News

NEMA Assess Flood Hit Communities In Anambra, Bayelsa States

Published

4 months ago

November 7, 2024

By Gloria Ikibah

As part of its efforts in flood preparedness, response, and recovery, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has carried out assessments of the impacts of flood in Anambra and Bayelsa States.

The assessments were carried out in collaboration with State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs), Nigerian Red Cross Society, and International Organization for Migration (IOM).

In Anambra, NEMA focused on eight Local Government Areas (LGAs)—Ogbaru, Anambra East, Anambra West, Ayemelum, Awka North, Ihiala, Idemili South, and Ekwusigo.

The assessments aimed to evaluate the extent of the damage, including the number of affected households, fatalities, missing persons, and the destruction of homes and farmland. Chief Paul Odenigbo, the Executive Secretary of Anambra SEMA, expressed appreciation for NEMA’s response.

In Bayelsa, the assessment covered 54 communities across seven LGAs: Sagbama, Kulokuma/Opokuma, Southern Ijaw, Ogbia, Ekeremor, Yenagoa, and Brass.

Some of the communities visited include Asamabiri, Kaiama, Amasoma, Toron Ndoro, and Igbogene, among others. The Bayelsa SEMA was represented by a Director Dr. Dio Wenapere, who led the state’s team in working alongside NEMA.

The Director-General NEMA, Zubaida Umar, emphasized the importance of harmonizing data with SEMAs and partners to accurately assess the scale of the disaster, ensuring a more coordinated and effective response.

She reassured that NEMA remains committed to efficient disaster management and will continue to collaborate with stakeholders to provide necessary support where needed.

News

Police arrest six suspected kidnappers in Edo, recover arms

Published

29 minutes ago

March 18, 2025

Naijablitznews

By Francesca Hangeior

The Edo State Police Command has arrested six suspected kidnappers with cash suspected to be proceeds from kidnapping activities.

The command’s spokesperson, Moses Yamu, in a statement on Tuesday, said arms and ammunition were recovered from the suspects in the last 48 hours.

Yamu disclosed that the arrests and recoveries were made in several places in Edo North which has experienced kidnappings and killings in the last three weeks.

The statement read, “On 16/03/2024 at about 04:30hrs, operatives of the Agbede Police Division alongside vigilante personnel, while on stop and search in Aviele along Abumere by power line, intercepted and arrested three suspects Jamilu Idris (20 years) Usman Shuaibu (24 years) and Yahuza Usman (20 years).

“One English-made Beretta pistol, one dagger, and an Infinix phone were recovered from the suspects after they were searched.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects are part of a syndicate responsible for kidnaping and armed robbery, including snatching of motorcycles in that axis of the state. Investigation continues with a view to arrest other members of the syndicate.

“On 16/03/2025 at about 22:10hrs, operatives of the Auchi Division, in collaboration with the vigilante on routine stop and search at UBA junction Auchi, intercepted two young men. The young men who took to their heels on sighting the police were given a hot chase, and one Adamu Usman of Hausa Quarters was arrested while his accomplice escaped.

“The on-the-spot search led to the recovery of N1,345,100 believed to be proceeds of kidnapping. Also recovered were five micro sim cards, one machete, one dagger, two phones and a pack of cigarettes.

“During preliminary investigation, two additional suspects, Iliyasu Abubakar (19 years) and Safiyanu Mohammed (20 years) were arrested, while one of the sim cards was discovered to belong to one Ajibola Sunday of Igbirra camp in Auchi. When Ajibola Sunday was contacted and invited to the station, he identified the suspect as being part of the eight-man gang that kidnapped him and his mother-in-law on 11/03/2025 and their relations had to part with the sum of N10 million to secure their release.”

Yamu said that the Commissioner of Police, Betty Otimenyin, assured the public of the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property.

He assured all that perpetrators would be brought to justice.

News

Reps Move to Investigate Killings In Igbatoro Community

Published

30 minutes ago

March 18, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has condemned in its entirety the massacre and kidnapping at Igbatoro Famnilugba Community by armed herdsmen.

The House therefore called on the Federal Government to establish a Military Post in Igbatoro Community in Akure North Local Government of Ondo State to stop further killing and kidnapping of harmless farmers in that area;

The lawmakers also urged the Federal Government to take immediate and decisive action to apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators of the criminal act, and ensure that those kidnapped should be released as urgent as possible.

This resolution was sequel to the adoption of a matter of urgent public importance on the “Need for the Federal Government to Intervene In the Massive Massacre and Kidnapping at Igbatoro Familugba Community in Akure North by the Armed Herdsmen”, by Rep. Abiodun Derin Adesida on Tuesday at plenary.

Debating the motion, Rep. Adesida noted that gunmen, suspected to be herdsmen, in the early hours of Saturday, attacked four communities in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, leaving scores of people living in the communities were killed in the midnight attack.

He said: “The recent massacre and kidnapping at Igbatoro Familugba Community 1% of March, 2025 by a group of Armed herdsmen who massacre and kidnapped one of the farmers, who was later rescued with a ransom of 1, 200, 000 (one million, two hundred thousand, Naira, only;

“The people of Igbatoro Familugba, Ajegunle, Bolorunduro, Egbeta, OjuMola, Ago—Ada, Obatedo, Asaboro, Ago~Alhaji, Araromi Camp, Sunday Camp, Power line Camp, Ago—Dada and Ala Elefosan in Akure North Local Government of Ondo State are predominantly farmers producing Agricultural Produce in large commercial quantity.

“Alarmed that on 6 of March, 2025 herdsmen attacked some villages in Igbatoro Familugba Community on Sunday and Alhajido Camps, killing nine helpless persons in the middle of the night, machete those trying to escape and burnt down their houses.

“Disturbed that the attack started last Monday, but the most severe assault happened On Fridayfight wheré the bandits struck while people were asleep, opening firé–indiscriminately, many ran into the bush, while some were not so lucky”.

He stated that the attack by the armed herdsmen has caused immense suffering, trauma and devastation to the affected families and the community at large; even as he expressed worries that perpetrators of this atrocity have shown no regard for human life, dignity, or the rule of law.

“Also aware that Section of 14 (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 provides that it is the responsibility of the Federal Government to protect the lives and properties of its citizens;

“Cognizant of the need to take measures to prevent future occurrences of such violence and ensure the safety and security of all citizens”, he added.

The House observe a minute silence In honour of those that lost their lives, and directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to send relief materials to affected victims.

The House further mandated its Committee on National Security and Intelligence to investigate massive massacre and kidnapping at Igbatoro Familugba Community by Fulani Herdsmen and report within four (4) weeks for further legislative action.

The House also mandated the National Emergence Disaster Preparedness to ensure compliance.

News

Just in: Senate moves to make Facebook, others have offices in Nigeria

Published

45 minutes ago

March 18, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Bill seeking to make it necessary for social media platforms to have physical offices within Nigeria, on Tuesday witnessed a significant progress.

The Bill promoted by Senator Ned Nwoko was read the second time in the Senate chamber.

The proposed law titled, ‘A Bill for an Act to Amend the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, to make it mandatory for social media platforms to have physical offices within Nigeria and for other related matters 2025’, passed the second reading after receiving an overwhelming support from the lawmakers.

Details shortly….