Metro
Nigerian Government To Engage Militants Over Kidnapping, Others

Amid the incessant cases of sea piracy and kidnapping at the coastal communities in Oron, Akwa Ibom State, the President General of Oro Development Union, Sir Esang Nsa Bassey in this interview urged Akwa Ibom State government to seek audience with the ex-militants who have expressed willingness to stop their nefarious activities. He also expressed dismay at the delay in the realization of Ibaka deep seaport, among other issues.
The Federal government in 2013 proposed to construct a bridge for Oron-Calabar River, what is the update?
Actually, the contract for the construction of the bridge was awarded in 2013 under the leadership of Goodluck Jonathan without funding the project. We hope that the present Federal government will mobilize contractors to complete the bridge. It’s about 13.5km. The bridge when completed will ease movement from the South South region to the North East region of the country and boost the economy. Even the people of Northern Cross River will equally benefit. We urge the federal government to make funding arrangements immediately. Oron remains a coastal town and a Nigeria window to other countries such as Cameroon, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, among others.
So we want the federal government to reactivate that project, resolve what held it back. They would have signed the funding agreement but there came the issue of alignment where the bridge should start and where it should stop, so we want them to speedily resolve what was the problem. Also we have the issue of our seashores being constantly washed away; the federal government, since it is their duty, should protect our shorelines so that it will not go beyond what we are having at the moment.
Is there any problem between Akwa Ibom State government and Oro nation because Uyo, Nsit Atai, Okobo road have remained uncompleted for many years unlike other road projects?
As a people, we don’t have any problem with the Akwa Ibom State government. Since 1999, the five local governments in Oro have been supporting the state government even up to this moment but I can’t understand why we’ve been marginalized and our road remains like that up till this moment. I will say the present administration is trying to do something about it, until they do it, it is what it is. The truth is that unless you develop Oro the whole Akwa Ibom State remains undeveloped. Thank God that the state government is trying to do something on parts of the roads. While the state government is doing that, we call on the federal government to work on the trunk A road- Oron-Uyo Ikot-Ekpene-Aba. The portion between Aba Ikot Ekpene is under construction but Uyo Oron, Ikot Ekpene Axis of trunk A road should be awarded to good contractors and the project completed as soon as possible, it is something that will boost the economy of the area.
Honestly, Ibaka deep seaport has been embroiled in politics over the years, the Federal government set up an implementation committee to deliver the port within two years, what happened thereafter we cannot comprehend. Till today, the state government has not told us why the federal government had to leave, why the name has to change from Ibaka deep seaport to Ibom deep seaport and where the new location of the seaport is.
I think one day the seaport will be constructed at Ibaka because it has a natural bay; as I said earlier, unless you develop Oron, the rest of the Akwa Ibom State will remain undeveloped, because if you can’t develop a seaport there, I don’t see how this state can develop economically and benefit from blue sea economy that the present federal government is championing. Go to Lagos State, they have Tin Can Island, Apapa wharf, then Lekki seaport and they are building another one in Badagry and we are here struggling to get one seaport.
I think we should understand that when the port is constructed, it’s not only Oro people that will benefit from it, everybody will benefit from that. So, nobody should try to stifle the project thinking to stop Oro people from benefiting from it. Also, if the state government allows the proposed solution hub of the NNPC to come up, it will also bring development to the state.
Are you not worried that the Maritime Academy upgraded to a university is yet to commence operation?
Yes we are very worried that Maritime Academy is yet to function as a university after the law establishing it received assent by the then President Muhammadu Buhari in 2022. What is remaining now is for the Federal government to constitute the governing council and appoint a Vice Chancellor. We hope that the senate president, Chief Godswill Akpabio will look into it as he promised and ensure its full implementation.
The rate of sea piracy and kidnapping in Oron is getting too high, what are the measures put in place by the union to address it?
Insecurity has become a problem all over the country. We know that it is getting high in Oron, a once bubbling community and market in Oron is now a ghost town due to the activities of these people.
When I assumed office, I had a meeting with the ex-militants in this area, they paid me a courtesy visit and issues of insecurity, sea piracy, kidnapping were raised and they (ex-militants) assured me that they would work with me to ensure that insecurity is addressed. If you look at other parts of the country, the governments are using them (ex-militants) to maintain peace by giving them contracts to protect the area as well as pipelines.
So, why is our state government not adopting that? Why is our state government refusing to speak with these ex-militants who agreed to stop militancy and incessant kidnapping in Oron? They said they need the government to assist them in terms of funding and engage them. I use the opportunity to call on the Akwa Ibom State government to address the issues of ex-militants in Oron so as to curb the insecurity issues bedeviling the area.
Since the creation of Akwa Ibom State, we’ve had prominent sons and daughters of Oron in government but none has become the governor, do you still have hope that the Oron nation will produce a governor in the near future?
I have great hope that one day we will have a governor of Oron extraction; we are standing on a three tripod, the other two have had their turn and Oron will one day occupy the hilltop mansion. Irrespective of the marginalization of Oron people, we will get there. All I know is that political power is not given, it is worked for, we shall raise our sons and daughters who will have the will to work for the power, grab it and run with it.
Metro
Court remands three Anambra native doctors over alleged criminal activities

