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Rivers Communities Sign Peace Accord
The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Zaki Ahmed, has ordered the leaders of Okporowo Ogbakiri community in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State to produce gunmen suspected to have killed four persons from Rumuoro, before the end of today.
The suspects include one Mr Jackson Eme aka Jakande, Mr Abuchi Elenga aka Abuja, Mr Lucky Alikor aka Topper, Mr Chinedu Ndala aka China, and Mr Kudos, who were alleged to have stormed Rumuoro penultimate Friday, with AK-47 rifles, and killed one Pastor Joseph Iheme, a pregnant girl, Miss Queen Ada Amah, Mr Kingsley Owhonda and Miss Mini Elizabeth.
The commissioner gave the order at the end of a tripartite meeting between the police high command, and leaders of both communities, last Friday.
The meeting, The Tide learnt, was designed to interrogate the leaders and chiefs from both communities on the recent untoward killings in Rumuoro, which claimed the lives of four persons, including a pregnant woman, whose unborn baby was forcefully removed from her womb by the assailants.
Zaki said to the Okporowo Ogbakiri community: “I am giving you from now till Monday (April 23, 2018) to produce those names mentioned. Go and tell them to go to Rumuji police station and report themselves”.
The Tide reports that the meeting had commenced at about 12:22pm following the arrival of commissioner of police, accompanied by Police Public Relations Officer, Nnamdi Omoni, DPO Rumuoji and three top ranking officers of the state police command.
In his opening remarks, Zaki said the meeting with Okporowo and Rumuoro was to promote peace, and also marshal out ways of ending every future occurrences of conflict between both communities.
However, Okporowo CDC secretary told the meeting that a woman from the community had gone to the river and could not return, adding that her husband also went in search of her the following day and could not also return.
“When the community went for their search, we discovered she was dead with some parts of her body taken. We immediately reported the matter to Rumuji police”, they noted.
Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
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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