News

Man Petition Reps Over Unlawful Arrest, Detention Of Brother By Nigerian Military

Published

1 year ago

February 20, 2024

By Gloria Ikibah

One Mr. Nsisong Mfon Effiong has called on the House of Representatives to ensure the immediate release of Mfonmma Mfon Effiong, who was unlawfully arrested and detained by the Nigerian Army Military Police, Mambilla Barracks Brigades in Abuja.

Presenting a petition before the House on behalf of the petitioner, Rep. Clement Jombo (APC, Akwa) appealed to the House to prevail on the Chief of Army Staff to order Nigeria Army Military Police, Mambila Barracks Brigades, Abuja, to release Mfonmma who has been in detention for 10 days.

According to him, Effiong was arrested following the order of his employer in Abuja on unfounded allegations that he was a kidnapper.

Rep. Jombo also urged the Speaker of House of Representatives to call on the Chief of Army Staff, to order for a thorough medical examination and treatment of Mfonmma.

He further pleaded with the House to call on the Chief of Army Staff to “order a full scale investigation into the unlawful arrest and

detention of a civilian without transferring Mr. Mfonmma Mfon Effiong to civil police for proper investigation or charging the matter to a competent law Court, for proper

hearing.”

He explained that Effiong lived with him in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, until recently when he relocated to Abuja to get a job.

Narrating the development that led to the arrest and detention, he said, “In late December, 2023, my younger brother, Mr. Mfonmma Mfon Effiong relocated from Calabar, Cross River State where he stayed with me to Abuja to fend for himself, but had to stay with his friend, Mr. Patrick in his family house and was accommodated by Patrick’s family until he was linked by one lady identified as Mrs. Beatrice Tolu-Omole who resides in Abuja to work for the occupant of No. 18 IJ Yahaya Close, NAF Valley Estate, Asokoro, Abuja(Occupant name yet to be known, but can be identified) as a driver.

“Mr. Mfonmma Mfon Effiong started working with the occupant of the above residential address as a driver in early January, 2024. The work atmosphere was tuneful for Mr. Mfonma Effiong up until his January salary was paid by his madam, the occupant of No. 18 IJ Yahaya Close, NAF Valley Estate, Asokoro, Abuja, where he failed to pay 50% of his first salary (January salary) to the Mrs. Beatrice Tolu-Omole, the agent that linked him for the job as a driver.

“According to Mr. Mfonmma Mfon Effiong when he called me on phone the day the incident happened, that the act of not paying 50% of his first salary to Mrs. Beatrice Tolu-Omole was not intentional, that he did not understand that he needed to have paid 50% of his first salary to her.

“That he pleaded with Mrs. Beatrice Tolu-Omole that he forwarded the money to his Baby Mother to pay School fees for his 3 year old son and also to get few needs for his few months old daughter, without knowing that he supposed to have paid some percentage to Mrs. Beatrice Tolu-Omole.

“Also, according to Mr. Mfonmma, Mrs. Beatrice Tolu-Omole accepted the plea and hope for him to comply when February, 2024 salary is paid, but his employer, the occupant of No. 18 IJ Yahaya Close, NAF Valley Estate, Asokoro, Abuja, (name not known but can be identified) was infuriated and started abusing him verbally, stressing that he has been eating free food in her house, stay in a free accommodation without paying utility bills.

“That this verbal abuse by his employer came after Mrs. Beatrice Tolu-Omole had called and reported him to his employer. That he also pleaded with his employer that the mistake of not paying 50% to Mrs. Beatrice Tolu-Omole was not intentional, but the more he pleaded, the angrier his employer became and kept abusing him. In that same call and conversation between my brother.

“Mr. Mfonmma Mfon Effiong and I, he informed me that he will resign his

appointment and leave his employer’s compound, which I advised him to communicate to Mrs. Beatrice Tolu-Omole who linked him to the work and he did same and moved back to Mr. Patrick’s family house.

“The following day Mr. Mfonmma Mfon Effiong called and informed me in the morning that his employer has been send him text messages since he left her house, begging him to come back and continue working, which according to him, his employer also called and sent him some money to get some fruits for which he did.That when he got to his employer’s house, they resolved the issue and he continued with his work as a driver. Since then, I had been keeping in touch with, Mr. Mfonmma Mfon Effiong through phone calls until Saturday, 10th of February, 2024, at night when I called his phones and noticed that the one with the phone numbers 07068636363 was switched off while the one with the number 08103415866 rang but no one responded and I called twice that night.

“On Sunday, 11th February, 2024, towards evening time, I called both phones but the one with 08103415866 rang without response while the other phone was still off. I was a bit worried as it became unusual for my brother to miss my calls and not return the calls.

