FocalPoint Reports

Traditional rulers from across Anioma nation in Delta North have called for observance of customs, stronger legal protections and removal of partisan politics from traditional institutions, as key steps to end recurring kingship disputes and succession conflicts in their communities. The resolutions were contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the inaugural Delta North Traditional Rulers Peace Symposium, organised by Anioma Peace Advocacy and Development Initiative. The gathering brought together monarchs, community leaders and other stakeholders to examine practical solutions for preventing and resolving succession-related disputes. Speaking at the opening session, President and Convener of the initiative, Prince Nath Obiokolie, said several communities in Anioma land had continued to witness avoidable conflicts over traditional stools, citing Egbudu-Akah and others as examples. He said the symposium was designed to generate ideas that would improve dispute manageme...

Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday commenced a verification exercise at the National Secretariat of the Labour Party in Abuja. The delegation, led by Mallam Mansur Hassan, is tasked with verifying the party’s claims regarding its physical and leadership structures, membership records, as well as the status of its secretariat building. Speaking before the exercise began, Hassan said the team’s role goes beyond observation. “We are monitors, not observers. We are here to monitor and correct things, not observe,” he stated. He explained that the exercise would include verification of the party’s executive membership, particularly the National Working Committee, in line with provisions of the party’s constitution. The team is also expected to review documents relating to the party’s occupancy of its secretariat, including tenancy agreements and payment receipts, in addition to obtaining a soft copy of its membership register. Meanwhile, the develop...

The lawmaker representing Borno South senatorial district, Ali Ndume, has vowed that no ransom will be paid to insurgents who abducted residents from the village of Muoshi, Borno State, in early March. It was reported that the lawmaker’s declaration comes as Boko Haram‘s 72-hour ultimatum on the 416 nears its expiration In a recent video, Boko Haram insurgents issued a chilling 72-hour ultimatum, warning that the abducted victims could be moved to unknown locations if their demands were not met. The militants threatened, “ If our demands are not met, we will move these victims, including women and children, to different locations… You may never see them again.” Speaking during an appearance on Arise Television, Ndume expressed concern over the statement, particularly in regard to the innocence of the captives. The lawmaker confirmed the harrowing reality of the incident, which initially involved more than 500 people but was later clarified to be 416 individuals. “ It was unbel...

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has commenced disciplinary proceedings against 167 senior officers over alleged misconduct and breaches of professional standards. The exercise, being conducted by the Force Disciplinary Committee at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, is aimed at reviewing pending cases involving officers from the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police and above. According to the Force spokesman,  Anthony Placid , the committee is mandated to examine each case thoroughly in line with established laws and regulations. He said, “ The Nigeria Police Force has commenced the sitting of the FDC to review pending disciplinary matters involving 167 senior police officers over alleged breaches of professional conduct and other related offences.” Placid noted that the committee serves as a key internal mechanism for handling disciplinary issues involving senior officers. He said,  “The Force Disciplinary Committee… is responsible for the review and determination of cases...

The Ijaw Publishers’ Forum (IPF) has commiserated with renowned Niger Delta broadcaster, Chief Victor Ayabotu, following the death of his daughter. In a condolence message issued on Monday and signed by its national Spokesman Comrade Ezekiel Kagbala, the forum described the loss as painful and unfortunate, noting that no parent should have to bury a child. The IPF, a body of media professionals of Ijaw extraction, expressed shock over the sad news and extended its heartfelt sympathies to Ayabotu, his family, and loved ones. “On behalf of the Ijaw Publishers’ Forum, we sympathize with our brother, colleague, and veteran broadcaster, Chief Victor Ayabotu, over the untimely demise of his beloved daughter,” the statement read. “The death of a child is a wound that never truly heals. Imagine the depth of grief this has brought to the Ayabotu's family. We pray the Almighty God grants him, his wife, and the entire family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.” The forum ...

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has arrested 14 suspected vandals at the Terminal One construction site of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos. Mr Henry Agbebire, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at FAAN, disclosed the arrest in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos. According to Agbebire, the suspects were apprehended at about 6.00 p.m. on Monday. He said the arrest followed a swift and intelligence-driven response by FAAN’s security architecture, working in close coordination with the Joint Military Task Force (JMTF) and other security agencies deployed at the airport. Agbebire said that preliminary findings indicated that the suspects had unlawfully gained access to the Terminal One construction site by impersonating authorised construction personnel. He said the attempt was effectively foiled through the vigilance, surveillance, and rapid intervention of FAAN security operatives and their partners. The individuals were intercepted...