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Immigration, Police Reject N4m Bribe from Suspected Killer of Bayelsa Estate Agent

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From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

Operatives of the Nigerian Immigration Office, Festac Town Lagos and the Operation Puff Adder, Bayelsa State Police Command have rejected the N4 million naira bribe offered them by George Idumangi, the suspected killer of the 42 years old Estate Agent arrested in Lagos.

The suspected killer, George Idumangi, who was arrested on Monday by the men of the Nigerian Immigration Service in Lagos after he went to collect his processed International Passport after proper inter-Agency collaboration with men of the Operation Puff Adder led by CSP Chris Nwaogbo and the Station Officer (SO) of the Area E Police Command in Festac.
The Operatives of the Operation Puff Adder of the Bayelsa State Police Command had last week, during the search for the suspected Killer, George Idumangi, had interfaced with men of the Area E of the Festac Area Command of the Police and Immigration Service to assist in case of attempts by the suspected to evade arrest.
The interface eventually paid off.Speaking with newsmen, a senior Police officer with the Bayelsa State Police Command in Yenagoa, confirmed that George Idumangi, in desperation to evade arrest and his hand over to men of the Bayelsa Police Command, offered the immigration and Police Personnel the sum of N4 Million.”But they stood their ground and rejected the money, He also offered them N2 million to allow him to delete a file from his new mobile phone before he would be handed over, but they also rejected the move. In desperation, he offered N 3million for the phone to be destroyed and not handed over to a team of Bayelsa Police Personnel, but they still refused.”It was gathered that when the team of men of the Operation Puff Adder led by Chris Nwaogbo arrived Lagos to secure the suspected killer in custody, he also made the same bribe offer and was turned down with serious warnings.It was confirmed to our correspondent that the suspected killer’s mobile phone and the recently procured International Passport are in the custody of the men of the Operation Puff Adder. And the suspect will soon be flown back to Yenagoa.The suspect, with three others, were alleged to had in July, 2025 conspired to abduction and murder a 42 years old Estate Agent, Richard Ekpebu in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capitalOthers alleged to have conspired with George Idumange include one Victor Shadrack popularly known Doggy and one Insurance, his real name still unknown, who is known as a Beneficiary of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) and member of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), Central Zone.Also arrested is one Miss Victory Benard Henry. She is from Akwa Ibom and the girlfriend to the George Idumangi. She is alleged to be the armourer to the group and was alleged to have benefitted the sum of One million naira for her role in the deal.The deceased Estate Agent, Richard Ekpebu, was abducted and murdered on the 24th of July, 2025 with his body dumped in a bush along the new Otuoke road near Bayelsa Palm.The suspected killer Identified as George Idumangi, hails from Ogbia Local Government area and claims to be a member of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) worldwide.He was arrested in Lagos while attempting to procure an International Passport at the Immigration office.It was gathered that following complaints and petition by the Family of the deceased Estate Agent over the alleged delay in the investigation, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Francis Idu ordered that the case be transferred to the Operation Puff Adder headed by Commander Chris Nwaogbo.Police sources confirmed that the investigation and trailing of the suspected killer took the Operatives of the Puff Adder from Yenagoa to Lekki, Ikorodu, festac, Ikeja and Orile in Lagos State in the last one week.The investigating police officers stormed the homes identified as his hideout in Lagos and narrowly missed him but they were able to recover his bag containing a T-Shirt with inscription IYC tactical team and two phones he was using when he killed the deceased.Chris Nwaogbo and his team within a recorded time of Eight days, arrested the girl friend to the alleged killer identified as 23 years old Victory Benard Henry and recovered (1) One Pump Action Gun (2) five live cartridges (3) two empty ak 47 magazines (4) 10 walkie talkies (5) 10 chargers and three AK 47 rifle slings in her custody in Yenagoa.Meanwhile, the leadership of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), worldwide led by Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri snr has expressed shock over the alleged involvement of some of its members in the heinous murder of a deceased 42 years old Estate Agent.According to the IYC, more shocking is the fact that the key suspect, George Idumangi, has served in some committee capacities under the immediate past zonal leadership, “, i wish to categorically state that he does not hold any position in our current leadership structure.”He insisted that the IYC is a reputable organization known for its peaceful advocacy against the oppression of Ijaw people, “We stand firmly against crimes and criminalities, and our founding philosophy has always been rooted in promoting peace, justice, unity and development.”

