News
LG Boss Imposes Curfew OverKillings
The Chairman of Eleme Local Government Council of Rivers State, Chief Oji Ngofa, has imposed a 10-hour curfew within Eleme metropolis.
Our reporter learnt that the curfew which begins at 9pm and ends 6am is part of efforts to check the spate of recent killings and threat to security within Eleme land.
Our investigation revealed that insecurity of lives had heightened in recent times in Eleme with the latest killing of Mr Mike Ejire Kattey, a prominent youth leader of Aleto Community by yet to be identified gunmen
The late Mike Kattey family told our reporter that the yet to be indentified killers were over 15 in number, all dressed in black T-Shirts.
The elder brother of Mike Kattey said the men invaded the residence of his younger brother at about 1.am on the fateful day and broke into his house through the kitchen door and shot him dead in the presence of his wife.
He said the younger brother died on their way to Teme Hospital in Port Harcourt that night.
Mr Kattey said that no single item was removed from his late brother’s house by his killers.
There has been rising concern over insecurity in Eleme in the past weeks as prominent chiefs and other stakeholders call for the deployment of men of the Joint Military Task Force to Eleme.
Investigations further revealed that Mr Jonah Bode of Aleto community recently was shot by yet unknown persons during the burial of his step mother, late Chief Osila Bode.
The Tide gathered that Jonah is currently being treated at Teme Hospital for the gun shot injury.
Last Thursday, our reporter was informed that one Mr Promise Nwolu of Okerewa community was also shot by yet to be identified persons. He was rushed to Teme Hospital where he is currently receiving treatment.
All efforts to speak with the two victims proved abortive as family members told our reporter that they were having rest.
When our reporter visited the Eleme Council Headquarters last Friday, Ogale, he was directed to see the Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the chairman, retired SSS personnel, Chief Wuwu Onungwe, who said the council chairman had reported the upsurge in criminal activities and crime rate to the appropriate authorities.
He further said that the council in partnership with the security agencies had put in place security measures to checkmate the rising crime rate in Eleme.
Onungwe said “ the council’s chairman, as a responsible leader, has approved the immediate formation of vigilante groups to operate within the ten clans of Eleme.
The CSO said the curfew was to restrict movement for the security personnel to monitor events and not to intimidate any law-abiding citizen, adding that Eleme remained peaceful and safe to all Nigerians, including foreign investors.
When our reporter visited Eleme Divisional Police Headquarters, Ogale, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), SP Kayode Sinclair said the division had set up a crack team directly under his supervision and headed by one Inspector Saviour Etim to deal with the situation.
The DPO appealed to members of the public to give useful information to the police about any suspicious acts or movements in Eleme and communities within the local government area.
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.