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Ikem’s Employer to be Charged with his Murder in Philippines- Dabiri-Erewa
Ikem’s Employer to be Charged with his Murder in Philippines- Dabiri-Erewa
By: Michael Mike
Chairman/ CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has informed the Senate Joint Committees on Diaspora and Inter Governmental Affairs and Foreign Affairs that the employer of Ikem, a Nigerian student beaten to death in Philliphines, has been charged with murder, along with five others.
She also said that a viral video by a man posted on social media recently alleging that 250 Nigerians are slated for killing in Ethiopia was totally false and untrue.
This was the highlight of the investigative hearing of the Joint Senate Committees presided over in Abuja on Monday by Sen. Victor Umeh, saying on the case of Ikem, who was brutally murdered, the Philliphines authorities have declared the employer, who has since been on the run, wanted.
Dabiri-Erewa said that Nigeria Embassy had informed the Department of Foreign Affairs in the Philippines and also reported the case to the Inspector General of the Philippines National Police.
The Embassy, she added, had maintains regular contact with the line police station at the location; with a strong directive to go for the investigation.
Dabiri-Erewa said the investigating police team on the case are done with evidence building and presented the case to the Mandaue city prosecuting Department for action; who has evaluated it and deemed it fit for murder case filing.
“They have filed the case and issued a warrant of arrest to the boy’s employee and five other suspects; they are charged for murder, human trafficking and operation of illegal business in the Philippines”, she said.
The NiDCOM boss who gave the committee, a copy of the pictures of the suspects, said the pictures have been forwarded to all exits in the Philippines to prevent them from leaving the country.
She stressed that the case will be held as soon as the major suspect, still at large, is arrested.
On Nigerians in Ethiopian prisons, she said the official information received is that 160 Nigerians were serving various jail terms under very poor conditions and that over 90 per cent of them were for drug related offences.
She told the Committees that in order to decongest the prisons, amnesty was granted to them but majority of them went back and still committed the same crime.
She said that a Memorandum of Understanding was entered into awaiting Ministry of Justice in Nigeria to sign its own side of the deal to enable prisoners swap or to continue their jail term in their respective country.
In addition, she explained that most of those caught are those transiting from Addis Ababa to other countries of the world
Other stakeholders who appeared before the Committees were Hon. Amb. Enya Francis , Director, Consular representing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the sister of the deceased, Blessing Essien, President National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) Mr John Ogar and Country Representative Commonwealth Students Association (CSA), Mr Nwanba Chidubem.
Speaking in the same vein, the Director Consular in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Enya Francis said they are in close contact with Embassy and on top of the matter.
Francis said the corpse is yet to be buried as it will cost between N31million to N35 million to repatriate and bury the corpse in Nigeria as against N10 million to N15 million to cremate it in the Philippines.
He said the cost of keeping the corpse at the funeral home is accruing N30,000 on daily basis, hence the need to expedite action on the investigation and take appropriate action.
Speaking on behalf of the family of the deceased, Blessings Essien, Ikem elder sister, said he was the only son of the family and in-line with Igbo tradition, it would be an honour to bring the body back to Nigeria for burial.
She therefore appealed to the Federal Government through the Senate Committees to assist the family in repatriating the body back to Nigeria for a befitting burial.
The President of National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) in the Diaspora, Mr John Ogar said the group was troubled by the dastardly and wicked act in which late Ikem was killed and seeking for justice.
He and Mr Nwanba Chiduben, Country Representative of Commonwealth Students Association (CSA) said apart from protest they have done to seek justice for the death of Ikem, they have written to Gov. Charles Soludo of Anambra state to assist the family in bringing back the corpse home for burial while appealing to some foreign airlines plying the route to see it as Corporate Social Responsibility in flying the corpse home.
Senator Umeh thanked all the stakeholders for all their efforts, saying the investigative hearing was sequel to a motion he moved on the floor of the Senate and the joint committees were mandated to investigate the matter.
He assured that the Committees will ensure that all those involved will be prosecuted and face the music, saying the matter would never be swept under the carpet.
Ikem, a Nigerian student based in Philippines, was on October 22, 2023 tortured by a group of Chinese co-workers over a minor disagreement with his supervisor.
“They tied his hands up, covered and tied his mouth and beat him until he gave up the ghost”, an eye witness said in a statement.
Ikem’s Employer to be Charged with his Murder in Philippines- Dabiri-Erewa
News
Troops neutralise terrorist logistics supplier in Gujba ambush in Yobe
Troops neutralise terrorist logistics supplier in Gujba ambush in Yobe
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have neutralised a suspected terrorist logistics supplier during an ambush operation in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State.
Security sources said the operation was carried out at about 4:00 a.m. on April 6, 2026, by troops of 198 Special Forces Battalion in conjunction with Hybrid Forces along the Lamisuri axis.

During the ambush, troops made contact with suspected insurgents and neutralised one logistics supplier, while others fled the scene.
A tricycle believed to be used for conveying logistics for the terrorists was also destroyed during the operation.
No casualty was recorded among the troops, and no equipment loss was reported.
Authorities said the operation was part of sustained efforts to disrupt the supply chains of insurgent groups and deny them freedom of movement within the theatre.
