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Why we couldn’t dismantle Ibadan illegal mining business before tragedy — Oyo Security Adviser

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The explosion, which happened in the Bodija area of Ibadan and triggered by explosives said to have been stored in a private residence by suspected illegal miners believed to be Malians, was heard in many parts of the metropolis.

Only last Friday, the management of a hotel near the explosive site claimed a top staff member died of shock from the blast. Owoseni speaks on the tragic incident.

What is the government doing to ensure that people don’t harbour explosives in residential areas?

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First, things that have to do with mining are on the Exclusive List and, of course, in this country, that’s part of the reasons people are calling for restructuring.

You must give states some obligations to monitor these things, but when you intervene, they tell you “we got our licence”. I can tell you that for the past two years, His Excellency, Governor Makinde has been engaging the Federal Government with regards to mining.

The illegal mining business in Ibadan, around Ojoo, is populated by foreigners and, when you go there to do any operation, either as the police or other state apparatus, they will show you the approval which they have gotten from the Federal Government.

I want to think that it is the kind of engagement that Governor Makinde had with the Federal Government that made them to divest power to say that international mining markets will be created in four locations across the country, and because of the push, they gave Ibadan one of the international markets.

With regards to how these things happen and people don’t know, some people have even said “we reported before”.

How does government ensure that this kind of disaster does not happen again?

Like, I mentioned earlier, government won’t know if people don’t give information. People are saying that they reported this before. Why is it that it is now that that information is coming out? Secondly, if such a thing has been reported, it cannot just be wished away, they have very strong landlords/residents association at Bodija where this incident occurred.

All these people that are talking, did they even bring this to the notice of the association? Like I said, when you have such people living in such area (landlords/residents), you can’t take them for granted and whoever has reported it must have brought it to the attention of the association.

The landlords/residents association also has a collective obligation to get any criminally minded person to understand that what he or she is doing is dangerous.

There are telephone lines which I will not be able to divulge now but we have what we call ‘Citizens’ Enquiry Number’ in the state, which is 615.

They don’t need to know you because, through this number, we have received information about things happening in the state before which the governor used to resolve issues.

We have been having face-to-face interaction with communities and adjoining streets who say “Oh! We fear that some people beside us might be doing the same thing”. Some people have been calling to say, “We suspect such things might be happening”, in their areas.

So, we have been interfacing with them and have given them other numbers, even online. What we just need is for us to be vigilant. It is an ongoing thing.

What are the next steps you are taking to stop illegal mining in Oyo?

It is a collective effort. Like I told you, mining issues are under the Exclusive List. I can say what our governor has been doing; an Executive Order has been signed where the governor drew the attention of the Federal Government to the fact that the negative impact of mining is felt by host communities and their states.

So an Executive Order was issued towards the end of last year to protect the environment. Nigeria is one kind country. I can tell you that with my 35 years experience in the police, we have so many laws without the wherewithal for enforcement.

When you talk of leadership and enforcement, citizens must also know that they have the civic responsibility to comply with the laws. Nigerian is probably one of the most difficult countries to enforce laws.

There are things we do and we do not know that they are against the law. We also need to upgrade the capacity of our security operatives. You don’t enforce a law you do not know.

As I mentioned earlier, the Explosive Ordinance Law, you will find out that some of the people wearing uniforms have not heard about it before.

Again, proliferation of agencies is what is leading to security challenges. When you duplicate roles, you make some agencies redundant.

There is also the possibility that the agencies may not know what to do, leading to poor coordination.

We have a lot to do with regards to security in this country. This is just little part of it. And the state government is aware of that.

You need to know what Oyo State (government) has been doing about illegal mining, constantly raiding, clearing the bush up to Niger State. If we have not been engaging, a lot would have happened in the state.

SOURCE: VANGUARD NEWSPAPERS


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Abia State

2027: Prepare Your Will If You Plan to Write Election Results in Abia — Governor Alex Otti Warns

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Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, warns politicians planning to manipulate the 2027 elections to “write their wills” first, reaffirming his stance on transparency, governance, and development in Abia State.
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Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has cautioned individuals plotting to manipulate the 2027 governorship election results to first “write their wills” before embarking on such a dangerous mission.

