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Army Admits Officers’ Involvement In Kidnapping …Court Martial Major, Captains, Others In Rivers
Ostensibly succumbing to the civilian population’s persistent allegations accusing the Nigerian Army of unwittingly encouraging kidnappings, extra-judicial killings of innocent Rivers youths, cult-related violence in communities and other forms of criminalities, the Army High Command has inaugurated a military court martial to prosecute those found culpable in the crimes in the state.
Consequently, no fewer than 14 personnel, including an Army major, two captains and 11 soldiers are among others currently facing a seven-member court martial over their alleged involvement in murder, kidnapping and other serious offences.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division of the Nigeria Army, Major General Jamil Sarham, disclosed this during the inauguration of the General Court Martial at the Army Division (Bori Camp), the Division’s headquarters in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, last weekend.
Sarham stated that the court martial remained one of the apparatus used by the Nigerian Armed Forces to discipline erring personnel; just as he listed other offences of the accused persons as attempted murder, kidnapping, desertion, crime in relation to public and services property, disobedience to standing orders and conducts to the prejudice to service discipline.
Sarham, who is also the Land Component Commander, Operation Delta Safe, said, “The Nigerian Army is a creation of the Nigerian Constitution to carry out specific tasks to support the government effort in providing security for the Nigerian Nation.
He said, “To achieve this, a discipline and professional Armed Forces is imperative and this is in line with the Chief of Army Staff’s vision which is to have a professionally responsive Nigerian Army in the discharge of its constitutional roles.
“There is no gainsaying that unless such a body of professionals is disciplined, achieving victory in battle and other specified assignments would not be easy.
“Section 131 of the Armed Forces Act therefore conferred on me the power to convene this General Court Martial and by so doing to try the accused persons who have allegedly violated some codes guiding our professional conduct.
“The offences for which the accused persons are being tried ranges from murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, desertion, offences in relation to public and services property, disobedience to standing orders and conducts to the prejudice to service discipline, all punishable under the Armed Forces Act CAP A20 Law of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
“We have a total of 14 accused persons; three officers and 11 soldiers. Among them is one Major, two Captains, two Staff Sergeants and one Sergeant and others.”
The GOC, 6 Division explained that the accused persons had earlier being thoroughly investigated to ensure that no innocent person was wrongly tried and punished, promising that justice will be done in all the cases.
“The establishment of court martial is predicated on the fact that the Armed Forces of Nigeria holds its personnel in high esteem hence its resolve to ensure that a thorough investigation must be conducted before any suspect can be put on trial as it is in the instant case.
“Let me at this juncture assure all of us that justice will not only be done on this entire trial but be seen to have been done. This is not only because the case against each accused person was thoroughly investigated to ensure that an innocent person is not wrongly tried and punished as I pointed out earlier.
“Also, HQ 6 Division has painstakingly selected credible officers as members of the Court Martial to ensure fair hearing and justice. In addition to that, due regard was accorded to these officers having indebt knowledge of military law and outstanding experience of military duties,” the GOC added.
Major general Sarham however, urge the members to be just and fair in the conduct of the trial to ensure that each accused person was given a fair trial.
He further said, “Trial is not only aimed at seeing that offenders are punished, but to serve as deterrent to others so as to prevent future occurrence. In this light, justice therefore, is a three-way traffic; justice for the accused, justice for the victim and justice for the state.I must state clearly that the accused persons are presumed innocent of the offences charged against them until proven guilty by this court”.
Speaking, the President of the Court Martial, Brig Gen. Bassey Etuk, promised that the court martial would ensure that justice prevailed.
“I want to assure you (Sarham) that based on the confidence you repose in me and my members, we will do justice,” Etuk said.
Meanwhile, the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has condemned reports of the alleged killing of three security personnel of the Nigerian Army and Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) around Gio Community in Tai Local Government Area, Ogoniland, Rivers State by suspected gangsters and cultists, carting away their weapons.
In a statement in Port Harcourt, yesterday, MOSOP said that the killings were uncalled for and dastardly.
The statement reads, “MOSOP condemns the action of the youths and gangsters that allegedly killed the officers and personnels of the Army and Civil Defense Corps and called on the youths of Ogoniland to stop such acts against security personnels posted to Ogoniland on official duties to avoid confrontation with security personnels that would lead to the killing of innocent villagers.
“Because too wrongs cannot make a right, we also condemn the invasion of Gio Community in Tai LGA and surrounding communities by Army personnels from the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army,” MOSOP added, and urged all parties to sheathe their swords, and let peace reign in the area.
Susan Serekara-Nwikhana & Dennis Naku
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.