By EgbemaVoice The Ijaw Publishers’ Forum (IPF) has commiserated with renowned Niger Delta broadcaster, Chief Victor Ayabotu, following the death of his daughter. In a condolence message issued on Monday and signed by its national Spokesman Comrade Ezekiel Kagbala, the forum described the loss as painful and unfortunate, noting that no parent should have to bury a child. The IPF, a body of media professionals of Ijaw extraction, expressed shock over the sad news and extended its heartfelt sympathies to Ayabotu, his family, and loved ones. “On behalf of the Ijaw Publishers’ Forum, we sympathize with our brother, colleague, and veteran broadcaster, Chief Victor Ayabotu, over the untimely demise of his beloved daughter,” the statement read. “The death of a child is a wound that never truly heals. Imagine the depth of grief this has brought to the Ayabotu's family. We pray the Almighty God grants him, his wife, and the entire family the fortitude to bear this irreparable lo...

By EgbemaVoice, Retired police personnel and their families, under the aegis of the Police Retired Officers Forum of Nigeria, on Monday staged a protest at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, blocking one of its gates. The retirees said the demonstration was against the continued inclusion of the Nigeria Police Force in the Contributory Pension Scheme. They described the scheme as “fraudulent, illegal, inhumane, and obnoxious.” The protesters urged President  Bola Tinubu  to assent to the Police Exit Bill passed by the National Assembly on December 4, 2025. According to them, the bill was transmitted to the Presidency on March 16, 2026. They argued that when signed into law, the legislation would exempt police personnel from what they termed a “slavery and untimely death-inducing pension scheme.” The protest was led by the National Coordinator of the forum, Raphael Irowainu. Speaking to journalists, Irowainu said the core objective was to press for immediate presidential assent. ...

By EgbemaVoice, A renowned ljaw veteran broadcaster, the anchor man of ljaw Request Programme organized every Friday of the week at Radio Delta Broadcasting Services (DBS) Warri, Alaowei Victor Ebipade Ayabotu is throne into mourning as he lost his first daughter, Miss Frances Funlayefa Ayabotu to the cold hands of death. The sad news occured early this month 7th April, 2026 as family, friends, loved ones and well wishers paid condolence visit to the veteran at his residence in Osubi, near warri, Delta State in order to sympathize with him and his immediate family. The graduate of Mass Communication died at the tender age of 30 after a brief illness. Alaowei Ebipade Ayabotu, popularly known as Egberigede is a sound ljaw news broadcaster who over the past five decades had been promoting and preserving the ljaw language, culture and tradition through consistent media advocacy, ljaw traditional marriages and burial ceremonies. At this trying time, ljaw leaders, well meaning in...

Officer Dismissed From Nigeria Police Force After Viral Video Shows Use of Personal POS Machine to Extort 51,000 Naira From Civilian A police officer accused of extorting money from Nigerians using a personal Point of Sale machine has been discharged from service, according to statements attributed to police authorities this week. The dismissal follows the circulation of a video in which the officer was recorded allegedly compelling a civilian to transfer 51,000 naira to an account he controlled. The footage sparked public outrage online and renewed calls for accountability within the force. In the video that went viral, the officer is seen during a stop-and-search operation reportedly demanding a transfer after detaining a young man. The victim was allegedly forced to make the payment via a POS machine the officer carried, rather than through official police procedures. Such conduct, if confirmed, violates Nigeria Police Force regulations which prohibit officers from using personal ac...

AMB. APOSTLE BENJAMIN KUKURU (EBIS) DECRIES DISUNITY IN WARRI NORTH, DECLARES 2027 ASSEMBLY AMBITION, CALLS FOR IJAW–ITSEKIRI UNITY AND STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT, By Egbemavoice  Warri North, Delta State  Ambassador Apostle Benjamin Kukuru, popularly known as Ebis, has strongly condemned the persistent disunity among ethnic groups in Warri North Local Government Area, describing it as the primary driver of the area’s prolonged underdevelopment and socio-political stagnation. Amb. Kukuru made this known during a high-level engagement with the Egbema Youth Council, where he formally declared his intention to contest for the Delta State House of Assembly seat representing Warri North Constituency in the forthcoming 2027 general elections. In a firm and forward-looking address, the aspirant stated that his candidacy is anchored on a clear vision to unite the Ijaw and Itsekiri people, restore peace, and reposition Warri North for sustainable development and equitable repres...

