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Robbery Attack: Police Recover N5.6m In Rukpokwu …As RSG Reassures On Security
The Rivers State Police Command, says it has recovered the sum of N5.6million from the unspecified amount of money carted away by unidentified gunmen during a robbery attack last Friday at Rukpokwu market junction in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state, which left eight policemen and three civilians dead.
The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ben Ugwuegbulam, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, DSP disclosed this to newsmen in Port Harcourt over the weekend while reacting to the robbery incident.
Ugwuegbulam disclosed that “combined police formation have launched investigations to unravel the cause of the attack as we will fish out the fleeing armed robbery gang”.
The police image maker said that the incident occurred when one of the police escort vans developed a fault at Rukpokwu market junction as money belonging to Oceanic Bank was being conveyed from the airport to the bank at Trans-Amadi.
According to the police spoke person, the robbers took advantage of the situation and attacked the police escorts, adding that the police men however engaged the armed gunmen in a shoot out which resulted in the death of the victims including members of the gang.
However, a source close to the scene of the incident told The Tide that the armed robbers over-powered the police escorts, killing all the policemen on that routine operation while stray bullets hit some people within the vicinity.
According to the source, the armed gang also killed the driver of the bullion van which they escaped with including the undisclosed amount of money it contained.
The attack, which was said to have lasted for forty-five minutes caused a heavy traffic jam at the ever busy Igwuruta-Owerri Road while motorists, passers-by and school children scampered for safety.
It would be recalled that a similar robbery incident occurred barely four days before this attack at Every Day Super Market along Rumuola Road where unknown gunmen attacked and killed two police escorts and a lady cashier of the Everyday Super Market.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Government, has reacted to the recent armed robbery incidents that claimed the lives of some residents of the state, saying, it is set to rid the state of criminals and tighten security.
Governor Chibuike Amaechi gave the assurance at the weekend as he noted that the government was aware of the recent reports of armed robbery activities around banks in the State capital, Port Harcourt.
Governor Amaechi also sounded a clear warning to criminals to stay away from Rivers State.
“The Governor is working tirelessly in collaboration with security agencies in the State and would stop at nothing to ensure that these acts of criminality are nipped in the bud,” Iyofor said.
“These criminals seem to specialise in robbing banks or people going to or coming from banks or persons moving cash to or from banks. Our investigations have revealed that these robberies are perpetrated by gangs who are in a mad rush for money to spend in the fast approaching yuletide season.
“But we want to assure residents of the State that new and fresh security measures are now in place to deal with these criminals. We want to assure residents of Port Harcourt that we are on the trail of these criminal gangs, and sooner than later, they would have to answer for all their heinous crimes.”
“Specific security arrangements have been put in place to deal with these criminal elements. we urge the people to remain calm and extremely vigilant as they go about their daily business”, Iyofor added.
Amaechi further warned these criminals to pack and leave Rivers State immediately or be ready to face the full wrath of the law and the state government.
Akujobi Amadi
President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence that the country would win the fight against insecurity.
The President gave the assurance at the Argungu International Fishing Festival in Argungu town, Kebbi State, on Saturday.
He noted that the relative peace currently being enjoyed in Kebbi and neighbouring states was the result of sustained investments in security intelligence, coordination among security agencies, and community engagement.
Tinubu assured farmers and fishermen of sustained federal support to guarantee food security and safety across the country.
“The peace we are witnessing today is not accidental. It is the outcome of deliberate and sustained efforts. I assure you that the fight against banditry, insurgency, and insecurity will be won.
“Our farmers, fishermen, traders, and families will go about their lawful activities without fear,” he assured.
The President commended the organisers of the festival for sustaining the cultural event for decades, noting that it had endured for 83 years despite social and security challenges.
Describing the Argungu festival as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence, Tinubu stated that it reflects the richness of the country’s culture and the opportunities to harness its natural and human resources for national growth.
He said, “Today, this festival stands as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence among our people.
“It reflects the richness of our culture, the strength of our traditions, and the opportunities inherent in harnessing our natural and human resources for national development.”
The President was received by a large crowd of residents, traditional rulers, fishermen, tourists, and government officials from across the country.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth and women empowerment, irrigation development, rural electrification, and agricultural productivity.
Earlier, the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, said his administration was determined to elevate the Argungu Fishing Festival to full international standards while pursuing aggressive development across critical sectors of the state.
The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed today, in observance of Presidents’ Day.
The mission made this known in a notice shared on its official X page, yesterday.
“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026, in observance of Presidents’ Day,” the post read.
According to the embassy, Presidents’ Day was originally established to honour the birthday of the former US President, George Washington, but has evolved into a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents and their leadership in shaping the country’s history.
The embassy noted that the holiday also recognises the influence of U.S. presidents on global affairs.
In a related message, the mission highlighted that Washington created the first “Badge of Military Merit,” which later became the Purple Heart. The medal still bears Washington’s image today.
Presidents’ Day is observed on the third Monday of February annually in the United States as a federal holiday.
News
Guterres Backs Nigeria’s Bid For UN Security Council Seat …Hails Tinubu’s Reforms, Regional Security Role
United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has charged Nigeria with spearheading Africa’s quest for a restructured global order, describing the country as uniquely positioned to lead the continent toward superpower status.
Guterres, who backed Nigeria’s bid for the world body’s security council seat, also praised the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration as well as Nigeria’s leadership in stabilising the Sahel and ECOWAS regions, despite facing its own security challenges.
The UN scribe made the remarks last Friday night during a high-level bilateral meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima on the sidelines of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Speaking during the meeting, Guterres said Nigeria’s large population, sustained democratic governance, vast natural and human resources, and longstanding commitment to multilateralism placed it in a unique position to lead Africa in the evolving global order.
“Given Nigeria’s demographic strength, democratic continuity and deep resource base, the country stands a real chance of leading Africa to becoming the next superpower in the evolving global architecture,” he said.
The UN Secretary-General and the vice president discussed key developments in Nigeria and the country’s expanding leadership role in promoting regional stability across West Africa and the Sahel.
Guterres commended the remarkable and outstanding reforms of the administration of President Tinubu, noting that Nigeria’s bold economic restructuring and security commitments have strengthened its continental standing.
The meeting focused on strengthening Nigeria–UN collaboration to advance global economic growth, peace and security, sustainable development, and a coordinated humanitarian response across Africa.
In his remarks, Shettima thanked the UN Secretary-General for his leadership in advancing global peace, noting that Africa has benefited immensely from his tenure, even as the United Nations undergoes internal restructuring.
“We remain committed to multilateralism and to deepening our partnerships with the United Nations and other global institutions,” the vice president said.
Shettima also reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding call for comprehensive reform of the United Nations system to reflect evolving global realities.
He emphasised that Africa must have stronger representation in global decision-making structures and declared that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation, with Guterres reaffirming the UN’s support for Nigeria’s reform agenda and its growing leadership role in advancing peace, security, and development across Africa.