Category: Nigerian Tribune

THE principal of Esinle Community High School, Mrs Rachael Alamu, on Sunday recounted the harrowing experience of spending 58 days in captivity, describing the seventh week of the ordeal as the most terrifying as intensified military operations left the abductees fearing they could be killed by stray missiles.

Mrs Alamu spoke during a thanksgiving service held at the Antioch Baptist Church, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, weeks after she and other victims regained their freedom following their abduction by armed bandits.

The principal, who was among the teachers abducted alongside pupils from the school in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, said there were moments when the fear of military bombardment became greater than the fear of their captors.

Recounting the experience before the congregation, she said the seventh week of their captivity tested their faith the most.

‘The seventh week was the hardest for us all. That was when the troops increased their air raids. It was so intense that, at a point, the fear of the bandits became secondary.’

She said the constant sound of military bombardments left the captives uncertain of what could happen next.

‘At a point, the fear of the bandits became secondary. We were just praying that missiles would not accidentally drop on us. We were so afraid. Amidst that fear, God consoled our hearts.’

Mrs Alamu disclosed that before the intensified military operations, the abductors had informed them that the Oyo State governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, had assured that they would regain their freedom before the end of the week.

According to her, the information initially gave them hope until the heavy bombardment changed the mood inside the camp.

‘They had told us the previous week that the governor said that before Friday we would be released, so we were calm. But when the air raids started on Tuesday, they became so furious.’

She said the tension heightened towards the end of that week when one of the gang leaders summoned her unexpectedly.

‘Towards the end of that week, the commander came and said, ‘Principal, come!’ I was already shaking because I knew what that could mean.’

The thanksgiving service attracted family members, church members, friends and well-wishers, who joined her in appreciating God for her safe return after nearly two months in captivity.

The Esinle school abduction, which occurred in Oriire Local Government Area, drew national attention and renewed concerns over insecurity around schools.

The victims eventually regained their freedom after spending 58 days in the custody of their abductors.

Security operatives have foiled an attempted bandit attack on Tauma Village in Bodinga Local Government Area of Sokoto State, recovering five magazines loaded with 40 rounds of live ammunition after a gun battle with the attackers.

The Sokoto State Police Command said the operation followed a distress call received at about 8:30 p.m. on July 25 from a resident who reported that a large number of armed bandits had invaded the community with sophisticated weapons.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, the Divisional Police Officer in Bodinga immediately mobilised tactical units, including the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), alongside other security personnel, to confront the attackers.

Rufa’i said the joint security team engaged the bandits in a fierce exchange of gunfire, forcing them to retreat into a nearby forest with suspected gunshot wounds.

He said a subsequent search of the area led to the recovery of five magazines containing 40 rounds of live ammunition abandoned by the fleeing suspects.

‘The bandits were overpowered by the superior firepower of the joint security teams and fled into the nearby forest with gunshot wounds,’ the police spokesman said.

He added, ‘A thorough search of the bushes and surrounding area led to the recovery of five magazines containing 40 rounds of live ammunition.’

The command said no casualties were recorded among security personnel or residents during the operation.

Rufa’i disclosed that confidence-building patrols had been intensified in the area to reassure residents and prevent further attacks, while neighbouring police divisions had been placed on alert to track down the fleeing suspects.

‘All neighbouring police divisions have been directed to be on the lookout for any injured hoodlums who may attempt to seek medical attention or hide within their jurisdictions,’ he said.

The police urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements, especially individuals with visible gunshot injuries, to the nearest police station or other security agencies.

The command reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining operations against banditry and other violent crimes across Sokoto State, assuring residents that efforts to protect lives and property would continue.

Stand-up comedian, actor and filmmaker Ayo Makun, popularly known as AY Comedian, has explained why he stopped attending church, saying the decision was influenced by the public scrutiny that followed his divorce.

Speaking in a video shared on his social media page on Sunday, AY said he did not stop going to church because he had lost his faith in God. Instead, he chose to stay away to avoid becoming the subject of discussions among church members.

He added that although he no longer attends physical services regularly, he still worships online from time to time.

‘For some time now, I stopped attending church not because I stopped believing in God or lost my faith. I was actually navigating a very personal season; the negative narrative put out on the blogs against me.

‘So, I chose to step back quietly. Part of that decision was because I didn’t want to become the subject of whispered conversations,’ AY explained.

The comedian also recalled attending another church after leaving his previous place of worship.

