Editorial
Lessons From Don Waney’s Fall
For the first time in many years, Nigerian security agencies proved their mettle, last Sunday, felling three of the notorious mass murderers who have been terrorising Rivers and neighbouring states. This feat by soldiers and operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS), coming barely a week after the murderous gang plunged Rivers State into sorrow and tears, is very instructive. It underscores the desirability of honest partnership and synergy between the government, the security agencies and the public.
Like a popular saying that ‘everyday is for the thief, but one day is for the owner’, the kingpin of the dreaded terrorist group that masterminded the Omoku massacre on New Year Day, Igwedibia Johnson (aka Don Waney) and his co-travellers in the jungle of terror, Ikechukwu Adiele and Lucky Ode finally met their waterloo last Sunday in Enugu where they ran to for cover. The three notorious criminals had been on the run since the early hours of January 1 when they snuffed life out of 17 church worshippers in Omoku, the headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The Tide regards the killing of the dreaded Don Waney and his cohorts by the gallant soldiers and operatives of the DSS, though extra-judicially, as a victory for the law-abiding people in Rivers State. We hope that the fall of these notorious criminals would assuage the tears of the deceased’s families and as well allay the fears of many citizens and residents who had hitherto considered the state unsafe.
While we commend the security agencies for drawing the curtain on the criminal lives of these men of the underworld, we urge them not to rest on their oars.
Given the 32 names of alleged cultists reeled out yesterday by the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, during his broadcast to the state, there is no gainsaying the fact that it is not yet uhuru for the State. The governor’s broadcast underscores the fact that there may be more notorious criminals like Don Waney who need to be hunted down and brought to justice. This is a challenge the security agencies should confront frontally. We say this because the majority can not continue to be threatened by few miscreants who take delight in soiling their hands with the blood of the innocents.
We note, however, that the recent feat recorded by the security agencies would not have been possible but for the sincere partnership and synergy between the Federal Government and the Rivers State Government.
We recall that shortly after the Omoku mass killing, President Muhammadu Buhari gave a marching order to the security agencies to apprehend the masterminds and bring them to book. This was followed by a N200 million bounty placed on the perpetrators by Governor Wike.
This collaboration between the state and federal governments is commendable and worth of replication in other states of the federation. It vindicates our position that such partnership is a sine qua non to security, peace and harmony in the country.
While we join the Rivers State Government and other well-meaning Nigerians in commending President Buhari for his statesmanly posture and for not playing politics with the Omoku massacre, most especially his marching order that galvanised the security agents into bringing down Don Wayne and his cohorts, we also appreciate the unrelenting efforts of Governor Wike in tackling security challenges in the state. His regular and consistent support to the security agencies, especially the police, is highly commendable.
We, however, believe that security is a joint enterprise that requires the collaborative efforts of all citizens. The fact that the security agencies were able to get Don Waney and his lieutenants within a short period of time after the Omoku incident in an indication that the nation’s security apparatchik, if challenged, motivated and given the necessary cooperation and assistance, is capable of nipping insecurity in the bud. For this reason, we urge all law-abiding Nigerians to assist the security agents in apprehending the murderous cultists, armed robbers, kidnappers, terrorists and unrepentant militants who are making life miserable for innocent citizens.
We hope that the shameful death of Don Waney and others would serve as a deterrent to other criminals, including those who had already embraced the State government amnesty programme but still have the mindset of engaging in crime. While we admonish them to have a rethink and turn a new leaf, we also wish to remind them of Governor Wike’s assertion that any ex-militant, cultist or criminal who did not take advantage of the state amnesty programme, including those who go back to crime after embracing the amnesty would be regarded and treated as criminals.
We also hope that given the renewed efforts of the government and the security agencies to rid, not just Rivers State, but the entire country, of crimes, the cut-throat politicians would desist from using heartless murderers to settle political scores and assault the ballot box. It is high time they stopped playing politics with the lives of innocent citizens.