FROM ISAAC BORO TO TOMPOLO: THE LONG WALK TO POLITICAL FREEDOM AND RESOURCE CONTROL  "A people’s struggle for justice, dignity, and control over their God-given wealth" By Engr. Yeigagha Henry. JP The history of the Niger Delta struggle is, at its core, the story of the Ijaw people’s persistent resistance against political exclusion, economic exploitation, and environmental degradation. From the revolutionary defiance of Isaac Adaka Boro in the 1960s to the militant-era influence of Government Ekpemupolo, the journey has been long, turbulent, and deeply consequential for Nigeria’s political evolution. This struggle did not emerge in isolation. It was born out of decades of neglect, despite the Niger Delta being the economic backbone of the Nigerian state through crude oil production. The paradox of poverty amidst wealth has remained the defining injustice of the region. THE BORO REVOLUTION: A CRY FOR JUSTICE  In 1966, Isaac Adaka Boro declared the short-lived Niger Delta Repu...

PRESS RELEASE IJAW WOMEN BACK PROTEST, DEMAND CONSTITUTIONAL ORDER IN INC CRISIS "Following the disputed Ijaw National Congress elections and the controversial ad hoc committee announcement" By Engr. Yeigagha Henry. JP The Ijaw Women of conscience, across the homeland and in the diaspora, have formally thrown their weight behind the ongoing protest arising from the recent leadership crisis within the Ijaw National Congress (INC), describing the situation as a critical test of institutional integrity and constitutional order. In a strongly worded statement issued under the leadership of Timiebi Koripamo-Agary, the women declared that their position is not merely emotional but rooted in principle, legality, and the long-standing struggle for justice within the Ijaw Nation. They expressed deep concern over the announcement of an “Ad Hoc Committee” reportedly constituted on April 13, 2026; the same day as the widely disputed INC national executive elections. According to them, su...

NBA'S SUIT SEEKING THE UPGRADE OF LAWYERS IN THE EMPLOYMENT OF THE NIGERIA POLICE FORCE ADJOURNED FOR JUDGMENT Hon. Justice O.Y. Anuwe of the National Industrial Court, Abuja Judicial Division has adjourned for judgment Suit No: NICN/ABJ/264/2025 Between: Incorporated Trustees, Nigerian Bar Association v. Police Service Commission & 5 Ors seeking the upgrade of lawyers in the employment of the Nigeria Police Force to specialist cadre. Olukunle O. Edun, SAN, leading Austin J. Otah, Esq., Bulus Atsen, fsi, Esq., and Vincent Adodo, Esq. adopted the Originating Summons and other processes. Counsel to the Police Service Commission, Mr. Okoro Nnachi, Esq. moved his Preliminary Objection challenging the competence of the suit and adopted his processes filed in opposition to the Originating Summons. ACP Rimamsomte Ezekiel, Esq., who appeared for the 2nd - 5th Defendants (Nigeria Police Force) also adopted his processes in opposition to the suit. Abubakar Nuhu, Chief State ...

By EgbemaVoice Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, is set to deliver a keynote lecture at the centenary lecture series of the prestigious Yoruba Tennis Club as part of activities marking its 100th anniversary. The lecture, scheduled to hold on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at the Greetings Hall of the Yoruba Tennis Club, Onikan, Lagos, will focus on the theme: “Inclusive Governance and National Unity: Lessons from Delta State for a United Nigeria.” Oborevwori, whose administration has been widely noted for its inclusive approach to governance, is expected to highlight how Delta State has become a model for integrating non-indigenes into the political and administrative framework of the state. Under his leadership, Delta has witnessed a deliberate effort to break down ethnic and cultural barriers by appointing qualified individuals into key positions regardless of their state of origin.  This approach has not only fostered unity but also strengthened the stat...

REMEMBRING LATE. SP BAKO ANGBASHIM IN OGONI ALMOST 3 YEARS AFTER DEATH.   Who was Bako Angbashim? SP Bako Angbashim was a respected Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ahoada Division in Rivers State, Nigeria. Known for his dedication to combating cultism, kidnapping, and violent crime, he had previously served with distinction at Bori Police Divisional Headquarters in Ogoni before being redeployed to tackle criminal elements plaguing Ahoada communities . The Tragic Incident (September 2023) On the evening of September 8, 2023, SP Angbashim led a raid against criminal hideouts in Odumude community, Ahoada East LGA. During the operation, his team was ambushed. Despite being outgunned and running out of ammunition, Angbashim held his ground and was tragically overpowered by cultists, captured, and brutally beheaded . The Inspector-General of Police denounced the murder as "utterly mindless" and vowed that those responsible would face justice . The prime suspect, Gift...

