News
Wike Bemoans Poor Budgetary Provision For Security Agencies
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, says it is regrettable that adequate budgetary allocation for the security agencies in Nigeria has not been given top priority.
The governor made the observation when the Acting Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, paid a courtesy visit to him at Government House, Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.
Wike said most budgetary allocations were made for things that do not matter because issues and importance of security has not been taken seriously.
“We budget for things that don’t matter. This is because we have not taken security issues seriously. Security is not only about purchasing equipment, there is training of personnel and good intelligence.”
He stressed that when government strengthens the intelligence capability of the police and other state apparatus, most crimes can be nipped in the bud.
Wike reiterated that his administration is poised to continue to support the Nigeria Police and other security agencies that have been working tirelessly to secure lives and property in the state.
He explained that the support given to slain officers of the Nigeria Army, police and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps in the state was to boost their morale in the fight against crime and criminality.
The governor said he has consistently advised every commissioner of police posted to the state to dedicate their time to fight crime, kidnapping, and dissociate themselves from politics.
Wike also noted that one of the reasons why politicians fail to perform in office and detach themselves from the people was because security agencies help rig them into power against the will of the people.
“It is incumbent on us to support the security agencies, because if we don’t support our security men, we can’t govern without security.”
Speaking further, Wike declared that Rivers State would not be part of any secessionist agenda and would not be deterred by nefarious activities of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
According to him, “IPOB can pursue their aspiration elsewhere but leave Rivers State out of their activities”.
The governor also charged the acting IGP to make a difference, sanitise the police, fight criminality and create the required climate for the conduct of 2023 general election.
In his remarks, the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, said he was in the state for the launch of “Operation Restore Peace” in the South-South region of the country.
The IGP noted that lately, some groups, including the IPOB, had applied a rather brutish method in their agitations, and killed security personnel, which would not be tolerated anymore.
Baba thanked Wike for the financial donation to the families of slain police officers in the state and other levels of support that have strengthened the capacity of the state command of police to do its job.
The acting IGP, who was accompanied by the commissioners of police from Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, and Edo states, said if other state governors emulate Wike in providing logistic support for the police, the country would benefit immensely from better policing.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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