Two journalists with Sahara FM, a privately owned radio station in Niger Republic, have been remanded in custody over allegations of plotting against state authorities.

The journalists were among three reporters arrested in early May in Agadez, central Niger, after the station aired reports suggesting the termination of security agreements between Niger and Russia, a key ally of the country’s ruling military junta.

According to the station’s owner, Air Info, the pair were transferred to Kollo prison, about 50 kilometres south of the capital, Niamey, following a decision by a military court judge on Friday. The third journalist was released on bail.

The media outlet said the journalists face charges of “undermining national defence and plotting against state authority.”

Niger has faced growing criticism from rights groups and press freedom advocates over the repression of journalists since the military took power in a 2023 coup.

Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi has expressed sadness over the slow pace of work on the Enugu-Onitsha expressway.

Umahi expressed dismay that work on expressway was not encouraging.

The minister made his feelings known while inspecting the project at the weekend.

He urged the contractors to rise to their responsibilities and ensure timely completion of the projects.

Meanwhile, the minister also inspected other ongoing projects in the South-South and South-East to ensure speedy delivery of projects.

In Delta State, he said, “I am particularly not impressed with the work done by CCECC on the Warri-Benni-Asaba Road and I expressed concern about the slow pace of work on the Efurun-Sapele section and urged the contractors to intensify their efforts to meet the project’s deadline.

“Timely completion is crucial, and I expect all contractors to work diligently towards achieving this goal ”

He appreciated the synergy between Delta State government and the Federal Government on projects ongoing in the state.

“The Delta State Government’s proactive approach in taking over the payment of compensation to affected individuals has been instrumental in fast-tracking these projects.

“I am confident that this collaboration will yield positive results, and I assure the state government that the Federal Ministry of Works will honor its commitments”, he said.

The former Governor of Ebonyi State also inspected ongoing construction of Eke-Obinagu flyover in Enugu State and expressed satisfaction with the progress of work.

Senator representing Delta North senatorial district, Prince Ned Nwoko, has assured leaders and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress, APC, that the creation of Anioma State is effectively a done deal.

Speaking on Saturday at Idumuje-Ugboko, his country home in Aniocha Local Government Area, Nwoko revealed that all necessary steps had been taken in the Senate, adding that 75 senators are in support of the state’s creation.

”We are on course. The technical committee will be inaugurated in Asaba, to help me to work towards actualising the creation of Anioma state.

”If you were at Agbor during APC stakeholders gathering, you heard when the National Chairman of the APC, Alhaji Umar Ganduje said the creation of Anioma State is a done deal.

”We have moved from the committee stage of the process to public hearing coming up in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. Thereafter, we will come back to the Senate for third reading of the bill for the creation of Anioma State,” the senator assured.

Supporting the statement, APC chieftain Chief Emma Ejiofor called for unity and commitment among stakeholders in pursuit of Anioma State’s creation. He warned that any member of the Delta State House of Assembly from the senatorial district who fails to support the cause would face recall by constituents.

Also speaking, Hon Nicholas Ossai, a former member of the House of Representatives, reiterated the feasibility of the proposed state.

“We must support Senator Ned Nwoko to achieve this feat because when we have our state, we will have more local government areas created, and many other benefits in the new state. Anioma State should be supported by everybody.”

Former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Victor Ochei, emphasised the need for reconciliation among aggrieved members of the party to ensure unity ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“We are not having a party to divide us. We are having a party to unify and unite everybody. We must unite the party, particularly in Delta North,” Ochei stated.