Bayelsa Police Wahala: Officers Caught On Camera Beating Tricycle Rider With Rifles

Two police officers attached to the Bayelsa State Police Command have sparked outrage after a viral video showed them brutally assaulting a tricycle operator during a roadside stop. The officers reportedly demanded the rider’s driver’s licence, seized his tricycle tyre and attacked him when he tried to retrieve it. In the footage, the helpless man was pushed to the ground, beaten with rifles and even struck with a shoe as he cried for mercy. The Bayelsa CP has condemned the act, ordered the officers’ arrest and confirmed that disciplinary action has begun.

#PoliceBrutality #BayelsaNews #HumanRights

Bayelsa Police Officers Caught on Video Assaulting Tricycle Operator With Rifles

Two police officers attached to the Bayelsa State Police Command have been caught on camera assaulting and brutalising a tricycle operator during a roadside encounter. In the disturbing video, the officers stopped the rider and demanded his driver’s licence before violently pushing him to the ground and repeatedly hitting him with their rifles. The footage, obtained by SaharaReporters, has sparked outrage, with many condemning the officers’ actions as lawless and excessive use of force.

#BayelsaPolice #PoliceBrutality #NigeriaNews #HumanRights

Why Is Bayelsa Government House Budgeting ₦1.2 Billion for Foreign Trips, ₦500 Million for VIP Hosting, and ₦100 Million for Christmas Decorations in 2026 While Hospitals Remain Underfunded?

Fresh scrutiny has been placed on the Bayelsa State Government following revelations from the 2026 budget estimates showing massive allocations for luxury and administrative spending at the Government House, even as critical public institutions, particularly the healthcare sector, remain severely underfunded.

A review of the budget by SaharaReporters indicates that ₦100 million has been earmarked for Christmas decorations at the Government House alone. In addition, ₦500 million is allocated for hosting VIPs throughout the year, while an even more staggering ₦1.2 billion is budgeted for international travel by the Governor’s office in 2026.

These figures have triggered public debate over priorities, especially in a state facing infrastructure gaps, rising cost of living, and fragile healthcare services.

The spending plan appears even more controversial when placed beside Bayelsa’s health-sector allocations. Budget performance documents reveal that between January and September 2025, ₦401 million was spent on international medical trips, yet only ₦5.5 million was allocated to capital expenditure for the state-owned Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital (NDUTH) within the same period.

A similar pattern was recorded in previous years. In 2024, the state reportedly spent ₦306 million on foreign medical treatment between January and September, while just ₦71 million went into capital projects at NDUTH, despite a total annual budget of ₦780 million for the hospital. In 2023 alone, Bayelsa reportedly spent ₦872.8 million on overseas medical care, reinforcing concerns that public funds are being channelled abroad instead of strengthening local health infrastructure.

Critics argue that the 2026 allocations for foreign travel, VIP hospitality, and festive décor reflect a continued culture of elite comfort over public welfare. They say the government’s financial choices raise serious questions about governance priorities in a state where public hospitals struggle with outdated equipment, limited facilities, and underfunding.

The controversy also revives earlier national debates on medical tourism by public officials. In 2022, lawmakers at the federal level attempted to amend the National Health Act 2014 with a bill proposing a ₦500 million fine or seven years’ imprisonment for public officers who fund overseas medical treatment with public resources. Although the bill failed after intense debate, its intent was clear: to force leaders to invest in Nigeria’s healthcare system rather than abandoning it.

With Bayelsa’s 2026 budget now in focus, many citizens are asking whether the state government is prioritising public service or political comfort. Should billions be spent on foreign trips, VIP entertainment, and decorations while hospitals lack basic equipment and capital funding? And at what point does official spending become a symbol of misplaced priorities?

As economic pressures mount and calls for fiscal responsibility grow louder, the Bayelsa budget has become a test case for accountability, transparency, and the true meaning of governance in a democracy.

