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Delta killings: The untold story
For 10 days, the nation is understandably simmering over the butchery of 17 officers and personnel of the Nigerian Army, who journeyed on a peace mission to Okuama, an Urhobo community in Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State, on March 14.
The subsequent discovery that the heartless killers beheaded some of the soldiers and mutilated the remains of others infuriated Nigerians the more.
Even more worrisome is the truth that the killers also collected the arms and ammunition of the Nigerian Army found in the possession of the assassinated soldiers, a development that no security agency would joke with until the weapons are found and retrieved.
Too many mysteries
But how did a communal misunderstanding between Okuama and Okoloba, an Ijaw community in Bomadi Local Government Area, Delta State, degenerate into the slaughter of soldiers, especially after the people of Okuama had received the soldiers in their territory, and served them kola nut?
What crime did the soldiers commit to warrant such jungle justice?
Having signed a peace accord brokered by the Delta state government, more than a month earlier, seemingly to forestall further killings, kidnap, and counter-kidnap by both communities, why did some Okuama youth waylay, and take hostage Mr. Anthony Aboh, an indigene of Okoloba, whose rescue attempt by soldiers resulted in the March 14 debacle?
However, if truth be told, were soldiers, job-wise, supposed to have embarked on peace talks with the people of Okuama, who are having a land dispute with Okoloba?
What were the compelling reasons for the military authorities authorizing such peace talks, headed by the Commanding Officer of the 181 Amphibious Battalion, Lt. Colonel A.H Ali, in a communal dispute between the two communities? Besides the lieutenant colonel were two majors, one captain, and others.
Who authorized the mission by the military officers? They could not have undertaken such a mission without authorization and planning.
Was the Commissioner of Police, Delta State, informed of the peace talks and what is the involvement of the police, whose duty it is in the first instance, to execute such a mission?
Why was it not the Police that went for the peace talks?
Did the Army notify the Governor of Delta State, the Chief Security Officer of the state, Rt. Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, of the March 14 peace talks?
Why did the peace team consist only of military men? Where were the officials of the Department of State Services, DSS, traditional rulers of the area, and other stakeholders?
What of the state Committee on Peace and Conflict Resolution that earlier brokered the peace accord between the two feuding communities; the Chairman of Ughelli South Local Government Area, and the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, in charge of the area?
Why should the Army not track down those who killed their men rather than attack innocent women, and children of Okuama, who could not have been the ones that murdered the soldiers?
Why should soldiers embark on razing the community, a day after the 17 soldiers were killed, and continue knocking down the community days after, but in the same breath, remain indifferent to allegations of carrying out reprisal action against the fleeing Okuama natives?
The puzzles in this sad episode that has enveloped Delta State are many. But the truth is that there is more than meets the eye in the entire affair.
What is, however, palpable is that the two communities were at daggers drawn over land despite the peace accord put in place by the state government, leaders and youth of the communities fanned embers of discord by their actions.
Accusations, counter-accusations
Both communities had before now accused each other of engaging the services of Very Important Personalities, VIPs, and private armies to undermine the peace process.
For example, while Okoloba accused Okuama of hiring a militant leader and other mercenaries to kidnap and kill their indigenes, including the 17 military men on March 14, Okuama also pointed fingers at Okoloba, alleging that a VIP influenced the disquieting presence of soldiers in its land for the bungled consultation.
Curiously, a militant from one of the warring communities suspected to have participated in the killing of the soldiers, in a trending video, maintained that the use of soldiers to persecute the people of Okuama triggered the bloodbath.
Military didn’t come for peacekeeping – Militant leader
Daring the government to declare him wanted if it so wished, during the week, an unnamed militant, who communicated in Pidgin English, said the soldiers allowed some influential people to use them to repress the people of Okuama.
He claimed that the Okuama and Okoloba communities were indeed having a land dispute and connected Ijaw people who used the army to escort and carry out their crude oil business, betrayed their brothers.
He disclosed they used soldiers to ‘carry’ three people and slaughtered them, adding, “The day the soldiers were killed, they came to carry our community leaders, and the youth knew that once the community leaders were captured, they would be powerless.”
From his explanation, they killed the soldiers to stop them from taking away the community leaders and making the youths of Okuama ineffective.
“That is why the action took place but people say the soldiers came for peacekeeping. Point of correction – no army came for peacekeeping. They are fighting in support of somebody who ordered them to do so.
“This is my last video; my father is a retired army captain; he died last year, and I have lost over six of my friends and relatives in Nigeria.
“If you like, take the matter to the next level. If you like, make the Federal Government declare me wanted, I am proud of it. You people are saying show my face, if I show my face, what will you do to me,” he said.
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Michael Collins Ajereh, popularly known as Don Jazzy or Don Baba J, is a Nigerian record producer, singer, songwriter, entrepreneur and philanthropist.
