News
At Last, Mbu Redeployed …Rivers Stakeholder Hail Transfer
Co-ordinator of NIMASA, Eastern Zone, Mr Anthony Ogadi (middle), speaking while inspecting the two new gunboats acquired by the agency in Bonny, Rivers State, recently.
The Police Service Commission (PSC) yesterday announced the removal of the controversial Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Mbu Joseph Mbu, and his redeployment to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, with immediate effect.
Some media reports had exclusively indicated on Monday that the controversial cop, who had become a key figure in the political crisis in Rivers State, was slated for removal and reposting.
He will be replaced by Johnson Tunde Ogunsakin, who until the PSC announcement, was the commissioner in charge of the Special Fraud Investigations Unit in Lagos.
The PSC also announced the redeployment of several other commissioners, all of them to take effect immediately.
A statement issued by Mr. Ferdinand Ekpe of PSC in Abuja said the announcement is with immediate effect.
Ekpe said this development followed approval by the Chairman, Police Service Commission, Sir Mike Okiro, on the recommendations of the IGP.
He quoted the Chairman of the PSC, Sir Mike Mbama Okiro, as equally admonishing the newly redeployed officers to put in their best in their various commands’ operations, so as to provide a secure environment for business and life to thrive.
It would be recalled that the Police Service Commission had approved the recommendations of the Inspector General of Police for the redeployment of 13 commissioners of police to various commands nationwide.
The officers affected include: CP Ambrose Aisabo, PAP, Lagos, who moves to Akwa Ibom State as commissioner of police; CP Felix O. Uyanya, Commandant, PCO, to Ekiti State as commissioner of police; CP Johnson Ogunsaki, CP SFU, to Rivers as commissioner of police; CP Abdulmajid Ali, CP EOD, to Imo State as commissioner of police; CP Benjamin U. Onwuka, deputy commandant, STAFFPOL, JOS as new commissioner of police, Kebbi State; CP Ibrahim Maishanu, Force Headquarters, Abuja as CP Osun State; and CP Adamu Ibrahim, DFS as new CP, Abia State.
Others are CP Aderenle Shinaba, Force Headquarters, as new CP Kano State; CP Mbu Joseph Mbu, CP Rivers State, now redeployed as Commissioner of police, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja; CP Umaru U. Shehu, CP NAS as new CP Kaduna State; CP A.J. Abakasanga, CP Info-Tech as new CP Adamawa State; CP Kalafite H. Adeyemi, Force Headquarters, Abuja, now commissioner of police, Transport; CP Ibrahim Idris, Force Headquarters, Abuja, as new CP, NAS.
Similarly, the Nigerian Police Force yesterday bowed to public pressure for the removal of Joseph Mbu as the Rivers State Commissioner of Police.
According to a statement from the Police Service Commission on Thursday, Mr. Mbu has been transferred to the Federal Capital Territory Command, Abuja, while the Commissioner in charge of the Special Fraud Unit, Johnson Ogunshakin replaces him in Rivers State.
Mbu’s tenure as Rivers State Police boss was characterised by public mistrust and political mudslinging over his alleged partisanship in the handling of the political crisis in the State.
The State government, the All Progressive Congress and some major stakeholders within and outside the State had severally called for the removal of Mbu, accusing him of taking sides with the State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and for issuing unconstitutional directives.
In the midst of the political crisis in the State, the two Chambers of the National Assembly had last year thrown their weight behind public outcry, demanding Mbu’s removal from the State, to no avail. On Wednesday, the Senate particularly demanded that the Inspector-General of Police should appear before it next week Tuesday to explain the role of the police in the Rivers State crisis.
Also as parts of efforts to put an end to what it described as Police brutality of its members, the APC recently had embarked on political filibustering. Rising from a crucial meeting in Abuja two weeks ago, the APC directed its members to block the confirmation of the newly – appointed ministers and Service Chiefs, as well as the passage of the 2014 Appropriation bill.