However, he said he became discouraged after he was removed from a church programme he had been scheduled to participate in because the church said it was ‘worried about public perception.’

According to AY, the experience made him reflect on the role of the church and whether it remains a place where people can seek support during difficult times.

‘Shouldn’t the church be the safest place to find truth, grace, and restoration? If people cannot run to God’s house when life becomes heavy on them, where are they meant to run to? The clueless people who just post negative comments on social media or go ahead and judge you without even knowing the root of whatever happened? Or the few friends who would skilfully avoid you because of public perception?’ he asked.

Residents of Ikangba, Agoro, Imodi, Imosan and neighbouring communities in the Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State have appealed to President Bola Tinubu, Governor Dapo Abiodun, and the Inspector-General of Police to intervene over alleged land grabbing, warning that the situation could trigger a communal crisis if left unresolved.

The residents staged a peaceful protest on Monday, alleging that suspected land grabbers, accompanied by security operatives, had invaded their communities with bulldozers to demolish buildings, destroy farmlands, and intimidate property owners.

Carrying placards with inscriptions such as ‘Gov Dapo Abiodun, save us from land grabbers,’ ‘President Bola Tinubu, rescue us from land grabbers,’ ‘Ogun State Assembly, please save us from land grabbers,’ and ‘We call on IGP Tunji Disu and DSS to protect residents of Ikangba, Imodi, Agoro and Imosan from land grabbers,’ the protesters called for urgent government intervention.

Speaking during the protest, Comrade John Nicholas Eko, a resident and Ogun State Coordinator of the Campaign for Workers and Democratic Rights, said the demonstration was organised to draw attention to what he described as attempts to displace more than 500,000 residents from their ancestral lands.

According to him, the alleged land grabbers had been using security operatives to intimidate residents while demolishing homes, farms and other property.

‘We are here today to protest against the activities of land grabbers attempting to take over the communities of Ikangba, Agoro, Imodi and Imosan. Together, these communities are home to more than 500,000 residents.

‘These land grabbers are attempting to drive people away from their ancestral lands. They are collaborating with certain security operatives who accompany them whenever they come with bulldozers used to destroy farms, crops, buildings, and other property.

‘Residents have also been subjected to intimidation, harassment, extortion and various forms of abuse. We are saying enough is enough,’ Eko said.

He appealed to President Tinubu and Governor Abiodun to ensure the enforcement of the Ogun State Anti-Land Grabbing Law, stressing that the government had consistently maintained a zero-tolerance stance against land grabbing.

A community leader in Ikangba, Professor Gafar Ayodeji, alleged that previous engagements with the police and other stakeholders had failed to halt the activities of the suspected land grabbers.

He lamented that despite the enactment of the Ogun State Anti-Land Grabbing Law in 2016, the alleged invaders continued to enter the communities with heavy equipment to demolish buildings, destroy crops and level building foundations.

‘We have organised this protest because we do not want anyone to take the law into their own hands. We are asking the government to act before the situation escalates,’ he said.

‘These land grabbers are not our community leaders. They are not Baales or Olori-Ituns. We do not know them. If they have any grievances, they should seek legal redress in court or engage with the recognised Baales and Olori-Ituns of the affected communities,’ he added.

The Baale of Ikangba, High Chief Joseph S. Adebanjo, a retired Nigerian Army officer, also alleged that the suspected land grabbers had deployed bulldozers and graders to destroy buildings, farms and other property while laying claim to the land.

‘We reported these incidents to the police, but no meaningful action was taken. Instead, we witnessed some security operatives accompanying those carrying out these activities. It is difficult to understand why law enforcement officers would provide protection to individuals accused of invading another community,’ Adebanjo said.

He warned that continued destruction of property could provoke unrest if urgent action was not taken.

‘We do not want to take the law into our own hands. That is why we are making this public appeal and asking the government to intervene promptly,’ he added.

The immediate past chairman of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Ibadan branch, Mr Ibraheem Folarin Bello, FNSE, has urged graduating students of Baptist High School, Ede, Osun State, to consider careers in engineering to enable them to contribute to solving societal problems.

He made the call while presenting cash awards on behalf of the school’s former students to some outstanding students in recognition of their academic excellence, discipline and commitment during a valedictory service held on the school premises recently.

Bello, who was the senior prefect during his set, encouraged students with a passion for mathematics and science to consider careers in engineering, adding that the profession transforms ideas into reality, solves societal problems, builds infrastructure, drives technological advancement and contributes significantly to national development.

