News
Rivers Community Demands N241m Compensation From Police Over Invasion
The people of Okujagu Community in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State is demanding the payment of N241million from the Nigerian police authorities as compensation for the alleged invasion, destruction of buildings and killing of two indigenes of the community by the operatives of the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in 2016.
The Chairman of Okujagu Community Development Committee (CDC), Mr Dabo-Opuye Owubiobari, made the demand on behalf of the people when he appeared at the resumed sitting of the state Commission of Inquiry into the alleged Acts of Violence, Torture, Brutality, Murder and Violation of the Fundamental Rights of Citizens committed by officers, men and operatives of the Nigerian police in the state, last Wednesday in Port Harcourt.
Owubiobari said that out of the said amount demanded, N100million would be for the compensation for the alleged killing of Miss Faithful Daniel, N100million for the death of ThankGod Dickson, N20million for the rebuilding of the destroyed community, N20million for the education fund for the surviving daughter of late ThankGod Dickson, and N1.058million for the rebuilding of a boat allegedly destroyed by the rampaging SARS operatives during the invasion.
He told the panel that on the midnight of May 26, 2016, they woke up to see that fierce-looking armed men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad had invaded their community, and started shooting sporadically and going from one house to another in search of people, adding that in the process, they killed Mr ThankGod Dickson and Miss Faithful Daniel.
According to him, while the security officials were searching people’s ‘houses, he ran to take cover at the waterside’, adding that it was at that point that he watched the SARS operatives hitting at the late ThankGod as he could not run because he just returned from surgery, which impeded his ability to run away like others.
He disclosed that the police officers later broke into the one-storey building where the late ThankGod was and threw him from there to the ground.
“I went to the other side of the waterside to check the whereabouts of my siblings, and I heard ThankGod screaming and shouting from the one-storey building, ‘please, leave me alone, I’m just coming back from appendices operation. I’m not well. I’m dead”.
Owubiobari urged the commission to prevail on the police to release the corpse of the late Miss Faithful Daniel so that she can be buried, adding that the father died from the shock of her demise.
“Her father died from the shock of the demise of the girl. They should bring girl’s body so that she can be buried”.
He further alleged that it was their neighbouring community, Okuru that invited the SARS personnel to the community, and wondered why just mere land dispute would make their neighbours to invite the police to unleash such magnitude of attacks on Okujagu community.
“The debris of the buildings destroyed by the SARS are littered across the community that anybody can see. The first contingent, after unleashing mayhem left, and another came from the Okuru axis and were molesting the women”, he stated.
Earlier, the Chairman of the commission, Justice Chukwunoye Uriri (rtd), after listening to both parties, adjourned the matter for conference.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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