News
…As Report Vindicates Wike, Exposes Police Misdeed
As the parliamentary re-run election holds in Etche Local Government Area tomorrow, Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo has called on security agencies that would be involved in the election to do the needful to avoid a repeat of what happened in the December 10, 2016 re-run election in the State.
Reacting to the Administrative Inquiry by INEC into the re-run election in a statement at Government House, Port Harcourt, Dr. Banigo said the panel report was not only a true reflection of the violence and controversies that characterized the entire electoral process but also vindicated Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike who foresaw the antics of the security agencies ahead of the election and raised alarm but was not taken seriously.
She commended the panel headed by Prof. Okechukwu Ibeanu, a National Commissioner of INEC for summoning the courage to indict security agencies who were actually involved in the willful obstruction of the electoral process, including snatching of electoral materials, intimidation of voters, physical attacks on INEC officials and outright refusal to accompany and protect men and materials for the successful conduct of the election.
Dr. Banigo also commended the panel for identifying the Commander of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, in Rivers State, Mr. Akin Fakorede as the arrow-head of the profound political partisanship and flagrant intervention in the electoral process by security operatives during the poll.
The Deputy Governor noted that the allegation by the Police that the State Government bribed INEC officials with N360 million to subvert the electoral process was a ploy orchestrated to cover-up their misdeeds and spread falsehood.
Dr. Banigo reminded politicians, political parties and their supporters, to play the game by the rules while security agencies and INEC officials should refrain from being partisan and not to engage in any misconduct to ensure the smooth conduct of the re-run election.
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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