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CLO Condemns Police’s Illegal Detention, Torture Of Jeff Ikechi
The South-South Zone of the Civil Liberties Organization (CLO) has condemned, in very strong terms, the arbitrary arrest, humiliation, brutality, torture, and illegal detention without trial of citizen, Jeff Ikechi, by police operatives attached to the Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID), Abuja, allegedly at the orders of one Mr Dandyson Onuah of Ubima in Ikwerri Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The regional body of CLO accused the police of callousness, impunity and lawlessness, saying that the matter under which the arrest was effected was purely a civil case, and his brazen detention for days without trial a tacit violation of Ikechi’s fundamental rights.
A petition signed by the South-South Zonal Chairman of CLO, Kal Chinedu Uchegbu and the Zonal Director, Obodoekwe Steven, and addressed to the Inspector General of Police, the DIG, Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (FCIID), Abuja, Anthony Ogbizi; and AIG Force CIID, Abuja, Murtala Usman; reads, “The attention of the South-South Zone of the Civil Liberties Organization (CLO) has been drawn to an arbitrary arrest, humiliation, police brutality, torture, illegal detention without trial of citizen, Jeff Ikechi, by police men from the Federal Criminal Investigations Department (FCID), Abuja, allegedly executed under the direction of one Mr Dandyson Onuah of Ubima, Ikwerri Local Government Area of Rivers State.
“Ikechi, a legal practitioner, who also hails from Ubima, was arrested in Gestapo-style in Port Harcourt on Monday, February 17, 2020 by policemen from FCID, Abuja.
“He was whisked away to Abuja from Port Harcourt same day and has since then remained incommunicado in police detention.
“We fear that he may be subjected to cruel and sub-human treatments as he is denied access to his family members, lawyers and others.
“We are also worried for his safety as the said Mr Dandyson was said to have boasted that Ikechi Jeff will either back out from his position as the community liaison officer, CLO/family representative of All Grace Energy Limited/Western Ord Oil and Gas Limited, an oil servicing joint venture operating in their community or be killed.
“He is said to be subjected to torture, cruel and inhuman treatment by the police in a desperate bid to force him to relinquish the position of CLO/family representative of the aforementioned All Grace Energy Limited/Western Ord Oil and Gas Limited, a position assigned to him by his community.
“The officers who partook in the illegal arrest include Mr Joseph with phone number, 07031288107 and Mr Emmanuel with phone number, 07068777115
“According to information at the disposal of this organization, the said Dandyson Onuah was said to have resorted to the use of policemen to hunt, terrorize and torment Jeff for daring to accept to serve as the CLO/community representative of the company, a position given to him by his community when Dandyson was removed by the family as a result of alleged corruption and embezzlement.
“Jeff was first arrested on September 11 and detained at Ubima Police Division on a trumped up charge of cultism. He was moved to the notorious SARS at Rukpokwu on September 12 and to SCID on September 13, 2019. He was later released on the orders of the Deputy Commissioner of Police when it was found out that he was wrongly accused.
“It was also gathered that after his release, Policemen from Abuja stormed Port Harcourt and whisked him away to Abuja on trumped up charge of forging the signatures of his family members who sent a letter to the company removing Dandyson as the CLO.
Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
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.
News
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.