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RVHA Accuses Police Of Undermining Security …As Police Set Up Illegal Firearms Recovery Panel
The Rivers State House of Assembly says a directive by the police, barring vigilante groups from using firearms, could hamper the state’s efforts at enhancing security.
The legislature, which recently passed into law the Rivers State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Bill 2018, urged the police to reconsider the decision.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Information and Communications, Hon Sam Ogeh said the order smacked of attempt to preempt the efficacy of the law.He stated this while reacting to the constitution of a task force by Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr Zaki Ahmed. The task force is expected to enforce a directive by the Inspector General of Police requiring vigilante groups to surrender their arms within 21 days.
Section Two of the Neighbourhood Safety Corps Bill permits the groups to bear arms in the discharge of their duties.Ogeh said: “I have not quite come to terms with the rationale. If the police say they want to carry out their right to mop up arms in the society and they think it is the best for them, so be it.
We have considered that with the way things are going, we would need additional hands to assist the police in securing our communities. But the police do not see it that way and have chosen to sabotage it. There is nothing we can do about it.”
He said if the executive arm of government thinks the law is not good enough, it should have approached a court of competent jurisdiction to declare it null and void or make the court declare that the law is not in the best interest of the society.Police Public Relations Officer, Omoni Nnamdi, said the task force has been mandated to embark on raids and cordon and search operations on premises where prohibited firearms are kept. He said anybody found with such weapons after the expiration of the ultimatum would be prosecuted.
Menawhile, the Rivers State Police Command says a task force team to recover illegally acquired firearms in the state in compliance with the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris’s directive, has been constituted.
The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Nnmadi Omoni, in a statement issued yesterday in Port Harcourt, directed any person or group of persons bearing prohibited firearms, any locally fabricated arms, including pump action, double/single barrel guns or any modified weapons capable of causing harm or breach of the peace, law and order in the state to submit same to the task force within 21 days.
The statement warned vigilante groups, Neighbourhood Watch group, watch night men, hunters or any group or association under any capacity or guise other than statutory security agencies recognised and gazetted by the Federal Government of Nigeria to bear arms of specified category, who are currently possessing and having prohibited/illegal firearms for whatever purpose, to surrender same before the expiration of the 21 days notice.
Omoni further stated that the operation of the task force, among others, was aimed at the enforcement of the Firearms Act, mopping up and recovery of all prohibited firearms and illegally acquired weapons, and to enable the police deal decisively with the herders and farmers menace, kidnapping, armed robbery, cattle rustling, militancy and terrorism.
According to him, “the task force has been mandated to embark on raids, cordon and search, seizure from any premises, hideouts, dwelling houses or buildings or sites (completed or under construction) or any other location where the illegal (prohibited) firearms are kept or where there is reasonable suspicion that such weapons are being kept or used.
“Therefore, anybody found with prohibited firearms after the expiration of the 21 days notice, which commenced on 22nd February, 2018, will be arrested, investigated and prosecuted”, he said.
He charged members of the public who notice anyone bearing, possessing or in custody of any of the above mentioned prohibited firearms in violation of the Firearms Act in any part of the state to promptly report such to the Head of the Task Force, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Operations via the following numbers: 08035873235, 08032003514 and 08026915462.
The state police spokesperson assured the commitment of the command under the watch of the Commissioner of Police, Zaki Ahmed, of adequate security, promising to make the state conducive for all to live and do business.
The ECOWAS Parliament has adopted a budget of 19,636,030 Units of Account (UA) (26 million dollars) for the 2026 fiscal year, and announced plans to commemorate its 25th anniversary in November.
The Speaker of the Parliament, Hadjia Memounatou Ibrahima, who announced this, said the development followed the recent conclusion of its 2025 Second Extraordinary Session in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
She said the budget was adopted by the Parliament during plenary, stressing that, beyond being a mere accounting act, it was the engine of parliament’s commitment to West Africans.
”It will enable us to carry out our priority missions, including implementing the conclusions of the seminar on AI, while ensuring virtuous and transparent management of public funds entrusted to us.
”This budget represents a five per cent increase compared to the 2025 fiscal year budget, reflecting an upward adjustment of UA 939,233 from last year’s UA 18,996,897.
”Out of the budget of UA 19,636,030 for 2026, the sum of UA19, 368,394 representing 98.64 per cent is expected to be financed through the proceeds from the Community Levy, while UA257,636, equivalent to 1.36 per cent, will accrue from other sources,” Ibrahima said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ECOWAS Community Levy is a mandatory 0.5 per cent tax imposed on goods imported into ECOWAS member states from non-ECOWAS countries.
Member states are under statutory obligation to pay the community levy, which is the main source of funding for ECOWAS institutions and their activities.
Ibrahima, however, expressed dismay that some members of the community were still defaulting on the payment of the levy, and warned that, going forward; such would be met with sanctions.
She also said that the commemoration of its 25th anniversary in November would highlight the ECOWAS Parliament’s achievements in deepening regional democracy, cooperation and growth, amid formidable challenges.
The Speaker described the forthcoming anniversary as “a chance to showcase resilience and chart a more innovative, youth-focused future for the community”.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
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