News
Fakorede’s Sins Rivers Seeks World Leaders’ Intervention
The Rivers State Government has intensified moves towards redeployment or award of appropriate sanctions to the Commander, Rivers State Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Mr. Akin Fokorede for alleged atrocities being committed by the security outfit in the state.
At a press conference, last Monday in Port Harcourt, the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Barrister Emma Okah called on President Muhammadu Buhari to save the people and residents of Rivers State from criminal activities of SARS under the leadership of Fakorede.
The commissioner, who also called on well-meaning Nigerians, and world leaders to do the needful, said the call has become imperative in view of the fact that several letters of complaints by the state government to the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris have continued to fall on deaf ears.
Okah said: “Rivers State Government had accused him and his men of organised election rigging, extra judicial killings, armed robbery, kidnapping, extortion, planting of incriminating evidence on innocent people or their property, illegal arrest and detention, inhuman and degrading treatment of innocent people and rape.
“We still stand on those allegations, and with all sense of responsibility; many of them have increased in intensity”.
The commissioner further accused the SARS boss of running the armed wing of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state to accomplish two tasks.
He listed the tasks to include, “Firstly, is to rig the last rerun elections in favour of the APC, which he has achieved successfully. Secondly, he is to perfect his strategy to rig the 2019 general elections in Rivers State in favour of his party and against the will of the people.
“In preparation for his second assignment, he is to use SARS to disorganise the security architecture of Rivers State and foist an atmosphere of crime infestation and continuously cause security disorder until the 2019 elections when he will do his final assignment and deliver APC at all cost, no matter the number of people who may be killed in the process”, he said.
Describing Fakorede as a deeply biased police officer whose continued stay in the police or Rivers State is a grave source of danger to the nation, the commissioner called on Buhari to prevail on the Police High Command to save the state by removing the SARS commander and bring a new person who would exhibit professionalism in handling the outfit.
The commissioner noted that Fakorede was brought to the state through the influence of a serving minister in Buhari’s government for ulterior motives; hence, the hands of the IGP and Police Service Commission are tied from sanctioning the said SARS commander who had assumed the position of an untouchable.
Okah, who reacted to the challenge from Fakorede in the media for any person with evidences of wrong treatment against SARS operatives to forward same to him, listed the incident of 12th December, when the SARS boss stormed the Rivers East INEC Collation Centre in Port Harcourt and beat up the returning officer and a former commissioner who is still receiving treatment till date.
He also listed alleged kidnap of one Azumana Ifeanyi, who was forced to withdraw N500,000 ransom for them from an ATM Machine, stressing that in the process, a shootout ensued between the Federal SARS invited by a member of the victim’s family and the SARS operatives, which resulted in the killing of one operative, in addition to the killing of one Mr. Ajibade Ademisoye by operatives of SARS alleging that he was a cultist.
“The social media and radio stations are full of complaints by the public. Since his radio appearance, and beyond what we already know, several persons have more startling revelations about the operations of SARS officers in Rivers State”, he said.
He explained that operatives of SARS use different vehicles with no plate numbers or any mark or name tag or rank to identify them, and added that with their frightening looks, victims were scared of approaching them with indicting evidences.
Okah called on Buhari, and world leaders to investigate the allegations against Fakorede and save the state from his mission.
Chris Oluoh
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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