He further stated: ‘We also need dedicated doctors, lawyers, teachers, accountants, architects, scientists, entrepreneurs and other professionals who will serve humanity with excellence and integrity.

‘To our graduating students, today marks the beginning of another important chapter in your lives. As you prepare for higher education and future careers, I encourage you to dream big and work hard to achieve your dreams. Nigeria and the world need young professionals who are competent, innovative and committed to making a difference.

‘The awards being presented to some outstanding students today are not just a reward for hard work; they are an encouragement to keep striving for excellence. We hope they inspire every student here to believe that dedication, integrity and perseverance always produce positive results,’ he said.

He reminded the students that success is built on discipline, hard work, honesty, respect for others and faith in God.

‘Never allow your background or present circumstances to limit your future. Your determination and character will take you farther than your challenges.’

Another highlight of the event was the presentation of a cash award by Bello, on behalf of his set, to their Geography teacher, Mr Oba Adeeyo, in appreciation of his invaluable support and guidance while they were in the school.

THE leadership crisis rocking the Ondo State House of Assembly has deepened, with Speaker, Rt. Honourable Olamide Oladiji, reportedly intensifying efforts to fend off an impeachment move by lawmakers seeking his removal from office.

The Speaker is under pressure after majority of the 26-member assembly reportedly endorsed moves to impeach him over allegations of financial misconduct involving about ?44 million allegedly linked to the reordering of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) budget.

Despite reports that no fewer than 21 of the 26 lawmakers have endorsed the impeachment notice, the Speaker is reportedly engaging in last-minute consultations with political stakeholders and other influential figures in and outside the state in a bid to retain his position.

Sources within the Assembly disclosed that the crisis has triggered intense lobbying, with efforts underway to reconcile aggrieved lawmakers before the House reconvenes, even as the lawmakers are said to have given the Speaker until Sunday (yesterday) to resign or face impeachment.

Sources also said Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has been holding consultations to defuse the crisis, but lawmakers backing the impeachment move are said to have remained firm in their resolve to remove the Speaker.

The lawmakers have reportedly insisted that the impeachment move is an internal legislative affair and not influenced by the executive arm of government.

However, allies of the Speaker have dismissed reports suggesting that his removal is imminent, insisting that he has not resigned and, therefore, remains in office.

The crisis escalated after Honourable Olawumi Fayemi-Obayelu, who represents Ilaje Constituency II, levelled a series of allegations against the Speaker, accusing him of undermining legislative procedures, interfering with oversight functions and overseeing irregularities in the handling of OSOPADEC matters.

Fayemi-Obayelu has alleged that a House resolution relied upon in relation to the OSOPADEC budget was forged, insisting that lawmakers never sat on the date the document purportedly claimed the Assembly deliberated and approved adjustments to the commission’s budget.

She said the controversy dated back several months and centered on the assembly’s consideration of the OSOPADEC 2025 budget.

According to her, despite serving as the Vice Chairman of the House Committee on OSOPADEC, she and the other lawmaker representing Ilaje constituencies were excluded from an ad hoc committee constituted to consider the budget.

Fayemi-Obayelu further alleged that tensions escalated after the House Committee on OSOPADEC commenced an investigation into the commission’s activities through public hearings and invitations to its officials.

She claimed some individuals attempted to influence the committee’s investigation with financial inducements and called for an independent probe by anti-corruption agencies.

One of her major allegations concerns a House resolution she claimed was used to approve adjustments to the OSOPADEC budget, saying the document indicated that the Assembly met, deliberated and approved changes to several budget line items.

She, however, maintained that no parliamentary sitting took place on the date reflected in the resolution.

She argued that attendance records, parliamentary proceedings and other official legislative documents would show that several lawmakers were attending engagements elsewhere across the state on the day in question, making it impossible for the House to have conducted the sitting.

The lawmaker said the disputed resolution had far-reaching implications because it allegedly involved adjustments to budgetary allocations running into billions of naira.

She called for investigators to examine all documents connected with the alleged adjustments, including parliamentary records, official correspondence and budget implementation documents, to establish whether due process was followed.

Fayemi-Obayelu said dissatisfaction among lawmakers eventually culminated in moves to seek a change in the Assembly’s leadership.

According to her, a majority of members endorsed a document expressing loss of confidence in the Speaker over what she described as repeated violations of legislative procedures and the handling of the OSOPADEC matter.

