News
Pirates Kill Two Soldiers In Bayelsa Waterways
Two soldiers attached to the Joint Military Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta, Operation Delta Safe, died in a gun duel with sea pirates last Wednesday, an official has confirmed.
The soldiers were part of a team dispatched in response to a distress call on an attack by pirates operating in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa, Spokesman for JTF, Maj. Abubakar Abdulahi, confirmed, yesterday.
Three members of the team also sustained gunshot injuries and are currently receiving medical attention, Abdulahi told newsmen in Yenagoa, the state capital.
He described the incident as sad but added that efforts were on to bring the perpetrators to book.
“Sadly, our troops deployed at Creek 6 Houseboat in Cawthorne Channel while responding to a distress call of sea robbers’ attack around Ijawkiri general area, engaged heavily armed sea robbers.
“Unfortunately, two gallant soldiers exhibited highest point of patriotism by paying the supreme price while three others sustained gunshot injuries.
“Effort is on-going by the JTF to track and apprehend the criminals,” Abubakar said.
He also said that troops of Joint Operation Delta Safe on patrol around Iyalama Adama axis of Rivers State last Wednesday discovered and destroyed 13 illegal refineries.
He said that no arrest was made as the operators fled before the troops got to the site.
The attack on the military is coming barely 72 hours after last Tuesday’s attacks on a police check point and a patrol team of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) along the Kolo Creek area of Bayelsa State.
The suspected armed bandits had killed one NSCDC operative, and cart away some riffles belonging to the men of the police force in the twin attacks.
Meanwhile, the Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, Asuquo Amba, has met with heads of other sister security agencies in the state, to brainstorm on ways to create new synergy to prevent crime in the state.
Present at the meeting held at the Police Officers’ Mess, Yenagoa, were heads of the various security outfits, including the Air force, Operation Delta Safe, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Prison Service (NPS), and Department of State Service (DSS).
Speaking at the meeting, Amba called on the sister security outfits to work as a team to reduce crime and consolidate on the gains so far recorded in the state.
He also appealed to the sister agencies to complement one another in the course of policing the state.
Amba said by collaborating, the sister agencies would help promote peace, unity and progress.
He noted that through effective synergy among the security organisations, crime rate has decreased in the state.
He lauded the security chiefs for sustaining peace and unity in the state, and called for greater cooperation to secure the state.
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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