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RSPAC Seeks Withdrawal Of Security Aides From Monarchs, LG Bosses
The Chairman of the Niger Delta Dialogue Policy Advocacy Committee in Rivers State, Rear Admiral Nicolas Bakoo says 80 per cent of traditional rulers and stakeholders that should be a point of call on security issues do not stay in their communities, and urged the commissioner of police to withdrawn security agents attached to such individuals.
He made the call when he led members of the committee to pay a courtesy visit to the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Joseph Mukan at the command’s headquarters in Port Harcourt.
He also emphasised that 80 per cent of local government chairmen do not reside in their localities but rather stay in Port Harcourt, adding that the officers have failed to provide security in their domains because they were hardly available to get needed information as the first point of contact in the local government areas.
He solicited that the commissioner of police withdrawn all security aides from those affected, and assign them to those who were ready to stay in their localities and take the issues of security seriously.
He explained that because such traditional rulers and LGA chairmen were hardly available in the localities, it was usually difficult for them to tame any ugly developments on time, thereby causing escalation of crisis and insecurity in the communities.
Bakoo also alleged that while the local vigilante group under the auspices of OSPAC was doing very well in checking criminalities and violence in the communities, most of them were involved in extra-judicial killings, which he pleaded, should be quickly checked to forestall breakdown of law and order at the grassroots.
In his response, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Joseph Mukan, called on all stakeholders to be pivotal vessels of security in their various localities.
Mukan said the traditional rulers, local government chairmen and other stakeholders, as first point of call in the communities, should key into the community policing agenda in other to achieve conducive peaceful environment.
The CP said as part of security measures, the operation of all formations of OSPAC would be streamlined to prevent breakdown of law and other.
Highlight of the visit was the presentation of the report of the committee on security to the commissioner of police by the chairman of the group.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Joseph Mukan says the constabulary who were undergoing training at the police camp in Nonwa community in Tai Local Government Area would be integrated into the communities after their training.
Mukan, who made this known in Port Harcourt, noted that as part of the strategy by the Inspector General of Police on community policing, the communities have nominated 16 persons each from the 23 local government areas to be trained in other to facilitate the smooth gathering of information and intelligence while ensuring the security of lives and properties.
He said all their operations would be in line with the police policy, and called on traditional rulers, local government chairmen, and stakeholders in the localities to key into the policy by supporting the constabulary that were undergoing training so as to curb insecurity in the state.
He assured that all information given to the police would be treated with confidentiality, although, he said, he was aware that a lot has negatively affected the ability of the public to give information to the police.
By: Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
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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
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