Metro
Police take over Rivers House of Assembly quarters
By Francesca Habgeior
About 30 armed policemen have taken over all the entrances to the House of Assembly quarters located along the Aba Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers state.
It was gathered that both the first and second gates to the lawmakers’ estate were safeguarded by the police with about 30 patrol vans used to block the entrances.
The development came shortly after the Martins Amaewhule-led House of Assembly claimed that the governor was planning to demolish the quarters following his recent surprise visit to the facility.
But the governor, Siminalayi Fubara, had explained that his visit to the estate on Thursday was harmless.
The governor said: “Is the Assembly quarters not part of my property? Is there anything wrong in going to check how things are going on there?
“You are aware of the developments. We have a new speaker, and I went there to see for myself how things are. There might be a few things I might want to do there for the good of our people.”
It was learnt that following the alarm raised by Amaewhule, the anti-Fubara lawmakers including some chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) kept vigil around the estate till daybreak.
Armed policemen were seen barricading the gates on Friday to secure the facility.
However, the Sim Media Volunteers (SMV) called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to monitor the activities of policemen in the state and ensure they observed the rules of engagement.
The convener of the group, Frank Kilsi, decried the arrest and intimidation of the governor’s supporters by the police saying the development could lead to anarchy.
Kilsi, who spoke in Port Harcourt, on Friday, said: “We call on the Inspector-General of Police to rein in his men and exercise restrain by stopping the unnecessary attack or wanton arrest on any of the governor’s supporters, as further harassment could lead to anarchy and breakdown of law and order that may not do our state any good.
Kilsi appreciated the overwhelming support of Rivers people to Fubara and their decision to stand firm in defence of democracy despite challenges.
He said: “We, the youths of the state, under the aegis of SIM Media Volunteers, do hereby emphasize the need for peace, justice and development in Rivers State.
“We implore all relevant stakeholders such as the citizens, political leaders, traditional institutions, and law enforcement agencies, to ensure that the rights and freedom of the people are upheld and protected at all times.
“To this end, we would like to acknowledge and applaud the great youths of Rivers State for being peaceful and law-abiding even in the face of provocation”.
Kilsi commended the governor’s peaceful disposition and commitment to the security of lives and property in the state and asked him to continue on such a path of development.
He said Fubara’s commitment to the advancement of the state had opened up the space and the state for investors.
He said: “This is clearly justified by the forthcoming Rivers State Economic and Investment Summit slated as part of the first anniversary of His Excellency.
“It is obvious that detractors may not acknowledge this bold step that has eluded the state in the past, but with cutting-edge leadership imbued in fortified strategic procedures, our state is about to witness another season of economic prosperity.
“It is on this note that we want to address the sore losers of the inglorious October 30, 2023 impeachment plot against the governor to stop their callous, mischievous, and barefaced sabotage and evil against the governor and his government.
“We urge them to desist from every act of thuggery, banditry, and violence as well as subtle connivance with the police to harass, intimidate, arrest and incarcerate followers and supporters of Governor Fubara”.
Kilsi applauded the sterling leadership of Fubara commending his efforts to improve the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from N12bn to N27bn within a year of his administration.
Describing the feat as unprecedented, Kilsi said it had singled him out amongst his contemporaries as he highlighted other developmental successes in human capital development, quality Infrastructure delivery, provision of the functional healthcare system, revamping of the educational sector, job creation, security and welfare of citizens.
“These remarkable achievements reflect Governor Fubara’s acumen and steadfast dedication to prudent fiscal management of resources, ensuring equitable and sustainable development of the state.
“We further seize this opportunity to commend the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his painstaking efforts at actualising the renewed hope agenda for the nation”.
Kilsi backed the factional Speaker, Victor Oko-Jumbo, and Leader, Sokari Goodboy describing their emergence as a welcome development in the journey to liberate Rivers from the bondage.
The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has rescued Chief Superintendent of Police Modestus Ojiebe, who was abducted by armed men along the Kubwa Expressway in Abuja.
The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed the development in a statement on Monday, stating that the officer had been safely reunited with his family.
“Upon receiving the distress call, the Divisional Police Officer of Dawaki Division acted swiftly, leading his patrol team while alerting all police checkpoints and key entry and exit points into the FCT. This decisive response enabled the successful rescue of the officer on the same night,” she said.
