City Crime

Security Challenges And Achievements In Rivers

Published

4 years ago

January 27, 2021

The importance of security cannot be over-emphasised. It is the bedrock of sustainable development in every country. More so, it is the foundation on which economic growth strives as such promotes and beefs up the confidence reposed in the leaders entrusted with the governance. Although achieving absolute security is desirable, it is not probable. Society devoid of peace is bound to collapse.
Attaining high level of security comes with a lot of sacrifice and commitment from both the leaders and the led.
In Rivers State, Governor Nyesom Wike‘s administration has intensified its efforts to ensure the security of inhabitants and caused the prevalence of the much needed peace through a deliberate and concerted effort. This was done through massive support to security operatives in the state.
There is no gainsaying of the fact the state occupies a strategic position in economic and political sectors of the country; that is why all hands must be on deck to complement government’s efforts. Consequently, government’s effort to ensure a conducive environment for inhabitants of the state is underscored by both financial and logistic support given to the security agencies.
Apart from providing the aforementioned support for the security operatives, the state government has also provided for families of security operatives, who had lost their lives in active service, while enforcing and maintaining peace.
Despite all odds, security operatives in the state recorded major achievements in 2020; they carried out aggressive onslaught against criminal gangs by taking the war to their hideouts in every nook and cranny before the novel COVID-19 pandemic shut down the country.
Interestingly, the pandemic did not deter the security agencies, especially the Rivers State command of the Nigerian police, from carrying out its statutory responsibilities as they were available to enforce the state-imposed lockdown and other COVID-19 rules.
In the month of July precisely, the state government launched a joint security outfit codenamed “Operation Sting,” to address the issue of violent crimes such as: kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and sea piracy, among others.
The state government supported the outfit through the provision of patrol vans, gunboats and sophisticated weapons. In spite of the frequent changes in the leadership of the state police command, the security outfit lived up to expectation and maintained law and order.
The incumbent Commissioner of Police, Mr Joseph Mukan, assumed office as the 40th Commissioner of Police in Rivers State on April, 2020, swung into action, and ensured that there was peace. Most importantly, CP Mukan has reduced crime to the barest minimum.
The nightmarish cultism and kidnapping have almost been consigned to the rubbish heap of history because of the onslaught against criminals spearheaded by the state police under Mukan, thereby ushering in a new lease of life for Rivers inhabitants.
Again, the ferocity of sea piracy has ebbed with the tide. Many hoodlums have abandoned the twin crime of kidnapping and cultism leaving in its wake a friendlier environment, courtesy of the commitment of the CP.
Under Mukan, the Rivers State Police Command achieved a major feat in 2020, when the notorious cultist Honest Digbara (aka Bob Risky) was killed. Digbara had killed many and committed a plethora of heinous crimes along the Ogoni axis of the state. consequently at his death, residents in the area heaved a sigh of relief.
CP Mukan is elated about the achievement so far recorded by his command.
“On assumption of duty as the 40th Commissioner of Police in April, last year, I met some challenging situations on ground. But with the benefit of hindsight, I re-strategised and repositioned my men, with a strong charge to embark on aggressive intelligence- driven policing with a view to gathering actionable information, which ultimately led to dislodgment of criminals. A case in point being the arrest of the most dreaded gang leader, Honest Digbara(Aka Bob Risky) who was declared wanted by the state government with a bounty of N30,000, 000. He was eventually arrested and the bounty redeemed,” he said.
“Not resting on the oars of that achievement, I continued with my sustained onslaught against all criminal elements in the state. To this end I can proudly tell you between April and now, I have been able to arrest and prosecute a good number of suspected kidnappers, armed robbers, rescued kidnap victims and recovered large cache of arms/ammunition, among other achievements.
As you can see, we are again in another period, characterised by upsurge in criminal activities. The command is not oblivious of the fact that, this is the period where criminals take advantage to unleash havoc on unsuspecting persons. In the view of the above, therefore, we have put in place elaborate and workable security measures that will contain the curtail these nefarious activities.”
The police deployed its personnel in to strategic locations in the state, in line with visibility policing strategy and ensured that critical government infrastructure, vulnerable and key points are given special attention, including worship and fun centres.
“Our strategy has also captured the coastal to ensure that, those travelling to riverine communities are safe. The Marine police, the mobile police and the tactical units have been put on red alert to ensure a seamless celebration, including the undercover operations,” he stated
The police with other security agencies were able to curtail the excesses of members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who were on rampage in some parts of the state within the year under view
Caches of weapons and ammunition were rescued, while over 20 kidnapped victims were also released from their captors.
The Oyigbo, Umuebula and Afam Divisional Areas in the command, were burnt and looted and remain at a gory state till the moment.
Again, the police in its avowed affront on criminals in the state confiscated one radio transmission set belonging to Biafra Radio, large quantities of IPOB T-shirts and face caps
A calendar bearing the photograph of Nnamdi Kanu, one Television set, customised machetes, bearing members’ names
Substances used in worship of their god, ezumezu amadioha juju.
Again another cheering story of the year 2020 was the arrest of one Godspower Saturday, male, aged 23 years and David Simeon, suspected kidnappers, whose gang kidnapped a staff of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Tamuno Igbikibere-bima Esq.
Igbikiberebima Esq was kidnapped at his residence in Rumuigbo in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state but was freed through the effort of the police.
The police have given assurances that they would improve on their performances in 2020 but they need to improve on their relationship with the rest of the society. Unfortunately, not many people believe on the ability of the police to guarantee unblemished law enforcement. Most people have lost confidence in the security agency.
The #ENDSARS protest in the state was another ugly situation which made the police to become the highest victims as about five personnel alongside other security men lost their lives.

