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Fish Out EFCC’s Killers, RSG Tasks IGP, Security Agencies
The Rivers State Government has called on the Inspector General of Police, Department of State Services and other security agencies to fish out the killers of Ahoada West Local Government Legislative Assembly, Hon Ekele Fyneface Cohen Chikobi, popularly called EFCC Chiko in the social media.
EFCC Chiko, a social media influencer, was killed, last Thursday, around Rumuji along East-West Road when unknown gunmen opened fire on the convoy of the PDP House of Assembly Candidate, Hon Wanaka Augustine Okpokiri, killing EFCC Chiko and abducting some others in their convoy as they were returning to Port Harcourt.
In the last two weeks, drivers of two popular motor companies were attacked at around the same spot by the same gunmen, who killed one while the other escaped with severe gunshot injuries, just as the hoodlums kidnapped some of their passengers.
It was learnt that these incidents were only a tip of the iceberg in the last one month, as several private and commercial motorists and travellers have faced traumatic experiences, with some killed, some kidnapped while others escaped with gunshot wounds.
The state government concern was contained in a statement issued by the Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Barrister Emma Okah, in Port Harcourt, last Friday.
“Time has come for the Government and people of Rivers State to ask more questions as to the security of lives and property in our state and the role and effectiveness of security agencies”, Okah said, noting that the death of EFCC Chiko after a campaign rally in his LGA was unacceptable.
Despite threats of violence against PDP members and other innocent people in Rivers people, the state government has continued to find ways to end this quagmire by supporting security agencies but enemies of progress would not agree.
“Recall that the establishment of the Rivers State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency was a direct response to these challenges but some prominent Rivers sons instigated the Nigeria Army to shut down the recruitment process for their selfish political ends”, Okah said, adding that violent crimes like the death of EFCC Chiko would have been averted if the agency had commenced operations.
“Rivers State Government considers this death and the others like it, a direct affront to the security agencies and Rivers people demand that they rise to the occasion if they want us to believe their strength and impartiality.
“On our part, we shall continue to do everything within our powers as government to get the perpetrators of this crime to book in no distant time”, the statement added.
“As a government, we call on the Inspector General of Police not to go the way of his predecessor who politicised Rivers State security and didn’t consider the lives and property of Rivers people a priority despite repeated demands. He must show his presence in the arena.
“Hon. Ekele Fyneface Cohen Chikobi (EFCC Chiko) must not die in vain,” Okah stressed.
However, the government commiserated with the wife and family of the deceased, and prayed God to comfort them at this time of anguish, assuring that the state will stand with them at this time.
Earlier, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike had stated that the state government would ensure that the killers of Ekele Fyneface Cohen Chikobi (EFCC) were brought to justice.
Speaking at a meeting with Community Development Committees in Port Harcourt, last Friday, Wike said the state government would ensure all those involved in the dastardly act are tracked down by security operatives.
Wike said he received news of the murder of EFCC, the legislative leader of Ahoada West Local Government Area, with shock, noting that he was unsettled by the sad news.
Meanwhile, D-Source Connect has condemned the murder of the founding member of the group.
“EFCC Chico as he is fondly called, until his sudden and untimely demise was a committed and founding member of D-Source Connect Group whose sense of humour and leadership style we cannot forget in such a hurry.
“We, as a group condemn the gruesome murder of our brother and friend, and call on the Federal Government, especially the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Abubakar Adamu and all the security chiefs to fish out everyone involved in this dastardly act that took the life of this young man at his prime, at a time his family, friends and Rivers people need him most.
“While we condole with the family of EFCC Chico and pray that God grants them the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss, we pray that God almighty will grant him eternal rest”, the group added.
Nigerians were among more than 140 residents injured after Iran launched multiple ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles at the United Arab Emirates, at the weekend.
This raised fresh fears for thousands of Nigerians living and working in the Gulf nation.
The UAE Ministry of Defence disclosed last Saturday that its air defence systems intercepted several missiles and drones fired from Iran, describing the attack as a major escalation in the ongoing regional tensions.
In a statement posted on its official X handle, the ministry said its air defence units engaged nine ballistic missiles and 33 drones during the latest assault on March 14.
It added that the attacks left six people dead and 141 others injured, including foreign nationals.
“The UAE air defence systems on March 14 engaged nine ballistic missiles and 33 UAVs launched from Iran,” the ministry stated.
“Since the onset of this blatant Iranian aggression, UAE air defences have engaged 294 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,600 UAVs launched from Iran,” UAE added.
According to the ministry, those killed in the attacks included citizens of the UAE as well as foreign nationals from Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh.
“Although the authorities did not specify the exact locations where the casualties occurred, the ministry said the injured victims were from several countries, including Nigeria.
Others affected include residents from Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Iran, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
The list also included Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Comoros, Türkiye, Iraq, Nepal, Oman, Jordan, Palestine, Ghana, Indonesia and Sweden.
The Tide reports that this development has sparked concern among Nigerian communities in the UAE, where thousands of citizens live and work in sectors such as construction, hospitality, logistics and trade.
