A couple, Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Bogbon Godwell, have been arrested by operatives of the Delta CP Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT) for alleged gun running in the state.

The couple was picked up from their home following a sting operation by police detective on March 9, 2025.

State Police Public Relations Officer, SP. Edafe Bright, who confirmed this in a statement on Thursday, said that they were held following a credible intelligence on them at their residence in Okpe local government area of the state.

Mrs. Uche Joshua, the wife, was said to have admitted to helping her husband dispatch guns to clients in Warri and Sapele.

The police said it recovered a fabricated Beretta pistol with a single live ammunition, which was planned to be delivered to a client in Sapele from their residence.

During interrogation, Mrs. Joshua confessed to her involvement in the gun-running business, saying, “I helped my husband dispatch guns to clients in Warri and Sapele. I was the one who delivered the guns to the clients.”

Edale said that police are still investigating the couple and their associates, with efforts to recover more firearms and arrest other suspects.

Equally, on February 3, 2025, operatives arrested a suspected cultist and gun runner, Stephen Oma Odu, who has been on wanted list from Obagho community in Warri North LGA Delta State at Sapele town.

His arrest also led to the arrest of another 42 years old suspected cultist, Abel Festus, aka “TOMPOLO.” of Oghareki community in Ethiope West LGA, at Oghara town.

Two pump action guns and 24 rounds of live cartridges were recovered from Festus’ apartment.

“Two other suspected cultists were also arrested during the raid including Godspower Moses m” aka power of Kokori community in Ethiope West LGA Delta State and Oloriode Owebe m” 24 years of Oghareki community in Ethiope West LGA Delta State”, Edafe added.

Police says preliminary investigations revealed that they were suspected members of the Vikings’ confraternity.

Additionally, CP-SAT arrested 26 years old Oboyo, a notorious cultist and suspected kidnapper from Igbopa community in Ethiope West LGA, and recovered a locally made gun with a single cartridge.

According to Edafe, an “FBI” impersonated enlargement carrying his picture was also recovered, which he used for internet fraud.

“Other members of his gang which include Favor omowo “m” 29yrs aka “Voltage” of Jesse town in Ethiope West LGA Delta State and Gift Omowo “26yrs of Jesse community in Ethiope West LGA Delta State were also arrested.

“Trailing of his other fleeing gang members is on course while investigation is ongoing”, the statement added.

Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has revealed how illegal private charter operations plagued the country’s aviation sector for over five decades and cost the federal government an estimated ₦120 billion in lost revenue over the past 10 years.

The minister made the revelation during fourth edition of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation’s Ministerial Press Briefing in Abuja on Thursday. Keyamo described the issue as a “hydra-headed monster,” revealing that 80% of private jet owners in Nigeria have the habit of obtaining Private Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) licenses but use their aircraft for commercial operations daily.

He said the PNCF license is intended for private use, such as transporting family members or attending social or business events and that it attracts a significantly lower fees compared to licenses for commercial charter operations, which require higher fees and stricter regulations. The minister explained that private jet owners exploit this loophole to avoid paying fees and taxes for commercial purposes. He said for instance, while a commercial charter operator might charge $10,000 for a flight from Lagos to Calabar and pay the required fees, private jet owners with PNCF licenses conduct similar operations without remitting the necessary revenue to the government.

Keymao said that in the past 10 years, Nigeria lost approximately ₦120 billion due to unremitted fees and taxes from illegal charter operations. “They go and obtain the PNCF license, the private one, but all of them are back every day for business. All of them. This is how the federal government has been losing revenue,” he said.

Keyamo said private jets which operate without proper documentation or passenger manifests, makes it difficult to track who or what is on board. He raised concerns that these jets could be used for illegal activities, including smuggling, money laundering, and even terrorism. “You don’t even have the manifest of those inside the aircraft. Sometimes, when there’s a near accident with a private jet, we struggle to find out who was inside. It’s totally unregulated.”

To address the issue, Keyamo established a task force last year headed by the Managing Director of Aero Contractors, Captain Ado Sanusi to investigate illegal charter operations. The task force submitted its report last week, saying they uncovered “mind-boggling” findings. Among the recommendations the task force made is the total shutdown of the private charter wing at airports for a complete overhaul.

“The task force suggested shutting down the private charter wing for total reconfiguration in terms of security and the kind of machines we use to screen bags. We are still looking into how to implement these recommendations without disrupting passenger movement,” Keyamo said.

Daily Sun

We Are All Natasha (WAAN), a coalition of Nigerian women against injustice in a letter addressed to President Bola Tinubu and sent through the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has in strong term condemned what it describes as the “misogynistic behaviour,” alleged sexual harassment, and the subsequent suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Nigerian Senate.

WAAN in a letter, titled “Petition from Nigerian Women,” demanded that justice be upheld in the matter.

The letter was presented during a peaceful rally held Thursday in Abuja, where hundreds of supporters gathered to raise awareness about the ongoing injustices faced by women in the Nigerian Senate, particularly in light of the suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan following her allegations of sexual harassment against President of the Senate Godswill Akpabio.

WAAN’s Coordinator, Ireti Bakare, conveyed the message through the coalition’s Secretary, Irene Anuwa-Ikyegh. Anuwa-Ikyegh pointed out that reports indicate Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan filed a petition accusing Senate President Akpabio of sexual harassment and misogyny.

However, instead of addressing these serious allegations with fairness and transparency, the Senate unexpectedly suspended her for six months on the grounds of an alleged breach of Senate rules and ethics.

“This action appears to be a blatant attempt to silence Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and dismiss her claims without due process,” Anuwa-Ikyegh stated. “We implore Your Excellency to consider our petition, demanding justice for Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. It is imperative that an independent investigation is conducted into her allegations.”

Anuwa-Ikyegh further emphasized that sexual harassment and misogyny should never be tolerated, and individuals who come forward with such claims must be heard, protected, and not punished. She called the suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan an affront to workplace safety, justice, fairness, and equity.

“We stand with Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan in demanding a swift, impartial investigation and an end to the culture of silence, intimidation, and victim-blaming,” Anuwa-Ikyegh declared.

During the rally, founder of the Dorothy Njemanze Foundation, Dorothy Njemanze, addressed the crowd and condemned the silencing of women in politics. “If there’s any woman here who has campaigned during an election, do you know they ask for her vote? If they ask for her vote, that means they cannot enter office. No woman, no nation!” she exclaimed, urging for more female representation and respect for women in politics.

Another prominent voice at the rally, Gloria Odiahi, founder of Say No to Violence, expressed strong disapproval of the six-month suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, noting the that March is Women’s Month, a time to reflect on the need for justice and equality.

“We do not think, as women, that she should be suspended. All we want is a fair hearing. All we want is justice,” Odiahi declared.

Daily Sun