“On Monday, 12th February, 2024, at about 6:45am, I received a call from a strange phone number 07080509323 and the caller asked me; “am I speaking with Nsisong?” and I replied yes ma. She continued, “I am calling you from Abuja, my name is Mrs. Beatrice Tolu-Omole based in Abuja. I am Mfonmma’s friend and I have been trying to reach out to him for some days now and his

phone numbers are not connecting. “Have you heard from him recently?” and I replied her that the last time my brother and I spoke on phone was on Saturday, 10th February, 2024, in the evening, that since then I could not reach out to him and she said she will call his Aunty, Patrick’s mother to call him.

“After an hour, I called back Mrs. Beatrice Tolu-Omole to know if she had been able to reach out to Patrick’s mother and she said she called her and that Patrick’s mother said she will buy airtime and call Mr. Mfonmma Mfon Effiong.

“After calling Mr. Mfonmma Mfon Effiong’s phone Numbers and got the same result, I called Mrs. Beatrice Tolu-Omole again and she asked me if my brother had disclosed to me who linked him to the work in Abuja and I replied her that the only information I got from my brother is that the lady who linked him to work with his employer is from Akwa Ibom State but based in Abuja. She also asked me if my brother had told me the person’s name and I replied no.

“The communication ended there. I kept calling my brother’s phone numbers 08103415866 that was ringing from lately Saturday, 10th February, 2024, to early hours of Tuesday, 13 February, 2024 without any one picking up the calls.

“When the phone that was ringing finally became off, I became intensely worried and had the feeling that all is not well with my brother. I called Mrs. Beatrice Tolu-Omole again on that same Tuesday, 13th February, 2024, atabout 7:15am to send me Patrick’s mother phone number and she delayed sending the number to me, which I had to call Mrs.

“Beatrice Tolu-Omole again and again before she finally sent me the number. Immediately, I called Patrick’s mother and introduced myself as Mfonmma’s brother, which I enquired from her of my brother’s where about, if she has any information about where he works and she said that her daughter, name Blessing was the one who went on Mfonmma’s call to help him park his belongings the day Mfonmma had an issue with his employer and then decided to resign.

“Immediately, I mobilized for Blessing to go in search of Mfonmma since I base in Calabar, Cross River State, and could not immediately get to Abuja. Blessing did as I requested her to do and about 11:50 am, Patrick’s mother called to

inform me that Blessing called and informed her that Mfonmma’s employer was very aggressive on seeing her standing by the gate trying to enquire from the gateman of Mfonmma’s where about.

“Also according to Patrick’s mother,

Blessing told her that Mfonmma’s employer in her aggressiveness asked her who showed her her residence that if she waste more time by her gate that she will order for her arrest and Blessing speedily left the environment.

“When I heard about this development, I had to find my way from Calabar, Cross River State to Abuja through a night bus at Enugu on the same Tuesday, 13th February 2024, and I arrived in the early hours of Wednesday, 14th February, 2024, and first put a call to Mrs. Beatrice Tolu-Omole who claimed to be my brothers friend in Abuja, informing her that I am in Abuja and will like to see her to get information on how to go about searching for my brother. On hearing that I am in Abuja, she ended my call and did not take my calls anymore. I then had to call Patrick’s mother to tell Blessing to meet up with me so that we can go to NAF Valley Estate, and lay complaint to the management of the Estate which we achieved that and all effort made to reach out to my brother proved futile, even as Mfonmma’s Employer the occupant of No. 18 IJ Yahaya Close, NAF Valley Estate, Asokoro, Abuja and Mrs. Beatrice Tolu-Omole failed to cooperate with the Investigation Team of NAF Valley Estate and we did not know whether Mfonmma Mfon Effiong is Alive or Dead.

“After searching for Mr. Mfonmma Mfon Effiong for 7 days, on the 8th day, Sunday 18th February 2024, the Nigeria Military Police, Mambila Barracks Brigades, Abuja finally agreed that they were the ones detaining Mr. Mfonmma Mfon Effiong without access to contact any of his family members or friends. But not for my persistent search for Mr. Mfonmma Mfon Effiong, nobody would have known that the Nigeria Army Military Police, Mambila Barracks Brigades, Abuja were the ones detaining him as he wasn’t granted access to contact any of his family members or friends.