It would be recalled that since the redeployment of Mbu to Rivers State, he had been at loggerheads with the state government, issuing unconstitutional directives without prior notification and approval of the state governor.
In the wake of the crisis that engulfed the State House of Assembly in July, last year, he was alleged to have taken sides with the six lawmakers loyal to the Supervising Minister of Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike, after their failure to sack the House Speaker, Rt. Hon. Otelemaba Amachree. Since then, Mbu had ordered the closure of the Assembly complex.
Mbu was also alleged to have ordered the Police to prevent the State governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi from accessing the Government House through one of the entrances. The Police command under him also allegedly disrupted the issuance of appointment letters to 13,000 newly engaged teachers in the State last year, citing non-approval by the Police as excuse.
Also on January 12, this year, allegedly disrupted a rally by the Save Rivers Movement at the Rivers State College of Arts and Science, Rumuola, where Senator Magnus Abbey, representing Rivers South-East Senatorial District was allegedly shot by the Police.
However, may people have reacted to the removal of Mbu from the state. The Chairman of Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, Rivers State, Mr. Princewill Enyi told our correspondent that the transfer of Mbu was over due.
According to him, once there were complaints about a public officer, the best thing to do was to redeploy such a person.
He blamed Mbu for his baised stand in the political crisis in the State, advising his successor to learn from Mbu’s mistakes.
Mr. Enyi, however, appealed to the political gladiators to give peace a chance in the state.
“Mbu has gone because he was a tenant, we landlords should put our house in order and embrace peace”, he said.
The Chairman of Omuma Local Government Area, Mr. John Nnamdi Anucha described the news of Mbu’s removal as a healthy development, saying the former State Commissioner was a defecto military officer who acted without the principles of the rule of law in the State.
He explained that Mbu only came to the state to puncture the relative peace in the state.
Similarly, the Secretary, Ogbo/Egbema/Ndoni (Onelga) Chapter of NYNC, Mr. Collins Ordu said Mbu’s removal from the state would end the lingering security crises in the state, adding that his removal was long expected. He called on the new state Police boss to work within the tenets of democray and see how he can move the state forward.
“Rivers people are not violent people, he should do his work professionally and get the best from the people of the state”, he stated.
Boye Salau, Amadi Akujobi, Beemene Taneh & John Bibor
The Hausa Community in Rivers State has dissociated itself from media reports credited to one MaiwadaAdamu that the Arewa Community in Rivers State has appointed Alhaji Musa Saidu as the acting SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt, following the inability of the former SarkinHausawa, Alhaji Isa Madaki to carry out his functions.
MaidawaAdamu, who is also the spokesman of the Arewa Initiative for Peaceful Co-existence, had briefed journalists on the change, but in a swift reaction, the Office of Alhaji Isa Madaki, has come out to say that the only recognised body which has the powers to appoint the SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt is the Council of SarkinHausawa in PortHarcourt headed by Alhaji Isa Madaki.
The statement also said Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki is the only recognisedSarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, adding that his appointment follows the proclamation and endorsement by the council members of SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The statement further called on the general public and all authorities concerned to give Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki maximum co-operation and support,as he discharges his duties as SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt.
The Suspended Rivers State Commissioner for health, Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, has described as baseless allegations in some quarters that she was responsible for the purported disruption of the Nigerian First Lady’s empowerment program in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh, who said this in a statement personally signed by her and a copy made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt also described the allegation as a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers
According to Dr Oreh, “they are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord”
In her words,”the allegations levelled against me, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, regarding the supposed disruption of the First Lady’s empowerment programme on Friday 2nd May, 2025, are entirely unfounded, completely false, and a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers and conflict entrepreneurs.
“They are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord.”
The suspended commissioner challenged those behind the allegation, especially the Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation to show proof of its assertion adding “It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I challenge the “Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation” (assuming such a body really exists) to provide tangible proof to support their assertions.
“It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I have neither sponsored nor will sponsor any activities aimed at embarrassing or disrupting the activities of the administration appointed by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to oversee the affairs of Rivers State following his declaration of a state of emergency on Tuesday, 18th March, 2025, and have rather spent the time of my suspension from office focused on other endeavours and my doctoral studies.
