By Raphael Atuu, Abuja

Popular Niger Delta activist Nengi James OON, alongside other youths under the aegis of Advocates for Henry Okah, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to grant a pardon to incarcerated Henry Okah, a leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta.

The group made the appeal during a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday.

They urged the Nigerian government to open a diplomatic channels with South African authorities, particularly President Cyril Ramaphosa, for Okah’s release.

Okah was arrested in South Africa over his alleged link to the 2010 Independence Day bombing in Abuja, which claimed 12 lives.

Okah was thereafter sentenced to 24 years’ imprisonment in South Africa.

Speaking with journalists, Nengi James said Okah deserved pardon just like others, including former insurgents, who had been granted clemency.

“It is important that we call on the Nigerian government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to review and reconsider and look into the Henry Okah case as he did to others that have been given pardons. Henry Okah should be pardoned.

“We want him to be given a pardon because he has stayed for over 15 years in South Africa. This was a leader of a people.

He contributed to the peace process in Niger region. His Children have stopped the academic pursuits due to his incarceration.

“Based on that, with what we have seen so far, we’ve been informed that some 700 Boko Haram members are deradicalization and reintegrated. And you are aware of the terrorist act and the Boko Haram act here in Abuja.

“The federal government has pardoned them, deradicalized them.

“So he(Okah) has already served for years, and we are using this opportunity to call on the Attorney General of the Federation, the President, to assist us. We are an advocate group calling for the pardon and release of Henry Okah, Charles Okah, Obi Nwabwueze and others that are jailed.

“Let pardon be given to Henry Okah. The campaign is starting from here, and we will continue to see that if our president want to have a new presidential election, these are part of the things that will give them the opportunity to say that yes, this is one of their leaders, and they need to be given some opportunity.

“We want him to be freed like other people that are being freed in Nigeria,” Nengi James said.

Also speaking, Snr. Comrade Edmund Ebiware reiterated the call for Okah’s pardon.

According to him, Henry Okah’s release would consolidate President Tinubu’s re-election bid.

“We are the advocates for the release of Henry Okah. The campaign group advocating for the release of Henry Okah, who was arrested in 2010, on October 2nd, 2010, over the incident of October 1st, 2010, in Abuja, the bombing that took the lives of 12 persons at the Eagle Square, on the 1st of October, 2010. Henry Okah is the leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta.

“It was Henry Okah, Charles Okah and Obi Nwabwueze who are still in jail, suffering for their alleged crime. So, we are appealing to Mr. President for the fact that so many people have been pardoned.

“So many people were pardoned and reintegrated into society.

“These Boko Haram terrorists and all the rest were reintegrated into society a few day ago.

“More than 700 persons were reintegrated into the society. These are people known as terrorists, known killers.

“So many people died due to their activities, their heinous crime. So, we are appealing to Mr. President for the fact that Henry Okah is a resourceful person, somebody that has worked; he worked for peace in the Niger Delta. For that fact, that singular fact, it will add more to strengthen the peace in the Niger Delta if released.

“And it will be a big plus to Mr. President and the country, our country Nigeria. Because peace is what we need in the Niger Delta. And he is a leader; he is somebody that has made an impact in the Niger Delta.

“So, keeping that person out for all this long is detrimental to the Niger Delta as a region. So, we are calling on Mr. President to please, and we are appealing that he should consider him for a pardon

From Dan Amasingha, Minna

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) in Niger State has placed all custodial centres across the state on red alert following intelligence reports of possible attacks by suspected armed groups.

The Controller of Corrections in the state, Ogunleye Seyi Oladipupo, ordered the heightened security measures in response to warnings reportedly circulated among security agencies last week.

 The alerts indicated that bandits were planning coordinated assaults on selected correctional facilities nationwide, including some in Niger State.

As part of proactive steps to avert any security breach, custodial facilities in Minna, Kontagora, New Bussa, Bida, Kagara, Lapai and Agaie have been reinforced with joint security personnel.

Sources said unidentified gunmen had threatened attacks on custodial centres in several vulnerable states, warning that jailbreaks would occur within weeks.

Reacting swiftly, the state Controller directed heads of all correctional facilities to strengthen internal security and remain vigilant against any unforeseen incident.

Ogunleye Seyi Oladipupo, who assumed office on April 15, 2026, as the 28th Controller of Corrections in the state, also embarked on an inspection and familiarisation tour of facilities across Niger State.

 During visits to the two custodial centres in Minna, he charged officers to remain alert and professional in safeguarding the facilities.

Confirming the development, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Rabi’u Shu’aibu Mohammed, said the service was fully aware of the threats and had activated precautionary measures.

“We are aware of the threat to our custodial facilities in the state.

 The Controller has placed all heads of facilities on red alert,” he said.

He added that security had been intensified across all centres, with support from sister security agencies.

“We are not taking any chances. Necessary steps have been taken to ensure the safety of our facilities and maintain peace in the state,” he stated.

Nigeria’s D’Tigress will face France, Hungary, and Korea in Group B at the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup.

The draw set up the D’Tigress for early battles with some of the world’s strongest sides.

France, who are ranked number two in the world are clear favourites to top the group.

D’Tigress are ranked eighth globally, but are still chasing consistency at elite level.

South Korea (15th) and Hungary (19th) add depth and unpredictability.

Rena Wakama’s team booked their place in the tournament by claiming the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket title for a record fifth straight time last year.

Hosts Germany will take on Japan, Spain, and Mali in Group A.

Group C comprises Belgium, Australia, Puerto Rico, and Turkey.

Defending champions United States of America are in Group D with China, Czech Republic, and Italy.

The 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup will be held in Berlin, Germany from September 4 to 13, 2026.