General News
TUC asks FG to hasten State Police Bill,
warns against sacrificing 99.9% of Nigerians for politicians
Abu Umar
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has called on the Federal Government to fast-track the passage and implementation of the State Police Bill, warning that the security concerns of more than 99 per cent of Nigerians should not be sacrificed because of fears that politicians could misuse state police.
The TUC President, Comrade Festus Osifo, made the call on Tuesday during a press briefing in Abuja, where he also urged the government to deploy modern technology and appropriate equipment to tackle the country’s worsening insecurity.
Osifo said the argument that politicians could use state police against one another was not sufficient reason to delay the initiative, stressing that the welfare and security of the larger population should take precedence over the interests of politicians.
“The question we have asked is that these politicians, what are their numbers? When you add all the Nigerian politicians together, they are less than 0.1% of Nigerian population. So how can we, because of less than 0.1% of Nigerian population, we allow 99.99% to suffer? That is not logical. Government must do things that will impact the larger number of people,” he said.
According to him, the time had come for the government to act on state police, particularly as discussions on the matter were already taking place at the National Assembly.
“So for us, we think that state police is ripe. We think that the time to implement state police is now,” Osifo said.
He urged the Federal Government to fast-track the bill through the National Assembly and subsequently secure the required support from the states to establish state police.
“And that is why we are advocating that government should fast track the bill in the National Assembly. Send same bill to the state to get 24 states to also support the bill in their majority so that the state police will become established,” he said.
The TUC president also backed the ongoing strike by aviation workers, saying one of the major grievances was the alleged refusal of some airlines to allow their employees to unionise. He said the right to organise was guaranteed by international labour standards and Nigerian law and urged the affected employers to resolve the issues.
“For us, from the ILO Convention to the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, it is our indelible right to unionise. We have the right so no employer can stop an employee from belonging to the union. So we have endorsed what they are doing 100% and we are giving them total support to ensure that these issues are resolved,” he said.
Osifo further alleged that airlines were withholding about N25 billion in a five per cent ticket charge meant to be remitted to workers.
“Another issue is that there is a 5% ticket charge. That 5% ticket charge is supposed to be remitted to the workers. But as of today, that 5% ticket charge is not remitted.
“And the value today is about 25 billion Naira. That money is with the airlines. They have refused to remit the money,” he added, saying the union was engaging relevant authorities in an effort to find an amicable resolution but would insist that the underlying issues be addressed.
The TUC president also warned hotels and other employers against preventing workers from unionising, specifically mentioning Abuja Continental Hotel.
“A note of warning that the time of talk, talk, talk is almost over. If they want their business to continuously to try, they should allow those workers there to be organised. But if they refuse, we will come after them. We will disrupt their business, and we will ensure that what they don’t want to do in the lawful way, we will force them to get it done,” he said.
On the economy, Osifo called for sustained food imports until insecurity is sufficiently addressed to enable farmers to return to their farms, while also urging the government to work towards strengthening the naira.
He said TUC believed the naira was still undervalued and that the exchange rate could be brought down to between N900 and N1,000 to a dollar.
Osifo further advocated a private-sector majority stake in the country’s refineries rather than an outright sale, citing the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) model.
According to him, government equity should be reduced to a maximum of 49 per cent, while credible private investors with expertise in refining and petrochemicals should hold 51 per cent to improve commercial efficiency and reduce political interference.
By Omoniye Ahire
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Delta State Command, has charged private security practitioners under ALPSPN across Delta State to uphold high standards of professionalism and strict adherence to regulatory standards in the discharge of their duties.
The State Commandant, Chibedu Igbo delivered this charge during an interactive stakeholders’ meeting with the leadership and members of the Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria (ALPSPN), Delta State Chapter, at the Command Headquarters in Asaba.
Addressing the security practitioners, Commandant Chinedu emphasized that private guard companies play a vital role in complementing the efforts of conventional security agencies in maintaining law and order, safeguarding life and property, and protecting critical national assets across the state.
To ensure effective operational synergy and maintain industry standards, the Commandant highlighted several key mandates and operational guidelines which includes but not limited to the following:
He said that all private guard companies (PGCs) operating within Delta State must ensure full renewal of operational licenses, complete registration, and regular audit of their personnel database, and warmed that any unlicensed PGC operating under invalid permits will not be tolerated.
He used the occasion to inform security operators on the plans to conduct thorough background checks and biometric profiling of all managers, guards and prospective guards prior to mitigate internal security breaches.
On intelligence sharing, Commander Igbo urged ALPSPN members to use communication channels for timely intelligence reporting to the NSCDC, enabling swift proactive measures against criminal activities.
