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Army Confirms Ongoing Probe of alleged killing of 13-year-old by soldier in Ikot Abasi The Nigerian Army has confirmed that it has commenced an investigation into the death of a 13-year-old boy allegedly shot by a soldier attached to Sterling Petrochemical and Fertiliser Limited in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of January 1, 2026, along Akongntekong Road, Ete, sparked outrage and tension within the community. Confirming the development, the Army Public Relations Officer, 2 Brigade, Mbiokporo, Captain Lawal Mohamed, said the matter had been taken over by the Military Police. “The incident has been handled by the Military Police and is already under investigation. Due process would be followed”. He assured Eyewitness accounts indicate that the victim, Timothy Daniel, was returning from a crossover service at Mount Zion Full Gospel Church with his 15-year-old sister, Miracle Daniel, when the incident occurred at about 12:05 a.m. An eyewitness, Mr. Anthony Akpan, told Daily Independent that Miracle had briefly crossed the road when the soldier who was on guard duty at the residence of the late former clan head, HRH Barr. Clement Idemudo, where expatriates reportedly reside, allegedly followed her and made inappropriate advances. According to Akpan, when the girl resisted and protested, the soldier allegedly became aggressive and threatened her. Timothy, who was waiting nearby, reportedly confronted the soldier over the alleged harassment of his sister, leading to a heated exchange. The confrontation allegedly escalated, culminating in the soldier firing his rifle and hitting the teenager. Timothy was said to have died on the spot, after which the soldier reportedly retreated into the compound while other security personnel later removed the body. “The shooting triggered panic and unrest in the area, disrupting New Year celebrations. Even a vehicle belonging to a former political adviser to the Ikot Abasi Local Government Chairman, Obong Uyai Udoiwod, was damaged during the ensuing commotion” he said Reacting, the Ukpum Ete Clan Union (Mboho Ukpum Ete), through its Publicity Secretary, Engr. Patrick Udoma, condemned the killing, describing it as unprofessional and unacceptable. “The President General of Mboho Ukpum Ete expresses deep dissatisfaction over the conduct of the soldier attached to Sterling Petrochemical, whose actions resulted in the death of an innocent citizen, This act is perceived as terrorism and is totally unacceptable to the people of Ukpum Ete clan.” He said The group called on relevant authorities to ensure a thorough investigation and justice for the victim.

Akwa Ibom South stakeholders reject single-term option, endorse Ekong Sampson for second term Stakeholders of Akwa Ibom South (Eket Senatorial District) have formally rejected the single-term or replacement option for the district’s senatorial seat, insisting on competence, experience and continuity, as they unanimously endorsed Senator Ekong Sampson for a second term in office. The resolution was reached during a briefing and interactive session with political leaders, elders and community stakeholders across party lines, held at Villa Marina, Eket, Akwa Ibom State on Saturday. The stakeholders said the era of rotating senators after one term should end, arguing that sustained development could only be achieved through continuity in representation. A motion adopting Sampson for a second term was moved by former Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government, Engr. Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, and seconded by former House of Representatives member, Hon. Dr. Owoidighe Ekpotai, before being unanimously ratified by voice vote. Chairman of the Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District Elders Forum and former lawmaker, Rt. Hon. Chief Nduese Essien, said the decision was based on performance rather than sentiment. “This district must move away from single-term experiments and focus on quality representation. Senator Ekong Sampson has distinguished himself as one of the most active and articulate lawmakers in the Senate.” Essien said Essien added that stakeholders were satisfied with Sampson’s record barely two years into his tenure. “As critical stakeholders, we are satisfied with his representation, which is the primary reason he was sent to the National Assembly,” he said. Speaking while moving the endorsement motion, Ekuwem said continuity was necessary for the district to maximise federal opportunities. “We believe competence, experience and continuity are critical if Akwa Ibom South is to attract sustainable development and real dividends of democracy,” he said. In his address, Senator Sampson thanked the stakeholders for what he described as a vote of confidence, saying the endorsement would further motivate him to deliver. In his words “I am deeply grateful for this unanimous decision and the confidence reposed in me, I remain committed to people-focused legislation and constituency-driven interventions across the 12 local government areas.” Sampson outlined his legislative contributions, including bills on the Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi; Federal Medical Centres; the South-South Development Commission; and advocacy for the Federal University of Maritime Studies, Oron, and the revival of ALSCON. He also highlighted constituency projects in education, healthcare, water, electrification and empowerment, and announced plans for a second phase of empowerment involving vehicles, tricycles, motorcycles, outboard engines and business grants. Representing the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, former Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission, Ikpoto Okon Osung, said the senator enjoyed strong goodwill from the state government. “Senator Ekong Sampson has built enormous goodwill with Governor Umo Eno, and he must remain steadfast in effective representation of his constituents,” Osung said. The meeting was attended by serving and former political office holders, party leaders and key stakeholders from across the Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District.

