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FIDA Flaks FG Over Rising Insecurity …As Police Identify Kidnappers Of Female Lawyer In Rivers
The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) has raised the alarm over rising insecurity in the country, as it urged the Federal Government to stem the situation.
The National President of FIDA and Country Vice President, Rhoda Tyoden, made the observation in a statement she signed together with the National Publicity Secretary, Eliana Martins, and made available to The Tide in Port Harcourt.
The body observed that, “The issue of security of lives and property in the country is of paramount importance, and the government must take steps in dealing with this menace daily plaguing our communities. All round Nigeria, the story is the same, and prompt cohesive action is required by government to save Nigerians”.
The women lawyers frowned at the incessant kidnapping incidence as they lamented the abduction of one of their members, Ms.Paulette Bisola Ajayi, at the weekend in Port Harcourt.
The statement reads, “FIDA Nigeria received the shocking and terrible news yesterday (Monday) of the abduction of her Rivers State Branch member, Ms Paulette Bisola Ajayi, by four fully armed men in front of her home in Port Harcourt.
“We join in calling for the prompt and safe release of Ms. Paulette Ajayi by her abductors, and appeal to the security operatives to put all machinery in motion to rescue this young and promising lawyer”, they declared.
The body appealed to the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, to assist in the quest to release Ajayi through the instrumentality of the state.
The women lawyers further said, “Our hearts go out to her family, especially her mother, Mrs. Ngozi Kathryn Ajayi, a past vice chairperson and active member of the same FIDA Rivers State Branch.
“We also pray for her quick recovery as she was seriously brutalized while trying to save her daughter from the hands of the abductors”.
FIDA, however, commended the prompt action of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) through its National President, Mr. Olumide Akpata, who has already set up a six-member task force to support efforts towards the release of Ajayi.
The body also sought for the assistance of well-meaning Nigerians with key information on the whereabouts of Paulette Ajayi to come forward with the requisite information.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Joseph Mukan, has disclosed that preliminary investigation showed that the kidnappers of the female lawyer, Paulette Bisola Ajayi, had earlier kidnapped a man and used his car to kidnap her the same day at her residence.
Mukan, who also clarified that the kidnappers used military camouflage to abduct Miss Ajayi, said their identity has already been known to the security agency.
He made this known, yesterday, when members of the taskforce set up by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to secure the release of the young female lawyer visited him in Port Harcourt.
The police boss, while addressing the members, said the police had intensified efforts to ensure the unconditional release of the female lawyer.
He, however, assured the members of the NBA that the police would do everything to provide security to every citizen, including lawyers.
Earlier, the leader of the NBA delegation, who is also the first Vice President of NBA, John Akpokpo-Martins, had informed the commissioner that they were in the state to collaborate with the security agency to secure the immediate release of their colleague, Paullete Ajayi.
Akpokpo-Martins, in his address, appealed to the CP to increase the search for quick unconditional release of their female colleague abducted two days ago in Port Harcourt.
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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