City Crime

NEMA warns against scooping of fuel from accidented tankers

Published

2 weeks ago

June 12, 2025

The Tide

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has warned against the practice of scooping fuel from accidented tankers, noting it has led to the loss of many lives and property.

The agency’s Head of Operations in Ibadan, Mr Kadiri Olanrewaju, cautioned during a sensitisation programme on tanker fire accidents, held on Wednesday at Akinyele Local Government Area (LGA) of Ibadan.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme was held in collaboration with the Oyo State Emergency Management Agency (OYSEMA) in Akinyele LGA and other stakeholders.

Olanrewaju said Akinyele LGA was selected for the awareness campaign because of its strategic location as a trailer route from the northern to the southern part of the country.

“These agencies felt that it was necessary to bring this important message to critical stakeholders in communities under the Akinyele LGA, where we have major trailer parks.

“The campaign kick-started in Ogun; we will soon move to Osun.

“The focus is to drive strong sensitisation against the scooping of fuel at the grassroots level, especially for local governments along the trailer routes to reduce needless loss of lives and property,” he said.

He charged the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other relevant agencies to enforce the laws against underage driving and ensure the proper certification and retraining of drivers.

The Administrative Secretary of OYSEMA, Mrs Ojuolape Busari, said that Community Development Associations (CDAs) were involved in the campaign to reach a larger number of people.

Busari noted that people still scoop fuel from accidented tankers because there had not been any serious punishment attached to the offence.

She, therefore, called for stiff penalties for anyone caught perpetrating the act.

“Apart from the risk of fire outbreak that may occur during the practice, it is stealing, which is a serious offence,” she said.

Earlier, the Executive Chairman of Akinyele LGA, Hon. Akinwole Akinyele, suggested that fuel transportation should be handled through the rail system, while leaving tankers for intra-city fuel transportation.

The chairman called for an urgent review of laws and policies related to fire services and road safety to meet the urgent and modern demands.

He said that the implementation of stricter fuel transportation regulations, vehicle maintenance, drivers’ training and retraining, and safer fuel handling practices remained crucial to the fuel distribution system in Nigeria.

