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Group Protests Against Rivers SARS Commander …Condemns Fakorede, APC Chieftains’ Romance
Hundreds of youths in Rivers State under the auspices of the Niger Delta Non-Violence Youth Leaders Assembly (NDNYLA) last Friday staged a peaceful protest in Port Harcourt, the state capital condemning the activities of some operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the state Police Command.
The protesters marched through some major streets in Port Harcourt with placards that read, “Akin Fakorede has turned SARS into something else”, “IGP rise up to the occasion, Akin Fakorede must go”, “The activities of Akin Fakorede are creating bad image for the Nigeria Police”, amongst others.
Addressing newsmen at the Ernest Ikoli Press Centre, Port Harcourt, Coordinator of the group, Comrade Omachi Michael Chinasa accused the SARS Commander, Akin Fakorede of lacking the capacity to handle operatives under his command.
Chinasa said, “We want to state that the SARS Commander, Akin Fakorede is incapable of handling his men. We are being humiliated; our people are being killed. Our people have been raped, and at the end of the day, they will come back and say it is our people that raped our people. Meanwhile, it is SARS people that are raping our people.
“They go with different kind of drugs in their pockets, and go to search people’s houses. At the end of the day, they plant the drugs in people’s houses. They will plant those exhibits and arrest the people as suspects. They will detain them, and at the end of the day, they bail themselves with hundreds of thousands of naira in our state. We will no longer allow it.
“For the sake of time, what we are saying today is that let the Federal Government, especially the President, Muhammadu Buhari, come to our aid. Let the Inspector-General of Police come to our aid,” Chinasa added.
Also speaking, one of the leaders of the protesters, Engr. Okocha Njobuanwu demanded that the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris set up a committee to investigate the activities of SARS operatives in the state.
Njobuanwu said, “We are here today to register our displeasure with the activities of SARS in Rivers State. We are not against the Nigeria Police; we are not against security agents. What we are saying is that we have series of complaints against SARS. The state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has also made some allegations against SARS.
“What we expect is for the hierarchy of the Nigeria Police, the Inspector-General of Police and the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State to set up a unit to investigate these allegations. SARS is there to protect us but today, we found out that SARS instead of protecting us, is killing us,” he alleged.
Meanwhile, the embattled Rivers State Special Anti-Robbery Squad Commander (SARS), Mr Akin Fakorede last Saturday joined his colleagues of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, to welcome the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and the defeated Rivers APC Governorship Candidate, Dr Dakuku Peterside to the state.
The Tide learnt that Fakorede was at the foot of the aircraft receiving the politicians, and was allegedly caught on camera holding an umbrella for Dakuku Peterside to shield him from the rain.
It was gathered that the APC leaders were in the state to finalise plans for the party’s street protest in support of the embattled SARS commander.
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike had accused the SARS of alleged use of his operatives to promote kidnapping and armed robbery on both East-West Road and Port Harcourt-Owerri Road – two critical federal highways in Rivers State.
The Official Police Signal with the title: “Police Wireless Message” and Reference Number DT0: 121030/09/2017 —INGENPOL-X-FHQ ABUJA TO-INGENPOL SEC ABUJA, noted that the squad received a distress call on the kidnap of one Mr Ifeanyi and immediately swung into action.
According to the signal, they met the three SARS operatives in a robbery scene and a gun duel ensued.
It was gathered that the operatives had taken Ifeanyi to a Fidelity Bank ATM where they compelled him to withdraw N500,000.00 as ransom.
One of the SARS operatives was killed, while Inspector Justice Nyeche, who led the IGP Special Team was injured.
Further investigations show that Fakorede was caught on video invading the Rivers East Senatorial District Collation Centre on December 12, 2016, in an attempt to snatch the results of the district, and twit it in favour of APC.
The Tide recalls that only recently, Rivers SARS operatives were alleged to have murdered a taxi driver in cold blood in Emohua for inexplicable reasons.
The Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has assured the commitment of Rivers State government to workers’s welfare and industrial harmony in Rivers State.
The Sole Administrator gave the assurance after meeting with leadership of organized labour unions at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
Ibas reaffirmed government’s policy of prompt payment of salaries and pensions to workers and retirees, stating that all local government employees are not receiving the approved minimum wage.
He disclosed that approval has been given for payment of newly employed staff at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital and the Judiciary, while medical workers in Local Government Areas will now receive correct wages.
Ibas explained that, Government is reviewing implementation challenges of the Contributory Pension Scheme ahead of the July 2025 deadline, adding that Intervention buses have been reintroduced to ease workers’ transportation ,with plans to expand the fleet.
