News
Middle Belt Group Cautions Against Attacks On Military
A Middle Belt pressure group, the Middle Belt Conscience Guard (MBCG), has condemned what it described as incessant attacks on the military leadership through promotion of falsehood, in an attempt to distract the military from the onslaught against the Boko Haram insurgency and other violent threats to humanity.
The group wondered why an army and its leadership that have made sacrifices to restore normalcy to troubled regions in the country will still be a target of relentless attacks.
Addressing journalists in Jos , national coordinator of the group, Prince Raymond Enero, said the military has done remarkably well and should not be distracted by politicians who want to score cheap political points.
Enero argued that the attacks on the military leadership is the handiwork of unpatriotic individuals who wants to continue to keep Nigeria perpetually boiling in avertable crisis
He said it is germane to acknowledge that without the determined intervention of the Army, Nigeria would still have been enslaved by the raging merchants of blood and death across the country
“it could have been worse had the Nigerian Army abdicated on its constitutional responsibility while on these special assignments. We peered into the face of the Northeast now and then, to arrive at these proud testimonies,” he said.
He therefore said it is rather unfortunate that some individuals would still want the country to return to such dark days and have shown their displeasure with the gains recorded by the military in the insurgency war. He said, “suffice it to say, there have been no pretensions in frustrating the Buhari Presidency and these agents are very determined and that’s why we seek the understanding of the public.
“But to us, their determination is irrelevant; neither would the weakening temptations of burying the truth and promoting falsehood, throw us into confusion. We still look at the future with brighter hope under a Buhari Presidency and the leadership of Nigerian Army, by the COAS, Lt. Gen. TY Buratai in securing the lives and property of our people in the Northeast and anywhere else in the country.
“we are excited to observe that the effrontery and impunity which insurgents staged their repugnant atrocities has been checkmated by a tireless, rebranded and focused Nigeria Military, especially the Army, with the COAS, Lt. Gen. TY Buratai, leader of the counter-insurgency operations, personally leading the onslaughts against terrorists. The positive results and victories are visible even to the blind.
“it is further attested by reclaimed territories, liberation of thousands of Boko Haram captives, the ongoing rebuilding of the ravaged and devastated Northeast region and the gradual depletion of stranded populations in IDPs camps. To say normalcy has been substantially achieved in the hitherto troubled region is stating the obvious.
According to him, the group has no reason to doubt that Nigerian troops have done and are still doing their best to maintain this peace for nearly three years of the administration of President Buhari, as noticeable in the pervading calm in a region once troubled by agents of darkness and crude violence.
Enero expressed confidence that the enemies of state and Nigerians cannot succeed under whatever guise, because Nigeria now has an Army truly competent.
“Therefore, no Nigerian should be deceived into believing it is the same game as usual. Under Gen. Buratai, aside the inviolable standards of office transparency and accountability, through his various reforms of the Army, every soldier now knows he is not insulated from personal accountability while serving the nation.
“the milestones achieved by this arm of the military springs from the qualitative leadership instituted by the Army Chief, as evident in its victorious conquests of Boko Haram terrorists and other insurrectional forces,” he said.
News
Be Patient With Us, Diri Tells Bayelsans … Inspects New 60mw IPP …Expresses Confidence In Technical Partners, BECL MD
The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene
