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Fakorede’s Sins Rivers Seeks World Leaders’ Intervention
The Rivers State Government has intensified moves towards redeployment or award of appropriate sanctions to the Commander, Rivers State Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Mr. Akin Fokorede for alleged atrocities being committed by the security outfit in the state.
At a press conference, last Monday in Port Harcourt, the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Barrister Emma Okah called on President Muhammadu Buhari to save the people and residents of Rivers State from criminal activities of SARS under the leadership of Fakorede.
The commissioner, who also called on well-meaning Nigerians, and world leaders to do the needful, said the call has become imperative in view of the fact that several letters of complaints by the state government to the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris have continued to fall on deaf ears.
Okah said: “Rivers State Government had accused him and his men of organised election rigging, extra judicial killings, armed robbery, kidnapping, extortion, planting of incriminating evidence on innocent people or their property, illegal arrest and detention, inhuman and degrading treatment of innocent people and rape.
“We still stand on those allegations, and with all sense of responsibility; many of them have increased in intensity”.
The commissioner further accused the SARS boss of running the armed wing of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state to accomplish two tasks.
He listed the tasks to include, “Firstly, is to rig the last rerun elections in favour of the APC, which he has achieved successfully. Secondly, he is to perfect his strategy to rig the 2019 general elections in Rivers State in favour of his party and against the will of the people.
“In preparation for his second assignment, he is to use SARS to disorganise the security architecture of Rivers State and foist an atmosphere of crime infestation and continuously cause security disorder until the 2019 elections when he will do his final assignment and deliver APC at all cost, no matter the number of people who may be killed in the process”, he said.
Describing Fakorede as a deeply biased police officer whose continued stay in the police or Rivers State is a grave source of danger to the nation, the commissioner called on Buhari to prevail on the Police High Command to save the state by removing the SARS commander and bring a new person who would exhibit professionalism in handling the outfit.
The commissioner noted that Fakorede was brought to the state through the influence of a serving minister in Buhari’s government for ulterior motives; hence, the hands of the IGP and Police Service Commission are tied from sanctioning the said SARS commander who had assumed the position of an untouchable.
Okah, who reacted to the challenge from Fakorede in the media for any person with evidences of wrong treatment against SARS operatives to forward same to him, listed the incident of 12th December, when the SARS boss stormed the Rivers East INEC Collation Centre in Port Harcourt and beat up the returning officer and a former commissioner who is still receiving treatment till date.
He also listed alleged kidnap of one Azumana Ifeanyi, who was forced to withdraw N500,000 ransom for them from an ATM Machine, stressing that in the process, a shootout ensued between the Federal SARS invited by a member of the victim’s family and the SARS operatives, which resulted in the killing of one operative, in addition to the killing of one Mr. Ajibade Ademisoye by operatives of SARS alleging that he was a cultist.
“The social media and radio stations are full of complaints by the public. Since his radio appearance, and beyond what we already know, several persons have more startling revelations about the operations of SARS officers in Rivers State”, he said.
He explained that operatives of SARS use different vehicles with no plate numbers or any mark or name tag or rank to identify them, and added that with their frightening looks, victims were scared of approaching them with indicting evidences.
Okah called on Buhari, and world leaders to investigate the allegations against Fakorede and save the state from his mission.
Chris Oluoh
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.