Following the closure of Mo’ Hits record label, Don Jazzy set up Mavin Records. Here is everything you need to know about Don Jazzy’s bio and net worth.
Don Jazzy is the founder and CEO of Mavin Records, Nigeria’s largest music company that has generated hit songs for several of the country’s top singers.
Don Jazzy has produced several popular songs for a variety of musicians, including D’banj, Wande Coal, Tiwa Savage, and many more. He has received several accolades for his songs, including the Nigerian Entertainment Award for Song Producer of the Year.…click link for full details
President Bola Tinubu’s path to reelection is becoming increasingly challenging with each passing day.
The opposition is intensifying its efforts and developing comprehensive strategies aimed at unseating his government in the upcoming 2027 elections. With political tensions rising, the battle for power is shaping up to be fierce and closely contested. Click link to continue reading.
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News
“Muslims Are Not Slaves” – Pastor Can’t Appoint Oyo Chief Imam, MURIC Sends Strong Warning To Alaafin
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has rejected the claim by the Alaafin of Oyo, Akeem Owoade, that he has the exclusive right to appoint the Chief Imam of Oyo town.
MURIC’s founder and executive director, Ishaq Akintola, said on Wednesday that no law gives the monarch such power.
His words: “The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade claimed yesterday that he had the exclusive right to appoint the chief imam of Oyo town.
“The claim was contained in a statement issued by the Alaafin’s director of media and publicity, Bode Durojaiye, on Monday, September 15, 2025.
“We reject this statement. It is false, baseless and without any legal backing. What the Alaafin called his exclusive right is a baseless privilege now being abused by traditional rulers in Yorubaland. Alaafin is being economical with the truth.”
Akintola challenged the monarch to produce a legal instrument backing his claim, describing it as “illogical, irrational and laughable”.
“If he has the power to appoint the chief imam, does he also have the power to appoint the bishop of Oyo?” he asked.
He further stated: “Now, if he has no power to appoint the bishop, he cannot claim the power to appoint the chief imam. If he is relying on tradition, there is a difference between tradition and what the law says.
“By the way, what kind of tradition enslaves Muslims but gives Christians freedom. We reject a tradition that puts Muslims in chains. Muslims are not slaves.”
The MURIC director said Nigeria is a democracy and not a monarchy, warning the Alaafin to “respect himself and know his limits so that he can be adequately respected”.
He added that past practices cannot serve as justification.
“The tradition in the past was to trek to Makkah on foot. That has been abandoned. The incumbent Alaafin should stop clinging to a comatose practice,” he said.
Akintola argued that Owoade, being a pastor, has “no moral right to dictate who should lead the Muslims in Oyo”.
He said the Muslim community of Oyo should consult the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN) before presenting a candidate for the role, stressing that the Alaafin’s blessing is “not mandatory”.
“To the Alaafin, Kabiyesi, your imperial majesty, you are the king over the whole of Oyo. You are king over the Muslims, the Christians and the traditionalists.
“Each group chooses its own leader. No law gives you exclusive right to choose the chief imam. Otherwise, show us evidence that you picked the Bishop. If you cannot pick the Bishop, how can you pick the imam? Stop impugning our dignity. Respect begets respect,” MURIC said.
The political situation in Nigeria is becoming more intense as accusations arise about who will be the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2027 elections.
The current INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, will retire in less than 60 days after managing the presidential elections of 2023. Click link to continue reading.
Tinubu with Marafa
Since assuming office, Tinubu rolled out various policies, including the removal of fuel and electricity subsidies, unification of the forex policy, and naira devaluation, all of which were blamed for the food inflation and high cost of living in the country.
The criticisms come as Nigerians reflect on Tinubu’s performance in office. While the government maintains that its reforms are necessary for long-term recovery.
A former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, has declared that at least 10 miracles are happening under President Bola Tinubu.
One: For the first time in over a decade, Nigeria has overshot its OPEC quota for three consecutive months and is set to do the same for the fourth month, producing an average of 1.71 million Barrels Per Day.
Two: The Nigerian Stock Exchange rises above 130,000 All Share Index for the first time ever.
Three: Food prices have significantly reduced, resulting in a drop in inflation to 20.12% in August 2025, a 1.76% drop from July’s 21.88%.
Four: MTN Nigeria Limited hits a record valuation of ₦10 trillion, the first Nigerian company to do so.
Five: Oil theft has been reduced to less than 10,000 Barrels Per Day, a sixteen-year low.
Six: Nigeria achieved its revenue target for the entire year in August, a first in our history.
Seven: Foreign Reserves are above $41 billion.
Eight: After a record trade surplus last year, Nigeria appears set to beat our 2024 figure. Our trade surplus rose 44.3% in Q2 to ₦7.46 trillion, up from ₦5.17 trillion in Q1.
Nine: Dangote has crashed fuel price to ₦841.
Ten: The Naira has appreciated to ₦1497 to $1, a five-month high.
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