WITH over half a century of noticeable oil production contribution to the nation’s economy and growth, Kokori, a rural community in Ethiope East locality of Delta State, has hardly gained prominence in terms of commensurate returns, particularly federal presence. When it did gain public attention lately, it was for all the wrong reasons, particularly for the capture of “most wanted” Kelvin, leader of armed insurgents, self-identified as Liberation Movement of the Urhobo People.

Current events in Lagos have shown that fake Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, officials are on the prowl in the state. Recounting their experiences, some of the motorists reveal some of the antics of the criminals

IGUOMON situated along the Benin- Agbor- Asaba highway is one of the communities in Uhunmwonde local government area of Edo State. The community enjoyed peaceful co-existence with its Ikhuenbo, Amufi and Ikhueniro neighbours until 1985 when Ikhuenbo community allegedly trespassed into its land following a road construction.

Mr. Folorunso Egbedokun,a policeman, told an Agege Grade ‘A’ Customary Court that he saw a bag full of fetish substances in the wardrobe of his wife, Mrs. Risikat Egbedokun, who did not give him peace of mind. ”One day, I went into her wardrobe and I saw a bag full of fetish substances. When I asked her who owned them, she begged me not to tell anybody”, the husband said.

A leadership tussle capable of hampering the peaceful co-existence of residents is brewing in Festac Town, Lagos. The tussle which has pitched the incumbent President of the Residents Association, Mr. Jola Ogunlusi against some members who are no longer happy with his brand of leadership, came to the fore at a recent meeting of the Festival Town Residents Association, FTRA.

Against the backdrop of alleged slow pace of work on the construction of drainage channels at Dorcas Street in Ejigbo Local Council Development Area, LCDA, the Chairman of the Council, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan has assured residents of the area of better roads and a more effective drainage system.

The traders searched the rubbles to see if there was anything to salvage from the ashes of their former stalls. It was like hoping against hope considering the intensity of the fire which levelled the stalls, but they searched all the same. The pain was palpable from the forlorn look in the eyes of some of the traders and this was understandable. Losing their wares again barely four years after a similar fire which razed the market in the midst of the Jos crisis and having to start from the scratch is not something they wished to experience again. Unfortunately, that is the reality they must face.

The unrestrained incursions of Fulani herdsmen into parts of Benue State of late, has left, in its trail, sorrow, and free flow of tears and blood in the affected communities.

When security operatives attached to the Bayelsa State crime-busting outfit, ‘Doo Akpo’ and other sympathisers rushed to the treacherous Okoso river bank last Saturday night to assist the victims of an ill-fated passenger bus, they discovered an unusual but touching spectacle amidst the horrific crash scene.

THE only black mark to the day’s event occurred when an SSS operative, identified as Mr. Emeka attached to Ebonyi State government House, Abakaliki, attacked and pummelled an Africa Independent Television, AIT, cameraman in the State, Mr. Chineye Sunday, who was then trying to get shots of dignitaries during the event. To the shock of all present, including the dignitaries, the SSS operative allegedly shoved and repeatedly punched the hapless fellow on the face. The development almost ruined the joy of the occasion, but thanks to the comportment and maturity exhibited by the AIT cameraman, this did not happen.