General News
Edo Bad Roads: Group rejects rainy season excuse, accuses Okpebholo’s govt of neglect
Out Reporter
The Peoples Assembly for Good Governance (PAGG), formerly known as the Coalition of Registered Political Parties (CRPP), has rejected the explanation by the Edo State Government that the ongoing rainy season is responsible for the delay in addressing the deplorable condition of roads across the state.
According to a terse Press statement signed by the National Chairman of PAGG,Dr. Samson Isibor and Secretary, Chukwuemeka Nkama,the group made its position known after its quarterly meeting held on Tuesday, September 27, 2026, where members deliberated on recent developments in Edo State and resolved to demand greater accountability from the state government.
PAGG specifically berated the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, for blaming the previous administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki for the poor condition of roads and reportedly asking residents to endure the situation until the rains subside.
According to the group, while it is not the spokesperson of the former administration and has no affiliation with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Okpebholo administration should stop attributing its inability to address pressing infrastructure challenges to its predecessor.
“We are not Obaseki’s spokespersons, neither are we members of the PDP. However, the present administration has been in office for close to two years and should take responsibility for its own performance. Blaming the past administration cannot substitute for action,” the group said.
PAGG described the condition of roads across Edo as unacceptable, noting that several major routes have become riddled with potholes and difficult to navigate.
The group said the situation has severely affected residents, commuters, businesses and other road users, alleging that journeys which ordinarily should take two or three hours now take an average of nine hours because of bad roads, congestion and prolonged delays.
PAGG questioned why road construction and rehabilitation could not be undertaken during the rainy season when other states were reportedly executing similar projects.
The group argued that an administration genuinely committed to addressing the hardship faced by citizens should explore available engineering solutions rather than use rainfall as a blanket justification for inaction.
It also cited the recent Federal Government flag-off of the rehabilitation of sections of the Benin-Agbor-Asaba Road, saying it was ironic that the state government could participate in and celebrate such an intervention while several other roads within Edo remain in deplorable condition.
According to PAGG, the government’s activities demonstrate that rain has not prevented political activities from taking place.
The group noted that the administration had continued to organise political activities, including the inauguration of campaign committees for the 2027 elections, despite the rains, while residents were being asked to wait for the end of the rainy season before expecting meaningful intervention on roads.
PAGG also expressed concern over the delay in completing the Ramat Park overhead bridge, describing the project as one of the infrastructure projects requiring greater attention.
On the reported proposal for an Edo State airline, the group reiterated its opposition to what it described as a potentially expensive and unproductive venture at a time when the state’s road infrastructure is in urgent need of attention.
“We maintain our position that the government should prioritise projects that directly improve the lives of the majority of Edo people. At a time when residents cannot move conveniently from one part of the state to another because of bad roads, we question the priority being given to ventures that may serve only a small section of the population,” PAGG said.
The group further stated that it would pursue lawful avenues to challenge any expenditure it considers wasteful, including its previously announced intention to approach the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) where it believes there are grounds for investigation.
PAGG also cautioned individuals whom it alleged were being used to attack critics of the administration, saying that attempts to intimidate or insult critics would not deter the group from demanding accountability.
“We assure the people of Edo State that we will continue to speak on issues affecting their welfare and demand accountability from those entrusted with public resources. We will not be distracted by personal attacks or insults,” the group stated.
PAGG therefore called on the Okpebholo administration to urgently reassess its priorities and commence meaningful interventions on critical roads across Edo State, stressing that good roads are essential to economic activity, security, transportation and the general welfare of citizens.
The group maintained that the people of Edo deserve an administration that focuses on delivering basic infrastructure and services rather than continually shifting responsibility for present challenges to the past.
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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