News
Insecurity: We’re Under Threat Of Assassination, Kidnapping -Rivers Lawyers
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has expressed dismay over the spate of attacks on lawyers in Rivers State from kidnappers and assassins.
The Chairman of NBA, Port Harcourt Branch, Barrister Sylvester Adaka, after an emergency meeting with executives of all the NBA branches in Rivers State, yesterday, told newsmen that the security situation is taking a toll on the legal profession despite efforts by the state government.
Adaka, while recalling the assassination of some lawyers like: Ken Atswethe, Frank Igwe, Anthony Wakamma, and others, appealed to security operatives to utilise the equipment provided for them to step up their search for the kidnapped lawyers.
The NBA chief threatened that lawyers have resolved to withdraw their services from all kidnap cases in all the courts in Rivers State if their abducted members are not released.
According to him, “The NBA has observed with dismay the kidnapping of Lawyers and their family members in Rivers state. Particularly, the recent kidnap of Iyke Emelogu on the 4th of August, 2019 at Unity Estate, Eneka, Obio Akpor Local Government Area and also recently the kidnap of Sunday Wonmo and Monima Peters, all members of the NBA Rivers State and a couple of others that we have not listed here.
“We condemn the increasing rate of assassination of lawyers. We remember recently the assassination of Frank Igwe, Anthony Wakama and that of Ken Atswuete some time ago.
“What bothers us mostly is that of all those lawyers who were assassinated nobody has been held liable for their assassination; nobody has been arrested and prosecuted.
“We also condemn the increasing rate of cultism, armed robbery, gangsterism and other criminal activities in the state.
“We commend the Rivers state government for rising up to the occasion and setting up the ‘Operation Sting’ recently with the donation of gunboats, vehicles and other security gadgets and equipment to help security agencies in the state combat the increasing rate of crime.
“Consequently we demand the immediate and unconditional release of all Lawyers, all their family members in the custody of the kidnappers. We call on all security agencies in the state to utilize the good gesture of the Rivers State Government in stepping up the search and immediate release of our colleagues and other victims of kidnap in the state.
“In the failure to accede to the our demands and release our colleagues in detention within the nearest future, the members of NBA in Rivers State will call off their members to withdraw their professional services from all cases involving kidnapping, cultism, armed robbery and the likes pending before all the courts in the state.
“We have come to this because we fill that our members are under threat,” Adaka said.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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