News
Ke Laments Incessant Military Invasion, Sea Piracy
The people of Ke community in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State have cried out over incessant military invasion in their community and activities of sea pirates in the area.
The spokesman of Concerned Citizens of Ke community, Mr Sogbeye Pokubo, dropped the hint, yesterday in Port Harcourt in a press briefing.
He said that for about four years, the community had been consistently invaded by the military for reasons unknown to members of the community.
The Ke concerned citizens spokesman lamented that whenever the Army had any issue around their area and on the Sombrero river, the army must invade the community.
He stated specifically that in August, 2015, two military personnel, who were killed in Bayelsa State were blamed on members of the Ke community, who did not know anything about such killing.
Pokubo said that a soldier who was killed on the Sombrero River immediately before the last National and State Assembly re-run elections in Rivers State was blamed on the community.
He regretted that for the above reasons the army had to invade the community without investigating to know the truth.
The spokesman called on the military authorities to call their men to order and always investigate such issues and bring the culprits to book, instead of attacking innocent people of Ke community.
Pokubo noted that the community had also been passing through difficult times as a result of activities of sea pirates on their water ways.
He stressed that as a result of activities of sea pirates on their water ways and around the community, economic and commercial activities had been paralysed.
The spokesman said Ke people who were predominantly fishermen could no longer carry out their fishing activities on the seas and in the swamps.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Ke Community Development Committee (CDC), Mr Jersey Agina-Ogazi, said the community had been deserted by residents as a result of military invasion.
He noted that the community was also deserted because of incessant activities of sea pirates on their waterways and in the mangrove swamps.
‘’If you come to the community now, you can’t see anybody, most people including traders, government officials, fishermen, women, men have all run away for their dear lives,‘’ he added.
The people called on government, the military and relevant authorities to create a military formation around the Ke community to checkmate activities of sea pirates on their waterways.
They lamented that there was so much starvation and hunger taking place in the community as result of activities of sea pirates and military invasion.
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.
-
News17 hours ago
Obuah’s Victory Excites Former Lawmaker as APC Primaries Conclude in Rivers West
-
Politics3 days agoAPC PRIMARIES: FUBARA’S WITHDRAWAL, HISTORIC SACRIFICE FOR NATIONAL STABILITY ……. GROUP
-
News3 days agoCourt Sentences Seven To Death Over Murder Of Cleric In Rivers
-
News18 hours ago
105 Nigerians Killed In S/Africa In Seven Years
-
Sports3 days agoPH Arsenal Community Set For Streets Procession, Saturday
-
Politics3 days agoIPAC Flays INEC Over Election Guidelines Judgement
-
Politics3 days agoNDC To Adopt Electronic Voting For Future Primaries
-
Politics3 days agoOtu Vows To Recall Indolent, Arrogant Cross River Legislators