News
Delta Government Resolves Ogbe-Ijoh Aladja/Land Dispute.
By Tobouke Jemine
The land dispute of decades between the communities of Ogbe-Ijoh and Aladja has been resolved by the Delta State Government. The Secretary to the Delta State Government, Dr Kingsley Emu, disclosed this during a stakeholders meeting on the Ogbe-Ijoh/Aladja boundary dispute held at the office of the SSG.
At the meeting, Dr. Emu who delved into the history of the dispute noted how past administrations in the State had tried to resolve it by setting up various panels of inquiries such as the Justice Azinge Inquiry of 1996, Justice Nwulu Inquiry of 2009, and Prof. Ekoko’s Panel of 2016 to settle the issue to no avail . The SSG mentioned how the peace efforts of well-meaning individuals did not yield the desired results.
Dr. Emu said the immediate past administration of Dr.Ifeanyi Okowa also made efforts to resolve the conflict demarcating the boundaries between the two communities from Warri River up to Ogbe-Ijoh and Aladja road to the satisfaction of both communities but the demarcation from this point up to Major General Dumeje’s Canal was not acceptable to them.
The SSG said that it is those engagements and peace efforts that has led to this comprehensive stakeholders meeting and re-affirmed Governor Sherrif Oberevwori’s commitment to the course of peace, security and development across the state. He went on to state that this meeting with all the major stakeholders would be the last mediation stride by the Government to put an end to the boundary conflict between the two Communities, so that the needed development can be introduced to the area.
Dr Emu in his concluding words stated that the Government has settled for the boundary line already established by the Special Adviser on Peace Building and Conflict Resolution and that the land from Warri River up to Major General Dumeje’s Canal is upheld by government. The SSG also stated that the State Government has acquired the remaining portion of the disputed land which starts from Major General Dumeje Canal as a reserve, saying that a gazette will be issued in due time to this effect.
High Chief Anthony Jolomo, who representated the Pere of Ogbe-ijoh kingdom in Warri South West, and two others, in their remarks, commended the State Government for the peace efforts and meeting and appealed to the Government not to procrastinate the implementation of its resolutions as delay jeopardized previous peace initiatives.
In like manner, the representative of the traditional ruler of Aladja, Chief Otto Ogbiruruets expressed his appreciation to the State Government for this peace meeting and the resolutions, nothing that it was the first of its kind, but counselled that both sides keep to the resolutions so that the desired peace and development could be attained.
The Obuzor of Ibuzor, His Royal Majesty, Obi, Prof Louis Nwoboshi who represented the Chairman of the Delta State Traditional Rulers Council at the meeting also reiterated the importance of harmonious co-existence of communities in the State, while addressing Ogbe-Ijoh and Aladja communities to maintain the peace brokered between them by the State government.
Other stakeholders and well-meaning Deltans in the meeting include the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Emomotimi Guwor; the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice; representative of the Director, Department of State Services (DSS); representative of the Commissioner of Police and the representative of the Commanding Officer, Amphibious Battalion, Warri; Special Adviser on Peace building and Conflict resolution, Chief Edwin Uzor; the Director General Security, Hon David Tonwe, among others.
By Favour Bibaikefie
LAGOS — Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have uncovered a suspected baby factory in Badagry area of Lagos State, rescuing 28 persons during a late-night raid.
Authorities said those rescued included 18 adults and 10 children. Among the adults were 17 pregnant women, while one case involving a suspected miscarriage was also recorded. Two persons were arrested in connection with the operation.
The Lagos State Commandant of the NSCDC, Adedotun Keshinro, disclosed that the raid followed weeks of intelligence gathering and surveillance.
According to him, the facility, located in Okuju-Ilado, Badagry, was made up of several apartments and had been monitored for about three weeks before security operatives moved in around midnight on Wednesday.
Keshinro alleged that the operators targeted vulnerable pregnant women by offering them financial inducements. He further claimed that the women were made to sign agreements and were subsequently restricted from leaving the premises freely.
Investigators also suspect that the syndicate used a fake social media profile to attract unsuspecting victims before moving discussions to private channels.
However, one of the arrested suspects denied wrongdoing, insisting that the women came willingly and that no unlawful activity took place.
A woman rescued from the premises reportedly told officials that she entered the facility voluntarily after being abandoned by the man responsible for her pregnancy.
Some community leaders in the area said residents had observed unusual movements around the compound but did not know the true nature of activities there until the security operation was carried out.
The NSCDC said both suspects and rescued victims would be transferred to the appropriate anti-human trafficking agency for further investigation and necessary action.
By Tama Peretengboro
ABUJA — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has stirred public discussion after making a remark in which he said he “took over leadership from myself” and described the late Muhammadu Buhari as being inseparable from his own political identity.
The statement, made during a public appearance captured in a viral video, quickly generated widespread reactions across political and social circles, with many Nigerians debating the meaning and context of the President’s comments.
Observers said the remarks appeared to underscore Tinubu’s close political association with Buhari and the continuity of governance between both administrations. Others interpreted the comments as an attempt to highlight the shared vision and alliance that existed between the two leaders during Buhari’s tenure.
Since assuming office in May 2023, Tinubu has repeatedly acknowledged Buhari’s role in the formation and electoral success of the All Progressives Congress, as well as the political transition that brought the ruling party to power.
The resurfaced clip has since fueled fresh commentary online, with supporters defending the statement as symbolic and critics questioning its phrasing.
As of the time of filing this report, the Presidency had not issued any formal clarification regarding the viral video.
See video: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXOOaYSCG23/?igsh=MTF6MzJlOWptanJlYQ==
By Divine Perezide
BURUTU — The member representing Burutu State Constituency I in the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Alapala Anthony Ebitonmo, has officially announced his intention to seek re-election in the 2027 polls.
Hon. Alapala made the declaration while addressing executives of the All Progressives Congress in Burutu Local Government Area, shortly after the release of the Independent National Electoral Commission timetable and the party’s schedule for the May 16 State Houses of Assembly primaries.
During the meeting, the lawmaker expressed gratitude to party leaders and members for their support during the 2023 general elections, particularly commending members in Burutu LGA for their steadfastness throughout the legal disputes that followed the polls.
He recalled that after his initial victory was overturned by the Court of Appeal, party loyalists remained committed until he eventually emerged victorious in the rerun election.
Speaking on his stewardship, Alapala said his administration had recorded notable progress despite the challenges that marked the early period of his tenure. He noted that the political developments in Delta State, including the alignment of major political blocs and the emergence of Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori as leader of the APC in the state, had created a more favourable atmosphere for governance.
The legislator stated that several constituency projects are ongoing across the six wards of Burutu North, stressing that grassroots development remains central to his agenda.
On human capital development, he disclosed that more than 50 constituents are currently serving in various appointments under his office, with beneficiaries drawn from all six wards to promote fairness and inclusion.
He further revealed that over 20 students from the constituency have benefited from scholarship opportunities facilitated through his office, while more than 790 students are receiving regular stipends under the Alapala Ebitonmo Students’ Support Scheme.
According to him, the initiative was introduced to reduce financial hardship among students and encourage academic success.
Hon. Alapala also said he had assisted several indigenes of Burutu North in securing empowerment opportunities as well as pensionable employment.
Reaffirming his commitment to public service, the lawmaker assured party stakeholders that if re-elected, he would build on the achievements already recorded and deliver greater democratic dividends to the people.
He also pledged continued loyalty to the APC and its guiding principles.