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Omo-Agege Condemns ‘Senseless’ Killing Of Soldiers, Sues For Peace In Delta Communities
The immediate past Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has described the attack which claims the lives of 17 military personnel around Okuama community of Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom in Delta as senseless and evil.
Omo-Agege, while condemning the incident, called on the Federal Government to constitute an independent investigation panel comprising resentatives of the National Human Rights Commission and notable professional bodies to unravel the circumstances surrounding their killings.
A gang of yet-to-be-identified gunmen last week Thursday ambushed and killed 17 military personnel including a Lieutenant Colonel, 2 Majors and a Captain, who were reportedly on a ‘peace mission’ to Okuama community.
The former Deputy President of the Senate in a statement he personally signed on Tuesday noted that he received the incident with a rude shock and called on the federal government to fish out the true perpetrators of the crime.
Omo-Agege, while condoling the families of the slain soldiers and the Armed Forces of Nigeria on the incident, called on the military show restraint in its operations to restore order to the Okuama community by not wiping out innocent civilians on account of a few misguided criminals.
“Recent developments in and around Okuama Community in Ewu Kingdom of Ughelli South, Delta State which touch gravely on our national security and the collective peace of our people are very concerning and demand the best of our leadership to manage for the good of all.
“The confirmed gruesome killing of 17 personnel of the Nigerian Army, including a Lieutenant Colonel, 2 Majors and a Captain, who were reportedly on a ‘peace mission’ is utterly shocking.
That act is a grave crime against the State, and I unequivocally condemn this appalling attack against our men in uniform in the strongest terms possible.
Such extreme bloody violence has no place of comfort in our society, and it is clearly inconsistent with the traditional warm hospitality of all our people, including Urhobos and Ijaws.
“On behalf of all our peace-loving people, I send my most sincere condolence to all officers and men of our Armed Forces and the grieving families of our fallen heroes.
Their loss is our nation’s collective loss, and we sincerely identify with them in our solemn thoughts and prayers. We trust God to comfort them and grant the souls of our fallen heroes rest.
“I am also deeply concerned about the reported killing of innocent civilians and the destruction of homes and other properties, and the humanitarian crisis that is emerging. A mass of innocent civilians, including women and children, should not pay for any crime they didn’t commit under any circumstances. Collective punishment is never justified.
“While our prayers are with all of the families who have been hurt by this violence, I urge our military personnel to show restraint in its operations to restore order to the Okuama community by not wiping out innocent civilians on account of a few misguided criminals.
“This is not a time for blame games and precipitous conclusions. It is a moment for solemn reflections. For the good of all, those who brutally cut short the lives of the officers and men of our Armed Forces must be found and punished according to law.
We have a duty to dig deep to know the exact facts and ultimately the truth of what led to this national tragedy. This requires an impartial and thorough investigation of all the issues that brought our people to this terribly concerning point where invitation of military intervention became the preferred and necessary option to secure civil peace and security between communities that have co-habited harmoniously for centuries.
“I therefore call on the Federal Government to set up an independent investigation panel, with representatives of the National Human Rights Commission and representatives of human rights-leaning Non-Governmental Organizations and notable professional bodies to unearth the remote causes of this crisis and those behind the killing of our gallant officers and soldiers. We must get to the very bottom of this matter.
“Meanwhile, I count on our political, religious and community leaders, amongst others, to engage our people who are directly and indirectly impacted by this grave matter to embrace peace for our collective peace, even as we ask and task the Army to embrace maximum restraint in its response. The law and fundamental tenets of morality and good conscience are against the collective punishment of a people for the sins of a few.
“We count on our governments at the Federal, State and Local levels to step up efforts to ameliorate the sufferings of ordinary, innocent communal people who are affected by this matter.
Working with our trusted elected representatives, especially in the National Assembly, we will do all that we can to bring succour to our elderly, women, children, and all who have been internally displaced by this tragic challenge and its traumatic aftereffects on their lives.
We call on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to quickly step in to help everyone who is suffering by the reason of this issue. In this regard, we thank every Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) that has activated quick response teams to monitor and offer much need support and encourage them to continue to help.
“We need peace and security to build a better society for ourselves and future generations. May the good Lord help all our people and nation to overcome every design to tear us down and apart”, the statement read.
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Customs disolves border patrol team amidst smuggling, brutality allegations
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the dissolution of its Joint Border Patrol Team (JBPT).
The Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Abdullahi Maiwada, in a statement Tuesday, said the decision was made after due consultation with the office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
The House of Representatives had, on December 11, mandated its Committees on Customs and Excise, Defence, to investigate the operations and activities of the NCS across the nation’s borders over alleged complicity in aiding smuggling and involvement in brutality against Nigerians.
