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Rivers Police Nab 19 Kidnappers, Kill Six …As Search For 7-Day Old Baby Intensifies In Abia
The Rivers State Police Command, says it arrested nineteen kidnappers within the month of June, 2011 in the state, while six others were killed.
The Commissioner of Police of the Command, Mr Suleiman Abba disclosed this yesterday while briefing newsmen over the command’s activities in the last one month in Port Harcourt.
The Police Commissioner also disclosed that sixty armed robbers were arrested in the same month of June 2011 in the state.
Mr Abba further said that the command also paraded a medical student alleged to be member of armed robbery gang operating along the Choba-NTA road in the state.
He said the suspected armed robber student was arrested by the special police patrol team in the area few days ago.
The commissioner of police used the opportunity to assure the general public of adequate security throughout the period of the 17th National Sports Festival in the state..
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Suleiman Abba has said that over sixteen thousand police officers and hundred of other security personnel have been deployed to mount security for the sport festival in the state.
He said the police would not leave any stone unturned to ensure that the participants and the general public including properties were secured in the state.
In another development, the police in Aba, Abia State have intensified their search for a seven-day-old baby boy who was allegedly abducted by gunmen who stormed the home of his parents on June 27.
Our correspondent reports that the family of Mr Sunday Njoku of Amaise Umuokerengwa, in Obingwa Local government Area of Abia State, is seriously traumatised that it was yet to hear from the abductors of the baby.
A family source told newsmen that two unidentified gunmen stormed the home of the couple at about 2.45am and took away the baby at gun-point.
He said that efforts made so far to reach the abductors had been futile, which had aggravated their concern for the health of the baby, said to be the fifth in the family.
Mr Rabiu Dayi, the Aba Area Police Commander, who confirmed the incident to our correspondent yesterday, said the police had already swung into action and scaled up their investigation.
Meanwhile, members of the community have become apprehensive over the incident, which they described as very strange in the area.
They told newsmen that some soldiers currently on security assignment under ‘‘Operation Jubilee” in Obingwa Local Government Area were cooperating with them and had adopted a common strategy to fish out the abductors.
They said some members of the community had already been questioned over the incident.
Meanwhile, the father of the seven-day-old baby abducted in Amaise Umuokerengwa community of Abia State, Mr Sunday Njoku, has appealed to the abductors to free his son.
The baby, the fifth in the family, was abducted at about 2:45 a.m. on Monday by two unidentified gunmen.
Njoku, who said he had yet to hear from the abductors, urged them to release the child and save the family from further agony.
He said further that efforts made so far to reach the abductors had been futile.
Mr Rabiu Dayi, Aba Area Police Commander, who confirmed the incident to newsmen yesterday, said it was being investigated.
Residents of the community, however, had become apprehensive over the incident as it was unprecedented.
Our correspondent gathered that soldiers in the “ Operation Jubilee’’ security outfit in the area had met with the villagers to adopt a common strategy to fish out the abductors.
The facility will be disbursed through participating Microfinance Institutions (MFIs), which will in turn extend the loans to their customers, particularly SMEs, as they directly interface with businesses at the grassroots level.
The Executive Director of COMCIN, Mr. Micheal Ogbaa who represented the Chairman, Dr. Iredele Oyedele (FCA, FCCA), said the initiative is designed to strengthen micro-lending institutions and expand access to finance for grassroots entrepreneurs, particularly women and youths in the informal sector.
Ogbaa explained that COMCIN does not lend directly to individuals but works through its network of microfinance and cooperative institutions, which in turn provide loans to end users.
“We came together to advocate for the microfinance ecosystem. Commercial banks often exclude people at the grassroots, but our members are positioned to reach them. This facility will empower them to do more,” he said.
He noted that the loan scheme offers low interest rates and flexible repayment plans, making it more accessible to small business owners.
According to him, about 90 percent of beneficiaries are expected to be women, who play a key role in sustaining families and driving economic activities at the local level.
“Our focus is on traders, service providers, and players in the informal sector. These are the real movers of the economy. By supporting them, we are strengthening families and contributing to national development,” he added.
Ogbaa disclosed that eligible SMEs with proven integrity and business track records could access up to N5 million each through participating micro-lending institutions. The rollout has commenced in Lagos and will extend to Abuja, Enugu, and other regions, including the South-West, South-East, and North-East.
He said 12 micro-lending institutions have already benefited from the scheme, while 85 applications are currently being processed under the pilot phase.
“Our target is to reach at least 100,000 SMEs nationwide. We are building a platform that connects funding partners with credible micro-lending institutions, creating a reliable channel for financial inclusion,” Ogbaa said.
He added that COMCIN is also working to attract larger funding pools from development finance institutions and private investors, noting that successful implementation of the pilot phase would boost confidence and unlock more capital for SMEs.
“We have seen encouraging testimonies from early beneficiaries. As we demonstrate transparency and efficiency, more institutions will be willing to channel funds through us,” he said.
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