NSCDC Launches Manhunt for Killers of 8 Operatives

By: Michael Mike

The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Professor Ahmed Audi has launched a Special Intelligence Squad operations to comb the entire Edo Forest and arrest killers of eight of his men, and rescue the kidnapped Chinese expatriate.

The NSCDC Operatives were ambushed last Friday night at Okpella in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State while on duty to ensure the safeguarding of Critical Infrastructure and protection of lives and property at the BUA Cement Company in Edo State.

It was reported that the gallant Operatives fought vehemently in a three hour gun duel where eight men were lost with four expatriates working at the quarry session of the Company rescued.

The Commandant General had earlier commended the resilience, diligence and dedication of the NSCDC men who paid the supreme price and lost their lives in the unexpected ambush attack.

However, a joint guard operation with other security agencies and deployment of the CG’s Special Intelligence Squad,Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Special Weapon and Tactics (SWAT), Special Protection Units, amongst others, to be headed by the Commandant, CG’s Special Intelligence Squad, CC Dandaura Appollos,have been deployed to the area with an express order to effect possible arrest, rescue the kidnapped expatriate, and consequently bring the perpetrators to book.

The CG also appealed to the public to kindly aid the Corps with any useful information that will assist in tracking down the perpetrators.

He also assured that the security of the BUA Company environment has been upscaled to ensure adequate protection of all Indigenous workers, the Expatriates and the critical assets and infrastructures.

He said: “The Corps will not succumb to any form of threats or be deterred by the activities of subversive elements and evil perpetrators who carried out the heinous attack but rather be focused and re-strategize in discharging its statutory mandates.”

He further noted that the Corps will continue to engage the community in civil relations as a non kinetic approach to tackling the overwhelming security challenges and any other form of crisis in the area.

NSCDC Launches Manhunt for Killers of 8 Operatives

UK Announces £19 million Funding for Climate Resilient, Health, Education Facilities in Nigeria

By: Michael Mike

The United Kingdom (UK) Government has announced a £19 million funding commitment to develop Climate Resilient health and education facilities in Nigeria.

The announcement was made at a joint inauguration by the UK Government, Federal Ministry of Health, the Governments of Kano and Jigawa States and UNICEF, of 84 climate-resilient schools and health care facilities under the Climate Resilient Infrastructure for Basic Services (CRIBS) initiative.

CRIBS is a pioneering and innovative new approach to protect essential health and education services from the growing threats of climate change. This was developed through a partnership which included: UK government, Government of Nigeria, State Governments and international and local organisations including: UNICEF, World Bank, WHO, JigSaw, Fab Inc, Crown Agents UK Lafiya Programme and Sextant Foundation.

Nigeria ranks second globally in climate-related risks to children, with millions affected annually by floods, droughts, and extreme heat. In response, the CRIBS approach has been developed to assess and strengthen Health and Education facilities. So far, 84 facilities, 39 primary healthcare centres and 45 schools in Kano and Jigawa, have been renovated through targeted climate adaptation measures.

According to a statement on Tuesday, the inauguration of these facilities marks a significant milestone in demonstrating low cost, scalable, community-owned solutions to climate vulnerability that can be adopted by the Federal and state governments. The events included ribbon-cutting ceremonies, site visits, and media engagements, showcasing how climate-resilient infrastructure can protect essential health and education services which save lives and support children’s education.

Head of Development Cooperation, British High Commission Abuja, Cynthia Rowe, said: “The UK Government is proud to support the Government of Nigeria through this £19m commitment to the CRIBS programme. This work has been developed through a partnership of organisations and experts including the Federal Government of Nigeria, the UK Government, UNICEF, World Bank, World Health Organization, Sextant Foundation, JigSaw, Fab Inc, Crown Agent and UK Lafiya Programme. CRIBS demonstrates how climate-resilient infrastructure can improve access to basic services for vulnerable populations. We hope this model inspires broader replication across Nigeria.”

UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Wafaa Saeed, said: “This initiative is a testament to what strong partnerships can achieve,” added “By investing in climate-smart infrastructure, we are not only protecting services but also empowering communities to safeguard their children’s future. CRIBS is a model for how we can build resilience where it matters most, at the frontline of service delivery.”

According to the statement, the inauguration aligns with national and state priorities in climate action, health, and education, and reflects the UK’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s efforts to mitigate climate risks and improve service delivery.

