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EFCC, Okorocha Disagree Over Arrest
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested former Imo State governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha.
The Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed, yesterday, that Okorocha was arrested in Abuja.
Uwujaren, however, declined to comment on the reason for the arrest of the senator representing Imo West Senatorial District.
When asked, the EFCC official said, “It is true, he (Okorocha) was arrested today in Abuja but we are not giving details.”
Okorocha’s latest arrest is coming weeks after operatives of the Imo State Police Command arrested him in February for allegedly unsealing Spring Palm Estate linked to his wife, Nkechi.
The Imo State Government sealed the estate and other properties it claimed to have been “diverted” by Okorocha and his family members but the senator has since said the properties were legitimately his own and that of his family members.
The ex-governor has been at loggerheads with his successor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, who has vowed to recover all “diverted” assets.
Okorocha was later released but about 14 of his loyalists are being tried.
In a swift reaction, the former governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha, yesterday, said that he was not arrested by the Economic Financial Crimes Commission.
Okorocha, in a statement by his Spokesperson, Sam Onwuemeodo, disclosed that he only honoured an invitation by the anti-graft agency.
Stating that the EFCC facility is not “a slaughterhouse,” the statement disclosed that the agency was only investigating Okorocha’s activities as an ex-governor of Imo State following a petition written by an ex-governor of the state, Hon Emeka Ihedioha.
The statement informed that the matter between Okorocha who now represents Imo West at the Senate was pending in court.
The statement read, “We have been inundated with calls by media houses and concerned Nigerians and beyond, trying to confirm the reported invitation of Senator Rochas Okorocha by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), later today, being April 13, 2021.
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.