The committees were also directed to examine the role of military personnel attached to Customs patrols in order to ensure their operations comply with legal frameworks and human rights standards.
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The resolutions followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance by Rep. Sesi Whingan who alleged that rather than prevent smuggling, recent reports showed that Customs’ personnel across the borders were aiding and abetting smuggling.
But the Customs spokesman explained yesterday that the dissolution of the joint border patrol team was part of the NCS’ efforts to strengthen border management and reinvigorate its 2025 enforcement strategy.
The JBPT, coordinated by the ONSA, evolved from an ex-swift response team to become a tripartite operation comprising Benin Republic, Niger Republic and Nigeria.
The patrol team was tasked with combating smuggling, irregular migration, and other transnational organised crimes along the nations’ borders, among others.
Maiwada said the team’s dissolution would not compromise border security or trade facilitation, but represents a significant step towards modernising Customs’ operations, improving trade compliance and strengthening national security.
The NCS said the move was part of the organisation’s ‘2025 enforcement strategy’.
“This strategy is aimed at removing bottlenecks associated with trade, strengthening border security, combating smuggling, and facilitating legitimate trade,” he said.
Maiwada also disclosed that Adewale Adeniyi, NCS Comptroller-General, had approved the reduction of customs checkpoints across the country to streamline its operations and to ease movement of goods and persons.
According to the statement, Adeniyi said the NCS would shift reliance to intelligence.
“Moving forward, customs operations will rely more on actionable intelligence and strategic risk management frameworks to enhance efficiency and effectiveness,” the statement quoted the CG as saying.
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Nigerians Are In Pains Because We Chose Darkness In Place Of Light — Bishop Kukah
The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, has stated that Nigerians are pains because they refused to be liberated from “darkness.”
The priest said this in his Christmas message at the Holy Family Cathedral Catholic Church, Sokoto Diocese on Tuesday night.
He emphasised that embracing transparency, accountability, and integrity in public service, politics, and individual conduct could significantly improve the country’s current state.
He said, “Nigeria’s lack of visible and measurable progress is tied to the fact that we have chosen darkness rather than light.
“Imagine if we let the light shine on our public service, on our politics, on our individual, community, and national life, and on our public institutions. Imagine what Nigeria would be like if we chose light instead of darkness.
“They will know we are Christians by our love,” highlighting that the country’s journey to greatness remains constrained by ethnicity, nepotism, and greed.
“We are still unable to embrace the ideals of our national anthem that says: ‘Though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand.’ Diversity is a gift from God. Let us use it effectively as a tool for national mobilization and cohesion,” he advised.
Kukah also lauded the passage of the “Not Too Young to Run Bill” in 2018, which opened doors for increased youth participation in politics.
However, he acknowledged the ongoing challenges, such as the high costs of political participation and issues of internal democracy, which still hinder young people’s active engagement.
He also commended the enactment of the Student Loan Act 2024 and the establishment of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund by the federal government.
These initiatives, he noted, have the potential to expand opportunities for Nigerian youth, including those pursuing vocational and technical skills.
“It is significant that the Act does not limit access to university students alone. We hope this project will be free of bureaucratic bottlenecks and favoritism, ensuring that poverty does not exclude anyone from receiving a good education,” Kukah said.
He encouraged the youth to take full advantage of these opportunities while also expressing concern about the ongoing security challenges in the country, which he described as a persistent obstacle to national stability.
Kukah, however, called on all Nigerians to choose the path of light, unity, and love, stressing that these values are essential for the nation’s progress and development.
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Omole celebrates christian faithful, says this is time for renewal of faith in nation and state
As Christians across the globe celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the Foundation of christianity today, the Coordinator of the Osun PDP Dynamic Support Group, Comrade Omole Oluwasegun has called on Christians in Osun State and Nigerians as a whole to renew their faith in our country, insisting that our nation must be great again.
Omole noted that Nigeria is blessed with enormous material and human resources.
He said Nigerians should believe in the greatness of our nation and support the Government to achieve the required dividends.
He called on Christians to use the occasion of the birth of Jesus Christ to rededicate themselves to the advancement of the ideals of nation building. He also called for prayers against societal ills such as terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.
Omole said Nigeria and its leaders need all the prayers and support at this time to positively change the fortunes of our fatherland.
“May this Christmas present for you an opportunity to renew and grow your faith in God and our nation, Nigeria. And may you and your family be blessed beyond measure”, he prayed.
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