2025: A’Ibom Police Recover 179 Arms, Secure 33 Convictions, Rescue 74 From Traffickers   No fewer than 179 assorted arms, 323 rounds of ammunition and 100 live cartridges were recovered by the Akwa Ibom State Police Command in 2025. The arms haul, according to the police, formed part of a year-long crackdown that also led to 33 convictions from 563 suspects arrested for various offences, alongside the rescue of 74 victims of human trafficking and 10 kidnapped persons, all of whom have since been reunited with their families. Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Muhammad Azare, disclosed this on Monday during a press briefing at the Police Headquarters, Ikot Akpanabia, Uyo, while presenting the Command’s operational scorecard for the year. Azare who described the security situation in Akwa Ibom in 2025 as “generally peaceful, calm and stable,” attributed the achievements recorded to intelligence-led policing, proactive patrols, strategic deployment of personnel, strong community cooperation and effective inter-agency collaboration. He said the Command recorded significant operational breakthroughs during the period, particularly in the disruption of armed crime and kidnapping syndicates operating within and around the state. “The Command recorded the following major achievements in 2025, among others: the rescue of 10 kidnapped victims, recovery of 179 assorted arms, 323 different types of ammunition, and 100 pieces of live cartridges,” the Commissioner said. Beyond arms recovery and convictions, Azare noted that the rescue of 74 human trafficking victims underscored the Command’s renewed focus on protecting vulnerable persons and dismantling trafficking networks. He assured residents that security arrangements had been further strengthened for the festive period and beyond, with intensified patrols, stop-and-search operations and strategic deployments across all local government areas. Looking ahead, the Police Commissioner said the Command would deepen intelligence-driven policing and crime prevention strategies in 2026, with increased attention on violent crimes, cultism, armed robbery and kidnapping. He added that community policing would be strengthened to build public trust, while the Command would also take a more proactive stance against cybercrime and the spread of fake news, working closely with sister security agencies. Azare expressed appreciation to the Inspector-General of Police for what he described as “purposeful leadership and unwavering support,” and thanked the Akwa Ibom State Government for its continued assistance to the Command.

Akwa Ibom Finance Commissioner Reveals Over 20% of State’s 2024 Revenue “Not Remitted” The Akwa Ibom State Government has admitted that more than one-fifth of its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for 2024 never reached the state’s official account. The Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Emem Bob, disclosed the alarming shortfall, stating that over 20% of revenue collected by various ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) was not swept into the State Consolidated Revenue Fund. This failure, he declared, not only breaches international financial management standards but has also damaged the state’s fiscal reputation nationally. The disclosure was made during a high-stakes sensitization workshop, focusing on the imminent full implementation of a Treasury Single Account (TSA) system, dubbed AkwaRemit, in Uyo at the weekend. “Akwa Ibom State fell short… as more than 20% of the State IGR was not swept into the State Consolidated Revenue Account,” Bob stated, citing the damning evidence from the 2024 Public Financial Management Assessment Report and the state’s own Fiscal Responsibility Board. He warned that this practice “undermined the State’s Revenue Generation Status at the national level.” Positioning the TSA as the critical solution, Commissioner Bob insisted that its immediate implementation is non-negotiable for plugging these leaks. He described the TSA as a unified banking structure designed to consolidate all government funds, ensuring centralized, transparent, and accountable revenue management. “The TSA is to block loopholes in revenue management and establish an efficient disbursement and collection mechanism for government funds”. He said. He assured stakeholders of the government’s full commitment to the project. The event, attended by top state officials including the Commissioners for Science & Digital Economy, Transport, and Health, as well as the Accountant-General and heads of MDAs, presented a united front for the financial overhaul. Dr. Frank Ekpenyong, Commissioner for Science & Digital Economy, demonstrated the user-friendly AkwaRemit platform, while the Executive Chairman of the Akwa Ibom Internal Revenue Service (AKIRS), Sir Okon Okon, urged full cooperation. He noted that the federal government and other states are already benefiting from similar TSA systems.

