Economy
Nsulu Communities Accuse Governor Otti Of Land-Grabbing Under Cover Of Proposed Airport Project
Nsulu Communities Accuse Governor Otti Of Land-Grabbing Under Cover Of Proposed Airport Project
Nsulu communities accuse Governor Otti. The elders of Nsulu community in Isiala-Ngwa North local government area of Abia state, represented by the Village Heads of Host, have accused Governor Alex Otti’s administration of land-grabbing under the guise of the proposed Abia Airport project.
The community leaders debunked the insinuation that they are opposing the proposed airstrip project in their community by the Nigerian government, describing the insinuations as false.
In a press statement issued by their Chairman, Engr. Ikechukwu Uche, the community leaders noted that what they strongly reject is the actions of the Abia State Government, to forcibly acquire their land.
Other signatories to the release include Gabriel Echozolam (Village Head, Umuezenta Nbawsi), Chimaobi Okaka (Village Head, Umuosu Nsulu), and Isaac Frank (Village Head, Umulenwa Nbawsi Nsulu).
“What the people of Nsulu are opposing is the fraudulent and forceful double acquisition of their lands by the Abia State Government under Governor Alex Otti,” Uche stated.
He explained that the landowners had held multiple meetings and concluded that the project is a deceptive attempt by the state government to take control of Nsulu farmlands and homes.
Uche referred to a prior land acquisition by the Abia State government under former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, during which land was already acquired and a Certificate of Occupancy issued for the airport project.
He pointed out that the site had already passed the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and that all bureaucratic obstacles had been resolved.
The landowners had previously raised concerns with Pastor Caleb Ajagba, Chief of Staff to Governor Otti, about why the original site was abandoned in favour of a new one, which also lies within Nsulu land.
The community members questioned why the new site, which is surrounded by residential buildings, was chosen over the original location, which was free of such encumbrances.
To date, they claim the Abia State Government has not adequately addressed these concerns.
Uche further criticized the Abia State Government’s proposal for an ‘Abia Airport,’ highlighting plans for a five-star hotel, an airport estate, a school, and an air force base.
This, he argued, suggests that the project may be more of a private enterprise than a public infrastructure initiative, and that the government has failed to provide clear justification for the new land acquisition.
The landowners also expressed frustration with the government’s decision to engage with representatives who do not have a stake in the land being acquired.
They pointed out that the government only initiated discussions with the community three weeks after the project was launched by the aviation minister, Festus Keyamo.
According to them, another meeting on January 11, 2025, resulted in a number of resolutions, including, “A reduction in the proposed land area from 1,800 hectares to 1,300 hectares”.
Concerns about displacement and loss of livelihoods were acknowledged.
They further noted, “The government pledged to work with the community to resolve concerns, including identifying actual landowners and possibly reducing the land to be acquired.
“The government also committed to timely compensation and involving landowners in the development process. A joint team will be formed to complete surveys and identify the land affected.”
Governor Otti
However, the landowners accused the state government’s negotiation team of bad faith, saying that instead of acting on previously agreed-upon resolutions, the government reportedly initiated fresh discussions with stakeholders who have no direct connection to the land in question.
“We, the stakeholders and landowners of the Nsulu site forcibly acquired by the Otti-led government, fully support the Federal Government’s proposal to establish an airstrip in our community.
“However, we categorically reject any attempts to evict us from our ancestral lands and homes,” Uche stated, emphasizing that the government’s actions have damaged trust and could lead to future conflict in the community.
Navy Dismantles Illegal Refining Capacity, Destroys Site With 3 Storage Tanks in Rivers
The Nigerian Navy, through FOB BONNY, has dismantled an illegal refining site discovered in Promise Land Community along Nanabie Creek, Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State, further denying criminal operators the infrastructure required to process stolen crude oil.
Eereporter.com
The site was discovered on 30 September 2026 following credible intelligence and comprised one large cooking pot and 3 large storage tanks intended for illegal refining activities. On 2 October 2026, the Commanding Officer, FOB BONNY, Captain SMC Umeh, led a team to the location, where the illegal refining site and associated equipment were destroyed in accordance with established regulations.
The intervention represents a further disruption of illegal refining capacity within the Bonny area, particularly by removing infrastructure that could be used to process and store stolen crude oil. It also follows recent operations by FOB BONNY under Operation DELTA SENTINEL that uncovered substantial volumes of suspected stolen crude oil and associated illegal refining infrastructure within its Area of Operations
Oil
The Nigerian Navy has continued to strengthen surveillance and monitoring across the area to prevent the establishment or reactivation of illegal refining sites and deny criminal operators the infrastructure required to sustain crude oil theft and related activities.
ABIODUN FOLORUNSHO
Navy Captain
Director Naval Information
Nigerian Navy
Eereporter.com
NNPC Ltd Offers N66 Fuel Discount Throughout the Nation
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has unveiled a nationwide ₦66 fuel discount promotion for customers using the NNPC Fuel App.
