News
Ijaw Group Faults Former Defence Minister on Okuama Murder

Ijaw Group Faults Former Defence Minister on Okuama Murder
By: Michael Mike
The Ijaw Youths Network on Friday faulted a former Minister of Defence, Maj Gen Tajudeen Olarenwaju, on the grisly murder of 16 personnel of the Nigerian Army by Okuama youths on March 14, 2024 over land dispute.
In reacting to the killings which shocked the entire country, the retired general fought hard to create a non existent link between this crime against humanity and the collaborative protection of the nation’s oil pipeline between private security outfits, the military and security agencies.
The Ijaw Youth Network said that Gen Olarenwaju’s claim that it is unsafe for non state actors to protect oil installations in the country at this critical time is curious and wrong.
The The IYN in a statement by its Coordinator, Frank Ebikabo and Secretary, Federal Ebiaridor, said the general’s statement only reechoed the same misguided and false narrative being peddled by frustrated oil thieves and their cohorts who did not get the pipeline contract of the NNPCL.
The group said that the utterances of a man who rose to the rank of general and one time minister of Defence should not bear semblance with those exploiting the disturbing death of our military personnel to push an obvious economic interest.
Frank Ebikabo and Secretary, Federal Ebiaridor, said that Gen Olarenwaju should be condoling the institution that produced him , the Nigerian Army at its moment of grief and not to dabble into, or steer needless controversy.
The IYN leadership said that the General should be concerned about how to track down and arrest those who brazenly assaulted the collective peace, safety and security of this country.
The group said that the General’s cannot claim ignorance of massive theft of the nation’s oil resources by a virulent cabal comprising Nigerians and their evil foreign collaborators which made Presidents Jonathan, Buhari and the NNPC to explore the use of capable private security outfits to complement the efforts of the military and security outfits.
According to the IYN, the General is aware of the relentless pursuit of the oil thieves in the coastal waters and creeks of the Niger Delta with several arrest of rogue vessels in the region by Tantita Security Services Limited.
The group urged President Tinubu and the NNPCL to continue with the decisive policy against oil theft which has increased oil production and has been been applauded all over the country, noting that no distraction deserves no attention.
“The military assets of the country are already over stretched. Successive Presidents have engaged Private security outfits to fight the lethal scourge of oil theft in Nigeria. It is not unusual and it is a trend that is commonplace around the world.
“Even developed countries such as the US and the Uk also employ the services private security consultants to maximize security of critical assets and facilities.
“Prior to the renewal of the contract of Tantita Security Services, the general had not found it necessary to besiege the media space about the purported inappropriateness of engaging private security outfit to fight oil theft.
“Perhaps, the various feats accomplished by Tantita and the widespread recognition accorded to the company should convince the General that private security outfit do not constitute any danger to the security of the nation’s critical oil pipeline.
“What should be of concern to the general is the sad story of oil theft that made the President and the NNPC to seek proactive response to the problem that threatened the nation’s existence.
“It is shocking that the general is reducing the cold blooded murder of soldiers as a fall out of gang violence in the region. This is an attempt to twist the facts of the matter.
“There is no link between the private security outfits and the gruesome murder of soldiers on lawful duty. This rush to throw curious, unsolicited advice should be beneath him.
“His suggestion is personal opinion inspired by lack of understanding of the story of the nation’s oil sector or a classic case of selective amnesia.
“Such hurried viewpoints seem to suggest that some ingrained interest who are jolted by the gains of the campaigns of oil theft are at work.
“A General’s statement shouldn’t be in that direction.” The group said
Ijaw Group Faults Former Defence Minister on Okuama Murder
Crime
Another Bandits group release three women in Katsina in peace deal promises

Another Bandits group release three women in Katsina in peace deal promises
By: Zagazola Makama
Another group of repentant bandits has released three women in Katsina State as part of the ongoing peace process in the state.

The women, whose names were not immediately disclosed, were said to have been held by a notorious bandit leader, Kacalla Zailani, who controls the Maigora axis.

Community sources told Zagazola on Wednesday that Zailani freed the captives voluntarily without collecting ransom.

“He handed over the women to the mediators as a gesture of goodwill to consolidate the peace deal,” one of the sources said.
Another Bandits group release three women in Katsina in peace deal promises
News
Zulum Pledges Legal Reform to Deepen Justice System

Zulum Pledges Legal Reform to Deepen Justice System
… Fagbemi: Zulum, people-centred and reform-driven Gov.
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has reaffirmed his commitment to working closely with the Federal Government, National Assembly and other partners to deepen reforms in the state justice system especially at the grassroots level.
Governor Zulum made the commitment on Wednesday at the 2025 Justice Sector Leadership Retreat held at the International Conference Centre of Musa Usman Secretariat, Maiduguri.
“I reaffirm Borno State’s commitment to working with the Federal Government, the Judiciary, the National Assembly, and development partners to deepen reforms in our justice system, especially at the grassroots level,” Zulum stated.

