News
Gov Oborevwori inaugurates committee for resettlement of sacked Okuama community

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on Wednesday inaugurated the Internally Displaced Persons Management Committee for the displaced people of the Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.
Inaugurating the committee in Asaba, Governor Oborevwori charged the committee to carefully plan the resettlement and rehabilitation of the innocent citizens of Okuama community.
“Much as we condemned in strong terms the dastardly act that took the lives of our gallant officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army, we will do everything we can to reduce to the barest minimum the attendant effects on the common man in Okuama community.
“I welcome all of you to the inauguration of a committee charged with the duty of planning and coordinating the settlement and rehabilitation of our people at Okuama.
“Innocent people have been displaced, their homes and properties destroyed, this was, and still is, an unfortunate and most unexpected development.
“Like I said when I visited Okuama the other day, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, and the military agreed that innocent people in Okuama should not be made to suffer needlessly.
“This is why we sincerely believe that sooner than later, the innocent ones will be allowed to return to their homes.
“It is now right for government to set up a committee to plan their resettlement and rehabilitation ahead of their return. This is the minimum we owe our people, we have to reassure them to have a sense of belonging as we make adequate arrangements for their settlement and rehabilitation.
“Note that you have been carefully chosen based on your previous antecedents, we are therefore confident that you will do a transparent, thorough and selfless job that not only the people of Okuama but every Deltan will be proud of you as you make adequate arrangements of receiving them and lessening their pains.
“I urge you to attach a sense of urgency to this assignment. We must demonstrate the highest degree of love and responsibility towards our people. That is the least we can do for them,” the governor said.
Responding on behalf of members of the committee, the chairman, Abraham Ogbodo, expressed appreciation to the Governor for finding them worthy to serve in the committee.
He said their appointment into the committee was a call for service and assured the governor and Deltans that, by the grace of God, they would live up to expectation by delivering the needed services to the people.
According to him, members of the committee would work with the sense of urgency that the state assignment requires, assuring that they would be transparent, thorough and selfless in addressing the humanitarian crisis in Okuama.
The committee has veteran journalist and former Editor of The Guardian Newspaper, Mr Abraham Ogbodo as Chairman and Director of Personnel Management, Ughelli South Local Government Council, Chief Austin Emaduku, as secretary.
Other members include Senator Emmanuel Aguariavwodo, Hon. Festus Utuama, Hon. Reuben Izeze, Dr Richard Kofi, Chief Oviri Uto, Hon. Josephine Oduaran, Obukohwo Henry Ediyo, Karo Ovemeso and Austin Ohwofaria who will serve as Camp Commandant.
News
Policeman remanded for allegedly raping teenager inside Lagos office

An Ogba Magistrate Court in Lagos State, on Tuesday, ordered the remand of 56-year-old policeman Owolabi Akinlolu at the Maximum Correctional Centre Kirikiri for allegedly raping a 17-year-old girl in his office.
Owolabi, a Deputy Superintendent of Police at the Ogudu Police Station in Lagos, allegedly raped the survivor in his office after promising to help recover her phone, which was stolen by one-chance robbers while she was returning from Ikeja with her grandmother and siblings.
Akinlolu reportedly summoned the teenager to his office on June 29, claiming they had apprehended the suspect who had stolen her phone two weeks earlier.Upon arriving at the police station, the senior police officer allegedly locked his office door behind him and raped the teenager.
In July 2024, the survivor’s mother, Mrs Aramide Olupona, accused the police of attempting to cover up the case, revealing that the suspect’s wife and family had pleaded with her to drop the charges, as Akinlolu was set to retire in December 2024.
At the Magistrate Court 11 on Tuesday, the prosecution counsel, backed by a seven-paragraph affidavit, urged the court to remand the defendant, stating that the offence of defilement violates Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.In response to the prosecution’s request, Magistrate O.O. Fagboun ordered the defendant’s remand at the Maximum Correctional Centre and adjourned the case until March 11, 2025, for trial and further proceedings. Punch
News
Saudi Arabia releases new 2025 Hajj rules, bans children, updated visa policies

Saudi Arabia has announced new changes to the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage, including a new restriction barring children from participating.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah stated that the move aimed to protect children from potential dangers posed by heavy crowds during the pilgrimage.
The decision is part of broader efforts to ensure a safer and more seamless Hajj experience.
According to the ministry, the large crowds during Hajj pose serious risks to children, making this precautionary measure necessary.
Additionally, priority for the 2025 Hajj will be given to first-time pilgrims to allow more Muslims the opportunity to undertake this religious obligation at least once in their lives.
● Changes in visa regulations
Starting February 1, 2025, Saudi Arabia will issue only single-entry visas for pilgrims from 14 countries, including India, to prevent unauthorized Hajj participation.
Authorities noted that unauthorized pilgrimages had contributed to overcrowding at key sites, making crowd management and safety more challenging.
The updated visa policy aims to improve the overall Hajj experience by controlling the number of attendees.
Saudi authorities continue to refine Hajj regulations to make the pilgrimage safer and more organized.
Pilgrims are encouraged to register through official channels and follow the new guidelines to avoid complications.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia had also introduced significant changes to its visa policy, effective February 1, 2025, limiting travellers from 14 countries to single-entry visas.
This move aims to address concerns over unauthorized Hajj pilgrims entering the country on long-term visit visas.
● Affected Countries
The new regulations target travellers from the following nations: Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen. As part of the policy shift, the Saudi government has indefinitely suspended the one-year multiple-entry visas for tourism, business, and family visits from these countries.
●¡Hajj registration and new payment options
Saudi citizens and residents can register for the 2025 Hajj season via the Nusuk app or the official website. Applicants are required to verify their personal details and register their travel companions.
A new instalment-based payment plan has also been introduced for domestic pilgrims. Payments can be made in three stages: a 20% deposit within 72 hours of booking, followed by two 40% instalments due by Ramadan 20 and Shawwal 20. The ministry clarified that reservations will only be confirmed once the final payment is received.
News
Troops rescue three kidnap victims in Plateau

Troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), have successfully rescued three kidnapped victims along the Barkin Ladi-Mangu road in Mairana village, Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Intelligence sources said the rescue operation was carried out on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, following intelligence on the abduction.
The sources said that the victims were kidnapped at approximately 7:45 a.m. on February 11, 2025.
In response, troops from Sector 8 of Operation Golden Peace swiftly mobilized to the scene, where they discovered a red Ford Space Bus parked along the roadside.
Troops immediately conducted a search operation in the surrounding bushes, leading to the successful rescue of the three victims unharmed.
The kidnappers had abandoned them and fled upon sighting the advancing security personnel.
The victims were reunited with their vehicle and continued their journey safely. Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing criminals.
-
Environment5 days ago
Ogun government seals petrol station for alleged underground water pollution
-
News2 days ago
Lagos Signs MoU With Summa Group To Construct Lekki-Epe Int’l Airport
-
News5 days ago
Nasarawa Polytechnic student arrested for hacking another student to death
-
News5 days ago
Troops kill ‘notorious bandit leader’ in Zamfara
-
Local News4 days ago
Police arrest man who allegedly killed his brother in Anambra
-
International3 days ago
Wreckage of plane missing in Alaska found on sea ice; all aboard dead
-
Entertainment3 days ago
Ogun Govt warns Portable against assault on officials
-
News4 days ago
Abductors of former NYSC DG, Gen Tsiga demand N250m ransom
-
News5 days ago
Police parade woman who conspired with neighbours to steal her cousin’s six-month-old baby for sale
-
News2 days ago
SARS remains dissolved- Police
-
Health3 days ago
Nigeria reports 41,000 diphtheria cases