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Tinubu’s refusal to honour Seyi’s pact with us disappointing – Nnamdi Kanu’s family

Published

1 year ago

January 2, 2025

President Bola ahmed Tinubu and Nnamdi Kanu

Tinubu’s refusal to honour Seyi’s pact with us disappointing – Nnamdi Kanu’s family

The family of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, have expressed disappointment over the failure of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu to honour an alleged agreement between his son Seyi , and the family before the 2023 general election.

Kanu’s younger brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, in a statement, claimed that Seyi with the approval of his father, personally met with him in Abuja shortly before the election, where both parties entered into agreement concerning Kanu.

According to him, it was agreed that IPOB would not bycott the polls on the condition that Tinubu would release Kanu if elected President.

Prince Emmanuel expressed disappointment that nearly two years after the emergence of Tinubu as President, his brother (Kanu), has continued to languish in detention despite the fact that the presiding Judge, Justice Binta Nyako, had since recused herself from the matter.

He said it was disappointing that those who claimed to be honourable, failed to keep their words.

The statement read:”Before the last election, I received a message from an ex-governor that Seyi the son of President Tinubu wanted to see me. I agreed to meet with him on the condition that the overriding priority and hence the fulcrum of our discussion will be the release of my brother. The meeting was held in Abuja in the presence of another individual whom I asked along to witness the deliberations and if need be provide independent verification should the need arise.

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“Seyi confirmed to me that his father sanctioned the meeting and that I should consider any agreement we reach as binding on the then candidate Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“In good faith we agreed that I shall relay the outcome to my brother to reinforce the long held tradition of IPOB not interfering with the conduct of elections, either through boycott or any other form of civil disobedience. This understanding was duly communicated to my brother and he reaffirmed his commitment not to stop the elections or order any boycott.

“When President Tinubu as a candidate visited Owerri during his campaign, he too reiterated his commitment to facilitate the release of my brother if elected. We took his public statement as a tacit reaffirmation of the understanding I reached with his son Seyi.

“At the end, IPOB did not call for election boycott despite having the capacity to do so. IPOB also made sure that discordant voices urging election boycott were overcome because election boycotts would not reflect well on the reputation of a global movement that prides itself on adherence to democratic tenets.

“It therefore, defies logic that nearly two years after President Tinubu assumed the mantle of leadership in Nigeria, my brother is still in detention despite not having any charge against him. It’s been over three months now that Justice Binta Nyako recused herself from the case yet no new judge has been assigned the case.

“This is on top of the fact that Appeal Court had earlier discharged him of the sham charges and ordered his release which the previous regime of Buhari declined to obey.

“Supreme Court determination that his bail ought not to have been revoked has been ignored by the courts and the government. The latest insult is that Abuja courts of all persuasion are no longer willing to determine the case of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu on merit but are rather relying on ludicrous and inapplicable technicalities to stall the timely determination of his cases.

“The truth is that Nigerian courts cannot, will not and do not have both the substantive and procedural jurisdiction to try him. His detention is without the backing of any known law in Nigeria or elsewhere in the world.

“It’s a shame that those who claim to be men of honour cannot honour their word.”

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

Published

21 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

21 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

21 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.