News
Boko Haram Denies Talks With FG …Disowns Saudi Arabia Mediators
Nigerian Islamist sect, Boko Haram, yesterday ruled out
holding peace talks with the Federal Government and threatened to strike media
houses it said fight the group “with the pen”.
The local press, and at least, two foreign news
organizations, have reported that talks are going on between the government and
the militants who have been staging an insurgency against it, citing unnamed
sources.
Information Minister, Labaran Maku, declined comments on
Wednesday on the talks, citing government’s instructions not to discuss the
issue.
Since launching an insurgency against the government in 2009
with the avowed aim of turning all or part of religiously-mixed Nigeria into an
Islamic state, Boko Haram has killed hundreds of people in near daily gun and
bomb attacks.
“We are telling the government to understand that if it is
not ready to embrace Sharia (Islamic law) and the Koran as the guiding book
from which the laws of the land derive, there shall be no peace,” the sect’s
spokesman, Abu Qaqa said in a written statement in the Borno State capital,
Maiduguri, the heart of the rebellion.
Boko Haram has replaced militancy in the creeks of the
oil-producing Niger Delta as the biggest security threat to Nigeria, Africa’s
top energy producer.
A flurry of efforts to start talks followed accusations
early this year that President Goodluck Jonathan was treating the crisis too
narrowly as a security issue.
But attempts at dialogue are complicated by Boko Haram’s
shadowy nature and the fact that there sometimes appears to be more than one
faction.
The main one, led by Abubakar Shekau, has never shown any
overt interest in dialogue.
Qaqa also threatened media houses, recalling the sect’s dual
bomb attack media houses in Abuja and Kaduna in April that killed five people.
“They should understand that for us there is no difference
between those fighting with arms and with the pen,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian government has confirmed that it is
in dialogue with Boko Haram, the militant Islamist group notorious for terror
attacks against Christians and others across the country’s restive north.
The dialogue began this month with a secret meeting between
Boko Haram’s deputy leader, Abu Mohammed, and Nigeria’s Vice President Namadi
Sambo, Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki, and other top government officials. The
meeting was held in Saudi Arabia.
Mohammed confirmed the talks after they were first announced
by the Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, Wednesday.
“The government is willing to negotiate because of the
security challenges posed by the group who are attacking security formations,
universities, and other government formations,” said Mr. Maku.
“The government welcomes any initiative that will usher in
peace, security, and tranquility in the country, especially in the light of the
security challenges that we have faced in the last two years.”
This marks the second time the government and Boko Haram
have engaged in talks. The first dialogue broke off because the federal
government could not accept the mediators. This time, the announcement has been
met with optimism in the conflict-weary North.
“Virtually all people of the northern Nigeria are optimistic
with dialogue. These security challenges cause a lot of fear, loss of hope, and
anxiety among the people because the affected states were in serious
destruction by the Boko Haram,” says Abba Anwar, an analyst based in the
northern city of Kano.
“I pray and hope that
the Federal Government will look into their grievances and find out modalities
to address them for the interest of the teeming people who are suffering from
these security challenges.”
The group’s official name in Arabic translates to “People
Committed to the Propagation of the Prophet’s Teachings and Jihad,” while its
common name means “Western education is a sin.” The group’s stated goal is to
overthrow Nigeria’s secular government and institute sharia law, at least in
the predominantly Muslim north.
In these talks, Boko Haram is seeking release of all their
members in detention, the rebuilding of mosques destroyed in the fighting, and
the prosecution of those who killed their former leader Mohammed Yusuf,
according to a source at the secret meeting who was not authorized to speak.
The Federal Government finds itself under mounting pressure
to show progress in shutting down the violent rebellion unleashed by Boko Haram
since 2009 that has left thousands dead. So far, the military efforts against
the group have done little to slow the killing spree.
While Boko Haram has attacked churches filled with
worshipers, Muslims have also been targeted by the group. Some celebrations of
the Muslim holiday of Eid were canceled in northern areas including Kano
because of the threat of Boko Haram attacks. At a mosque in Maiduguri, Muslims
attending Eid prayers were allowed near with just their prayer mats; vehicles
were directed to park 200 yards away from the praying ground due to fears of
bombing and attack by Boko Haram.
“Nigeria’s security [forces] are seriously worried with
these challenges, though we are succeeding in dealing with them. But our hope
is to dialogue with them Boko Haram because it’s like a guerrilla war, we are
fighting faceless people who at any time attack and kill our people,” says John
Shehu, a security official in Kano.
News
Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf
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.
News
College Of Bishops Endorses Tinubu, APC Candidates For 2027 Polls
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
News
Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Others For Armed Robbery, Kidnapping
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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