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Abdul Mutallab: What US Should Note

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For over three decades now, Nigeria and the United States of America (USA) have enjoyed superb diplomatic relations and bilateral ties with each other. In international scene, Nigeria and US share many things in common, in peace keeping and being benefactor to poor nations. Nigeria, till date remains the greatest US trade partner in Africa.

Like US, Nigeria has financially assisted many African countries that were in political and economic crises to get out of their problems. These countries are Angola, Zimbabwe, Zambia, South Africa, Liberia, Sierra Leone, among others. There is anti-terrorism bill awaiting the passage of the National Assembly before the Christmas day attempted suicide bomb incidence. Nigeria is a progressive nation that has contributed immensely to the progress and peaceful co-existence of African nations. It is therefore, unfair and undeserving for Nigeria to be hastily blacklisted as a terrorist national by the US on account of one Nigerian.

No right thinking Nigeria will support the barbaric act of the Mallam Farouk Umaru AbdulMutallab’s attempt to blow up an American airline, especially at a time when our brother, Mr Barack Obama occupies the White House as the president.

We felt bad, grossly dismayed, embarrassed and disappointed that a young Muttalab who hails from a wealthy home, well brought up and well taken care of should engage in a bombing that will also claim his own life. Although, a Nigerian, AbdulMutallab grew up and trained outside Nigeria. Nigeria as a nation did not train or encourage the young man to be a terrorist nor support his actions.

United Nations Charter on human rights guaranteed individuals freedom of movements and association, so it is not the duty of Nigeria as a nation to monitor AbdulMutallab or any other Nigerian in foreign lands to know where thy go, whom they associate with and what they do. It is the responsibility of the security agents of each county, particularly those as the airports to monitor people going in and out of their countries. Thus, the security at the Ghanaian and Amsterdam airports where Mutlallab passed without detection should be blamed and held responsible and not Nigeria. Again, it has been established that it was in United Kingdom and not in Nigeria that young Mutallab was recruited as a terrorist by Al Qaeda.

What is more, his multi millionaire father, a quiet, principled and disciplined industrialist, Alhaji Umaru Mutallab had earlier reported his son to US embassy in Abuja on account of his radical tendencies, yet no action whatsoever was taken. Confirming this, President Obama in his reaction over the incident, acknowledged hat Abdul Muttalab’s father had indeed reported the extremist views of his son to the U authority, but regretted that such vital information was not passed to a component of their intelligence community nor effective distribution.

Today, the remedy is that AbdulMutalab is Nigerian; otherwise the story would have been different. It would have been a black Christmas day for the passengers’ relatives. As we are all aware, Nigerians love life and comfort, perhaps the young man was wondering inside the plane how he would lose his life and the world he was enjoying with his father’s wealth through suicide bombing, that he forgot to carry out the devilish assignment until 10 minutes to the landing of plane at the Detroit airport US that he began absent minded to denote the bomb. He was immediately overpowered and arrested by the passengers and handed over to the security at the Detroit airport after the plane had landed safety. I wish to assure President Obama and the United States that Nigerians will not excel in suicide bombing terrorism because Nigerians love life and luxuries. Over the year, Nigerian leaders have subjected the poor masses in Nigeria to all manner of hardships, no one contemplate committing suicide. Rather, our belief, hope and song is “life go better”.

Again, Nigeria is a country of over 150 million people with different culture and tradition, upbringings and background. It is unfair on account of one person’s misdeed for the entire Nation to be blacklisted and branded as a terrorist country, and its law abiding and enterprising travellers subjected to unnecessary and embarrassing scrutiny and search at various airports worldwide.

Nigeria is working hard to remove the stigma of 419 on its Nationals through the establishment of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) and re-branding projects of the Federal Government. So we can accept the stigmatisation of Nigeria as a terrorist nation as a result of one person’s misbehaviour. It is on this basis that I call on the United States to rescind its decision to tag Nigeria as terrorist nation and plead that Nigerians be treated with dignity at various airports of the world.