“I reaffirm my commitment to working tirelessly for the progress and development of Rivers State.
“Furthermore, I believe that it is crucial for all stakeholders to promote a culture of truth, integrity, and respect in public discourse.
“Unsubstantiated wild claims undermine trust and hinder constructive engagement, and this is not what the state needs at this difficult and delicate time.
“I urge everyone to focus on issues that unite us and foster a positive, solution-driven dialogue for the betterment of our State, and urge everyone to work together to build a brighter future for Rivers State, grounded in truth, transparency, and collective effort,”she said.
By: John Bibor
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has called on key regulators, asset owners and other stakeholders to continue to support the agency toward the goal of remediating the Ogoni environment and restoring the livelihoods of the people and building structures for peace.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who made the call during the Project’s first quarter meeting with regulators, asset owners and stakeholders in Port Harcourt, urged the stakeholders to remain resolute in supporting HYPREP’s work.
“We particularly expect each regulatory agency and asset owner to deepen their involvement and continue to provide strategic support to the project”, he said, stressing that the quarterly meeting platform remains instrumental in providing a structural avenue for regulators, asset owners, and implementation partners to offer feedback to HYPREP on project performance and deliberate on ideas that move the project forward, as well as strengthen collaboration, deepen synergy and reinforce collective responsibility.
Zabbey disclosed that the socio-economic study of Ogoni has started, as HYPREP has contacted the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organisation(WHO) to commence in the next quarter a three-year human health biomonitoring in Ogoniland.
He noted that work on several fronts of the cleanup project is progressing steadily, adding that as key project partners, the insights and shared experience of the regulators and asset owners have always enriched HYPREP’s operations.
He said the policy thrust of HYPREP for 2025 is clear, as the Project is intensifying efforts to complete within stated timelines, the various ongoing projects, including remediation works and mangrove restoration, potable water facilities, the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, the Ogoni Power Project, Ogoni Specialist Hospital, and Buan Cottage Hospital, among others.
Zabbey, however, announced that HYPREP would commence new set of shoreline cleanup, mangrove restoration and livelihood projects, to sustain the momentum of implementing the Ogoni cleanup, adding that the agency would also conduct detailed site characterisation of the high-risk complex sites, leading to remediation works at the sites.
He noted that HYPREP’s collaboration with Rivers State Ministries of Health, Power and Environment, and civil society organisations remains vital, stressing that the technical and administrative support of all relevant government agencies and funding partners is indispensable in helping HYPREP overcome operational bottlenecks, especially those encountered in interfacing with host communities.
He further indicated that “the people of Ogoni and the nation are looking to us with hope and expectation, and expect tangible results from the remediation initiative”, assuring the participants that the Project Coordination Office is committed to delivering positive results.
“We must, therefore, continue to work with diligence, transparency, and a renewed sense of purpose”, he declared, saying, “ the completion and commissioning of projects this year must reflect not only our technical ability but also our collective commitment to environmental sustainability and sustainable development in Ogoni.”
During the interactive session, the Project Coordinator briefed the participants on the progress made so far by HYPREP to conclude the distribution of starter packs to the 5,000 Ogoni trainees, and called on contractors who had already collected huge chunk of money for the project, to deliver without further delay.
In all, the regulators, asset owners and stakeholders commended HYPREP for the good works it is doing, and urged it to do more.
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency(NOSDRA) was represented at the event by Deputy Director, Oil Field Assessment, Dr Abam Komommo Omini, while Dr Vincent Nwachukwu, Director of Medical Services, represented the Rivers State Ministry of Health.
The Rivers State Ministries of Water Resources, Power and Environment were represented by Dr Bealo Brownson; Engr K. J. Osele; and Mr James Ordu respectively, while the Society for Women and Youth Affairs (SWAYA); and the Stakeholder Democracy Network(SDN); among other civil society organisations were also at the event.
By: Donatus Ebi