NEWS
No Recent Mass killings, Rape, Arson in Eha-Amufu Community-Enugu Council Chairman

The Isi-Uzo Council Chairman in Enugu State, Mr Obiora Obeagu, has refuted social media video of recent killings in Eha-Amufu community in the area saying the last incident happened in 2022.
The chairman made the clarification on Sunday in Isiuzo while briefing journalists who were on a fact finding mission in the area.
The fact-finding mission emanated due to recent viral videos of protest and counter-protest by groups of women over alleged recent rape, mass killings and widespread arson in Eha-Amufu community.
Obeagu admitted the existence of security challenges but refuted the story as fake.
The chairman said that the Gov. Peter Mbah administration had since coming into office in 2023 continued to put in place both physical security and infrastructural measures that had ensured that what happened in 2022 did not repeat itself.
“These included: the deployment of over 150 soldiers, deployment of Special Forces with Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and gun trucks, ongoing collaboration between the state government and the Nigerian Army to construct military barracks in that border community.
“Gov. Mbah has nearly completed 21.7km Agape-Agu-Mgbuji-Ogbete Road in order to open up our farm settlements, enhance security and vehicular access to the farmlands and forests within Eha-Amufu and other neighbouring communities in the council,” he said.
The council boss blamed bad politics, deliberate lies and misinformation for the fabricated and fake social media videos and all unfounded allegations made within the videos.
“So, when people tell you it was a spontaneous protest, it was not. It was orchestrated, well planned. In one of the clips I watched, a man was in the background like a hype-man, trying to hype the situation.
“I heard him say that last week 200 people were killed. Yet, he did not show burnt houses, nobody was showing any images; while the things they talked about are things that are supposed to be graphic,” he added.
Meanwhile, the people of Eha-Amufu community have also debunked alleged recent mass rape, killings and arson in their community.
Speaking, the President-General of Mgbuji in Eha-Amufu, Chief Donatus Odoh, noted that the alleged protest on the supposed killing of 100 or 200 persons in Eha-Amufu recently in a viral video being circulated never happened.
“Nothing happened here and there was no mass rape, killing or arson in Mgbuji, Eha-Amufu two weeks ago and till now,” Odoh said.
He said that although there was a rape case in another autonomous community in Eha-Amufu, and he was involved in arranging the victim’s medical treatment following government’s intervention.
“The rape victim, Mrs. Amarachi Nnaji, alleged in the fake video to be dead is alive. I saw the woman being driven on a bike returning from the market the other day. She is healthy,” Odoh emphasised.
Odoh, however, confirmed past mass attacks on Eha-Amufu community by suspected herders before the coming of Gov. Peter Mbah, especially in 2022 when the community was sacked, leaving so many people dead.
Another community leader, Chief Richard Ogenyi, said that but for isolated incidents, security had continued to improve after the 2022 attack through the interventions of Gov. Mbah and the Isi-Uzo Council Chairman, Mr Obiora Obeagu.
“So, I am surprised to hear that many people numbering in their hundreds were killed in Eha-Amufu. After the incident of 2022, we have not witnessed such a number of killings being circulated.
“Since Obeagu’s second term and Gov. Mbah administration, we have witnessed a lot of security improvement and insecurity has dropped drastically,” he said.
Meanwhile, the rape victim from Abor Eha-Amufu, Mrs. Amarachi Nnaji, while recounting her unfortunate experience in the hands of herders in her farm, noted that the information that she was in the mortuary was false. (NAN)
NEWS
Ewhrudjakpo Commends CCN’s Intervention Programmes, Pledges Support
From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa
Bayelsa State government has commended the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) for propagating the teachings of Jesus Christ and its intervention programmes towards providing succour to people affected by natural disasters.The Deputy Governor, Sen.
Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo gave the commendation recently when the Christian Council of Nigeria, South-South zone, paid him a courtesy call in Government House, Yenagoa. He expressed delight that the CCN had offered to support the state’s development initiatives which he described as laudable and also congratulated the new South-South Zone executive members of the foremost Christian organisation in the country on their election.Ewhrudjakpo implored the current executives to make a difference by consolidating on the gains of their predecessors and demonstrate exemplary leadership, stressing that true leaders respond to the yearnings and aspirations of the people.Commenting on the interaction between the church and society, the deputy governor expressed displeasure over the church’s inability to adequately play the role of catering to the welfare of the less privileged.According to him, the churches should not place unnecessary burden on their adherents but allow them to make free will donations to support their programmes and projects.He also frowned at the practice whereby the church now placed more emphasis on materialism to the detriment of spiritual wellbeing as exemplified in the scriptures which enjoin humanity “to seek first the kingdom of God and all other things shall be added unto them.”Ewhrudjakpo further noted that one of the major concerns of the church should be about attracting people to the word of God for redemption and salvation as well as taking care of the needy.On the CCN’s request for land in Bayelsa, he expressed the government’s willingness to provide land for the purpose of establishing the National Research institute for the South-South zone.In their presentations, the National General Secretary of CCN, Rt. Rev. Evans Onyemara, and the South-South Zonal Chairman, Rev. Dr Jonathan Ihwighwu, said they were in the state to hold a zonal meeting as well as inaugurate the new executive of the CCN, South-South zone.Rt Rev Onyemara explained that aside from its evangelical mission, the CCN also provides humanitarian services and assists in developmental issues.He added that in 2022, the General Assembly of the CCN resolved that the South-South zone should establish what it called, the Institute of Church and Society and appealed to the state government to provide land for the building of a national research institute in Bayelsa for the South-South zone.The Bayelsa State Chairman of CCN, who is also the Bishop of the Northern Izon Diocese, Anglican Communion, Rt Rev. Funkuro Amgbari, that of Rivers State, Rev Dr Innocent Ordu and their Akwa Ibom, Delta, Cross River and Edo counterparts accompanied the Zonal Chairman on the visit.The Highlight of the visit was the offering of prayers for Governor Douye Diri, Senator Ewhrudjakpo and the entire government and people of Bayelsa.NEWS
Blue Economy: Bayelsa Woos Investors in Sector’s Huge Potential