“On granting 2 minutes to physically interact at a distance with Mr. Mfonmma Mfon Effiong on Sunday, 18th February 2024, the 8th day of his detention; I asked him of since when has he been under detention and he said he has been under detention since on Sunday night, 11th of February, 2024, but that his employer first locked him up in the toilet from morning of that Sunday till when she called the Nigeria Army to come and take him away. I then asked him, what was your offence and he said that his employer accused him of being a kidnapper, that while in confinement, his two phones were taken for DSS Profiling and Forensic auditing and it was found that he is innocent of the allegation as no records of calls, chats or text messages related to kidnapping discussions were found in his phones.

“That he has begged his employer to

allow him go or even allow him contact any of his family members but he was

denied access to call neither his family members nor anyone.”

News

First Lady Support Historic Bill to Reserve Seats for Women in Parliament

Published

43 minutes ago

March 4, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

…as Office Of Deputy Speaker, ElectHer hold art exhibition in Abuja

By Gloria Ikibah

In a significant step towards promoting gender inclusion in governance, Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has thrown her weight behind the seat reservation bill for women in the parliament, urging members of the national assembly to expeditiously pass the bill into law.

The bill sponsored by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Kalu is currently before the House of Representatives for consideration and passage.

Speaking at the Art for Governance Exhibition organized by the Office of the Deputy Speaker in conjunction with ElectHER, an advocacy group for women empowerment in Abuja, Monday night,

Senator Tinubu represented by Hajiya Fatima Tajudeen Abbas, wife of the Speaker, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, emphasised the importance of women’s leadership in shaping the country’s future.

She said: “In the context of governance and inclusion, it offers a unique and compelling way to spotlight the urgent need for greater female representation in leadership and decision making processes. The artworks being displayed today serve not only for a Nigeria where political leadership is truly inclusive and reflective of its people. The emphasis on affirmative action bill is essential to amplifying the message of inclusion contained in this exhibition.

“Women constitute a vital part of our nation’s progress yet their representation in governance remains limited. Ensuring that women have a stronger voice in shaping policies, making decisions and driving national development is not just a matter of justice, it is a necessity for stable growth.

“Therefore, I support the affirmative action bill that mandates at least 35 percent of seats in the legislative and executive arms being occupied by women. I urge the national assembly to expedite the passage of the bill. I am committed to supporting initiatives that promote gender inclusion, women and nation building. This has been my mission during my mission as first lady of Lagos, as a senator and now as the first lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I firmly believe in the importance of women voices in governance. I urge my former colleagues, the civil society organization and the public to embrace the message of exhibition and collaborate to ensure that women’s voices are heard”.

In his remarks, the Deputy Speaker decried the underrepresention of women in governance.

“Today, we wield the transformative power to address one of the most pressing issues in Nigeria’s democracy: the systemic underrepresentation of women in governance. We see the struggles, the resilience, and the undeniable strength of women who have fought to lead, only to be met with barriers. But barriers can be broken. That is why this exhibition is not just a cultural moment—it is an advocacy tool, a visual argument, a movement in motion.

“The Art for Governance exhibition is anchored on a pivotal legislative effort:

The Constitution (Alteration) Bill, 2024—popularly known as the Additional

Seats Bill. This bill is not merely about numbers or political arithmetic; it is

about justice. And as we push for its passage in the 10th Assembly, we

recognize that legislative success is not achieved through legal arguments

alone, but through the mobilization of hearts and minds, and this exhibition

does precisely that. Because this is not just about passing a bill; it is about shaping a legacy”, Kalu said.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ElectHER and Lead Curator, Art For Governance Exhibition, Ibijoke Faborode, highlighted the importance of gender-inclusive governance in fostering stronger democratic institutions, improved policy outcomes, and broader socio-economic growth.

“Nigeria, Africa’s largest democracy, has one of the lowest rates of female political representation on the continent. With women comprising nearly 50% of the population but less than 4% of the National Assembly, the underrepresentation of women in governance remains a critical challenge to achieving inclusive democracy and sustainable development. As Nigeria moves toward the 2027 elections, bold legislative reforms like the Reserved Seats Bill can be a game changer for socioeconomic transformation. We are building the momentum needed to mainstream the Reserved Seats Bill, shift public discourse, and drive its passage. This is not just about a policy change. It is about reshaping Nigeria’s democratic landscape to reflect the full strength of its people”, she said.

The Minister of Women Affairs and other notable personalities who spoke at the Exhibition also expressed their commitment to ensuring the passage of the Special Seats Bill, which aims to increase women’s representation in governance.

The Exhibition produced top 3 artists from over 150 other competitors who won special prizes for their extraordinary artworks.

The artists included Segun Owolabi who won the first position for N2 million; Chidinma Mordi, second position for N1. 5 million and Precious Samuel, third Position for N1 million but the prizes were later doubled by the Deputy Speaker.