Troops neutralise terrorist logistics supplier in Gujba ambush in Yobe
News
Berom militia kill Fulani herder in Riyom as tit-for-tat violence escalates in Plateau
Berom militia kill Fulani herder in Riyom as tit-for-tat violence escalates in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Abubakar Hababe, a 40-year-old Fulani herder, was on April 5 found dead after an attack in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, in what appears to be a reprisal attack in continuation of the tit for tat across affected communities.
The latest incident occurred at about 8:30 a.m., when troops deployed at Rim village responded to a distress call of an attack between Tanjol and Rim communities. On arrival, security personnel discovered the lifeless body of one Abubakar Hababe, 40, in an open field.
Community sources alleged that the victim, a Fulani herder, was attacked in what is believed to be a reprisal by suspected Berom Militia, following earlier killings in the area.
The development is the latest in a string of violent incidents that have heightened tensions across Riyom and neighbouring local government areas.
Investigations indicate that the attack may be linked to the killing of two miners at an illegal mining site in Rim village, where armed men suspected to be Fulani bandits had earlier stormed the area, killing victims and triggering outrage within the host community.
Zagazola report that the pattern reflects a sustained cycle of retaliatory violence that has continued to escalate across Plateau.
On April 3, troops responding to a distress call in Sabongida village, Jos South Local Government Area, recovered the body of a 30-year-old herder identified as Shafiyu, who had been killed in the bush under unclear circumstances.
Later the same day, gunmen attacked an illegal mining site in Gyel village, Riyom LGA, killing three miners, including one Samuel Davou, while several others fled.
Earlier on March 25, the body of a Fulani boy, Abdullahi Mohammed, was discovered in a shallow grave in Mangu Local Government Area, sparking tension in the area.
On the same day, reports also indicated destruction of irrigation farmlands in Riyom, an incident attributed to herders, which further strained relations between farming and pastoral communities.
On March 28, a prominent Fulani leader, Alhaji Bilyaminu Julde, the Ardo of Gindiri in Barkin Ladi LGA, was assassinated at his residence by gunmen, an incident that significantly escalated tensions.
That same day, farmlands in Tahoss village, Riyom LGA, were reportedly destroyed by stray cattle, further deepening hostilities.
By April 2, violence had spread to Bokkos LGA, where troops foiled an attack by suspected armed herders following clashes with vigilantes over grazing disputes, leaving one vigilante injured.
On April 3, additional incidents were reported in Barkin Ladi, where troops recovered suspected rustled cattle, while another Fulani youth was reportedly killed in Riyom in a separate isolated attack.
Security presence has since been intensified across the affected areas, with troops conducting patrols and engaging community leaders to prevent further escalation.
Authorities have urged residents to remain calm and refrain from reprisals, warning that the persistent cycle of attacks and counter-attacks continues to threaten peace and stability in the state.
Security forces said Investigations into the latest killing are ongoing, with efforts underway to apprehend those responsible.
Berom militia kill Fulani herder in Riyom as tit-for-tat violence escalates in Plateau
News
Political Landscape Shifts as Yobe South Mobilizes for 2027 Elections Amid Marginalization Concerns
Political Landscape Shifts as Yobe South Mobilizes for 2027 Elections Amid Marginalization Concerns
By: Michael Mike
As the 2027 general elections approach, political activities in Yobe South Senatorial District—comprising Potiskum, Fika, Nangere, and Fune Local Government Areas—are gaining momentum. The developments reflect growing concerns about resilience, inclusion, and longstanding marginalization within the region.
Renowned as the food basket of Yobe State, Yobe South is home to a predominantly agrarian population known for its hard work, adaptability, and entrepreneurial spirit. Over the years, many residents have diversified beyond agriculture, pursuing business opportunities across Nigeria rather than relying solely on government employment.
A concerned citizen of the district, Musa Abdullahi Mai Biredi, noted that despite these contributions and a relatively strong educational base, Yobe South has experienced persistent political marginalization since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999. According to him, political dominance has largely remained within Yobe East Senatorial Zone, often associated with a single dominant ethnic group, thereby sidelining other communities within the state.
“This persistent imbalance raises serious concerns about equity and representation, as the interests of diverse communities continue to receive limited attention,” he stated.
Attention is now turning to Senator Ibrahim Mohammed Bomai, whose potential candidacy is being viewed by many as a symbol of hope for more inclusive representation. His emergence is seen as a challenge to the entrenched political structure, though not without reported resistance. Allegations of intimidation by certain political actors have surfaced, raising concerns about the fairness of the democratic process and the ability of candidates from Yobe South to compete on equal footing.
Meanwhile, there are indications that many constituents in Yobe South are aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC), signaling a desire for change and stronger political inclusion. Variations in voting patterns across the state further reflect underlying dissatisfaction, which could drive a significant political shift if voters organize effectively and support candidates who genuinely represent their interests.
As Yobe State moves closer to the 2027 elections, the issues of equity, justice, and inclusive governance will remain central to political discourse. Addressing the concerns of marginalization in Yobe South is critical to ensuring balanced representation and strengthening democratic values across the state.
Ultimately, the resolve of the electorate to rally behind credible and people-focused leadership will play a decisive role in shaping the future political landscape of Yobe State.
Political Landscape Shifts as Yobe South Mobilizes for 2027 Elections Amid Marginalization Concerns
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