Eereporter.com
In a post obtained from its X handle on Friday, the promotion, which runs from October 1 to 7, is being held across NNPC stations nationwide as part of activities marking the period.
“The ₦66 Discount Promo is ongoing & the excitement is already happening across our stations nationwide!
“All over Nigeria, our customers are getting in on the action & there’s still time for you to benefit!
The promo runs from 1–7 October on the NNPC Fuel App,” the post read.
NNPC said customers across the country have already begun participating in the promotion, with highlights from the first day showing activities at several stations.
“Keep fueling, keep transacting and keep your eyes on our pages,” the post read.
NNPC
NNPC also shared moments from the first day of the promotion and said more pictures and activities from stations across the country would be released.
The company urged customers not to miss the opportunity to participate before the promotion ends on October 7.
The ₦66 discount offer is available through the NNPC Fuel App during the stated promotional period.
Eereporter.com
President Tinubu Tells EFCC: You Have Justified my Confidence in You
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has applauded the efforts and performance of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in tackling economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption in the country, stressing that it has justified the confidence reposed on it.
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He gave this commendation on Friday, October 2, 2026 in Awka, Anambra State at the commissioning of a new Zonal Directorate of the EFCC. The President pointed out that there are evidential proofs of the success of the Commission in convictions, recoveries and other landmark achievements
Represented by Honourable Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker, House of Representatives, Tinubu noted that “supporting the EFCC is not particularly difficult. The agency has consistently demonstrated that the confidence reposed on it is well founded. Without mincing words, the evidential proof of the EFCC’s success speaks loudly in convictions secured, assets and properties recovered”
He affirmed that the strides of the Commission are in tandem with the Renewed Hope Agenda of his administration.
“When we came in three years ago, I highlighted nine major focal areas of my administration. Two of which are reforming the economy for sustained and inclusive growth and promotion of good governance. The anti-graft agency compliments this agenda as they are focused on accountability and transparency and appropriate deployment of resources”, he said.
At the commissioning, the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede restated the commitment of the Commission to preventive frameworks in tackling economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption in the country.
According to him, the Commission will continue its focus on making corrupt practices difficult by blocking avenues through which they may happen.
“This new Directorate will not only enforce the law professionally and courageously, it will be high on corruption prevention. It will engage government institutions, businesses, financial institutions, professional bodies, schools, markets, civil society organisations, traditional institutions, religious bodies and communities. It will educate stakeholders, build relationships and mobilise the people to own the fight against all forms of corrupt practices in the zone”, he said
He assured Nigerians that the EFCC would not relent in the pursuit of its mandate, recalling the achievements of the Commission in the last 34 months and describing them as impressive progress.
“The pursuit of our mandate has been our dominant engagement and in the past few years, we have made impressive progress. Between October 2023 and July 2026, the Commission received 49, 673 petitions, investigated 39, 615 cases, filed 14, 476 cases in court and secured 10, 872 convictions. This gives a conviction-to-filing ratio of 75.1 percent. In the first half of 2026 alone, we recorded 1, 370 convictions from 1, 889 filings. The Commission also recorded recoveries of N1, 233, 612, 040, 411. 11, $684, 478, 457. 32, £373, 905. 78, €9, 343, 803. 66 inn addition to recoveries in other currencies”, he said.
He noted that at the institutional level, the Commission has made radical reforms that have been yielding optimal results as there are consequential improvements in the agency’s processes and procedures, which partly explains the impacts the EFCC has made and will continue to make in all the matrices of law enforcement.
“Reforms that have strengthened the Commission during the period include new guidelines on arrest and bail, a review of sting operations, the establishment of the Department of Fraud Risk Assessment and Control, the Security Department, the Immigration and Visa Section and the Cybercrime Rapid Response Centre”, he said.
While charging Ndi Anambra on whistleblowing, the anti-graft czar said that the Commission has established channels through which members of the public can submit petitions and provide information. He noted that the Commission’s Eagle Eye App allows citizens to provide details of suspected wrongdoing and makes the provision of an informant’s personal details optional. “However, whistleblowing must be responsible and based on facts. It must not become an instrument for settling scores”, he said.
EFCC
He thereafter said that Anambra and Imo States deserve effective and responsive institutional presence as they are renowned for enterprise, innovation, commerce and an extraordinary culture of industry, adding that these legitimate activities must be protected from fraud, cybercrime, money laundering, investment fraud, diversion of public resources and other forms of economic and financial crimes. “Therefore, our coming to Awka is beyond geographical expansion. It is about taking the mandate of the EFCC closer to the people and closer to the economic activities we are meant to protect”, he said.
In their remarks, His Excellencies, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, Governor of Anambra State and Senator Hope Uzodinma, Governor of Imo State said that they were pleased with the activities and management of the EFCC under the leadership of Olukoyede. They pledged their support to the Commission as it opened a new Zonal Directorate in their domain.
The commissioning of the new Directorate witnessed massive turn out of distinguished Nigerians, including members of the National Assembly, civil society organisations, community leaders, students, media among others.
Eereporter.com
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