News
New Militant Group Gives FG 14-Day Ultimatum …To Sack Magu, SGF
A new militant group, the Niger Delta Warriors, has issued a 14-day ultimatum to President Muhammadu Buhari to sack the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal.
The militant group also called for the removal of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu.
It warned that if the Federal Government failed to sack the duo within the 14 days, youth in the Niger Delta would embark on mass protests in major cities of the country, including Abuja.
In a statement issued in Port Harcourt, at the weekend, the spokesperson for the group, Hart Bradford, said its position was in the light of the fight against corruption by the Federal Government.
Bradford said, “We are giving the President 14 days ultimatum to sack the SGF and the EFCC chairman, otherwise we shall have no option than to carry out mass protest in Abuja and other cities across the country until the SGF and EFCC chairman leave office.”
Bradford also urged the Federal Government to stop denigrating the family of former President Goodluck Jonathan, noting that the probe of Mrs. Patience Jonathan was a direct attack on the entire family.
He cautioned the Federal Government not to be selective in the ongoing fight against corruption, adding that several corrupt personalities were in the President’s cabinet.
Bradford also called for the reinstatement of the sacked six policemen, who were aides to Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State.
“We are in support of the President’s anti-corruption campaign, but the campaign should be carried out without sentiment or witch-hunt against a particular set of people or party, ’’ he added.
Meanwhile, family members of a suspected militant leader, Mr. Felix Miyenminiye, arrested by operatives of the Nigerian Navy have appealed to the Federal Government to release him, adding that he was unlawfully detained.
Felix hails from Ogbudugbudu community, Egbema Kingdom in the Warri-South Local Government Area of Delta State.
He was arrested by men of the Nigerian Navy on August 6, 2016, along Shell Road, Sapele area of the state, for alleged attacks on oil facilities in the region.
The Nigerian Navy also accused him of being a leader of one dreaded militant groups in the region: the Niger Delta Avengers.
In a statement by the head of the family, Mr. Morrison Miyenminiye, it explained that the suspect was an ex-Niger Delta agitator who accepted the Presidential Amnesty Programme in 2009 and had since been living a peaceful, private life.
The statement read in part, “The naval officers who arrested him conducted a search immediately in and around his house and found nothing relating to the said frivolous allegation.
“Upon arrest, Miyenminiye was initially taken to Naval Base, Warri, and later transferred to Abuja where he has since been in the custody of the Nigerian Navy. All efforts by the family to reach out to the authorities of the Nigerian Navy to release him has not, in any way, yielded positive result. We, therefore, appeal to the Delta State Government and the Nigerian Navy authorities to effect the release of Miyenminiye,” the statement added.
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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