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Adelabu Condemns Attack On IKEDC, Urges Dialogue To Resolve Conflicts

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Adebayo Adelabu, the minister of power, has condemned an attack by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) in its headquarters on Thursday.

In a statement on Friday by Bolaji Tunji, the special adviser, strategic communications to the minister, Adelabu said the attack left several injured and facilities and equipment vandalised.

On Thursday, air force personnel invaded IKEDC’s headquarters in Lagos over the disconnection of electricity at Sam Ethnan Air Force Base, Ikeja, Lagos state.

Adelabu said the attack is unfortunate and a grave concern, adding that democratic practices offer channels for conflict resolution, discouraging self-help measures.

”This unfortunate incident has also raised serious questions about the need for restraint, dialogue, and the use of appropriate democratic channels in resolving conflicts,” he said.

The minister noted that the power sector is the lifeblood of the nation’s economy and a cornerstone of national development, and any attack on its infrastructure “is an attack on the progress and well-being of our people”.

“The facilities of Ikeja Electric, which serve millions of Nigerians, were designed to ensure the efficient distribution of electricity to homes, hospitals, schools, and industries, including military installations,” Adelabu said.

“This incident has set back our efforts to achieve stable and uninterrupted power supply, and it is a blow to the collective aspirations of our nation.”

He further said no grievance, no matter how legitimate, justified the destruction of public infrastructure.

“Such actions are counterproductive and only serve to exacerbate the challenges we face as a nation,” Adelabu said.

“We must always remember that violence and destruction are not the answer to our problems. Instead, we must embrace dialogue, understanding, and the rule of law as the only viable means of resolving conflicts.

“I call on all parties involved to exercise restraint and to seek peaceful and democratic means of addressing all issues that may have led to this unfortunate incident.

”Our democracy provides us with the tools and institutions necessary to resolve disputes without resorting to violence.

”We have the judiciary, the legislature, and various regulatory bodies that are empowered to mediate and adjudicate conflicts.

“It is imperative that we utilise these channels to ensure that justice is served and that such incidents do not recur.”

Earlier today, IKEDC said it has reached an agreement with the NAF over the settlement of a N4 billion debt that led to the disconnection.

ADELABU ASKS NAF TO BE PROFESSIONAL

The minister asked the NAF to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and to ensure that its operations are conducted with the utmost regard for the welfare of civilians and public infrastructure.

According to him, the military is a vital institution in Nigeria, and its role in maintaining peace and security cannot be overstated.

”However, it is equally important that all actions taken by our armed forces are proportionate, targeted, and in line with the principles of democracy and the rule of law,” he said.

Adelabu also commended the staff and management of IKEDC for their resilience in the face of provocation.

“Your comportment in the face of this adversity is a testament to your dedication to serving the Nigerian people,” he said.

”The ministry of power is ready to support you in any way possible to ensure that normalcy is restored as quickly as possible”.

Adelabu enjoined stakeholders in the power sector to work together in harmony by prioritising collaboration over conflict, dialogue over discord, and unity over division.

He said the challenges faced in the power sector were significant, but they are not insurmountable, adding that with a shared commitment to the common good, it can be overcome.

Adelabu called on Nigerians to remain steadfast in their commitment to peace, unity, and progress.

The minister asked Nigerians to reject violence and embrace democracy, dialogue, and mutual respect to build a nation where conflicts are resolved peacefully.

 

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Panic In Ibadan As Rising Kidnap, Robbery Threats Trigger Official Red Alert

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Residents of Ibadan, specifically in Bodija, Agbowo, Akobo, and the Agodi GRA, are currently on high alert after the Police and the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) issued an urgent warning regarding a recent surge in kidnappings and armed robberies in those areas.

 

According to the DAILY POST, the Bodija Housing Estate Police Division and its community partners have formally expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation in the area.

 

In a statement signed by Bodija Housing Estate Police Division PCRC and Community Policing Unit of the division, they noted that there is an increase in the rate of kidnapping and armed robberies in areas such as Akobo and Bodija.

 

The statement urged residents to take necessary safety measures amidst rising cases of kidnapping and other criminal activities in areas such as Akobo and Bodija.

 

In the statement tagged “Urgent Safety Measures Amid Rising Kidnapping and Armed Robbery Incidents in Areas Including Akobo and Bodija the residents were alerted that the desire for quick wealth has driven some individuals to commit terrible acts.

