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Afghanistan Better Than Nigeria Under Buhari, Ortom Blasts APC

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Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, yesterday, said Afghanistan was currently better than Nigeria under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Ortom said statistics have shown that Afghanistan currently fares better than Nigeria under the Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.
He made the remark in response to claims by a member of the APC and an aspirant of the Ado/Ogbadibo/Okpokwu House of Representatives seat, Philip Agbese, that he has turned “Benue State into Afghanistan.”
Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Nathaniel Ikyur, the governor, who described Agbese as a “blind Bartimaeus” in the Bible, noted that the Buhari government has turned Nigeria into a killing field.
A statement by Ikyur titled: “Agbese as Blind Bartimaeus” reads: “We read the widely published news, credited to one Philip Agbese who claims to be an aspirant for the Ado/Ogbadibo/Okpokwu House of Representatives seat on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“In that news story, he made scathing remarks against the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom. He claims that the governor ‘has turned Benue into Afghanistan’.
“This is absurd. Although this is undeserving of attention, we feel constrained to respond to it, if not for anything, at least, for the unsuspecting members of the public to be properly informed.
“For anyone who may have read the news item as claimed by the APC member, it is obvious that this is a typical example of the attitude of political jobbers who grab at anything to survive.
“How can Agbese allege that Governor Ortom is turning Benue into Afghanistan? It is Nigeria, currently led by President Muhammadu Buhari of the APC that can be likened to Afghanistan.
“Available statistical indices from reliable and respected organizations clearly show that Afghanistan is at the moment better off than Nigeria under APC.
“What then becomes of Nigeria under APC which they have turned into a killing field? Here, there is no sanctity of lives as terrorists reign freely from state to state?
“Our future development is threatened as school children are being kidnapped daily with reckless abandon. It is no longer safe for anyone to travel freely on our roads. Is it not clear that the APC is leading Nigeria to the Golgotha?
“Agbese is truly in the dark. Nigeria is currently experiencing escalating insecurity challenges with no end in sight. This has engulfed the entire country with terrorists and bandits becoming so emboldened that they operate only in the daytime. Is Agbese not aware of how three Benue citizens were kidnapped in Zamfara State on their way to Kebbi State for their National Youth Service?
“The outgoing United Nations Representative, Edward Kallon a few days ago gave scary reports on terrorism in the country. He said the Global Terrorism Index had listed Nigeria as the Third Most Terrorised Country in the world. Is this also the making of Governor Ortom?”
The governor lamented that Nigeria’s economy has virtually collapsed under the Buhari-led administration.
He said: “Nigeria’s economy under the APC administration has virtually collapsed. At the moment, the exchange rate of naira to a dollar is almost N600 a Dollar. In 2015 when the APC took over the reins of government, the Naira was exchanging for about N180 to a Dollar.
“The cost of living is also skyrocketing. Every sane citizen that has the responsibility of catering for a family will agree that the standard of living in the country is daily going beyond the reach of everyone. Already it has gone beyond the reach of an average Nigerian.”
The governor also dismissed Agbese’s claim on the delay of salaries in the state, stressing that the challenge is a national problem.
He stressed that his administration is prompt in the payment of salaries to workers in the state.
“Agbese harps so much about salaries and pensions. Let it be known to him and all his co-travellers that the issue of delay in payment of salaries is a national problem. It is not peculiar to Benue state alone.
“Even at that, the Ortom administration is prompt in payment of workers’ salaries while also working tirelessly to find ways to clear the salary arrears and end the pension crises which was occasioned at the height of the inflation era under the APC-led administration.
“This is why the administration has domesticated the Pension Law in the state. As of today, the Benue State Government has saved more than N1.5billion into the PENCOM Account. This means that workers retiring a few years from now will not need to worry about their pension or gratuities.
“In any case, is it not laughable for someone who claimed to be a lawyer and is aspiring to be a federal lawmaker to be unable to distinguish areas of how to direct his campaigns? How can he be relying solely on unsubstantiated claims of delay in payment of workers’ wages to liken Benue to Afghanistan?”
Ortom accused the aspiring lawmaker of exhibiting ignorance which could be akin to someone who has lost touch with his home.
The governor challenged Agbese to base his campaign on how to emerge victorious during the polls and stop spreading falsehood about him.
“Philip Agbese is exhibiting a pathetic ignorance akin to the blind Bartimaeus in the Holy Scriptures. He’s not conversant with the real sufferings of Nigerians and Benue State. I feel this should be deleted, please. Or it is either the young man has completely lost touch with home, or he has only spoken up to act a script to be noticed so that the emperor of his party will impose him as a sole candidate for Ado/Ogbadibo/Okpokwu federal House of Representatives ticket.
“Instead of campaigning against the incumbent, Hon. Francis Ottah Agbo, Agbese is sounding incoherent because of the towering achievements of the person he should be challenging. Electorates from this federal constituency should be wary of this acclaimed lawyer who has chosen to take side with the oppressors rather than show empathy.
“Whichever way it is, we appeal to the conscience of those close to Agbese to get his ears and whisper to him that churning out falsehood is not the way to winning the heart of the electorates.
“He should base his campaign on countering his opponents in the forthcoming elections rather than hoping to hide behind Governor Ortom to win electoral favours.
“Agbese should concentrate on campaigning against Dr Ottah Agbo who is a formidable opponent and leave Governor Ortom out of his local politics,” he added.

