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SARS Behind Robberies, Kidnappings In Rivers – Wike

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8 years ago

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The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has accused the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigeria Police of being behind incidences of armed robbery and kidnappings perpetrated in the state.
Wike made the allegation, last Wednesday, at a press briefing held in Government House, Port Harcourt.
He alleged that the SARS Commander in the state, Akin Fakorede was planted to sabotage the security effort of the state government to create atmosphere of fear and scare investors.
“Most of the kidnappings and armed robberies taking place in this state are done by men of SARS. They use exhibit vehicles to operate.
“As the chief security officer of the state, you complain, but they choose to play politics with crime”, he said.
He lamented that in spite of the huge amount of money which his administration has committed in support of security agencies to achieve total security in the state, operatives of SARS continue to sabotage this effort so that people might think that the administration was not doing enough.
Wike explained that three officers of SARS, last Monday, kidnapped a man at Orasi and demanded N5million ransom.
He said when relations of the kidnapped victim contacted the IGP’s Special Squad, and they swung into action, it was discovered that the kidnappers had taken their victim, identified as Azumana Ifeanyi to Fidelity Bank’s ATM to withdraw the ransom.
The governor showed a copy of the signal with reference number DTO: 121030/09/2017 – INGENPOL-X-PHQ ABUJA TO INGENPOL SEC ABUJA, which noted that the squad got a distress call by  one  Ifeanyi and immediately swung into action.
According to the signal, the IGP’s Special Squad met three SARS operatives in an armed robbery operation and following a gun battle that ensued; one of the suspected robbers was gunned down while two escaped.
He expressed surprise that those involved in the crime were officers of SARS.
“I felt we must let the public know that we are doing our best to make this state safe. If this did not happen, we wouldn’t have known that SARS people are behind these crimes,” Wike noted.
He lamented that no state in the country spends the kind of money he spends monthly in the state on security.
“I don’t see any state that spends the kind of money we spend here monthly in terms of security. I beat my chest to say that I don’t see any state.
“Just recently, I gave four new Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs); each costing not less than N200million. Two days ago, I gave another 12 Hilux vans to make sure Port Harcourt-Owerri Road and East-West Road where they say kidnappers intercept people and take the victims away” is safe he stated.
The governor identified one of the SARS officers in the crime who was killed to be one in the team that invaded the Collation Centre during the Rivers East Senatorial District rerun elections, last December.
“This man,” he said (pointing at the picture of the scene) “also shown to newsmen, can be identified in the video as one of those who invaded the Collation Centre with Fakorede”.
Wike said the intention of those sponsoring insecurity was to discredit his administration and scare away investors.

Chris Oluoh

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HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

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6 days ago

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February 2, 2026

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The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.
This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.
According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”
She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.
As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.
A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.
Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.
The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.
By John Bibor
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Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

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6 days ago

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February 2, 2026

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The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), purportedly authored by one Bestman Innocent Amadi, alleging that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, removed the official portrait of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the Government House, Port Harcourt.
For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government wishes to categorically state that there is no policy, directive, or intention on the part of the government or the Governor that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government.
On the contrary, the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoys a robust, cordial, and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda—a partnership that is already yielding positive and tangible benefits for the people of Rivers State.
Consequently, the insinuation that the Governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” is misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and entirely unsupported by verifiable facts, and should therefore be disregarded by the public.
It is regrettable that a body expected to promote youth unity, peace, and responsible engagement would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of overheating the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and mature leadership.
The Rivers State Government therefore calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly its esteemed and hardworking youths, to disregard and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups bent on advancing divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.
Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, peace, and the collective pursuit of progress.
Members of the public are further urged to remain vigilant and avoid lending credence to inflammatory statements or the activities of fifth columnists pursuing dubious agendas aimed at sowing discord.
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Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

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6 days ago

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February 2, 2026

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The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded and misleading allegations that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government reacted to claims credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and unsupported by any verifiable facts.
The government clarified that it has no policy, directive, or intention that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government. It emphasized that Governor Fubara maintains a cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.
According to the statement, the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government has grown stronger under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with tangible benefits and positive impacts already being felt by residents of the state.
The Rivers State Government described insinuations that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” as deliberately provocative, noting that such claims are capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.
It further expressed concern that an organization expected to promote youth unity and peace would engage in what it termed incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated accusations at a time when the state requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.
The government called on well-meaning members of the public, especially the youths of Rivers State, to disregard the claims and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups spreading divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.
Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the state government stressed that political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective interest of the people.
Members of the public were also urged to remain vigilant and not give attention to inflammatory statements or individuals described as fifth columnists bent on causing division within the state.
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