IGP Olukayode Egbetokun Deploys DIG Gumel, Reassigns 17 Commissioners to Strengthen Police Operations Across Nigeria

The Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has deployed newly promoted Deputy Inspector-General DIG Mohammed Usaini Gumel to lead the Force Intelligence Department and reassigned 17 Commissioners of Police to strategic commands, departments, and formations nationwide. The redeployments, announced by Force PRO CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, aim to enhance operational capacity, leadership, public safety, and service delivery within the Nigeria Police Force. Key appointments include CP Aina Adesola to Delta State, CP Umar Mohammed Hajedia to Kebbi State, CP Iyamah Daniel Edobor to Bayelsa State, and several senior officers to specialized units like anti-human trafficking, maritime, and community policing. Officers were charged to demonstrate professionalism and ethical conduct in their new assignments.

#NigeriaPolice #IGPDeployments #DIGGumel #PoliceReassignments #PublicSafety #LawEnforcement

10 Nigerian States Plan N4.28tn Borrowing to Fund 2026 Budgets Amid Fiscal Concerns

Ten Nigerian states—including Lagos, Ogun, Abia, Enugu, Osun, Delta, Sokoto, Edo, Bayelsa, and Gombe—plan to raise a combined N4.287 trillion through loans, bonds, grants, and public-private partnerships to fund their 2026 budgets. The states’ total budgets amount to N14.174 trillion, highlighting growing reliance on non-recurring funds beyond federal allocations and internally generated revenue. Lagos, Ogun, and Abia are leading in borrowing for capital projects. Analysts warn that excessive reliance on debt could strain fiscal sustainability and increase debt servicing costs. Experts also emphasize the need for improved revenue management and fiscal discipline to reduce dependence on borrowing.

#NigeriaEconomy #StateBudgets2026 #FiscalSustainability #Borrowing #InfrastructureFunding

BREAKING NEWS: Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has directed that an autopsy be carried out on his late deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, to medically determine the cause of his d€ath.

Prophet Jeremiah buried his late mother, Mama Asetu, in a gold casket worth over N150 million.

She was laid to rest in her hometown, Aleibiri, Bayelsa State on Friday, December 12, 2025.

She died at the ripe age of 104.

Ewhrudjakpo Was A Friend, Not My Subordinate, Says Gov Diri

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has described his late deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, as a friend with whom he had an outstanding relationship and was never seen or treated as a subordinate.

A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted Senator Diri as stating this on Friday night when he led a delegation comprising state legislators and top government officials on a visit to Mrs. Beatrice Ewhrudjakpo and his late deputy’s family at the official residence in Government House, Yenagoa.

The Bayelsa governor expressed shock at the sudden passing of his deputy on December 11, saying he had a long and cordial working relationship with him while they served in the immediate past administration in the state.

According to him, "we came a long way from the leadership of the government of my predecessor, Senator Seriake Dickson. We worked together for eight years and now in our own government, we have been together for almost six years.

"You know what it means when you have a deputy governor who works with you loyally. He was dependable, workaholic and very resourceful.

“We came together as friends and brothers. Our working relationship was not that of a boss and subordinate but it was that of a brother and friend yet recognising that l was his principal.

"Ewhrudjakpo was a man of many parts. He wore the cap of a lawyer and a public health official, who took charge of the committee on primary healthcare. Coincidentally, today (Friday), the state government received a primary healthcare award in Abuja.

"God called him when the ovation was loudest. We believed that we were going to serve together for eight years and we were almost there. Now, how do l celebrate our sixth anniversary in office without Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo?"

Describing his deputy as an upright man who stood for justice and always insisted on doing what was right, Diri said his death was not only painful but a great loss to the state, and urged the Ewhrudjakpo family and the Ofoni community to submit to the will of God, taking solace in the fact that he attained remarkable achievements during his short but impactful lifetime.

The governor assured that government would support the family and take over sponsorship of the children's education to any level as well as ensure that his staff remained part of government.

He equally assured the Ofoni community that their illustrious son, who died in active service, would be given a befitting state burial.

Responding on behalf of the family, one-time member of the state assembly and a former Commissioner for Education, Dr. Oyovwhi Osusu, expressed gratitude to the governor for identifying with the Ewhrudjakpo family and the Ofoni community over the death of the deputy governor.