The governor stressed the need for the deployment of technology which will make justice delivery faster, transparent and accountable to the citizenry, noting that Borno State had already adopted the use of digital technology to bridge justice delivery gap.
“In Borno State, we are already witnessing how digital tools have enhanced case tracking, enabling virtual court sittings, thus improving prison decongestion and streaming access to legal aid especially in hard-to-reach areas. If deployed strategically, technology can bridge the gap between rural and urban justice access,” he remarked.
“This is particularly important in Borno State where we continue to recover from a protracted
insurgency and humanitarian crisis. Justice must serve as a foundation for healing, rebuilding trust and restoring the social contract”.
The governor emphasized the need for institutional collaboration and coordinated reform to effectively confront the menace of terrorism, corruption, resolving land disputes and securing investments for a better society.
“I urge all of us here as policymakers, jurists, administrators and stakeholders to see
coordination not as a procedural matter, but as a moral imperative. Our people deserve a system that works, not one riddled with delays, duplications, or inefficiencies”.
The retreat themed “Strengthening Justice Sector Service Delivery through Technology, Innovation and Co-ordinated Reform” underscores the importance of deployment of digital tools to fast track judicial process.
The event was attended by the senator representing Borno Central, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan SAN; APC State Chairman, Hon. Bello Ayuba, Chairman/CEO NDLEA, Brig. Gen (rtd) Buba Marwa; Solicitor General of the Federation, Beatrice Jeddy-Agba, Heads of Agencies under Federal Ministry of Justice. Others include Secretary to the State Government, Head of Service, acting Chief of Staff, the State Attorney-General, members of the state executive council, and other top government officials.
… Zulum: people-centred, and reform-driven Gov -Fegbemi
Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has lauded Governor Babagana Zulum’s people-centred transformation and reforms in the justice sector.
“Just like other sectors, your impact in the justice sector has been profound. The launch of Borno State e-Justice project in
partnership with Law Pavilion has positioned the state as a pacesetter in digital transformation. With tools such as the Case
Management System, e-Library, and electronic mail tracking for legal processes, Borno is pioneering efficiency and transparency
in judicial service delivery,” Fagbemi stated.
“Borno under your leadership has become a case study in resilience and renewal. You have shown that governance is not about slogans but about solutions; not about rhetoric but about results. You have elevated the standard of leadership by demonstrating that ideas, when backed by courage and action, can transform societies, no matter the odds,” he added.
“In a state that has endured some of the toughest trials in our nation’s history, you did not succumb to despair. Instead, you applied
innovative thinking, sound judgment, and a data-driven approach to policy and the results are visible to all”.
The Attorney General called for the need to update the nation’s legal frameworks to support these innovations and invest in digital literacy,
cybersecurity, and data management for the professionals.

“By fostering a culture of innovation and leveraging the transformative power of technology, we can build a justice system that is more efficient, more accessible, and more equitable for all Nigerians,” he concluded.
Zulum Pledges Legal Reform to Deepen Justice System
News
Bandit Kingpin Releases 28 Captives in Katsina Following Peace Deal

Bandit Kingpin Releases 28 Captives in Katsina Following Peace Deal
By: Zagazola Makama
A total of 28 persons abducted by suspected bandits in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State have been released without ransom following a peace arrangement with bandit kingpin.
The bandits, led by their commander identified as Isya Akwashi Garwa, handed over the captives to officials of the council on Wednesday.
Zagazola reports that those released were largely residents of Mairua, Kanen-haki and Yar Dabaru communities.
Local authorities confirmed that the release was the outcome of a reconciliation effort initiated in the area to restore peace and reduce violent attacks.
Community leaders in Faskari described the development as a positive signal and urged both sides to sustain the peace process. They also urged the bandit to force other bandits still attacking in the area to stop.
A council official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “The captives were released this afternoon without any ransom being paid. The bandit leader fulfilled his promise under the peace talks,”he said.
Meanwhile, residents expressed relief at the safe return of the abductees, with some calling for stronger security guarantees to consolidate the gesture.
Bandit Kingpin Releases 28 Captives in Katsina Following Peace Deal
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