She claimed that before any public action was taken; the aggrieved lawmakers met Aiyedatiwa and presented their grievances, supporting documents and signatures.

Calling for an independent investigation, the lawmaker urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant security agencies to investigate the allegations surrounding the disputed House resolution, the handling of the OSOPADEC budget and related issues.

When contacted, the embattled speaker denied the allegations, saying he was not aware of any impeachment notice and said his office had issued a statement over the allegations

The statement titled ‘Re: Fabricated resignation rumours and baseless N44M OSOPADEC allegations: a disservice to truth and an insult to logic, read: ‘The attention of the Office of the Speaker, Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, has been drawn to a sensationalized, malicious, and entirely fabricated report, alleging an ongoing leadership crisis, an impending impeachment threat, and a contemplated resignation over an alleged N44 million OSOPADEC fund

‘We state unequivocally, without an atom of ambiguity, that Rt. Honourable Olamide Oladiji never contemplated resigning, nor is there any leadership crisis within the 10th Ondo State House of Assembly,’ he said.

‘The report is a total figment of the imagination of its authors and their nameless, cowardly sources. It is false, completely lacks merit, and is sponsored by desperate political detractors aimed at destabilising the legislative arm and heating up the polity.

‘Given that the sponsors of this rumor failed to present valid evidence, the premise of this fake news is not only absurd but also an insult to the intelligence of the reading public.

‘To further expose the malicious intent of these anonymous ‘sources’, we wish to clarify the internal financial procedures of the Assembly.

Fresh allegations of sexual harassment, cult-related activities and academic misconduct have cast a shadow over Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, with students expressing fears over what they describe as a worsening atmosphere on campus.

Investigations revealed that many students, particularly female students, are allegedly reluctant to report cases of misconduct due to fears of intimidation and victimisation.

Sources within the institution alleged that disciplinary standards put in place by the previous administration have weakened in recent months, creating room for the resurgence of unethical practices involving some lecturers and students.

According to the sources, some lecturers allegedly demand sexual favours or cash payments from female students in exchange for favourable academic grades.

Two lecturers from the Public Administration and Graphics Design departments, whose identities were withheld, were mentioned in the allegations.

They were accused of asking students to either submit to sexual advances or pay between ?70,000 and ?80,000 to secure passing grades.

A source, who spoke anonymously, claimed that the institution had previously curtailed such practices through strict disciplinary measures but alleged that lax enforcement had allowed them to return.

‘Some lecturers now operate without fear. There are reports of a lecturer allegedly asking a student to book and pay for a hotel room before he would consider assisting her academically,’ the source alleged.

The source further claimed that a student who reported the incident to a management official was allegedly intimidated instead of receiving protection.

‘There is growing concern that the disciplinary structure has weakened. Many students are afraid to report cases because they fear victimisation or possible expulsion,’ the source said.

Beyond the allegations of sexual misconduct, concerns have also been raised over an alleged resurgence of cult activities on campus.

Sources claimed that late-night meetings and initiation ceremonies, previously suppressed by the institution, have resurfaced around student hostels.

One source alleged that a cult initiation took place between 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m. near a female hostel, adding that although security personnel reportedly alerted the management, no immediate action was taken.

Observers also expressed concern over the alleged relaxation of campus regulations, including dress code enforcement and compulsory use of student identity cards, as well as the reported return of handout sales by some lecturers despite rising school fees.

Responding to the allegations, the Polytechnic’s Public Relations Officer, John Amos Onimisi, confirmed that the management had suspended six lecturers on July 22, 2026, for the unauthorised sale of handouts and textbooks. He also disclosed that another lecturer had been suspended over allegations of sexual harassment.

Onimisi said the institution’s disciplinary committee has commenced an investigation into the allegations and assured that the outcome of the probe would be made available to journalists upon its conclusion.

You might remember opening an old slot game on a small laptop, hearing a sharp coin sound, and watching three reels stop almost instantly. Nothing moved except the symbols. Then you open a newer game on your phone and find layered backgrounds, side features, and tiny animations after every spin. The change feels obvious, but the reasons behind it are more interesting than the surface polish.

The early games felt almost mechanical

Older online slots borrowed heavily from physical machines. You saw familiar fruit symbols, simple pay lines, and a bright button that did nearly all the work. To be fair, that directness had its own charm.

Three reels told you everything

You did not need a tutorial. Three reels, a few symbols, and one clear result made the whole rhythm easy to follow. A round could finish in a couple of seconds.

