NEWS
Delta Police Records Major Breakthroughs in Fight against Kidnapping, Child Trafficking

From Francis Sadhere, Delta
The Delta State Police Command has announced significant breakthroughs in its ongoing fight against kidnapping and other criminal activities across the state. The Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Abaniwonda, during a press briefing yesterday, revealed several major arrests and recoveries made within the past week.
Abaniwonda, who spoke to members of the press, emphasized the Command’s commitment to combating crime through intelligence-led operations, proactive policing, and targeted raids on criminal hideouts. He disclosed that several suspected kidnappers were apprehended and large sums of money, arms, and ammunition were recovered.In one of the major operations, operatives of the Dragon Patrol Team intercepted a gold Toyota Sienna bus along the Kwale/Ozoro Expressway on May 12, 2025. The vehicle, traveling from Ughelli to Asaba, was found to be transporting four suspected kidnappers. A total of N3.1 million in cash was discovered in their possession.Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were part of a five-man gang responsible for the abduction of a woman in Ughelli, who was held for four days before a N4 million ransom was paid. The victim has since identified the suspects, and investigations are ongoing.On May 10, 2025, the CP’s Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT), acting on credible intelligence, arrested a suspected gang leader, Abdullahi Ibrahim, in Ore town, Ondo State. Further investigations led to the arrest of another gang member, Adamu Usman.The suspects subsequently guided operatives to a forest hideout along the Ore-Lagos Expressway where one AK-47 rifle with 14 rounds of ammunition and a locally made long gun with six cartridges were recovered.Also on May 12, following a kidnap incident in Itego community, Ibusa, operatives of the Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cybercrime Squad arrested a suspect identified as Lawal Tasiu, aged 26, at Koka Junction, Asaba. N900,000, believed to be part of the ransom paid, was recovered from him.He later led the police to a hideout in Issele-Azagba where an AK-47 rifle, a pump-action gun, magazines, and 87 rounds of live ammunition were seized.In another case, a woman identified as Joy Temitope Oyetimi was arrested by officers from the Ekpan Police Station following a report that she had drugged a young mother and abducted her two-month-old baby during a trip from Koko to Warri in February.After weeks of investigation, police located and arrested the 49-year-old suspect. The child, now five months old, has been reunited with his parents.Abaniwonda reiterated the Command’s resolve to rid the state of criminal elements and urged residents to continue cooperating with the police by providing timely and actionable information.“We are determined to ensure that Delta State remains safe for all. The successes recorded within the week are a testament to our commitment and the effectiveness of our strategies,” the Commissioner stated.He assured that all suspects remain in custody and will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.NEWS
21 Terrorists Neutralised in Damboa Again — Army

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have repelled a deadly attack by ISWAP terrorists in Damboa, Borno, neutralising 21 insurgents and recovering a cache of arms and ammunition.
Capt. Reuben Kovangiya, Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Headquarters Theatre Command, confirmed this in a statement issued in Maiduguri on Friday.
Report saya that the attack, which occurred in the early hours of Friday, targeted troops of the 25 Task Force Brigade.
Daily Asset, however, reports that the soldiers, with the support of the Air Component of OPHK, engaged the terrorists in a fierce and prolonged firefight that lasted over two hours.
Kovangiya said the troops displayed gallantry and tactical superiority during the confrontation, forcing the terrorists to retreat in disarray, leaving behind more than 21 of their fighters who were neutralised during the engagement.
“The gallant troops, supported by Close Air Support, stood their ground and repelled the attack despite the ferocity of the enemy.
“The insurgents suffered devastating losses and were forced to flee,” he said.
The spokesman said that during the exchange of fire, an ammunition storage facility within the military formation was hit by a blast, but the situation was quickly brought under control.
He also confirmed that the troops recorded minor casualties.
“Following the mop-up and exploitation operation, the following weapons and ammunition were recovered:
“Two General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) three Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) tubes, one pump-action rifle, nine AK-47 rifles, three belts of PKT rounds, eight AK-47 magazines, seven RPG bombs, two boxes of 12.7mm x 99mm ammunition, one and a half box of PKT rounds and 20 pieces of 36 hand grenades,” Kovangiya said.
The spokesman said that the success of the operation was a clear demonstration of the effectiveness of joint land and air efforts in counterterrorism operations which further reaffirmed the Nigerian military’s resolve to restore peace in the North-east.
“The bravery and sacrifice of the troops remain a symbol of national pride.
“Their unwavering commitment to defeating insurgency and restoring peace in the region is commendable,” he said.(NAN)
NEWS
Enugu Govt Sets up Human Development Council

Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State, on Friday, inaugurated the Enugu State Human Development Council at the Government House. He stressed that human capital remains the true wealth of any nation and a core priority of his administration. The Council is chaired by the Deputy Governor, Ifeanyi Ossai, and includes State Executive Council members and heads of MDAs.
Also represented are the legislature, local governments, traditional rulers, church leaders, and civil society organisations. Mbah explained the Council aligns with his government’s emphasis on human development and social investment. He urged the members to take the task seriously and work towards tangible outcomes. “One of our top priorities is eradicating poverty and reducing the poverty headcount to zero,” Mbah noted. He added that the government’s philosophy prioritises human capital over natural resources. “Our last two budgets allocated over 50 per cent to social services,” the governor stated. In his response, Ossai assured the governor of members’ commitment to the Council’s goals. He emphasised that all government initiatives — from schools to roads — are people-focused. “All our projects aim to improve lives, and the Council will help us track and measure progress,” Ossai said. (NAN)NEWS
ASUU Demands Action, Threatens Nationwide Strike

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has urged the Federal Government to honour the 2009 FG/ASUU agreement or face a nationwide industrial action. ASUU President, Chris Piwuna, issued this warning during a news conference in Abuja on Friday. He stressed the importance of the government fulfilling its promises and addressing the worsening conditions in Nigerian universities.
According to Piwuna, nine critical issues remain unresolved, including the stalled renegotiation process since 2017. He mentioned withheld salaries from the 2022 strike and unpaid entitlements linked to the contentious Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS). Piwuna also criticised the delayed release of revitalisation funds and earned academic allowances due to government inaction. In spite of promises to inject ₦150 billion into universities and adjust irregular allowances by 2026, he said these commitments remain unfulfilled. He highlighted the marginalisation of ASUU members at state institutions such as Kogi State University and Lagos State University. According to him, victimisation, salary denial, and job insecurity persist in those universities, undermining staff morale. On university autonomy, he said political interference has compromised the selection of leaders, citing Nnamdi Azikiwe and Abuja universities as examples. Piwuna warned that universities are becoming battlegrounds for political and economic interests, which he described as unacceptable. He called for a national rebirth through education, saying it is vital for Nigeria’s transformation and prosperity. To address the crisis, he proposed a national education summit focusing on funding, autonomy, and academic welfare. “Education empowers citizens, drives innovation, and instils values. Without it, development is impossible,” Piwuna said. He reaffirmed ASUU’s commitment to reforming Nigerian universities and urged patriotic Nigerians and global allies to support their struggle. “Our universities should be centres for solutions to national challenges. “We are open to dialogue but will not tolerate further erosion of our rights,” Piwuna said. (NAN