Data from Nigeria’s diaspora commission shows that the UAE remains one of the largest destinations for Nigerian migrants in the Middle East, particularly in the emirates of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
The Nigerian government had in recent years raised concerns over the safety and welfare of its citizens in the country following diplomatic tensions and visa restrictions affecting Nigerians.
Saturday’s attacks have now heightened anxieties within the diaspora community, especially as the Gulf region faces growing military confrontations.
In its statement, the UAE Ministry of Defence said the country remained fully prepared to confront any threats to its security.
“The Ministry of Defence remains fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats and will firmly confront any attempts to undermine state security in a manner that ensures the protection of its sovereignty, security and stability, and safeguards its national interests and capabilities,” the ministry said.
In a separate update, the ministry noted that its defence systems were still actively intercepting missiles and drones.
“UAE air defences are dealing with Iranian ballistic and cruise missiles and drones,” it said.
Regional media reports indicate that the attacks form part of a wider escalation of hostilities between Iran and Western-backed forces in the Middle East.
According to Al Jazeera, Iran has continued sustained missile and drone strikes across the Gulf despite protests from neighbouring states.
The strikes were said to be in retaliation for military operations launched by the United States and Israel against Iranian positions in the region.
Tehran targeted several Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE, late on Friday and into Saturday.
The attacks also caused infrastructural damage in parts of the UAE.
Meanwhile, Iran’s elite military wing, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, warned that US interests in the UAE would remain legitimate targets.
Iranian state media reported that the group issued the warning after US forces attacked Iranian-controlled islands.
The IRGC specifically mentioned ports, docks and military installations linked to the United States as potential targets.
It also urged residents in the UAE to evacuate areas around ports and military facilities to avoid civilian casualties.
Security analysts say the growing exchange of threats and strike across the Gulf could destabilise the region’s economic and aviation activities if the conflict escalates further.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has yet to issue an official statement on the incident as of the time of filing this report.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the five new commissioners sworn-in last Wednesday to put in their best for the development of the State.
Fubara gave the charge during the swearing-in of the commissioners at the Executive Council Chambers of the Government House, Port Harcourt, last Wednesday.
This followed the successful screening of the five commissioners by the Rivers State House of Assembly, last Tuesday.
The five commissioners are Tonye Bellgam, Prof. Temple Nwofor, Dr. Peters Nwagor, Mr. Lekue Kenneth, and Sir Amairigha Edward Hart.
The Tide reports that the governor had sent nine commissioner-nominees to the Assembly for screening, but the Assembly confirmed only five nominees and rejected the nomination of four over various allegations.
Those rejected by the Assembly are Prof. Dantonye Alasia, Mrs. Charity Demua, Mr. Tamuno Williams, and Otonye Amachree.
The governor congratulated the new commissioners on their appointment, noting that their thorough screening by the Rivers State House of Assembly was a proof of their capabilities.
He urged them to deploy their wealth of experience in various fields and put the State on a fast lane of development.
“Ordinarily, I am supposed to charge you on your responsibilities and how to operate. But that has been taken care of by the screening at the Assembly.
“I believe that going through one of the most rigorous screenings, it is enough to say that for those of you who succeeded, you are fit and ready to deliver to our dear State.
“So there is no further charge. The screening was the charge, so I wish you the best as I don’t expect anything less than the best from you,” Fubara said.
The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on crude oil theft and illegal bunkering, destroying a reactivated illegal refinery site in Rivers State and intercepting suspected stolen petroleum products in Calabar, Cross River State.
The Director of Naval Information, Capt Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed this in a statement released in Abuja, yesterday.
Folorunsho said personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship SOROH, operating under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, destroyed a reactivated illegal refinery site at Okolomade Community in Abua-Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State.
He said the action followed credible intelligence that a previously dismantled illegal refining site had resumed operations.
According to him, an Anti–Crude Oil Theft team deployed to the location discovered that the dismantled refining oven had been reconstructed.
“Further exploitation of the area led to the discovery of additional refining equipment and storage facilities containing about 3,000 litres of product suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO),” he said.
Folorunsho added that the illegal refining infrastructure, including ovens, storage tanks, hoses, connected pipes and newly acquired metal components used for illegal refining, was destroyed in line with operational procedures.
He said personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship Victory, in another operation, intercepted about 3,950 litres of suspected stolen petroleum products at the Nigerian Ports Authority area in Calabar, Cross River State.
He said the interception was based on credible intelligence on suspected siphoning of petroleum products from vessels berthed at the port.
The naval patrol team, according to him, swiftly deployed to the area and traced the illegally siphoned products to a trailer park within the port facility.
“On sighting the naval patrol team, the suspected perpetrators fled the scene, after which the area was cordoned off and the illegally siphoned products secured,” he said.
Folorunsho said further inspection led to the recovery of about 3,950 litres of Automotive Gas Oil stored in drums and jerrycans, which had been evacuated to the naval base for further necessary action in line with extant regulations.
He noted that the successes aligned with the directive of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, to intensify operations against crude oil theft and other maritime crimes across Nigeria’s maritime domain.
Folorunsho reiterated the Navy’s commitment to sustaining the operational tempo of Operation DELTA SENTINEL through intensified surveillance, patrols and intelligence-driven operations aimed at combating crude oil theft, illegal bunkering and other forms of economic sabotage.