By David Owei,Bayelsa

Mr Isaac Yalah, a retired Director,Research and planning Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, has encouraged practicing journalists to remain steadfast and dedicated to their duties adding that they should continue to speak truth to reality.

Speaking at the weekend in Yenagoa when some senior media practitioners were rewarded for a job well done, Mr Yalah reiterated that journalists should strive not to compromise facts adding that journalism will continue to remain relevant.

Yalah, who was former Director of Research and planning , NCDMB, said that irrespective of the insurgence of social media, professional journalism has come to stay.

He advised the upcoming journalists to stay on course and practice the profession with decorum.

He said: “Journalism to me is very important and will continue to remain relevant because, journalism has professionalism. It has courage, and you speak to truth. It has dedication.”

“My word of encouragement to journalists is let’s remain dedicated. Let’s remain professional. Let’s continue to speak truth to reality. Let’s face the fact. Let’s not compromise things.”

Praising the senior media practitioners that have retired, he said:” these persons honored have done the same thing. That’s why they have been honored. If they have not stood firm to help the practice of journalism, we wouldn’t be here today.”

Advising those still practicing and those that will come into the profession in future, he said, “for those who are also practicing and those who in the future intend to be in the profession of journalism, they should also understand that they can be celebrated like this.

“But the most important thing is how professionally, dedicated and how we you speak to truth to power in this sphere of democracy, in this sphere of government and all of that.

“I think it’s very important that we are able to carry that message, that touchline from one generation to another generation, which is very critical.

“So journalism, whether we like it or not, whether you call it paper, virtual, print or whatever, it still remains very relevant because it’s the point of contact for us to get information that we desire.

“Whether we are doing social media today or whether you are doing print, for me, I still read newspapers today. Even if I don’t see it physically, I go online to the website of that media house to read the news of that day and all of it. So journalism has come to stay.” He narrated.

By Uthman-Baba Naseer,Minna

According to Science Direct, Thallium sulfate is a highly toxic, tasteless, odourless, and colourless crystalline powder, historically used as a potent rodenticide and insecticide. Due to extreme toxicity, with a human fatal dose as low as 8–12 mg/kg, it is tightly restricted or banned in many countries.

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has written to the Office of the National Security Adviser, seeking clarification over the alleged procurement of a toxic chemical substance, Thallium Sulphate, reportedly by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

In a letter addressed to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, at the Office of the National Security Adviser, Abuja, dated January 30, 2026 and received on February 11, 2026 by ONSA, El-Rufai said he was acting “as a concerned citizen” in requesting details about what he described as the procurement of “approximately 10 kilograms of Thallium Sulphate” allegedly sourced from a supplier in Poland.

According to Science Direct, Thallium sulfate is a highly toxic, tasteless, odourless, and colourless crystalline powder, historically used as a potent rodenticide and insecticide. Due to extreme toxicity, with a human fatal dose as low as 8–12 mg/kg, it is tightly restricted or banned in many countries.

It mimics potassium in the body, causing severe nervous system damage, hair loss, and potential death.

The letter, titled “Request for Clarification on the Procurement of Thallium Sulphate,” raised a number of questions about the purpose, regulatory compliance and safety arrangements surrounding the reported acquisition.

“I am writing as a concerned citizen to seek clarification and reassurance regarding information available to the political opposition leadership about a procurement of approximately 10 kilograms of Thallium Sulphate by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), reportedly from a supplier in Poland,” El-Rufai wrote.

Highlighting the hazardous nature of the substance, he noted, “Given that thallium salts are highly toxic and tightly controlled substances, I believe it is important – for public safety, democratic accountability and for maintaining public trust – to confirm the following details.”

He then listed six specific areas where he sought clarification: “The intended purpose and end-use of the imported thallium sulphate. The supplier identity and whether the material was imported under an existing chemical or defence permit. The total quantity and specific form or concentration being procured or already procured. The storage and security arrangements for the material upon arrival. The regulatory oversight and coordination in place with NAFDAC, NCDC, and relevant public-health and environmental agencies. Whether any public-health risk assessments or hazard-mitigation plans have been developed, given the compound’s extreme toxicity.”

El-Rufai emphasised that his inquiry was not intended to inflame tensions but to ensure due process and transparency.

“I want to stress that this inquiry is made in good faith, solely to ensure that due processes, safety standards, and transparency are observed. Public confidence in the integrity of national institutions is strengthened when potential risks are openly addressed and managed,” he stated.

He further requested continued engagement from the National Security Adviser’s office, writing, “If possible, I would appreciate a response or a point of contact within your office for further engagement to reassure those of us that are Nigerian citizens in opposition.”

For transparency, El-Rufai said he copied the correspondence to the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), as well as the National Chairmen of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

His enquiry comes amid claims that the National Security Adviser, Ribadu, ordered his arrest, leading to a recent altercation at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

It also comes amid mixed reactions after El-Rufai claimed that an individual had tapped the NSA’s phone and confirmed Ribadu’s involvement in the attempt to have him arrested.

By David Owei,Bayelsa

Operatives of the Operation Puff Adder of the Bayelsà State Police Command have arrested a 38 years old man, Iliasu Mohammed over his alleged involvement in the 2022 shooting of a Police Inspector,Ekperi Edwin in the stomach and left for dead in Yenagoa,the State capital.

The Police Inspector, Ekperi Edwin Osuo, was shot on August 21, 2022 and left for dead by unidentified gunmen along his street at Akenfa, Yenagoa during what police sources described as an alleged armed robbery and attempted assassination.

The police inspector was reported to have sustained life-threatening injuries and underwent emergency surgery, with pellets still reportedly lodged in his body over three years after the incident.

The case however took a new dimension following allegations that a key suspect linked to the crime was released under questionable circumstances after being handed over to the Nigeria Police Force by the military.

New sources told our correspondent that a new petition to the State Commissioner of Police, Daniel Iyamah. was minutes to the special tactical and intelligence-driven unit of the State Command headed by CSP Chris Nwaogbo.

A suspect connected to the case is currently in police custody and is expected to be arraigned in court, marking the first concrete prosecutorial step since the incident occurred.

Police sources described the move as part of efforts by the new commissioner of police to ensure a thorough, impartial, and intelligence-led investigation, given the sensitivity of the case and the status of the victim as a serving police officer.

Senior Security Sources however revealed that the takeover by Operation Puff Adder signals renewed commitment by the Nigeria Police Force to address unresolved violent crimes, especially those involving attacks on its personnel

Police authorities have confirmed that investigations are ongoing and assured that the matter will be investigated thoroughly.

Already, the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) of the State Ministry of Justice has approved the case for prosecution and the Police is awaiting the arraignment of the suspect in the State High Court.