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Groups Call for Release of Environmental Activist Odey Oyama from Police Custody

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Groups Call for Release of Environmental Activist Odey Oyama from Police Custody

By: Michael Mike

A coalition group of environmental activism organisations have condemned the arrest and detention of environmental activist Odey Oyama by the Nigerian Police, insisting that it signifies a rising trend of abuse and regression in the country.

The statement was endorsed by the following organizations; Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF); We the People; Policy Alert; Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre; Peace Point Development Foundation (PPDF); ANI Foundation; Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria); YEAC Community Energy and Development (YEAC-CEAD); Life Empowerment Foundation; Lekeh Development Foundation (LEDEF); The Colonist Report Africa.

Others are: Social Action Nigeria; Yeraba Women Foundation; Health Education and Human Rights Advocacy Initiative (HEHRAI); Girls Power Initiative (GPI); Nkori Rural Women and Development Initiative (Uyo Iban Amplifier Initiative); Secure Health and Environment Development (SHADAfrica); Association Managing Development in Nigeria (ARADIN); Partnership for Social and Environmental Development Initiative P4SEDI; Green Planet Initiative International; PADIC.

Also included are: The Save Our Green Spaces Group; Emerald Forest Reserve, Ikoyi Osun, Osun State; Emilie Guitard, French National Center for Scientific Research CNRS; Save Ogunpa Forest Team; Rainbow Watch and Development Centre (RWDC); Environmental Rights Action(ERA/FoEN); and Cooperate Accountability Public Participation Africa (CAPPA).

According to the statement, on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, environmental activist and director of the Rainforest Resource and Development Centre (RRDC), Mr. Odey Oyama and six others were arrested by Police officers from the Ikom division of the Cross River State Police Command. He was taken from his Okuni home and driven to Calabar where he was kept incommunicado, without legal representation and without formal charges for at least 24 hours.

Odey Oyama, described as a resolute campaigner for the protection of the rainforest and biodiversity in Cross River state, a cause that has brought him in constant confrontation with illegal loggers who plunder the rich forest ecosystem of Cross River state, has in recent times engaged in a fierce campaign against Chinese business concerns working with indigenous collaborators who are logging the Effi Rainforest, a trend that has resulted in massive deforestation, dissipation of wildlife and loss of biodiversity.

The statement said: “Up till now, Odey has not been formerly charged with any wrongdoing,” noting that: “The action of the Nigeria Police has once again demonstrated flagrant disregard for due process and their role in stifling dissenting voices, especially when vested business interests are at stake. In this instance, Odey Oyama a conscientious objector to the destruction of the environment, rather than enjoy the protection of the government, is being systematically persecuted.”

The statement added that: “As civil society organisations and activists in Nigeria, we are familiar with the selfless campaigns of Odey Oyama that have earned him national and international recognition and have helped to preserve the ecological heritage of Cross River State. We are therefore alarmed that rather than support the efforts of Oyama and other campaigners like him to check the illegal destruction of the Cross River forests, the Police is complicit in weakening his resolve and repressing him. It is even more alarming that he was arrested and detained without formal charges against all extant Nigeria and international laws.

“We are also concerned that this latest arrest is symbolic of the growing intolerance of the government towards the legitimate activities of civil society organizations. In Cross River State in particular, we have witnessed a pattern of arrest and detention of journalists and activists with the flimsiest excuses, but covertly to stifle democratic dissent. We are worried that the civic space is shrinking at an accelerated rate in the state, and the Police is highly complicit in this deteriorating trend.

“We call on the Nigeria Police to immediately release Odey Oyama and his 6 associates and cease all further hostile acts against their persons and legitimate campaigns.”

“We shall go to all legitimate lengths to enforce the right of Odey Oyama and his associates to advocate peacefully without any let or hindrance,” the group promised.

Groups Call for Release of Environmental Activist Odey Oyama from Police Custody

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Dignitaries Gather In Borno For APC Deputy National Chairman’s Children’s Wedding

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Dignitaries Gather In Borno For APC Deputy National Chairman’s Children’s Wedding

By: Our Reporter

Prominent Nigerians on Saturday converged in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, to attend the wedding ceremony of three children of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Deputy National Chairman (North), Hon. Dr. Ali Bukar Dalori.

Gatekeepers News reports that there was heavy traffic in parts of Maiduguri as dignitaries from all works of life made frantic effort to access the residence of Dalori and the Al-Ansar Mosque, the two main venues of the wedding ceremony.

Among those in attendance were top government officials, party leaders, traditiona rulers, business moguls, and religious leaders from within and outside Borno State. The ceremony attracted a large crowd, reflecting Dr. Dalori’s political influence and wide network across the country.

Leading the array of dignitaries is the National Chairman of the APC Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, othe members of National Woking Committee of the APC and large numbers of States Chairmen of the party .

