News
Gbaraka’s Killing: Justice’ll Be Served, CP Assures Rivers People
The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Joseph Mukan, has said that the erring officer who allegedly shot Mr. Gospel Gbaraka, a security guard attached to a company in Port Harcourt, has been detained, and was undergoing internal disciplinary procedures.
The commissioner made this known when the family of the deceased paid him a visit at his office in Port Harcourt.
Mukan assured the family of late Gospel Gbaraka that justice would be served in the matter.
While consoling the family of the deceased, he urged them to remain resolute, saying that the police would ensure justice in the matter.
Earlier, the father of the deceased, Mr. Innocent Gbaraka, said that he needs justice for his late son as he was the only hope of his survival.
He added that if justice did not prevail in the matter, he has no option than to commit suicide.
Innocent called on the police authorities to ensure justice for his son, urging the Inspector General of Police, the state Commissioner of Police and well-meaning Nigerians to ensure that justice was served in the matter.
“I was in church when somebody came to call me that my son, who left for work, has been killed. I thought it was a joke. He took me to UPTH where I saw my son in uniform lying dead.
“When I asked the supervisor of the company what happened, he said a policeman working in the same company with my son shot him dead. I don’t know what my son did that he killed him.
“I don’t have anything to say than: let justice prevail. I don’t have anybody else, I am crying because that is a boy I suffered to train. I am finished. He was my only hope. If not for my wife, I would have hanged myself because I don’t know what I am doing here again. I will hang myself if justice does not prevail,” he cried.
Reacting, the Centre for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability Campaign (CBRPAC) called for an immediate and unbiased investigation into the incident to unravel the circumstances that led to the shooting of the deceased.
The Secretary, Board of Trustees of CBRPAC, Prince Wiro, called on the police authorities to ensure that the investigation was concluded in record time, and anybody found culpable, made to face the law.
However, youths under the platform of Ogoni Youths Federation (OYF) have demanded justice for their murdered brother, urging the Commissioner of Police in the state, Joseph Mukan, to order an immediate investigation into the development.
In a statement in Port Harcourt, the President-General, Ogoni Youth Federation, Comrade Legborsi Yamaabana, said the youths were in shock over the news, wondering what had led to the shooting when there was no problem between the victim and the policeman.
Yamaabana said: “The Ogoni Youth Federation (OYF) worldwide on Sunday, November 22, 2020, received distressing and shocking news of the extra-judicial murder of one of its youths and shining lights, Mr Gospel Gbaraka, at the hands of a gun-wielding member of the Nigerian Police Force, one Inspector James, serving at the Marine Base Police Station in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, now being detained at the Mile One Police Station.
“Gospel Gbaraka was on duty at his security post this morning. The said Inspector James is also a police security personnel attached to the company.
“There were no altercations, riot or crisis situation at the company involving groups of persons requiring the use of live bullets to disperse crowds, neither was there any existing problem between the deceased and Inspector James.
“As a youth body, we are incredibly pained that the life of this young man has been taken, particularly now that Nigeria is at a crossroad, and the world has been awoken to the demands of #EndSARS protesters whose focal point is to end the recurring decimal of police brutality and extra-judicial killings.”
Our correspondent reports that 28-year-old late Gospel Gbaraka, a native of Gwara Community in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, was allegedly shot dead by a police officer while on his duty post as security guard attached to Bulk Strategic Reserve Limited at Abonnema Wharf in Port Harcourt.
By: Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
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.