He advised private security firms to prioritize regular training programs in conflict resolution, crowd control, and emergency response for their field personnel.
He also clarified all matters on branch operations of PGCs, applicable fees and issues on Notification of Change of Directors.
Commandant Igbo reiterated the Command’s zero-tolerance stance for unregistered and illegal private security outfits, warning that intelligence operations will commence soonest to identify, seal off, and prosecute defaulting operators in accordance with the Private Guard Companies Act.
In response, the Chairman of ALPSPN Delta State Chapter, Prof. Emmanus Odikaesieme expressed appreciation to the NSCDC for its continuous oversight, guidance, and support, assuring the State Commandant of their unwavering commitment to professionalism, regulatory adherence, and strategic partnership to ensure maximum security across Delta State.
In his remarks, the head of PGC Department (Domestic Security Services) DCC E.E Peters urged the practitioners to look into the general welfare of their guards especially Remuneration which is not expected to be less than minimum wage and uniforms. He hinted that, having been briefed by the regulator (NSCDC) Enforcement drive will commence soonest.
The family of retired Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Frederick Ichako Omunu has announced that he will be laid to rest on Thursday, December 17, 2026, in Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State, following his death at the age of 83.
The burial programme, jointly announced by the Omunu family of Uruto Quarters and the Omoba family of Urude Quarters, will feature a vigil Mass on December 16 and a funeral Mass on December 17 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Ozoro.
Retired ACP Frederick Ichako Omunu died in 2026 at the age of 83.
His burial is scheduled for December 17 in Ozoro, Delta State.
A vigil Mass will hold on December 16 at 4:00 p.m.
The funeral Mass is scheduled for December 17 at 10:00 a.m.
The deceased will be buried at his residence on Uruto Road, Ozoro.
The family has invited relatives, friends and well-wishers to the funeral ceremonies.
According to the funeral announcement, the vigil Mass will take place at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 16, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, NDC Road, Ozoro.
On Thursday, December 17, the deceased’s body will leave General Hospital, Ozoro, at 7:30 a.m., with a brief stopover at his family compound.
The funeral Mass will follow at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, along NDC Road, Ozoro.
Omunu to Be Buried at His Ozoro Residence
Following the funeral Mass, Omunu will be laid to rest at his residence at No. 80 Uruto Road, Uruto Quarters, Ozoro. The family stated that the interment ceremony would be restricted to family members.
A reception for guests will subsequently hold at the field of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, along NDC Road, Ozoro.
The family described the deceased as a father, grandfather, brother and uncle, inviting relatives, friends and well-wishers to join them in honouring his memory.
The burial announcement was signed by family representatives Henry Omunu, Editor, Trumpet Newspaper and Benedict Omunu.
By Our Reporter
Veteran Nollywood actor Francis Duru has died at the age of 57 following a brief illness, his family has announced.
The family disclosed his death in a statement published on the actor’s official Instagram page in the early hours of Friday.
“We, the family of Francis Duru, regret to announce his passing following a brief illness,” the post reads.
“We appreciate your prayers, love, and understanding. May his soul rest in perfect peace. Amen.”
Duru’s death comes months after he dismissed reports circulating on social media that he was battling a life-threatening illness.
The rumours intensified in June after a video showing the actor looking frail went viral, prompting concerns among fans and colleagues in the entertainment industry.
Responding to the speculation at the time, Duru released a video on Instagram in which he described the footage as “fabricated and malicious”.
Born on July 27, 1969, in Cameroon to Nigerian parents from Imo State, Duru completed his primary and secondary education in the Central African country before moving to Nigeria for university education.
He gained admission to the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he studied Theatre Arts and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1996.
Duru began his acting career in 1989 when he featured in Missing Mark, a film directed by the late Ndubuisi Oko. However, the role did not immediately establish him as a prominent figure in the Nigerian movie industry.
His breakthrough came in 1995 following his appearance in Rattlesnake, an action-comedy produced by the late filmmaker Amaka Igwe. In the film, he played the character Ahanna, a role that helped raise his profile in Nollywood.
Throughout his career, Duru earned several awards and honours in recognition of his contributions to the entertainment industry.
He was named a United Nations ambassador of peace for his positive influence on young people.
In 2020, he won the Best Actor in a Leading Role (Igbo) award at the Best of Nollywood Awards for his performance in Mboputa.
Beyond his acting career, Duru was married to Adokiye, whom he wed in 2003. Their union produced four children.
The family suffered a major loss in August 2024 when one of their children, Ifeanyi, died.
Duru’s death marks the loss of an actor whose career spanned several decades in Nigeria’s film industry.
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