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Residents Protest Bomb Discovery In Enugu Community

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Residents Protest Bomb Discovery In Enugu Community

Residents of the Ochima community in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State have taken to the streets in a peaceful protest after a live explosive was discovered in their farmland, the second such incident in two years.

Naija News reports that the protesters, carrying placards with inscriptions like “Nigerian Army should leave Ochima community alone” and “Government should come and rescue Ochima community from Nigerian Army”, blamed their ordeal on ongoing military shooting exercises by the Nigerian Army’s 82 Division, Enugu.

According to the protesters, the discovery of a live bomb in their farmland has intensified fear among residents, who allege that the military’s shooting range is too close to their community. They expressed concerns over years of trauma, property damage, injuries, and even death resulting from stray bullets and explosives.

The President General of the Ochima Town Union, Gerald Okwesili Ubaka, while addressing the media, stated that the community could no longer conduct its daily activities in peace.

“The reason why we are protesting is that we are in danger.

“The community cannot live comfortably again because every time bullets from the Nigerian Army, 82 Division, Enugu shooting range fall in our land. We cannot farm or fetch water from our streams,” he told journalists.

Ubaka recounted the tragic death of a female resident, Gloria, in February 2022, who was hit by a stray bullet during military exercises.

He explained that the recently discovered bomb was reported to the Police Divisional Headquarters at Ogbede, which promptly contacted the Police Anti-Bomb Squad in Enugu.

“They came and helped us neutralise the explosive,” he said, noting that the detonation took place on May 10, 2025.

“Last year we discovered a bomb and this year again we discovered another bomb. In our land, all the people and visitors are in danger and we are dying.”

The Senior Special Adviser on Works in the local government, Engr. Onyebuchi Otoboeze, confirmed the community’s ordeal and applauded the council chairman for acting swiftly during the recent incident.

Also speaking, the Station Catechist of Holy Child Catholic Church, Ochima, Lawrence Igwe, urged the government to intervene and prevent further disaster.

“We are begging the government to take this matter seriously before more lives are lost,” Igwe pleaded.

Naija News understands that this is not the first time the community has raised the alarm. In 2024, Ochima residents staged a similar protest and filed a legal suit against the army over military encroachment, a case that is still pending in court.

The protesters are calling for the Nigerian Army to vacate the area and cease all activities around their land, stating that peace and normal life can only return when their safety is assured.

Naijanews.com

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Atiba Varsity Tasks New Staff, Places Premium On Academic Excellence

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The Vice Chancellor of Atiba University, Oyo, Professor Sunday Okeniyi, has enjoined the newly employed staff of the institution to develop the spirit of teamwork, respect, and discipline, which are the hallmarks of every successful institution.

Okeniyi disclosed this during the orientation programme for the newly employed staff of the institution.

While welcoming the newly employed staff, he also congratulated them on their successful appointment into the fast-rising institution. “Your joining us today is not by chance, but by merit, commitment, and the will of God. Atiba University is a citadel of learning and character formation, envisioned to nurture and produce men and women of excellence, integrity, and service. By becoming part of this family, you are now co-builders of this noble vision.”

The V-C said the orientation programme was a deliberate initiative of the management to formally integrate the new staff into the University system. “It is designed to give you a clear understanding of our mission, vision, core values, rules, and operational culture. Our goal is not just for you to work here, but for you to thrive, contribute meaningfully, and leave an indelible mark on the growth and transformation of this University.”

He explained that the university places a premium on academic excellence, innovative research, moral uprightness, and community development. These values define the identity and are the standards the staff must all uphold in their respective assignments—whether as academic staff shaping young minds or as non-teaching staff providing essential support services that make our work possible.

While admitting much needed to be done, Okeniyi said the institution has recorded remarkable progress within a short time. “The future we envision—a future of global competitiveness, leadership in innovation and knowledge, and impact within and beyond Nigeria—requires the collective commitment of every member of staff. That includes you. Your dedication, creativity, and professionalism are needed to propel us forward,” he said.

