Prominent Niger Delta human rights activist and environmentalist, Ann-Kio Briggs, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s decision to scrap the Ministry of Niger Delta, describing it as ill-advised and detrimental to the oil-rich region.

Briggs expressed her concerns during an appearance on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political programme aired on Channels Television.

“The Ministry of Niger Delta was created by the late (President Umaru) Yar’Adua. There was a reason for the creation. So, just removing it because the president was advised. I want to believe that he was advised because if he did it by himself, that would be terribly wrong,” she stated.

President Tinubu, in October, dissolved the Ministry of Niger Delta and replaced it with the Ministry of Regional Development, which is tasked with overseeing all regional development commissions, including the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), North-West Development Commission, and North-East Development Commission.

Briggs questioned the rationale behind the restructuring, expressing concerns about its feasibility and implications. “But that’s not going to be the solution because who is going to fund the commissions? Is it the regions because it is called the Regional Development Ministry? Is it the states in the regions? What are the regions because we don’t work with regions right now; we are working with geopolitical zones,” she remarked.

She added, “Are we going back to regionalism? If we are, we have to discuss it. The president can’t decide on his own to restructure Nigeria. If we are restructuring Nigeria, the president alone can’t restructure Nigeria, he has to take my opinion and your opinion into consideration.”

Briggs also decried the longstanding neglect of the Niger Delta despite its significant contributions to Nigeria’s economy since 1958. “The Niger Delta has been developing Nigeria since 1958. We want to use our resources to develop our region; let regions use their resources to develop themselves,” she asserted.

Reflecting on the various bodies established to address the region’s development, Briggs lamented their failure to deliver meaningful progress. She highlighted the Niger Delta Basin Authority, the Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission (OMPADEC), and the NDDC as examples of ineffective interventions.

“NDDC was created by Olusegun Obasanjo…There was OMPADEC before NDDC. OMPADEC was an agency. Before OMPADEC, there was the Basin Authority…These authorities were created to help us. Were we helped by those authorities? No, we were not,” she said.

Briggs further described the NDDC as an “ATM for failed politicians, disgruntled politicians, and politicians that have had their electoral wins taken away from them and given to somebody else.”

Her remarks underscore the deep-seated frustrations in the Niger Delta, where residents continue to advocate for greater control over their resources and improved governance.

The Plateau State Police Command has clarified reports of a bomb scare that caused panic among Jos residents on Tuesday, assuring the public that the situation is under control. Initial reports had suggested an explosion in the city, but the police confirmed in a statement that their team had safely detonated suspicious items, preventing any potential loss of life or property damage.

According to the command, three improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were reportedly found near the bustling terminus and Abuja Market areas in central Jos. An eyewitness shared that the police’s explosive ordnance disposal team promptly responded to a distress call, preventing any explosions in the crowded market area and safely removing two devices. A third device, which had caused alarm among residents, was successfully detonated without harm.

In a statement, the command’s public relations officer, Alfred Alabo, described the bomb scare as a “false alarm” and confirmed that the police had thoroughly inspected the area. “Upon receiving this report,” the statement read, “the Plateau State Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Adesina, ordered a team of bomb technicians to assess the scene and take necessary actions.”

After cordoning off the area, the police’s explosive ordnance team confirmed that the suspected site was clear of any explosive devices, alleviating fears among residents. Commissioner Adesina and his team also conducted an on-the-spot assessment to assure the public of their safety.

The Nigerian Navy has promised to provide the necessary support to the youths of Ikuru community in Rivers as part of effort to arrest the activities of illegal bunkers in the area.

The Commanding Officer of the Naval Outpost in Ikuru, Capt. Murtala Suleiman, made the promise during a visit to the traditional council of the community in Andoni Local Government Area on Tuesday.

Received by the chairman, Council of Chiefs, Jumbo Utija, the Commanding Officer said the partnership became necessary to save the nation from losing resources.

He said the Federal Government was desirous of curbing crude oil theft so that the resources will be channelled boost national development.

“This is primarily the reason why we are willing and open to work with the community to stop this menace that have and still costing us more than money.

“You should know that more money is needed by the government to work for the country and crude remains the country’s major source of income.

“Aside the huge amount the nation is losing through activities of these illegal bunkering, our environment is also being affected by this unwholesome activities.

“So, there is need for collaboration between security agencies, particularly the Navy, and the community where these people operate.

“We must all come in partnership to stop these activities that are harmful to our economy and environment,” he said.

Utija, commended the Navy for ensuring security of the community along with others in the state in the country.

He assured the Navy of the council’s support and promised to intensify efforts towards educating youths about the value of hard and legal means of livelihood.