News
Police Detain Uwazuruike Over Kidnap
Leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, has been arrested by operatives of the Zone 9, Police Command, Umuahia, Abia State. He was arrested for alleged kidnap, assault and imprisonment on a Nigerian-born American Citizen, Mr Pascal Okorie.
Both Okorie and Uwazuruike, who were at Zone 9 gave different versions of their quarrel: while Okorie alleged that he was abducted by MASSOB boys and bundled into detention at Uwazuruike’s home, Uwazuruike alleged that Okorie was on the wanted list of the Igbo freedom fighters to account for about N1.8 million he had collected from the group’s account for administration of a MASSOB Education Fund, which he failed to run.
Addressing newsmen in Umuahia on the arrest and detention of Uwazuruike, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in-charge of Zone 9, Mr Hafiz Ringim, said the MASSOB leader was arrested last Tuesday for allegedly sending his boys to kidnap one Pascal Okorie, a Nigerian-American Citizen based in the United States of America, on January 8, 2010 and took him to the MASSOB cell where he was detained for four days and was allegedly assaulted on the orders of the MASSOB leader.
Ringim assured that Police findings would be made public when investigations were concluded.
Fielding questions from newsmen, Okorie said on the 8th of January, 2010, he was at a bus stop in his country home, Awomama in Imo State, when some men he later recognized as Uwazuruike’s boys arrived in four buses, stopped and forced him into one of the buses and took him to the MASSOB leader’s place where he was allegedly assaulted and pictures of his nakedness taken in front of some women and children.
He said that he managed to send a text message to his friend before he was locked up in the cell, and that on the fourth day of his detendion, the police rescued him.
However, the MASSOB leader, in his own account, said that he demanded of the American Embassy to produce his accuser, Mr Pascal Okorie, who was also a MASSOB member before his expulsion, to answer questions on the allegations of falsely using the name of MASSOB in announcing that there would not be any election in Anambra State this year, contrary to the stand of MASSOB.
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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