News
Escapee Ritualist: CSOs Give Police 7-Day Ultimatum
A Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Rivers State has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the state Police Command to arrest the escapee rapist and ritualist, Mr. Ifeanyichukwu Maxwell Dike and all police officers who allegedly aided his escape.
The group, which said this at a media briefing in Port Harcourt, yesterday, also called for a full-scale police protection for the victim’s family and witnesses.
The text for the briefing, which was read by the state Chairperson, Federation of International Women Lawyers (FIDA), Mrs. Anthonia Osademe called for the direct involvement of the Inspector General of Police (IG) in the matter.
The coalition regretted that two weeks after the incident, the whereabouts of the principal culprit, Ifeanyi Dike is yet unknown.
“This is more than two weeks after the untimely death of Miss Chikamso Victory and the culprit is still out there without any trace.
“We demand that more proactive measures should be adopted for the search of Mr. Ifeanyichukwu Maxwell Dike to ensure that late Miss Chikamso Victory and other unknown victims of the ritualist get justice.
“We demand an immediate re-arrest of the said Ifeanyi Dike and apprehension of every other police officer involved in this act within seven days.
“We demand quick action by the police authorities to redress the awkward attitude of some police officers in Rivers State who dump national interest for their selfish interest in such unprofessional manner”, it said.
It also called on the police commissioner to create functional and specialised children police protection in all the Divisional Police Stations in the state.
Meanwhile, the mother of late Miss Chikamso Victory Ernest Mezuwubu has accused the police of shielding officers involved in the escape of Ifeanyichukwu Dike.
Mezuwubu told The Tide in an interview that the family was not satisfied with the way and manner the police were handling the matter.
In a related development, the management of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) has confirmed that the principal suspect, Ifeanyichukwu Dike, who escaped police custody recently, is actually a student of the university.
The university had earlier said that it would verify the status of the alleged rapist, who allegedly killed his niece, an eight-year old girl for ritual purposes.
A statement signed by the Deputy Registrar of UNIPORT, Dr. Williams Wodi, last Wednesday, said the suspected ritualist, Ifeanyichukwu Dike enrolled into the Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences in the 2015/2016 academic session after meeting the statutory requirements for admission into the university.
Wodi also appealed to the public and the social media to desist from denigrating UNIPORT following the murder incident, adding that the school authorities were working with the security agencies to ensure the re-arrest of the suspected ritualist.
Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
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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