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Sit-at-home: Soludo Orders Schools, Banks, Shops, Parks to Open on Mondays

Published

4 years ago

March 27, 2022

Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo

Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, yesterday ordered all markets, schools, banks, public servants and motor parks in the state to resume normal activities with effect from Monday, April 4, 2022.

Speaking at the Women Development Centre in Awka, the state capital, Soludo expressed unhappiness that the state, and indeed the whole of the South-east, was losing billions of naira in revenue as a result of the boycott of economic activities on Mondays.

He warned that any market leader or chairman, who failed to mobilise traders for business on Mondays in their marketplaces would lose his position, adding that any trader who also failed to open his shop on Monday would lose his shop in the market.

The warning is coming just a few days after some unknown gunmen sent letters to some Anambra communities warning them of the dangers of not complying with the sit-at-home order on Mondays.

Although the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), which introduced the sit-at-home order, had on several occasions, announced the suspension of the order, some hoodlums have continued to enforce the order.
However, the governor, who sternly warned that the Monday sit-at-home must end, also cautioned the market leaders and relevant authorities to ensure compliance.

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“Every Monday sit-at-home must end in Anambra. Normal activities must resume in earnest. With the Monday sit-at-home, the South-east economy is sinking gradually. When you boycott activities in Anambra or any other part of the region, normal activities are going on in other parts of the country. When normal activities are going on in other places, the person or persons you want to show your anger to is not actually feeling what you are doing. You are only destroying your home.

“It is high time we came back to our senses and do the right thing. We have proper ways and procedures to express our agitations than to engage in activities that can only destroy our home.

“In other parts of the country, schoolchildren attend classes for five days; but in Anambra and other parts of the South-east, it is only four days. At the end of the day, our children will go into common or unity exams with other children from other parts of the country.

“Today, many businesses and investors are relocating to Asaba and other places. This is killing our economy and we cannot afford to continue that way.

“Personally, I endorsed the joint decision of Igbo elders, bishops and others that there should be a tripartite conversation about the issue of Nnamdi Kanu and Biafra agitation. Therefore, we must do things the right way; while we await such conversation.

“Therefore, with effect from Monday, April 4, 2022, every school, bank, market, motor pack and other human activities will resume in earnest. Any market leader who fails to mobilise traders in his market will be sanctioned; and any trader who fails to open his shop for business every Monday will also face sanction. School heads and operators of financial institutions should also take note.

“On our part as government, we are mobilising security agencies, including the armed forces and informal security organisations to take charge, and to move all over the state to ensure that lives and property of our people are protected. Very soon, our people will start seeing the heavy presence of the security operatives.”

THISDAY

Related Topics:Banks Mondays parks schools shops sit-at-home Soludo

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Edo Gov Okpebholo Joins Benin City Youths in Protest Over Power Outages

Published

22 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Trends Admin

Edo Gov Okpebholo Joins Benin City Youths in Protest Over Power Outages

Benin City, Edo State — Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo on Monday publicly aligned himself with youths and residents protesting persistent power outages and billing challenges linked to the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC). The protest took place at Ring Road in Benin City, with demonstrators carrying placards reading “We say no to BEDC oppression,” “No light, no bill,” and “Edo people say no to bulk billing.”

The protesters decried prolonged blackouts, estimated electricity bills, and what they described as the exorbitant cost of prepaid meters, which they say range between ₦150,000 and ₦400,000. Residents also questioned the transparency of BEDC’s free meter distribution initiative, urging the company to publicly disclose beneficiaries.

Governor Okpebholo, reportedly passing by the protest area, stopped to address the crowd. He expressed solidarity with the demonstrators, saying he stood with them “as fellow youths seeking fairness.” The governor acknowledged that electricity challenges affect both rural and urban communities in Edo State and appealed for calm while the government engages relevant stakeholders to find solutions.

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While clarifying that BEDC is privately owned and not directly controlled by the state government, Governor Okpebholo pledged that efforts would be made to tackle the residents’ concerns. He suggested liberalising the electricity distribution sector to attract new investors and reduce what he described as a monopoly. Drawing a comparison with the telecommunications industry, he noted that introducing more players would improve service delivery and provide consumers with options.

The governor also announced plans to convene a stakeholders’ meeting on Tuesday and urged the protesters to nominate five representatives to participate in discussions aimed at addressing electricity supply and billing issues.

Speaking on behalf of the protest group, Comrade Ogbidi Emmanuel said residents were compelled to act due to what they termed oppressive practices by BEDC. He emphasized the financial burden caused by prepaid meters and irregular billing, stating: “We pay for light and they give us darkness.”

Eyewitnesses reported that the protest remained peaceful, with security personnel ensuring order. The demonstrators dispersed following Governor Okpebholo’s address. As of press time, BEDC had not issued an official response to the claims raised by residents.