The Anambra State Government yesterday arraigned three native doctors before a State High Court for alleged involvement in criminal activities.
The suspects were Chidozie Nwangwu popularly known as “Akwa Okuko Tiwara Aki”, Onyebuchi Okocha known as “Onye Eze” and Ekene Igboezekwe popularly known as “Eke Hit”.
They were charged in suit numbers A/41C2025, A/40C2025 and A/42C2025 respectively with alleged claims of possessing supernatural powers to make money or stagnate destiny, as well as conspiracy to commit felony to wit kidnapping and obtaining by fraud.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the suspects were all arrested by the Anambra Security outfit known as “Agunechemba” in February and have been in detention till date.
The prosecution counsel, Mr. F.C. Okeke, told the court that the charges against the suspect had been served them and that they were ready to proceed with the case.
But the defence counsel, Mr S.O. Iwuoba and others took turns to inform the court that the processes were not served in good time to enable them to respond.
The charges were not read in detail as a result of the development.
The presiding Judge, Justice Jude Obiora, ordered that the suspects be returned to Agunechemba detention facility to make for proper processing.
Obiora adjourned the cases to April 11 for proper arraignment and pleadings.
Metro
Plateau attack: 40 more bodies recovered as death toll hits 52

The search and rescue operation that followed this week’s apparently co-ordinated attacks on some communities in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State has yielded additional 40 bodies, officials confirmed yesterday.
The recovery has now taken the death toll in the attacks on Mangor Tamiso, Daffo, Manguna (Tagai), Hurti and Tadai to 52.
The state government said some arrests have been made in connection with the Wednesday night mayhem.
Chairman of Bokkos Cultural Development Council (BCDC) Vanguard, Farmasum Fuddang said 31 persons were given a mass burial on Thursday.
According to him five under age victims were burnt to ashes at Hurti village, 11 were killed at Ruwi village, four persons killed at Manguna with one killed at Dafo.
The condemned the attacks.
It said some suspects have been arrested but did not put a figure to the arrests.
Information and Communication Commissioner Joyce Ramnap in a statement in Jos, extended government’s condolences to bereaved families and said every effort was being made by the security agencies to stem the wave of killings.
The Mutfwang Administration, the commissioner added, had deployed strategic measures to enhance intelligence gathering, surveillance, and rapid response mechanisms in collaboration with security operatives.
She asked religious, traditional, and community leaders to reinforce the message of peace, unity, and lawful engagement while residents were advised to remain law-abiding, support security efforts, and utilize official channels for security concerns.”
Residents of the affected communities said the invaders shot sporadically, catching the people unawares.
Metro
Outrage As Police Officer Vows to Kill Southerners Over Edo Killings

Reactions have trailed the comment of a Kaduna State police officer, Hadaina Hussaini Dan-Taki over the killings in Uromi area of Edo State.
Dan-Taki has threatened reprisal attacks on southerners living in northern Nigeria.
His remarks followed the brutal killing of 16 northerners in Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State.
Dan-Taki made the inflammatory comments in a Facebook post on Tuesday, vowing that northerners would retaliate.
“I swear to Almighty God, we must do something for you guys. Have you forgotten all your brothers living here in the North? Mark my words, after one week, you shall see the result,” he reportedly wrote.
Following backlash, Dan-Taki changed his Facebook name and restricted access to his profile, limiting public visibility of his posts and comments.
Dan-Taki’s post was flagged by an X user identified as Uche, who shared a screenshot while tagging Force Public Relations Officer Olumuyiwa Adejobi.
Adejobi swiftly acknowledged the post, stating, “Noted for necessary action. Thanks.”
Meanwhile, law enforcement continues to investigate the attack in Uromi. Fourteen suspects linked to the killing of hunters from Kano State have been arrested and transferred to Abuja for further interrogation. Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo confirmed the arrests and assured Nigerians that justice would be served.
The victims were reportedly traveling to Kano for Sallah celebrations when they were ambushed by a mob. Their vehicle was stopped and ransacked before they were killed, sparking nationwide outrage and calls for swift justice.
Governor Okpebholo condemned the attack as “tragic and condemnable,” emphasizing that law enforcement agencies are taking decisive steps.
“The president is deeply concerned, and the suspects arrested so far are being transferred to Abuja for further interrogation,” he stated.
The killings have heightened tensions, prompting leaders across the country to call for calm and restraint. Officials from Kano and Edo States have been engaging in discussions to prevent further escalation.
The Chief of Defence Staff has also condemned the attack and vowed that justice will be served.
Authorities continue to investigate both the killings and Dan-Taki’s comments, with expectations that decisive action will be taken to prevent further unrest.
Get real time update about this post categories directly on your device, subscribe now.
-
News11 hours ago
Full list: NNPC appoints new senior management team
-
News20 hours ago
JUST-IN: Burkina Faso President Traore Reportedy Survives Another Assassination Attempt
-
News23 hours ago
Damaged reputation: Akpabio drags Abbo, Natasha to court
-
News11 hours ago
SAD! APC publicity scribe dies in UK
-
News21 hours ago
US Keenly Monitoring Edo Election Appeal Process Amid Concerns Over Transparency
-
News11 hours ago
Inmate allegedly killed wife during prison visit
-
Politics8 hours ago
Natasha/Akpabio feud: Senate fast progressing in error -Ex-lawmaker, Teejay Yusuf
-
News24 hours ago
Court bans Natasha Akpoti, Akpabio, 3 others from speaking to media about ongoing case