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
Interior Minister Signs Performance Contracts, Urges Agencies to Boost Service Delivery

Interior Minister Signs Performance Contracts, Urges Agencies to Boost Service Delivery
By: Michael Mike
In a significant move to bolster public service efficiency, Nigeria’s Interior Minister, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has formalized performance contracts with heads of agencies under the Ministry of Interior. This initiative aims to strengthen institutional legacy and ensure measurable improvements in service delivery.
Speaking in Abuja on Saturday at the conclusion of the 2025 retreat of the Ministry of Interior, the minister highlighted the event, which also featured the signing of performance contracts by all board members.
He said: “This initiative is about the effect on Nigerians and on Nigeria as a whole.”
Tunji-Ojo during the signing ceremony, said: “Our Ministry signed a performance contract with Mr. President last year, and after executing that for a year, it is time to extend this level of accountability to each agency.”
The performance contracts, which include measurable timelines for delivery, are designed to improve services to Nigerians and align with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, he noted.
The Minister also emphasized that this exercise is not merely symbolic but is intended to have a meaningful impact on Nigeria’s security landscape.
Challenging common stereotypes, Tunji-Ojo commended the ministry’s staff for their commitment and hard work. He said: “Some people often say civil servants are ‘evil servants.’ Personally, I do not share that view. I have had the privilege of working with some of the best people God has created here in the Ministry of Interior.”
The Minister paid tribute to M.T. Umar, who retired after 35 years of service, describing him as central to Nigeria’s passport reforms. “The story of our passport revolution cannot be told without his name,”
He further stated that retirement does not depriving your nation of your knowledge, your character, or your service.
He urged staff to emulate Umar’s loyalty and integrity, stressing that “talent and brilliance are important, but it is loyalty and integrity that sustain a career.”
Addressing the agencies under the ministry the Nigeria Immigration Service, NSCDC, NCoS, FFS, and NIMC the minister commended their achievements but called for greater efforts in immigration reforms, protection of critical assets, correctional transformation, emergency response, and data security.
He said: “Our task is to ensure Nigerians feel our impact in their daily lives through safer communities, efficient services, and systems that inspire trust,” while further reminding the agencies that their collective output contributes directly to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Meanwhile, heads of key agencies pledged to scale up performance following the retreat.
Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ahmed Audi, said the exercise offered a chance to review past achievements and correct lapses. “From the contracts we signed last year, we have fared very well. But of course, there are areas for correction, and that is the essence of this retreat,” he said.
Acting Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Sylvester Nwakuche, described the retreat as timely. “Sometimes when you are busy trying to improve performance, you need to take time to measure yourself. By the first part of next year, we should be able to appraise our progress,” he said.
For his part, Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service, Samuel Olumode, said the exercise was an “eye-opener” for his agency. “By the next retreat, there will be positive impact, and Nigerians will know there is a new fire service in place,” he assured.
Olumode stressed that the performance contracts were a pledge of accountability. “It’s all about signing a bond to let the Nigerian public know it’s not business as usual. We must strengthen mechanisms that make us perform and give real value to our jobs.”
Interior Minister Signs Performance Contracts, Urges Agencies to Boost Service Delivery
National News
Kaduna police rescue kidnapped woman, arrest two suspects

Kaduna police rescue kidnapped woman, arrest two suspects
By: Zagazola Makama
The Kaduna State Police Command has rescued a kidnapped woman and arrested two suspects in connection with the crime in Kachia Local Government Area of the state.
Sources said the incident followed a report by one Williams Ayuba of Azara village, who disclosed that his wife, Theresa Williams, was abducted while working on their farm at Bishini village on Aug. 27.
Zagazola learnt that the operatives from Katari Division, in collaboration with sister security agencies, launched a search operation in the surrounding forests.
Sources added that on Aug. 29, acting on credible information, the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Jere mobilised a rescue team which successfully rescued the victim unhurt.
The sources saod two suspects, Ibrahim Abdullahi, of Nasarawa Toto, and Kabiru Abdullahi, of Mallam Tanko village, were arrested.
“The suspects have confessed to the crime and provided useful information to the police. Efforts are ongoing to arrest other fleeing members of the gang,” it added.
The victim, the sources said, was taken to Abaku Hospital for medical attention and has since been reunited with her family.
Kaduna police rescue kidnapped woman, arrest two suspects
National News
Four Soldiers Injured in Vehicle Accident on Mambilla Plateau

Four Soldiers Injured in Vehicle Accident on Mambilla Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Four Nigerian soldiers have sustained injuries in a vehicle accident on the Mambilla Plateau in Taraba State.
The accident occurred on Thursday while the troops were moving across the mountainous terrain of the area, Zagazola reports.
The Emir of Mambilla, Dr. Shehu Audu Baju, was said to have personally joined in the rescue operation to ensure that the soldiers received prompt assistance.

Following the rescue, the injured personnel were evacuated to the 20 Battalion Barracks in Serti for urgent medical care.
Community members and traditional leaders in the area have expressed sympathy and prayed for the speedy recovery of the soldiers, while also calling for the safety of other security operatives on duty.
Four Soldiers Injured in Vehicle Accident on Mambilla Plateau
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