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Rivers LG poll: Police vow to crush cultists, announce movement restrictions

Published

5 months ago

August 26, 2025

Ahead of the August 30th local government elections in Rivers State, the police have vowed to crush cultists or anyone planning to foment trouble during the chairmanship and councillorship polls.

Also, the State Police Command said it has all it takes to checkmate any action aimed at causing a breach of the peace before, during and after the elections, even as it announced the restriction of human and vehicular movements from midnight of the election eve to 6 pm on the day of the election.

The State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, who made the declaration while speaking to newsmen at his office in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, however, said those on essential duties and election-related assignments will be provided with necessary tags to enable them to go about their duties.

Adepoju lauded people and residents of the state for their peaceful disposition and understanding since the declaration of the state of emergency there, describing them as ‘matured and peace loving’.

He stated, “You are all aware that on the 30th of this month we are going to have the Local Government elections. We have done all due diligence to ensure that it is going to be peaceful.

“We have been holding meetings with stakeholders and we have equally gone to local governments and every other place to sensitize our people. We have also directed the local government’s sole administrators to equally talk to people and hold stakeholders’ meetings, which have been done with positive responses.”

CP Adepoju assured that all security arrangements to ensure a free, fair and peaceful election have been put in place, saying. “All the security agencies are going to participate with the police as the lead agency.”

He added, “All materials for the election will be escorted, and there will be robust security for people to exercise their franchise. We will be there for them before, during and after the elections. Those who want to foment trouble should desist because we are not going to take it kindly.

“We have also done the needful to ensure that all cult activities and those that may want to disrupt the peace during the elections have been checkmated”. Adepoju said already there has been a series of raids on all black-pots and vulnerable points across the state, saying, “I think we have it good now”.

He further said stakeholders’ meetings have been held where all the political parties have signed a peace accord and have given their word to maintain peace during the exercise. “Every security agency will take part in this election because it is a state of emergency. Definitely, we are going to have Police Mobile Force men from Abuja to come and complement our men here.

“We have enough manpower on the ground for this election. I assure you there won’t be a problem. If there is anyone trying to foment trouble, we have all it takes to keep them in check.”

On the movement, he said, “On the eve of the election, there will be movement restrictions from 12 midnight until 6 pm when the election will come to an end.

“For Very Important Persons, those on essential duties and election duties, we are going to issue them a pass to place on their vehicles. Identity cards will be given to members of the press and others performing serious duties like Medical Doctors within that period.”

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UK Threatens To Deport Nigerians Over Illegal Jobs

Published

19 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

The United Kingdom has issued a fresh warning to Nigerians and other migrants against taking up jobs without proper permission, stating that anyone caught working illegally will face arrest, detention and deportation.

It was reports that the UK authorities said actions against illegal workers have increased across the country, with immigration raids now happening more frequently than before.

Officials explained that enforcement teams are actively visiting workplaces to identify people who are breaking immigration rules.

According to the UK government, migrants found working without valid authorisation will be dealt with immediately and may be removed from the country.

The Home Office in a tweet said it is committed to enforcing immigration laws and will not tolerate illegal employment.

The authorities added that working illegally harms the UK labour system and puts lawful workers at a disadvantage, as it allows employers to bypass rules meant to protect jobs and wages.

“Those caught working illegally in the UK will be arrested, detained and removed.

“Immigration Enforcement raids are at record levels, with those found to be working illegally being arrested, detained and removed from the country,” the UK government said.

The warning comes as the UK tightens its border and labour policies, leading to more workplace inspections, especially in sectors known to employ migrant workers.

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Resident Doctors Insist On Planned Strike Despite Court Order

Published

20 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

The Nigeria Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has said it will proceed with its planned nationwide strike on January 12, 2026, unless its National Executive Council decides otherwise.

The NARD President, Mohammad Suleiman, stated this on Friday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

It was reports that the development follows a National Industrial Court sitting in Abuja restraining the association and two of its officials from embarking on any form of industrial action from January 12.

Justice E. D. Subilim granted the interim injunction in a suit marked NICN/ABJ/06/2026, filed by the Federal Government and the Attorney-General of the Federation against NARD, Dr Suleiman and Dr Shuaibu Ibrahim.

Speaking via telephone during the programme, Suleiman said the association was not deterred by the court order, alleging that the Federal Government had failed to act in good faith despite NARD’s earlier decision to suspend its strike in November 2025.

Suleiman said, “We signed the MoU on the 27th of November. The strike was supposed to start on the 27th of December. NEC carried it over, and at the beginning of this year, we met again and gave more days.

“Then, at the close of work today, I started hearing from social media that a court injunction has been served. I’m even hearing that ‘no work, no pay’ documents have been released.

“When we are discussing and negotiating, it should be done in good faith. Once you start bringing out armouries and arms like this, it means you don’t want to negotiate in good faith.”

Asked whether the association would proceed with the strike despite the court order, the NARD president said the action would go ahead unless the NEC decides otherwise.

“We will proceed unless the National Executive Council of the Nigeria Association of Resident Doctors says otherwise,” he said.

Suleiman, however, said the association was still engaging with the Federal Government and expressed optimism that the dispute could be resolved before the strike date.

“We are in conversations. We are in discussions with the Federal Government’s team. I hope that between tonight and Sunday, a lot of things will be done properly,” he added.

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‘I’m Not A Criminal, They Are In Your Offices And Corridors Of Power’ – Baba-Ahmed Recounts DSS Invitation

Published

1 day ago

January 10, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

The Labour Party’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, has described his recent encounter with the operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) as mild Nollywood drama.

It was learnt that Baba-Ahmed’s invitation followed concerns about recent public remarks about the judiciary and presidency.

Baba-Ahmed had, during a television interview, blamed the judiciary and the military for allowing the swearing-in of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.

An insider in security operatives said, “He even went to the length of inciting the military, saying it was President Tinubu’s swearing-in that made it possible for them to look you in the face and call you ‘bloody fools.’

“His comments carry undertones capable of heightening national tension, particularly given the sensitivity of Nigeria’s current political climate. It has nothing to do with politics, but the corporate existence of our nation could be threatened if such rhetoric is allowed to fester.”

Recounting the encounter with the DSS, Baba-Ahmed, who also doubles as the founder and chancellor of Baze University, Abuja, in an interview with Punch, said he voluntarily honoured the agency’s request and was curious about its motive because he is not a criminal.

He also denied being invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), saying the anti-graft agency had no reason to summon him.

According to Baba-Ahmed, his encounter with DSS officers made him feel sorry about the state of leadership and governance in the country.

He said, “The EFCC did not invite me, and it is very unlikely they will anytime soon. However, there was a mild Nollywood drama between some gentlemen of the DSS and myself on November 28, 2025. It lasted just two hours and 15 minutes.

“To sum it all up, I walked into their national headquarters very curious, wondering: Why are you looking for me? I’m not a criminal. The criminals are in your offices and in your corridors of power.

“But anyway, here I am. Talk to me. What do you want? I came out feeling very sorry for the Federal Republic of Nigeria. If these are who you call our leaders, then I understand why the United States of America will have to come and attack terrorists on behalf of Nigerian forces. I feel sorry for us.

“But yes, a Nollywood drama played out. They pleaded with me that, please, you know, this government is very weak. And the way you’re punching, it can crash. Now listen, these are what we call paper tigers.”

Dismissing any sense of intimidation, the LP chieftain urged Nigerians not to succumb to fear, insisting that democratic accountability must not be silenced.

He added, “The wind is blowing and they’re scaring people. Do not be afraid. Trust in God and believe in yourselves. They will add up to nothing.”

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