News
Bitterness, disunity fueling insecurity in Idoma land — Och’Idoma warns
The Och’Idoma and President of the Idoma Area Traditional Council, His Royal Majesty, Agaba’idu Elaigwu Odogbo John (Och’Idoma V), has warned that bitterness, disunity, and irresponsible conduct among the people are weakening Idoma Kingdom and worsening insecurity.
In his New Year broadcast to the Idoma Nation on January 1, 2026, the royal father said internal divisions, rumours, and lingering resentment now pose serious threats to peace and development in the land, stressing that they must be urgently addressed.
“I urge every Idoma son and daughter to lay down bitterness, to seek reconciliation where peace can be restored, and to understand that the strength of a people begins from their homes,” the Och’Idoma said.
He cautioned that communities where hatred, rivalry, and silence are allowed to fester become easy targets for criminal elements, adding that many long-standing divisions began as minor misunderstandings that were never resolved.
“As we step into 2026, I speak as a father to his children on forgiveness and reconciliation. Many divisions among us did not begin as wars. They began as misunderstandings, harsh words, rivalry, and pride,” he said, urging families, kindreds, councils, and associations to become centres of peace. “Charity begins from home.”
The monarch also issued a strong warning to individuals and communities harbouring or shielding criminals, declaring that such actions would no longer be tolerated. He said anyone found aiding criminal activities, directly or indirectly, would face lawful consequences.
“Peace is not a gift dropped into a community. Peace is built. Security begins with responsible citizenship,” he said, calling on residents to remain vigilant, report threats promptly to security agencies, resist rumours and incitement, and refuse to protect criminal elements.
According to him, peace cannot thrive where criminals are shielded and vital intelligence is withheld from authorities.
On the political front, the Och’Idoma warned ahead of increasing political activities in 2026 that there would be “no sacred cows,” stressing that violence, intimidation, and lawlessness would not be tolerated under any guise.
He urged political actors and their supporters to shun violence and pursue their ambitions with restraint, civility, and respect for the law, warning that personal ambition must never be placed above communal peace.
The traditional ruler also condemned the growing trend of demarcating Idoma people, leaders, and institutions on social media, describing it as harmful and counterproductive.
“Words can heal, and words can wound,” he said, calling for discipline and responsibility in online engagements, and warning that public ridicule and misinformation damage the collective honour of the Idoma Nation.
While acknowledging the security challenges experienced in parts of Idoma land in the past year, the Och’Idoma noted that engagements with security agencies and other stakeholders had yielded some progress. However, he stressed that unity, vigilance, and lawful cooperation remain critical.
He called on traditional rulers, community leaders, youths, and religious leaders to embrace reconciliation, reject bitterness, and commit to peace-building at all levels, urging the people to keep hope alive and place unity above personal grievances as the New Year unfolds.
The governor of Oyo state, Seyi Makinde, has approved a N10,000 transportation allowance as a palliative for the state workforce to cushion the effects of the increase in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit, otherwise known as petrol.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Oyo State chapter, Kayode Martins, in a statement released on Monday, March 23, disclosed that the governor has granted the request of the union on the issue of transportation allowance.
The statement read
“Following the intervention and formal request made by the State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) earlier this morning, the state government has approved a N10,000 transportation allowance for all workers in the state.
The newly approved allowance is set to take effect from April 2026, providing much-needed relief to workers grappling with rising transportation costs amid current economic challenges.
This development comes as a direct response to sustained advocacy by the state NLC, aimed at cushioning the impact of increased living expenses on the workforce.
Further details on implementation are expected to be communicated by the relevant government authorities in due course.”
News
Former Acting Accountant-General of the Federation bags 72years imprisonment for diverting N868.46 million security funds
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, March 23, convicted and sentenced Chukwunyere Nwabuoku, former acting Accountant-General of the Federation (AGoF), to a 72-year jail term without an option of fine.
DailyTrust reports that in the judgment delivered, Justice Omotosho held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had been able to prove the nine-count money laundering charge beyond reasonable doubt.
According to the judge, the defendant is hereby convicted as charged.
Justice Omotosho convicted Nwabuoku in all the nine counts and sentenced him to eight years imprisonment in each of the counts, making 72 years.
The judge, however, ordered that the counts shall run concurrently.
Justice Omotosho, who described Nwabuoku’s act of diverting funds meant for security and defence while he served as Director of Finance and Account in the Ministry of Defence as “appalling,” commended the EFCC for being detailed in its prosecution.
The judge observed that the evidence of the 9th prosecution witness that Nwabuoku voluntarily refunded part of the siphoned money of over N200 million during investigation was not controverted by the defence.
Nwabuoku served as the Director of Finance and Accounts in the Ministry of Defence between 2019 and 2021. He became acting Accountant General of the Federation in May 2022.
The police in Delta state have arrested eleven more suspects over the sexu@l ass@ults recorded during what was described as a “r@ping festival” in Oramudu Quarters in Ozoro last Thursday, March 19.
In a statement released on Saturday, March 21, the spokesperson of the command, SP Bright Edafe, said the CP Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT) was tasked with conducting a detailed investigation into the incident.
Edafe said operatives of CP-SAT conducted a thorough analysis of available video evidence and intelligence, leading to the arrest of eleven additional suspects identified as Samson Atukpodo, Steven ovie, Ugbevo Samson, Afoke Akporobaro, Evidence Oguname, and six others. Edafe mentioned that these latest arrests bring the total number of suspects currently in police custody in connection with the incident to fifteen (15)
“The Command reiterates that preliminary findings indicate that the unfortunate incident was perpetrated by criminal elements who exploited the situation to engage in acts of sexu@l v!olence, which are in no way representative of any legitimate cultural practice.
The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Aina Adesola, condemns these acts in totality and reassures the public that the Command remains resolute in its determination to ensure that all those involved are identified, arrested, and prosecuted in accordance with the law. Members of the public, particularly victims and witnesses, are once again encouraged to come forward with credible information that will aid ongoing investigations. The Command assures that all information provided will be treated with strict confidentiality.”the statement in part reads
Fuel price hike: Gov Makinde announces N10,000 transport support for workers
Former Acting Accountant-General of the Federation bags 72years imprisonment for diverting N868.46 million security funds
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