Connect with us

News

Privatisation Of Security Apparatus

Published

on

Without mincing words or shying away from the truth, there is a palpable fear in many quarters that the nation’s security apparatus as currently constituted has been designed to serve some private agenda. Obviously, every nation is concerned about its security and interests, but it is also common that some private sectional interests can feature as serving national interests. In their book titled, National Security and the American Society, Trager and Simonie defined national security as “the part of government policy having as its objective the creation of national and international conditions favourable to the protection and extension of vital national values against existing or potential adversaries”. We value what gives purpose to life!
What are the “vital national values” of Nigeria that must be protected and extended against any “existing or potential adversaries”? Values, personal or national, derive from ideological orientations, rooted in religion and culture, whose survival qualities fire and sustain national patriotism. As a developing nation, Nigeria is still trying to evolve sustainable national values serving as common impetus towards nationhood and patriotism. At best, what predominates at the moment is rooted in economic and political interests which vary according to nebulous considerations potentate need of an average Nigerian now is “stomach infrastructure”.
The Tide newspaper of Friday, June 7, 2019, had a front-page headline: “Insecurity: Danjuma, Lekwot, Others Drag Buhari to U.K. Parliament”. The issue at stake has to do with the spread of Sharia law across a secular state. References were made to “pursuing a jihad or Islamisation agenda”, Boko Haram and armed Fulani herdsmen and possible suspicion of a conspiracy, etc.
In the same newspaper of Monday, December 30, 2019, there was the following headline: “Insecurity: Reorganise Security Chiefs, NCEF Challenges Buhari”. The National Christian Elders Forum (NCEF) reminded President Muhammadu Buhari to stand by his words that the Islamic terrorists are godless, callous gangs of mass murderers by reorganising the National Security Units, to comply with the Federal Character Principle in Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution. This would mean that the security apparatus is one-sided, not reflecting the Federal Character Principle.
Like similar complaints before now, there were references to “excessive Pro-Islamic direction of this government since 2015”, and a recycling of “repentant terrorists into the Nigerian Army.” We were also told that “presently, Nigeria is divided under its conflict of ideologies which produced ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS” i.e conflict between DEMOCRACY AND SHARID Ideologies. The fear is that the terrorists are emboldened and driven by Sharia ideology.
No honest person would dismiss the suspicion that there are subtle moves to introduce Sharia law into the legal system of a secular, democratic Nigeria. Therefore, the antics of Boko Haram terrorists, armed herdsmen and the Islamic of State West Africa Province (ISWAP) are the harbingers of the shape of things to come. Obviously, there would be spirited denials of any encouragement of the activities of a “remorseless, godless, callous gangs of terrorists that have given Islam a bad name through their atrocities.” Some say the terrorists are not Muslims!
Can any honest person deny the NCEF observation that “the National Security Units that are solely in control are Muslims from the North of Nigeria”? the National Christian Elders Forum also noted that “President Buhari should be held responsible for the audacity, expansion and unbridled atrocities of ISWAP, Boko Haram and Fulani herdsmen in Nigeria.” Under these aforementioned observations and circumstances, would anyone dismiss the fact that there is a privatisation of the security apparatus of the Nigerian nation?
Is it not possible that there are subtle efforts to raise or install Islamic ideology as embodied in Sharia Law as the “Vital national values” of the Nigerian nation? Taking “National security” as defined by Trager and Simonie, is it not possible that the one Sidedness of the nation’s security apparatus is a deliberate ploy to actualize some private agenda under the umbrella of national interest?
If Nigeria must put together, embrace or adopt some “vital national values”, then, must such project not follow due process, according to law? Same way that Nigeria was made to become a member of the Organisation of Islamix Conference (OIC) without a national debate and agreement is the same way Sharia Law is being introduced. It was with the same strategy, under limitary fiat, that Decree No. 51 of 1969, on oil and gas, was made as serving national interest, at the expense of a section of Nigerians. Does democracy operate that way?
It is a pity that whenever there is an effort to have a genuine national dialogue for the purpose of resolving contentious national issues, some people make deliberate efforts to sabotage or turn such a project into travesty. The result is that agitations are suppressed via the instrumentality of security apparatus and a state of anomie allowed to linger. The task of nation building demands a template designed to foster justice as the basis for unity, freedom and peaceful coexistence.
Professor Omo Omoruyi pointed out long ago that the nation’s military and security apparatus are skewed in favour of the Muslim North. Have the calls for a revisitation of the lop-sided arrangement not been persistent enough to warrant some realistic and courageous change? The use of security personnel for protection of private business empires has implications. Is it not corruption to use public resources for private interests?

