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Delta Killings: Tension as soldiers continue offensive against Urhobo communities, arrest youths

Published

2 years ago

March 26, 2024

Trends Admin

Nigerian military Troops

Delta Killings: Tension as soldiers continue offensive against Urhobo communities, arrest youths

…more houses razed

Soldiers have continue their offensive against more Urhobo communities in Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom apparently in retaliation of heinous crime of the killing of five senior military officers and 12 soldiers by irate youths at Okuama community, Ughelli South local government area of Delta State.

Daily Sun reports that this is coming as several riverine communities in Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom, yesterday, raised the alarm over military siege and forceful invasions.

It was gathered that several houses have been burnt in Orere, Omosuomo and Olota communities, all neighbouring communities to Okuama, hotbed of the attack.

Local sources said that the youths in the neighbouring communities who have nothing to do with the crisis in Okuama are assaulted and some arrested for no reason.

The development is coming on the heel of the gruesome murder of 17 soldiers including a lieutenant colonel, two majors and a captain near Okuama community while on a peace-keeping mission to the Urhobo community.

Miffed by the unabated military assault since the bloody attack, the people of Orere community of Ewu-Urhobo kingdom, yesterday, sent a save our soul message to the Federal and Delta Governments to come to their aid over the alleged invasion of their community.

Specifically, people of Orere community alleged that the military personnel tortured villagers while in search for weapons and escaping refugees from Okuama community.

The community alleged that soldiers stormed the riverine village with five gunboats through the waterways, while four Hilux army vehicles came through the Ewu axis last Thursday.

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Adjoka Morrison, a local boat operator who narrated his ordeal said, “On March 21, I was at the river side preparing for my daily business when I saw the Nigerian Army with five gun boat and four Hilux loaded with soldiers.

“They held and bundled me into one of the gunboats and took me to the other river bank of the community and as they were taking me into the community, they were shooting sporadically, they messed so many of us up, one the army personnel punched my right eye.”

In the same vein, Orere community chairman, Mr. Michael Edameneri who narrated his ordeal said, “We woke up to hear sound of gun shots at the waterside of our community and I saw both old and the young running and scampering for safety.

“As the community chairman, when I came out, I saw multitude of the Nigerian Army entering the community from different direction and I introduced myself to them and they took me to the town hall.

“Before we got there, they have assembled almost everyone for interrogation, our former chairman, Mr Ighoteguono was injured in his head with their gun butt.

“They separated me from others as they started interrogating me, they asked me to take them to where we keep our guns, I told them we do have any guns except for our local vigilantes.

They were interrogating me at gun point and they were also having me videoed, and a drone with the treat to kill me if I should lie to them but I insisted that we do not have any gun or refugees in the community.

“One of the army told me point blank that our people have been killing their colleagues at the riverside and they are ready to kill anyone.

“While interrogation was going on, one of the army personnel used a key to open a room store at the town hall in search for what I could not explain. They went to my compound and destroyed doors, busted many houses in Orere, but they did not find anything.

“They also asked me to agree that the community should be burnt down because we are hiding people from them or they will take me along with them.

“They took me to the entrance of the community, where the shrine is situated; they destroyed and desecrated the entire place in search of guns and people.

“We are calling on the state and federal government to come our aid because we a peace loving community, we are not harbouring any one here in Orere neither do we have guns.

The Vigilante unit chairman in Orere community, Mr Udoji Sylvester said, “When I heard the gunshots, I came out from my house to inquire only for me to see soldiers everywhere and upon my inquiry to know what was happening, they shouted me down and ordered me to follow them to our town hall.

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“On getting there, all the men, youths and women were made to lie down and i saw some of the soldiers brutalizing them and I told them that, we are a peaceful community and as vigilante, we maintain peace at all times.

“Before I could finish speaking, slaps were just coming like a common criminal and I had a torn lip, they sized and made away with 12 of our vigilante local guns with inscriptions of Ughelli South Vigilante on them.”

While calling on the government for assistance, president general of Orere community, Mr. Dennis Edafeamredje said, “My people called me that they were under siege by the Nigerian Army and from what I was told, the military men that came through land and water were over 200.”

Similarly, soldiers also reportedly invaded Omosuomo community were they allegedly set three houses ablaze. The soldiers were said to have stormed the community in their numbers as villagers fled for safety.

A former President-General of the community who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of arrest, noted that no fewer than 15 persons were injured during the military raid on Ewu community.

They appealed to President Bola Tinubu and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to call the military men to order, adding that two indigenes namely Mr. Diamond Godday Umukoro and Mr. Micheal Omeyadonor were arrested.

But a military personnel who crave for anonymity had told newsmen last week that the heavy presence of operatives of the Joint Task Force (JTF) code-named ‘Operation Safe Delta’ in the affected communities in Ughelli South and Bomadi LGAs of Delta State has been scaled down to create a conducive atmosphere for the people to return home.

“The number of military personnel deployed to those communities has been reduced drastically since there is no reason for them to continue the siege.

“Most of the people returning home are mainly women and the elderly. Nobody is harassing them. Though socio-economic activities are yet to pick up, with time things will improve,” the source said.

He said contrary to social media reports, many houses were still untouched in the two communities, stressing that the buildings that were touched were mainly those linked with the suspected killers.

“Contrary to social media reports and analysis on broadcast media, many buildings are still standing in the affected communities. The communities were not razed down as being insinuated. At the appropriate time, the military will open the places for the media to visit and assess what’s on the ground,” he added.

Delta Killings: Tension as soldiers continue offensive against Urhobo communities, arrest youths

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Yemi Osinbajo Appointed Senior Strategic Adviser to Africa CDC

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April 7, 2026

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Former Nigerian Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo

Yemi Osinbajo Appointed Senior Strategic Adviser to Africa CDC

Former Nigerian Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has been appointed as Senior Strategic Adviser to the Director-General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), as the agency pushes forward the continent’s Africa Health Security and Sovereignty (AHSS) agenda.

