News
Central Naval Headquarters Gets Quit Notice
The Josephus Family of Agudama-Epie has given authorities of the Naval Central Command Headquarters, Yenagoa 14 days to quit Camp Porbeni, situated along Mbama/Yenagoa Road, which they claimed belongs to them or in alternative enter direct negotiation with the family.
Camp Porbeni serves as temporary residential and operational headquarters of the newly created Central Naval Command.
The large expanse of land was developed by Konaliz Investments Nigeria Limited, a firm of land developers owned by Retired Rear Admiral festus Probeni,who at a time had servede as Minister for transport.
The landowners are threatening to seek legal means to enforce their ownership right over the choice parcel of land, since according to them, Konaliz Investments (Nigeria) Limited has failed to meet with them to settle the matter.
But former Rear Admiral Festus Porbeni (rtd.),when contacted in a telephone interview, asserted his ownership of the land, saying he has a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O), a deed of conveyance duly signed by the landowners and a survey map of the parcel of land.
Porbeni declared that “if they go to court, it will be best for me asking “why it is only now that the Josephus family is seeking such action when I entered into the land since 1995”.
The retired Rear Admiral disclosed that he had once arrested Hon. Abila Josephus who was selling his land behind Camp Porbeni and each time, he behaved as if he was mad, was promptly released.
According to him, Abila was afraid of losing all the land he had illegally sold to people hence he was threatening such action, stressing that as an elder statesman, he will continue to pursue the path of peace.
Probeni also said in view of the development, he will formally inform the Inspector General of Police, the Governor of Bayelsa State, Secretary to the State Government and the Central Naval Command over the activities of Abila.
Already, the Josephus family had written to Konaliz Investment (Nigeria) Limited alleging forceful occupation of the site now called Camp Porbeni, arrest and intimidation by both the police and JTF and staff of the company.
The letter dated 31st May, 2010 written by a legal counsel, Chief F. D. Lott & Co and signed by one Barrister Emmanuel E. Ilenreh said men of the JTF ordered one of their client’s, Abila Smith Josephus to sign an undertaking that he was living on a part of the land.
The family also accused Konaliz and Admiralty Fleet, another company owned by Porbeni, of constructing some buildings on the disputed land, “thus manifestly continuing the act of wrongful occupation and/or continuing trespass”.
In the latest development, the Josephus family has written a reminder and issued a 14-day notice to commence legal proceedings to enforce their right of ownership over the land describing Porbeni’s action as wrongful and forceful eviction of their family members from the land.
The letter signed by another counsel, Chief Walter Akeni said unless the company entered into negotiation with them over the land, they would go to court “to assert our legal right of our entitlement to our land wherein Camp Porbeni is situate and the adjoining lands.”
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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