Continue Reading

News

Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf

Published

on

Two Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in Rivers State have been honoured by separate groups for their contributions to security, crime prevention and improved community-police relations in their respective areas of responsibility.

The beneficiaries are the DPO of Afam Police Division, CSP  Endurance Worgu and his counterpart at Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf.

CSP Worgu was honoured by a group of students under the aegis of Rivers State Graduate Students Associations for what they described as his commitment and outstanding performance in the discharge of his duties.

The students, led by  Chidi John Enyie, Esq. said CSP Worgu was selected based on his track record and status as one of the longest-serving young DPOs of Rivers State origin.

According to the group, CSP Worgu has made significant contributions to the protection of lives and property in the area since assuming office following the #EndSARS period.

The students said they were particularly impressed by the improvement in community-police relations under his leadership, noting that professionalism had remained a key feature of his service.

Enyie represented by Comrade Briggs Soku, said the students community was pleased to identify with a Rivers indigene who had distinguished himself in the police force.

He said the students considered it necessary to encourage and celebrate CSP Worgu because of his achievements as a young Rivers man excelling in a profession that many people from the state were often reluctant to join.

Receiving the award at his office in Afam, CSP Worgu expressed gratitude to God and the students for finding him worthy of the honour.

The DPO said the recognition had boosted his morale and encouraged him to sustain his efforts towards maintaining peace and security in the area.

He said he least expected the honour, particularly because it came from the students, adding that the recognition would further motivate him to serve the people better.

CSP Worgu assured residents of Afam that the police would sustain the existing peace in the area.

He appealed to members of the public to support the police by providing credible and timely information, stressing that useful information from residents would make the job of security personnel easier.

Meanwhile, the Ikwerre/Etche Media Association has also honoured the DPO of Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf, for his efforts in tackling criminal activities in the area.

The media group presented the award following the swift tracking and arrest of five suspected kidnappers who had allegedly terrorised residents of the Kom-Kom axis and other parts of Oyigbo.

The group commended CSP Bello for what it described as his determined efforts to restore confidence and security in the affected communities, particularly Kom-Kom and Obeama.

According to the group, the arrest of the suspects demonstrated the DPO’s commitment to tackling criminality and safeguarding residents.

The media association said residents had received the development with relief, noting that the police action had sent a strong message to criminal elements operating in the area.

Responding, CSP Yusuf appreciated the group for the recognition and reaffirmed that there would be no room for criminality in Oyigbo.

He also commended the media for its role in disseminating credible information to the public, saying the media had remained supportive of the police in the fight against crime.

CSP Yusuf warned criminal elements operating in Oyigbo to leave the area or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.

He assured residents that the police would continue to pursue criminals and work to dismantle their hideouts, regardless of where they might be operating.

Continue Reading

News

College Of Bishops Endorses Tinubu, APC Candidates  For 2027 Polls

Published

on

The 5000 Achievers Christian Forum and Colleges of Bishops, Archbishops and Apostles, a Christian interdenominational organisation, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State for the 2027 general elections.

International President of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, disclosed this during the ordination and consecration of three new Bishops, as well as an award ceremony held in Port Harcourt.

Aroh said the performance of the APC-led Federal Government had endeared the party to the organisation, prompting the forum to declare its support for President Tinubu and other APC candidates in Rivers State.

He said the forum would support all APC candidates in the state during the 2027 elections and urged Nigerians to vote for the party.

