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Boko Haram: Rep Urges Co-operation With Security Agents
Member representing Degema/Bonny Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Dr. Sokonte Davies, has called on people living where members of the Islamic sect, Boko Haram are operating, particularly in some Northern parts of the country to co-operate with security agencies to bring the scourge under control.
Davies who made the call in an interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt said there was the need for people living around where members of the sect were operating to offer useful information to security agencies in order to address the security challenges facing the nation.
He noted that this was imperative because members of Boko Haram were human begins, who were known by the people and living among them, and not spirits, as some people want Nigerians to believe.
To this end, to be able to address the Boko Haram scourge, the lawmaker emphasised that the people around where they operate, should be ready to co-operate with security agencies.
According to him, it would amount to criminal conspiracy of silence if the people where Boko Haram members operate, continue to harbour them, without giving them up for arrest and prosecution.
He said unless people readily co-operate with security agencies to tackle the scourge, Boko Haram members would continue to have a field day, stressing that arrest so far made by security agencies was made possible by persons who offered useful information.
The lawmaker foreclosed the possibility of dialogue with Boko Haram members, because, as he puts it, “you don’t dialogue with somebody you don’t see”.
He, however, called on leaders of the North to borrow a cue from Niger Delta leaders, by taking the initiative to reach out to members of the sect to dialogue and convince them to drop their weapons.
“Why I say so is because at the peak of the Niger Delta issue, many people came out and said, “deal with us, discuss with us”. And we were able to reach some of those our sons to make sure that militancy was brought under control. In the Boko Haram issue, nobody is coming up, nobody is willing to take that responsibility”, he said.
The federal parliamentarian further noted that the fact that the sect had not properly articulated its demands had further made the security challenges which it had posed to the country more complex, saying, “until we determine and decide what they are fighting for, talking of solving the problem will be a little bit presumptuous”.
He expressed disappointment that Boko Haram’s attacks were targeted at Christian places of worship, a development he said had punctured the notion that its struggle was economic, saying, “if they are sponsored, as being said and believed, the people who are sponsoring them want to use religious issues to gain political points.”
According to him, “people who are attributing Boko Haram to lack of jobs are over simplifying a complex issue. Joblessness is not restricted to one section of the country. It is a national issue”.
Davies, however, condemned the reprisal attacks that trialed the recent bombing of churches in Kaduna, saying, “as Christians, we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. We show leadership and direction”, and alleged that sympathizers of Christianity who were fed up with the spate of bombings might have committed the act, and not churches.
Donatus Ebi
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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