General News
Over 700 Youths Protest Alleged Neglect in Cross River, Demand Infrastructure
More than 700 youths in Yala II State Constituency of Cross River State have staged a protest, demanding improved infrastructure, effective representation, and better governance in their communities.
The protesters, under the umbrella of the United Ukelle Youths for Development, said the constituency has suffered decades of neglect despite being part of one of Nigeria’s oil-producing states.
In a statement signed by the group’s Public Relations Officer, Obok Joseph Igbang, the youths accused political leaders of abandoning the area, citing poor road networks, lack of electricity, and inadequate healthcare facilities.
Adopting the slogan “No Road, No Election,” the group warned of a possible boycott of future elections if their demands are not met.
According to the statement, residents of Ukelle believe they have been sidelined in terms of development and political representation, with little to no visible government presence in the area. Several communities, they said, lack motorable roads, electricity supply, and functional health centres.
The youths also lamented the poor condition of existing healthcare facilities, noting that residents have limited access to modern medical services.
They described their agitation as a response to years of marginalisation and a push for improved living conditions.
The protest has reportedly heightened political tension within the constituency, as youths insist they will not participate in elections until basic amenities are provided.
As part of the campaign, a protest banner bearing the inscription “No Road, No Election” was erected in Wanokom Ward to draw attention to their grievances.
The group further alleged that some political actors, in collaboration with community leaders, have attempted to suppress the protest. According to them, some youths involved in mounting the banner were fined ₦100,000, along with items including three crates of beer and a live pig.
They claimed the sanctions were imposed for publicly criticising the ongoing road project in the area, describing the move as an attempt to silence dissent.
The statement also addressed a viral video showing the alleged poor state of an ongoing five-kilometre road project in Ukelle. While some critics dismissed the footage as content creation, the group insisted it was recorded to document the true condition of the project.
They further alleged that the individual who filmed the video was pressured to release another clip contradicting the original, in what they described as an attempt to mislead the public.
Rejecting claims that protesters are “thugs” or content creators seeking attention, the youths maintained that their actions are peaceful and lawful.
“We are citizens of Cross River State. It is our constitutional right to demand accountability and development,” the statement read.
While expressing dissatisfaction, the group acknowledged the state government’s efforts in initiating the road project. They commended Governor Bassey Edet Otu for the five-kilometre construction but urged the government to extend it to cover the entire 47-kilometre stretch linking the area to the Benue border.
According to them, completing the road would significantly boost economic activities, improve transportation, and enhance access to essential services.
They reiterated their call for equal development, stressing that Ukelle residents deserve better living standards like other parts of the state.
A traditional ruler in Nigeria has taken major steps to strengthen security within his domain by acquiring a surveillance drone and recruiting 118 security personnel amid rising concerns over safety.
The monarch announced the initiative as part of a broader strategy to tackle criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery, and other threats affecting residents. According to sources within the community, the newly recruited personnel will work alongside existing local vigilante groups and security agencies to enhance intelligence gathering and rapid response.
The deployment of a drone is expected to significantly improve surveillance capabilities, particularly in hard-to-reach areas such as forests and rural boundaries, often used by criminal elements as hideouts.
Community leaders have welcomed the move, describing it as a proactive and technology-driven approach to addressing insecurity. They noted that the combination of manpower and modern equipment could help deter crime and restore confidence among residents.
Security experts say the initiative reflects a growing trend where traditional institutions and local authorities are stepping in to complement government efforts in combating insecurity across various parts of the country.
While the development has been widely praised, some observers have also called for proper coordination with official security agencies to ensure accountability and prevent overlaps in operations.
The monarch reaffirmed his commitment to protecting lives and property, stating that the safety of his people remains his top priority.
Uber has announced plans to invest up to $1.25 billion in electric vehicle maker Rivian as part of a major push into the fast-growing robotaxi market.
The deal will see Uber and its partners initially acquire about 10,000 fully autonomous vehicles based on Rivian’s upcoming R2 model, with an option to expand the fleet to as many as 50,000 units in the coming years.
The partnership is expected to roll out its first robotaxi services in cities such as San Francisco and Miami starting in 2028, with a broader expansion planned across up to 25 cities in the United States, Canada, and Europe by 2031.
Uber’s investment will be made over several years and is tied to Rivian achieving key milestones in autonomous driving technology. The company has committed an initial $300 million, with additional funding dependent on progress toward full self-driving capabilities.
The move marks a significant step in Uber’s strategy to position itself as a central platform for autonomous ride-hailing services, despite not developing its own self-driving technology. Instead, the company is partnering with multiple firms to build a large-scale robotaxi network.
For Rivian, the agreement represents a major boost as it expands beyond electric trucks and SUVs into autonomous mobility. The collaboration is also expected to accelerate the development of advanced driverless systems and strengthen its presence in the competitive electric vehicle market.
Industry analysts say the partnership highlights intensifying competition in the global robotaxi race, as companies invest heavily in autonomous technology to shape the future of transportation.
A drone has struck a major oil refinery in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia, as Iran intensifies retaliatory attacks across the Gulf following recent Israeli strikes on its energy infrastructure.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defence confirmed that the drone hit the SAMREF refinery, a key facility on the Red Sea coast capable of processing about 400,000 barrels of oil per day. Authorities said the impact caused limited damage and no casualties, though the full extent of the disruption is still being assessed.
The attack comes as part of a broader wave of Iranian missile and drone strikes targeting critical oil and gas infrastructure across the region, including facilities in Qatar, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates.
The escalation follows an earlier Israeli strike on Iran’s South Pars gas field; one of the world’s largest, prompting Tehran to retaliate against energy assets it considers linked to its adversaries.
Saudi air defences reportedly intercepted additional incoming threats aimed at the Yanbu port, highlighting the scale of the coordinated assault.
Despite the attack, oil loading operations at Yanbu have resumed after a temporary suspension, suggesting that the damage may not significantly affect Saudi export capacity in the short term.
However, the strike has heightened fears of wider disruption to global energy supplies. Brent crude prices have surged above $115 per barrel, reflecting growing concerns about instability in one of the world’s most critical oil-producing regions.
Analysts warn that continued attacks on energy infrastructure could trigger prolonged supply shocks, further driving up fuel prices and increasing the risk of a broader regional conflict