BANNER NEWS

Year: 2026

  • Evidence Group Ends Cross River Tour, Offers Free Medical Services

    Evidence Group Ends Cross River Tour, Offers Free Medical Services

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Calabar

    The Evidence Group has concluded its tour of the 18 local government areas of Cross River State with free medical services for residents of Calabar South.

    The medical outreach, held at Atu Field, formed part of activities marking the grand finale of the tour, which the group said was aimed at documenting government projects, assessing the impact of policies and programmes, and conveying residents’ concerns to the authorities.

    The Director-General of the group, Bassey Henry Eyoma, said Calabar South was selected for the finale because it was the last of the state’s 18 local government areas visited.

    Eyoma said the tour also involved the inauguration of chapter executives and engagements with residents on projects and programmes of the administrations of President Bola Tinubu and Governor Bassey Otu.

    He disclosed that the group received complaints from residents in some communities during the exercise and communicated them to the government for possible intervention.

    One of the issues raised, he said, concerned the rehabilitation of the Abocheche Roundabout in Bekwarra Local Government Area. Although the roundabout is located on a federal highway, Eyoma said the state government had commenced rehabilitation work following concerns expressed by residents.

    He added that the group also met with the paramount ruler of Bekwarra and informed him that a road leading to his community had been awarded for construction.

    According to Eyoma, the group would continue to engage government officials and communities to ensure that concerns identified during its tour received the attention of the relevant authorities.

    He announced plans to extend the exercise to tertiary institutions, with 12 campuses across the state already identified for visits.

    “We intend to go into the different campuses in Cross River State. We have marked out 12 campuses from the north to the south,” he said.

    Eyoma said the proposed engagements would enable the group to interact with students, hear their concerns and identify issues that might require government intervention. He added that the visits would also provide an opportunity to inform students about the state government’s plans for bursary payments following the signing of the budget into law.

    The group also urged residents to support the All Progressives Congress (APC), with Eyoma calling on Cross Riverians to vote for the party in elective positions. He attributed ongoing development initiatives in the state to the efforts of the Tinubu and Otu administrations.

    Speaking at the event, the convener of the group, Edem Bassey, announced the commencement of free medical services for residents of Calabar South.

    The outreach offered medical consultations, health screenings and medications, with Bassey saying the initiative was intended to improve residents’ access to healthcare.

    The group said the 18-LGA tour was designed to document government projects and policies while providing a channel through which residents could communicate their concerns to the authorities.

  • NSCDC Warns Cross River Officers Against Rights Violations

    NSCDC Warns Cross River Officers Against Rights Violations

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Calabar
    The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has warned its personnel in Cross River State against violations of due process in arrests, interrogations and detention, cautioning that such breaches could undermine prosecutions and expose officers to litigation.
    The warning came during a two-day training on criminal justice administration and human rights compliance organised for personnel of the Cross River State Command at its headquarters in Calabar. The training was facilitated by the Corps’ Director of Legal Services, Aminu Kayode Alilu.

    The training focused on the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 and other legal frameworks governing law enforcement, including investigations, arrests, handling of suspects and prosecution.

    Participants included area commanders, divisional officers, intelligence and investigation operatives, legal officers, station officers, cell guards, anti-corruption personnel, critical national assets and infrastructure operatives, and tactical commanders.

    Alilu warned that violations of due process during arrests, interrogations and detention could weaken prosecutions, expose officers to litigation and infringe on citizens’ fundamental rights.

    He said security operations must comply with the law, stressing the need for professionalism, accountability and respect for human dignity.

    The Cross River State Commandant, Okarazu Chima, urged participants to apply the knowledge gained to their duties.

    He thanked the Commandant-General, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, for approving the training and appointing Alilu as facilitator.

    Okarazu also warned officers against legal violations that could expose the command to avoidable lawsuits or lead to infringements on citizens’ rights.

    The training featured interactive sessions, case studies and discussions on operational challenges faced by personnel.

  • Otu’s Wife Distributes 15,712 Empowerment Items in Central, Northern C’River

    Otu’s Wife Distributes 15,712 Empowerment Items in Central, Northern C’River

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Calabar

    The wife of Cross River State Governor, Bishop Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, has distributed 15,712 empowerment items across the Central and Northern Senatorial Districts of the state.

