News
New Rivers Police Boss Assures Of Neutrality …Amaechi Calls For Professionalism

General Manager, Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mr Celestine Ogolo, (3rd left) in a group photograph with the Exco of Nigeria Hotels Association, Rivers State chapter, during their official visit to the corporation recently. Photo: Obinna Prince Dele
Newly posted Commissioner of Police to Rivers State, Mr Dan Bature has said he will ensure a fair playing ground for all parties and improved security in the state.
He gave the assurance when he paid a courtesy call to Governor Chibuike Amaechi, yesterday in Government House, Port Harcourt.
He said, “We are aware of the developments generally in the country. We want to assure His Excellency that, we will do all that it takes to ensure the situation gets better than the way everybody enjoys security in the state. Once more, I thank you”, Bature said.
“The Nigerian Police alongside other sister agencies are responsible for internal security in Nigeria. Therefore, I am fully aware that, the tasks of ensuring adequate security and the challenges associated with it are our responsibility. My boss (Ogunsakin) has fully briefed me on his achievements in the past few months. And, these successes are unconnected with cordial relationship he had enjoyed with the Rivers State Government and the good people of Rivers State. It is a challenge that we have to sustain if we want to carry the state to the next level in terms of policing to ensure adequate protection of lives and property in Rivers State”, he further stated.
He however called for the subsisting co-operation between the Rivers State Government and the police to be sustained.
Meanwhile, Governor Amaechi has implored Bature to display professionalism to earn the respect and support of government and people of the state.
Amaechi said while welcoming the new State Police boss, “If you keep to social justice, believe me, you will be the friend of everybody. The Rivers State Government will continue to support you, once that is kept. But, if it is not kept, you can ask Mbu to confirm that, when we found out that, he was a card carrying member of PDP, we stopped funding the police. And they were not too happy. But, we will fund the Nigerian Police if you continue to maintain your responsibility”, Amaechi said.
The Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), who recalled the antecedents of former Police Commissioner in the state, Mbu Joseph Mbu said he was a politician in police uniform who attempted to cripple the economy of the state.
Amaechi said, the former police boss deviated from his professional role of protecting lives and properties by serving politicians of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP).
According to him, “Unlike Mbu Joseph Mbu, who clearly showed us that, he was a registered member of PDP. In your own case, (Ogunsakin) you know that, we had disagreement, but, you realized your responsibility to ensure the security of lives and property as the paramount responsibility of the Nigerian Police. It is important you keep that peace. And I wish to thank you for that peace. I am also sure, Rivers people are happy about that. And the way Mbu was going, Rivers economy would have collapsed completely. Fortunately for us, they took him away and brought you (Ogunskin) and you restored calm. You tried to create a platform for all parties to have access to reach you. And as you go, please, go with that same spirit. The Police in Rivers State, should discharge their responsibility as it concerns the protection of lives and property”.
“Let me welcome the new commissioner of Police and say that, if the Federal Government refuses, I will repeat what I said, when I was sworn in as Governor in 2007. I said, if the Federal Government refuses to provide legitimate source of livelihood for Nigerians in our state, Nigerians will provide for themselves illegitimate source of livelihood. And that, includes kidnapping, robbery, stealing by people who will hire or provide police or military uniforms. And that illegitimate source of livelihood becomes its own economy which automatically frightens the legitimate economy”, he said.
The State Chief Executive also advised the new commissioner of Police, Dan Bature to ensure social justice rather than partisan politics, warning that, the absence of social justice may breed resistance and breakdown of law and order in the state.
“Now in the same manner, when it comes to security, as a former student leader, I understand that, immediately, the police become partisan in politics and does not provide security for everybody, other parties will be compelled to provide security for themselves. I know this as a politician since 1987 when I joined politics. And, one thing about security is that, it is cash based. They will provide for themselves the means with which to protect themselves.
