By staff Reporter Rukevwe Odeh

WARRI, Delta State — Stakeholders in Odidi Community, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, have reaffirmed Prince Preye Okrikpa as the Executive Chairman of the community amid an ongoing leadership dispute before the High Court of Justice in Warri.

The stakeholders also expressed support for the intervention of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide over the prolonged crude oil spill affecting communities around Oil Mining Lease (OML) 42.

In a statement signed by Clement Numah, Secretary of Odidi Community; Oyateide Joseph Hitler, Youth President; and Nancy Ikpidi, Women Leader, the stakeholders said Okrikpa remains the recognised chairman under the community’s internal processes.

They stated that a rival executive led by Truston Gbenekama is the subject of a pending court case, identified as Suit No. W/102/2026, and urged the media, government institutions and other organisations to exercise caution in identifying individuals as the final leadership of the community while the matter remains before the court.

According to the stakeholders, the pending litigation means that the leadership question should be left for judicial determination rather than being settled through public statements or media activities.

They further stressed that the leadership dispute should not be allowed to overshadow the environmental challenges confronting residents of Odidi.

The stakeholders commended IYC President, Dr. Doubra Collins Okotete, and the council’s leadership for drawing attention to the reported oil spill and its consequences for residents and the environment.

They said the pollution had reportedly affected aquatic life, fishing activities and the livelihoods of people within the affected areas, describing the intervention as an important step toward drawing attention to the situation.

The stakeholders called on Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited (HEOSL), the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and other relevant authorities to act on the reported spill.

Their demands include immediate containment and investigation of the incident, environmental assessment and remediation, as well as consideration of legitimate compensation claims in line with applicable laws and procedures.

They also urged authorities to engage properly constituted community representatives during the response while respecting the ongoing court proceedings.

The stakeholders maintained that affected residents should not be denied appropriate relief because of the unresolved leadership dispute.

They urged IYC to sustain its intervention on environmental issues affecting Odidi and other Niger Delta communities.

The group concluded that while the leadership question should be determined by the court, the reported environmental concerns require urgent attention from government agencies, regulators and the relevant oil-sector operators.

By Agregor Ebiboere Immaculate;

• JAMB has opened a controlled process for candidates who have genuinely lost access to their registered phone numbers or email addresses.
• The service began on September 21 and is available only at designated CBT centres and applicable state offices.
• Applicants can use the service once, subject to strict identity and biometric verification.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has introduced a controlled procedure allowing candidates who have lost access to their registered phone numbers or email addresses to update their details.

The board announced the policy change on Monday through its official X account, stating that the service commenced on September 21,2026.

JAMB said candidates could access the service only at designated Computer-Based Test centres, including state offices where applicable.

JAMB said candidates could access the service only at designated Computer-Based Test centres, including state offices where applicable.

ATTENTION: Click “HERE” to join our WhatsApp group and receive News updates directly on your WhatsApp! Kk

JAMB said candidates could access the service only at designated Computer-Based Test centres, including state offices where applicable.

READ ALSO: JAMB, WAEC Fix ₦4,000 One-Off Fee For O’Level Result Verification

It explained that the arrangement was designed for candidates with genuine cases involving the loss of access to their registered GSM numbers, email addresses or both.

The board said applicants would be required to undergo strict identity and biometric checks before their details could be changed.

“Please note: The service can be accessed only once and is subject to strict identity and biometric verification,” JAMB said.

It urged candidates to visit only approved centres and avoid dealing with unauthorised individuals or channels.

“For your security, use only designated JAMB centres and avoid unauthorised persons or channels,” the board added.

JAMB said the announcement was part of its JCARE and JAMB Updates initiatives.

The board reiterated that the update facility could be used only once and that all requests would be subject to the prescribed verification process.

By staff Reporter Rukevwe Odeh

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has detained approximately 300 persons for screening following a security operation carried out at locations identified as potential crime centres across Abuja.

The operation, conducted on Saturday, September 19, 2026, reportedly covered shanties, uncompleted buildings and other locations suspected of being used as hideouts by criminals.

The command said the exercise was aimed at preventing criminal activities, disrupting the operations of suspected offenders and strengthening security across the nation’s capital.

During the operation, police officers recovered several items, including knives, a toy firearm, cannabis and other substances suspected to be illicit drugs.

According to the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, the individuals arrested are being screened and profiled to establish whether they have links to criminal activities.

The command explained that anyone found to have committed an offence would be prosecuted in accordance with the law, while those cleared of any wrongdoing would be released after the screening process.

The FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Sanusi, said the command would continue with intelligence-driven raids and proactive policing, particularly in areas identified as possible criminal hideouts.

Sanusi also warned residents, particularly youths, about the dangers associated with illicit drug use. He noted that substance abuse can affect judgment and potentially contribute to violent or criminal behaviour.

He advised individuals struggling with drug-related problems to seek counselling and rehabilitation instead of allowing substance abuse to expose them or their communities to security threats.

The commissioner further instructed police personnel involved in the operations to maintain professionalism and operate strictly within the law.

He warned that officers must not use arrests or raids as opportunities to extort, intimidate or harass members of the public. According to him, any officer found demanding money unlawfully or engaging in other misconduct would face disciplinary measures.

The FCT Police Command subsequently appealed to residents to provide credible and timely information about suspicious activities and locations believed to be used as criminal hideouts.