News
Army Denies Invading Ke Community
The 2 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, has denied allegations of invasion of Ke community in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The Tide recalls that the Spokesman of Concerned Citizens of Ke Community, Mr Sogbeye Pokubo, had at a press briefing in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday, complained over alleged incessant military invasion of their community and activities of sea pirates in the area.
But while reacting to the allegations in a statement in Port Harcourt, the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 2 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Captain Eli Lazarus, said “men of the brigade have never invaded any community for any reason, because we are not an occupation Army”.
Lazarus explained that, men of the brigade were; “only involved in combating criminal activities such as crude oil theft, illegal bunkering, pipeline vandalism, kidnapping and sea piracy raised by the complainant, amongst other crimes.
“In discharging this constitutional responsibility, our men have to conduct operations to fish out suspected criminals from their hideouts in some of these communities. This is what we do, and not invasion,” Lazarus insisted.
He advised “the people of Ke community and all law-abiding citizens to join hands to support the security agencies by providing credible and timely information that could assist in combating crimes in the general area of Ke and the state at large”.
It would be recalled that Pokubo had alleged that for about four years, the community had been consistently invaded by the military for reasons unknown to members of the community.
He lamented that whenever the Army had any issue around their area and on the Sombrero River, the Army must invade the community.
Pokubo specifically noted that in August, 2015, two military personnel who were killed in Bayelsa State, were blamed on members of Ke community who did not know anything about such killing.
He further recalled 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, with the Army invading Ke in both occasions.
The spokesman had 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 acknowledged that the community had been passing through difficult times as a result of activities of sea pirates on their waterways, resulting in paralysis in economic and commercial activities in the area.
While saying that Ke people, as predominantly fishermen could no longer carry out their fishing activities on the seas and in the swamps, Pokubo appealed to the state government and security agencies to immediately come to their rescue by doing all it takes to secure the area and promote peace and development of the community.
Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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