Edo Gov Okpebholo Joins Benin City Youths in Protest Over Power Outages

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Pastor, Wife Arrested in Bayelsa Over Alleged Rape of 13-Year-Old Girl

Published

23 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Trends Admin

Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, Iyamah Daniel Edebor

Pastor, Wife Arrested in Bayelsa Over Alleged Rape of 13-Year-Old Girl

YENAGOA, BAYELSA STATE — The Bayelsa State Police Command has arrested a pastor and his wife over the alleged rape of a 13-year-old girl in Yenagoa, the state capital.

The suspects were apprehended by operatives from the Ekeki Division during a Sunday church service. Eyewitnesses said the pastor initially fled through a back exit after sighting police officers but later surrendered himself when his wife was taken into custody at the church premises.

According to reports, the victim is a relative of the pastor’s wife. The teenager allegedly told investigators and members of the National Association of Women Against Gender Based Violence and the Do Foundation that the abuse occurred about five times beginning in November 2025.

The girl reportedly said the incidents happened whenever her mother sent her to deliver a local bread known as “madiga” to the pastor’s wife. On one occasion, when the wife was not at home, the pastor allegedly invited her inside the church, locked the door and assaulted her. She further alleged that similar incidents occurred on other visits to the pastor’s residence.

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The minor said she initially kept silent out of fear but later informed her mother after noticing she had missed her menstrual cycle. Following the revelation, the mother confronted the pastor and his wife.

Sources disclosed that the pastor’s wife allegedly handed the mother N120,000 to facilitate an abortion after a medical scan reportedly confirmed pregnancy. The mother was said to have been persuaded by a relative not to “destroy God’s house” at the time.

The matter, however, escalated during a church service where the pastor and his wife were reportedly heard thanking God for helping them overcome enemies allegedly trying to bring down the church. Feeling distressed by the public display, the victim’s mother later filed a formal complaint at the Ekeki Police Division.

She also petitioned the complaint unit of the National Association of Women Against Gender Based Violence, led by Dise Harry.

Confirming the development, the Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, Iyamah Daniel Edebor, said the case has been transferred to the Gender Unit of the command for thorough investigation and possible prosecution.

Police authorities assured that due process would be followed in handling the alleged rape case in Bayelsa, emphasizing that offences involving minors are treated with seriousness under Nigerian law.

The incident has sparked reactions in Yenagoa, with some church members reportedly seen at the police station discussing the development as investigations continue.

Pastor, Wife Arrested in Bayelsa Over Alleged Rape of 13-Year-Old Girl

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DSS Busts Alleged Arms Trafficking Network in Gombe, Seizes RPGs

Published

23 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Trends Admin

DSS Busts Alleged Arms Trafficking Network in Gombe, Seizes RPGs

Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested two suspected arms couriers and recovered rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) equipment during a security operation in Gombe State.

The suspects — Muhammed Alhaji Mohammed, 55, and Sani Gesha, 47 — were intercepted at Mararaban Tula in Kaltungo Local Government Area while travelling in a grey Toyota Corolla with registration number Taraba JAL475YQ. Security sources said the vehicle was stopped following weeks of intelligence-driven surveillance targeting an alleged bandit network operating across parts of the North-East.

During the operation, DSS operatives reportedly recovered two Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) warheads, an RPG launcher and other items believed to be linked to banditry and arms trafficking activities. Sources familiar with the investigation said the weapons were suspected to be part of a consignment intended for delivery to criminal elements operating in neighbouring states.

According to security officials, the arrests followed over three weeks of covert monitoring of a trafficking syndicate allegedly connected to a notorious bandit leader operating across Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba and Adamawa states. A source disclosed that the operatives monitored the group closely before launching a coordinated operation that led to the suspects’ arrest with what was described as a significant cache of arms and ammunition.

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Preliminary investigations reportedly revealed that the recovered weapons were meant to be delivered to one Ardo Hamma Ari, said to be a resident of Kukawa Village in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State. Authorities are expanding investigations to track other members of the network and uncover the source and intended use of the weapons.

In a related development, DSS operatives also rescued a six-year-old boy, Mohammed Jabir, at Gyada Village in Talase, Balanga Local Government Area of Gombe State. Security sources said the child had allegedly been kidnapped by one Salisu Hussain under the pretext of teaching him how to ride a motorcycle.

Following a report by the family, DSS operatives launched a swift operation that led to the safe rescue of the boy and the arrest of the suspected kidnapper. The child has since been reunited with his parents, who expressed gratitude to the DSS for the prompt intervention and safe return of their son.

Security authorities confirmed that all suspects are currently in DSS custody and will be arraigned in court upon conclusion of investigations. Officials emphasized that the operation underscores ongoing efforts to combat illegal arms trafficking, banditry, and kidnapping in the North-East region, reaffirming the agency’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks and enhancing public safety.