The police further disclosed that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the suspects, who abandoned the officer and fled into the bush in Garaku, Nasarawa State.
According to a security expert, Zagazola Makama, in a post on X on Monday, the incident occurred late Sunday night when Ojiebe’s Toyota Corolla developed a mechanical fault near Dei-Dei Barracks. While attempting to repair the vehicle, he disclosed that an ash-coloured Mercedes-Benz with four armed occupants stopped behind him.
The assailants reportedly searched and robbed Ojiebe and his wife of their mobile phones and ATM cards. Upon discovering his police identity card, they forcibly took him into their vehicle and sped off, leaving his wife and their car behind.
Following the abduction, the FCT Police intensified stop-and-search operations at various entry and exit points in an effort to track down the perpetrators.
The police assured the public that investigations were ongoing to bring the culprits to justice.
Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen have attacked several communities of Tse Ugema Chul, Mbakesa, Ugbaam, in Ukum Local Government Area (LGA), of Benue state killing six villagers.
Tse Ugema village settlement is just a few kilometres to Zaki Biam International Yam Market.
As at the time of filing this report on Sunday evening, a resident from the area, who didn’t want to be named, told newsmen on phone that six dead bodies have already been recovered while many others are still missing.
It was gathered that the incident took place on Friday when some cattle strayed into their farmlands and destroyed their yams.
Some youths in the area mobilized to defend their village and farm produce from the invaders when they were ambushed and killed.
The source said “while the youths were going after the cattle, unknown gunmen who laid ambush open fire and killed many of them.
He said they informed men of Nigeria Army who are stationed at a village called Wuaze, in Ukum LG which is few meters away from the scene of the attack.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Benue Command, CSP Catherine Anene said she was yet to get report from Ukum.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Ukum LG, Mr Jonathan Modi has confirmed the attack.
Modi who went to the scene of the incident said he couldn’t grant interview on phone because he was in a pensive mood.
He said “I’m in Zaki Biam right now and in pains about what happened in Zaki Biam.”
Zarah Abubakar Shehu, a 21-year-old student at the Federal University Gusau, has tragically passed away while in captivity, four months after being abducted along with her two siblings.
This information was shared on Sunday by Zagazola Makama, an expert in counter-insurgency with a focus on the Lake Chad region, via a post on his X account.
Zarah, who was in her third year of studies, was taken from her residence in the Damba area of Gusau during the early hours of Sunday, November 3, 2024, by armed assailants.
Makama reported that the kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of N35 million for their release, but after negotiations, they settled for N10 million.
Despite receiving the ransom, the abductors refused to release Zarah, instead insisting on the provision of four motorcycles (Boza) and four cartons of engine oil. After extensive efforts to fulfill these demands, the items were finally obtained.
However, upon informing the kidnappers’ leader, it was revealed that Zarah had already died and had been buried two days prior. She was the only daughter of her mother and endured four months of captivity before her tragic demise.
Benin City boils as CSOs protest killing of physically challenged man
PSC endorses appointment of six DIGs, elevates one CP to AIG, others
Alleged Breach Of Act: FCCPC Set To Arraign MTN CEO, Others
Just in: Terrorists ambush military truck, kill all soldiers on board
Nigerian Dancer, Korra Obidi Attacked with acid, stabbed on stage In UK
Meet Rare Gem 16 Years Old Chiaza, CEO of ‘RUN MARKET PLACE’
-
News21 hours ago“My wife has tasted over 21 men in the movie industry-Comedian Ijoba laments
-
News21 hours agoKano Hisbah nabs Muslims for eating in public during Ramadan
-
News22 hours agoBREAKING! TInubu endorses licences for eleven new private varsities
-
News22 hours agoWe’ve heard your dirge but Rivers people not ready to mourn with you, CRP tells Fubara
-
News19 hours agoOba Akamo denies conferring king of street title on Portable
-
News20 hours agoReps Approve N250bn SEDC Budget
-
News19 hours agoAfter Dangote’s price slash, NNPC Ltd follows suit reduces petrol price
-
Politics13 hours agoLP snubs NLC interference, turns down merger