News
Street Trading: Task Force Tackles Hoodlums, Denies Bribery Claims
The Rivers State Task Force of Street Trading, Illegal Markets and Motor Parks has expressed readiness to tackles hoodlums and hawkers on the streets and roads of Port Harcourt, warning those attempting to resist the law to prepare to face the consequences of their actions.
The task force also dismissed claims in some quarters that its operatives where clamping down on newspaper vendors and collecting bribes from some to shield them from the heavy weight of the law, insisting that members of the task force would never collect bribe from anyone to shirk their responsibilities.
Speaking at a Radio Rivers Current Affairs live programme monitored by The Tide in Port Harcourt, last Saturday, the Special Assistance to the Governor of Rivers State on Task Force on Street Trading, Illegal Markets and Motor Parks, Bright Amaewhule, listed the challenges facing the team, and pledged the commitment of members of the task force to overcome them for the sole purpose of delivering on their mandate in the interest of the state.
Amaewhule, who is also the coordinator of state government task force, specifically explained that one of the initial challenges they had was the aggression and resistance from some racketeers and ad-hoc staff of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) who tried several times to frustrated their efforts as they tried to put an end to illegalities in the state.
He added that the team also had similar challenge at Bori Camp Bus Stop on Aba Road in Port Harcourt, where some hoodlums claiming to be street traders, attacked operatives of the task force, damaged their vehicles with weapons, and then ran into Bori Camp.
The task force chairman noted that with the assistance of security operatives, the team was able to overpower the hoodlums, and apprehended most of them.
Amaewhule said that most of those arrested by the task force for violating the law on street trading, illegal markets and motor parks have been handed over to the mobile courts for prosecution and possible sanctions in line with the extant provisions of the law.
He also dismissed claims by some newspaper vendors that men of task force harassed and collected some bribes to enable them operate.
While debunking the allegation, Amaewhule said that “naturally, in our society today, people would want to frustrate or castigate any good development coming from the government that will promote the interest of the state and positively affect its residents”, adding that the “operatives of the task force will never extort money from anyone in line with the directive of the governor”.
Meanwhile, the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, yesterday, held a meeting with operatives of the task force to address some of the challenges facing them while accessing the progress so far made.
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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