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This Is War, Kill Every Single One Of Them – Fani-Kayode Blows Hot Over Zamfara Mosque Massacre

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Former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode has condemned the gruesome murder of five worshippers during an early morning prayer in Yandoto village, Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
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Speaking via his 𝕏 account, he insisted that the killers should be wiped out, adding that there should be no room for discussions or negotiations.

Fani-Kayode asserted that the killers are terrorists not bandits and described their actions as an act of war.

He wrote: “These are not bandits. Pls stop calling them bandits. They are bloodthirsty killers and terrorists and every single one of them should be wiped off the face of the earth.

“If our people cannot worship God in peace then we have nothing. No negotiation, no discussion, no ransom payments, no rehabilitation.

“This is WAR. Kill every single one of them, wipe out their blood line and decimate their communities and abodes. There is no place on earth for those that slaughter innocent civilians.”

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State has accused Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of failing to address the escalating banditry crisis in the state.

Naija News reports that a deadly attack occurred on Sunday in Oke-Ode, Ifelodun Local Government Area, which left several residents and vigilante members dead.

Speaking via a statement on Monday, the Publicity Secretary of the party, Olusegun Olusola Adewara, described the massacre as “a despicable and senseless act.”

He blamed the governor for the insecurity situation in the state, noting that it is a monumental leadership failure.

Adewara said, “The gruesome videos of the casualties circulating online make it look like Kwara is now at war. Under AbdulRahman’s watch, terror is reigning, kidnappers are taking over rural villages, and nowhere is safe again.”

The opposition party faulted AbdulRazaq’s alleged silence and absence from the affected community, insisting that a responsible leader should have personally visited Oke-Ode to commiserate with victims’ families and give assurances of decisive action.

It further accused the governor of neglecting local vigilantes and security personnel “battling criminals in the bush,” while diverting funds to “footballers and entertainers outside the state.”

The PDP’s criticism comes amid rising concern in Kwara North, where repeated bandit attacks have forced residents to abandon farms, schools, and businesses.

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Nigeria @65: Atiku Knocks Tinubu’s Government In Strongly-Worded Independence Day Message; Details Emerge

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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has praised Nigerians for what he described as “uncommon patience, endurance, and resilience despite living under suffocating socio-economic and security conditions”

In his Independence Day message to Nigerians, the opposition leader alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) administration had abandoned Nigerians to their fate

Atiku lamented that Nigerians were enduring pains from “raging insecurity, rising food scarcity, mass unemployment, and a dangerous climate of hopelessness all “compounded by the insensitivity of the APC-led administration

Tinubu Chairs ECOWAS 67th Session

In an Independence Day message released by his media office, obtained by Legit.ng, Atiku lamented that Nigerians are enduring excruciating pains from raging insecurity, rising food scarcity, mass unemployment, and a dangerous climate of hopelessness.

The presidential hopeful accused the Tinubu administration of being insensitive to the plight of Nigerians.

Atiku declared: “It is tragic that in a country blessed with immense human and material resources, millions of our people have been reduced to refugees and beggars in their fatherland. Every responsible government holds the welfare and security of its citizens as supreme. But what we have today is an administration that has abandoned its people. Hunger is killing Nigerians, bandits are massacring communities, yet President Tinubu and his cabinet stand by, unmoved and uncaring.”

Furthermore, Atiku called on citizens not to lose faith, reminding Nigerians that the 2027 election provides a clear opportunity to reject bad leadership and reclaim the promise of a better tomorrow.

He said: “The beauty of democracy lies in the power of the ballot. Oppressed and battered as our people may feel today, they will have the chance to sweep away this inept government at the next polls. That is the power no cabal can take away from the people.”

At 65, Atiku noted, Nigeria remains “a giant moving painfully slow on feet of clay”.

The 78-year-old blamed Nigeria’s condition on “a direct result of decades of poor leadership and wasteful governance.”

He bemoaned: “Yet, he urged Nigerians to keep hope alive, insisting that with the right leadership, the country can still rise from the ashes of failed governance to reclaim its rightful place among the comity of nations.”

 

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