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LG Polls: Rivers Police Restrict Movement
The Rivers State Police Command has banned human and vehicular movement for the purpose of the Local Government Council elections in the state, billed for tomorrow.
The restriction order announced by the Police begins from 10.00 p.m. today and thereafter commenced at 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. tomorrow.
The state commissioner of Police, CP Suleiman Abba pronounced the ban while briefing newsmen last Wednesday in Port Harcourt.
According to him, the restriction order is to enable the police check the activities of people who have the interest to cause trouble during the election as well as enable the force complete its deployment arrangements for election duties.
The state Police boss warned that his men have been directed to deal decisively with any person found contravening the restriction of movement order no matter how highly placed the person is.
He however, announced that vehicles on essential duties, Medicals, Fire Service, accredited Election Observers and Journalists are not affected by the ban as long as they do not contravene the provisions of the Electoral Act.
Also excluded from the restriction order are prospective candidates writing the Nigerian Navy Secondary School Borikiri Entrance Examination on the election day adding that parents and guardians conveying such pupils will only be allowed to pass security check points upon presenting the candidate’s examination slip.
He disclosed that about 20,000 security and law enforcement personnel which includes the Police, Prison Service, Customs, Immigration, NDLEA, FRSC and NSCDC will be engaged during the election.
The state police chief assured that the security and law enforcement agencies will provide the enabling environment for all the political parties during and after the Saturday’s election in the state.
He warned political parties and their supporters that canvassing or soliciting for voters during the election is prohibited as well as being in possession of offensive weapons within the polling units.
The state Police boss noted that the chairmanship and councillorship elections are very important to the state and urged all the stakeholders to cooperate with the security operatives during the election.
He used the opportunity to thank Rivers people for their support during the last general elections in the state and appealed for the same support during the forthcoming local government elections.
Emmanuella Azubuike
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
