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Niger Delta Group Writes Military Authorities over Amanghein,
The Urhobo Renaissance Assembly has asked the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Taoheed Lagbaja to tackle headlong the search for Endurance Okodeh alias Amanghein and his co- militants who killed four army officers including twelve soldiers in Okuama tragedy to the. Bayelsa Government House were they are been kept in protective custody.
In a letter addressed to the top heirachy of the military and released on Wednesday by the President, Austin Esiri, the group expressed sadness over the unfortunate incidence and sympathised with the families of the officers and soldiers gruesomely killed by Endurance Okodeh and his gang of dissidents in Okuama town , stating that what happened cannot be reversed.
He commiserated with the gallant officers and soldiers who were claimed, maintaining that they had paid a supreme sacrifice to the country and will remain a reference point to the nation and deltans.
He urged the military not to hesitate in bringing the known culprits to book ,as we support the ongoing military incursion into the area.
Aside the ongoing siege, we took strong exception on the current ruthless reprisal and siege on communities of Okuama and Gbamoturu, saying two wrongs cannot make a right as innocent people of both communities should not suffer the excesses of others.
URHOBO RENAISSANCE ASSEMBLY
72, Afiesere Road, Ughelli, Delta State
ATTENTION:
CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF
LT. GENERAL TAOHEED LAGBAJA
NIGERIAN ARMY HEADQUARTERS, ABUJA
Dear Sir,
ON-GOING MILITARY OPERATIONS TO APPREHEND ENDURANCE OKODEH, A.K.A. AMANGBEIN AND HIS ACCOMPLICES IN CONNECTION WITH THE MURDER OF 4 ARMY OFFICERS AND 12 SOLDIERS AT OKUAMA COMMUNITY, UGHELLI SOUTH LGA, DELTA STATE.
THE MILITARY AUTHORITIES SHOULD SHIFT FOCUS OF THE SEARCH TO THE BAYELSA GOVERNMENT HOUSE, YENAGOA.
“It is very sad. Words are not enough to express our deep sympathy to the Nigerian Army and the families of the officers and soldiers gruesomely murdered by one Endurance Okedoh and his gang of brigands at Okuama town, Ughelli South LGA of Delta State, on Thursday 14, 2024. It is most unfortunate that what happened cannot be reversed. ”
“May the good Lord grant the gallant officers and soldiers eternal rest. Their service and supreme sacrifice to Nigeria, our fatherland would remain indelible heart of the Nation and Deltans in particular. ”
“Apart from writing to send this open condolence, we demand that the perpetrators of the heinous crime be apprehended and brought to justice. Hence, we support the current military effort and operations to arrest the killers. ”
“We however take strong exception to the present ruthless reprisals and siege by the military on the communities of Okuama and Gbomotoru. As two wrongs don’t make a right. The innocent people of both communities should not suffer for the crime of a handful of brigands.”
“All fingers seem to point at Endurance Okedoh, aka General Amagbein of Gbomtoro community in Bayelsa State. Since the military has zeroed in on him as the culprit, the right place to apprehend him is the Bayelsa State Government House, Yenagoa.”
“Endurance Okodeh’s notoriety as a crude oil bunkerer is well known across the waterways of Bayelsa State. There are records of his brazen assaults on the Military Joint Task Force in the region that had led to the killing of military personnel and other security agents who stood on his path.”
“Available reports have it that the Commanding Officer of 181 Batallion, Nigerian Army, Bomadi, Delta State, Lt. Col. A. H Ali, who was gruesomely murdered alongside 3 officers with 12 soldiers of the batallion on Thursday, March 14th , 2024, was a cog in the wheel of Amagbein illicit crude oil business, since he assumed command of the Brigade in Bomadi.”
“The murdered Army Commander was therefore marked down for elimination by Amagbein and his boys. And he seized the opportunity of the Okuama/Okoloba crisis to execute his vengeance on the officer and his troop on that ill fated Thursday.”
“The mother of Amagbein hails from Okuama, Ughelli South LGA in Delta State, while his father is from Gbomotoru, an Ijaw community in the Southern Ijaw LGA of Bayelsa State.”
