National News
Ilaje ex-militants call for immediate decentralization of pipeline surveillance contracts to avert crisis
Ilaje ex-militants call for immediate decentralization of pipeline surveillance contracts to avert crisis
By: Michael Mike
Ilaje ex- militant group, the Niger Delta Coastline Vanguard (NDCV) on Thursday demanded immediate decentralization of the pipeline surveillance contracts by President Bola Tinubu to ensure total peace and security in the Niger Delta region.
The group while expressing that it would be unfair for other ex-militant group from another state and ethnic nationals to be given the contact of surveillance of pipelines in their area, said the review of the contracts had become imperative for ex-militants to perform their surveillance and monitoring duties in areas they are familiar with the culture, traditions and topology of the people and their terrains.
The NDCV said they would resist attempts to foist ex-militants from South East or South South on the South West axis of the coastline which comprises mainly of Ilaje and Ese-Odo local government areas of Ondo state.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, the President of the Niger Delta Coastline Vanguard, Job Omotunwa (alias General Job) urged President Tinubu to immediately review the contracts for the surveillance of pipelines and decentralised the works for inclusion, capacity, justice and fairness for all stakeholders.
Omotunwa who spoke through the legal adviser of the group, Joseph Olamide, explained that the Ilaje areas cover 120 kilometres coastline and 80 percent of waterways with oil production capacity of 80,000 barrels per day and 15 major oil companies operating in the areas.
He was flanked at the briefing by other Executive members of the group such as the secretary General, Joseph Olamide Elias, Chief Ajiroba Lucky, Assistant Secretary and Public Relations Officer, Ariyo Adeolu.
He said that it would be unfair to keep ex-militants in Ilaje idle, while those in Bayelsa and Rivers were imposed on them, emphasising that it would not be in the interest of the Amnesty Programme which was launched to accommodate all stakeholders.
Omotunwa equally urged President Tinubu to allow Ilaje ex-militants to handle the contracts surveillance and monitoring to cover Ondo, Ogun and Lagos states littoral corridors.
He claimed that the NDCV has the capability, capacity, the required intelligence and human resources to work with Federal government security agencies in the surveillance systems, stressing that illegal oil bunkering, vandalism and sabotage would be a thing of the past.
Omotunwa, who is the Akogun I of the Etikan Kingdom, decried that imposing ex-militants from other parts of the country on their Kingdom would expose their people to external aggressors, insisting that it would be far better for government to give the opportunity to people familiar with the terrain.
He said his group had been actively involved in rescue of kidnapped victims, while it had also carried out arrest of oil bunkering suspects in conjunction with operatives of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Ilaje ex-militants call for immediate decentralization of pipeline surveillance contracts to avert crisis
National News
VP Shettima, Zulum Attend Eid Prayers at Ramat Square as Worshippers Observe Sallah Peacefully in Maiduguri
VP Shettima, Zulum Attend Eid Prayers at Ramat Square as Worshippers Observe Sallah Peacefully in Maiduguri
By: Our Reporter
Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, joined thousands of muslim faithful to observe the Eid prayers at Ramat Square, Maiduguri.
The two units prayer were observed peacefully at the main Eid ground and other prayer grounds across the state under tight security, marking the end of the month-long Ramadan fast.

In a sallah message shortly after the sermon by the Imam Idaini of Borno, Shettiima Mamman Saleh, the Vice President called for unity and peaceful coexistence in the state and the country as a whole.

Senator Shettima assures the Federal Government Gommitment to protecting the lives and properties of the citizenry, stressing that the fight against insurgency would be tackled head-on.
The Imam Idaini admonished worshippers to imbibe the lessons learned during the holy month and encouraged Muslim faithful to give alms to the poor (zakatul fitr) and to fast six days in the month of Shawwal to receive Allah’s bounties and rewards.