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Plateau PDP Cautions Members Against Obtaining Nomination Forms From Pro-Wike Faction

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By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

As Nigerians await the verdict of the Supreme Court on the leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Plateau State chapter of the party has caution it’s members against obtaining primary election nomination from the faction loyal to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

In an advisory obtained by the Daily Asset Newspaper, the Plateau PDP declared that loyalists of the FCT Minister parading as leaders of the party have already been expelled and their expulsion validated by the High Court and Court of Appeal.

In the advisory issued by Dr Choji Felix Dalyop, State Publicity Secretary, the chapter maintained that any nomination forms issued or signed by Senator Anyanwu or under the authority of Abdulrahman Mohammed lack legal standing.

Part of the statement reads: “Our great party under the strategic leadership of Miskoom Raymond Dabo, hereby issues a formal advisory grounded in extant judicial pronouncements regarding the purported sale of nomination forms for the 2027, general elections led by Abdulrahman Mohammed, with Senator Samuel Anyanwu acting as National Secretary.

“Pursuant to binding judicial determinations, this advisory is issued, including:- The judgment of the Court of Appeal delivered on 9th March, 2026, and the judgment of the FCT High Court delivered on 12th January, 2026, both of which affirm the suspension and subsequent expulsion of Senator Samuel Anyanwu from the Peoples Democratic Party.

“From a legal standpoint, these rulings have two critical implications: Loss of Capacity: Senator Anyanwu, having been validly expelled, lacks the legal competence to act in any official capacity on behalf of the Peoples Democratic Party.

“Derivative Invalidity: All actions predicated on his authority, including the recognition of Abdulrahman Mohammed as Acting National Chairman, and the constitution of a parallel National Working Committee, are legally defective.

“Consequently, the Abuja Convention of 29th March, 2026, convened under this disputed authority, is rendered void ab initio, as it derives from an invalid institutional foundation.

“Furthermore, the issuance of a Form 48 notice by the FCT High Court underscores ongoing judicial scrutiny, and reinforces the binding nature of earlier rulings, particularly regarding compliance by affected parties.

“The principle of law remains unequivocal: No valid structure can emerge from an invalid origin.

“Therefore, any nomination forms issued or signed by Senator Anyanwu or under the authority of Abdulrahman Mohammed lack legal standing.

“Implications for Aspirants: Non recognition by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC);

“Exposure to pre election litigation leading to disqualification;

“Post election nullification risks analogous to established judicial precedents.

“The PDP Plateau State, chapter strongly advises all aspirants, and stakeholders to exercise due diligence, and avoid engagement with any processes that are unstable with the vision, and mission of the founding fathers of our great party, which to a great extent are fundamentally inconsistent with the law.”
End

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Soludo’s 16.4km Road Project Ends Years of Suffering, Opens Up Anambra Communities

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By Laide Akinboade Abuja

Vice President of Boardwalk Group and Abuja-based real estate developer Chief Obiageli Okwubanego, on Wednesday, commended the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, for completing the 16.4-kilometre Nawfija–Ajali–Ufuma–Ogbunka Road in Orumba South Local Government Area.

Sh gave the commendation while speaking with journalists in Abuja.

She said residents in that area testified that the project has transformed transportation, agriculture and economic activities across the axis.

Okwubanego described the road project as a major infrastructure breakthrough that has drastically reduced travel time and eased movement for motorists and residents within the affected communities.

She recalled that the appeal for the road was first made in 2019 when Soludo attended the funeral mass of her mother, Chief Mrs. Agnes Igwenagu Okeke.

According to her, the deplorable state of the road at the time made movement extremely difficult for mourners and guests attending the burial ceremony.
“When Professor Soludo later declared interest in contesting for governor, I went back to my people and urged them to support him with the assurance that the road would be done. I also appealed to him to extend the road project to Ogbunka, my mother’s hometown,” she said.

She noted that the newly completed road has reduced travel time by about two hours and now serves as an alternative route to the traffic-prone Umunze Roundabout.