Dr. Osusu, who said the family and the community were in deep shock over the tragic incident, however attributed it to God's will and thanked the state government for its support.

The governor was accompanied on the visit by his wife, Dr. Gloria Diri, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, the Deputy Speaker, Michael Ogbere, House Leader, Monday Obolo-Bubou, and other state legislators.

Also on the entourage were the immediate past deputy governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonah (rtd), Chief of Staff, Government House, Dr Peter Akpe, Deputy Chief of Staff, Irorodamie Komonibo, members of the state executive council, President, Ijaw National Congress, Prof Benjamin Okaba, and chairman of the state Peoples Democratic Party, Solomon Agwana, among others.

BREAKING: Bayelsa state Government Confirms Deputy Gov’s D€ath and Declares Three Days Mourning

Bayelsa Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo Dies, State Observes Three-Day Mourning

Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Lawrence Oborawharievwo Ewhrudjakpo, has passed away at 60 after collapsing at his office. Governor Douye Diri declared a three-day state mourning, with flags at half-mast, in honour of his distinguished public service career.



#BayelsaState #DeputyGovernorEwhrudjakpo #Politics #StateMourning #NigerianPolitics #PublicService

BREAKING NEWS: Bayelsa Deputy Governor collapses and has been rushed to Federal Medical Centre

NPHCDA Confirms Use of Soldiers to Escort Vaccination Teams in Insecurity-Hit Northern Communities

The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has confirmed that soldiers are now escorting vaccination teams into communities heavily affected by insurgency and banditry across northern Nigeria. Speaking in Abuja, Director of Disease and Immunisation Rufai Ahmed revealed that military support is being used in “real difficult areas” to ensure child immunisation continues despite insecurity. He noted that over 202,000 children in Kebbi and Bayelsa have received the R21 malaria vaccine since December 2024, while Nigeria still has about 2.1 million zero-dose children, mostly in conflict-hit northern states. The agency says it has tracked and vaccinated more than 500,000 previously unreached children and recruited thousands of frontline workers, many serving in militarised zones. Officials insist they will continue pushing vaccination into remote and dangerous communities, even if it requires military escorts, to prevent children from dying of vaccine-preventable diseases.

EXCLUSIVE: A Bayelsa High Court has admitted the controversial “confessions” of domestic workers accused of stealing jewellery belonging to ex-First Lady Patience Jonathan — despite their testimony that the statements were extracted under torture.

The defendants — Golden Vivian, Vincent Olabiyi, Tamunosiki Achese and Emmanuel Aginwa — earlier told the court they were brutalised by officers of the notorious Operation Puff Adder before being forced to confess.

Prison and court insiders say the judge accepted the confessional evidence regardless of the torture allegations, raising fresh concerns about rights abuses and fairness in the high-profile trial.

#Bayelsa #PatienceJonathan #HumanRights #NigeriaCourt

Bayelsa Court Admits Controversial Confessions in Patience Jonathan Jewellery Theft Case Despite Torture Claims

The Bayelsa State High Court has accepted disputed confessional statements from domestic workers accused of stealing former First Lady Patience Jonathan’s jewellery, despite their detailed testimonies of torture by Operation Puff Adder operatives. The workers, who have spent over five years in detention, allege they were brutalised, forced to confess, and denied legal access. With one defendant already dead and no officers investigated for torture, the case—ongoing since 2019—has been adjourned to January 2026 amid rising concerns over judicial fairness and human rights violations.



#PatienceJonathan

#Bayelsacourt

NIGERIAN ARMY SHATTERS TERROR NETWORKS: 8 NEUTRALIZED, 51 ARRESTED, 27 RESCUED, ARSENAL RECOVERED

In a decisive nationwide offensive, the Nigerian Army delivered major blows to criminal networks between 29 November and 1 December 2025, neutralizing eight terrorists, arresting 51 suspects, rescuing 27 victims and seizing a substantial cache of weapons and illicit items across several operations.

