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Insecurity: Double Your Efforts, Buhari Charges Security Chiefs …As IGP Gives Marching Order To SARS, Commanders
President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, directed security agencies in the country to double their efforts in making sure that Nigerians are more secured. President Buhari gave the directive after meeting behind closed doors with heads of security agencies in the country at the Presidential villa, Abuja.
Briefing State House correspondents after the meeting, the Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Ibok Ekwe-Ibas said that the number of kidnappings across the country has dropped.
He said that he and the other security chiefs at the meeting briefed the President on the proliferation of small arms and what the various agencies are doing to curtail the consequences of the development.
He said the President directed them to ensure that security agencies “do much more to ensure that Nigerians go to bed and wake up feeling healthy and confident that their security is guaranteed.”
On kidnappings that have been on the increase, the Navy chief recalled that during the last Security Council meeting, the Inspector-General of Police was directed to ensure and consequently various operations were set up.
He said, “‘Puff Adder’ was one of the strategies. With the set up of that operation there has been a remarkable drop in the number of kidnappings. What normally would attract attention is when a key person in government perhaps is kidnapped.
“On the whole, the number of kidnappings has dropped and generally I think the security situation is improving.”
On the kidnapped District Head of Daura, the President’s home town, Ekwe-Ibas said that “serious efforts are being made, key suspects have been arrested and it is hoped that in a short while, those behind the heinous crime will be brought to book.”
The district head is also the father-in-law of the President’s Aide-de-Camp (ADC).
Other security chiefs at the meeting with Buhari were Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonishakin; and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Yusuf Buratai and the Director of National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Abubakar were represented.
Also present were the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno; Director-General of the Department of Security Service, Yusuf Bichi; Acting Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu; the Minister of Interior, Gen. Abdulraman Danbazzau, and the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali.
Meanwhile, the Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Mohammed Adamu, has warned Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and Anti-Kidnapping Squad Commanders against extra-judicial killings and abuse of office.
Adamu gave the warning at a meeting with zonal commanders and state commands across the country, yesterday, in Abuja.
He warned that the police would not hesitate to dismiss and prosecute any officer involved in extra-judicial killing and abuse of office in the course of carrying out his duty.
Adamu said that supervising officers of erring officers would also be held responsible for the actions of their subordinates.
“Furthermore, you as the line supervisors of such erring officers shall be held vicariously liable for supervisory negligence by being similarly sanctioned.
“Let me re-emphasise here that our primary responsibility is to protect the lives and property of the citizens we were engaged to serve.
“This is a sacred duty and no level of justification should underscore our being engaged in any act that negates this responsibility.
“It is our sole responsibility as the lead internal security agency to make the country safe for all citizens,” he said.
The IGP said that the unprofessional actions of some policemen had led to lack of confidence and trust in the police and had impacted crime prevention capacity of the force.
He said that the meeting was aimed at reviewing the existing security strategies and to evolve new architecture towards addressing the challenges.
Adamu added that the meeting would review the security challenges and engage the officers on challenges that may be inhibiting their performances on the field.
“Your performance, sense of commitment to duty, and professional competence in this instance remain critical to the ability of the police to prevent or optimally respond to these crimes.’’
He said that the police would soon fully resuscitate, re-organize and expand the operations of the ‘Safer Highway Patrol’ Scheme.
“This is with intent to enhance visibility policing within the public space and particularly, at vulnerable areas across the country.
“We are also exploring the concept of Safer City where CCTV technology will be optimally engaged to support our operations,” he said.
Adamu said that the police was also exploring the possibility of establishing a National Crime Analysis Centre to collate analysis and dissemination of criminal intelligence to support operations.
He called for the cooperation of the citizens to enable the police provide adequate security for them.
“We need the support of the citizens, for it is only when we present a common front that we can defeat a common enemy that threatens our communal values,” he said.
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.
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