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Kidnap: Rivers PDP Chieftains Regain Freedom
National President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC),Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar (middle) with National President of NUPPPPROW Comrade. Danjuma Papa Kunini (left) and representative of the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Mr, D, Monyei, during the 14th National Quadrennial Delegates Conference, recently. Photo: Nwiueh Donatus Ken
There was jubilation yesterday as three members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, including a former member of the House of Representatives, Hon Chinyere Igwe, abducted in Port Harcourt last week regained their freedom.
The other two stalwarts kidnapped by the hoodlums are Allwell Ihunwo and Ikechi Chindah.
The Tide gathered that the three were released to their families yesterday.
Sources hinted that Ihunwo was released in the early hours yesterday while Chindah, who is the PDP chairman in the Port Harcourt Local Government Area and, Igwe were released in the evening.
Sources hinted that after the release of Ihunwo, the abductors demanded for ransom money before the release of Igwe and Chindah.
Although it was not immediately clear if any ransom was paid to the kidnappers for their release.
When contacted, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr Johnson Tunde Ogunsakin confirmed that the three men had been released.
Ogunsakin, who refused to comment further, said he was in a meeting and will give details later.
It would be recalled that the three PDP chieftains were kidnapped ten days ago at Eagle Island area of Port Harcourt.
It was learnt that party faithful and well wishers were visiting the houses of the three men who also live in the same neighbourhood.
Meanwhile, the police in Enugu State yesterday announced they have arrested two more suspects allegedly involved in the abduction of two students of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT).
In a statement issued by its spokesperson, DSP Ebere Amaraizu, the police named the suspects as Julius Kama and Emmanuel Joseph.
The statement quoted both suspects as claiming to be students of ESUT, adding that Kama and Joseph said they belonged to the departments of Mechanical Engineering and Political Science respectively.
It said that the suspects were arrested at Pioneer Avenue, Independence Layout, Enugu, following tracking and monitoring by the police.
It said that the command had earlier nabbed one of the gang members, Ngeneoke Chinugo, of Ituku, during a rescue mission of the victims.
The police said it also nabbed one Okezie Ifeanyi of Ohuhu, Umuahia, who claimed to be a 200-level student of the Department of Administration and Planning, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki.
The statement said Okezie was arrested on March 5 at Ishiagu junction on the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway while in possession of two locally-made double-barrel pistols, and five cartridges.
It said that a notorious armed robbery suspect, Ozoemena Nnamdi, was also nabbed on March 4 at the top land axis of Awkunanaw, following a tip-off.
President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence that the country would win the fight against insecurity.
The President gave the assurance at the Argungu International Fishing Festival in Argungu town, Kebbi State, on Saturday.
He noted that the relative peace currently being enjoyed in Kebbi and neighbouring states was the result of sustained investments in security intelligence, coordination among security agencies, and community engagement.
Tinubu assured farmers and fishermen of sustained federal support to guarantee food security and safety across the country.
“The peace we are witnessing today is not accidental. It is the outcome of deliberate and sustained efforts. I assure you that the fight against banditry, insurgency, and insecurity will be won.
“Our farmers, fishermen, traders, and families will go about their lawful activities without fear,” he assured.
The President commended the organisers of the festival for sustaining the cultural event for decades, noting that it had endured for 83 years despite social and security challenges.
Describing the Argungu festival as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence, Tinubu stated that it reflects the richness of the country’s culture and the opportunities to harness its natural and human resources for national growth.
He said, “Today, this festival stands as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence among our people.
“It reflects the richness of our culture, the strength of our traditions, and the opportunities inherent in harnessing our natural and human resources for national development.”
The President was received by a large crowd of residents, traditional rulers, fishermen, tourists, and government officials from across the country.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth and women empowerment, irrigation development, rural electrification, and agricultural productivity.
Earlier, the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, said his administration was determined to elevate the Argungu Fishing Festival to full international standards while pursuing aggressive development across critical sectors of the state.
The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed today, in observance of Presidents’ Day.
The mission made this known in a notice shared on its official X page, yesterday.
“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026, in observance of Presidents’ Day,” the post read.
According to the embassy, Presidents’ Day was originally established to honour the birthday of the former US President, George Washington, but has evolved into a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents and their leadership in shaping the country’s history.
The embassy noted that the holiday also recognises the influence of U.S. presidents on global affairs.
In a related message, the mission highlighted that Washington created the first “Badge of Military Merit,” which later became the Purple Heart. The medal still bears Washington’s image today.
Presidents’ Day is observed on the third Monday of February annually in the United States as a federal holiday.
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Guterres Backs Nigeria’s Bid For UN Security Council Seat …Hails Tinubu’s Reforms, Regional Security Role
United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has charged Nigeria with spearheading Africa’s quest for a restructured global order, describing the country as uniquely positioned to lead the continent toward superpower status.
Guterres, who backed Nigeria’s bid for the world body’s security council seat, also praised the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration as well as Nigeria’s leadership in stabilising the Sahel and ECOWAS regions, despite facing its own security challenges.
The UN scribe made the remarks last Friday night during a high-level bilateral meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima on the sidelines of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Speaking during the meeting, Guterres said Nigeria’s large population, sustained democratic governance, vast natural and human resources, and longstanding commitment to multilateralism placed it in a unique position to lead Africa in the evolving global order.
“Given Nigeria’s demographic strength, democratic continuity and deep resource base, the country stands a real chance of leading Africa to becoming the next superpower in the evolving global architecture,” he said.
The UN Secretary-General and the vice president discussed key developments in Nigeria and the country’s expanding leadership role in promoting regional stability across West Africa and the Sahel.
Guterres commended the remarkable and outstanding reforms of the administration of President Tinubu, noting that Nigeria’s bold economic restructuring and security commitments have strengthened its continental standing.
The meeting focused on strengthening Nigeria–UN collaboration to advance global economic growth, peace and security, sustainable development, and a coordinated humanitarian response across Africa.
In his remarks, Shettima thanked the UN Secretary-General for his leadership in advancing global peace, noting that Africa has benefited immensely from his tenure, even as the United Nations undergoes internal restructuring.
“We remain committed to multilateralism and to deepening our partnerships with the United Nations and other global institutions,” the vice president said.
Shettima also reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding call for comprehensive reform of the United Nations system to reflect evolving global realities.
He emphasised that Africa must have stronger representation in global decision-making structures and declared that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation, with Guterres reaffirming the UN’s support for Nigeria’s reform agenda and its growing leadership role in advancing peace, security, and development across Africa.