The Zion Prayer Movement Outreach has debunked media reports attributing the continued detention of a blogger, Harrison Ofoegbu (Ijele Speaks) to the ministry.

At a press conference in Lagos on Saturday, the ministry’s Media Adviser, Dan Aibangbe, and members of the legal team described reports by Sahara Reporters that Ofoegbu had been detained by its Spiritual Director, Evangelist Ebuka Obi, for one year as completely false and misleading, explaining that the blogger’s release order was signed by the court on August 15, 2024, after he perfected his bail conditions.

However, Ofoegbu is being held for other cases unconnected with Zion Ministry including a case at the Federal High Court, Awka, Anambra State. Zion said Sahara Reporters was fully aware of this but has instead chosen to mislead the public with falsehood, Aibangbe explained. He also clarified that Ofoegbu was on trial for threatening the life of Evangelist Ebuka.

Mrs Ugonna Okpara of the Zion Legal team who showed journalists at the conference the release papers signed by the court, explained that the blogger’s defence counsel had confirmed to the judge who tried to find out why he was still in detention that their client was being held for another case at the Federal High Court in Awka which has nothing to do with Zion Ministry or Evangelist Ebuka Obi.

Other members of the ministry’s Legal team, Kingsley Okigbo and Gerty Iloegbunam, who spoke at the briefing also called on the journalists to carry out their investigation at the Correctional Center to confirm why the blogger was still in detention. They equally advised the media not to be deceived by the false and misleading account being circulated by Sahara Reporers.

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The Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, has reiterated the need to establish a seamless and secure mechanism for real-time intelligence sharing, enhancing capacity for proactive and preemptive responses to threats.

He stated this, according to a statement by Deputy Director, Information and Public Relations Unit, Bolaji Kazeem, and made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), the during an Interagency Security Seminar with a theme: Multiplicity of Operations in Nigeria’s Contemporary Security Landscape: Optimizing Multi-Agency Efforts for Effective Treat Response, organized by the Army War College Nigeria Course 9/2025 held at the TYB Auditorium, ACWN, Wu Bassey Barracks, Asokoro, Abuja.

The Minister, who was the Special Guest of Honour, pointed out that to optimize multi-agency efforts for effective threat response, they must tackle critical gaps in our security architecture.

“Institutionalizing cross-agency training exercises and scenario-based drills will improve operational interoperability and foster mutual trust. By leveraging modern technologies – such as advanced surveillance systems, artificial intelligence, and digital forensics – we can enhance our operational effectiveness.”

He said the security environment in Nigeria has undergone a profound transformation. We face a complex web of threats, from insurgency and terrorism in the North-East to banditry and farmer-herder conflicts in the North-West and North-Central regions. Additionally, we grapple with separatist movements in the South-East and organized crime in the South-South and South-West.

Gaidam opined that this multiplicity of threats necessitates a comprehensive approach that engages the entire government and society.

“These challenges are compounded by economic disparities, governance deficits, and the increasing sophistication of criminal enterprises that exploit technology, porous borders, and ungoverned spaces,” he stressed.

According to him, “The traditional view of security, limited to military or law enforcement responses, is no longer adequate. We must embrace an integrated approach that brings together all stakeholders, including military forces, law enforcement agencies, intelligence services and civil society.

The Minister expressed that the multi-agency collaboration is not merely an option; it is a necessity. Effective security management today requires a robust interagency coordination framework.
The complexity of contemporary threats demands that the Nigeria Police Force strengthen operational synergies with other agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), and Nigerian Customs Service (NCS).

Gaidam stressed the role of the civilian population as a vital asset in security management. Strengthening police-community relations and fostering public trust through community policing initiatives will significantly improve our intelligence-gathering capabilities and preventive security measures.

Earlier, the Guest lecturer, Major General Babagana Mohammed Monguno (Rtd) stated that globally military operations play a significant role in restoring peace and stability, noting that nations implement security strategies to minimize the security threats to their economic and diplomatic relations.

“With the Nigerian military operations currently being conducted across all geopolitical zones despite the success recorded by the ongoing operations, security threats continue to persist across the country, disrupting daily livelihood and instilling fear among the citizens and there is the need for comprehensive approach to mitigate contemporary security threats across Nigeria,” he said.

For many Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) women and girls, managing menstrual circle is a huge daily struggle. The lack of access to sanitary pads and hygiene facilities force them to use unhygienic materials, which compromised their health and dignity.

However, the “Access Pad Me A Girl Initiative” has crafted innovative measures aimed at addressing this critical challenge.

As a result, “Access Pad Me A Girl Initiative,” a flagship project of GATMASH Media, in collaboration with Access Bank, had an extended outreach at the Ortese Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State where they distributed free sanitary pads, exercise books and pens to women and children.

The event which took place on Saturday, 5th April, 2025, was aimed at promoting menstrual hygiene and dignity of displaced girls and women.

According to the Convener of the initiative, Theresa Moses, the visit was part of a larger campaign to address the critical gap in healthcare and hygiene education in IDP camps.

Moses emphasized the importance of addressing menstrual hygiene challenges among IDP women and girls.

“We came all the way from Lagos to Benue not just to donate, but to educate. These reusable sanitary pads can last up to a year, helping the girls maintain hygiene and save money,” she explained.

Highlighting the disparity in awareness efforts, she observed that while condoms are widely promoted for men, little attention is given to menstrual hygiene for women.

“We believe that every girl deserves to manage her menstruation with dignity and confidence. That’s why we’re here today to provide these reusable sanitary pads and educate them on their use,” she added.

According to Moses, the initiative is being sponsored by Access Bank, Checkers Custard, Vita Baites Foods, GATMASH NEWS, Jeffrey Kuraun Foundation, Pro Star, and and other sponsors highlights the power of collaboration in addressing critical issues affecting vulnerable communities.

She assured that the initiative would continue for as long as IDPs remain in the camps and plans to expand to other IDP camps across the region.

The team distributed reusable sanitary pads that can last up to a year, helping girls maintain hygiene and save money. Moses emphasized that these pads are not only cost-effective but also environmentally friendly.

A Pad Bank was launched at Ortese Camp to ensure sustainability and provide ongoing support to IDPs. The initiative plans to continue support for as long as IDPs remain in the camps and expand to other IDP camps across the region.

Exercise books and pens were also distributed to school-aged children, contributing to their educational development. This support aims to promote education and empowerment among IDP children.

In addition, food items were also distributed to support the well-being of IDP residents. This gesture demonstrates the initiative’s commitment to addressing the holistic needs of IDPs.

Accompanying her on the mission were dedicated members of her team including Mrs. Salome Alomah, Mr. Iliya J. Galadima, Engr. Michael Hosea, Dr. Michael Morah, Angela, and Terfa Tsetim.

The team was warmly received with heartwarming reception and compassion by the camp residents, who welcomed them with songs and open hearts. The Ortese Camp Manager, Elizabeth Asan, expressed deep appreciation for the initiative, stating that it would go a long way in addressing the needs of women and children in the camp.

This intervention builds on the momentum of the team’s earlier engagements at the Area 1, IDP Camp, Durumi, Abuja, and stands as a testament to the impact of targeted support for vulnerable communities.