NEWS
Buhari`s Anti-corruption War not Targeted at Opposition- BMO

The Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) says the anti-corruption war of the Federal Government is not targeted at the opposition, as it aimed at rooting out corruption from Nigeria.
The BMO said this in a statement signed by its Chairman, Mr Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary, Mr Cassidy Madueke on Tuesday in Abuja.
The organisation was reacting to allegations by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the anti-corruption war was restricted to opposition elements.
“What is even more amusing is that one of the top PDP members invited for questioning recently who is former Gov. Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa, said there was nothing wrong with the EFCC grilling him based on a petition from a group of indigenes of the state,’’ it said.
The organisation therefore wondered why the PDP should be crying more than the bereaved.
It said that the convictions secured by the EFCC under Buhari’s watch were clear indicators that the anti graft war was not selective.
According to the BMO, the reality on the ground showed that all former convicted governors are serving prison terms irrespective of party affiliation.
“Mr Joshua Dariye and Jolly Nyame, defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the middle of their trials, but that didn’t stop their cases.
“It is on record that Orji Kalu, who happened to be the Senate Majority Whip was also convicted even though he got a temporary reprieve which the EFCC is still challenging in court,’’ the BMO said.
It stressed that Buhari had never and would never interfere in anti-corruption cases which was why he ignored all entreaties to intervene in the case of the then President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki.
The BMO mentioned how a former JAMB Registrar, Prof. Dibu Ojerinde joined the APC few years ago and yet had to forfeit houses, filling stations in Nigeria and Ghana in the course of his trial.
“Let us also not forget that Buhari sacked a former Secretary of the Government of the Federation (SGF) Mr Babachir Lawal.
“He also ensured that he was put on trial over the celebrated grass cutting scandal; so it is safe to say that there are no sacred cows,’’ it said. (NAN)
NEWS
Edo: Police Nab Robbery Suspect, Recover Guns, Cars in Anti-crime Raid

The Police in Edo have arrested a suspected armed robber and recovered a cache of weapons, luxury vehicles during a raid on a criminal hideout in Benin.The Command’s spokesman, CSP Moses Yamu, made this known in a statement on Sunday in Benin .Yamu said operatives from the Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing Unit of the State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID) on May 13 stormed a hotel in Benin.
He said the operation led to the arrest of 22-year-old Endurance Oviojie, while four other suspects identified as Clinton, Jeff, Mike, and Emmanuel alias Slim Khalifa fled the scene by scaling the fence into neighbouring compounds. “The police recovered a significant haul of items including one English Beretta pistol, one locally fabricated pistol, one round of ammunition, 18 live cartridges, multiple mobile phones, a tablet device, charms, and substances suspected to be illicit drugs.“In a follow-up operation, the police also seized four unregistered Mercedes-Benz vehicles- a black C350, a grey C300, a grey GLA 250, and a red GLE 350 suspected to have been used for criminal activities,” he said.The police spokesperson said the arrested suspect had already been charged to court, while a manhunt was ongoing to apprehend the fleeing gang members.The Edo Commissioner of Police, Mr Monday Agbonika, has warned all criminal elements to either leave the state or face the full wrath of the law.“We are resolute in our mission to rid Edo of criminal elements.“This command will sustain this offensive until law-abiding citizens can feel safe and secure in every corner of the state,” the commissioner assured.He urged the public to remain vigilant and continue to provide timely information to help clamp down on crime across the state. (NAN)NEWS
FG Begins Demolition of Structures Under Iddo Bridge, Cites Collapse Risk

The Federal Government has begun evacuation and demolition of illegal structures beneath the Iddo Bridge in Lagos, citing serious safety concerns and risk of imminent collapse. The Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, gave the order while inspecting the bridge alongside structural engineers and officials of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc.
, on Sunday. Umahi expressed concern over the condition of the bridge which, he said, had been severely compromised by illegal human activities. He said: “We are here with bridge experts to examine the Iddo Bridge, which was burnt down due to unlawful occupation and activities beneath it. “People have converted the underpass into shops, warehouses, and even residential areas. “These activities have caused significant damage, to the extent that Julius Berger has advised that the bridge must be completely demolished and reconstructed.” He said that the Cowry Bridge and the Independence Bridge had also been affected by similar activities. According to the minister, attempts by the Federal Government to engage with the illegal occupants have met resistance, with some of them saying that the matter is before the court. “They have refused to vacate the premises. They wrote to us, claiming the matter is in court. “It appears that what they are selling is more important to them than the lives of Lagosians, but we cannot allow that,” Umahi said. Umahi directed the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos state, Mrs Olukorede Kesha, to ensure that all illegal structures beneath the bridge would be demolished before the close of business on Monday. “This is about saving lives. We must act to prevent the collapse of the bridge.“Beams have already been hit by vehicles, and some have been burnt. The structural integrity of the bridge is compromised,” he said. He also said that policemen should be deployed to the site to secure any valuables that might be found during the demolition. “If we find even a pin, it should be recorded and returned but I can tell you that what I have seen so far are mostly iron doors and partitions.“There are no significant goods inside,” Umahi said. The minister emphasised that there would be no going back on the decision to demolish and conduct a thorough examination of the bridge. “We are not trying to punish anyone, we are trying to save lives. Every illegal structure under this bridge must go before Monday ends,” he said. Report says that the contract for the rehabilitation of the Iddo Bridge was awarded in 2024 to Julius Berger Plc. In April, Umahi, explained that one of the major problems with the bridge was low headroom clearance. He noted that a section of the bridge had a headroom of about 3.0 metres, far below the required minimum of 5.6 metres. According to the minister, the situation has resulted in frequent collisions by trucks, which hit the underside of the bridge deck and caused structural damage. Umahi also raised concerns about shops near the bridge which were selling chemicals, warning that such activities posed serious safety risks. He noted that a chemical once caught fire near the bridge and caused extensive damage to the structure. He said that the bridge’s structural elements had been significantly compromised and required urgent attention. (NAN)NEWS
NAF Airstrikes Destroy 100 Illegal Refining Sites in 5 Months

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says the Air Component of Operation Delta Safe, has between January and May, destroyed more than 100 illegal refining sites through airstrikes in the Niger Delta.The Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, made this known in a statement on Sunday, in Abuja.
Ejodame said the NAF executed over 173 missions and 265 sorties, accumulating approximately 270 flying hours in support of joint military operations and independent strikes across key oil-producing states. He said the airstrikes also destroyed 53 boats, 74 cooking tanks, two reservoirs and several transport vehicles.According to him, these actions significantly degraded the capacity of oil thieves and vandals operating along critical corridors such as Buguma, Imo River, Port Harcourt, Okrika, Egbema/Ohaji and the Trans Niger Pipeline Right of Way.“The operations are aligned with national efforts to curb militancy, stop environmental degradation caused by illegal refining, and protect strategic oil and gas infrastructure, the backbone of Nigeria’s economy,” he said.NAF spokesman said the NAF had intensified air operations in the Niger Delta, recording significant successes in the ongoing fight against crude oil theft and the protection of vital national assets.He said the NAF 115 Special Operations Group (115 SOG), which hosts the air component had maintained a high tempo of aerial missions across the region, dismantling illegal refining sites and disrupting the logistics of criminal networks.“While the NAF continues to promote civil-military cooperation and community development in the region, it emphasises that the kinetic component of its campaign remains essential to uprooting entrenched criminal networks.“These sustained air operations underscore NAF’s commitment to national security and economic stability by ensuring that Nigeria’s oil heartland remains secure and productive,” he added. (NAN)