By David Owei,Bayelsa

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has called on the police to speed up investigation into the recent death of a 24-year-old, Patrick Peresuodei.

The late Peresuodei, an indigene of Amassoma community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state, reportedly engaged in an online dispute with one Mr. Bodmas Kemepadei, which led to his being assaulted and subsequent death, sparking wide condemnation.

Speaking during the 181st state executive council meeting in Government House, Yenagoa, on Wednesday, Governor Diri said the state government got involved in the matter immediately it happened, stressing that any case of murder was between the state and the culprit.

He said after receiving briefings from relevant officials, he directed the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice to take over the matter on behalf of the state and ensure that justice was served.

While condemning the murder of the youth, the Bayelsa governor implored the people of Amassoma and youths of the state to support the police and the state government with useful information to enable Peresuodei’s family get justice.

He assured that the culprits would face the law.

Diri also condoled with families of victims of the road accident last Friday on their way to the burial of the late Bayelsa deputy governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, and assured them of government’s support.

He described them as patriotic Bayelsans and will be remembered for their service to the state.

The state’s helmsman lauded the Ewhrudjakpo family and the Ofoni community for their cooperation throughout the burial period.

His words: “Patrick Peresuodei’s death is another issue we have on our hands and I have been briefed by my Commissioner for Youth. I have also directed my Commissioner for Justice to take over the matter. It is a case of murder and we want a diligent investigation to unravel those that carried out the act. The process must be expedited so that all those culpable will face the law.

“Sadly, we also recorded another incident of those attending the deputy governor’s burial. We lost two sons of Bayelsa State and several others injured. Let me express our condolences to the families of those two patriotic Bayelsans.”

Also, a delegation from the Ewhrudjakpo family and the Ofoni community led by Dr. Oyowvin Osusu visited Governor Diri to express appreciation to the state government for its role in the burial of their son.

By George Mgbeleke

Worried by frequent terrorists attack on communities in Katsina State,Senate on Wednesday implored President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to approve his pledge to create a new military barracks in the security challenged Malumfashi zone of Katsina State.

This followed a motion titled “Need to Review Approach in Addressing Insecurity in Katsina State – A Call for Immediate and Comprehensive Federal Intervention” sponsored by Senator Dandutse Mohammed Muntari (Katsina South).

The Senate also directed the Inspector General of Police to issue the new Squadron if established at least three Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) to intensify intelligence-driven operations including forest combing, cross-state collaboration, and community-based intelligence systems across Katsina and other hotspots.
The Senate lauded President Tinubu and security agencies for their rapid interventions but urged them to sustain coordinated operations until all criminal elements are flushed out.

The Red Chamber called on communities in Katsina and across Nigeria to remain united, vigilant, and supportive of security efforts, while resisting internal collaborators who undermine national security.

It further directed the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and NEMA to provide immediate relief support to traumatized families and affected communities.
One-minute silence was observed for the memory of the departed souls.

Moving the motion, Senator Muntari said the Senate was disturbed “Deeply disturbed by the recent horrific attacks on Members of the Nigeria Police Mobile Force who were ambushed in broad daylight in Guga, Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State where three Police personnel were killed and two critically injured;
“Notes with grave concern that as at yesterday Tuesday 3rd February,2026 thirty five (35) people have been attacked and killed across Funtua Zone; twenty four (24) in Faskari Local Government Area, eight (8) people in Mahuta Ward of Dandume Local Government Area, two (2) people in Maska Ward Funtua Local Government Area and one (1) person in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State in less than two (2) weeks;

“Concerned that the incessant banditry attacks on Communities will significantly impact food production and agricultural activities, as more than fifty (50) thousand farmlands are not cultivable presently thereby jeopardizing food security and livelihood of the people;
“Recalls that the Governor of Katsina State led a delegation of elder statesmen from Funtua Zone to pay a Courtesy visit to Mr. President and the issue of insecurity was raised at the meeting. Mr. President pledged during the visit to have a Military Barracks sited in Malumfashi for the Zone.
“Observes that criminals continue to exploit porous forest corridors including the Machikan Dutse/Maikasuwa axis in Kaduna, Fawwa Hill in Kankara, and Zamfara Corridor, complicating rescue missions and inter-state security coordination;
“Worried that continued inaction risks mass displacement, collapse of rural livelihood, and long-term psychological trauma in vulnerable populations.”

