Author: Drum Africa Correspondent
Twelve inmates escaped in an early morning jailbreak at the Federal Correctional Centre in Kotonkarfe, Kogi State, on Monday. Kogi State Information Commissioner, Kingsley Fanwo, described the incident as “unfortunate” and assured citizens that the government, working with security agencies, would take steps to prevent a recurrence. According to him, law enforcement agencies have re-arrested one of the escapees. “The theory that the inmates escaped through the tower without causing any structural damage raises serious concerns. “This calls for a thorough investigation to determine the exact circumstances of the escape, arrest the fleeing inmates, and identify possible saboteurs within the…
Suspended Rvers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has denied any links to militant groups, warning against attempts to incite violence or economic sabotage in his name. Fubara made this known in a statement issued on Monday by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, in Port Harcourt, the state capital. The governor was reacting to trending videos alleging explosions at oil and gas installations in the state, which he described as “fake” and “malicious.” He urged security agencies to investigate the sources of the videos and take action against those responsible. The statement read, “Our attention has, once again, been drawn to…
The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Adolphus Wabara, has strongly condemned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, calling it undemocratic and unconstitutional. In a statement issued on Sunday, Wabara decried the suspension of the elected governor, deputy governor, and State House of Assembly members, replacing them with a sole administrator, describing the move as a “gross violation of Nigeria’s Constitution and an assault on democracy and the rule of law.” “This action is a direct attack on the essence of our Republic. “It deserves the strongest…
Nigerian skit maker, actor, and activist, Adebowale ‘Debo’ Adedayo, widely known as Mr Macaroni, has strongly condemned attempts to pressure celebrities into activism over the state of the nation. He stated that celebrities should not be held responsible for issues that the generality of Nigerians refuse to confront. Mr Macaroni’s reaction came in response to a viral image circulating online, depicting a figure painted in green, hoisting the Nigerian flag, and holding a placard that reads, “Nigerians, let’s unfollow all useless celebrities keeping quiet now.” But, taking to his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Sunday, the outspoken entertainer did not…
A police Inspector, Effiong Bassey, suspected to have gone berserk, has shot three persons in Calabar, the Cross River State capital. The Cross River State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday. According to the Command’s spokesperson, Ugbo Irene, the incident happened in the early hours of Sunday at the Divisional Police Headquarters in Atakpa, Calabar. She said Bassey “returned from his night duty at Ekondo Microfinance Bank and began to exhibit abnormal behaviour.” “Inspector Bassey refused to hand over the AK-47 rifle he was assigned and instead proceeded to block the station’s gate, preventing anyone from…
The Senator representing Kogi West, Sunday Karimi, has said that the ongoing controversy involving the lawmaker representing Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, in the Senate has vindicated former Governor Yahaya Bello. Speaking to journalists in Lokoja on Sunday, Karimi stated that recent events show that Bello could not be blamed for the past disputes between him and Akpoti-Uduaghan before the National Assembly elections. He was reacting to the face-off between the Kogi Central senator and Senate President Godswill Akpabio, which has sparked controversy. He said, “Former Governor Yahaya Bello must have seen it coming.” “Other Kogi lawmakers and I played…
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, the umbrella body of the thirty- six state Governors has said that it’s hands are tight as it cannot speak on the six-months suspension slammed on Governor Siminalaye Fubara of Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu. In a statement on Saturday in Abuja by its Director General, Abdulateef Shittu, NGF explained that as a technical and policy hub comprising Governors elected on different platforms, the body decided to steer clear of taking positions that may alienate members with varying political interests. The statement read, “The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has received media enquiries requesting it…
The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Ibok-Ete Ibas, has announced the release of withheld local government allocations, assuring that necessary steps will be taken to ensure the prompt payment of workers’ salaries. Speaking during a meeting with Heads of Local Government Administrators in Port Harcourt, Ibas described the gathering as a pivotal moment in the collective effort to restore stability and progress in the state. The Sole Administrator lamented the economic hardship in the Niger Delta, noting that despite the region’s wealth of natural resources, its people continue to suffer. “This is unacceptable,” he stated, emphasizing the need for transformation…
The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Cross River, Venatius Ikem, suspended from office for alleged misconduct, financial mismanagement and failure of the party during the 2024 local government elections, has been reinstated to fully resume office. While addressing journalists on Friday at the party’s Secretariat in Calabar, Ikem disclosed that he has been “exonerated and acquitted” of the allegations of gross misconduct made against him. He stated that his return would boost the party’s fame and regain the lost glory, saying that “the party may have fallen and stumbled, but our party will rise to take its rightful…
The Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has re-imposed a 12-hour curfew on Ifon and Ilobu communities following the resurgence of violent clashes between the two communities. A statement signed by the state Commissioner for Information and Public Engagement, Kolapo Alimi, on Friday stated that the re-imposed curfew starts at 6 pm and ends by 6 am daily till further notice. Alimi said Adeleke has also directed that an immediate meeting that would be attended by the Olufon of Ifon, Oba Peter Akinyooye, and Oba Ashiru Olaniyan, the Olobu of Ilobu, alongside other stakeholders from both communities, be held on Saturday…