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Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf

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Two Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in Rivers State have been honoured by separate groups for their contributions to security, crime prevention and improved community-police relations in their respective areas of responsibility.

The beneficiaries are the DPO of Afam Police Division, CSP  Endurance Worgu and his counterpart at Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf.

CSP Worgu was honoured by a group of students under the aegis of Rivers State Graduate Students Associations for what they described as his commitment and outstanding performance in the discharge of his duties.

The students, led by  Chidi John Enyie, Esq. said CSP Worgu was selected based on his track record and status as one of the longest-serving young DPOs of Rivers State origin.

According to the group, CSP Worgu has made significant contributions to the protection of lives and property in the area since assuming office following the #EndSARS period.

The students said they were particularly impressed by the improvement in community-police relations under his leadership, noting that professionalism had remained a key feature of his service.

Enyie represented by Comrade Briggs Soku, said the students community was pleased to identify with a Rivers indigene who had distinguished himself in the police force.

He said the students considered it necessary to encourage and celebrate CSP Worgu because of his achievements as a young Rivers man excelling in a profession that many people from the state were often reluctant to join.

Receiving the award at his office in Afam, CSP Worgu expressed gratitude to God and the students for finding him worthy of the honour.

The DPO said the recognition had boosted his morale and encouraged him to sustain his efforts towards maintaining peace and security in the area.

He said he least expected the honour, particularly because it came from the students, adding that the recognition would further motivate him to serve the people better.

CSP Worgu assured residents of Afam that the police would sustain the existing peace in the area.

He appealed to members of the public to support the police by providing credible and timely information, stressing that useful information from residents would make the job of security personnel easier.

Meanwhile, the Ikwerre/Etche Media Association has also honoured the DPO of Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf, for his efforts in tackling criminal activities in the area.

The media group presented the award following the swift tracking and arrest of five suspected kidnappers who had allegedly terrorised residents of the Kom-Kom axis and other parts of Oyigbo.

The group commended CSP Bello for what it described as his determined efforts to restore confidence and security in the affected communities, particularly Kom-Kom and Obeama.

According to the group, the arrest of the suspects demonstrated the DPO’s commitment to tackling criminality and safeguarding residents.

The media association said residents had received the development with relief, noting that the police action had sent a strong message to criminal elements operating in the area.

Responding, CSP Yusuf appreciated the group for the recognition and reaffirmed that there would be no room for criminality in Oyigbo.

He also commended the media for its role in disseminating credible information to the public, saying the media had remained supportive of the police in the fight against crime.

CSP Yusuf warned criminal elements operating in Oyigbo to leave the area or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.

He assured residents that the police would continue to pursue criminals and work to dismantle their hideouts, regardless of where they might be operating.

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College Of Bishops Endorses Tinubu, APC Candidates  For 2027 Polls

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The 5000 Achievers Christian Forum and Colleges of Bishops, Archbishops and Apostles, a Christian interdenominational organisation, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State for the 2027 general elections.

International President of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, disclosed this during the ordination and consecration of three new Bishops, as well as an award ceremony held in Port Harcourt.