“The attendant costs of tanker fire accidents have been huge, both in terms of the high number of fatalities and the loss or destruction of property, environmental damage, and public infrastructure,” he said.

NAN reports that the event featured technical sessions, lectures, and presentations from the FRSC, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Fire Service, traditional and market leaders, among others.

City Crime

Democracy Day: Tinubu Addresses Joint N’Assembly Today

Published

2 weeks ago

June 12, 2025

The Tide

…To Confer National Honours On Select Lawmakers

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will deliver a presidential address before a joint session of the National Assembly today as part of events marking Nigeria’s Democracy Day celebration.

The event is scheduled to be held in the House of Representatives chamber of the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.

This was confirmed in a statement released on Sunday by the spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Akin Rotimi.

The statement referenced an internal memorandum issued by the Clerk of the House, Yahaya Danzaria, officially notifying lawmakers of the proceedings.

According to the memorandum, the special joint sitting will begin at 11:00 a.m. with preliminary activities before the arrival of President Tinubu, who is expected at noon.

Democracy Day is observed annually on June 12 in remembrance of the 1993 presidential election, widely regarded as Nigeria’s most credible poll since independence.

The election was won by Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola but was annulled by the military government led by General Ibrahim Babangida (retd).

The theme for the 2025 celebration is “26 Years of Democracy: Renewing Our Commitment to National Development.”

President Tinubu is attending the event as the Special Guest of Honour and is expected to use the platform to reflect on the state of Nigeria’s democracy and present his administration’s vision for the future.

The session will also feature goodwill messages from former presiding officers of the National Assembly.

Meanwhile, the President will confer national honours on select legislators in what organisers describe as part of efforts to recognise contributions to democratic governance.

The National Assembly views the event as an important marker of Nigeria’s political evolution.“This joint sitting represents a significant moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey,” the statement read.

“It underscores the pivotal role of the National Assembly in safeguarding democratic values, fostering accountability, and advancing national development over the past 26 years of uninterrupted civil rule.”

Lawmakers also used the occasion to urge Nigerians to reflect on the country’s democratic progress and to renew their commitment to national unity and inclusive governance.

“The House of Representatives calls on all Nigerians to embrace the spirit of Democracy Day as a time for reflection, renewed patriotism, and commitment to building a more inclusive, prosperous, and united nation,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has declared today as a public holiday, to commemorate this year’s Democracy Day celebration held every June 12.

June 12 was officially designated as Nigeria’s Democracy Day in 2018, to honour the annulled 1993 presidential election, widely considered the freest and fairest in the nation’s history and won by Chief MKO Abiola.

In a statement announcing the holiday, the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on behalf of the Federal Government, congratulated citizens on the occasion of 26 years of uninterrupted democratic rule in the country.

“June 12 represents our historic journey to building a nation where truth and justice reign, and peace is sustained and our future assured,” Tunji-Ojo stated.

City Crime

Rivers Women Celebrate Fubara’s Second Year Anniversary With Thanksgiving

Published

4 weeks ago

June 2, 2025

The Tide

Rivers women, under the aegis of Rivers Women Unite for SIM, have celebrated the second year anniversary of the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, with praise and thanksgiving.
The women, who gathered at the Ecumenical Centre, Port Harcourt, last Thursday, said that no matter the prevailing circumstances in the State, Fubara has shown great capacity in leadership and deserves to be celebrated.
They emphasised that their gathering was to thank God for what He has done through Fubara and the expected restoration and peace within the State.
They commended Rivers people and all Nigerians who have been standing by the Governor and Rivers people all through these trying times, saying it is now time for peace, reconciliation and restoration.
Speaking on behalf of the women, Dr. Queen Idanyingi Karibi Botoye, said the women have been consistently praying for the State and its leaders.
She urged the leaders of the State to put their differences behind and think about the people first and come together to advance the interest of the State.
The women assured that their prayers will continue until God restores the glory of the State and ensures greater harmony amongst its leaders and people.