That simplicity made every symbol feel larger than it really was.

Sound did more than graphics

Early games often relied on short electronic tones because the visuals had limited movement. You heard a click, a chime, or a brief burst after a win. The sound carried the moment.

And sometimes it still does.

Phones changed what you expected

Once slots moved comfortably onto phones, you stopped treating them like small copies of desktop games. You expected touch controls, readable text, and quick loading during a spare five minutes, without demanding that you stop and study the screen.

Screens became part of the design

A vertical phone screen changed where buttons sat and how much information you could see at once. Developers had to make symbols readable without filling the display with clutter.

You also started noticing smoother menus. Honestly, most people do not realise how much a badly placed spin button can interrupt the whole mood.

Themes started doing more work

A theme once meant little more than a background picture and matching icons. Later games began using characters, short scenes, and small visual changes to give each session a distinct feel.

You can see that shift on sites such as slot88, where the attraction often depends on how quickly a game communicates its mood.

Features became part of the story

Modern slot games often give you more to notice between spins. A symbol may expand, a background may change, or a side feature may appear after a certain combination.

Bonus rounds stopped feeling separate

Older bonus rounds could feel like a different screen pasted onto the main game. Newer designs often carry the same colours, characters, and sound cues into the extra feature.

The result feels more connected, though not exactly invisible.

Small animations now guide your eyes

A glowing frame can show you where a feature began. A moving symbol can suggest what changed, even before you read the message on screen.

Weirdly enough, these tiny movements can matter more than a large cinematic sequence.

You have more control over pace

Many newer games let you adjust sound, speed, or animation length. You can keep the full presentation or move through rounds more quickly.

That choice matters because you may want spectacle at home and something quieter during a short break.

The next change may feel smaller

You will probably keep seeing cleaner controls, more adaptable layouts, and features that react to how you play. The changes may not look dramatic at first.

You might simply notice that a game remembers your preferred sound level or opens with fewer explanations. Small comforts tend to become normal before you realise they arrived.

At some point, visual polish may stop being the main difference. You may care more about whether a game respects your time and keeps its ideas clear.

But the old three-reel rhythm will probably stay around too. You may return to it now and then, partly for nostalgia, partly because simple can still feel right.

A bill aimed at putting an end to religious preaching and hawking inside commercial vehicles scaled all legislative hurdles and was passed quietly by the Senate a few days ago. The bill, tagged Federal Road Safety Corps (Amendment) Bill, 2026, seeks to strengthen road safety enforcement and curb practices considered capable of distracting drivers. It is now awaiting presidential assent. When it becomes law, its built-in sanction regime will impose specific punishments for violators. These include preachers and traders in commercial vehicles, as well as motorists who refuse to cooperate with officials of the FRSC during roadside breath tests conducted on reasonable suspicion. The amendment, said to be part of a broader review of the FRSC Act, will use stiffer penalties for traffic offences to bolster compliance with traffic regulations, reduce road carnage, and enhance safety on Nigerian roads.

The objective of the proposed law can hardly be faulted. Legislating against potentially dangerous and unacceptable activities that could negatively impact the concentration of commercial drivers, thereby endangering the lives of passengers, would seem to be the right thing to do. However, many find it offensive that the proposed law places preaching in the same category as commercial hawking. While one involves the exchange of goods for money, the other involves words, ideas, and faith. This distinction is crucial, given the sensitivity of the faithful, but the proposed law does not make it so. In any case, the pertinent question is whether these practices, objectionable as they may seem, have actually been proven to contribute to road accidents. If there is empirical evidence to support the assumptions upon which the proposed law is predicated, then by all means it should become law. However, it is unclear whether data was made available on the nexus between these activities and road crashes when the bill was undergoing legislative scrutiny.

There are other issues that require further clarification. One is the thin line between preaching and praying in buses. While the holiness and moral conduct of followers of different faiths in the country could be a subject of interrogation, it is undeniable that Nigerians are highly religious and believe that the Supreme Being plays a significant role in human affairs. That is why, in many instances, people pray inside commercial vehicles at the commencement of journeys and/or when they sense that danger is imminent. Will the proposed law not infringe on the constitutional rights of citizens to practise their religion without let or hindrance if it effectively bans praying in buses? Will it not, in specific terms, constitute a clear violation of Sections 38(1), 39(1), and 42(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria? There is also the issue of the economic realities facing many Nigerians and businesses, especially nano and small-scale enterprises. Many have had to improvise by using agents in commercial vehicles to reach potential customers because of the cost implications of opening multiple outlets to sell their products. Would banning trading or hawking in commercial vehicles not compound the economic challenges of these people and businesses? While the objective of the proposed law can hardly be contested, is there no other way to reorient motorists to remain focused while driving, instead of imposing a blanket ban on preaching and trading in buses?

