By David Owei, Bayelsa

There was uproar at the Bayelsà State High Court following request by the arrested celebrity kidnappers request to be granted bail on health ground over their continued Incarceration and trial for the alleged involvement in series o abduction in the state.

The two arrested celebrity kidnappers, Emmanuel Charles Angasei and John Lyon Ike, were arrested in 2022 for alleged kidnapping of One Danjuma Omieje of the Premium Trust Bank (formerly known as Sterling Bank), the owner of Lozzy Supermarket and some selected Igbo Businessmen in the State.

The arrest of the two accused was celebrated in the media due to their relationship with the then Governorship candidate of the APC, Chief David Lyon. Emmanuel Charles Angasei was reported to be his In law.

Emmanuel Charles Angasei was also alleged to be involved in the kidnap of one Nancy Dickson, the Junior sister to the Former State Governor and now Senator, Chief Seriake Dickson.

They were arrested by the men of the Operation Puff Adder led by CSP Chris Nwaogbo and arraigned at the State High Court on the 10th of November, 2022 in a suit numbered YHC/77c/2022 on charges of Kidnapping and Conspiracy to commit felony.

There was however drama in court following the request by the two accused for bail on health ground.

The presiding Judge, Justice I.Eradiri, after hearing the objections raised by the State Prosecuting counsel, Barr. Iyobosa on the alleged false claims presented by the accused, ordering that they be medically re-examined.

The counsels to the accused, Barr. Stanley Damabide and Barr. Ebiki argued that their client are entitled to medical examination.

Justice I.Eradiri has however ordered that the investigating Police team of Operation Puff Adder, representative of the DPP, Barr. Iyobosa and the defence team be present when the two accused are taken to the Federal Medical Center for independent medical examination on Friday 6th of March,2026.

While the arguments were going on the plain clothe policemen and spectators were expressing reservations and fear over the request for bail.

A senior police officer from the State Police Command, who pleaded anonymity, told our correspondent that the claims of ill health presented by the accused were false and should be diligently examined.

He claimed that the accused, while at the Okaka Medium Security Custodial Centre, were enjoying first class and celebrity treatment with conjugal visits allegedly approved and had a lavish birthday party with fellow prisoners with food supplied from popular eatery at Ekeki in Yenagoa.

Some of the police personnel at the court expressed concern over the safety of the arresting officers and alleged that the accused had boasted of their readiness to file a counter request for bail at the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt, Rivers State if the Bayelsà court reject their request.

“We are worried that if such bail are granted, the peace being enjoyed in Yenagoa may end. Since the arrest of this kidnap gang, the state has witnessed peace. They may regroup and throw the state into crisis.”

By Uthman-Baba Naseer, Minna

A middle aged woman Oguntade Abiodun Mary, has raised a serious concern on the incessant attacks on her farm and livestock by armed men suspected to be bandits.

Mrs Oguntande who is a resident of Kuchipa village, in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State stated that she has been residing in the community for over two decades.

She expressed her concern through her Attorney Joshua Olwole Olukunle, Esq in a petition filed to the Niger State Commissioner of Police CP Abdullahi Adamu Elleman disclosed that she engaged in farming and rearing of livestock in the community.

According to Mrs Oguntade Abiodun, throughout her sojourn in the area over these years, she was into commercial farming of cash crops such as cassava,maize and other economic crops in large quantities and she employed large numbers of graduates and school leavers that earned substantial amounts of money.

“ She is a well known and a hard working woman in Kuchipa village. She has impacted on the lives of youths,women and able-bodied individuals in that village by engaging them in her large farm land in that community.

“ She also employed workers on her farm and paid them regularly. Like I said, she is well known in the Kuchipa community in the last twenty years. But in recent times Shiroro and Munyan Local Government Areas have been placed under heavy siege by the incessant activities of insecurity in the communities.” she decried

She stated that Shiroro and Munyan Local Government Areas of Niger State have come under heavy attacks as a result of the unwholesome activities of armed bandits and kidnappers between the year 2023,2024 and last year November,,2025.

While she traveled outside the country, according to Mrs Oguntade some heavily armed men believed to be armed bandits, kidnappers, and cattle rustlers launched an unprecedented inversion on her farm lands.

“ During the inversion,and the attack,the armed bandits destroyed many houses, including my personal house and my farmland.

“ The same armed bandits kidnapped some of my workers on the farm. In the attack six of my workers were killed by the armed bandits.

“ Shiroro and Munyan are prone to unwholesome activities of armed bandits and cattle rustlers,” she added.

Already,Mrs Oguntande Mary insisted that as a result of the unabated and incessant activities of armed bandits in the areas the entire community have been deserted as the armed men have taken over the communities and their farmlands as well as their animals..

She disclosed that with the presence of these gun men in the village, all the villagers have caused them to flee the village for their safety.

She then called on the Niger State governor Umar Muhammed Bago,and the President Ahmed Bola Tinubu to as a matter of urgency deploy security forces to safeguard the community “ as it is now my returning back to the village is uncertain as my safety in that village is no longer guaranteed”.

Steve Unegbu, Umuahia

To flush out criminals andall formers in parts of the state Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has assured that he will work with the Joint Task Force, South – South, Operations Delta Safe to rid Abia State, Southeast and the entire Niger Delta of crime and criminality.

Governor Otti gave the assurance while receiving in audience Umuahia, a delegation of the new Commander, Joint Task Force – South South, Operations Delta Safe, Rear Admiral Olugbenga Ladipo.

Governor Otti noted that the officer is experienced and understands the dynamics of the operations of the criminals who are involve in crude oil theft.

“Like Navy Commander MacDonald Uba (Special Adviser on Security) had indicated clearly, you are a professional and we have no doubt that we will work together to rid this place of crime and criminality.

“Once you understand how they operate, stopping them in their tracks becomes easier than when you don’t even understand,” Gov. Otti stated.

Governor Otti, while assuring support for the team, requested the Commender to establish an operational base of the Task Force in Abia State, and said that he would provide accommodation for it.

“I want to assure you that we will continue to support you and your team. Sometimes, we think Yenegoa is too far, but of course nowhere is far.

“So, your operational base is also there. So, what we’ll probably be asking for is for you to have a base here. While you have your headquarters in Yenegoa,

“I will provide accommodation and everything that will be required for you to establish a base here. Particularly in Ukwa West where we have oil in the State. That’s the major local government where we have oil,” Gov. Otti stated.

Governor Otti appreciated the fact that the team launched an operation during the Yuletide that Abia State and the entire Southeast felt the impact as everywhere was calm and peaceful.

Earlier, the Commander, Joint Task Force – South South, Operations Delta Safe, Rear Admiral Olugbenga Ladipo said that he came to introduce himself to the Governor as the new commander of the Joint Task Force.

He noted that the Joint Task Force of Operations Delta Safe comprises States where oil are produced, and informed the Governor that their mandate is to protect oil and gas installations and fight against crude oil theft.

“And the Joint Task Force covers all the Niger Delta States, including Abia, Imo, and Anambra. Basically, where all the oil from this country is being produced or channeled for the country.

“The mandate of the JTF is the protection of all oil and gas infrastructure, to stop crude oil theft and bunkering. And to protect lives and properties.

“Now, the crude oil theft is no more on the pipelines. We have more theft on the wellheads. Every crime is dynamic. Today, we have them mixing chemicals with the crude to produce engine oil. They also produce diesel. Though the process is not a complete process.

“So, you see people’s cars are being destroyed, generators are being destroyed. So, we are going after crude oil thefts,” he stated.

The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba Ph.D, Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Navy Commander MacDonald Uba (rtd.) among others were present during the visit.