News
Rivers NASS Caucus Lauds Wike’s Effort To Rein In IPOB
Members of the Rivers State Caucus of the National Assembly have affirmed their support for measures taken by the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, to rein in the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the state.
The lawmakers said they unconditionally stand with the governor on every action he has taken to preserve lives and properties of all residents in the state.
Leader of the caucus, Senator George Sekibo, stated this when he led members of the caucus on a solidarity visit to Governor Wike at the Government House, Port Harcourt, last Friday.
Sekibo explained that the caucus had been impressed with efforts and commitment of the governor in the handling of #EndSARS protests and the aftermath.
According to him, while the governor had ensured that the protests were peaceful, traducers and enemies of the state masquerading as IPOB, decided to cause mayhem; kill innocent residents and even security officers; destroy properties of the state and citizens, especially in Oyigbo, Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt local government areas.
“As a caucus, we want to state our unalloyed support for your re-affirmation of the proscription of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) in line with the categorisation of the group as a terrorist organisation by the Federal Government.
“We also want to unequivocally state that Rivers State cannot and will never be annexed by any group, organisaton or person(s) whatsoever, as we are Niger Delta people, and will always stand for the course of the Niger Delta, her people, dreams and aspirations”, he said.
Sekibo emphasised that if the powers that be had listened when in 2016 the governor called the attention of the world to the atrocious activities of the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (F-SAR) in Rivers State, the nation would not have suffered the colossal loss of lives and properties during and after the protests.
In his response, the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike lauded the caucus for the solidarity visit, and reaffirmed that he would continue to do all that is required to protect and defend the state.
He explained that members of IPOB capitalised on the contiguousness of Oyigbo to Abia State to invade the community and unleash violence, resulting in the death of six soldiers and four policemen.
The governor, who vowed that IPOB would never be allowed to exist within Rivers State, reiterated that law abiding Igbos and people of other nationalities shall continue to live and do business in the state unmolested.
He reiterated that if the Federal Government had not politicised security, steps should have been taken to checkmate the activities of the notorious SARS.
Wike further blamed the politicisation of security for the reason why the state’s Neighbourhood Watch has not taken off.
The governor assured the lawmakers that when the state receives the N78billion refund from the Federal Government, the money would be judiciously used for the benefit of the entire state.
Furthermore, the governor declared that he would supervise the employment of 5,000 youths into the State Civil Service in order to ensure that no community, ward, local government area was marginalised.
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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