baptist Church, where she was regarded as a committed member and educator.
Her children reflected on her enduring impact, describing her as a guiding force whose sacrifices shaped their lives. They also highlighted her warmth, generosity and constant concern for others, noting that her values and legacy would continue to inspire future generations.
Her eldest son, Barr. Mudiaga Ikpen, told journalists that she was a strong influence whose guidance and sacrifices shaped the lives of her children and others. Another son, Revd. Jomo Ikpen said the family would uphold her values.
Mrs. Ijabor and Mrs. Udofia, the daughters of Mama, say she will be remembered for her warmth and love towards her offsprings and as one who always puts the welfare of others first.
Also for Mama’s sons, Mitaire Ikpen of the Nigerian Television Authority and Julius Ikpen, they affirmed that their mother has fought a good fight and laid down legacies that will outlast her.
Condolence messages also came from the Women Missionary Society, the Diaconate, the Church Council of Bethel Baptist Church, Sapele, delegations from Baptist churches in Benin City, Asaba, Lagos, and Abuja, as well as the alumni of Baptist High School Benin, Okotie-Eboh Grammar School, Sapele and Delta State University, Abraka.
They described Mama Ikpen as peaceful and devoted to the Christian faith.
Mrs. Ikpen was interred in Deghele, Elume-Sapele.
She is survived by six children, 23 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and other relatives.
The Defence Headquarters has clarified the recent public discussions surrounding the neutralisation of a prominent terrorist commander, Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki.
A collaborative operation with the United States Africa Command on May 16, 2026, led to the killing of Bilal Al-Minuki.
Following the development, certain media outlets referenced a similar operation from 2024, which involved the elimination of a terrorist commander with the same name.
This has understandably raised questions regarding the identity of the individual who was recently neutralised.
In a statement signed by Somalia Uba, Director of Defence Information, the DHQ said: “It is crucial to note that in the North East region and throughout the Lake Chad Basin, the use of similar or identical names, aliases and nom de guerres is prevalent among ISWAP and Boko Haram terrorists.
“This practice is a deliberate part of their indoctrination strategy, aimed at obscuring identities. This fact has been corroborated over the years during counter-terrorism operations in Northeast Nigeria.
“The Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki who was eliminated on May 16, 2026, has been positively identified through human intelligence and technical surveillance as a senior global operative within the Islamic State network, possessing direct connections to international terrorist coordination, funding and operations across the Sahel. Thus, there is no ambiguity regarding his identity.”
The statement added that the strike represents a significant achievement in the country’s counter-terrorism initiatives.
It said the Armed Forces of Nigeria, in collaboration with the United States, remain dedicated to dismantling terrorist networks and will continue to disseminate verified information through official channels.
It called on the general public and the media to rely solely on authorised sources to prevent confusion arising from coincidental name similarities.
Three aspirants of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who were anointed as consensus candidates by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State for House of Representatives seats have been disqualified by the party.
The three aspirants endorsed by Aiyedatiwa, who have been screened out, were identified as Tajudeen Adefisoye (Idanre/Ifedore federal constituency), Victor Ategbole (Akoko South-East/South-West federal constituency) and Samuel Arowele (Owo/Ose federal constituency).
Others not cleared along with the governor’s preferred aspirants are Seun Ajongbolo (Akoko South-East/South-West federal constituency), Morufu Ibrahim, Oyeniyi Oseni ((Akoko North-East/North-West) and Olaleye Adedipe (Akoko North-East/North-West).
With the reasons for the disqualification of the aspirants not revealed in a statement issued on Saturday by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Felix Morka, some aspirants in the state have kicked and condemned the endorsement of the anointed aspirants.
Meanwhile, there was large turnout of APC members on Saturday during the direct primaries conducted across the 203 wards of the state.
In Akur metropolis, party members arrived at the designated wards in their numbers around 8:00 am with the officials of the party doing a headcount of everyone.
At Wards 4, 5, and 8, members of the party were seen queuing behind the poster of the aspirants they are supporting.
Meanwhile, there was an uproar in some of the wards as party faithful lamented that electoral officials were not on the ground to take record of the exercise.
Six suspected Islamic State West Africa Province members, including a bomb expert, were killed early Friday when an improvised explosive device detonated prematurely in Marte Local Government Area.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the blast occurred around 7:00 a.m. on May 16, 2026, at Jubilaram while the group was assembling the device. The team was led by Abu Umar, identified as a bomb expert, who died in the explosion along with five other militants. Three others were reportedly injured.
Intelligence assessments say the deceased were part of ISWAP’s IED cell operating along the Marte–Kerenoa–Wulgo axis in the Lake Chad Basin. The explosion destroyed the site, located between Arinna Maimasallaci and Arinna Ciki, and is expected to temporarily disrupt the group’s bomb-making operations in the area.
Military sources said the incident could weaken ISWAP’s capability along key routes in the Marte axis. Authorities are considering follow-up air and ground operations to exploit the disruption.
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