News
PDP Sponsors Militants – APC
The ruling All Progressives Congress(APC) in Rivers State has accused the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) of hobnobbing with militants in order to cause mayhem in 2015 elections.
The party debunked claims made by the PDP that Governor Chibuike Amaechi had released 55 ex-militants from jail, but rather observed that it was the opposition who were planning to seek the release of the criminals.
Chairman of APC in the state, Chief Davies Ibiamu Ikanya told newsmen in Government House, yesterday in Port Harcourt, that the PDP was on a face-saving exercise, as information had leaked of their secret meetings with notorious ex-militants in the state.
He accused the Supervising Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike and State Chairman of the PDP, Chief Felix Obuah of having nocturnal meetings with ex-militants with the intent of rigging next year’s elections violently, and called on Rivers people to disregard PDP’s propaganda.
In his words, “You will recall that we had alerted the entire nation that the Supervising Minister for Education had during the heat of the Chibok school girls’ abduction come to the state and had meetings with militants. He visited Yeghe community where he had meeting with one notorious Solomon who is known to be a cultist. He has also visited Ateke Tom and other militants; some of them repentant militants, some of them unrepentant militants ”.
He continued, “Nyesom Wike cannot deny that allegation because it is very correct. The information thereafter was that Wike was preparing to pay huge sums of money to secure the release of some militants who are facing trial for various crimes in Rivers State.”
Against this backdrop, he recalled that the governor had raised alarm few months back over the activities of former state Police Commissioner, Mbu Joseph Mbu for aiding the return of militants to the streets of Port Harcourt.
Chief Ikanya insisted that Governor Amaechi will have nothing to do with criminals he chased away on assuming office in 2007, in order to develop the state.
“ The governor has been in the forefront of the war against criminals. He was the one that removed militants from the streets of Rivers State”, he said.
He warned that the party will no longer condone the frequent false accusations of the PDP as it was ready to take legal actions.
“These allegations are becoming too many and if it continues like this, we will be forced to take appropriate actions to bring them to book”, Ikanya added.
The Rivers State APC boss also warned on the consequences of using militants to rig the 2015 elections, saying, “ I’am one of those that think that there should be no violence at all during elections. Violence during elections stop genuine voters from expressing themselves, so there should be no violence and there should be no rigging”.
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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