The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Security agencies

  • Rivers PDP chair hails security agencies, Wike for ending killings

    Rivers PDP chair hails security agencies, Wike for ending killings

    The Rivers State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Felix Obuah, has lauded security agencies and Governor Nyesom Wike for ending the senseless and unprovoked killings in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of the state.

    A terrorist, Igwedibia Johnson, aka ‘General’ Don Waney, 34, who masterminded the New Year’s Day killing of 17 worshippers after crossover service in Omoku, the headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA of Rivers State, was on Saturday killed in Enugu, Enugu State, along with two of his lieutenants: Ikechukwu Adiele and Lucky Ode, by soldiers and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).

    Obuah, in a statement yesterday in Port Harcourt by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Pastor Jerry Needam, noted that Wike and the security agencies deserved special commendation for their proactive action and gallantry in bringing to an end, the reign of terror in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA of the state.

    Rivers PDP chairman said: “The visit of Governor Wike to Omoku, sequel to the slaughtering of some worshippers during the New Year crossover service and the promise of a handsome reward N200 million to any person with useful information that could lead to the arrest of the hoodlums, was a morale booster to the success recorded in tracing and killing the notorious criminal, Don Waney, and his gang in Enugu, Enugu State.

    “I give security agencies a pat on the back for displaying the highest professional skills in bursting the killer gang, without taking the lives of innocent people during the gun duel between the soldiers and the bandits.

    “The PDP-controlled Rivers State government is prepared to continue to partner and give all necessary logistic support to the security agencies, in their efforts to make Rivers State cult and crime free.

    “The euphoria occasioned by the news of the death of the notorious kidnap kingpin, Don Waney, believed to be behind most of the criminal activities across Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA in recent times is a pointer that the people had lived in fear and always prayed for the end of the dark period, which has come, with the great feat recorded by the gallant soldiers and DSS officers.”

    Obuah also described the killing of Johnson and his gang members as God’s answer to the prayers of the peace-loving people Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA and the bereaved families of the victims, while expressing optimism that the much-needed peace had returned to the area.

    He urged the security agencies not to rest on their oars, until all forms of criminality were wiped out in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA and other parts of Rivers state.

    Rivers PDP chairman said: “On our part, we will make sure every encouragement is given to the Rivers State government and the security agencies for a more secure and peaceful Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA and its citizens.

    “May we also use this opportunity to warn all those who derive pleasure in promoting insecurity in the state by politicising security matters and spreading false information and propaganda to desist forthwith, to enable the security agents fish out the real enemies and perpetrators of the heinous crimes against our fatherland.”

    Obuah also stated that the security agencies and Wike’s government must be supported at all times.

  • We’ll continue to partner security agencies, says Rivers govt

    Rivers State Government said yesterday t will continue to partner with security agencies in the effort to rid the state of cultists and criminals.

    Reacting to the killing of Don Wani, Commissioner for Information and Communications Emma Okah said the success recorded in the operation that ended the lives of Don Wani and his men is “a victory for the law abiding people in the state.

    “It underscores the desirability of honest partnership and synergy between the government and security agencies as well as the public in tackling security problems in the state.

    “This victory gladdens our heart and we remain more committed in the fight against crimes and will continue to support the police and all security agencies in the onerous task of securing our dear Rivers State and her people”, Mr Okah said,  noting that no cost will be spared to make our people sleep with two eyes closed.

    “We thank President Muhammadu Buhari for not playing politics with the Omoku massacre but gave a matching order which galvanised the efforts of the 6 Div of Nigeria Army, the DSS, police and everybody or agency who played a role to avenge the death of the innocent people killed in Omoku on 1st January, 2018.

    “The success of our collective effort has shown that there is no hiding place for the wicked”

  • Insurgency, herdsmen attacks: Church urges FG to equip security agencies

    To finally win the war against insurgency in the Northeast and the rampant herdsmen attacks, the Hausa speaking section of United Church of Christ in Nation (UCCN), popularly known HEKAN has called on federal government to equip security agencies with necessary arms and ammunition.

    Addressing a press conference, President of the church, Rev. Amos G. Kiri, said Nigerians can only sleep with two eyes closed when government provides security personnel at the war front with required logistics.

    The reverend said, “situations where Nigerians sleep with one eye open due to fear of been attacked, kidnapped or been killed has reached its peak.”

    He added that, “government can do more in this direction by reassuring Nigerians that they can move about freely without being attacked, kidnapped or being killed through equipping the security agencies with appropriate equipment and facilities required to fight social ills.

    “It is the responsibility of government to protect lives and properties of its citizens,” he added.

    The church also condemned the spate of attack on innocent people by herdsmen, calling on government to fish out those found wanting.

    “Job opportunities should be created for our teeming youths to keep them away from idleness which usually leads to chaotic social ills associated with youthfulness,” he stressed.