Also in attendance were the Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, his Deputy, Hon Umar Kadafur , three Senators from the state- Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, Senator Mohammed Ndume Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan and members of the House of Representatives from Borno State

Others are the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen, Abubakar Kyari, Speaker, Deputy Speaker and members of Borno State House of Assembly , former Nigeria Ambassador to China, Ambassador Baba Ahmed Jidda, Former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Alh. Ibrahim Bunu, Ibrahim , Former Deputy Governors of Borno State- Ali Jatau and Adamu Dibal .

The Deputy National Chairman of the APC was full of gratitude to his guests who left their various confort zones to attend wedding of his children- Usman, Falmata and Aisha .

” I’m immensely grateful our National Chairman of APC Professor Nentawe, our amiable Governor of Borno State Prof Babagana Zulum, the Deputy Governor Umar Kadafur and the too many important personalities who came from far and near to honour my invitation, may Allah (SAW) bless you all ” Dalori said .

The wedding rites were conducted in accordance with Islamic injunctions, featuring special prayers for the couples, their families,. The atmosphere was marked by joy, unity, and cultural splendour, as guests exchanged pleasantries and goodwill messages with the host and his family

Security operatives were deployed in large numbers around the venues to maintain law and order and ensure the smooth flow of activities. Traffic control officers were also on ground to manage the influx of vehicles and guests, while emergency and protocol teams worked tirelessly to coordinate movements and logistics.

The wedding ceremony came to a successful end with a reception that featured traditional music, refreshments, and continued interactions among guests, bringing together leaders and citizens in a rare atmosphere of celebration and solidarity.

Dignitaries Gather In Borno For APC Deputy National Chairman’s Children’s Wedding

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JUST IN: Boko Haram terrorists demand N423m ransom to release Borno ex-LGA vice chairman

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JUST IN: Boko Haram terrorists demand N423m ransom to release Borno ex-LGA vice chairman

By: Our Reporter

A new video has emerged showing two men, allegedly abducted by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in Borno State, pleading for help.

One of the victims, Hon. Hassan Biu Miringa, a former Vice Chairman of Biu Local Government Area, is seen in the video appealing for rescue.

The two men were taken hostage on December 17, 2025, while traveling from Miringa to Maiduguri.

In the video, the abductees said the terrorists are demanding a ransom of $150,000 per person, totaling $300,000, for their release.

‘We were abducted on our way from Miringa to Maiduguri around 2:30. Alhamdulillah, we are alive,’ one of the victims said. ‘We are calling on the government and individuals to come to our rescue.’

The victims specifically appealed to Deputy Governor Umar Usman Kadafur, Hon. Mukhtar Betara Aliyu, Hon. Sule Ali Rimi, Hon. Yakubu Gambo Kimba, and Alhaji Musa Dogo Biu to intervene and help secure their freedom.

‘We are pleading with them to come to our rescue. We are their sons,” the victim said. ‘They said we must provide $150,000 each. For the two of us, it is $300,000. We want to be reunited with our families.’

JUST IN: Boko Haram terrorists demand N423m ransom to release Borno ex-LGA vice chairman

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Nigerian Solidarity Groups Mourn Cubans Killed in Venezuela, Condemn U.S. Actions

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Nigerian Solidarity Groups Mourn Cubans Killed in Venezuela, Condemn U.S. Actions

By: Michael Mike

The Nigeria Movement of Solidarity with Cuba (NMSC) has expressed deep condolences to the government and people of Cuba following the killing of 32 Cuban internationalists in Venezuela.

In a press statement issued in Abuja on Saturday, the pro-people coalition, which includes labour unions, civil society organisations and intellectuals, alleged that the Cuban nationals were killed during an attack in Caracas on January 3, 2026, while protecting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, his wife, Cilia Flores, and what it described as the sovereignty of Venezuela.

The group said the Cubans chose to resist despite being overwhelmed, describing their actions as a demonstration of courage, honour and commitment to international solidarity.

NMSC drew parallels between the incident and past historical events where Cuban nationals were involved in overseas struggles, including the 1983 U.S.-led invasion of Grenada and Cuba’s military support for African liberation movements in Angola, Namibia and South Africa during the fight against apartheid.

According to the organisation, thousands of Cuban youths lost their lives in Africa while contributing to the dismantling of apartheid systems backed by Western powers. The group noted that Cuba’s internationalism has not been limited to armed conflicts, citing the country’s long-standing medical outreach to developing nations, including Nigeria.

The statement also recalled Cuba’s response during the COVID-19 pandemic, when it dispatched medical teams to dozens of countries and received hundreds of stranded cruise ship passengers at a time many nations had closed their borders.

NMSC extended its sympathy to the families of those killed in Venezuela and called on the United States government to respect international law, halt what it described as foreign military interventions, and lift sanctions imposed on Cuba, Venezuela and other countries.

The group further aligned itself with repeated resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly calling for the end to the decades-long U.S. embargo against Cuba, insisting that global peace and development require cooperation rather than conflict.

The statement was signed by veteran labour activist and writer, Owei Lakemfa, on behalf of the Nigeria Movement of Solidarity with Cuba

Nigerian Solidarity Groups Mourn Cubans Killed in Venezuela, Condemn U.S. Actions

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