News
NASS Suspends Plenary For Senator Dantong
Senate yesterday suspended plenary in honour of their late colleague , Senator Gyang Daylop Dantong who passed on last Sunday during an attack by gunmen at a burial service for his slain constituents.
Following a motion presented by the Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma Egba , the Senate observed one minute silence in respect of the deceased and also adopted the motion to suspend plenary till Wednesday. Speaking to newsmen after signing the condolence register opened for the late Senator at the National Assembly complex, President of the Senate, Senator David Mark for the umpteenth time called on Nigerians to embrace dialogue as the only means to attain a lasting peace in the nation, stressing that Senator Dantong had been sacrificed in the heat of the crisis he had worked so hard to quell and prayed that this sacrifice of the life of a peace maker would bring an end to the ‘senseless’ killings in Plateau State and other states.
His words, “we should never get tired of preaching that there has to be dialogue because that’s the only solution. Any other solution is not going to be a lasting solution .
“Once there is dialogue and people are able to speak out their minds, and it is resolved and decisions are taken, then, it will be a lasting solution. My prayer is that let Senator Dantong’s death bring peace to Plateau State in particular and to Nigeria in general.
“He has become the sacrificial lamb now and his death would be in vain if we continue with this madness beyond this point. That’s my prayer to the people of Plateau State and Nigerians in general.
Mark also called on those wielding small arms to surrender them to help stem the level of violence currently consuming Nigerian states.
“All those who have small arms and weapons at their disposal should surrender them and they should allow the security agencies to take charge of security within this country, whether it is in Plateau State or in any other part of Nigeria at all, because that is their responsibility. That is what they are paid to do for us,” Mark advised.
The Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremmadu. described Senator Dantong’s death as unfortunate and shameful.
He said it was very unfortunate that such a peace maker died in the midst of violence.
Other Senators from Plateau State also examined the circumstances surrounding the recurring crises in the state and called on the Federal Government to rise up to the occasion and ensure that peace was restored in the state while urging the Federal Government to also equip the state governor with some level of power to act as the chief security officer of the state.
Former governor of the state, Senator Joshua Dariye also stressed the need for dialogue and enjoined all to shun political, religious or tribal sentiments.
His words,” one cannot quantify the loss of a life. Even if the person is an ordinary citizen, a cleaner. Life before God is sacred and the sanctity of life cannot be reduced as had been reduced over the weekend. It’s very sad, we’ve been thrown into a moment of sadness.
“I believe that dialogue is still the best tool available. Even if you go to the war front to declare war, at the end of the day, you cannot get total peace without dialogue. I think that we must isolate it and see what the local community can do, what the state can do, what the Federal Government must do and then the international community with the media.
“This was a gentleman, a distinguished son of Nigeria who was voted by his people, served his people and died for his people. All we can say is that may God comfort the family.
“If we leave it like that, today, it is Plateau, tomorrow it may not be Plateau. We must all rise up. It is not about religion, we must close our ranks, whether the person is Christian or Muslim. If we allow political sentiments take the better part of us, then, one day, we may wake up to find that we don’t have the Republic of Nigeria. God forbid”.
Senator Victor Lar, who couldn’t hide his anger, expressed the need for the state government to be strengthened to deal with the situation.
According to him, the invaders camp is not hidden and they had been allowed to live above the law all this while even under the nose of the federal security agencies.
The Senate will later next week hold a valedictory session for the late Senator Gyang Daylop Dantong.
Senator Dantong over the weekend, slumped and died during a stampede following attacks from gunmen at a funeral service for 63 of his constituents slain by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives yesterday in Abuja suspended plenary session in honour of Senator Gyang Dantong who died on Sunday in Jos.
Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal said the leadership of the House took the decision to suspend plenary session after due consultation with other members.
A minute silence was observed for the late senator and all those who lost their lives at the recent Jos incident.
‘’ The leadership consulted widely, and came to the understanding that in view of what happened in Jos, ( death of Dantong ) we suspend plenary today .’’
Senator Dantong was a former member of the House of Representatives during the fifth Assembly.
Addressing newsmen on the decision taken by the House, Chairman House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Rep. Zakari Mohammed, said the decision to adjourn plenary session was on humanitarian ground.
‘’ We are just being human because the Senator ( Dantong ) did not plan to die that way.’’
Zakari, representing ( PDP – Kwara ) said the demise of Dantong further brings to question the House concern to the security situation in this country.
He stressed the need for review of the handling of the security situation in the country.
‘’We are extending the right signals now that we have to take bold steps to handle the security situation in the country,’’ he said.
Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi, Abuja
News
Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf
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.
News
College Of Bishops Endorses Tinubu, APC Candidates For 2027 Polls
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
News
Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Others For Armed Robbery, Kidnapping
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
-
News2 days agoRSG Targets Nine Million Residents in Mosquito Net Distribution Campaign
-
Oil & Energy1 day agoAiyedatiwa Signs New Electricity Bill
-
Oil & Energy1 day agoNLNG Commissions Research And Innovation Centre In RSU
-
Maritime1 day agoMarine Minister Commends President Tinubu On NPERA Bill Assent
-
News2 days agoKenPoly Holds Eight Convocations, August 29
-
News2 days agoRSG Begins Another Phase of Projects Commissioning Today
-
News2 days agoRMAFC Completes Revenue Sharing Review, Proposes New Pay
-
Maritime1 day agoNAGAFF Petitions IGP Over Alleged Maritime Police Harassment