In his remarks, President of the Senate ,Godswill Akpabio prayed that the country witnessed the end of banditry and insurgency in 2026 with a pledge to do a follow-up with the president to ensure approvals of funds to the military is backed by releases.

He said: “I want to thank you Senator Maidoki Garba for your very strong stance and to say that we in the Senate are with you. We share the same opinion. We are of the opinion that this banditry should end. In fact, on the 1st of January, my prayer to God and which I spread to the nation was that the banditry and insurgency should end this year.
“By the grace of God, in 2026, we will not see our end, but rather we shall see the end of 2026 and the end of banditry. That’s our prayer.

“So, I understand the anger. But also note, there are a lot of things involved. They only go for soft targets. We cannot have military barracks in every village in Nigeria. The country is very vast. So, they go for soft targets. And when they go, they cause massive damage. And by the time we move there, it becomes reactionary. I advise we do everything to explore the possibility of using very sophisticated drones in very vast areas that we can we can man.

“I assure you the national assembly will take cognisance of your plea and look at the 2026 budget in a way that will favour the military in general and also the national orientation agency to do its best to sensitise the public so that when you see anything should report.”
Senator Garba had said that banditry could end this year with adequate funding of the military.

By Uthman-Baba Naseer,Minna

‎The Chief Judge of Niger State, Justice Halima Ibrahim Abdulmalik, has expressed her readiness to collaborate with and support the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) in promoting and protecting the rights of vulnerable members of society.
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‎Justice Abdulmalik made this known on Tuesday when the executive members of the International Human Rights Commission–Relief Fund paid her a courtesy visit at her office in Minna, the Niger State capital.
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‎She explained that her recent directive restricting the prosecution of cases in courts to only professionally qualified lawyers was aimed at strengthening the protection of citizens’ rights and safeguarding the administration of justice against abuse and injustice.
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‎According to the Chief Judge, allowing trained lawyers to prosecute cases enhances adherence to the rule of law and accelerates access to justice for litigants. She noted that the decision was part of broader reforms targeted at improving the justice delivery system and ensuring adequate protection for vulnerable citizens who depend on a fair and impartial judiciary.
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‎She thanked the human rights organisation for the visit and assured them that the ongoing reforms in the state’s justice sector would be comprehensive and far-reaching. She urged the organisation to continue championing human rights, while stressing that such advocacy must always be carried out within the ambit of the law.
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‎Justice Abdulmalik further stated that her office would treat any complaint or petition against judicial officers with utmost seriousness, adding that petitions must be supported with affidavits clearly stating allegations of misconduct or abuse of office.
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‎Speaking earlier, a member of the Board of Trustees of the IHRC, Alhaji Mohammed Awaisu Wana, commended the Chief Judge for her efforts at restoring the integrity and dignity of the judiciary in Niger State.
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‎He described an impartial judiciary as vital to peace and societal stability, noting that the reforms being championed by Justice Abdulmalik would significantly improve the administration of justice and enhance public confidence in the judicial system.
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‎Alhaji Wana explained that the International Human Rights Commission is a registered organisation under the United Nations Economic and Social Council, established to promote awareness and defend the rights of the less privileged across the world.
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‎He assured the Chief Judge of the organisation’s willingness to work closely with the judiciary to strengthen the protection of citizens’ rights, urging her to remain steadfast in upholding justice without discrimination on the basis of race, gender or colour.
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‎He, however, raised concerns over allegations that some judges in area courts and Sharia courts were abusing their offices for pecuniary gains, calling on the Chief Judge to intervene and ensure that such judicial officers are sanctioned in accordance with the law.