In the North East, troops of 151 Task Force Battalion, 152 Task Force Battalion and 192 Battalion in Borno State neutralized four ISWAP/JAS terrorists in ambush and clearance operations, recovering three AK-47 rifles, four AK-47 magazines containing 70 rounds of 7.62mm, 31 rounds of 12.7mm, 171 rounds of 7.62x54mm linked, 183 rounds of 7.62x51mm NATO, an AK-47 working part and a Baofeng radio. Troops also rescued no victims in these operations but responded effectively to infiltration attempts around Chibok.

In Plateau, Taraba, Benue, Kogi and Kaduna States, troops under Operation WHIRL STROKE and Operation ENDURING PEACE rescued 3 victims in Panyam, 1 in Zaki-Biam, 6 adult females and 1 minor (7 total) in Tsanyawa/Kankia, 4 victims in Yagba West, 1 victim in Odo Eri, 2 victims in Sanga LGA and 2 adult females in Isoko North, bringing the total rescued in the North Central and North West theatres to 20 victims. In these operations, troops arrested 2 suspected kidnappers in Panyam, 4 human traffickers in Sardauna, 3 extremist collaborators in Ukum, 13 illegal miners in Lau, 2 cultists in Delta and 1 gunrunner in Plateau. Combined with 25 drug suspects arrested in Bayelsa and Rivers, troops arrested a total of 51 suspects across the regions.

In Taraba, troops also neutralized 4 violent extremists and recovered one fabricated AK-47 rifle, three Dane guns, 25 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and two motorcycles during a communal-clash response in Karim Lamido. Troops in Delta State recovered one locally made pistol, two cartridges and five mobile phones while arresting two suspected cultists. Security forces further recovered 76 rustled cattle in Plateau State and handed them back to their rightful owners.

In the South-South, anti-oil theft operations led to the shutdown of an illegal refining site with about 1,000 litres of stolen crude, while joint raids with NDLEA led to the arrest of 25 drug-related suspects. Meanwhile, in Kaduna State, troops intercepted vehicles transporting 5,000kg of gelatine explosives, 3,000m of cordtex fuse, 10 electric detonators and 1,000m of connecting wire, prompting ongoing investigations involving other security agencies.

Additionally, troops arrested notorious gunrunner Shuaibu Isah (aka Alhaji) who was attempting to receive 1,000 rounds of ammunition from accomplices still being trailed. His arrest marked one of the most significant breakthroughs of the period.

The Nigerian Army reaffirms its commitment to safeguarding all Nigerians and ensuring that terrorists, criminals and their collaborators have no safe haven.

Bayelsa State Government Acquires New Aircraft

EFCC Declares Timipre Sylva Wanted Over $14.8 Million Scandal — Aide Cries Political Witch-Hunt

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared former Bayelsa State Governor and ex-Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, wanted over an alleged case of conspiracy and dishonest conversion of $14,859,257.

According to a statement by EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, the funds in question were reportedly part of an investment made by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) into Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited.

The EFCC urged anyone with useful information about Sylva’s whereabouts to contact its nearest office or the police.

However, Julius Bokoru, Sylva’s Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs, dismissed the EFCC’s move as a “digitally orchestrated political attack” designed to discredit his principal.

“It is, to say the least, curious that what was once whispered as a coup matter has now metamorphosed into a financial allegation,” Bokoru said.
“No formal communication was made to him — just a sudden digital proclamation meant to inflame public sentiment.”


Bokoru alleged that “shadowy political forces” threatened by Sylva’s influence were behind the renewed attacks. He confirmed that the former minister is currently in the United Kingdom for medical treatment and would honor the EFCC’s invitation upon his return.

“Chief Timipre Sylva has clean hands. He has not diverted a single dollar, and the refinery project is transparent, legitimate, and verifiable,” Bokoru insisted.


The media aide urged supporters to remain calm, stressing that “truth, though often delayed, remains immutable.”

In October, security operatives reportedly raided Sylva’s residences in Abuja and Bayelsa, arresting his brother amid allegations linking him to a failed coup plot against President Bola Tinubu — claims his camp has also branded politically motivated.

