The Delta State Police Command says it has neutralised three kidnap suspects in the state.
Spokesman of the command, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this to newsmen in Warri last Friday.
Edafe said the deceased hoodlums were neutralised on Tuesday by operatives of the CP – Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT) during a gun duel.
He said the CP-SAT, led by it’s commander, ASP Robinson Julius, were on a surveillance patrol on the Ughelli–Patani Road when they engaged the hoodlums.
“The CP-SAT team were conducting a covert surveillance patrol on the Ughelli–Patani Road.
“The police team flagged down an approaching shuttle bus by Ewhereni Junction.
“Upon sighting the operatives, the occupants of the vehicle opened fire in a bid to escape, leading to an intense exchange of gun duel”, he said.
The command’s spokesman said that three of the suspects sustained severe gunshot injuries while others escaped into the bush.
Edafe said the injured suspects were taken to the hospital, where they later died while receiving treatment.
He also said one AK-47 rifle loaded with 18 rounds of live ammunition were recovered from them.

Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has assured that the remaining two years of his administration would be marked by continued transformational leadership and development across the state.
Speaking at the 2025 Delta State Thanksgiving and Praise Day held at the Events Centre in Asaba last Thursday, Governor Oborevwori expressed optimism that the state’s strategic alliance with the Federal Government being one of the top contributors to the nation’s revenue, would yield even greater dividends for the people of the state.
He thanked Deltans for their support, unity, and commitment to the state’s peace and progress over the past two years, assuring that even greater development laid ahead.
Governor Oborevwori said, “To the glory of God, this administration has reached the halfway mark of its tenure. These past two years have been focused on consolidating previous achievements, breaking new ground, and creating fresh pathways for the socio-economic advancement of our beloved Delta State.
“It is our custom in Delta State to return all the glory to God for all He has done, and today, we are here to show our appreciation”.
While highlighting the progress made so far, he said the state had much to be thankful for.
He said: “Yesterday, I presented our midterm report to the State House of Assembly. It is a catalogue of progress across all indices of socio-economic development. Indeed, God has been faithful to us.
“As you know, thanksgiving is an application for more. We need more, and that is why we have come here to give thanks.
“As we begin the third year of our administration with thanksgiving, I believe God will continue to increase us and grant us our collective desires as a people.
“I am delighted to see our federal lawmakers, federal appointees, and leaders of our great party, the APC (All Progressives Congress), fully represented here today. This gathering reflects the diversity and unity of our state.
“I believe we are more united now than ever, and we shall continue in that unity in Jesus’ name. The faces here today represent the who’s who of Delta State. For the first time in ten years, we are united. To God be the glory.”
Governor Oborevwori urged Deltans to continue praying for the state as it progresses on its path of peace and development.
“We covet your prayers and continued support in our mission to advance Delta State through the MORE Agenda. I assure you all that we will do more, and we will listen to the people more.
“The remaining two years of this administration will be an exciting adventure in transformational leadership. As a major contributor to the national coffers, Delta State deserves and will receive more benefits from the center”, he said.
In his sermon titled, “Giving Thanks and Enduring to Keep the Unity in the Bond of Peace”, based on Ephesians 4:3, the Archbishop of Bendel Province, Anglican Communion, Archbishop Cyril Odutemu, congratulated Governor Oborevwori and the people of Delta State on the second anniversary of the administration.
He lauded the Governor for his remarkable achievements within two years, describing him as “a child of destiny.”
The Archbishop noted that those who once doubted or underestimated Oborevwori’s leadership were now witnesses to his impressive performance.
He cited the successful completion of the Ughelli-Asaba Highway as a project that had further endeared the Governor to the people.
Odutemu emphasized the importance of unity and inclusiveness and urged the Governor to maintain close relationships with key stakeholders across the state.
The Archbishop also offered prayers for Governor Oborevwori, asking God to help him fulfill his mandate and for peace and unity to reign in Delta State.
The Thanksgiving and Praise Day event was graced by the wife of the Governor, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori; Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme, and his wife, Catherine; Senator Ifeanyi Okowa and his wife, Edith; Senators Ned Nwoko, Ede Dafinone, and Joel-Onowakpo Thomas; the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo; the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor; members of the House of Representatives; the Chairman of the APC in Delta State, Elder Omeni Sobotie, and a host of other dignitaries.

By: Albert Ograka, Asaba

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has said his administration focuses on science and technical education in order to produce young people with hands-on skills relevant for employment and job creation.
He also stated that his government’s paradigm shift from paper qualification education was in tandem with global trends in education.
The State’s Chief Executive, who spoke recently in an interview with the Times Higher Education Magazine on the sidelines of the World Education Forum held in London, United Kingdom, emphasised the primacy of education to be able to build a decent society and also spur socio-economic growth and development.
He noted that a society that neglected education would be the breeding ground for criminal elements.
“What we did when we came on board was moving away from paper qualification towards science and technical education.
“Leveraging on science, technical and vocational education strengthens our state in job creation.
“Unemployment is a big issue in Nigeria and you cannot run away from tapping the benefits of science and technology, which is what the whole world is doing now, particularly with the introduction of artificial intelligence.
“My team and I are actually looking at how to introduce it in our curriculum.
“So our strength lies in our ability to sustain what we have started with science and technical education and get our people to key in as opposed to producing young ones without the basic skills for the employment market”, he said.
According to him, education was the key to socio-economic growth and development.
“I’m of the view that if you do not build schools or key into education, the other option is to build prisons as you will have a society full of criminals.
“If you do not want to go that route, the key to freeing the mind of the people and for them to contribute to the growth of the society is education. Education is everything that a society needs. It is what liberates your mind and gives you the right personality that enables you fit in anywhere you find yourself.
“In Bayelsa, we would have a major problem if we ignore education to pursue something else. For us, education is the major focus.
“You either have the knowledge or the skills that will impact your life. As a former teacher, I know that if you are not educated, you will be something else. By this, I’m not referring to only classroom education as it has to be both formal and informal education”, Diri added.
On how the state’s educational system was responding to disruptions from climate change, Diri said it was a major concern and that Bayelsa had its peculiar challenges different from how it is viewed internationally.
“In our state, we also have the issue of oil pollution, which has exacerbated the effects of climate change. When we came on board, we discovered that our academic calendar and the education curriculum did not meet the needs of our state. So, we had a paradigm shift that led to establishing science and technical colleges in our local government areas and fully equipped them,’’ he concluded.
“The other thing we did was that we went into digital learning at the basic education level with the introduction of Bayelsa PRIME (Bayelsa Promoting Reforms to Improve and Modernise Education).
“This method helped us to monitor what happens in our schools as well as provide the proper learning content for pupils in our primary schools”, the Bayelsa Governor noted.
The Tide gathered that about 1300 policy makers and about 150 education and skills ministers from over 130 countries, including Nigeria, were participants in the four-day World Education Forum summit.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa