News
Dekor Laments Killing Of Ahoada DPO
The Federal lawmaker representing Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Dumnamene Robinson has expressed pain and shock over the news of the devastating and barbaric killing of the Ahoada Divisional Police Officer (DPO), SP Bako Angbashim, who lost his life on line of duty over the weekend in the hands of a criminal gang in Ahoada-East Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Lamenting the loss of the gallant crime fighter who, before his recent deployment to Ahoada Division of the Nigeria Police early this year, was the Divisional Police Officer in Bori, Ogoni, Dekor said the death of Bako was not only a loss to the Nigeria Police, but a calamity to Rivers State and humanity in general.
He described late Bako as a rare species among his peers who saw crime fighting as a task and hobby to free mankind from the satanic tendencies of men of the underworld and undesirable elements in society, and accordingly, distinguished himself in his belief and professional duty.
It takes generations to produce men and officers of his kind anywhere in the world, the federal lawmaker noted.
The federal legislator, who is currently the House Committee Chairman of Host Communities in the House of Representatives, said the Ogonis, Khana and Gokana Local Government Areas in particular, have lost a beloved brother, and friend, noting that the relative peace and calm in Ogoniland today was sequel to Bako’s hard stance and fight against all manner of criminality in Ogoni land.
He regretted that the agents of darkness and their sponsors who are enemies of peace, order and general well-being of the people have at last succeeded in killing love, courage and the joy of the people.
Most regrettably, Dekor noted, was the manner and way these cursed and deranged elements butchered a man that had sacrificed his life on countless occasions to save even the lives of their relations from suffering the agonizing experience of a brutal, painful and slow death as he has.
Dekor sent his sympathies to the Nigeria Police Force, the immediate family of the fallen hero, the Rivers State Government and the Ogoni people, urging all to take solace in the fact that Bako was a man of honour and gave up without compromising his respect and regard for the sanctity of life which portrays him as a candidate of Heaven exemplified by the outpouring and immeasurable sympathies, lamentations and kind words on his dignified personality by his admirers and well-wishers across the country.
The Ogoni-born politician, and former Deputy Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly commended the step already taken by Governor Siminalayi Fubara in placing a bounty on the fleeing leader of the criminal gang in Ahoada-East Local Government Area, and also passionately appealed to the police and other security operatives to leave no stone unturned in ensuring that all the people involved in the dastardly act and conspiracy are arrested and brought to book so that it will serve an a deterrent to other conscienceless fools that may be plotting such evil in future.
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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