“The Nigeria Police is supposed to mingle and have the confidence of the Nigerian people. But, the moment, it becomes the agent of the other party, then, you are no longer the Nigerian Police. You automatically lose that title. You are coming into a situation where, the right thing must be done according to social justice, the absence of it, is what breeds crime and resistance. The only thing we ask you is social justice. If you ask any of the commissioners of police who had served in Rivers State, I have never requested for favours, because, I don’t have the need for it. We believe in law and order. But, when you don’t keep law and order, what you are inviting and get is resistance.”
Earlier, the out-going Police commissioner, and newly promoted Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG, Tunde Ogunsakin said, he had discharged his duties as a professional police officer since he assumed office on 12th February, 2014 in Rivers State.
According to him, “the task has been onerous as a result of the various contending interests in the political, economic as well as other facets of human endeavors that we had to grapple with. In the area of crime prevention, we have been very proactive and have put in place adequate measures to ensure that crime is brought to the minimum. We embarked on intensive patrols of all nooks and crannies with a view to ensuring that criminals are not allowed to thrive in any part of the state. On crime fighting, I strategically marshaled a formidable operational plan that speedily responds to distress calls to all forms of criminalities, particularly violent crimes of armed robbery, kidnapping and cultism in the state.
Ogunsakin also commended Governor Amaechi for the co-operation rendered by his administration.
“I want to thank His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi for the hand of fellowship extended to me while I remained at the helm of affairs of the Rivers State Police Command. There may have been areas of conflicts but, these were eventually resolved in the interest of the security of the state”, Ogunsakin explained.
News
Enugu Gov. Inaugurates 100 CNG Buses, Says Transport System‘ll Create 20,000 Jobs

Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State, yesterday rolled out 100 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses saying that the new transport system will create no fewer than 20,000 jobs and boost the economy of the state and country.
Mbah revealed this in Enugu, yesterday while inaugurating the New Enugu Transport Management System, five modern bus terminals at Holy Ghost, Gariki, Abakpa and Nsukka as well as the CNG buses.
He said that the projects inaugurated would spur the Gross Domestic Products (GDP) of Enugu State and the country to grow to $30 billion and $1 trillion respectively within the next six years.
According to him, the projects delivered are part of the promise we made to the people to ensure world class infrastructure, which will not only uplift the economy but dignify their living standard.
The governor said that the projects would provide the people with cheaper, accessible and seamless movement as other infrastructure meant to support the projects and the new system are already in place.
“I must commend President Bola Tinubu, whose vision and wisdom to remove fuel subsidy, have led to all the projects and change to a new transport system that is based on 21st century infrastructure and service for our people.
“I will also appreciate the state’s commissioner for transport for all efforts to make these projects a reality as well as the contractors and other people that ensured their timely delivery.
“It is a reality that transport remains the central pillar of modernisation and measure of the people’s progress; thus, touching every aspect of human life and the way the people think as well,” he said.
He noted that the state would roll out 2,000 hybrid vehicles to support the air conditioned and People with Disability friendly CNG buses.
The governor said that the CNG buses would shuttle routes leading to schools and higher institutions.
“The CNG will ensure over 40 per cent reduction in household expenses on transport and will also convey residents along markets and major places along the schools/institutions routes.
“We are remodeling all bus stops within Enugu metropolis, built and rebuilt most roads within the metropolis and other major cities in the state.
“We also placed a modern transport e-ticketing process that checks leakages and manipulations.
“Few weeks ago, we launched Enugu Air; plans have reached an advanced stage on putting rail services and waterways transport while all these projects have safety and dignity of our people as their priority,” he said.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Transport, Dr Obi Ozor, said that the terminals inaugurated would entertain over 10 million commuters each year; while providing a place of comfort after long journeys or interval break from long journeys.
Ozor explained that each of the terminals have a fully air conditioned hall and television screens, eateries, lodging accommodation, fuel station, sunscreen covered walkways, solar powered security lights/systems and surveillance cameras.
“These projects are a clear vision of His Excellency, Dr Peter Mbah, to make Enugu State a model and point of reference in any modern infrastructure. We thank your excellency for insisting on quality and taste,” he said.
In a welcome address, the Chairman of Enugu North Council Area, Dr Ibenaku Onoh, thanked the governor for bringing order, aesthetics, employment and one-stop transport comfort with two terminals built in the Holy Ghost axis of Enugu.
