NEWS
Touray Decries Nigeria-Bénin Border Infrastructure Decay
ECOWAS President, Dr Omar Touray, has decried the deplorable state of infrastructure at the Nigeria-Bénin Republic Seme border, in spite of the huge investment in them by ECOWAS.The President stated this during an official on-the-spot assessment visit to the Nigeria–Lagos Seme Border, which is one of West Africa’s busiest and most strategic corridors.
The visit was aimed at assessing how the ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement of Goods and Services was being implemented and identify obstacles. Touray called for urgent reforms to safeguard the region’s free movement protocol, and pledged to deliver a full report and recommendations toward addressing the decadence and removing all cross-border obstacles.The Commission’s president also called on border security officials and national authorities to align more closely with ECOWAS protocols.“This is one of the busiest and most strategic border posts in West Africa, yet, we are faced with expensive facilities; scanners, lighting systems, and bridges that are simply not working. That is unacceptable.“We cannot justify millions spent on equipment that lies idle. Our citizens expect results, not excuses.“If a lightbulb goes out, ECOWAS should not be called to replace it. Member states must step up and take ownership,” he said.According to him, while ECOWAS is responsible for initiating infrastructure, the responsibility for maintenance lies with individual member states.Touray also decried the proliferation of checkpoints within member countries, arguing that it contradicted the spirit of ECOWAS free movement protocol.“Why do we have multiple customs and immigration posts for the same corridor?“It frustrates travellers, delays trade, and creates opportunities for corruption,” he said.The Commission’s president demanded transparency, and urged officials to crack down on unofficial payments.“We have received troubling reports of citizens being asked to pay without receipts.“This damages trust. If any fee is legitimate, it must be receipted. Period!,” he stressed.He further clarified that the protocol on free movement under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) does not eliminate the need for proper documentation.“Free movement does not mean no documentation; free movement does not mean a free-for-all.“The appropriate identity papers, security checks, and customs procedures remain necessary to balance openness with safety and order.“Our people must understand that they need valid identification to travel. Security and freedom must go hand in hand,” he said.Dr Ben Oramalugo, Comptroller of Customs, Nigeria Customs Service, Lagos-Seme Border, while briefing the President earlier, enumerated the challenges faced by the command.“We have scanners installed, but they are not working. Since I reported here on February 12, they have remained non-functional. These scanners can detect things human eyes cannot.“When you inspect cargo manually, you might miss drugs or dangerous goods hidden deep inside. We need your help to get these scanners working again.“There is also no light in the pedestrian passage, and criminals take over the area at night. There is no roofing for those passing through, and we do not have water in the offices.“Every morning, labourers fetch water in jerrycans just so we can function. This isn’t acceptable for such a significant facility,” Oramalugo said.Oramalugo said that there is no electricity at all in Seme Border as it is not connected to the National Grid, so they depend entirely on electricity from Benin and whenever their power goes out, they are left in total darkness.“This is Nigeria’s number one border, connecting the entire Francophone region, yet we are not connected to the National Grid.“This road tells the story of Nigeria. What people see here reflects on all of us,” he said.The senior customs officer also decried the plethora of checkpoints on the international corridor.“From here to Badagry, I have ensured there are only three customs checkpoints.“But there are still too many from other agencies. I appeal to you, let us enforce a maximum of three checkpoints total,” he said.Also speaking, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to ECOWAS, Amb. Musa Nuhu, who was on the president’s entourage, said that the Seme border was critical to the ECOWAS free movement protocol.According to him, the challenges of infrastructure decay, overlapping security checks, and operational bottlenecks raised by border officials highlighted the gap between policy and implementation.“This is the busiest border in West Africa, in terms of passage of goods, people, and services, and if free movement is working in West Africa, it is in this border that we will be able to find out.“It’s good that they mentioned these issues for you to really understand practically what is happening along this very important border,” the ambassador said.He disclosed that President Bola Tinubu recently approved the setting up of a Presidential Task Force to dismantle multiple checkpoints in the country.“That committee has been set up under the authority of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and we will soon start working to address this issue,” he said.Report says that the visit enabled Touray to engage directly with community citizens on both sides, security operatives, and commuters, for him to understand the realities on ground.(NAN)NEWS
Road Accident Claims Four Persons in Kogi
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), has confirmed the death of four persons in a motor accident which occurred on Sunday on Lokoja –Ajaokuta road in Kogi State.
The Kogi State Sector Commander of FRSC, Tenimu Etuku, who disclosed this to journalists in Lokoja on Monday, said seven other persons sustained varying degrees of injuries in the accident.
He said the accident which involved an 18-seater Toyota commercial bus occurred at Jimgbe Community on Ajaokuta – Lokoja road, Ajaokuta Local Government.
Etuku said the injured victims of the accident were rescued by FRSC personnel, who also took them to the Kogi State Specialist Hospital for treatment while corpses of the dead four persons were deposited at the St.
