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Owo Construction Site Attack: ‘No Need For Panic’ -Akeredolu

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Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu
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Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu has said the Wednesday shooting at the yard of the Craneburg Construction Company in Owo was aimed at destroying some of their equipment and not to maim or kill anyone.

Governor Akeredolu, who visited the construction site in company of Heads of Security Agencies in the State including the Commander of the Amotekun Corps, Chief Tunji Adeleye, urged the people not to panic.

The Governor was also accompanied to the yard by the Commissioner for Infrastructure, Lands and Housing, Engr. Raimi Aminu, and the Special Adviser on Union Matters and Strategy, Mr. Dare Aragbaiye, a statement signed by his spokesperson, Richard Olatunde, said.

“I want to allay the fear of our people. Clearly, what happened here on Wednesday night was not an attempt to kidnap anybody because they went away with nobody. And we have in the premises over hundred people living there,” Akeredolu said.

“Yes, there were sporadic gunshots at the wall but they never went inside to kill anybody. It is better for everybody to know.

They didn’t go inside there to kill anybody. The only two people who had some gunshots were security men who they saw outside the premises.

“So, it is clear to us that their intention was to attack one or two equipment here, which they did. Their explosives affected the tyres and the windscreen of another vehicle.

“And we have close to 50 vehicles here. For us we are looking at it. We are not clear yet about their intention, but this is not one that should send unnecessary panic or fear into the minds of our people. This should not cause panic.

“For the contractors, Owo is a relatively safe place for them. So, they didn’t have armed people here. Maybe we will have to support them to have armed people here to protect all their equipments and vehicles.

“They have been here for over five years. They had the Ore bridge, they had other roads. So, they are doing so many things for us and they are doing well and we are ready to give them necessary protection.”

The Governor also reassured the people of his administration’s commitment to the protection of lives and property, stressing that the Wednesday night shooting was not anything near the June 5 attack in the town.
“We will protect our people and their property. So, there should be no panic. Yes, there was shooting but it was not anything near what we had during June 5 attack at St Francis. This was not aimed to maim and kill. No.

“I believe our people will understand better to know the difference. So, there is no need for any panic, no need. We have given them all the assurance, we will get this place protected. I will continue to support them.”

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Immigration Officers Seize Natasha’s Passport For A Moment at Abuja Airport

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Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan
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A drama ensued at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Thursday, July 24, 2025, as the officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) seized the international passport of suspended senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The senator’s passport was seized at the Abuja airport while on her way to board a British Airways flight to London.

Eyewitnesses disclosed that the senator arrived at the international terminal of the airport with her husband, Emmanuel Uduaghan, only to be stopped by immigration officials who flagged her as a “national security risk.”

Natasha was said to have remained calm and composed throughout the ordeal, insisting that the officers have no legal authority to seize her passport.

“The court never authorised this. You have no right to hold my passport,” the lawmaker said.

Her husband was later seen making a series of urgent phone calls as the delay dragged on.

Minutes later, the senator’s passport was returned without any formal explanation, allowing her to swiftly proceed through immigration and board her flight.

 

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NLC Supports Senate On Local Content Enforcement

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The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has thrown his weight behind the Senate’s push for stricter enforcement of Local Content laws, describing ongoing violations as a national crisis that continues to rob Nigerian workers of their rights and opportunities.

During a courtesy visit by the Senate Committee on Local Content, led by its Chairman, Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, Ajaero lamented that many companies continue to violate Local Content provisions with impunity, employing hundreds of expatriates while sidelining qualified Nigerians.

“We need a clear strategy to enhance monitoring because this problem has persisted for too long.

“I’m with you in this cause to save this country from this calamity. Some of these violators appear untouchable, even when taken to court. Who enforces the law?” Ajaero asked.

The labour leader expressed concern that, despite the existence of robust legislation such as the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGIC) Act, poor enforcement has allowed widespread abuse to continue, including salary discrimination and job displacement of Nigerians by foreign workers.

“While we complain about unemployment, expatriates earn double and Nigerian workers are treated as second-class citizens in their own country. This discrimination must stop,” he said.

Ajaero called for the creation of a centralised databank to document cases of violations and convictions, stressing that there must be public accountability. “We need to keep a record of how many convictions have been secured. That’s the only way to measure progress,” he said.

He also raised questions over the commitment of some government agencies, alleging that compromised enforcement officers were part of the problem. “When those meant to enforce the law become compromised, the entire system breaks down,” he stated.

Highlighting cases where refineries and large industrial projects are staffed predominantly by foreigners, the NLC president said various unions within the Congress will begin compiling and submitting detailed reports to assist the Senate Committee in its oversight duties.

“There’s a lot of good work being done under the Local Content policy in the oil and gas sector, but we are not there yet. We must go further to stop capital flight and empower our people,” he added.

The Senate committee therefore pledged to review all complaints and investigate reported violations, as part of its renewed push to enforce compliance and protect Nigerian jobs.

 

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Recess: Senate Adjourns To September 23, Tasks Committees On Pending Reports

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Senate in Session
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The Senate has adjourned plenary to September 23, 2025, marking the end of the current legislative year, with a directive to all committees to conclude work on pending reports ahead of resumption.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio made the announcement on Thursday after a closed-door executive session that lasted over an hour.

He charged all standing and ad hoc committees to make effective use of the two-month break to finalise their assignments in order to ease legislative consideration and adoption upon resumption.

In his earlier remarks, Senator Akpabio also encouraged lawmakers to use the recess period to inspect road construction projects in their constituencies and across the country.

Meanwhile, senators are expected to travel to Jos, Plateau State on Friday to attend the burial of the wife of their colleague, Senator Diket Plang.

 

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