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‘Stop reintegrating repentant terrorists’ – Anglican Bishop Ike urges Nigerian Govt 

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Anglican Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Rt Rev Prof Samuel Obiajulu Ike has charged the Federal Government of Nigeria to discontinue its programme of reintegrating repentant terrorists.

Bishop Ike gave the charge in the presidential address he delivered on Friday at the third session of the 19th Synod of the Diocese held at St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Ogbete, Enugu.

He urged President Bola Tinubu to end the reintegration of the so-called ‘repentant terrorists’ into the critical aspects of the society, insisting that those involved in terrorism should be prosecuted rather than rehabilitated.

While expressing worry over the level of insecurity in Nigeria, Bishop Ike said despite allocating N5.41 trillion, about 9.3 per cent of the proposed N58.47 trillion 2026 budget, to security and defence, there has been no significant improvement in security.

The cleric, who spoke on a wide range of issues, condemned the policy of rehabilitating repentant terrorists, arguing that those responsible for killings and other violent crimes must face justice.

“In a society where a man is sentenced to death for defending himself against terrorists and another is prosecuted for stealing a goat, terrorists must also be made to face trial for their heinous crimes,” he said.

He urged the President to sanction cabinet members allegedly sympathetic to terrorists, stop referring to Boko Haram members as “insurgents,” and officially designate them simply as terrorists.

Bishop Ike also called on the Federal Government to act against social media platforms allegedly used by terrorist groups to spread propaganda and fear.

Expressing concern over persistent killings and abductions, he cited reports that over 1,100 Nigerians were kidnapped in the first quarter of 2026, while attacks in Plateau, Benue and Kaduna states claimed hundreds of lives.

Questioning the impact of huge investments in military hardware, drones and Tucano fighter jets, he said Nigerians deserved better protection.

“We renew our call on the President to act swiftly to ensure the protection of Nigerians. The 2027 elections are endangered if the government fails to guarantee the safety of its citizens,” he said.

On the economy, the bishop faulted the Federal Government’s continued borrowing, describing it as inconsistent with President Tinubu’s earlier pledge to stop borrowing for capital projects after meeting revenue targets.

He noted that despite the N58.47 trillion 2026 budget, the Senate approved a fresh $6 billion loan in March to finance the 2025 budget deficit.

Describing the situation as ironic, Bishop Ike questioned the utilisation of borrowed funds, citing inflation, naira depreciation and rising poverty as evidence that economic reforms had yet to improve the living conditions of Nigerians.

“There is increased pain, poverty and hunger in the land. Nigerians are disillusioned and disenchanted. The reforms appear not to have worked; rather, they have increased the cost of living. The Federal Government should rethink its policies and ensure they deliver tangible benefits to the masses,” he said.

He lamented that electricity supply has worsened despite the electricity tariff hike following customer categorisation, noting that President Tinubu’s promise of reliable and affordable power remains unfulfilled.

The bishop reminded the President of his 2023 pledge that Nigerians would have electricity “by all means necessary,” stressing that the time to fulfil that promise was yesterday, and the next best time is now, especially after the approval of N3.3 trillion to clear longstanding debts in the power sector.

He added that the installation of a N10 billion solar power project at Aso Rock in late 2025 had further diminished public confidence in the government’s commitment to improving electricity supply for ordinary Nigerians.

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Okpebholo should resign over UK fuel price comparison – APM

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The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has called on Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, to resign over his comparison of petrol prices in Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

The party said the governor’s comparison failed to take into account the wide difference in income and purchasing power between Nigerians and people living in the UK.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Yusuf, the APM also criticised the increase in petrol prices to more than N1,500 per litre, saying Nigerians were expecting a reduction in the cost of fuel.

Yusuf said the APM condemned the sharp rise in petrol prices to more than N1,500 per litre, stressing that Nigerians were expecting the price to come down.

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“It is unfair to compare petrol prices in Nigeria with those in the UK without taking into account the difference in workers’ incomes. Nigeria’s N70,000 minimum wage is far below what workers earn on average in the UK,” the party said.

The APM used teachers to illustrate the difference, saying Nigerian teachers earn about N70,000 or less, while a teacher in the UK starts with a monthly salary of about £2,839.

The party also argued that the two countries have different transport systems. It said Nigerians largely depend on informal and costly transportation, while the UK has a more structured and regulated public transport system supported by government subsidies.

The APM further pointed to other oil-producing countries, including Libya and Iran, where it said petrol is sold at much lower prices.

“What Governor Okpebholo failed to tell Nigerians is the fact that in other oil producing countries such as Libya and even Iran, which is presently at war, petrol is sold at an average of equivalent of N41 to N52 per litre,” the party said.

The party described the governor’s comparison between Nigeria and the UK as provocative, arguing that it could further increase public anger over the rising cost of living.

“It is therefore completely irrational and highly provocative for APC Governor Okpebholo to attempt to compare the situation in the UK to that of Nigeria,” the APM said.

The party also expressed concern that the governor’s comments could be seen as preparing Nigerians for another increase in petrol prices, although it did not provide evidence that such an increase was being planned by the government.

The APM also called on Nigerians to support its presidential candidate, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, in the 2027 election.

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Cross River Ikan Sports Fight Back To Beat Gateway Horns 25-19 In Showtime Bowl Series XV Flag Football

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Cross River Ikan Sports bounced back from their heavy opening-week defeat with a spirited second-half performance to beat Gateway Horns 25-19 in Week 2 of the Showtime Bowl Series XV Flag Football season at Showtime Arena on Sunday.

After suffering a 56-13 defeat to Lagos Rebels in Week 1, Ikan Sports needed a response and made the perfect start when quarterback Timothy Atibile connected with Praise Miene for a 28-yard touchdown to establish a 6-0 lead.

Read Also: Rivers Alphas Bounce Back, Edge Delta Braves 31-24 In Showtime Bowl Series XV Flag Football Thriller | Sports247 Nigeria

Gateway Horns, however, gradually found their rhythm. Awosika Oluwafikunmi found Adewole Mosimiloluwa for the tying touchdown before connecting with Odimbu Awele Gift for another score. A successful extra point to Mosimiloluwa gave the Horns a 13-6 advantage.

Ikan Sports immediately hit back through one of the biggest plays of the contest as Atibile connected with Abayomi Agbayewa for a 45-yard touchdown, reducing the deficit to 13-12 before halftime.

Gateway entered the break with the narrow advantage, but Ikan Sports turned the contest around in the second half, scoring 13 points while restricting the Horns to six to complete a 25-19 comeback victory and secure their first win of the season.

Praise Miene was named Match MVP after finishing with 33 receiving yards and a touchdown, earning a 7.4 rating. Atibile also played a central role in the victory and topped the fantasy standings with 4.3 points, while Gateway quarterback Oluwafikunmi recorded 4.0.

The result represents an important recovery for Cross River Ikan Sports following their difficult Week 1 outing, while Gateway Horns will be left disappointed after surrendering a 13-12 halftime advantage.

For Ikan Sports, however, Week 2 delivered exactly what they needed — a response, a comeback and their first victory of the Showtime Bowl Series XV campaign.

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