“The search for Amagbein by the Military should go beyond Gbomotoru Community. The military operation in that axis is bound to be futile, its brunt is borne by innocent law abiding citizens of the community.”
“The operation should home – in on the Bayelsa State Government House, Yenagoa. Amagbein and his cohorts are known allies of Governor Douye Diri. The fugitive and his militants worked as thugs for Douye Diri re – election in 2023. ”
“For the above reason, the governor is very protective of Amagbein and his boys. He has now and then, played host to them in government house. They go in and out for operations for illegal operations. It is their safe Haven.”
“As valuable political allies, Gov. Diri sees this incidence as pay back time, Amagbein and his boys presently take refuse in the Government House Yenagoa. They are being shielded from justice. ”
“Hence, we implore the military efforts to apprehend him should shift focus to the Bayelsa State Government House.”
“We request that the searchlight should also be beamed on his siblings, especially the Chairman of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelesa State, Mr. Lucky Okodeh.”
“Also to be put under surveillance is the Chairman of Bayelsa State Waterways Security, Mr.Weris Tike. This would provide a lead to the whereabout of Endurance Okodeh (Amagbein) and his gang of murderers. Both men work hands in gloves with the fugitives.”
“The unleashing of anger and reprisal on innocent Ijaw and Urhobo community, is not proper. The military should stick to the Geneva Convention in operations like this. ”
“They Army’s trial and error tactics to arrest Amagbein and his boys, merely dissipates energy and scarce resources. The focus should be on the Bayelsa Government House.”
“It is said that when you want the eye of a fish you go to the head. There are reliable reports that point to the Bayelsa Creek Heaven as the present hideout of Amagbein and his boys.”
“Once again, the Nigerian Army should accept our heartfelt condolences for the untimely death of its personnel, wickedly plotted and executed by Amagbein.”
Mohammed Idris, minister of information and national orientation, says media, as gatekeepers and partners in nation-building, have a crucial role to play in supporting our military’s morale by highlighting their successes and sacrifices
The minister noted the critical role of the media in shaping public perception, adding that terrorists and criminal groups often use these avenues to spread fear, propagate disinformation, and recruit followers.
He urged journalists and editors to adopt a responsible and patriotic approach to reporting these issues, by avoiding sensational headlines and refusing to serve as amplifiers of terror propaganda.
Idris stated this on Wednesday at the ministerial press briefing held at the National Press Centre in Abuja.
“The media, as gatekeepers and partners in nation-building, have a crucial role to play in supporting our military’s morale by highlighting their successes and sacrifices,” Idris said.
“We must deny these groups the undue publicity they crave. We must take them off the front pages and accurately report them as the criminals they are, without glorifying their acts or giving credence to their false narratives.
“These are not freedom fighters; they are murderers, kidnappers, and destroyers, and they must be presented as such.”
The minister also noted that federal government is “actively” investing in military capacity through the acquisition of modern equipment, enhanced intelligence, and strategic partnerships.
Idris said the press briefing series is a forum that allows ministers to update Nigerians on the key achievements, ongoing initiatives, and policy directions of their various ministries.
He commended the media for their continued support and their broader role in promoting public awareness of government initiatives.
“Through this interactive platform, which is being broadcast live on national television stations and streamed across social media platforms, we continue to demonstrate our commitment to transparency, accountability, and public engagement,” he added.
The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa says 24 federal institutions have been powered by solar energy under the “Energising Education Project’’ of President Bola Tinubu led administration.
Alausa, who disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja, at the Collaboration Agreement Signing Ceremony with the Vice Chancellors of beneficiary institutions added that eight more universities have signed collaboration agreements to join the fourth phase of the project.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that, before the signing ceremony, the minister undertook an inspection tour of the solar powered facility at the University of Abuja, now Yakubu Gowon University,
Alausa who described the project as a “new day for Nigeria” hailed the transformative initiative under Tinubu, aimed at providing uninterrupted power supply to Nigeria’s federal tertiary institutions.
He said the projects had wide-reaching benefits for education and the economy.
According to him, the University of Abuja, which now boasts of a solar farm, comprising 6,000 photovoltaic panels, is generating approximately 3.3 megawatts of electricity daily, enough to power the campus round-the-clock.
