News
Herdsmen Attack Rivers Community, Shoot Catholic Priest In Taraba
Fulani herdsmen, attacked Ihuaba community in Igbu Upata Kingdom,Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State,abducting one Edith Lawrence while another,identified as Chiemele Blessing who allegedly was shot with arrow while they were working on their farm at Akpaja farm land,was yet to be found.
Scores of others were wounded and crops worth thousands of naira were destroyed by the rampaging herdsmen.
It was gathered that trouble started when the owners of the farm protested against the destruction of their crops by cows led by the herdsmen.
The farmers,a source said,had severally complained to one Alhaji Ahmadu who,was said to be the head of Hausa community in the area but instead, he allegedly mobilized herdsmen to attack the unarmed farmers.
We learnt he was sited at the scene of the attack which prompted the police to arrest him and others who allegedly participated in the attack.
The attack is coming at a time the people of Igbu Upata are consolidating on peace and Ihuaba is the home of Eze Igbu Upata III, HRM Eze Felix Enene Otuwarikpo.
Reacting to the herdsmen attack, Eze Otuwarikpo condemned it vehemently,warning against further attack and that the people of Igbu Upata will defend themselves if further provoked.
He drew the attention of both the state and federal governments and security agencies to this ugly menace, insisting that the Igbu Upata people are peace loving and must not be taken for granted.
He however lauded the police for their timely response and assured that Igbu Upata people will continue to live in harmony with those who would wish to conduct themselves peacefully.
Describing the herdsmen as blood thirsty miscreants,the Eze said the attack was a sad episode on the peace loving and hospitable people of Igbu Upata Kingdom.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Command has arraigned eight Fulani herdsmen allegedly involved in the attack on farmers in Ihuaba village,Igbu Upata Kingdom of Ahoada East Government Area of Rivers State.
The suspects were arraigned at a Chief Magistrate Court 1 sitting in Ahoada town, before the Chief Magistrate,Harry Ayerite.
The incident which occurred on May 27, 2018, had one woman,Edith Lawrence allegedly abducted and Chiemele Blessing shot with arrow, with scores of others injured.
The rampaging herdsmen were also alleged to have destroyed crops worth thousands of naira. Sources at the Ahoada Police Division confirmed the incident.
Those arraigned include Babangida Abba, Umar Tella,Lawal Inusa,Mustapha Abdul,Sani Mohammadu,Gida Abubakar,Mohammed Umar and Mohammed Ali respectively.
However,the Magistrate adjoined the case to 18th June, 2018 while he remanded the suspects to prison custody. He also ordered that the case file be sent to the Chief Registrar of the state High Court for the advice of the Department of Public Prosecution.
In another development, two Catholic priests were beaten, one shot in the leg when gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen attacked a minor seminary in Jalingo, Taraba State capital.
During the attack which was said to have taken place, yesterday morning, some students were injured and many cars destroyed.
While the persons injured were said to be receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre, it was not yet clear if people were killed.
The Director of Caritas Nigeria, an agency of the Catholic Church, Rev. Fr. Evaristus Bassey, revealed this in a WhatsApp message to newsmen.
He said, “Please Friends, pray for us. Our minor seminary in Jalingo has just been attacked by the Fulani, some students are injured, some cars destroyed, two priests beaten, and one shot on the leg. They are currently receiving treatment at FMC.”
Rector of the minor seminary in Jalingo, Taraba State capital, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Atsue, has explained why the institution came under attack from herdsmen on Monday.
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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