Nigeria strongly believes in Obama’s government and hopes to learn and gain from his administration. It will be unwise and not in the interest of African nations for Nigeria, a leading country in the continent of Africa to be kept afar, looked upon and treated as a terrorist nation by the United States, and the rest of the world. Bearing in mind that Nigeria and US had partnered well in business of peace keeping of many Nations of the world.

Prince Ogbuehi is as commentator in national affairs wrote in from Port Harcourt.

Ogbuehi is editor’s guest

 

Prince Ike Ogbuehi

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Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf

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Two Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in Rivers State have been honoured by separate groups for their contributions to security, crime prevention and improved community-police relations in their respective areas of responsibility.

The beneficiaries are the DPO of Afam Police Division, CSP  Endurance Worgu and his counterpart at Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf.

CSP Worgu was honoured by a group of students under the aegis of Rivers State Graduate Students Associations for what they described as his commitment and outstanding performance in the discharge of his duties.

The students, led by  Chidi John Enyie, Esq. said CSP Worgu was selected based on his track record and status as one of the longest-serving young DPOs of Rivers State origin.

According to the group, CSP Worgu has made significant contributions to the protection of lives and property in the area since assuming office following the #EndSARS period.

The students said they were particularly impressed by the improvement in community-police relations under his leadership, noting that professionalism had remained a key feature of his service.

Enyie represented by Comrade Briggs Soku, said the students community was pleased to identify with a Rivers indigene who had distinguished himself in the police force.

He said the students considered it necessary to encourage and celebrate CSP Worgu because of his achievements as a young Rivers man excelling in a profession that many people from the state were often reluctant to join.

Receiving the award at his office in Afam, CSP Worgu expressed gratitude to God and the students for finding him worthy of the honour.

The DPO said the recognition had boosted his morale and encouraged him to sustain his efforts towards maintaining peace and security in the area.

He said he least expected the honour, particularly because it came from the students, adding that the recognition would further motivate him to serve the people better.

CSP Worgu assured residents of Afam that the police would sustain the existing peace in the area.

He appealed to members of the public to support the police by providing credible and timely information, stressing that useful information from residents would make the job of security personnel easier.

Meanwhile, the Ikwerre/Etche Media Association has also honoured the DPO of Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf, for his efforts in tackling criminal activities in the area.

The media group presented the award following the swift tracking and arrest of five suspected kidnappers who had allegedly terrorised residents of the Kom-Kom axis and other parts of Oyigbo.

The group commended CSP Bello for what it described as his determined efforts to restore confidence and security in the affected communities, particularly Kom-Kom and Obeama.

According to the group, the arrest of the suspects demonstrated the DPO’s commitment to tackling criminality and safeguarding residents.

The media association said residents had received the development with relief, noting that the police action had sent a strong message to criminal elements operating in the area.

Responding, CSP Yusuf appreciated the group for the recognition and reaffirmed that there would be no room for criminality in Oyigbo.

He also commended the media for its role in disseminating credible information to the public, saying the media had remained supportive of the police in the fight against crime.

CSP Yusuf warned criminal elements operating in Oyigbo to leave the area or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.

He assured residents that the police would continue to pursue criminals and work to dismantle their hideouts, regardless of where they might be operating.

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College Of Bishops Endorses Tinubu, APC Candidates  For 2027 Polls

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The 5000 Achievers Christian Forum and Colleges of Bishops, Archbishops and Apostles, a Christian interdenominational organisation, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State for the 2027 general elections.

International President of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, disclosed this during the ordination and consecration of three new Bishops, as well as an award ceremony held in Port Harcourt.

Aroh said the performance of the APC-led Federal Government had endeared the party to the organisation, prompting the forum to declare its support for President Tinubu and other APC candidates in Rivers State.

He said the forum would support all APC candidates in the state during the 2027 elections and urged Nigerians to vote for the party.

