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Some members of the Lagos State House of Assembly have arrived at the Department of State Services (DSS) office in the Magodo area of the state, following the detention of two of their colleagues.

The detained lawmakers, Hon. Lanre Afinni and Hon. Sylvester Ogunkelu, were invited for questioning over matters related to the state assembly. According to sources, one of them has been released, while the other remains in DSS custody.

Lawmakers currently present at the DSS premises include Hon. Abiodun Tobun (Epe Constituency 1), Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu (Eti-Osa Constituency 2), Hon. Kehinde Joseph (Alimosho Constituency 2), and Hon. Solomon Bonu (Badagry Constituency 1), among others.

Details surrounding the lawmakers’ questioning remain unclear as of the time of this report.

Ajegunle Powerline community in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State was thrown into mourning on Tuesday as suspected herdsmen reportedly killed five farmers in a violent attack.

The victims, identified as labourers from Plateau and Kaduna states, were working on farmlands when the assailants struck around 3:00 pm, witnesses said.

An eyewitness, who is also a farmer, recounted that the attackers had been consistently destroying crops and disrupting farming activities in the area. He lamented that similar attacks have become a recurring threat, forcing many farmers to abandon their farmlands for fear of being killed.

The witness further revealed that aside from the killings, female farmers in the community have also suffered occasional assaults, including rape.

A survivor of the attack disclosed that the armed men stormed the area suddenly and began shooting indiscriminately, leading to the death of five individuals.

Confirming the incident, the Public Relations Officer of the Ondo State Police Command, CSP Funmilayo Odunlami, stated that security operatives were still investigating the case. She, however, did not confirm the exact number of casualties.

Residents of the community have called for urgent intervention by security agencies to prevent further loss of lives and destruction of farmlands.

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld the proscription of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as a terrorist organization.

In a unanimous decision, a three-member panel led by Justice Hamma Barka affirmed the ruling of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which declared the group illegal. The appellate court ruled that there was no basis to overturn the Federal Government’s order proscribing IPOB, citing national security concerns.

The court maintained that the government acted lawfully in outlawing the organization, whose activities were deemed a threat to the country’s stability. Consequently, it dismissed IPOB’s appeal for lack of merit.

The proscription of IPOB was first ordered by the late former Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Abdul Abdu-Kafarati, on September 15, 2017. The ruling followed an ex-parte motion filed by the former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.

Justice Kafarati’s order specifically banned all IPOB activities, particularly in the South-East and South-South regions of Nigeria.

Governors of the South-South geopolitical zone convened in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, on Tuesday to address pressing economic and security challenges affecting the region.

The meeting, hosted by Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, was attended by Governors Bassey Otu (Cross River), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers), and Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom). However, Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, was absent and did not send a representative.

In his opening remarks, Governor Diri emphasized the importance of regional cooperation in addressing key issues, including security, agriculture, education, power, environment, tourism, and youth empowerment through sports, ICT, and entrepreneurship.

“The rapidly changing landscape of our country and the world underscores the urgent need for enhanced regional collaboration,” he stated.

He decried the environmental impact of oil exploration and the inadequate benefits accruing to the region despite its role as Nigeria’s economic hub. “Everywhere we turn, it seems that the proverbial curse of oil wealth has held us hostage,” he lamented.

Governor Diri called for the revitalization of the BRACED Commission, a regional think-tank established in 1999, urging his counterparts to move beyond policy statements and take concrete actions to drive economic growth.

He highlighted key development proposals, including a regional flight connection, a South-South railway network, and the completion of the East-West Road, which links all states in the region.

On security, he referenced recent violent incidents in Okuoma, Okoloba, and Igbomotoru, stressing the need for region-specific security measures. “By pooling our collective wisdom, experiences, and resources, we can devise strategies to prevent and mitigate future security threats,” he said.

Governor Diri also called for greater collaboration between the South-South states and federal agencies such as the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to ensure alignment with local priorities.

He expressed appreciation to the attending governors and stakeholders, urging them to seize the opportunity to drive meaningful development. “May this meeting mark a turning point in our collective journey towards realizing our true potential,” he concluded.