Showunmi Calls for Urgent Restoration of Uyo’s Cleanliness National Leader of The Alternative Movement, Segun Showunmi has criticized the environmental and developmental state of Akwa Ibom, warning that the capital city Uyo is losing its status as Nigeria’s cleanest and most beautiful city. In an interview with newsmen in Uyo on Tuesday, the PDP Chieftain expressed deep disappointment at what he called a visible decline in cleanliness and stalled key projects. “I am not too happy that Uyo is beginning to lose its cleanliness. Before, when you drove through Uyo, you would not see one small piece of paper on the road. Now, I’m seeing ‘pure water’ sachets littering the streets.” He lamented Showunmi, who passionately described Akwa Ibom as “the most beautiful location Nigeria has to showcase to the world,” said he often boasts internationally about Uyo’s comparability to any global city. He however expressed fears that such a unique selling point is under threat. The chieftain who placed the blame on leadership failures, warns: “Leadership is a serious business. No man should leave the work of man for God to do for him.” He called for the immediate return of environmental standards to those of previous administrations, specifically alluding to the era of former Governor Godswill Akpabio. His frustration extended beyond environmental concerns to unfinished iconic projects , noting especially the Ibom Deep Seaport and the coconut refinery, he said; “Finish it!. You have put up billboards all over the place claiming progress, but show us the completed work. Everyone will know the job is not finished until it is functioning.” While acknowledging divine support with “God will help us,” Showunmi maintained that actionable human effort is required and non-negotiable to restore Akwa Ibom’s hard-earned reputation and push already-expended projects to beneficial ends. Showunmi’s concerns were recently corroborated on the communique issued at the end of the December Congress of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council, which also drew attention to the poor sanitary condition of some parts of the capital city including Ukana Offot Street and the deteriorating internal roads in Uyo, calling for urgent repairs and improved waste management. The Union raised the alarm over the abandonment of critical roads such as the Eket–Ibeno Road, Ikot Akpan Abia Road, Ikot Iko and Ikot Akpa Edu, alongside persistent electricity outages in the affected communities, which they said have crippled local economies and worsened living conditions.

NUJ Akwa Ibom Raises Alarm Over Calabar–Itu Highway, Other Deplorable Roads       The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council, has raised serious concern over the deplorable condition of the Calabar–Itu Highway, describing the road as a major threat to lives and safety, and has urged the state government to immediately take over its reconstruction.       The union made the call during December State Council Congress held at NUJ Press Centre, Information Drive, Uyo, following deliberations on issues affecting public safety and development in the state.       According to the congress, the persistent deterioration of the Calabar–Itu Highway has continued to result in frequent accidents, severe traffic gridlock and loss of lives, causing untold hardship to commuters and motorists who rely on the corridor daily.       In a communique jointly signed by the state Chairman, Comrade Nsibiet John and Chairman communique drafting committee, Comrade Okodi Okodi the union said “The Calabar–Itu Highway has become a death trap, and commuters are paying the price with their lives. We are calling on the Akwa Ibom State Government to take over the reconstruction of this road in the interest of public safety.”       Beyond the Calabar–Itu axis, the union drew attention to the poor state of internal roads within Uyo metropolis, including Ukana Offot Street, and urged the government to urgently seal the increasing potholes and maintain a clean and motorable urban environment.       The congress also expressed concern over the deplorable condition of roads in Ibaka, Mbo Local Government Area, noting that the road serves as a strategic economic corridor for the transportation of seafood to Uyo and several other parts of the country.       “It is unacceptable that a key route supporting livelihoods and commerce is allowed to deteriorate to this level,” the communiqué stated.       Congress further raised alarm over the abandoned Eket–Ibeno Road, Ikot Akpan Abia Road, Ikot Iko and Ikot Akpa Edu, lamenting that prolonged abandonment, coupled with persistent lack of electricity in the affected areas, has crippled economic activities and rendered living conditions unbearable.       In addition to infrastructure concerns, the NUJ commended the progress recorded at its Fourth Estate School and urged the management to sustain and consolidate the gains already achieved.       The union also celebrated members for outstanding academic achievements, including Comrade Edet Okpo of Sensor Chapel, who successfully defended his doctoral thesis, alongside Comrade Dan Etokidem, Comrade Udeme Utip and Comrade Blessing Urua, who completed their Master’s degree defenses at the University of Uyo.       “We are proud of our members’ academic advancement because it strengthens professionalism and ethical journalism,” Comrade Nsibiet John added.