Travellers heading towards Umuaku in Abia State, as well as Okigwe and Ndi-Iziogu areas of Imo State, now use the route to avoid traffic congestion.

“For Christmas, Easter, August meetings, marriages and other celebrations, people can now travel home with ease and in large numbers,” she stated.
Okwubanego described the project as part of Soludo’s broader infrastructure and economic transformation agenda across Anambra State.

According to her, the road has enhanced the movement of goods and services within the communities and improved economic activities in the area.
“Governor Soludo’s solution agenda has positively impacted our communities and brought remarkable transformation to the entire Orumba South Local Government Area,” she said.

She further noted that residents of Nawfija community had never experienced a tarred road before the intervention of the Soludo administration.

“Since I started visiting Nawfija community years ago, the residents had never enjoyed a tarred road. Soludo, through compassionate and selfless leadership, has now provided the people with their first properly constructed road,” she added.

Highlighting the economic importance of the project, Okwubanego said the road has significantly boosted agricultural activities in the area, especially palm oil production.

She explained that the adjoining communities are predominantly farming settlements responsible for a substantial share of palm oil production in Orumba South Local Government Area.

“The famous Onuoigbo palm plantation, which spans over 20 hectares, is located along this road corridor in Nawfija, and the improved road network will greatly support the movement of farm produce,” she explained.

On tourism potential, she said the road would also increase access to the popular Ozi Stream, known for fishing and irrigation activities, thereby attracting more visitors and commercial activities.

“With easier access to the famous Ozi Stream, human and business activities in the area will rise significantly,” she noted.
Okwubanego also reaffirmed her emotional attachment to Nawfija community, saying her passion for the people inspired her continuous commitment to their welfare and development.

“My dear Nawfija community means so much to me, which is why I personally pleaded with His Excellency to give us this road. My passion for the community will always push me to look out for their welfare,” she said.

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Ekiti Church Attack: CAN Demands Action Over Killing, Abduction of Worshippers

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By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Wednesday, condemned
the attack on a church gathering in Eda Oniyo Ekiti, where gunmen reportedly killed a Pastor and abducted several worshippers during an open-air crusade.

This was stated in a statement issued by
President, CAN, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, in Abuja.

The Christian body demanded for immediate arrest and prosecution of the culprits and rescue of those kidnapped.

He described this latest attack as a brutal assault on shared humanity and the sanctity of life.

And it is deeply disturbing and unacceptable.

He mourned with the family of the slain Pastor and stand in full solidarity with the victims and the entire Christian community in Ekiti State

The statement reads, “We condemn this heinous act in the strongest possible terms.

People had gathered peacefully to worship God, and they were met with violence. This is not just an attack on a church; it is a brutal assault on our shared humanity and the sanctity of life.

“We mourn with the family of the slain Pastor and stand in full solidarity with the victims and the entire Christian community in Ekiti State. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been taken, and we call for their immediate and safe release.

“This latest tragedy comes amid a disturbing pattern of attacks. Only recently, gunmen struck communities in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State, abducting residents including clergy, their families, and other community members. These repeated incidents underscore a deepening security crisis that can no longer be ignored.

“This attack further heightens concerns about the safety of lives and the protection of communities. No one should have to live in fear, and no place of worship must ever become a hunting ground for criminals.

“We must be unequivocal: the protection of lives and property is the primary responsibility of government. We call on the authorities and security agencies to act swiftly, decisively, and transparently. Those responsible for this atrocity must be apprehended and brought to justice without delay. Every necessary effort must be made to rescue those abducted unharmed.

“We also urge the government to immediately strengthen security presence, especially in vulnerable and rural communities, and to deploy proactive intelligence measures to prevent further attacks”.

He noted, “At the same time, we must all speak out firmly. The killing of a Pastor and the abduction of worshippers gathered to commune with their Creator is deeply troubling. It reflects a grave disregard for life, for faith, and for the moral fabric of our society.

“We have a duty to communicate these concerns clearly, firmly, and without equivocation to the appropriate authorities. Nigeria must not normalise the killing of worshippers or the abduction of innocent citizens in places of refuge.

“May God comfort the bereaved, protect those in captivity, and restore peace and security to our land”.

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