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

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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.”
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SAD! Popular Broadcast Journalist Bukola Agbakaizu Slumps, Dies Before Afternoon Shift

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The Ogun State media industry was plunged into mourning on Monday following the sudden death of veteran broadcast journalist, Mrs. Bukola Agbakaizu, a longtime staff member of Ogun State Television (OGTV).

Agbakaizu, aged 52, reportedly collapsed while preparing for her afternoon shift at the OGTV studios in Abeokuta. Despite immediate efforts to revive her, she was pronounced dead upon arrival at the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta.

Her passing was officially confirmed on Tuesday night in a statement issued by the Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun State Council, Mr. Bunmi Adigun.

“Bukola Agbakaizu, a dedicated staff member of OGTV, tragically slumped while preparing for her shift. She was rushed to the hospital but could not be saved,” Adigun stated.

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He described her as a passionate and highly respected journalist who had previously served as Vice Chairman of the OGTV Chapel and was a valued member of the Wale Olanrewaju-led executive of the NUJ Ogun State Council.

“She was a vibrant and committed media professional. Her death leaves a painful void in our community,” Adigun added.

Agbakaizu also served as an ex-officio member of the NUJ Ogun State Council. She is survived by her two children, her elderly mother, colleagues, and a wide circle of friends in the journalism community.

The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Ogun State Chapter, also expressed profound sorrow over her untimely demise, noting her contributions to the advancement of women in journalism.

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Just in: NNPC Cuts Petrol Price Amid Competitive Moves with Dangote Refinery

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has announced a reduction in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, at its retail outlets in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

According to a report by The Cable, the petrol price at the NNPC station in Wuse Zone 3, Abuja, was cut from ₦935 per litre to ₦910, signaling a slight relief for consumers in the nation’s capital.

However, the new pricing has not yet extended to Lagos, where petrol prices at NNPC retail outlets remain unchanged. This discrepancy has sparked renewed concerns over regional price variations in Nigeria’s downstream oil market.

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The latest adjustment comes in the wake of an intensifying price contest between NNPC and the privately-owned Dangote Refinery. Just days earlier, on May 12, the Dangote Refinery lowered its ex-depot petrol price to ₦825 per litre, a strategic move aimed at capturing a larger share of the domestic fuel market.

The price reduction appears to be an outcome of recent high-level discussions between NNPC’s Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), Bayo Ojulari, and Dangote Refinery’s founder, Aliko Dangote. The meeting, held on May 9, reportedly sought to realign the relationship between the two entities and promote collaboration rather than rivalry.

Speaking after the meeting, Dangote stated, “There is no competition between us; we are not here to compete with NNPC Ltd. NNPC is part and parcel of our business, and we are also part of NNPC. This is an era of cooperation between the two organisations.”

Ojulari echoed this position during a press briefing on May 12, attributing the petrol price reduction to the recent procurement of fuel at lower international prices. He explained that the earlier surge in pump prices was due to existing stock purchased by marketers at higher rates.

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“This downward price adjustment reflects our effort to respond to changing supply conditions and deliver better value to Nigerians,” Ojulari said, while also noting that more adjustments may occur as the market stabilizes.

Industry observers view the ongoing price adjustments as an early indicator of growing competition in Nigeria’s petroleum sector, especially with the Dangote Refinery ramping up its operations. Analysts believe that sustained collaboration between both players could enhance supply efficiency and potentially ease the burden of fuel costs for consumers nationwide.

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BUNKERING: Army, Tantita Security Arrest Truck Laden with Illegally Extracted Crude Oil in Delta

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A joint team comprising officers of the 181 Battalion, Nigerian Army, Oleh, and personnel from Tantita Security Services Nigeria Ltd. has arrested a vacuum truck involved in illegal crude oil extraction at Well 3, Olomoro, in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State.

According to reports, the truck, which previously belonged to Engr. Daniel Omoyibo, also known as Damotech, was gifted to the driver, Mr. Matthew Ojomikre, who is currently being detained at the Forward Operating Base (FOB), 181 Battalion, Oleh.

Upon interrogation, the driver confessed that his company had been contracted by Heritage Energy Operational Services Ltd. to evacuate sludge from Well 3, Olomoro. However, he was unable to provide any formal approvals or documentation authorizing the activity, as was previously the norm.

Until recently, Heritage Energy Operational Services Ltd. had consistently provided crude and condensate trucking permits to officers of the Nigerian Army and Tantita Security Services Nigeria Ltd. for proper monitoring from the loading point to the discharge location.

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Officers of Tantita Security Services, in collaboration with a team from Heritage and the Nigerian Army, have collected samples from the vacuum truck for laboratory testing and analysis.

The preliminary confessional statement from the driver indicates that he illegally collected crude oil from Well 3 under the pretense of evacuating sludge from the wellheads.

Authorities have reported that the same truck has previously been involved in unauthorized crude oil evacuations within the Isoko axis.

The driver, the truck, and its contents remain in custody at the 181 Battalion Base in Oleh for further interrogation and possible prosecution.

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