Renewed Hope Initiative Disburses N1.9 Billion to 9,500 Elderly Nigerians The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has flagged off the disbursement of N1.9 billion to 9,500 vulnerable senior citizens across the nation. The initiative, part of the third edition of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme (RHIESS), is designed to provide direct financial support to the elderly. Representing the nation’s First Lady at the Flag-off of disbursement at Government House, Uyo on Tuesday, Coordinator, Office of Akwa Ibom First Lady, Lady Helen Eno Obareki explained that N200,000 will be disbursed to 250 elderly persons aged 65 and above in each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Sen Tinubu explained further that other beneficiaries will be drawn from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA). This translates to a disbursement of N50 million per participating entity, as approved by the RHI Governing Board. In her words “The total sum to be disbursed is N1.9 billion. This scheme is to support 250 vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the FCT and veterans from DEPOWA.” Senator Tinubu explained that the programme, launched in 2023, has become an annual intervention designed to acknowledge the contributions of senior citizens to national progress and offer crucial social protection. “Since the inception of this administration in 2023, the Renewed Hope Initiative has made it a tradition to celebrate our senior citizens every December, in recognition of their invaluable contributions to nation-building,” she said. Speaking on the theme, “Finding Joy in Old Age,” the First Lady encouraged senior citizens to maintain active and engaged lifestyles. She also called on communities and governments to prioritise the welfare of the elderly. “They have walked difficult paths so that the younger generations may have smoother roads to travel. It is therefore our moral duty to ensure that they live their twilight years in comfort, good health and dignity,” she said She further advised the beneficiaries to “stay healthy and active” and to continue contributing to society through community and charitable activities. The First Lady commending Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, and the state RHI coordinator for their support, and extended her best wishes to the beneficiaries for a peaceful festive season and a hopeful new year. “May 2026 bring renewed hope and greater accomplishments for us all and our beloved nation,” she added.

Contribute to host communities’ growth, A’Ibom Govt charges NYSC members     Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno has charged members of the National Youth Service Corps deployed to State to make positive impart in the development and transformation of their respective communities and organizations   Eno gave the charge on Tuesday during the closing ceremony of the 2025 Batch ‘C’ National Youth Corps Members deployed to the state   Represented by Mr Emmanuel Akpabio, a director in Ministry of Youth Development, the governor who noted that their predecessors have left enduring legacies in the State, charged them to surpass such legacies in their places of primary assignments.   ”I receive heart warning report of your conducts, disciplines and cooperation with camp officials, I commend you for this and encourage you to sustain such virtues throughout your service year.   ”Your predecessors have left enduring and inspiring legacies in their various places of primary assignments. It’s now your turn to contribute meaningfully to the development and transformation of your host communities” Eno said.   The governor who acknowledged that Akwa Ibom is a peaceful state, charged the corps members to integrate fully and respect their host communities’ cultural values.   ”Let me assure you that Akwa Ibom State is a peaceful and hospitable state. All you need to do is to integrate fully with your host communities and appreciate their cultural values” Eno said   He also warned the corps members against travelling by night , emphasising that unfortunate losses recorded in the scheme have resulted from night travels   Earlier, in his welcome address, the State Coordinator, NYSC, Mr Sam Pepple, disclosed that over 700 corps members deployed to the state have inculcated enough discipline, team spirit and resilience, adding that they are ”ready, fit and prepare for the service of our fatherland”.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to life imprisonment after convicting him on multiple terrorism charges. Justice James Omotosho delivered the ruling on Thursday, imposing life sentences on counts one, two, four, five, and six; 20 years for belonging to a proscribed terrorist group; and five years for unlawful importation of a radio transmitter. The judge noted that the law permits a death sentence for the offences but said he chose a more lenient approach. He also directed that Kanu be held in protective custody outside Kuje prison and ordered the forfeiture of the radio transmitter to the Federal Government. Source – TVC