Featured
Nigerian Police Can’t Fight Insecurity, IGP Tells Senate …Accept Responsibility For Worsening Insecurity, Atiku Tells Buhari
The Senate, yesterday, for over two hours, grilled the Acting Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, over the deteriorating security situation across the nation.
At the closed door meeting between the upper chamber of the National Assembly and the acting police boss, the lawmakers sought answers to questions behind the increasing spread of armed banditry, kidnapping and killings, which have engulfed not only Zamfara but other states of the federation, including Katsina, Kaduna, Plateau, Benue, and some southern states.
The IGP had, last week, summoned by the Senate to brief the lawmakers on the unfortunate development, to keep them abreast of what the force was doing to bring the situation under control.
The security briefing was aimed also at enabling the lawmakers to know the possible areas through which the parliament can intervene in addressing the security challenges facing the country.
Speaking after meeting with the IGP, the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, said the IG briefed the lawmakers on the security situation in Zamfara and other parts of the country.
His words, “We deliberated on armed banditry, robbery, terrorist activities and other security challenges in the country. The Nigeria Police efforts in ameliorating the situation and challenges, and hoped to address the menace squarely. He promised to address areas that have to do with discipline of officers that have been found wanting.
“He assured that efforts would be made on the situation, particularly on the Abuja-Kaduna highway, and also on the area of intelligence and security. The Senate promised and committed on areas of solving the issues.
“The Senate is ready to give adequate funding that is required in order to make the police to be able to combat the necessary stress to our security”.
Meanwhile, speaking with journalists after the closed door session, the Police IG, Mohammed Adamu, pointed out that the number of police officers in the country was not enough to deal with the increasing insecurity in the country.
“We discussed the issue of insecurity within the country, and we have expanded a lot of strategies that we put in place that is working.
“And we have reviewed the strategies in order to mitigate some of the challenges that emerged again, and they have appreciated what we presented, and also they gave suggestions on how to enhance the strategy that we are deploying. They have agreed to support us in every aspect, every area that we need in order to do our job to make the country safe.
“Policing is dynamic and you cannot give ultimatum to deal with a crime. The number of personnel we have can never be enough, and the government is doing its best, and every year, we are recruiting more policemen. This year, we have about 10,000 again to recruit.
“At least, the number is growing. Very soon, we will meet up with the required number that is needed for us to deploy to fight crime”, he said.
Responding to questions on the alleged rape of some of the arrested social sex workers in Abuja by policemen, the IGP said the force was going to set up a panel to investigate the allegation, with a view to prosecuting and disciplining any officer found guilty.
It would be recalled that the IGP, who entered the Chamber at 11.25am, immediately started a closed-door session with the senators on the security situation in the country.
Soon after he entered, the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, called on the Clerk of the Senate, Nelson Ayewor, to clear the gallery for the session to commence.
The Senate had asked the IGP to appear and brief it on the rising wave of insecurity, banditry and kidnapping in the country, especially in the northern part of the country.
According to the Senate, the appearance would enable the Inspector General of Police touch on very salient and germane issues as regards insecurity, the spate of banditry and kidnappings with a view to finding a lasting solution to the problem.
The Senate took the decision when it condemned, in very strong terms, the gruesome killing of a 29-year-old Briton, Faye Mooney, and another Nigerian, and the abduction of three others on Friday, 19th of April, 2019.
Resolutions of the Senate were sequel to a motion entitled, “Senseless killing of a Briton and the abduction of three others in a Holiday Resort in Kaduna State by Armed Bandits”, sponsored by Senator Shehu Sani (PRP, Kaduna Central).
The motion was co-sponsored by Senator Joshua Dariye, who is presently in prison, and 108 senators.
Meanwhile, former Vice President and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the 2019 Presidential election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has advised President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress, APC, to accept responsibility for the spate of killings going on in some parts of the country.
The PDP chieftain in a statement signed by his media adviser, Paul Ibe yesterday accused officials of the APC- led administration of doctoring a report in the name of a non-governmental organization, Centre for Diplomacy and Democracy, which apparently acknowledged the effort the Presidency is putting in place to check the menace of killings and kidnappings across the land while accusing the opposition of complicity in the sundry criminalities going on in the land.
Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi, Abuja
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that peace has prevailed because he draws strength from God to resist insults and tantrums thrown at him while frustrating attempts by some disgruntled persons who wanted to plunge the State into unending crisis.
The Governor also said that because he has anchored his Government on promoting peace, the enabling atmosphere has been provided for investments and sustainable development to flourish.
Governor Fubara made the assertion when he received a delegation of members of the Bishops and Gospel Ministers’ Association International Incorporated, Rivers State Chapter, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Represented by the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr George Nwaeke, Governor Fubara said while most people took his meekness for weakness, his stance on peace has unarguably enhanced harmonious atmosphere of concord as residents sleep with their two eyes closed, and investors and shareholders are happy with the returns on investment.