Aroh, who is also the General Overseer of Caring Peoples Church, Port Harcourt, charged the newly consecrated Bishops to see their new positions as a great responsibility and dedicate themselves to the advancement of the kingdom of God.

He cautioned them against conduct capable of bringing their offices into disrepute, stressing that their activities would be closely watched by members of the public.

“As Bishops, the eyes of the public are on your activities. You must therefore conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of your calling,” he said.

Also speaking, the International Coordinator of the forum, Bishop Saint Robinson, urged the newly consecrated Bishops to work diligently towards winning souls for the kingdom of God.

Robinson, who was the guest speaker at the event, stressed that the activities of Bishops must at all times be guided by godly principles.

He also called on members of the church to support and cooperate with the newly consecrated Bishops in the discharge of their responsibilities.

The Secretary of the College, Apostle Elizabeth Ayadi Abaye, said the organisation was established to advance the kingdom of God and promote spiritual development.

According to her, the forum has organised several crusades, conferences, prayer meetings, ordinations, consecrations, enthronements, empowerment programmes and other spiritual development activities across the country as part of efforts to win souls for Christ.

Abaye said the organisation has members across the world and disclosed that more programmes had been scheduled to promote the spiritual development and wellbeing of humanity.

The three Bishops consecrated at the ceremony were Prince Alban Chike, Testimony Omenihu Shedrach and Prince Ifemena.

Among those honoured at the event were the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Abali Community, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Manuchimso Prince Lemmy Wopara, and Clifford Oko Jaja, Coordinator of the 5,000 House-to-House for President Tinubu.

By: John Bibor

Continue Reading

News

Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Others For Armed Robbery, Kidnapping

Published

on

The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 49-year-old suspected fake soldier, Andrew Atausi, and several other suspects in connection with various criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, one-chance robbery and the alleged murder of police officers.

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, recently during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters, where he said the arrests formed part of the operational achievements recorded by the Command between June and August 2026.

Adepoju said Atausi was arrested on August 10 by police operatives along Ada George, Port Harcourt, while dressed in military uniform and driving a Toyota Hilux painted in Army colours.

The Commissioner said investigation revealed that Atausi was not a member of the Armed Forces, adding that he was suspected to be a serial car snatcher, with three suspected stolen vehicles recovered from him.

He said the recovered vehicles included three Toyota Hilux vehicles without registration numbers and a Toyota Corona Premio with registration number BNY 380 ES, noting that the chassis and engine numbers of the vehicles had allegedly been tampered with.

Adepoju added that an axe and military accoutrements were also recovered from Atausi, as investigation continued into the circumstances surrounding the vehicles and other items recovered from him.

On the June 29 attack on police officers at Aluu Division, the Commissioner said three members of the gang allegedly responsible for the incident had been arrested by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU-AKU.

The suspects, identified as Maduabuchi Emeka, 34, alleged gang leader; Doctor Chinedu Owhor, 42, and Kamachi Joe, 28, alleged armourer, reportedly led operatives to their hideout at Omagwa where two AK-47 rifles stolen during the attack were recovered.

Adepoju recalled that two police officers were killed during the Aluu attack, while others were wounded and one officer had his leg amputated, stressing that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fourth suspect.

On kidnapping, the Commissioner said five members of a suspected kidnapping syndicate were arrested in Oyigbo Local Government Area, adding that they allegedly confessed to operations in Kom-Kom, Railway, Obeama and Afam communities.

He said two other suspects from the same network, Anele Ogbogu, 35, alleged to be the gang’s armourer, and Kenneth Eke, 38, were arrested on July 27, with one AK-47 rifle and one SMG rifle recovered.

The Commissioner further disclosed the arrest of suspects in connection with alleged firearm offences, armed robbery, cultism and one-chance robbery, with firearms, ammunition and other exhibits recovered during the operations.

Adepoju assured residents that the Command would sustain intelligence-led, proactive and community-oriented policing in collaboration with other security agencies, while urging members of the public to continue providing credible information that would assist the police in combating crime across Rivers State.

By; King Onunwor

Continue Reading

Trending