From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa
Bayelsa State Government has again indicated its determination for effective collaboration with reputable individuals and firms to harness the abundant resources in the Blue Economy sector of the state.The Deputy Governor, Sen. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, indicated the state’s readiness at a dinner organized by the state government in honour of participants of the Senior Executive Course(SEC) 47, 2025 of the National Institute For Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in Yenagoa, at the weekend.
Ewhrudjakpo, described Bayelsa as a state richly endowed with not only oil and gas but also huge marine resources as low hanging fruits waiting for investors to pluck.To this end, he called on private and other corporate investors to look at Bayelsa for new investment opportunities in the blue economy sector, especially in the area of developing a deep sea port.He also reiterated the foresightedness of the present Bayelsa State Government in establishing a ministry of marine and blue economy, and assured prospective investors of the safety of their investments in the state.The Deputy Governor urged the participants of the Senior Executive Course 47 to act as ambassadors of Bayelsa and tell the world about the potentialities of Bayelsa in the blue economy sector.Ewhrudjakpo equally implored the team to make its report available to the state government in good time, stressing that Bayelsa was looking forward to the outcome of their study in the state believing it will help in the development of the sector.His words: “We are happy that you are happy. We are here to round off what we started some few days ago. As we all know, everything that has a beginning must have an end.”We believe that in Bayelsa we have the potential for a vibrant marine and blue economy. That is why the present administration created a separate full-fledged ministry to oversee that critical sector. We are the first state to do so in the country.”Just as oil and gas, the marine and blue economy is also very important to us. And so, we are looking forward to the outcome of your study so we can see what we can achieve with it in the area of blue economy.”We want you to be our ambassadors and tell other people that Bayelsa is investment friendly. Bayelsa is also very safe for investment.”For the participants, I believe that your coming today will add to our thinking capacity and we are open to all the critiques that will come with it.”Earlier in his opening remarks, Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei, lauded participants of the Senior Executive Course (SEC) 47, 2025 for their choice of Bayelsa and the discipline they all exhibited throughout the period of the study tour.Prof Ayawei, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, SSG’s Office, Mr Felix Asingbi, expressed optimism that their visit will open up opportunities for the state to make progress in the development of its blue economy potential.Also speaking, the Leader of the NIPSS Study Team, Air Vice Marshal Mohammed Umar, commended the Bayelsa State government for what he described as exceptional hospitality accorded to members of the team.He said going round the state enabled the team to have first-hand knowledge of Bayelsa’s huge potential in the blue economy sector, and urged the government to vigorously pursue the development of the sector.NEWS
Delta Warns Contractors over Substandard Projects, Vows Sanctions for Negligence

From Francis Sadhere, Delta
The Delta State Government has issued a stern warning to contractors handling state-funded projects, emphasizing that it will not tolerate substandard work, negligence, or any form of misappropriation.Speaking on the government’s renewed commitment to infrastructure accountability, a senior official of the state’s project oversight agency stressed that effective monitoring and reporting mechanisms have been put in place to track the progress and quality of ongoing projects across the state.
He stated that the state will take decisive action against any contractor found delivering poor-quality work or engaging in sharp practices, noting that public funds must be judiciously used for the benefit of the people.”Let me make it clear: any contractor who fails to meet the standards expected of them or attempts to cut corners will face the full weight of the law. This administration is determined to deliver projects that will stand the test of time,” the official said.The agency, according to him, is actively inspecting projects to ensure they align with contractual specifications and timelines, adding that erring contractors risk sanctions ranging from blacklisting to legal action.This move comes as part of the state’s broader effort to promote transparency, accountability and value for money in all government undertakings.Residents have welcomed the warning, urging the government to match words with action and ensure no contractor goes unpunished for delivering substandard work.