It began as a seemingly minor in- flight disagreement. Comfort Emmason, a passenger on an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos, reportedly failed to switch off her mobile phone when instructed by the cabin crew. What should have been a routine enforcement of safety regulations spiralled into a physical confrontation, sparking a national debate on the limits of airline authority and the rights of passengers.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) wasted no time in condemning the treatment meted out to Emmason. In a strongly worded statement, the body described the incident as “a flagrant violation of her fundamental human rights” and called for a thorough investigation into the conduct of the airline staff. The NBA stressed that while passengers must adhere to safety rules, such compliance should never be extracted through intimidation, violence, or humiliation.
Following the altercation, Emmason found herself arraigned before a Magistrate’s Court and remanded at Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison, a location more commonly associated with hardened criminals than with errant passengers. In a surprising turn of events, the Federal Government later dropped all charges against her, citing “overriding public interest” and concerns about due process.
Compounding her woes, Ibom Air initially imposed a lifetime ban preventing her from boarding its aircraft. That ban has now been lifted, following mounting public pressure and calls from rights groups for a more measured approach. The reversal has been welcomed by many as a step towards restoring fairness and proportionality in handling such disputes.
While her refusal to comply with crew instructions was undeniably inappropriate, questions linger about whether the punishment fit the offence. Was the swift escalation from verbal reminder to physical ejection a proportionate response, or an abuse of authority? The incident has reignited debate over how airlines balance safety enforcement with respect for passenger rights.
The Tide unequivocally condemns the brutal and degrading treatment the young Nigerian woman received from the airline’s staff. No regulation, however vital, justifies the use of physical force or the public shaming of a passenger. Such behaviour is antithetical to the principles of customer service, human dignity, and the rule of law.
Emmason’s own defiance warrants reproach. Cabin crew instructions, especially during boarding or take-off preparations, are not mere suggestions; they are safety mandates. Reports suggest she may have been unable to comply because of a malfunctioning power button on her device, but even so, she could have communicated this clearly to the crew. Rules exist to safeguard everyone on board, and passengers must treat them with due seriousness.
Nigerians, whether flying domestically or abroad, would do well to internalise the importance of orderliness in public spaces. Adherence to instructions, patience in queues, and courteous engagement with officials are hallmarks of civilised society. Disregard for these norms not only undermines safety but also projects a damaging image of the nation to the wider world.
The Emmason affair is not an isolated case. Former Edo State Governor and current Senator, Adams Oshiomhole, once found himself grounded after arriving late for an Air Peace flight. Witnesses alleged that he assaulted airline staff and ordered the closure of the terminal’s main entrance. This is hardly the conduct expected of a statesman.
More recently, a Nollywood-worthy episode unfolded at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, involving Fuji icon “King”, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM1. In a viral video, he was seen exchanging heated words with officials after being prevented from boarding an aircraft.
Events took a dangerous turn when the aircraft, moving at near take-off speed, nearly clipped the 68-year-old musician’s head with its wing. Such an occurrence points to a serious breach of airport safety protocols, raising uncomfortable questions about operational discipline at Nigeria’s gateways.
According to accounts circulating online, Wasiu had attempted to board an aircraft while he was carrying an alcoholic drink and refused to relinquish it when challenged. His refusal led to de-boarding, after which the Aviation Minister, Festus Keyamo, imposed a six-month “no-fly” ban, citing “unacceptable” conduct.
It is deeply concerning that individuals of such prominence, including Emmason’s pilot adversary, whose careers have exposed them to some of the most disciplined aviation environments in the world, should exhibit conduct that diminishes the nation’s reputation. True leadership, whether in politics, culture, or professional life, calls for restraint and decorum, all the more when exercised under public scrutiny.
Most egregiously, in Emmason’s case, reports that she was forcibly stripped in public and filmed for online circulation are deeply disturbing. This was an act of humiliation and a gross invasion of privacy, violating her right to dignity and falling short of the standards expected in modern aviation. No person, regardless of the circumstances, should be subjected to such degrading treatment.
Ibom Air must ensure its staff are trained to treat passengers with proper decorum at all times. If Emmason had broken the law, security personnel could have been called in to handle the matter lawfully. Instead, her ordeal turned into a public spectacle. Those responsible for assaulting her should face prosecution, and the airline should be compelled to compensate her. Emmason, for her part, should pursue legal redress to reinforce the principle that justice and civility must prevail in Nigeria’s skies.