News
Enugu Bus Terminal: Jubilation as Govt pays Compensation to biz owners, provides alternative Locations
Following the town-hall meeting conveyed by the Enugu State Government through the Ministry of Transportation with the property and business owners at the Nigerian Railway Corporation’s land over 8 months ago, which activated a series of negotiations and discussions on the proposed development of a world-class Transport Interchange (Enugu Central Station), alongside other innovative facilities at the Holy Ghost axis.
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Fulfilling its promise, which marked a significant milestone, the state government has commenced the payments of considerable compensations to the affected property and business owners.
Some of the jubilant beneficiaries, who confirmed payments on Monday, said the state government had, in addition to monetary compensations, also provided temporary locations for them to carry on their businesses pending the completion of the project.
This initiative, according to the beneficiaries, underscores the government’s commitment to transform and remodel the transportation sector, decongest traffic in the state capital and make it one of the leading transportation systems in Africa that would also allow them the right to carry on their businesses in the facilities.
“I just received confirmation from my bank notifying me about the clearance of a huge sum of money from the Enugu State Government. At first, I thought it was the usual scam from internet fraudsters until I visited the bank.”
“We have already relocated to the temporary site provided for us by the state government after we were notified by the railway corporation authority that the state government had taken the land in the overriding public interest.”
“I want to thank Governor Peter Mbah for the compensation. I didn’t believe that the government would even do anything,” a transport owner who simply identified himself as Mr. Udoka Aku said.
Another business owner, Chief Ignatius Okpara, who said the Railway Property Management had leased some portion of its land to him for business, told our correspondent that the Enugu State Government engaged them sometime in October 2023 on its plan to construct a modern transport interchange on the land as part of its urban regeneration strategy to eliminate the traffic jams and hardships motorists face in the area as well as to address the longstanding security issues and criminal activities in that axis.
“At first, some of us were sad; however, during our discussions with the railway management and the state governor on the options available to us and the fact that compensations would be paid; we accepted it in good faith. This was followed by another letter from Railway Property Management Company Ltd, sometime this year, which came as a notice of recovery of railway land on Market Road.”
“I had no option but to start relocating because the project is good and will benefit everyone. Besides, all of us who had property there were even given the right of first refusal after the completion of the terminal. To God be the glory, my bank reached out to me about some money that the state government was crediting to my account. I want to appreciate the governor for not abandoning us,” he stressed.
A visit to the area unveiled a concerning reality: the Railway Road and its surroundings, housing big transport companies, are now being used as hideouts for criminals and kidnappers. This alarming development calls for urgent intervention from the government.
Some of the business owners who spoke to our correspondents said they received notice of recovery from the government over 7 months ago. Despite this, they have continued operating their businesses as they perceived that the government was unprepared to take action.
“Yes, we were invited by Governor Peter Mbah for discussion. We were about 29 in number, including Onitsha South Transport Company, Anaocha South Mass Transit, Chisco Transport Company, Farm Associates Limited, Dozzy Oil Limited, A.C. Decanal Limited, Harco Oil, Nigerian Red Cross, Pilgrimage Sisters (Osisatech), Okeyson Transport Limited, MDS Logistics, FCMB, Ecobank and others, and we had fruitful discussions as the state government gave us the right of first refusal and other compensations. I’m still here because I feel I will easily switch to my new place any time the government comes.”
One of the transport managers who spoke to our correspondent said that the Chairman of Chisco Transport Ltd, Dr. Chidi Anyaegbu, who represented affected transport owners in the area, had lauded the state government for the initiative when he visited the government for further discussion on the interchange project, saying the Transport Infrastructure Project would enhance efficiency and profitability for transporters if it’s completed on time.
A middle-aged wholesale trader, Mr. Ekene Mojekwu, selling assorted wares, shared his perspective on the situation. He acknowledged the risk of remaining on the premises, noting that the evacuation notice had already expired.
Despite this, he emphasized his willingness to comply whenever the government initiates the demolition on the site
By Okey Maduforo Awka
Six members of the Indigenous People Of Biafra IPOB have been declared wanted by the Nigerian Police .
The six persons led by Mr Chukwuebuka Ohaechesi, include Emma Okonkwo, Jude Uwa, Gentle Okoro, Uchenna Dike, and Emmanuel Nwankwo who are said to be at large.
The were said to have fled to neighboring states in the South East hence signaling the other four Police Commands in the geopolitical zone to assist in the manhunt for them
The Police accused them of executing protests against the detaintion of the leader of IPOB Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who is currently serving jail terms in Sokoto Correction Center.
According to a statement issued by the Abia Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, ASP Eguavon Omokaro, the individuals are suspected members of IPOB who have allegedly participated in protests at various times and locations within the state.
The statement alleged that the protests were organised in connection with the continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and demands for justice through the judicial process.
