News
Group Urges Governor Ododo To Hand Over Wanted Yahaya Bello To EFCC, Threatens To Occupy Govt House
Some residents of Kogi State under the aegis of People of Kogi have called on the state governor Alhaji Usman Ododo to hand over former Governor Yahaya Bello to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
In April, SaharaReporters reported how Governor Ododo prevented the arrest of his immediate predecessor and political godfather, Yahaya Bello at his (Bello’s) Abuja residence.
EFCC operatives had on laid siege to Bello’s house to arrest him but the Kogi governor prevented the EFCC personnel from arresting the embattled former governor, Bello.
Ododo took Bello out of the area in his official vehicle.
The anti-graft agency in a statement signed by its spokesman, Dele Oyewale, lamented the action and warned “members of the public that it is a criminal offence to obstruct officers of the Commission from carrying out their lawful duties”.
Bello is currently standing trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja, facing allegations of money laundering involving N80.2 billion. He has however refused to appear in court.
A statement issued by the group of Kogi people on Sunday, said, “We, the citizens of Kogi State, stand united against the corrupt governance that has plagued our state and nation for far too long. We will not be silenced or intimidated by hollow warnings from a government that has consistently failed to address our grievances.
“The recent press release from the Kogi State Government is nothing more than a desperate attempt to quell the voices of a populace fed up with bad governance.
“ENOUGH IS ENOUGH: The Government of Kogi State, under the administration of Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo, must immediately hand over the fugitive former governor Yahaya Bello to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). We will no longer tolerate the shielding of corrupt individuals who have looted our state’s resources and left us in abject poverty.
“ACCOUNTABILITY NOW: The Kogi State Government’s claims of solidarity with national economic efforts are laughable. The real solidarity should be with the suffering people of Kogi State, not with a corrupt elite. We demand transparency and accountability from those who have betrayed the public trust.
“EMPTY PROMISES: The so-called economic policies and investments touted by the Kogi State Government are a smokescreen to distract from their failures. We see through the lies. Our schools, hospitals, and infrastructure remain in shambles while they line their pockets with our hard-earned money.
“RIGHT TO PROTEST: The right to protest is enshrined in our constitution and is a fundamental part of our democracy. The government’s attempt to paint peaceful protests as violent and unpatriotic is an insult to every citizen who demands a better future for themselves and their children.
“WE WILL NOT BE INTIMIDATED: The citizens of Kogi State will not be cowed by threats or misinformation. We stand firm in our demand for justice. If the government refuses to hand over Yahaya Bello to the EFCC, we will have no choice but to take matters into our own hands and occupy the Government House.
“UNITY AND ACTION: We call on all Kogi citizens to join us in this fight for our future. We must remain united and resolute in our demand for justice and accountability. Together, we can bring about the change we so desperately need.
“MESSAGE TO THE GOVERNMENT: Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo, your attempts to silence us will fail. Hand over Yahaya Bello to the EFCC or face the full force of a people’s movement that will not rest until justice is served.
“CALL TO ACTION: We urge every citizen to prepare for a massive, peaceful protest. This is not a time for fear but for action. Let us show the world that the people of Kogi State will not be silenced or oppressed.”
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Enugu Governor Peter Mbah has expressed deep grief over the passing away of former Super Eagles skipper and coach, Christian Chukwu, describing him as a football icon, titan, and phenomenon.
Reacting to the development on Saturday Mbah said: “I received with a deep sense of loss the passing away of Chairman Christian Chukwu. It is a personal loss to us as Ndi Enugu, his home state, and indeed to Nigeria as a nation and Africa as a continent.
“Christian Chukwu was a national icon, a football titan, field marshal, and phenomenon. His exploits as a footballer united the country across ethnic divides and creed.
He was patriotism personified, serving the nation and Africa unreservedly both as a player and coach of the highly successful Rangers International Football Club of Enugu and Super Eagles of Nigeria, which he captained to victory as Green Eagles at the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON. He also coached the Harambee Stars, Kenya’s senior male national team, among others.
“Chairman, as he was fondly called, gave his all not only to the nation but to the rest of Africa. He wrote his name in gold in the annals of the history of Nigerian and African football.
Our dear legend has gone the way of all mortals, but the fond memories and the pride he gave Ndi Igbo and Nigeria as a whole will be cherished forever.
“My heart goes out to his family, Ndi Enugu, the Nigerian sports community and the entire nation over this irreplaceable loss. May the good Lord grant his soul eternal repose.”
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
No fewer than seven people lost their lives on Saturday following the detonation of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by Boko Haram terrorists in Borno State.
The deadly incident occurred along the Maiduguri-Damboa Road, a notorious route that cuts through the Sambisa Forest—an area long plagued by insurgent activities.
The victims were part of a convoy of vehicles being escorted by the military from Damboa to Maiduguri.
According to eyewitness accounts and local sources, the explosion struck as the convoy—organized to provide safe passage through the volatile region—was underway. Several other passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries and were rushed to a hospital in Maiduguri for urgent treatment.
The Maiduguri-Damboa Road serves as a vital link between the state capital and several local government areas in southern Borno, including Chibok and Gwoza.
For years, the route remained closed to civilian traffic due to persistent terrorist threats. However, under the administration of Governor Babagana Zulum, the road was reopened, with military escorts deployed to accompany travelers twice weekly after clearing the area for explosives.
Saturday’s attack raises fresh concerns about the safety of the corridor, despite consistent military presence. The blast also comes just days after Governor Zulum publicly raised alarm over renewed Boko Haram activity in the state, highlighting the persistent threat the group poses to peace and development in the region.
Authorities are yet to release an official statement on the incident, while investigations and security operations in the area continue.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has initiated a search following the theft of a black Toyota Hilux vehicle belonging to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Nuhu Ribadu, which was stolen during Friday’s Juma’at prayers in Abuja.
It was gathered that the vehicle was parked around 1:05pm opposite the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) complex in Area 10, while the official attended prayers at a nearby mosque.
Security source, Zagazola Makama, disclosed the incident via his X (formerly Twitter) handle, revealing that the ONSA official returned from the mosque only to find the vehicle missing.
According to him, a sources said the theft was immediately reported to the Garki Police Division at approximately 2:00 p.m., leading to a swift response by law enforcement.
Meanwhile, the FCT Police Command promptly activated a stop-and-search operation at various checkpoints and across all entry and exit points in the capital city.
Police authorities confirmed that investigations are ongoing and all efforts are being made to apprehend the culprits and recover the vehicle.
The Command said it had intensified efforts to track down the fleeing suspects and recover the stolen Hilux.
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