Another issue is the doubtful efficacy of the proposed law in reining in these practices, especially in the likely absence of evidence to prosecute offenders. For instance, while the objective may be to avoid distractions on the road, it may be hard to find a Nigerian who will report another Nigerian to the authorities for preaching or hawking on a public bus, given the country’s religious character and economic realities. How do you establish guilt, and where and how do you impose punishment? How do you gather evidence when most public buses have no video recording facilities?

Again, the proposed law expects FRSC officials to subject drivers to roadside breath tests to identify motorists who drive under the influence of alcohol. This is the way to go, given the effect of alcohol on cognitive function and the resultant poor judgment. We support any measure that will prevent or punish drivers for drinking while driving. However, asking the FRSC to enforce this aspect is fraught with danger because this is traditionally a police function. The corps cannot reasonably be expected to compel drivers to take a breathalyser test, especially inebriated ones, because its officials do not bear arms. Or is the government considering the long-standing request by the FRSC to carry firearms? The FRSC has for some time seemed to focus on revenue generation: booking traffic offenders and directing them to make payments to its accounts at designated points. And often, it does not matter whether the infractions for which fines were paid have been rectified by the offending motorists.

If there is any discernible good that the proposed law may do, it is to jolt the corps out of its protracted lethargy and distraction, and compel it to face its core mandate of accident prevention. Truth be told, the alleged objectionable practices, especially hawking and preaching in commercial buses, which the proposed law seeks to ban, detract from international best practices. But every jurisdiction has its peculiarities, and laws are made to regulate the conduct of citizens with a view to promoting safety, security, wellbeing, comfort, and happiness for all, or at least the vast majority – not to annul their rights or compound their existing problems. Thus, while we do not object to sanity in public buses, we urge that the Nigerian public be sufficiently consulted, and that the effect of the bill on society, especially its unintended consequences, be thoroughly considered before it becomes law. All grey areas should be addressed before the President assents to the bill.

The Igbo community in Cross River State has raised concerns over what it described as illegal taxation and harassment by non-state actors, calling on the state government to clamp down on those allegedly imposing multiple levies on businesses.

The concerns were raised on Monday during an interactive session between the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, members of the business community, women and student groups, and officials of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Calabar.

The community also complained about the poor condition of roads in parts of the state, saying it was affecting commercial activities.

Speaking at the meeting, the Second Vice President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Agu Prince, alleged that unidentified groups had continued to impose illegal taxes on traders, claiming their activities were threatening the survival of many businesses.

According to him, the groups operate with receipt booklets and harass traders daily.

‘Our position remains that these people have the backing of some persons in government because of the way and manner they go about this,’ he said.

Prince also urged the state government to decongest markets, warning that overcrowding had increased the risk of fire outbreaks.

The Financial Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in the state, Mr Evan Mba, commended Governor Bassey Otu’s administration for its inclusive approach but appealed for the rehabilitation of roads, particularly in the Northern Senatorial District, to facilitate business activities and economic growth.

Also speaking, the state Secretary of the group, Chief Dike Ejike, expressed concern over what he described as inadequate government presence in the Northern Senatorial District and called for clarification over the reported reduction in the salaries of primary school teachers.

The President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Cross River, High Chief Chukwuemeka Egwuonwu, appealed to the state government to address the community’s grievances while reaffirming the commitment of the Igbo community to the development of the state.

The community, however, commended the Otu administration for its efforts in tackling insecurity and fostering peaceful coexistence, noting that members of the Igbo community had continued to feel welcomed in the state.

Responding, the Cross River State Chairman of the APC, Mr Christopher Etta, assured the gathering that their concerns would be conveyed to Governor Otu.

He expressed satisfaction that no security-related complaints were raised at the meeting and attributed the country’s current economic challenges to long-standing structural problems.

‘It is true that things are difficult, but the reforms being implemented are aimed at addressing challenges that should have been tackled years ago. It is only a matter of time before the country begins to reap the benefits,’ Etta said.