 

Part of the statement reads, “In light of the recent increase in criminal activities such as kidnapping and armed robbery across our communities, it has become imperative to issue updated safety guidelines. The desire for quick wealth has driven some individuals to commit terrible acts, and we must all be vigilant.

 

“Please adhere strictly to the following precautions, and also note the additional measures outlined below:

 

“Remember: Your safety and that of your loved ones depend greatly on your level of awareness and willingness to take precautionary steps. Security is a collective responsibility.

 

“Report emergencies promptly to: Oyo State Police Command: control room:08081768614, 08081768574

Bodija Division: DPO +2348052046348; PCRC Helpline/ Chairman – 07068874553”.

 

JomogNews reports that some residents have been in a panic mood as a result of the notice.

 

A resident of Bodija Housing Estate, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, explained that the recent happenings necessitated the notice.

 

“The recent happenings necessitated the move. Yes we have to be careful. People now think twice before they go out. We are more security conscious than before,” he said.

 

 

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Rivers Assembly Formally Serves Impeachment Notice To Gov. Fubara

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The Rivers State House of Assembly has formally served an impeachment notice to Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu.

 

The move marks the third major attempt to remove the governor since 2023, following his return to office in September 2025 after a six-month state of emergency.

 

Recall that the assembly on Thursday during an emergency plenary, commenced the impeachment of the governor and his deputy.

 

26 members of the House accused the governor of misconduct, capable of undermining democracy in the state.

 

The notice which was addressed to the governor, contained the signature of at least 19 lawmakers.

 

The notice also contained about 8 alleged gross misconducts by the governor and his administration.

 

In a post on its official Facebook page,the assembly said, “The impeachment notice has been successfully served on the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara”.

 

 

 

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NCC, CBN Set To Roll Out Refund Framework For Failed Airtime And Data Transactions

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In line with the consumer-focused objectives of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the two regulators have drawn up a framework to address consumer complaints arising from unsuccessful airtime and data transactions during network downtimes, system glitches, or human input errors.

 

The framework is the outcome of several months of engagements involving the NCC, the CBN, Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), Value Added Service (VAS) providers, Deposit Money Banks (DMBs), and other relevant stakeholders. These engagements were prompted by a rising incidence of failed airtime and data purchases, where subscribers were debited without receiving value and experienced delays in resolution.

 

The Framework represents a unified position by both the telecommunications and financial sectors on addressing such complaints. It identifies and tackles the root causes of failed airtime and data transactions, including instances where bank accounts are debited without successful delivery of services. It also prescribes an enforceable Service Level Agreement (SLA) for MNOs and DMBs, clearly outlining the roles and responsibilities of each stakeholder in the transaction and resolution process.

 

Under the new framework, where a purchaser is debited but fails to receive value for airtime or data—whether the failure occurs at the bank level or with an NCC licensee—the purchaser is entitled to a refund within 30 seconds, except in circumstances where the transaction remains pending, of which the refund can take up to 24 hours.

 

The framework further mandates operators to notify consumers via SMS of the success or failure of every transaction. It also addresses erroneous recharges to ported lines, incorrect airtime or data purchases, and instances where transactions are made to the wrong phone number.

 

Speaking on the development, the Director of Consumer Affairs at the NCC, Mrs. Freda Bruce-Bennett disclosed that the framework also establishes a Central Monitoring Dashboard to be jointly hosted by the NCC and the CBN. According to her, the dashboard will enable both regulators to monitor failures, the responsible party, refunds, and track SLA breaches in real time.

 

“Failed top-ups rank among the top three consumer complaints, and in line with our commitment to addressing these priority issues, we were determined to resolve it within the shortest possible time,” she said.

 

“We are grateful to all stakeholders—particularly the Central Bank of Nigeria and its leadership—for their tireless commitment to resolving this issue and arriving at this framework, and for ensuring that consumers of telecommunications services receive full value for their purchases.

 

“So far, pending the approval of management of both regulators on the framework, MNOs and banks have collectively made refunds of over N10 billion to customers for failed transactions.”

 

Mrs. Bruce-Bennett further noted that implementation of the framework is expected to commence on March 1, 2026, once the two regulators have made final approvals, and technical integration by all MNOs, VAS providers and DMBs is concluded.

 

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