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, in a sallah message, called on faithful to recharge their spiritual beings towards rebuilding a secure, peaceful, and prosperous Borno.
He saluted the courage, resilience, and commitment of the people to all initiatives aimed at deepening security and peace-building among the various components of society, fragmented by the Boko Haram insurgency over the years.
The Eid prayer was attended by the Shehu of Borno, Shehu Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Almin El-Kanemi; the Borno State Deputy Governor, Umar Usman Kadafur; the APC Deputy National Chairman, North, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume; and Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan SAN, Minister of State for Regional Development.

Other dignitaries include members of the House of Representatives and the Borno State House of Assembly, former deputy governors, the Secretary to the State Government, Commissioners, APC stalwarts, and other top government officials.
VP Shettima, Zulum Attend Eid Prayers at Ramat Square as Worshippers Observe Sallah Peacefully in Maiduguri
National News
Eid-el-Fitr: IPCR Urges Nigerians to Embrace Unity, Peaceful Coexistence
Eid-el-Fitr: IPCR Urges Nigerians to Embrace Unity, Peaceful Coexistence
By: Michael Mike
The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has called on Nigerians to strengthen unity, tolerance and peaceful coexistence as Muslims across the country celebrate Eid-el-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, the Director-General of the institute, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, congratulated the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria and around the world on the successful completion of the Ramadan fast.
He said the occasion, which signifies the end of a period of fasting, reflection and spiritual devotion, provides an opportunity for citizens to renew their commitment to the values of peace, compassion and national unity.
Ochogwu urged Muslims to sustain the virtues cultivated during Ramadan—such as self-discipline, patience, charity and piety—beyond the festive period, stressing that such values are essential for building harmonious communities and strengthening the nation.
According to him, Nigerians must also rise above religious, ethnic and political differences and embrace mutual respect and peaceful coexistence as vital ingredients for national development.
“At a time when the country is confronted with complex challenges, unity of purpose and collective responsibility are crucial to overcoming divisions and building a more secure and prosperous nation,” he said.
The institute also expressed concern over recent security incidents in parts of the country, including the tragic bomb blast in Maiduguri, Borno State, which claimed several lives.
Ochogwu extended condolences to families of the victims, praying for the repose of the deceased and speedy recovery for those injured in the attack.
He reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to its mandate of promoting peacebuilding, conflict prevention and resolution across Nigeria, noting that IPCR would continue to work with government institutions, communities and other stakeholders to address the root causes of conflict.
The IPCR boss further urged citizens to remain vigilant, cooperate with security agencies and actively support peacebuilding initiatives in their communities.
“Peace is a shared responsibility, and every Nigerian has a role to play in safeguarding it,” he added.
Ochogwu also prayed that the Eid-el-Fitr celebration would usher in renewed hope, healing and unity for Nigeria while advancing peace, stability and national progress.
Eid-el-Fitr: IPCR Urges Nigerians to Embrace Unity, Peaceful Coexistence
National News
VP Shettima Visits Victims Of Multiple Explosions In Maiduguri, Assures Of FG’s Tough Response To Terrorism
VP Shettima Visits Victims Of Multiple Explosions In Maiduguri, Assures Of FG’s Tough Response To Terrorism
By: Our Reporter
The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has restated the Federal Government’s resolve to defeat terrorism, declaring that those behind recent attacks in the country will be decisively confronted.
He noted that beyond the presidential directive to security chiefs, the Federal Government was investing more in equipment and other logistics to boost the fight against terrorism across the country.
Senator Shettima spoke on Wednesday in Maiduguri when he visited victims of the bomb blast who are receiving treatment at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
Condemning the gory multiple explosions in Maiduguri on Monday in which more than 100 people were affected by the incident, with over 20 confirmed dead, he described the perpetrators as barbaric, stressing that no cause justifies the killing of innocent people.
The Vice President said his visit was to sympathise with the injured and families affected by the tragedy, assuring of government’s support through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the North East Development Commission, and the Borno State Government.
The Vice President was accompanied by Borno State Deputy Governor Usman Kadafur; NEMA Director-General, Zubaida Umar; Chief Medical Director of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Professor Ahmed Ahijo, and other top government officials.
VP Shettima Visits Victims Of Multiple Explosions In Maiduguri, Assures Of FG’s Tough Response To Terrorism
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