Abuja Reports

Hoodlums Unleash Terror on Saburi Community

Published

10 months ago

January 25, 2025

By Patrick Idowu
Residents of Saburi in the Dei-Dei area of Abuja are gripped with fear as hoodlums continue to terrorize the community, carrying out multiple attacks since the start of the year.
The assailants, who reportedly use scavengers to survey the area before striking, have attacked at least three times, stealing valuables worth millions of naira.
The first incident occurred during the New Year crossover night, with subsequent attacks targeting homes on Ikejani Street, Osumeayi Street, Sani Abacha Lane, and other parts of Saburi.
During one attack, the hoodlums severely injured a security guard, Sunday Ogbor, slashing his face with a knife.
Ogbor recounted, “They tied me up, hit me, and cut my face from ear to ear. I can no longer see properly.”
Another resident, Gift Udago, narrated how the robbers, armed with machetes, axes, and guns, invaded his house, broke windows, and demanded money and phones.
“They destroyed everything and took valuables. It was a terrifying experience,” he said.
Princess Amaka Chijioke, the community’s women leader, described how the robbers stormed her home after learning she had withdrawn money.
“They threatened to kill my son and took everything,” she said, urging the government to intervene.
Residents expressed frustration over the slow response of the police, claiming it often takes an hour for officers to arrive after an attack.
Many have resorted to organizing vigilante patrols to protect themselves.
The Vice Chairman of the Saburi residential district, Engr. Gerald Aziegbe, lamented the lack of a strong police presence, saying, “This is the fifth time in over three years that we have been attacked, and no arrest has been made.”
The community is calling on the government and security agencies to address the escalating insecurity in the area.

Abuja Reports

Abuja Waste Management Collapsing, Tinubu’s Aide Tells Wike

Published

21 hours ago

November 14, 2025

By Samson Adeyanju

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Minister, Nyesom Wike, has been urged to urgently address the worsening waste situation in Abuja to prevent a public health crisis.

Temitope Ajayi, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, raised the alarm on Friday via his X account.

He said the city’s waste management system “has certainly broken” and called on Wike to take immediate action.

“Refuse is taking over the city. Minister Wike should pay immediate attention to this,” Ajayi said, while acknowledging the minister’s achievements in expanding roads and restarting abandoned infrastructure projects.

Meanwhile, human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), has urged President Tinubu to compel Wike to apologise over derogatory remarks made against a naval officer, A. M. Yerima, during a dispute over a property in Abuja.

Falana said both Wike and the officer erred by taking the law into their own hands, though he praised the officer for maintaining restraint.

Falana highlighted the minister’s statutory duties under the Land Use Act but noted that Wike’s use of uncomplimentary language breached principles of dignity and respect.

He cited a Ghanaian precedent where a minister apologised for insulting a citizen, stressing that no public officer has the right to verbally abuse any Nigerian.

The comments were made on Thursday at the opening of the Legal Year of the Faculty of Law, University of Abuja, organised by the Law Students Association of Nigeria (LAWSAN), UNIABUJA Chapter.

Ajayi and Falana’s statements put renewed focus on governance and civility in public service amid rising concerns over waste management and law enforcement in Abuja.

Abuja Reports

Tinubu Reappoints Buba Marwa as NDLEA Chairman

Published

1 day ago

November 14, 2025

By Onilede Titi Faith

President Bola Tinubu has approved the reappointment of Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd), as Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), for another five-year term, extending his tenure to 2031.

Marwa, first appointed in January 2021 by former President Muhammadu Buhari, is credited with major reforms and an intensified nationwide drug enforcement campaign.

His reappointment was announced Friday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

A former military governor of Lagos and Borno States, Marwa also chaired the Presidential Advisory Committee for the Elimination of Drug Abuse from 2018 to 2020.

He holds postgraduate degrees from the University of Pittsburgh and Harvard University.

Under his leadership, the NDLEA has recorded numerous high-profile drug seizures, arrested over 73,000 suspects, and expanded drug abuse prevention campaigns.

President Tinubu described the renewal of Marwa’s tenure as a vote of confidence in his efforts to combat drug trafficking and safeguard Nigerian youth.

Abuja Reports

Wike Defends Clash with Naval Officer

Published

2 days ago

November 13, 2025

Samson Adeyanju

By Huldah Shado

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has defended his confrontation with a naval officer, Lt. A.M. Yerima, over a disputed plot allegedly linked to former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo (retd).

Speaking after the FCT Executive Council meeting on Thursday in Abuja, Wike condemned what he described as Gambo’s “act of impunity” in deploying serving naval personnel to guard the contested property at Plot No. 1946, Gaduwa District.

He said he intervened after officers of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), were allegedly assaulted while enforcing development regulations.

“How can I sit as minister when government officials are being beaten up? And I’ll just sit in my office doing what?” he asked.

Wike faulted the use of security operatives to protect private interests, citing examples of other former leaders like Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Gen. T.Y. Danjuma who, he said, always resolve issues respectfully.

He also criticised Yerima for allegedly insulting police officers at the scene, saying, “Nobody talks like that. You call them ‘bloody police’? These are the same government officials who made you what you are.”

Wike clarified that he had no problem with the military as an institution but would not tolerate lawlessness or intimidation of FCTA staff.