Morgue of the same hospital.Giving further details, Etuku said the 18-seater bus with Abuja registration number ABC 232 XA was heading to Abuja from Enugu before the sad incident.
The Sector Commander explained that the driver in an attempt to avoid a head-on collision with an oncoming truck rammed into a faulty stationary truck.
Etuku described the incident as very unfortunate, urging motorists to always be mindful of the motoring environment, which may be free but not safe.
“This is because there is a big difference between a free motoring environment and a safe motoring environment.
“Therefore, drivers must always be alert while driving on the highways,” he advised.
NEWS
Tinubu Happy with PAP’s Scholarship Scheme, Says Otuaro
From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa
The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr. Dennis Otuaro, has said that President Bola Tinubu is happy with the significant achievements recorded by the agency in the Niger Delta in about two years.
He spoke at the flag-off of the fourth batch of the two-day “Leadership, Alternative Dispute Resolution, and Mediation Training for PAP Stakeholders” organised by the agency in collaboration with the Alumni Association of the National Defence College (AANDEC) at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja, on Monday.
The PAP had in July and August 2025 successfully conducted a similar capacity-building workshop for three batches of its stakeholders at the same military facility.
Otuaro, who said the President is delighted with the agency’s expanded scholarship scheme, inclusive stakeholder engagement, and peacebuilding process in the Niger Delta, urged stakeholders to maintain their position as key players in the region’s peace and development.
According to him, Tinubu is supportive of the programme because of his strong desire for the region to enjoy sustainable peace, stability and development.
He reiterated that the workshop is a vital component of the PAP’s peace process with all stakeholders as important partners in the peace initiative.
He stressed that the participants are not only partners for peace, but also the President’s peace ambassadors.
The PAP boss also applauded the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for his strategic support to strengthen the programme’s initiatives and enable it to achieve the intended objectives for the people of the region.
While declaring the workshop open, Otuaro said, “His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu is very happy with what we have achieved so far in one year and nine months. As stakeholders, you should continue to be key players in the peace and development of the Niger Delta, which His Excellency has been very supportive of and desirous of.
“The objective behind this training is to ensure that all of us are partners in every peace effort in the Niger Delta. This initiative is also to give you a sense of belonging.
“When we organised this workshop in July and August this year, we assured stakeholders that more people would also participate in the training. We don’t want to do the PAP’s work alone. It is a process of putting our heads together to ensure that the region is peaceful and united. When we are united, Mr. President will do more for the region.
“We must also realise that peace starts from our communities; you all are leaders in your own rights. I know and acknowledge the support that the Office has received since we came on board. This leadership workshop is part of our peacebuilding process and is designed to ensure that peace is sustained in our region.
“Since we came on board, we have redirected the Programme towards our people and for the next generation. We have achieved a lot. This 2025-2026 academic session, we have sent 4,500 students, our future leaders, on scholarships to universities within Nigeria. We are doing this to invest in the future of our region.”
Otuaro said that his leadership would not be distracted by the smear campaign of some anti-Niger Delta elements who were angry that the programme had been taken to the people of the region, saying “nobody will hold the region to ransom.”
He further urged stakeholders not to be manipulated by political merchants, but to massively support President Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid because of his clear agenda for the region.
Otuaro enjoined the stakeholders to participate actively in the workshop and utilise the lessons they would gain to strengthen peace and development in their communities and the Niger Delta in general.
He also expressed appreciation to the management of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, resource persons, and the President of AANDEC, Rear Admiral Ndidi Agholor (retd.), for partnering with the PAP to deepen the peace process in the region.
CRIME
Enugu Police Bust Armed Robbery Operation, Arrest Suspect, Recover Arms
From Sylvia Udegbunam, Enugu
The Enugu State Police Command has sustained its onslaught against criminal activities during the Yuletide season with the arrest of a male armed robbery suspect and the recovery of an imitation firearm and ammunition.
The suspect, one Oshim Lambert Chimuanya (male, aged 28), was arrested on 13th December 2025 at about 11:30 p.
m. while attempting to rob members of the public around Agric Bank Bus Stop, Independence Layout, Enugu, following a prompt response to a distress call by operatives of the Command attached to the Independence Layout Police Division.In a statement sent by the Police public relations officer Enugu State command Daniel Ndukwe stated that Upon arrival at the scene, the operatives apprehended the suspect in the act of robbing an unsuspecting young man and recovered from him one revolver imitation (toy) pistol loaded with eight toy bullets.
The suspect is currently in custody and will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations.The Commissioner of Police, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, has charged operatives of the Command to sustain the momentum and continue to make Enugu State uninhabitable for unrepentant criminals during the festive season and beyond. He further enjoins citizens to continue to cooperate with the Police by providing timely and credible information that will aid crime prevention and detection.