Political Earthquake in Bayelsa: Governor Diri Dumps PDP for APC, Cites Tinubu’s “Love for Ijaw People”

Bayelsa’s political landscape has witnessed a stunning shift as Governor Douye Diri officially announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) — a move that has seen most members of the State House of Assembly follow his lead.

The Governor explained that his decision was not driven by personal ambition but by a desire to align Bayelsa State with the federal government for accelerated development and better opportunities for the people.

Speaking at the defection ceremony, Diri praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for its “unprecedented commitment” to the Niger Delta’s development, describing it as proof of the President’s affection for the Ijaw nation.

“Government has shown us the will and the direction that they love the Ijaw people and Bayelsa State,” Diri declared during a live broadcast on Channels Television.


He highlighted three major developmental milestones achieved through federal partnership as justification for his defection:

1. Lagos–Calabar Coastal Road: A long-awaited project now actively pursued under President Tinubu, described by Diri as “the economic lifeline of the Ijaw people.”


2. Nembe–Brass Road Project: Once stalled, but revived after Tinubu’s swift approval. “When I met the President, he said, ‘Governor, it is done,’ and within days, contractors were on site,” Diri recounted.


3. ₦4 Billion Tax Waiver: Granted for the importation of 60-megawatt gas turbines to provide Bayelsa with 24-hour independent power supply, a breakthrough after years of darkness due to grid sabotage.

Diri concluded that these “acts of grace” proved Tinubu’s genuine commitment to Bayelsa’s progress, calling his move to the APC “a necessary alignment for the future prosperity of our people.”

“When We Ask for ₦1, Give Us ₦5!” — Wike Tells Senate as He Reacts to Gov. Diri’s Defection to APC

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has stirred fresh political waves after telling the Senate to “increase the FCT budget” while simultaneously addressing the defection of Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Monday, Wike revealed that Diri — who officially joined the APC earlier that day — had previously accused him of working with the APC to destroy the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“When Diri was in the PDP, he said I was working for the APC to destroy the party,” Wike recounted.
“Now that he has joined the APC, he should come and tell me, ‘Thank you, master, for opening my eyes to see the light.’”


Wike mocked Diri’s move as hypocritical, noting that the Bayelsa governor had once branded others “undertakers” attempting to bury the PDP — yet has now joined the same party he once criticized.

The former Rivers State governor highlighted his long-standing loyalty to the PDP, reminding Nigerians that he has been a “bona fide member since 1998.”

“When I was governor under Buhari’s administration, everything was done to kill PDP, but I fought back. Leadership is key. Everyone wants to make excuses, but the man they claim is killing PDP is still in the PDP,” Wike said.


The fiery minister also used the opportunity to press the National Assembly to expand the FCT budget, boldly declaring:

“When we ask for ₦1, give us ₦5!”


Wike’s comment has since sparked discussions about his assertive leadership style, his complicated relationship with the PDP, and his growing influence in national politics.

Bayelsa in Political Turmoil as Diri Joins APC, Deputy Governor Faces Impeachment.

Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, is facing impeachment by the State House of Assembly following Governor Douye Diri’s formal defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) today.

The crisis erupted after Ewhrudjakpo refused to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) despite Diri’s resignation from the party on October 15. The House of Assembly, reportedly acting under the governor’s influence, has since commenced impeachment proceedings against the deputy governor.

In a swift move to save his position, Ewhrudjakpo filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja last week, seeking an injunction to halt the process. Speaking during the state’s 14th annual thanksgiving service on Sunday, Diri defended his decision to join the APC, describing it as a step taken “in the best interest of Bayelsa.”

He said, “Somebody had to make the decision, and I did it for the good of the state. You may not understand now, but time will tell.” The governor emphasized that his administration’s priority remains peace, development, and continuity of governance.

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, hailed Diri’s defection as a strategic move to align Bayelsa with the federal government, warning against acts of disloyalty a veiled reference to Ewhrudjakpo’s insistence on staying with the PDP.

Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by his Senior Policy Adviser, Rt. Hon. Funkekeme Solomon, urged Bayelsans to maintain unity for continued progress, while NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, praised Diri’s “visible developmental achievements,” describing him as “a blessing to the state.”