Aroh said the performance of the APC-led Federal Government had endeared the party to the organisation, prompting the forum to declare its support for President Tinubu and other APC candidates in Rivers State.

He said the forum would support all APC candidates in the state during the 2027 elections and urged Nigerians to vote for the party.

Aroh, who is also the General Overseer of Caring Peoples Church, Port Harcourt, charged the newly consecrated Bishops to see their new positions as a great responsibility and dedicate themselves to the advancement of the kingdom of God.

He cautioned them against conduct capable of bringing their offices into disrepute, stressing that their activities would be closely watched by members of the public.

“As Bishops, the eyes of the public are on your activities. You must therefore conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of your calling,” he said.

Also speaking, the International Coordinator of the forum, Bishop Saint Robinson, urged the newly consecrated Bishops to work diligently towards winning souls for the kingdom of God.

Robinson, who was the guest speaker at the event, stressed that the activities of Bishops must at all times be guided by godly principles.

He also called on members of the church to support and cooperate with the newly consecrated Bishops in the discharge of their responsibilities.

The Secretary of the College, Apostle Elizabeth Ayadi Abaye, said the organisation was established to advance the kingdom of God and promote spiritual development.

According to her, the forum has organised several crusades, conferences, prayer meetings, ordinations, consecrations, enthronements, empowerment programmes and other spiritual development activities across the country as part of efforts to win souls for Christ.

Abaye said the organisation has members across the world and disclosed that more programmes had been scheduled to promote the spiritual development and wellbeing of humanity.

The three Bishops consecrated at the ceremony were Prince Alban Chike, Testimony Omenihu Shedrach and Prince Ifemena.

Among those honoured at the event were the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Abali Community, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Manuchimso Prince Lemmy Wopara, and Clifford Oko Jaja, Coordinator of the 5,000 House-to-House for President Tinubu.

By: John Bibor

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Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Others For Armed Robbery, Kidnapping

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The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 49-year-old suspected fake soldier, Andrew Atausi, and several other suspects in connection with various criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, one-chance robbery and the alleged murder of police officers.

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, recently during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters, where he said the arrests formed part of the operational achievements recorded by the Command between June and August 2026.

Adepoju said Atausi was arrested on August 10 by police operatives along Ada George, Port Harcourt, while dressed in military uniform and driving a Toyota Hilux painted in Army colours.

The Commissioner said investigation revealed that Atausi was not a member of the Armed Forces, adding that he was suspected to be a serial car snatcher, with three suspected stolen vehicles recovered from him.

He said the recovered vehicles included three Toyota Hilux vehicles without registration numbers and a Toyota Corona Premio with registration number BNY 380 ES, noting that the chassis and engine numbers of the vehicles had allegedly been tampered with.

Adepoju added that an axe and military accoutrements were also recovered from Atausi, as investigation continued into the circumstances surrounding the vehicles and other items recovered from him.

On the June 29 attack on police officers at Aluu Division, the Commissioner said three members of the gang allegedly responsible for the incident had been arrested by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU-AKU.

The suspects, identified as Maduabuchi Emeka, 34, alleged gang leader; Doctor Chinedu Owhor, 42, and Kamachi Joe, 28, alleged armourer, reportedly led operatives to their hideout at Omagwa where two AK-47 rifles stolen during the attack were recovered.

Adepoju recalled that two police officers were killed during the Aluu attack, while others were wounded and one officer had his leg amputated, stressing that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fourth suspect.

On kidnapping, the Commissioner said five members of a suspected kidnapping syndicate were arrested in Oyigbo Local Government Area, adding that they allegedly confessed to operations in Kom-Kom, Railway, Obeama and Afam communities.

He said two other suspects from the same network, Anele Ogbogu, 35, alleged to be the gang’s armourer, and Kenneth Eke, 38, were arrested on July 27, with one AK-47 rifle and one SMG rifle recovered.

The Commissioner further disclosed the arrest of suspects in connection with alleged firearm offences, armed robbery, cultism and one-chance robbery, with firearms, ammunition and other exhibits recovered during the operations.

Adepoju assured residents that the Command would sustain intelligence-led, proactive and community-oriented policing in collaboration with other security agencies, while urging members of the public to continue providing credible information that would assist the police in combating crime across Rivers State.

By; King Onunwor

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