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RSG Disbands Vigilante Groups
Rivers State Government has disbanded all vigilante groups in the state; this follows the report by the Amnesty Committee yesterday in Port Harcourt.
The State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike who announced the decision after receiving the Amnesty Committee report also said only those vigilante group that have been profiled,screened and approved would be allowed to operate. with the window of amnesty closed assured that war on criminal groups and cultists would be intensified.
Chief Wike who thanked the committee and security agencies for their hardwork and dedication said the state government would swing into action immediately to make sure all the recommendations were implemented.
With the success of the programme, the governor opined that, “We have not totally eliminated crime but this reduced it drastically. I give God the glory and thanks.”
He condemned the opposition which had earlier criticized the programme warning against politicizing crime, as he urged them to support government’s quest to rid the state of criminality, ‘ we have to work together to fight crime, because we don’t know who will be the victim tomorrow.”
Wike also called on the state government to consolidate on the success recorded by the state government amnesty programme saying, ‘ if there is crisis in Rivers State there is a problem in Nigeria.”
On those who embraced the grace given by government, Wike assured them of support and rehabilitation and that government would protect them and assist them to lead better lives.
Earlier, Chairman of the State Amnesty Committee, Kenneth Chinda said the programme was a huge success considering the huge arms recovered with 22,430 cultists embracing the exercise.
A break down of the programme indicate that among the cult groups that embraced amnesty Degbam had the highest figure of 4,329, followed by Icelanders with 6,985 members. Greenlanders had 948, Dewell 665, others 4,539.
A total of 911 assaulted arms were recovered, with 147 explosives and 7,661 assaulting ammunition.
Other arms recovered are sic general purpose machines guns, seven AK 47 rifles, 44 pump action, 1 fm rifle and 5 pistols among others.
Chinda explained that the success of the programme was a result intelligence and direct communication with leaders of the cult groups and physical reach out to those concerned.
He disclosed that cult groups exist in all the 23 local government areas, and that many that snowballed into sinister groups were mostly recruited as vigilante and community security forces.
The State Amnesty boss also blamed communal, chieftaincy, economic, and ‘sheer criminality’ as reasons for the swelling violence and cultism recorded in the state in recent times.
Chinda while admitting that the exercise has brought peace, business and investment back state called on government not to rest but to train and rehabilitate the groups.
He announed that three venues at Leadership and Citizenship Centre atAluu, The Adolescent Training Camp at Iriebe and the Orientation Camp at Etche have been selected as re-orientation camps and training for those who embraced the programme.
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.