Aroh, who is also the General Overseer of Caring Peoples Church, Port Harcourt, charged the newly consecrated Bishops to see their new positions as a great responsibility and dedicate themselves to the advancement of the kingdom of God.

He cautioned them against conduct capable of bringing their offices into disrepute, stressing that their activities would be closely watched by members of the public.

“As Bishops, the eyes of the public are on your activities. You must therefore conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of your calling,” he said.

Also speaking, the International Coordinator of the forum, Bishop Saint Robinson, urged the newly consecrated Bishops to work diligently towards winning souls for the kingdom of God.

Robinson, who was the guest speaker at the event, stressed that the activities of Bishops must at all times be guided by godly principles.

He also called on members of the church to support and cooperate with the newly consecrated Bishops in the discharge of their responsibilities.

The Secretary of the College, Apostle Elizabeth Ayadi Abaye, said the organisation was established to advance the kingdom of God and promote spiritual development.

According to her, the forum has organised several crusades, conferences, prayer meetings, ordinations, consecrations, enthronements, empowerment programmes and other spiritual development activities across the country as part of efforts to win souls for Christ.

Abaye said the organisation has members across the world and disclosed that more programmes had been scheduled to promote the spiritual development and wellbeing of humanity.

The three Bishops consecrated at the ceremony were Prince Alban Chike, Testimony Omenihu Shedrach and Prince Ifemena.

Among those honoured at the event were the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Abali Community, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Manuchimso Prince Lemmy Wopara, and Clifford Oko Jaja, Coordinator of the 5,000 House-to-House for President Tinubu.

By: John Bibor

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Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Others For Armed Robbery, Kidnapping

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The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 49-year-old suspected fake soldier, Andrew Atausi, and several other suspects in connection with various criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, one-chance robbery and the alleged murder of police officers.

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, recently during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters, where he said the arrests formed part of the operational achievements recorded by the Command between June and August 2026.

Adepoju said Atausi was arrested on August 10 by police operatives along Ada George, Port Harcourt, while dressed in military uniform and driving a Toyota Hilux painted in Army colours.

The Commissioner said investigation revealed that Atausi was not a member of the Armed Forces, adding that he was suspected to be a serial car snatcher, with three suspected stolen vehicles recovered from him.

He said the recovered vehicles included three Toyota Hilux vehicles without registration numbers and a Toyota Corona Premio with registration number BNY 380 ES, noting that the chassis and engine numbers of the vehicles had allegedly been tampered with.

Adepoju added that an axe and military accoutrements were also recovered from Atausi, as investigation continued into the circumstances surrounding the vehicles and other items recovered from him.

On the June 29 attack on police officers at Aluu Division, the Commissioner said three members of the gang allegedly responsible for the incident had been arrested by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU-AKU.

The suspects, identified as Maduabuchi Emeka, 34, alleged gang leader; Doctor Chinedu Owhor, 42, and Kamachi Joe, 28, alleged armourer, reportedly led operatives to their hideout at Omagwa where two AK-47 rifles stolen during the attack were recovered.

Adepoju recalled that two police officers were killed during the Aluu attack, while others were wounded and one officer had his leg amputated, stressing that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fourth suspect.

On kidnapping, the Commissioner said five members of a suspected kidnapping syndicate were arrested in Oyigbo Local Government Area, adding that they allegedly confessed to operations in Kom-Kom, Railway, Obeama and Afam communities.

He said two other suspects from the same network, Anele Ogbogu, 35, alleged to be the gang’s armourer, and Kenneth Eke, 38, were arrested on July 27, with one AK-47 rifle and one SMG rifle recovered.

The Commissioner further disclosed the arrest of suspects in connection with alleged firearm offences, armed robbery, cultism and one-chance robbery, with firearms, ammunition and other exhibits recovered during the operations.

Adepoju assured residents that the Command would sustain intelligence-led, proactive and community-oriented policing in collaboration with other security agencies, while urging members of the public to continue providing credible information that would assist the police in combating crime across Rivers State.

By; King Onunwor

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