CRIBS: was launched in April 2024, lfunded by FCDO, the UK Government, and developed through a partnership approach from a range of Nigeria Government and international organisations and experts. The main implementing partner has been UNICEF. CRIBS is a comprehensive and systematic approach to developing affordable, high impact and scalable models of climate-resilient infrastructure for basic services, with a focus on vulnerable communities. Based on the successful implementation of the approach in Kano and Jigawa States, the initiative is being expanded to include Bauchi, Enugu, Gombe, Kaduna and Katsina states.

UK Announces £19 million Funding for Climate Resilient, Health, Education Facilities in Nigeria

Ijaw, Urhobo Groups Boycott CVR, Demand Implementation of Supreme Court Judgment on Warri Constituency Delineation

By: Michael Mike

The Ijaw and Urhobo ethnic groups of Warri Federal Constituency have declared their boycott of the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, demanding that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must first implement the final report of the Supreme Court-ordered fresh delineation of electoral wards and units in the constituency.

The protesters who stormed the INEC headquarters in large numbers came from Warri North, Warri South and Warri South West Local Government Areas making up the Federal constituency.

The groups made their position known on Tuesday during a peaceful protest to the INEC headquarters in Abuja where they expressed deep worry over the INEC’s CVR in the area.

They Carried placards with inscriptions such as “Warri Federal Constituency: No Ward, No Units for CVR”, “CVR Today is Political Fraud in Warri Federal Constituency”  and “INEC, Give Us the Final Report.”

Spokesman of the groups, Chief David Reje from the Egbema Clan of Warri North Local Government Areas accused INEC of undermining the constitutional rights of the people by conducting the CVR with the “defunct arrangement” that the Supreme Court had earlier nullified.

Chief Reje, expressed their displeasure noting that despite INEC’s field exercise and stakeholder engagements, which produced a new delineation report in compliance with the apex court judgment, the commission has failed to release and implement the final report.

“Our patience and cooperation are being taken for granted as machinery has been set in place to disenfranchise us from participating in future elections.

“We can no longer wait while our democratic rights guaranteed by the Constitution and reaffirmed by the Supreme Court judgment are being eroded” Chief Reje warned.

The groups said they had travelled from Warri to Abuja to draw INEC’s attention to their plight, warning that they might be compelled to occupy the commission’s premises until their demands were met.

“They described the move as the second phase of their “non-violent struggle to restore political dignity.”

They further noted that they had come under “consistent pressure” from their people and could not guarantee that the agitation would remain contained if INEC continued to ignore the court order.

They demanded that ; INEC must immediately release and implement the delineation report and the CVR should only proceed on the basis of the newly approved electoral arrangements.

“We shall not stand idly by and watch our democratic rights and franchise frittered away. A stitch in time saves nine.” he maintained.

INEC National Commissioner, Abdullahi Abdulzuru, in his response assured the Ijaw and Urhobo groups of Warri Federal Constituency that their concerns over the implementation of the Supreme Court-ordered delineation of electoral wards and units will be addressed.

He commended the groups for adopting a peaceful approach in presenting their grievances and acknowledged receipt of their formal petition.

“I have listened carefully to your demands and read through your submission. I will tender the documents to the commission,” Abdulzuru said.

He further stressed that INEC is a law-abiding institution with no intention of disenfranchising any group of Nigerians.

“As a commission, we are committed to upholding the law. There is no intention, as far as INEC is concerned, to disenfranchise anybody from any exercise. We will get back to you be rest assured,” he added.

Prominent figures who signed the document tendered by the protesters include Dr Joel Bisina, Olorogun Victor Okumagba, Chief Godspower Gbenekama, Chief John Eramvor, Dr Paul Bebenimibo, Chief Sylvester Femi Okumagba, Chief Arthur Akpodubakaye, Chief Wilson Ogbodu, Chief Emmanuel Serondi and Chief Mrs Ann Gagiyovwi (JP)

Others are Rev. Samuel Ako, Amb.Jude Ebitimi Ukori (JP), Hon. Frank Pukon, Chief Mrs Vero Emmanuel Tangbewei and Comrade Mrs Margaret Ikinbor.

Ijaw, Urhobo Groups Boycott CVR, Demand Implementation of Supreme Court Judgment on Warri Constituency Delineation