Speaking during his monthly media chat in Umuahia, the governor emphasized that his statement was not a threat but a caution informed by intelligence reports suggesting that some displaced politicians are boasting about plans to “write” election results in 2027.

“This is not a threat but a warning. If you are planning to write election results in Abia, please write your will first,” Otti declared.

He dismissed remarks attributed to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, noting that power ultimately belongs to God.

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“I do not have the anointing to speak about what will happen in 2027 in 2025. But I know that power belongs to God, and He gives it to whom He wants. We should not speak when the Lord has not spoken,” he said.

Governor Otti advised Kalu to focus on his duties at the National Assembly, adding that there was no animosity between them despite the Deputy Speaker’s repeated public criticisms.

“My relationship with the Deputy Speaker didn’t start with politics. This is the second time he has publicly attacked my administration. I forgive him, but I think he suffers from what I call ‘Information Deficiency Syndrome.’”

He further clarified that according to the Protocol Act of 2000, the sixth position in Nigeria’s political hierarchy belongs to the Deputy Senate President, not the Deputy Speaker.

On Governance and Infrastructure

Governor Otti commended the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA) for its consistent efforts in maintaining a cleaner environment across Aba, Umuahia, and Ohafia.

“We are now moving to the next phase of waste management — recycling and turning waste into wealth,” he said, disclosing ongoing engagements with investors and institutions to actualize the plan.

The governor also announced progress in reviving key moribund industries, including Star Paper Mill, Aba Textile Mill, and Modern Ceramics, through collaborations with the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) and other stakeholders.

“Government is an enabler. Our goal is to revive these industries, hand them to professionals to run as private entities, and create jobs for our people,” Otti stated.

Education and Health

Governor Otti reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transforming the education sector, revealing that over 5,395 new teachers have been deployed across the state, with plans to recruit an additional 4,000 due to rising enrollment.

He also highlighted improvements in healthcare delivery, including the reconstruction of general hospitals and recruitment of over 774 healthcare professionals, with applicants coming even from other African countries.

“We are building a health system powered by renewable energy to ensure every community has access to quality healthcare,” he said.

Power and Infrastructure Expansion

Governor Otti announced the installation of nearly 8,000 solar-powered streetlights across the state and ongoing projects aimed at achieving steady electricity supply in Aba, Umuahia, Bende, and Ohafia.

“When Aba Power reaches its full capacity of 188 megawatts, excess power will be distributed to Umuahia and other parts of the state. Light brings development, and darkness disappears where there is light,” he said.

He disclosed that President Bola Tinubu’s representative, Senator Dave Umahi, recently commissioned eight newly completed roads in Abia, with more infrastructure projects including the 25km Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene Road and Ihechiowa Ring Road set to begin soon.

On Defection Rumours

Governor Otti debunked speculations about plans to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC), stating that he remains committed to his principles.

You don’t take decisions simply because others are taking them. We are not people who follow the crowd,” he affirmed.

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American Accuses Reno Omokri of Deception, Calls Him “Pathological Liar” as Omokri Dismisses Christian Genocide Claims

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American Accuses Reno Omokri of Deception, Calls Him Pathological Liar as Omokri Denies Christian Genocide in Nigeria
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A former Texas Mayor, Mike Arnold, has accused former Nigerian presidential aide Reno Omokri of deception and manipulation, describing him as a “pathological liar” who thrives on calculated deceit.

In a viral post on X (formerly Twitter), Arnold said he had witnessed Omokri’s alleged dishonesty firsthand during personal and professional encounters both in the United States and Nigeria.

“The truth about Reno Omokri is sad. I’ve seen it up close. Reno doesn’t lie like most liars. He lies calm, cool, constant. Up close, he’s reptilian. Chilling. Soulless. Yet so charming,” Arnold wrote.

Arnold, who claimed to have hosted Omokri in Texas and attended his birthday safari in Kenya, accused the former presidential aide of falsifying events, exaggerating connections, and fabricating ownership of luxury assets.

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He recounted an incident where Omokri allegedly showcased luxury cars online, falsely claiming ownership of two vehicles belonging to Arnold’s friend.

