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

Published

21 hours 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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News

Tinubu bans export of raw shea nut

Published

3 hours ago

August 27, 2025

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a six-month ban on the export of raw shea nuts.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, who announced the directive at a multi-stakeholder meeting in Abuja, said the temporary measure, subject to review, aims to boost the shea value chain and generate up to $300 million annually in the short term.

“This is not an anti-trade policy but a pro-value addition policy. The goal is to supply our factories with raw materials, run them at full capacity, and create jobs for our people. Nigeria produces nearly 40% of global shea, yet accounts for only 1% of the $6.5 billion market. That is unacceptable,” he said.

He said the initiative would transform Nigeria into a global supplier of refined shea butter, oil, and derivatives, while driving industrialisation, rural development, gender empowerment, and expanded trade opportunities.

“By 2027, we target a ten-fold increase in earnings,” he added, highlighting agreements with Brazil to fast-track market access for Nigerian shea products within three months.

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, described the move as long overdue. He disclosed that despite producing 350,000 metric tonnes annually across 30 states, with potential to reach 900,000 tonnes, Nigeria’s processors operate at only 35–50% capacity.

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News

EFCC Denies Violating Rights Of Atiku’s Son-In-law

Published

4 hours ago

August 27, 2025

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has dismissed allegations by businessman, Abdullahi Bashir Haske, son-in-law to former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, that his rights were violated while in the agency’s custody.

Haske had claimed in an interview with The Africa Report that he collapsed during interrogation at the EFCC and was hospitalised. He has since filed a lawsuit against the anti-graft agency over the alleged violation.

Reacting to the report on Tuesday, the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, said the commission had not received any court processes regarding Haske’s claims.

“The EFCC has not been served the court proceedings. There is nothing to react on,” Oyewale stated.

He further dismissed Haske’s allegations, saying, “Our facility is one of the best in the world. That is why some even ask the court to remand them in our custody rather than in prisons. His allegations are untenable. EFCC custody is not a death centre.”

The EFCC also accused Haske, founder of AA & R Investment Group, of criminal conspiracy and money laundering.

According to the commission, Haske was declared wanted after breaching the terms of his administrative bail and failing to honour further invitations.

In a notice signed by Oyewale, the EFCC urged anyone with information on Haske’s whereabouts to report to the nearest police station or EFCC office. The notice also listed his last known addresses in Ikoyi and Victoria Island, Lagos.

Haske’s firm, AA & R Investment Group, which has interests in energy, agribusiness, logistics, and ICT, has previously been linked to investigations into alleged multimillion-dollar transfers from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.

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News

Guinea-Bissau’s Prime Minister Collapses, Hospitalised

Published

4 hours ago

August 27, 2025

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

The Prime Minister of Guinea-Bissau, Braima Camara, was on Tuesday rushed to hospital in neighbouring Senegal after collapsing during an official ceremony.

It was reports that Camara, 57, who was appointed prime minister in early August, slumped while President Umaro Sissoco Embalo was delivering a speech at the presidential palace.

According to eyewitnesses who spoke with AFP on the incident, the prime minister initially stood up before suddenly collapsing, prompting immediate medical intervention.

“At the end of the ceremony, he felt unwell and fainted,” a source close to his office told AFP.

Camara was evacuated aboard a Senegalese army plane and admitted to a hospital in Dakar for urgent treatment, the source added.

Authorities in Guinea-Bissau have yet to issue a formal statement on the prime minister’s health.

However, a member of his entourage assured that Camara’s condition has stabilised.

“The prime minister is out of danger. He received very quick and effective care even before his evacuation,” the source said.

In other news, President Bola Tinubu has ordered a temporary ban on the export of raw shea nuts, with immediate effect.

It was reports that the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, Vice President Kashim Shettima presided over the implementation meeting with critical stakeholders on the Presidential directive.

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