The appointment, announced on Monday, comes at a critical time as Africa CDC seeks to enhance health systems, boost domestic financing, expand local production of medical supplies, and strengthen Africa’s influence in global health governance. In this role, Osinbajo will provide strategic guidance on pandemic preparedness, sustainable healthcare financing, policy direction, and continental collaboration.

Director-General Jean Kaseya praised Osinbajo’s wealth of experience, highlighting his expertise at the intersection of governance, finance, law, and diplomacy. “At a time when Africa must act with greater authority on the future of health, his leadership will be invaluable,” Kaseya said. He added that Osinbajo’s appointment reflects Africa CDC’s commitment to mobilising top African leadership in service of the continent’s health security and development.

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Osinbajo served as Nigeria’s Vice-President from 2015 to 2023, during which he chaired the Economic Sustainability Committee, contributed to reforms enhancing the ease of doing business, and played a key role in implementing Nigeria’s social investment programmes. Earlier, he was Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos State from 1999 to 2007. His legal and governance background positions him to offer critical insights on health policy, regulatory frameworks, and strategic partnerships.

The AHSS agenda, which Osinbajo will help drive, seeks to strengthen Africa’s self-reliance in health, improve disease surveillance, and foster regional collaboration to respond more effectively to pandemics and other public health emergencies. Experts say his advisory role will be crucial in promoting local production of vaccines and medical equipment, ensuring Africa can meet its own health needs while influencing global health decisions.

Africa CDC, operating under the African Union, aims to support member states in building resilient health systems capable of confronting future outbreaks and public health crises. Osinbajo’s appointment is expected to further amplify Africa’s voice in global health while ensuring sustainable health development across the continent.

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Iran Lists Tough Conditions for Peace Talks with US

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April 7, 2026

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Iran Lists Tough Conditions for Peace Talks with US

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Iran has outlined a set of strict preconditions for engaging in negotiations with the United States aimed at achieving a lasting peace, signalling a hardening of its stance amid ongoing hostilities in the Middle East.

According to a senior Iranian official who spoke to Reuters, Tehran is insisting on an immediate halt to U.S. military strikes, alongside firm guarantees that such attacks will not be repeated, as a prerequisite for any talks.

The official also disclosed that Iran is demanding compensation for damages suffered during the conflict, underscoring the country’s position that any future negotiations must address the consequences of the ongoing war.

In a further indication of its firm posture, Iran has rejected proposals for a temporary ceasefire, maintaining that only a comprehensive and permanent peace agreement would be acceptable.

Tehran is also pushing for new arrangements regarding the strategic Strait of Hormuz, including the right to impose transit fees on vessels passing through the vital global oil shipping route. The proposed fees, according to the official, would vary depending on the type of vessel, its cargo, and prevailing conditions.

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Tensions between the two countries remain high, with both sides holding firm to their positions. Analysts say Iran’s demands reflect a broader strategy to secure long-term guarantees and reshape the terms of engagement in the region, rather than accept short-term de-escalation measures.

With neither side showing signs of compromise, prospects for immediate negotiations appear uncertain, raising concerns about further escalation and its implications for global security and energy markets.

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Tinubu Unveils ₦3.3tn Electricity Bailout to Revive Nigeria’s Power Sector

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Tinubu Unveils ₦3.3tn Electricity Bailout to Revive Nigeria’s Power Sector

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a sweeping ₦3.3 trillion power sector bailout aimed at clearing long-standing debts and stabilising Nigeria’s struggling electricity industry.

The intervention, implemented under the Presidential Power Sector Financial Reforms Programme, is designed to resolve liabilities accumulated between February 2015 and March 2025, following a comprehensive verification process.

Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga disclosed that the ₦3.3 trillion electricity debt settlement represents a full and final agreement to restore financial stability across the sector. He explained that the debts, largely driven by unpaid invoices, tariff shortfalls, and subsidy obligations, had significantly weakened liquidity in the power value chain.

Implementation of the power sector debt repayment plan has already commenced, with 15 generation companies signing settlement agreements worth about ₦2.3 trillion. The Federal Government has raised ₦501 billion so far to fund the initiative, out of which ₦223 billion has already been disbursed, while additional payments are ongoing.

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The Nigeria electricity sector bailout is expected to inject much-needed cash into the industry, ensuring that gas suppliers receive payments, power plants can sustain operations, and electricity generation becomes more stable. With improved liquidity, officials say the country could begin to see gradual improvements in power supply, reduced grid disruptions, and better service delivery.

Special Adviser on Energy to the President, Olu Arowolo-Verheijen, said the programme is not just about clearing debts but rebuilding trust across the industry. She noted that restoring confidence is critical to attracting investment, maintaining consistent gas supply, and ensuring that power plants operate efficiently.

She further explained that the initiative forms part of broader power sector reforms in Nigeria, including nationwide metering improvements and the introduction of service-based tariffs that align electricity costs with the quality of supply. According to her, the government is also prioritising electricity supply to businesses, industries, and small enterprises, recognising that reliable power is essential for job creation and economic growth.

The Tinubu administration believes the electricity sector stabilisation plan will reduce reliance on generators, lower the cost of doing business, and improve productivity across key sectors of the economy. Analysts say resolving the sector’s liquidity crisis could unlock new investments and strengthen Nigeria’s overall economic performance.

President Tinubu also commended stakeholders for their cooperation in addressing long-standing challenges in the industry and confirmed that the next phase of the reform programme, Series II, will commence within the current quarter. The phase is expected to deepen structural reforms and ensure long-term sustainability of the electricity market.