    The items were distributed during her Humanity Tour and Empowerment Programme held at Ikom Stadium and McGettrick Institute of Technology, Ogoja, according to a statement issued on Saturday by her Press Secretary, Faith Okon-Egbujiem.

    The statement said 8,183 items were distributed in the Central Senatorial District, while 7,529 went to beneficiaries in the Northern Senatorial District.

    The items included 17 minibuses, 11 tricycles, 33 motorcycles, 55 sewing machines, 50 grinding machines, nine cassava-processing machines, 22 baking ovens and 110 Point-of-Sale machines.

    Other vocational equipment distributed included barbing clippers, hair-washing units, hair dryers, generators and makeup kits.

    The programme also covered agricultural and food supplies, including 3,200 units of fertiliser, 6,622 units of rice, 1,248 units of beans, tomatoes, cooking oil, seasoning and salt.

    Other items included 1,100 wrappers, fish fingerlings, educational materials, seven wheelchairs, four crutches and mother-and-child care kits.

    The statement said Otu met with traditional rulers and other stakeholders in the two senatorial districts as part of the tour.

    Addressing beneficiaries, she urged them to use the items to support their businesses and families, stressing the importance of economic self-reliance.

    “When you empower a woman, you empower a family; when you empower a woman, you empower a community,” she said.

    The programme was organised through the Office of the Wife of the Governor under the Humanity Without Borders initiative.

  • PDP Crisis: Turaki’s Faction Eyes Court Victory After Ikem’s Exit

    PDP Crisis: Turaki’s Faction Eyes Court Victory After Ikem’s Exit

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Calabar

    The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River State loyal to Senator Tanimu Turaki, SAN, has expressed optimism about its chances in an impending Court of Appeal judgment on the party’s leadership dispute, following the resignation of Venatius Ikem from the party.

    In a statement issued by its governorship candidate, Julius Udayi, the faction described Ikem’s resignation as a setback for what it called the “Rainbow Coalition” associated with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

    Udayi said the development had strengthened his faction’s confidence ahead of the anticipated judgment and preparations for the 2027 general elections.

    He reiterated that candidates nominated by the Turaki-led caretaker committee were the authentic PDP flag bearers in Cross River State, expressing confidence that the court ruling would resolve the dispute over the party’s candidates.

    The governorship candidate urged party members to remain calm, united and law-abiding while awaiting the court’s decision.

    He also commended Ikem for resigning from the party and wished him well in his future endeavours.

    Udayi maintained that the leadership dispute would not derail his faction’s preparations for the 2027 elections, adding that he remained committed to harnessing Cross River State’s human and natural resources to promote inclusive development and self-sufficiency.

    He called on members to remain hopeful and focused as the faction pursued what he described as both judicial and electoral victories.

  • City Boy Movement Plans Tour of 11 C’River LGAs Ahead of 2027 Elections

    City Boy Movement Plans Tour of 11 C’River LGAs Ahead of 2027 Elections

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Calabar

    The City Boy Movement, a political support group, has announced plans to tour 11 local government areas in Cross River State to promote the policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration and Governor Bassey Otu’s People First agenda ahead of the 2027 general elections.

    The tour, scheduled to begin on October 27, 2026, will cover local government areas in the Northern and Central Senatorial Districts, where the group plans to inaugurate local government offices and registration centres.

    In a statement signed by its State Director of Media, Comrade Inyali Peter, the group said the exercise was part of efforts to expand its grassroots presence and strengthen its organisational structure across the state.

    According to the statement, the tour will begin in Obudu, Bekwarra and Obanliku on October 27, followed by Ogoja and Yala on October 28.

    The Movement will proceed to the Central Senatorial District on October 29, covering Ikom, Boki and Etung, before visiting Obubra, Yakurr and Abi on October 30.

    Peter said the exercise would also provide an opportunity to mobilise new members and encourage interested residents to register with the group ahead of the 2027 general elections.

    He added that the community engagements would serve as a platform to explain the policies and programmes of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), including the Tinubu administration’s reform agenda and the state government’s People First agenda.

