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Groups To Petition Buhari Over Late Rivers Mechanic
A non-government organization, Extra Steps Initiative (ESI) has said it would petition President Muhammadu Buhari over what it called the poor handling of the circumstances surrounding the death of a mechanic, Chima Ikwunado, and the alleged torture of the Ikoku Four by operatives of the Eagle Crack Team of the Rivers State Police Command.
Similarly, a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has advised the police to give a copy of the autopsy report conducted on the late mechanic to his family’s lawyer on or before March 10, in their own interest.
Justice J.K. Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt gave the advice, yesterday, when lawyer to Chima Ikwunado’s family, Princess Chinyere Lawrence reported to the court that the police were yet to give her the report days after it was released by the pathologist.
Justice Omotosho said failure by the police to comply would be seen as if they have something to hide; just as he adjourned the matter to March 10, for hearing.
The suit was instituted by the Civil Society Coalition based in Port Harcourt.
Speaking with newsmen in Port Harcourt, yesterday, the Executive Director of the Extra Steps Initiative, Eugene Abels, disclosed that the move follows the continued delay by the police to prosecute those indicted in the matter and the move by the Commissioner of Police, Mustapha Dandaura to attempt to settle a ‘capital offence’ out of court.
Abels noted with dismay that a similar matter that occurred in Sagamu, Ogun State, could receive speedy intervention, leading to the dismissal of the police officer involved, whereas in Rivers State, such matter is being delayed, noting that the double standard was unacceptable.
According to him, “We find it out of place. In this matter, the police is the defendant. It is out of place for the plaintiff to be going to the defendant to get a copy of the autopsy report. Number two, it is taking several months and even media reports stating that the commissioner of police is asking for a settlement or suggesting it in a matter that concerns a capital offense. It is out of place.
“And this is where the Inspector General of Police (IGP) should be called to order. So, we at the Extra Steps Initiative, we are going to do a petition to the President, and we will copy the IGP and the Attorney General of Federation. We want to call for an inquest”, he added.
The group’s executive director further revealed that he would demand an investigation to probe the creation of the Eagle Crack Unit and the role the Judiciary played in the detention of the Ikoku Four at the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre.
“How could the police, just right under their noses, a team will be created with a torture chamber in place called the Eagle Crack Squad which reports directly to a commissioner of police. We need to conduct an inquest to know who gave those orders.
“Where did they get the authorization from, and under what condition these men under arms have functioned that pushed them to the point of being able to torture a man to death? We need to do an inquest to know why the Judiciary in Rivers State tolerates the Nigerian Police to deliberately charge people to wrong courts, and the Magistrate, instead of turning them back, remands these people in prison,” he stated.
Dennis Naku
President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence that the country would win the fight against insecurity.
The President gave the assurance at the Argungu International Fishing Festival in Argungu town, Kebbi State, on Saturday.
He noted that the relative peace currently being enjoyed in Kebbi and neighbouring states was the result of sustained investments in security intelligence, coordination among security agencies, and community engagement.
Tinubu assured farmers and fishermen of sustained federal support to guarantee food security and safety across the country.
“The peace we are witnessing today is not accidental. It is the outcome of deliberate and sustained efforts. I assure you that the fight against banditry, insurgency, and insecurity will be won.
“Our farmers, fishermen, traders, and families will go about their lawful activities without fear,” he assured.
The President commended the organisers of the festival for sustaining the cultural event for decades, noting that it had endured for 83 years despite social and security challenges.
Describing the Argungu festival as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence, Tinubu stated that it reflects the richness of the country’s culture and the opportunities to harness its natural and human resources for national growth.
He said, “Today, this festival stands as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence among our people.
“It reflects the richness of our culture, the strength of our traditions, and the opportunities inherent in harnessing our natural and human resources for national development.”
The President was received by a large crowd of residents, traditional rulers, fishermen, tourists, and government officials from across the country.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth and women empowerment, irrigation development, rural electrification, and agricultural productivity.
Earlier, the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, said his administration was determined to elevate the Argungu Fishing Festival to full international standards while pursuing aggressive development across critical sectors of the state.
The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed today, in observance of Presidents’ Day.
The mission made this known in a notice shared on its official X page, yesterday.
“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026, in observance of Presidents’ Day,” the post read.
According to the embassy, Presidents’ Day was originally established to honour the birthday of the former US President, George Washington, but has evolved into a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents and their leadership in shaping the country’s history.
The embassy noted that the holiday also recognises the influence of U.S. presidents on global affairs.
In a related message, the mission highlighted that Washington created the first “Badge of Military Merit,” which later became the Purple Heart. The medal still bears Washington’s image today.
Presidents’ Day is observed on the third Monday of February annually in the United States as a federal holiday.
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Guterres Backs Nigeria’s Bid For UN Security Council Seat …Hails Tinubu’s Reforms, Regional Security Role
United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has charged Nigeria with spearheading Africa’s quest for a restructured global order, describing the country as uniquely positioned to lead the continent toward superpower status.
Guterres, who backed Nigeria’s bid for the world body’s security council seat, also praised the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration as well as Nigeria’s leadership in stabilising the Sahel and ECOWAS regions, despite facing its own security challenges.
The UN scribe made the remarks last Friday night during a high-level bilateral meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima on the sidelines of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Speaking during the meeting, Guterres said Nigeria’s large population, sustained democratic governance, vast natural and human resources, and longstanding commitment to multilateralism placed it in a unique position to lead Africa in the evolving global order.
“Given Nigeria’s demographic strength, democratic continuity and deep resource base, the country stands a real chance of leading Africa to becoming the next superpower in the evolving global architecture,” he said.
The UN Secretary-General and the vice president discussed key developments in Nigeria and the country’s expanding leadership role in promoting regional stability across West Africa and the Sahel.
Guterres commended the remarkable and outstanding reforms of the administration of President Tinubu, noting that Nigeria’s bold economic restructuring and security commitments have strengthened its continental standing.
The meeting focused on strengthening Nigeria–UN collaboration to advance global economic growth, peace and security, sustainable development, and a coordinated humanitarian response across Africa.
In his remarks, Shettima thanked the UN Secretary-General for his leadership in advancing global peace, noting that Africa has benefited immensely from his tenure, even as the United Nations undergoes internal restructuring.
“We remain committed to multilateralism and to deepening our partnerships with the United Nations and other global institutions,” the vice president said.
Shettima also reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding call for comprehensive reform of the United Nations system to reflect evolving global realities.
He emphasised that Africa must have stronger representation in global decision-making structures and declared that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation, with Guterres reaffirming the UN’s support for Nigeria’s reform agenda and its growing leadership role in advancing peace, security, and development across Africa.