Arnold also alleged that during a fact-finding mission to Nigeria on Christian persecution, Omokri promised high-level meetings with President Bola Tinubu, NSA Nuhu Ribadu, and the Sultan of Sokoto, none of which materialized.

“Looking back, those promises were props for his narrative for clout and manipulation,” he wrote.

Arnold further accused Omokri of misrepresenting him on Nigerian television, falsely introducing him as the current mayor of Blanco, Texas, and a close associate of U.S. Senator Ted Cruz.

“On live TV, he called me a Republican mayor—we don’t even have partisan municipal elections. He also said I’m a personal friend of Ted Cruz. False,” Arnold stated.

Quoting Psalm 101:7, Arnold said Omokri’s actions were “soulless” and “evil,” adding that “lying to cover up the Christian genocide raging in Nigeria is a bridge too far.”

“People must know Reno Omokri is a pathological, habitual, calculating, self-serving liar from someone who knows him personally so they won’t trust his sleazy attempts to bury the blood of tens of thousands of Nigerian martyrs with the manure spewing from his mouth,” Arnold wrote.

He also accused Omokri of harboring political ambitions, claiming that he plans to run for vice president under National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.

Omokri, however, recently appeared on Arise News Night, dismissing reports of a Christian genocide in Nigeria as “ludicrous,” insisting that both Christians and Muslims are victims of insecurity across the country.

“Killings happen equally to Christians and Muslims,” Omokri said, urging Nigerians not to allow Western narratives to sow religious division.

The exchange has since sparked intense debate online, with many Nigerians weighing in on the authenticity of Arnold’s claims and Omokri’s controversial statements on religious persecution.

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Biafra

BREAKING: Nnamdi Kanu’s Ailment Not Life-Threatening – Court Adopts NMA Findings

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The Federal High Court in Abuja has adopted a medical report by a panel set up by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), which found that the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, is not suffering from any life-threatening ailment.

The NMA panel, constituted by the association’s president on the order of Justice James Omotosho, was tasked with determining Kanu’s actual health condition following conflicting claims from medical experts representing both the prosecution and the defence.

According to the report submitted to the court on October 13 by the prosecution team led by Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), and partly read in open court on Thursday, the panel concluded that Kanu’s condition is not life-threatening and that he is fit to stand trial.

Justice Omotosho, citing the report and noting no objections from either side, ruled that the trial would proceed.

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The judge subsequently granted the defence six consecutive days — from October 23 to October 28 — to open and close its case.

Additionally, the court approved an oral application by defence counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN), requesting that Kanu’s legal team be allowed to hold private consultations with him outside the Department of State Services (DSS) facility to ensure confidentiality.

Justice Omotosho ruled that the private meeting will take place in the courtroom between 9 a.m. and 12 noon on October 22, with only Kanu and his lawyers present.

The court further ordered that Kanu should continue receiving medical care at the DSS medical facility pending further proceedings.

One of Kanu’s lawyers, Aloy Ejimakor, confirmed the development after Thursday’s sitting.

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Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri Resigns from PDP with 23 Assembly Members

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Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri Resigns from PDP with 23 Assembly Members

Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP on Wednesday during a state executive council meeting in Yenagoa, accompanied by 23 members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, including Speaker Abraham Ngobere and Deputy Speaker Faithful Ebi.

His Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, confirmed the move, attributing it to ‘obvious reasons’ without specifics, while Diri thanked PDP supporters and reaffirmed his dedication to Bayelsa’s progress.

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Today, I have formally resigned my membership from PDP for obvious reasons.” – Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri.

The defection ends the PDP’s control of the state since 1999 and hints at a potential shift to the All Progressives Congress before the 2027 elections.

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Davido Announces 5IVE Alive Tour in Five Cities in Nigeria

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Nigerian Afrobeats star Davido has revealed the Nigerian dates for his 5IVE Alive Tour, linked to his fifth studio album released in April 2025, following a successful North American run.

The tour kicks off on October 26 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, and includes stops in Yola, Enugu, Ibadan, culminating on December 25 in Lagos.

Tickets are now available starting at ₦5,000 for most venues, with fans urged to purchase quickly amid high demand.


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