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Natasha shares Christmas rice, others in five Kogi LGs

The Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has distributed more than 2,000 bags of rice and other relief items to constituents across the five local government areas in the district as part of her Christmas outreach.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by her Special Adviser on Media, Mike Idoko.

The distribution, which was carried out simultaneously in Adavi, Ajaokuta, Okene, Okehi, and Ogori-Magongo Local Government Areas, aimed to cushion the impact of rising food prices and ensure that families celebrate the festive season with dignity.

Speaking during the outreach, Akpoti-Uduaghan said the initiative was driven by compassion and her conviction that leadership must translate into tangible benefits for the people.

“Christmas is a season of love, sacrifice, and shared joy. At a time when many households are struggling with the cost of living, it is important that we stand with our people in practical ways.

“This rice distribution is to ensure that families across Kogi Central can celebrate without hardship,” the senator said.

The distribution of the 25kg bags of rice cut across community groups, women’s associations, youth organisations, religious bodies, the elderly, and other vulnerable residents across the senatorial district.

Community leaders who supervised the exercise described the intervention as one of the largest Christmas rice distributions ever witnessed in the area.

“This is not symbolic support; it is real and far-reaching. The quantity and reach of this rice distribution show genuine concern for the grassroots,” a traditional leader in Okene noted.

The Christmas outreach adds to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s growing record of constituency interventions, including programmes in healthcare delivery, educational support, solar-powered infrastructure, water projects, as well as initiatives for women’s and youth empowerment across Kogi Central.

Addressing beneficiaries in Okehi, the senator reaffirmed her commitment to service-driven representation.

“My responsibility goes beyond the Senate chamber. Representation means being present, listening to the people, and responding with action that improves daily life,” she stated.

Beneficiaries expressed gratitude and offered prayers for the senator, describing the gesture as timely, compassionate, and reflective of people-centred leadership.

The development comes barely one week after Senate President Godswill Akpabio approached the Supreme Court over the legal battle arising from the suspension of the Kogi Central senator.

The move was confirmed in court documents dated December 1, 2025, made available to our correspondent on Sunday.

This followed a recent judgment of the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, which struck out the Federal Government’s brief of argument in the appeal linked to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension.

The appellate court held that the brief was incompetent, having failed to comply with the mandatory provisions of the Court of Appeal Rules on formatting and procedure. (Punch)

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Police arrested 821 suspects, rescued 377 kidnap victims in Edo

The Edo State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, has said the command arrested 821 suspects for various crimes and rescued 377 kidnapped victims across the state in 2025.

Agbonika disclosed this on Monday, while addressing journalists during a press conference in Benin, where he presented a summary of the command’s major achievements for the year.

According to figures released by the police, the arrests included 39 suspects for armed robbery, 171 for kidnapping, 117 for murder, 62 for rape and sexual offences, 239 for cultism, 36 for unlawful possession of firearms, and 157 for other offences.

The command also recorded significant recoveries, including 11 stolen vehicles, 188 firearms of different calibres, and 422 rounds of ammunition. In addition, 377 victims abducted by kidnappers were rescued during police operations across the state.

“As we celebrate the Christmas season and prepare for the New Year, I wish the good people of Edo State a peaceful, safe, and prosperous festive period.

“I urge everyone to remain vigilant, law-abiding, and cooperative with security agencies,” Agbonika said.

The commissioner also issued a strong warning over the reported disappearance of corpses from some morgues in the state, describing the act as criminal and unacceptable.

“Such acts are criminal, inhuman, callous and gross violations of the sensitivity of the bereaved, and I assure the public that anyone found culpable will face the full weight of the law without exception,” he said.

Agbonika further advised residents to make use of government-owned mortuaries, stressing the need for accountability and proper oversight.

“I also advise families and those in need of mortuary services to patronize government-owned mortuaries where proper oversight and accountability are guaranteed,” he added.

He reminded members of the public that the police emergency lines remain operational round the clock.

“Members of the public are once again reminded to utilize our 24-hour emergency contact lines which remains fully active,” the Commissioner said.

Agbonika thanked residents and the media for their cooperation with the police, pledging the command’s continued commitment to protecting lives and property in Edo State. (Punch)