He said, “Before, what they hear of Rivers State is that they are fighting, and some genuine investors will not come. Some people even ask you: How are you coping in Rivers State?
“But now”, he asserted: “The Governor has brought about a lot of changes in the State. One of the most important things is that he has changed the negative narrative. It is no longer Rivers of blood. It is now Rivers of peace.
“We are enjoying our lives here. Why? Because there is a change in the narrative. We have peace. The Governor is, as much as possible, absorbing any level of insult at him only for one purpose: that Rivers State may have peace; that we may grow; that this state will experience genuine development.”
Governor Fubara urged them, as members of the Christian family in the State, to continue to pray for the State and the Government so that the enemies of the State will be put to greater shame.
“This peace is what I want you to embrace. Go and continue to pray, because when the sower of the seed went and sowed, the enemy went in the night and sowed tares inside there. But the Governor is sowing peace.
“When I listened to the leader of the team, His Grace Eddy Ogbonda, he said you came all the way from Eleme Junction, and stopped at major junctions, and you uttered prayers for the peace of Rivers State.”
He also said: “I, hereby want to thank you for identifying with the Governor at a time like this. At a time when it looks as if someone wants the Governor’s peace posture misunderstood as weakness.
“When someone has the strength to fight back, but refuses to fight back. That is a bigger strength; that power of restrain does not just come, it can only come from God.
“You cannot give peace, if you do not have peace within you. The Governor is not interested in any form of trouble or violence. What he is interested in is known, and it is: let there be peace in Rivers State,” he said.
In his address, leader of the group, Archbishop Eddy Ogbonda, said they had observed a week-long intensive prayers that culminated into a peace rally, which brought them to Government House, and assured the Governor that God will continue to give him victory over his adversaries while preserving Rivers State.
“It is Rivers State Prophetic Prayer Convocation and Rally 2024 with the theme: ‘Peace be still’. Of a truth, everyone of us understands that we live in a time when we need peace much more than any other thing.
“Rivers State needs peace. Everyone as individuals need peace. The country needs peace, and the world at large needs peace. So, we are here to do a peace march. We pray that God will command His peace to reign in Rivers State,” he said.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has stated that hotels, schools, and other establishments that accept payments in dollars from their customers are at risk of facing arrest.
The Chairman of EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, said this in the agency’s publication called EFCC Alert on Monday, adding that action would be taken against individuals involved in the dollarisation of the economy.
According to him, the exception is if foreigners come in to transact business and the only means of transacting is their credit card and dollar but to charge local customers in dollars or other foreign currencies would no longer be allowed.
He said charging local activities and customers in dollars is against Nigeria’s constitution.
The EFCC chairman said, “Schools that charge Nigerians in dollar, supermarkets that trade in dollar, estate developers that sell their property in dollar, hotels that are invoicing in dollar, we are coming after you and we have made arrests in that area.
“Yes, if foreigners are coming in and the only means of transacting is their credit card, and dollar, why not? You will get that.
“But document it properly as against selling things within the system, local economy and you will be using dollar as the medium of exchange, it is illegal.
“Our law does not allow for that. And we have also affected some arrests.”
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has enjoined Muslim faithful to remain steadfast to the lessons learnt during the holy month of Ramadan.
Governor Fubara stated this in his message of felicitations to Muslims as they celebrate the 2024 Eid-el-Fitr Sallah, which marks the end of the one-month Ramadan fasting.
The Governor emphasised the importance for Muslims to also uphold the tenets of Islam by exhibiting the fear of God and showing piety in their daily work.
Governor Fubara said, “We must all continue in the good attributes imbibed during the holy month of Ramadan as directed by God through His Prophet, so as to ensure peace, unity and harmony in the society for a better future.”
While praying that the essence of the festival offers them happiness, peace and prosperity in all aspects of life, Governor Fubara said he recognises and appreciates the critical role that the Muslim community continues to play in the development of Rivers State, and indeed, Nigeria at large.
Governor Fubara charged them to remain unwavering and steadfast in their commitment and positive contributions to advance the development of the State and the country.
“I enjoin you all in the State to remain calm, be patient and continue to do what is right,” the Governor added.
He wished the Muslim faithful in the State and across the country a happy Eid-el-Fitr celebration.
-
News3 days agoFG Set To Receive Fresh $2.2bn World Bank Loan
-
Business3 days agoAviation Union Threatens Strike Over Revenue Deduction
-
News3 days agoNCCSALW Destroys 6,000 Illicit Arms In Six Geo-Political Zones
-
News3 days agoAkpabio Seeks Nigeria, Serbia Parliamentary Collaboration
-
Rivers3 days agoNCSU Hails Release Of Fubara’s Supporters
-
Maritime3 days agoTin Can NCS Generates N303.9bn In Q1
-
News3 days agoOur Policies Aligning With Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Mantra For Nigeria -Gov Fubara
-
Business3 days agoPaper Industry’s Economic Contribution Hits N398bn