    The group called on its members, supporters and interested residents in the 11 local government areas to participate in the exercise.

  • NPC Denies Diversion of Obsolete Census Materials in C’River

    NPC Denies Diversion of Obsolete Census Materials in C’River

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Calabar

    The National Population Commission (NPC) in Cross River State has denied allegations that obsolete materials meant for the postponed 2023 Population and Housing Census were diverted for political purposes, saying the items were disposed of through an auction exercise approved by its national board.

    The State Director of the Commission, Prince Odey Roland Auguser, said in a statement on Tuesday that the NPC board approved the disposal of obsolete census materials on July 14, 2026, in line with the Public Procurement Act 2007 and other relevant regulations.

    He explained that certified auctioneers engaged by the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja were responsible for conducting the exercise, while state offices were directed to make specified materials available for auction.

    According to him, the items approved for disposal in Cross River were 6,080 power banks, 360 extension boxes, 6,082 raincoats, 117 life jackets and 4.6 tonnes of manuals of instructions.

    Auguser said laptops and tablets, which featured in allegations circulated on social media, were not among the items approved for auction in the state.

    He added that there was no directive from the Commission’s headquarters or the Federal Government for the materials to be sold specifically to NPC staff, contrary to claims attributed to the Cross River Coalition for Democratic Accountability and Good Governance.

    The state director said the approved items were handed over to an auction team led by the Deputy Director of General Services at the NPC headquarters on October 12, the scheduled date for the exercise in Cross River.

    He acknowledged that the auction attracted some disorder at the commission’s state office premises over two days but described the exercise as successfully conducted.

    The statement also rejected allegations that the Federal Commissioner representing Cross River State on the NPC board, Alex Ukam, diverted the materials for use as campaign gifts for an APC candidate contesting the Akamkpa/Biase Federal Constituency seat.

    The Commission urged the public to disregard the allegations, maintaining that the disposal exercise followed directives issued by its national board.

  • UNICAL Security Alert Leads to Arrest of 11 Suspects

    UNICAL Security Alert Leads to Arrest of 11 Suspects

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Calabar

    A distress call from the University of Calabar (UNICAL) has led to the arrest of 11 men over suspected cult initiation activities in a bush near the institution’s Engineering Department.

    The suspects were arrested on Thursday, October 22, after the university alerted the police to the alleged activity.

    The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, said in a statement on Friday that operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Satellite Town, Calabar, responded to the report at about 10:30am.

    The operatives subsequently joined the university’s internal security personnel to cordon off the area, leading to the arrest of the 11 suspects.

    Those arrested were identified as Ogar Favour, 25; David Akpa, 27; Gift Emmanuel, 24; Aaron Favour, 24; David Abubu, 25; Victor Emmanuel Eyibo, 26; Oghenemaro Hendrix, 24; James Ede Joseph, 22; Charles Ekeng, 21; Edu Nkanu, 26; and Ogabor John Odey, 24.

    Police said a Lexus 350 saloon car, reportedly abandoned by a fleeing individual, and three motorcycles were recovered during the operation.

    The command said the recovered items had been secured for investigation, adding that their connection to the suspected cult-related activity had yet to be established.

    It said investigations were ongoing to determine the individual roles of the suspects and the circumstances surrounding the reported incident.

    The suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.

  • Ayambem Funds Market Project in Afi Community

    Ayambem Funds Market Project in Afi Community

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Calabar

    A new market funded by the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Elvert Ayambem, has been completed in Afi Community, Ikom II State Constituency.

    The project was commissioned on Thursday following concerns by residents over the lack of a suitable trading environment in the community.

    The market was identified during a constituency needs assessment exercise organised by Ayambem to identify infrastructure gaps and projects that could directly benefit residents.

    Before the construction, traders in the community reportedly conducted business under difficult conditions, exposing them to the sun and rain.

    Speaking on behalf of the community, the village head, Chief Etta Ekawor, thanked the Speaker for providing the market, describing the project as a major relief to residents.

    Ayambem, in his remarks, thanked Governor Bassey Otu for supporting development initiatives in rural communities. He also appreciated his constituents for their patience and continued support.