“We quite appreciate all developmental efforts, which included: terminals, smart schools, smart type-2 primary healthcare centres, surveillance cameras and provision of security among others,” Onoh said.
News
Israel Threatens West Bank Annexation Over UN Palestine Move

Israel’s far-right Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, warned, yesterday that Israel would annex the occupied West Bank if the international community formally recognises a Palestinian state at next month’s United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
“You have no chance, there will be no Palestinian state,” Smotrich declared at a news conference, addressing countries planning to support Palestinian statehood at the UN.
“You will not decide from overseas what the future of the Jewish people looks like,” said Smotrich, who is known for advocating the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank—settlements deemed illegal under international law.
Speaking near the Israeli settlement of Ma’ale Adumim, east of Jerusalem, he added: “If you recognise a Palestinian state in September, our response will be to assert full Israeli sovereignty over all areas of Judea and Samaria.
“Judea and Samaria” is the term used by Israel to refer to the West Bank, which it has occupied since 1967.”
Several countries, including France, Canada, and Australia, have signaled their intention to recognise a Palestinian state at the UNGA in response to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
They argued such recognition could help advance the long-sought two-state solution, envisioning a peaceful coexistence between Israel and a future Palestinian state.
However, both the current Israeli government and Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, have consistently rejected that vision.
News
NCos Frees 28,149 Inmates After Payment Of Fines, Compensation In 2024

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) says 28,149 inmates were released nationwide in 2024 after the payment of fines and compensations.
Deputy Controller General, NCoS, Mr Ibrahim Idris, disclosed this during the third public hearing of the Independent Investigative Panel on Alleged Corruption and other Violations against the service in Abuja, yesterday.
Idris said; “last year, 28,149 inmates were released as a result of payment of fines and compensations.
“I also want to urge the panel and the public that payment of fine and compensation is a very charitable thing to do,”
Idris, however, praised the role of charitable interventions in decongesting correctional facilities, adding that it had helped the Federal Government a lot.
“But when an individual wants to do it, he should follow the example of the Honourable Minister, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
“This is when inmates were chosen, and the compensation, the fine were paid, and the inmates were even given repatriation money, “he added.
Idris maintained that the fewer the inmates in custody, the better the opportunity for proper rehabilitation.
This, he said was because even before the 2019 Act, the philosophy of NCoS had always been imprisonment as a punishment, and not for punishment.
“While it is pronounced, it is already punishment, whether the person comes to the correctional centre or not, it is already taken care of, “he said.
Also speaking, Assistant Controller General (ACG), Cyrus Lekatile, addressed the legal limitations on custodial centres in holding inmates without proper documentation, especially regarding compensation.
According to him, practically, the NCoS does not have the power to keep in custody any individual who doesn’t have a valid document for remand.
“And so, when an individual, who is sentenced with option of fine and compensation, that is, if the individual is unable to pay fine, it means naturally that he or she will serve the sentence,” he explained.
Lekatile outlined the procedures followed at the expiration of an inmate’s sentence where compensation remained unpaid.
“One, sometimes the warrants will come with compensation, and where the individual is unable to pay compensation before the end of the jail term, that compensation is converted into a jail term on the warrants.
“And then, where that particular order is not given on the warrants, the officers report this matter before the court that has actually convicted this individual.
“The judge or the magistrate will either convert the compensation to a jail term or order the release of this particular individual,”he said.
Lekatile highlighted an ongoing legislative amendment to the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, 2019, that would introduce a Victim Compensation Fund, backed by federal allocations.
“The amendment, if adopted by the legislative arm of the government, seeks creation of a victim compensation trust fund to be funded from the federal allocation.
“What matters is that the compensation to the victim will be paid from this trust fund without having anything to do with the inmates now who is unable to pay,” he said.
The NCoS ACG, however, added that inmates would still be required to perform tasks to support the fund.
“The inmates will perform some other duties that will probably generate some money, no matter how little.
“And then the money generated goes into the victim’s trust fund,” he emphasised.
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