He said specialized leadership training for top civil servants will commence within two weeks, while due consideration is being given to implementing the N32,000 consequential adjustment for pensioners and clearing outstanding gratuities.
Ibas commended Rivers State workers for their dedication to service and called for sustained partnership with labour unions to maintain industrial peace.
“This administration recognizes workers as critical partners in development. We remain committed to addressing your legitimate concerns within available resources,” he stated.
The State NLC Chairman, Comrade Alex Agwanwor, thanked the Administrator for the steps taken so far with regard to workers welfare while appreciating his disposition towards alleviating the transportation problem faced by workers.
He also expressed appreciation for the government’s openness to dialogue and pledged continued cooperation towards achieving mutual goals.
The Rivers State Government assured all workers of its unwavering commitment to their welfare and called for continued dedication to service delivery for the collective progress of our dear State.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Rivers Council, has called for policies that will improve the economic situation of the country in order to ensure enhanced living standard for workers.
The State Chairman, Mr Alex Agwanwor, made the remark on behalf of the unions affiliated to Labour Congress during the 2025 workers day celebration in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Agwanwor highlighted the demands of the Unions which included the immediate payment of pension arrears, implementation of the N32,000 minimum wage for pensioners, and payment of gratuities and death benefits without further delay.
“We are calling for the regulation and protection of e-hailing drivers, implementation of increments and promotions, and resolution of long-standing issues in the polytechnic sector,” he said.
Agwanwor on behalf of the unions appealed to President Bola Tinubu to reinstate the democratically elected Governor, Deputy Governor, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
He stressed the importance of democratic governance and good working relationship with elected representatives.
According to him, the unions expressed disappointment over the imposition of taxes, increase in electricity tariff, and high cost of goods and services, which have further worsened the plight of workers.
“We urge the federal government to take measures to alleviate the suffering of citizens,” he said.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima says President Bola Tinubu is committed to unlocking Nigeria’s full potential and position the country as a leading force on the African continent.
Shettima stated this when he hosted a delegation from the Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, led by its Senior Fellow, Dr Rolf Alter, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja last Wednesday.
He said Nigeria was actively seeking expertise from the global best institutions to enhance policy formulation and implementation, particularly in human capital development.
The Vice-President noted that President Tinubu was determined to elevate Nigeria to its rightful position as a leading force in Africa.
“The current crop of leadership in Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is ready and willing to unleash the full potential of the Nigerian nation on the African continent.
” We are laying the groundwork through strategic reforms, and at the heart of it, is human capital development.”
He described the Hertie School as a valuable partner in the journey.
According to him, Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, has track record and institutional knowledge to add value to our policy formulation and delivery, especially in this disruptive age.
Shettima reiterated the government’s priority on upskilling Nigerians, saying ” skills are very important, and with our Human Capital Development (HCD) 2.0 programme.
“We are in a position to unleash the full potential of the Nigerian people by enhancing their capital skills.”
The Vice-President acknowledged the vital support of international development partners in that effort.
” I want to thank the World Bank, the European Union, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and all our partners in that drive to add value to the Nigerian nation,” he maintained.
The Vice-President said human capital development was both an economic imperative and a social necessity.
Shettima assured the delegation of the government’s readiness to deepen cooperation.
” We need the skills and the capacity from your school. The world is now knowledge-driven.
“I wish to implore you to have a very warm and robust partnership with the government and people of Nigeria.”
Shettima further explained recent economic decisions of the government, including fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange reforms.
“The removal of fuel subsidy, the unification of the exchange rate regime and the revolution in the energy sector are all painful processes, but at the end of the day, the Nigerian people will laugh last.
“President Tinubu is a very modern leader who is willing to take far-reaching, courageous decisions to reposition the Nigerian economy,” he added.
Earlier, Alter, congratulated the Tinubu administration for the successful launch and implementation of the Human Capital Development (HCD) strategy.
The group leader described the development as ambitious and targeted towards the improvement of the lives of the citizens.
He expressed satisfaction with the outcome of his engagements since arriving in the country.
He applauded the zeal, commitment, energy and goodwill observed among stakeholders in the implementation of Nigeria’s HCD programme.
Alter said the Hertie School of Governance would work closely with authorities in Nigeria across different levels to deliver programmes specifically designed to address the unique needs of the country.
He, however, stressed the need for government officials at different levels to be agile and amenable to the dynamics of the evolving world, particularly as Nigeria attempted to successfully accelerate its human capital development aspirations.