“This project brings continuous, 24-hour electricity to our institutions.
“It allows for increased academic activity, powers laboratories and libraries throughout the day and night, and improves living and learning conditions for both students and faculty,’’ he said.
The minister emphasised the economic ripple effect of the initiative, explaining how reliable electricity stimulates business within campuses.
“Any campus is a community by itself. With constant power supply, you unleash high economic activity,” he said.
The Minister explained that the project was backed by the Renewable Infrastructure Fund established by President Tinubu, to support infrastructure development across sectors.
He, therefore, challenged Vice Chancellors of universities on innovative and creative ways of sustaining the project, noting that before 2027, every tertiary institution would have renewable energy generation.
On his part, the Managing Director, Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Abba Aliyu said that the phases 1, 2, and 3 of the project have so far impacted over 600,000 students and 50,000 academic staffers.
Aliyu said that the project had also generated over 100 megawatts of electricity to power university campuses and teaching hospitals.
He said the initiative, implemented through multiple phases, had already brought solar mini-grid infrastructure to 24 federal universities across the country.
“What you are seeing here is one of our interventions in the education sector, and the aim is to ensure that universities have a sustainable and affordable electricity supply,” he said
In addition to educational institutions, he said the Universal Public Health Project, part of phase 2, had successfully delivered clean energy to two universities and two teaching hospitals.
He added that the Phase 3, which includes electrification of eight more universities and one additional teaching hospital, is near completion and set to be commissioned in the coming two months.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the eight new beneficiary institutions include: Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and Federal University, Wukari, Taraba state.
Others are Federal University Dutse, University of Benin, University of Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife and University of Lagos. (NAN)
A pro-democracy group, the Progressive Group for Democracy (PGD), has called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and stop local government officials in Lagos State from pursuing unconstitutional third terms in upcoming council elections.
The group alleges that officials in Agbado Oke-Odo and Ikosi Isheri Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) are exploiting legal loopholes to extend their tenures, in violation of Nigeria’s Constitution.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, PGD National Coordinator Aladesanmi Abiodun Salawu described the move as a “clear violation” of constitutional provisions and a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
He invoked President Tinubu’s historical opposition to tenure elongation, referencing the president’s fierce resistance to former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s third-term bid in the early 2000s.
“As a pro-democracy group, we are reminded of President Tinubu’s fierce opposition to Obasanjo’s third-term agenda. President Tinubu stood firmly against constitutional manipulation then. Where is the president’s voice now?” Salawu asked.
The PGD alleges that the officials in question assumed office following the deaths of elected chairpersons, took oaths of office, and later won full terms in subsequent elections.
“Their current bids for re-election, the group argues, constitute an unconstitutional third term. Salawu cited the Fourth Alteration to the Constitution, signed into law by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2018, which prohibits individuals from seeking a third term after completing a predecessor’s tenure and winning a subsequent election.
“Today, we stand at a very dangerous crossroads. The same anti-democratic forces that our heroes fought against during the June 12 struggle are re-emerging in Lagos State,” Salawu said.
“In Agbado Oke-Odo and Ikosi Isheri LCDAs, we are witnessing a calculated attempt to normalise constitutional violations through the backdoor.”
The group also criticised Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, accusing him of complicity due to his silence on the issue. “As the chief security officer of Lagos State, (Sanwo-Olu)has a constitutional duty to uphold the rule of law. His silence is not just concerning; it is complicity,” Salawu said.
The PGD urged President Tinubu to publicly denounce the third-term bids and called on the Attorney General of the Federation to issue an advisory on term limits for local government administrations.
It also demanded that the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) disqualify candidates seeking unconstitutional terms.
“These individuals in Agbado Oke-Odo and Ikosi Isheri LCDAs must withdraw their candidacy immediately. We are not making a request; we are stating what the constitution already mandates,” Salawu declared.
The group vowed to challenge the alleged violations through legal means, including mobilising civil society, approaching the courts, and organising peaceful protests if necessary.
“The Lagos Society for Good Governance will utilise every legal means available to challenge this dangerous precedent,” Salawu added.