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Abia State Landowners Reject Resumed Government’s Airport Enumeration Exercise
Abia State Landowners Reject Resumed Government’s Airport Enumeration Exercise
By: Michael Mike
The Nsulu Airport Landowners Forum has sharply criticised the Abia State government’s ongoing land enumeration exercise for the proposed Nsulu Airport project, labelling it “forceful,” “unauthorised,” and lacking in transparency.
In a strongly worded letter to the Chief of Staff to the Governor, the forum announced its rejection of the current enumeration and demanded its immediate suspension.
The letter, signed by Dr. Max Nduaguibe (Chairman) and Elele Felix (Secretary) of the Forum, follows a virtual meeting held on February 11th, where landowners deliberated on a previous meeting with government representatives on February 9th.
While the landowners acknowledged the Governor’s recent reduction in the land designated for the airport, which the forum welcomed, they expressed deep concern about the government’s subsequent actions.
The landowners’ main complaint concerns the government’s unilateral actions. The forum claims that government officials forcibly entered the property to begin the enumeration process, collecting payment information without the landowners’ consent or participation.
Furthermore, the government appointed estate surveyors to represent landowners with no prior consultation.
The letter stated that the government’s actions are in bad faith, undermine the negotiation process, and raise serious concerns about their sincerity.
The forum insists that the enumeration exercise can only begin once a mutually agreed-upon land size has been formalised and all stakeholders have signed a binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
They have requested the immediate withdrawal of the government’s enumeration team, as well as a commitment to fair negotiations, which are set to resume on February 16th.
They emphasize that suspending the enumeration will be key to restoring confidence and ensuring the safety of any future field workers.
The letter also expressed concerns about the fairness of the virtual meeting platform used during previous negotiations. The forum claims that access restrictions prevented its representatives from fully participating, whereas government representatives had unrestricted access.
They are urging the government to resolve this issue before the next meeting.
Copies of the letter were sent to Rt. Hon. Ginger Onwusibe, Member Representing Isiala Ngwa North & South Federal Constituency, and Hon. Collins Iheonunekwu, Member Representing Isiala Ngwa North State Constituency, emphasising the urgency of the situation and the need for action.
The rejection of the enumeration process calls the future of the Nsulu Airport project into question. The government has yet to respond publicly to the landowners’ demands, so the project’s fate and the possibility of further conflict remain uncertain.
The upcoming meeting on February 16th is expected to be crucial in resolving this dispute and determining the next steps.
Observers are waiting to see how the government will respond to these serious allegations of heavy-handedness and lack of transparency.
Abia State Landowners Reject Resumed Government’s Airport Enumeration Exercise
Female Family Member of ISWAP/JAS Terrorists Surrenders in Bama
By: Zagazola Makama
A female family member linked to suspected ISWAP terrorists has surrendered to troops operating in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.
Sources disclosed that the woman surrendered at about 10:08 a.m. on May 19 to troops of the 81 Division Task Force Battalion operating within Sector 1 Area of Responsibility.
The female surrenderer reportedly came out from Gargash village in Bama LGA and voluntarily presented herself to the troops.
Military sources said she was subsequently profiled and documented in line with existing procedures for further necessary action.
The surrender is the latest in a series of defections involving insurgents and their family members in the North-East, following sustained military offensives and clearance operations targeting terrorist enclaves across the region.
Security sources said ongoing counterterrorism operations had continued to exert pressure on insurgent groups operating within the Lake Chad Basin and Sambisa forest areas, leading to increasing cases of surrender by fighters and their relatives.
The military has maintained that surrendered individuals are subjected to profiling, intelligence gathering and other procedures in accordance with extant operational guidelines.
Female Family Member of ISWAP/JAS Terrorists Surrenders in Bama
Troops Arrest 10 Illegal Miners in Abuja Raid
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 176 Guards Battalion have arrested 10 suspected illegal miners during a raid on an illegal mining site in Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Security sources said the operation was conducted at about 3:07 p.m. on May 20 as part of ongoing Operation MESA efforts aimed at curbing illegal mining and related criminal activities within the FCT and adjoining areas.
The troops reportedly stormed the illegal mining site following intelligence reports on the activities of suspected illegal miners operating in the area.
During the raid, the troops apprehended 10 suspects believed to be involved in illegal mining activities.
Items recovered from the site included one motorcycle, 15 mining mats, four head pans and several other mining implements used by the suspects.
The suspects are currently undergoing profiling and preliminary investigation for further necessary action.
Security sources said the operation formed part of intensified efforts by security agencies to clamp down on illegal mining activities, which authorities say contribute to environmental degradation, economic sabotage and insecurity in parts of the country.
The sources added that surveillance and enforcement operations would continue across identified illegal mining locations within the FCT and neighbouring states.
Troops Arrest 10 Illegal Miners in Abuja Raid
Troops Rescue Two Kidnap Victims, Recover Arms in Kwara Patrol
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 22 Brigade have rescued two kidnapped victims during a fighting patrol operation targeting suspected terrorist camps in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.
Security sources said the operation was conducted at about 9:00 a.m. on May 19 by troops deployed at Oke-Ode and Oreke communities.
The troops reportedly carried out coordinated patrols to suspected terrorist hideouts located around Famonle and Oloponda villages.
During the operation, the troops successfully rescued two kidnapped victims who were found within the general area.
Items recovered from the suspected camps included three Dane guns, three camouflage face caps, and one leg chain.
Security sources said the victims were immediately debriefed and handed over to appropriate authorities for medical attention and further management.
The operation, according to the sources, forms part of ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal hideouts and disrupt kidnapping networks operating within Kwara State.
Authorities added that patrols and clearance operations have been intensified across vulnerable communities in the state.
Troops Rescue Two Kidnap Victims, Recover Arms in Kwara Patrol
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