IJAW NATION HOSTS DELTA GOVERNOR, BUT EGBEMA KINGDOM LAGS BEHIND Comr. Possy Okpoye Complains Bitterly Over Neglect of Ijaw Communities in Warri North The Ijaw Nation rolled out the drums few days ago to host Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori over his developmental strides in Ijaw land. From Bomadi to Burutu, traditional rulers and political leaders praised the governor’s M.O.R.E. Agenda, citing roads, schools, health centres, and empowerment programmes that have touched several riverine communities. The governor was even honoured with the title _Izon Ebidowei of Delta_ for his efforts. But while the celebration went on, a painful contrast played out in Egbema Kingdom, particularly in the Ijaw communities of Warri North Local Government Area. There, the story is different. No development. No infrastructural projects. The people still live without proper basic amenities — no motorable roads, no potable water, no functional health facilities, and epileptic electricity. ...

By Daniel Alabrah, The sunny skies over Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, on Friday, April 10, 2026, exuded more than the usual humid breeze. They were not only friendly and beautifully blue but also doused the fears of most residents about the unpredictability of the weather. For a state in the heart of the rainforest region, the clatter of rainfall could have been a killjoy on this day.  The atmosphere at the state’s airport was carnival-like as a high-spirited crowd, inside and outside the terminal building, anticipated the arrival of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. When the aircraft conveying Mr. President touched down at about 2:40 p.m., the first noticeable, pleasant surprise as he alighted was his sartorial elegance. The country’s number one citizen was not dressed in his usual agbada but in a fitting, colourful Ijaw ‘Don’, complemented by a matching black fedora hat. Looking every inch like Ijaw or Niger Delta royalty, the President was indeed at home. As his con...

Gov. Diri To Bayelsa Businessmen: Emulate Berezi, Eulogises Late Ebonyi, Delta MILAD, Feghabo-Amain By EgbemaVoice, Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has admonished business leaders of the state’s extraction to complement government’s development effort by investing in the state and their communities. Governor Diri contended that government alone cannot be the sole employer of labour as it requires the support and encouragement of the private sector. He stated this on Thursday when he commissioned the Major F.G Berezi Civic Centre, a 1000-seat magnificent civic centre built by young Bayelsa-born businessman and founder of the Preye Patrick Berezi Foundation, Engr. Preye Berezi, in his hometown, Kaiama, in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of the state. An impressed Governor Diri said government had proven not to be a good ‘businessman’ and expressed delight that Berezi heeded his call to Bayelsans to invest at home. Describing the Chief Executive Officer o...

By EgbemaVoice, The Police Service Commission (PSC) has officially set April 28 to 30, 2026, for the Computer-Based Aptitude Test (CBT) across all 36 states and the FCT. The dates of the Computer-Based Aptitude Test for applicants in the ongoing police recruiting process are April 28–30, 2026, according to the Police Service Commission. The test will be administered in all 36 states as well as the Federal Capital Territory after the nationwide physical and credentials screening, which is scheduled to conclude on April 18. Police Public Relations Officer Ahmad Rufa'i stated that the CBT is a crucial step in the hiring process in a statement released by the Sokoto State Police Command on Thursday. He stated, "The Computer-Based Aptitude Test is a crucial stage intended to guarantee that only suitably qualified candidates are recruited into the Nigeria Police Force." Rufa’i explained that the duration of the test in each state would depend on the number of candid...

The Delta State High Court sitting in Ozoro has delivered a far-reaching judgment against the misuse of police powers, awarding N400 million in damages to three applicants for the violation of their fundamental rights. The applicants were represented by their counsel, Stewart O. Egedegbe, Esq. Justice E.O. Odebala, in a ruling read out on April 1, 2026, held that the arrest and detention of Mr. Ededho O. Godspower, Mr. Ededho Ewoma and Miss Ededho Oghenefejiiro were unlawful, finding that both the police and a private complainant acted outside the bounds of the law in pursuing what was essentially a civil dispute. The suit, marked HCZ/M/29/2025, was filed on August 8, 2025, under Sections 34, 35(6) and 46 of the 1999 Constitution and the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules, 2009. The applicants sought declaratory and injunctive reliefs, including N500 million in damages for alleged unlawful arrest, detention and harassment. Named as respondents were the Nigeria Police Forc...

