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Nigeria Requests Evacuation of Jailed Pastor Egbaji from Benin Republic Over Deteriorating Health

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Nigeria Requests Evacuation of Jailed Pastor Egbaji from Benin Republic Over Deteriorating Health

By: Michael Mike

Nigeria has expressed concern over the failing health of one of its national, Pastor Benjamin Egbaji, currently facing trial in neighbouring, Republic of Benin.

Egbaji, a businessman and cleric from Cross River State, has for about two years been detained in a hospital in Cotonou, the Beninese capital under dehumanising conditions while his health is said to deteriorating.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement on Tuesday called on the Benin authorities to release the Nigerian national so that he could have better medical care and also serve out his sentence in Nigeria.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, said discussions with the Nigerian Mission in Cotonou, indicated that Pastor Egbaji’s health is steadily worsening and he needs urgent and proper medical attention.

She stated that the Ministry had made spirited effort to rescue the troubled Egbaji in line with the citizen diplomacy thrust of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration.

The minister who had early August visited Egbaji in the Cotonou hospital alongside the country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olushegun Adjadi Bakari, disclosed that the Ministry had requested the transfer of the Nigerian national to receive the deserved medical care and serve out his custodial term in Nigeria.

She explained that Nigeria was worried over the pace of Beninese authorities is taking to address the situation and acceding to Nigeria’s request.

She asked the Beninese authorities to consent to Nigeria’s request and accelerate the release of the detained Nigerian pastor in regards to the longstanding cordial relations existing between the two countries, founded on shared cultural heritage, bonds of trust, mutual respect, and a spirit of brotherhood,

Odumegwu-Ojukwu also disclosed that Nigeria’s position was further highlighted in a recent letter to the Republic of Benin Government.

She said: “It is against this backdrop of solidarity and mutual goodwill that I seek Your Excellency’s kind consideration regarding the plight of a Nigerian national, Pastor Benjamin Egbaji, who has been serving a custodial sentence in Cotonou since October 2023 for a jail term of 10 years. As Your Excellency may be aware, Pastor Egbaji has been in Benin Republic for over three decades, contributing meaningfully as an entrepreneur, pastor, and community leader.

“Regrettably, his health has deteriorated severely while in detention. Two independent medical experts appointed by the court recently recommended that he be transferred abroad for urgent medical care, as local interventions have proved ineffective.

“In the spirit of our longstanding friendship and in recognition of the humanitarian imperative, not being unmindful of the grievous nature of the offence he is charged with, we kindly request that Pastor Egbaji be repatriated to Nigeria to serve out the remainder of his sentence in a Nigerian Correctional Centre,” she stated.

She however reiterated that this gesture would demonstrate in practical terms the enduring spirit of fraternity and cooperation that bind Nigeria and the Republic of Benin.

Nigeria Requests Evacuation of Jailed Pastor Egbaji from Benin Republic Over Deteriorating Health

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Troops, TANTITA Operatives Recover 24,000 Litres of Illegally Refined AGO in Rivers Creek

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Troops, TANTITA Operatives Recover 24,000 Litres of Illegally Refined AGO in Rivers Creek

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Sector 3, Operation DELTA SAFE (OPDS), in collaboration with TANTITA Security Services, have recovered a wooden boat laden with illegally refined petroleum products at Abalama Creek in Asari-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The operation, which took place at about 19:20 hours on 15 June 2026, followed credible intelligence on the movement of suspected stolen crude products through the creek.

However, no arrest was made as the suspects abandoned the vessel and fled the scene upon sighting the approaching operatives.

The troops recovered one wooden boat loaded with Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), estimated at about 24,000 litres.

The recovered product and vessel were subsequently moved to the TANTITA Security Services base at Ilamatoru for further investigation and necessary action.

Security sources confirmed that follow-up operations are ongoing within the general area to track and apprehend the fleeing suspects and dismantle associated illegal refining networks.

Troops, TANTITA Operatives Recover 24,000 Litres of Illegally Refined AGO in Rivers Creek

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Herdsmen Agree to Pay ₦1 Million Compensation After Farmland Destruction in Plateau State

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Herdsmen Agree to Pay ₦1 Million Compensation After Farmland Destruction in Plateau State

By: Zagazola Makama

A dispute over farmland destruction in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State has been resolved following the intervention of security operatives and community stakeholders, with herders agreeing to pay ₦1 million compensation to affected farmers.

Security sources said troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), Sector 6, responded on June 16 at about 12:00 p.m. to reports of destruction of farmlands belonging to Mr. Nyip Yakubu Badung and 10 other farmers in Sopp Village.

Upon arrival at the scene, troops reportedly discovered that herds of cattle had strayed into the farms, causing extensive damage to crops belonging to the affected residents.

Following the development, security personnel facilitated a peace meeting between representatives of the farmers and herder leaders in the area to prevent escalation of tensions.

At the end of the engagement, both parties agreed on a compensation sum of ₦1 million to be paid to the affected farmers through the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) Chairman in Riyom Local Government Area.

Security sources said the agreement was reached to prevent possible reprisals and maintain peace in the community.

Authorities noted that the situation in the area has been brought under control, while dialogue between both parties is ongoing to sustain peaceful coexistence.

Herdsmen Agree to Pay ₦1 Million Compensation After Farmland Destruction in Plateau State

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Troops Discover Corpse with Gunshot Wound in Plateau Community

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Troops Discover Corpse with Gunshot Wound in Plateau Community

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), Sector 3, have discovered the body of a man with a gunshot wound in Dantanko community, Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Security sources said the troops responded at about 6:50 a.m. on June 16 following a report of a suspicious incident in the area.

On arrival, the troops reportedly found the corpse of a man identified as Mr. Emmanuel Agara, who was confirmed to have sustained a gunshot wound.

The area was immediately cordoned off by security personnel, while the body was evacuated for necessary procedures.

Authorities said investigations have commenced to determine the circumstances surrounding the death and to identify those responsible.

Security operatives have since intensified patrols in the general area to prevent any breakdown of law and order.

Troops Discover Corpse with Gunshot Wound in Plateau Community

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