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Okuama/Okoloba: Women protest against return of armed youths

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Women of Okoloba in Bomadi local government area of Delta State, weekend, protested against what they called the return of armed youths of Okuama in Ughelli South local government area, who they alleged were threatening the peace of the riverine area.

The placard-carrying women, led by the Chairlady of Okoloba community, Mrs Timipakebi Goodwin, and Secretary, Mrs Mary Koibi, staged a protest in black attires along the coastal fringe of Koloba community, chanting against violence and bloodbath, as well as sending an S.O.S. to the Federal Government to come to their aid.

Some inscriptions on the placards read: ‘We say no to violence, enough of the killings on our land’, ‘armed Okuama youths returning in a commando style’, ‘we say no to the return of armed youths of Okuama’, ‘resettle Okuama people among their Ewu brothers in Ughelli South LGA’, ‘we mourn the killing of the 17 soldiers’ among others.

Goodwin, reading an address that was made available to security agencies, which include the police, DSS, NSCDC, JTF as well as the acting Chairman of Bomadi local government council, noted that the alleged latest killing by youths of Okuama showed that they could kill human beings at the slightest provocation.

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The address read in part: “First, we the women of the Okoloba community sympathize with the killing of 17 soldiers and officers of the Nigerian army on a peace and rescue mission to Okuama, following the kidnap of our son. We sincerely mourn their untimely death and pray for the repose of their souls. We also pray for their families.

“However, less than 24 hours after the exit of the troops from Okuama, a fresh crisis erupted with another neighbouring community, culminating in the killing of one person while three other persons were seriously injured. The person who was killed and those sustaining machete wounds were alleged to have gone there to loot.

“The latest killing showed that the people of Okuama can kill a human at the slightest provocation; the sanctity of human life means nothing to them. It also shows that neighbouring Ijaw communities like Okoloba are not safe.

“So, resetting the people of Okuama in their present location, which is in-between communities in Bomadi local government area, is an attempt to encourage further communal clashes and bloodbath.

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“Just last week, youths of the Okuama community came out of the Mein-toruabubor creek, which leads to Ewu, on three speedboats all of them in camouflage. They shot sporadically in the air before proceeding to Oklahoma. They moved to and fro the creek three times, and at every time they shot their guns in the air at the entrance of the creek.

“We are calling on the federal government to come to our aid, and the panacea to these incessant clashes and killings is for the government to relocate Okuama to the Ewu clan in Ughelli South Local Government Area, where they truly and rightly belong.

“Resettling them among their people in the Ewu clan of Urhobo land will foster mutual trust among themselves as they are of the same ancestry and speak the same dialect”.

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Metro

Fire guts recycling facility in Lagos

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A fire outbreak on Monday afternoon engulfed a recycling facility operated by Jincheng Company at 11B Eric Moore Road, Surulere, Lagos.

The fire, reported at about 12:15 p.m., drew a prompt response from the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service. Firefighters from the Sari-Iganmu Fire Station were the first on the scene, but the intensity of the blaze required reinforcements from the Ajegunle Fire Crew.

Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Mrs. Margaret Adeseye, stated that the fire began at the rear of the main building and was suspected to have been caused by negligence.

The affected section reportedly housed large quantities of cardboard materials used in the recycling process.

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Although the full extent of the damage is yet to be determined, the facility—which spans three acres—suffered significant losses.

“No casualties have been reported so far,” Adeseye confirmed, adding that the situation was under control by the time of reporting, with damping down operations still ongoing.”

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NSCDC’s mining marshals shut illegal site in Kaduna

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Mining marshals of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have shut an illegal mining site in Damau community in Kubau Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

NSCDC’s spokesman Babawale Afolabi said the affected site is in a tin-rich area belonging to Trobell Minerals Limited but allegedly overrun by illegal miners.

Afolabi said the corps Commandant-General, Dr. Ahmed Audi, had instructed that effective strategy and approach be put in place to stop illegal miners and address insecurity.

The spokesman noted that the illegal activities of the miners had led to serious economic losses, environmental degradation, and persistent insecurity in the area.

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He added that besides reaching out to community leaders, the marshals also adopted non-kinetic means through community engagement to address some challenges.

In a statement in Abuja, Afolabi said the NSCDC engaged traditional leaders and community youths in a series of deliberations to allow the miners to vacate the site under supervision without resistance.

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, hailed the mining marshals for peacefully resolving previous clashes at illegal sites in other parts of the country, where enforcement had often turned confrontational.

The minister urged communities across the country to support the Federal Government to stamp out illegal mining.

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He sought cooperation with the mining marshals to fish out culprits.

“The Kaduna operation could serve as a model for future interventions, if we get the buy-in of locals and community leaders. Illegal mining and insecurity remain major obstacles to the development of the mining sector.

“However, the outcome in Damau offers a glimpse of how a mix of enforcement and dialogue can turn the tide. I urge communities to cooperate with us to deal with this menace and restore investor confidence in the sector,” he said.

Also, a member of the community, who spoke in confidence, praised the marshals for doing a good job.

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“The diplomatic approach is commendable. The activities of the dislodged illegal miners posed a serious threat to lives, livelihoods, and investment. This intervention brings long-awaited relief,” he said.

During the commemoration of the maiden anniversary of the Mining Marshals, Alake had reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to empowering the squad for greater effectiveness.

“The reward for hard work is more work,” he told the operatives, pledging more support.

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Bandits kill NSCDC officer attached to Zamfara First Lady

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An operative of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Isah Yunusa, who was attached to the First Lady of Zamfara State, Hajiya Huriyya Dauda Lawal has been killed by suspected bandits in Kaduna State.

The tragic incident occurred on the night of Sunday, May 4, 2025, along the Kaduna–Kachia highway, when gunmen reportedly mounted a barricade on the road and attacked unsuspecting travellers.

Yunusa, was said to have been caught in the ambush and fatally shot.

His death was confirmed on Monday by conflict journalist and security analyst, Bakatsine, who shared the development via his social media handle.

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As of the time of filing this report, the NSCDC is yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident.

It remains unclear whether Yunusa was on official duty or travelling privately when the attack happened.

The Kaduna–Kachia road has long been considered a hotspot for banditry and kidnappings, with repeated calls by residents and stakeholders for increased security presence along the route.

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