By EgbemaVoice The Delta State Commissioner of Police, Yemi Oyeniyi, has ordered the summary trial of two police officers captured on video allegedly extorting a member of the public inside the C Division police station in Asaba, the state capital. The officers, Inspector Augustine Jeremiah, AP No. 262712, and Corporal Miracle Ehirim, F/No. 519970, were ordered to face an orderly trial on Thursday. The directive followed the viral spread of a secret recording showing a uniformed officer standing beside a man as he completed a forced transfer of N51,500 through a point-of-sale terminal inside the station. State police spokesperson Bright Edafe disclosed the development in a post on X on Thursday, saying the trial would be concluded the same day and its outcome made public. In the video, a man in a white T-shirt standing in a blue-walled room inside the station is seen holding two phones and completing a transfer on one of them while a uniformed officer watches beside him. A ...

Press Release  INC President, Traditional Rulers, Otuaro, Guwor, Solomon, Others Lead Ijaw People To Endorse Tinubu, Oborevwori For Second Terms  The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis Brutu Otuaro and other prominent Ijaw leaders have led the people to endorse President Bola Tinubu and the Delta State Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, as their candidates for President and Governor in 2027. The Ijaw leaders and the people in their thousands made the resounding endorsement at a grand reception in honour of the Governor of Delta State, organized by the Delta Ijaw Political Leaders, at Bomadi, the headquarters of the Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State, on Wednesday. The motion to endorse the President and the Delta Governor for a second term was moved by a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Julius Pondi, and seconded by state legislator, Hon. Kenneth Oboro, and subjected to a voice vote by the Speaker of the Delta St...

By EgbemaVoice, Newly elected National Treasurer of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) worldwide, Double Chief (Comrade) Mulade Sheriff (PhD), the Ibe-Serimowei of ancient oil-rich Gbaramatu Kingdom, Delta State has expressed deep appreciation to key stakeholders for their overwhelming support in his emergence at the April 13, 2026 national elections. In a statement, Mulade thanked the outgoing INC President, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, the National Executive Council (NEC), the 2026 National Electoral Commission, led by His Royal Majesty, Justice F.F.Tabai (Rtd), national delegates, as well as the entire Ijaw Nation for the confidence reposed in him. He described his victory as a collective mandate, noting that the trust placed in him serves as a call to greater responsibility and service. Mulade pledged to work collaboratively with other members of the executive council led by High Chief Macdonald Igbadiwei Esq and critical stakeholders to ensure transparency, accountability, and ...

By EgbemaVoice The Ijaw Publishers Forum ,IPF has congratulated the Chief Amb. Sheriff Mulade for emerging as the national Treasurer of the Ijaw National Congress, INC in the April 13, 2026 national elections. In a statement signed by the IPF President, Comrade Ozobo Austin, on Tuesday, the forum described Mulade’s victory in the just-concluded INC national election as well-deserved and a testament to his longstanding commitment to the peace, unity, and development of the Ijaw nation. Chief Mulade, who also serves as the National President of the Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), secured the treasurer position in a keenly contested election that drew significant attention across the Niger Delta region. The forum noted that Mulade’s track record as a respected Ijaw leader and peace advocate has earned him widespread recognition, adding that his emergence comes at a critical time when the INC requires experienced and visionary leadership. IPF expressed confi...

By EgbemaVoice The Ijaw Publishers' Forum (IPF) has congratulated High Chief Barr. MacDonald Ebi Igbadiwei followed his emergence as President-Elect of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) on April 13, 2026 election held in Ijaw House, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. In a statement issued on Monday, April 13, 2026, IPF's National president, Amb. Comrade Ozobo Austin described Igbadiwei’s victory as a defining moment for the Ijaw people. The Forum said the result represents “more than victory at the polls” and called it the mandate of a people who have entrusted their aspirations to a leader who understands the pain, the history of the pain, and the remedies that will heal it. “Igbadiwei rises from the soul, the bone, and the spirit of our land,” the statement read. “Today the creeks echo with affirmation: the right captain now stands at the helm.” The IPF emphasised the President-Elect’s tested background, eloquence, and depth of knowledge, saying these qualities mark him as a...