    Those who accompanied the Speaker to the commissioning included the member representing Yala I State Constituency, Brian Odey; Vice Chairman of Ikom Local Government Area, Maurice Ndome; and the APC Assistant Financial Secretary in Cross River State, Akanya Agbor.

    Others were former Ikom Vice Chairman Asinya Ntan and Community Relations Officer Abang Neji, alongside other stakeholders from Nde Ward.

  • State Police Bill: C’River, 14 Other Assemblies Endorse Amendment, Nine More Needed

    State Police Bill: C’River, 14 Other Assemblies Endorse Amendment, Nine More Needed

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter

    The Cross River State House of Assembly and 14 other state legislatures have reportedly endorsed the proposed constitutional amendment to pave the way for the establishment of state police, leaving nine more assemblies to meet the required threshold.

    The latest states to endorse the proposal are Ekiti and Kebbi, whose assemblies reportedly approved it on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, bringing the total number of supporting state legislatures to 15.

    Other states reported to have endorsed the proposal are Edo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers, Zamfara, Kwara, Nasarawa, Ogun, Delta, Taraba, Plateau and Enugu, alongside Cross River.

    Under Section 9(2) of the 1999 Constitution, a constitutional amendment requires the approval of at least two-thirds of the State Houses of Assembly. With 36 states in the federation, the proposal needs the support of at least 24 assemblies to satisfy this requirement.

    With 15 assemblies reportedly in support, nine more state legislatures must endorse the amendment to reach the required threshold. The proposal must also satisfy the other constitutional requirements before it can become law.

    The move towards state policing comes amid persistent security challenges across the country, including kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery and communal violence. The debate over state police has gained attention as concerns continue over the capacity of existing security structures to address threats across Nigeria’s diverse communities.

    Proponents of state police argue that decentralising policing could improve intelligence gathering and enable security personnel to respond more quickly to crimes. They contend that locally based officers would be better positioned to understand the security needs, terrain and dynamics of the communities they serve.

    However, concerns remain over funding, accountability, training and the possible misuse of state police by political office holders. Analysts have emphasised the need for effective oversight, operational independence and constitutional safeguards to prevent abuses and protect citizens’ rights.

    The endorsement by the state assemblies represents a step in the constitutional amendment process but does not mean state police have been established. The proposal must pass all the required constitutional stages before the new policing structure can become operational.

    If properly implemented, state police could strengthen community-based intelligence, improve responses to security threats and complement the work of the Nigeria Police Force. For Nigerians, the hope is that the reform will lead to safer communities, fewer kidnappings and violent crimes, and better protection of lives and property.

  • DSS Arrests Five Suspected Gun Runners, Recovers Over 2,000 Rounds in Nasarawa

    DSS Arrests Five Suspected Gun Runners, Recovers Over 2,000 Rounds in Nasarawa

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Lafia

    The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested five suspected arms couriers and recovered more than 2,000 rounds of ammunition in separate operations in Nasarawa State.

    Among those arrested is a 23-year-old woman, Aisha Mohammed, who was apprehended in Keffi with 202 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and three empty magazines.

    Mohammed, a resident of Bwari in the Federal Capital Territory, was reportedly arrested during an operation targeting suspected arms traffickers.

    Other suspects arrested between August and September 2026 were identified as Hassan Sani, 40; Abdulkadir Idrissa, 41; and Salihu Garba, 70, also known as Nabayi.

    A total of 678 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and 99 rounds of 7.5mm ammunition, alongside other items, were reportedly recovered from the three suspects.

    In a separate operation in August, another suspected arms courier, Ismail Lawalli, a native of Zamfara State, was arrested along the Keffi-Abuja highway with 1,262 assorted rounds of ammunition.

    The recoveries from the reported operations bring the total quantity of ammunition seized to more than 2,200 rounds.

    Reacting to the arrests, Governor Abdullahi Sule commended the DSS for the operations, describing the seizures as a breakthrough in efforts to curb arms trafficking.

    In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Addra, the governor also acknowledged the collaboration between security agencies and his administration.

    Sule pledged continued support for security agencies and urged residents to cooperate with them in efforts to tackle criminal activities across the state.