The Police Command further stated that these protests have allegedly resulted in breaches of peace and disruptions to law and order in Abia State. Consequently, the Police Intelligence Department reportedly concluded that the named individuals were among the principal organisers and coordinators of the demonstrations.
The statement further alleged that; ;
“It should be noted that on every 30th day of May, these men and their cohorts convene for the so-called remembrance of Biafra, holding clandestine meetings at various locations in the name of the emancipation of the Biafran Republic and the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”
According to the police, the six individuals were invited on several occasions for questioning in relation to the allegations against them.
The statement indicated that the first invitation was issued on 18 December 2025, followed by a second invitation on 7 February 2026, and a third invitation on 3 March 2026.
The police alleged that the individuals failed to honour all three invitations.
The statement further asserted:
“These individuals were invited by the police on several occasions. Firstly, on 18 December 2025, they failed to honour the invitation. Again, they were invited on 7th February 2026 and failed to appear. Finally, they were invited on 3 March 2026, and they also failed to present themselves before the police.” It stated.
As a result, the Abia State Police Command announced that all six individuals had been formally declared wanted.
The police appealed to members of the public to provide any reliable information that could lead to their arrest and prosecution, stating that informants would be suitably rewarded.
The declaration of the six individuals as wanted persons is linked to allegations of their participation in pro-Biafra activities, demonstrations concerning the detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and their alleged association with IPOB, an organisation that has been the subject of extensive scrutiny and security operations by Nigerian authorities.
In a statement shared on social media, VeryDarkMan argued that Wike may not fully understand the pain and trauma experienced by parents of abducted children and affected teachers. He claimed that the minister’s children were educated abroad, away from the security challenges facing many Nigerian families.Nigerian entertainment news
The activist stated that insecurity, kidnapping, and attacks on schools remain serious national concerns and should not be dismissed or reduced to political issues. He stressed that the fears and frustrations of parents whose children face security threats deserve greater attention from public officials.
VeryDarkMan further warned that political power is temporary, urging leaders to remain accountable to the people and sensitive to the challenges confronting ordinary Nigerians.
DSS Detains Novelist Okey Ndibe at Lagos Airport, Awaits Clearance from Abuja
Renowned Nigerian novelist, journalist, and academic, Okey Ndibe, was reportedly detained by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) upon his arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Monday morning.
Ndibe disclosed his situation in a message sent while in custody, stating: “I’ve been with the SSS now for more than an hour. They’re waiting for clearance from some oga before they let me go.”
According to sources close to the writer, his detention follows a pattern that dates back to previous administrations, including that of former President Goodluck Jonathan, during which he was frequently stopped and questioned over his critical commentaries on Nigerian governance and public affairs.
However, associates noted that Ndibe has largely stepped away from active commentary in Nigerian media over the past two years, focusing instead on writing books and his academic responsibilities at University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he teaches.
A close friend of the author and former Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, C. Don Adinuba, said similar incidents had occurred several times in the past. He explained that airport DSS officials typically contacted their superiors in Abuja before eventually releasing Ndibe.
“It is a pity that this agency doesn’t update its database to enable officers on duty at the airport to know that the agency no longer regards Prof. Ndibe as a security threat to the administration,” Adinuba said.
He added that on previous occasions, the DSS had apologized to the respected author after determining that his detention was unwarranted.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official statement from the DSS regarding the circumstances surrounding Ndibe’s latest detention. The development has raised renewed concerns about the treatment of government critics and the continued use of security watchlists affecting returning Nigerians.
Hegseth made the disclosure during a press conference at the White House on Wednesday, where he said the directive was issued about a year ago after Trump became aware of attacks against Christians in Nigeria.
He explained that the operation involved behind-the-scenes coordination and deployment of military assets, adding that intelligence gathered during the mission contributed to the killing of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, identified as ISIS’s second-in-command, during a joint operation involving U.S. and Nigerian forces in the Lake Chad Basin.
“Maybe a year ago, he heard the call of Nigerian Christians who were being targeted and killed by ISIS in Nigeria, and he said, ‘Pete, I want the War Department to focus on ensuring that we do everything we can to protect those Christians,’” Hegseth said.
According to him, the operation yielded significant results in the fight against terrorism in the region.
“And we got the assets there, and over the last month, and there hasn’t been much coverage of this, we killed ISIS number two in Nigeria, who’s most responsible for killing Christians and trying to target the U.S. homeland,” he stated.
Hegseth added that working on the Intel gathered, they have killed hundreds of ISIS members who were targeting and killing Christians in Nigeria.
The U.S. defence chief described the operation as part of the Trump administration’s broader commitment to counterterrorism efforts and the protection of vulnerable communities.
“So there are a lot of things we do that the media pays attention to, and a lot of things that the President empowers the Department to do on behalf of the American people that he deserves great credit for,” Hegseth stated.
ISIS second in command, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki was killed in a coordinated U.S.-Nigeria military operation in northeast Nigeria earlier this month.
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