The prize winners will also exhibit their work at the Echoes of Equity; Art For Governance event and display their works at the National Assembly Library for about 3 weeks.

News

Benin City boils as CSOs protest killing of physically challenged man

Published

1 hour ago

March 4, 2025

Naijablitznews

Angry members of Civil Society Organisations on Tuesday protested and decried the gruesome murder of a physically challenged man in Obazagbon community, Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State.

The victim, identified as Efe Ogbeide and a deaf, was said to have been murdered at a project site by invading gunmen.

The community is said to be embroiled in violent leadership crisis, leading to the destruction of property and loss of lives.

Speaking on behalf of the aggrieved protesters, the Executive Director, Network for the Advancement of People with Visible Disability, Omasah Melody said the victim was deaf and could not hear when the alarm of the invaders was raised.

He added, “While others ran away, but because he could not hear, he fell in the hands of his murderers.”

Melody continued, “we are pained. We are touched because Mrs. Betty has lost a very dear husband. His children have been made fatherless.

Ogbeide’s crime was that he went around to fend for himself and his family in spite of his disability so that he will not to be a liability to society.

It was in the quest of struggling to put food on the table of his family that death met him absolutely.

“The frequency of communal clashes over land and its related issues is becoming one too many. It has to stop. Security agents must rise to the occasion.

When there are crisis in community, the physically challenged suffer more. People with disabilities are worse hit.”

Reacting to the development, the Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu said three suspects have been arrested over the mayhem in Obazagbon community, adding that investigation is still ongoing.

News

PSC endorses appointment of six DIGs, elevates one CP to AIG, others

Published

2 hours ago

March 4, 2025

Naijablitznews

The Police Service Commission has endorsed the appointment of six Deputy Inspectors General of Police and the promotion of the Commissioner of Police Enugu State Command, Uzuegbu Kanayo to the next rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police.

The new Deputy Inspectors General of Police are Sadiq Idiris Abubakar, Commandant Police Academy , Wudil, Kano. He was former Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory; CP Peace keeping Operations and Coordinator, Police Special Forces; Benjamin Nebolisa Okolo, former AIG, Zone 16, Yenagoa and presently AIG Department of Information Communication Technology, Force Headquarters Abuja and Williams Adebowale, Commandant, Police Staff College Jos.

Others are Bzigu Yakubu Kwazi Bali, AIG FCID, Annex Enugu; Idegwu Basil Ukuoma, AIG Zone 14, Katsina and Adebola Ayinde Hamzat, AIG Zone 16 Yenagoa and former Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command. He was also a former CP Border Patrol, Force Headquarters, CP Crime Prevention and Community safety; Deputy Force Secretary and currently AIG in charge of NPF Counter Terrorism Unit, CTU, Force Headquarters Abuja.

CP Kanayo Uzuegbu Commissioner of Police Enugu State Command promoted to the next rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police was a former Assistant Commissioner Operations Zone 9, Umuahia; Area Commander, Owerri; Area Commander Karu, Nasarawa state; Commander Switch Operation Switch, Portharcourt; Deputy Commissioner Finance and Admin Edo State Command, DCP, state CID, Osun State and Commissioner of Police Operations, Communication, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

The Commission also approved the appointment of Commissioners of Police for Oyo and Enugu State Commands. CP Ademola Johnson, Principal Staff Officer to the Inspector General of Police was appointed CP Oyo State. He was also a former Deputy Commissioner of Police Delta State Command. CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa was appointed CP, Enugu State to take over from newly promoted AIG Kanayo Uzuegbu. CP Giwa was former DCP Operations Kaduna and Imo State Commands; ACP Police Mobile Force, Force Headquarters Abuja; and CSP A, Commissioner of Police Mobile Force, Force Headquarters among other postings in the Police Mobile Force.

The Commission also approved the promotion of eight Chief Superintendents of Police to the next rank of Assistant Commissioners of Police. They are Abdullahi Kamba Usman; Sani Abdu; Ifeanyi Owo; Vincent Orole; Elisha Atikinkpan and Margaret Okonkwo. Others are Alhasan Aliyu Guga and Imo Owinizi Ezekiel.

The newly promoted senior Police Officers were subjected to Written examinations and interactive oral interview.

The Chairman of the Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu rtd mni, presided over the sessions with Justice Paul Adamu Galumje, Justice of the Supreme Court rtd and Honourable Commissioner representing the Judiciary in the Commission; DIG Taiwo Lakanu rtd fdc, Honourable Commissioner representing the Police and Chief Onyemuchi Nnamani, Secretary to the Commission in attendance.