News
Wike Alleges Plot To Make Rivers Unsafe
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has declared that there is an orchestrated plot to create the impression that the state is unsafe through the promotion of targeted cult killings.
This is as the Federal Government called for partnership between it and the Rivers State Government to tackle security challenges in the state.
Speaking during a visit of the Minister of Interior, Lt-Gen Abdulrahman Danbazzau to the Government House, Port Harcourt, last Friday, Wike said that the security agencies in the state know the cult kingpins terrorising flashpoints in the state.
He said: “The security agencies have the profiles of all cult kingpins in different parts of the state and they know their locations.
“There is no wisdom in the politicisation of security. Insecurity can affect anybody. You can never know the next victim of insecurity”.
He urged the security agencies and the Federal Government to deploy personnel to cult flashpoints in the state to forestall repeated attacks by cultists.
“In every system, the security agencies know the flashpoints. Here, we requested for the strengthening of security around these flashpoints, especially areas with high prevalence of cultists. I expected that security would be beefed up in these places.
“I ask this question: Is there an orchestrated plan to tag Rivers State as unsafe? Is the situation above the security agencies despite the information we have made available to them?” Wike asked.
Wike also blamed oil multinationals for the explosion of cultism in some communities, pointing out that the multinationals award surveillance contracts to cultists.
He said equipped with funds from multinationals, cultists procure sophisticated weapons with which they terrorise communities and law-abiding persons.
The governor said that the Rivers State Government has made several requests to the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris for the deployment of special squads to tackle cultism and kidnapping.
He said that the IGP has failed to deploy the special squads to the state, despite the requests.
Wike said: “The peculiar nature of Rivers State requires peculiar intervention. Before now, I have been shouting that we need support to fight crime. I have made this complaint severally”.
The governor berated politicians who want to use the cult-related killings to play politics and make false allegations against the state.
Earlier, the Minister of Interior, Lt-Gen Abdulrahman Danbazzau, had said he was in Rivers State at the instance of President Muhammadu Buhari to assess the security situation of the state.
On behalf of the President, he commiserated with the government and people of Rivers State over the killings at Omoku.
“Rivers State is important to the country, particularly when it comes to the issue of the economy. It is very important that the Federal Government partners with the state to see how any security gaps can be closed for adequate protection of lives and property”, Danbazzau said.
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.
-
News3 days ago
Obuah’s Victory Excites Former Lawmaker as APC Primaries Conclude in Rivers West
-
Politics5 days agoAPC PRIMARIES: FUBARA’S WITHDRAWAL, HISTORIC SACRIFICE FOR NATIONAL STABILITY ……. GROUP
-
News5 days agoCourt Sentences Seven To Death Over Murder Of Cleric In Rivers
-
News3 days ago
105 Nigerians Killed In S/Africa In Seven Years
-
Sports5 days agoPH Arsenal Community Set For Streets Procession, Saturday
-
Niger Delta3 days agoRoyal Father Endorses PH Arsenal Community, Pledges To Support
-
Politics5 days agoIPAC Flays INEC Over Election Guidelines Judgement
-
Politics5 days agoNDC To Adopt Electronic Voting For Future Primaries