     

  • CAN urges govt, security agencies to wake up to responsibilties

    CAN urges govt, security agencies to wake up to responsibilties

    •Next year will be better – Ayokunle

    The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN),  Rev.  Samson Ayokunle, has advised government and security operatives to wake up from their slumber.

    The development is in reaction to the unending fuel scarcity, kidnapping and killings across the country.

    Ayokunle in his christmas message to christians through a statement he personally issued and signed at the weekend in Abuja said: “On behalf of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), I rejoice with all Nigerians in general and every Christian family  in particular as we celebrate another Christmas in the land of the living and I pray that the joy associated with the season will be your portion in Jesus Name.

    “To us, the joy of Christmas is not limited to His unprecedented and miraculous birth. It is built even more on the triumph of His death and resurrection that gave meaning to His birth because it was His resurrection that gave us hope against every hopeless situation.

    “I am not unaware of the hardship Nigerians are facing today as many could not travel for the Christmas celebration despite the holiday due to the fuel scarcity, unpaid salaries  and other economic factors.

    “But the major theme of the Christmas remains FEAR NOT. No matter what we are seeing or hearing. That was what the angel who broke the Good News told the shepherds. “And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger” (Luke 2:9-12 KJV ).

    “During the week, the National Bureau of Statistics reported that due to the  harsh economic situation currently facing our nation, not fewer than 3.67 million Nigerians lost their jobs last year alone. They are still working on the figure for the outgoing year.

    “The International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s verdict on Nigeria was also as hopeless as that of the NBS if not more but our eyes are not on the government but on God who always fulfils His promises no matter the circumstances.

  • Yuletide: Lagos donates Lake rice to security agencies

    In the spirit of the yuletide season, the Lagos State Government on Saturday donated trailer-loads of Lake Rice each to the Armed Forces, the police and other security agencies in the state. A statement by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Steve Ayorinde, said the latest donation to security agencies was part of the token to appreciate law enforcement agents for their commitment and sacrifice to ensure security of lives and property in the state.

    The State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode had, while launching the 2018 Armed Forces Remembrance Emblem on December 20, 2017, equally donated N25million to the Nigerian Legion as well as trailer-load of rice to aid the welfare of the families of fallen heroes. According to Ayorinde, “The latest gesture by the State Government to security agencies for the festive celebration is a continuation of the token to appreciate them by the State Government for their efforts at maintaining law and order in the state.

    “Lagos is indeed blessed with dedicated security personnel and despite all that have been done in the past and is still being done to assist security agencies, such as provision of critical logistics, allowances, insurance benefits, among others, the onus is on government to continue to utilize every opportunity to appreciate and motivate them to continue to put in their very best.

    “Security, being one of the tripod upon which the administration of His Excellency, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode is built, will continue to be given top priority to ensure safety of lives and property, as well as to grow the economy of the State,” the Commissioner said. There are 600 full bags of rice in each of the trucks donated to the security agencies.

     

  • Lalong to security agencies: find perpetrators of Jos killings

    Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has condemned the latest attack on the citizens where nine people were killed and several others injured.

    The governor has directed security personnel to fish out the perpetrators and urged citizens to volunteer useful information that will lead to their arrest.

    Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Governor Lalong, Mr. Dan Manjang said in a statement that: “The Governor is deeply saddened by the barbaric attack of November 7 in Rim Village of Riyom Local Government Area, where nine  people were killed and several others injured by yet to be identified gunmen.

    “The Governor condemns this savage act in its entirety, especially that it passes for a deliberate attempt by the perpetrators to throw Riyom Local Government Area back into the dark days of violence. What is most worrisome is the fact that this inhuman attack is coming at a time the state has made considerable improvements in building intra and inter ethnic cohesion, for sustainable peace among the various ethnic groups in the entire Riyom Local Government and neighbouring communities. These positive efforts will not be allowed to be spirited away by evil agents of distabilisation.

    “Governor Lalong commiserates with the families of those, who have lost their lives and wishes the injured a speedy recovery.

    “He assures the people of Rim in particular and Plateau citizens in general that government would continue to intensify security efforts and intelligence to identify perpetrators and ensure they are brought to book.

    “In this light, therefore, the Governor has directed security personnel in the state to fish out the perpetrators without further delay.

    “He requested all peace loving citizens to stand united in prayers and vigilance, while ensuring that they volunteer all useful information that will lead to the apprehension and prosecution of these agents of evil and their collaborators.”

     

     

     

  • Fayose urges security agencies to fish out EKSU students’ killers

    Fayose urges security agencies to fish out EKSU students’ killers

    •Governor dedicates phone lines to arrest criminals

    Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has ordered security agencies to fish out the killers of two students of Ekiti State University (EKSU) in the last two weeks.

    The governor said there would be no hiding place for cultists and kidnappers in the state.

    He said: “The long arm of the law will soon catch up with them.”

    Fayose, who spoke yesterday while featuring on this month’s edition of his media chat, called: Meet Your Governor, promised to stamp out cultism and kidnapping, which have been on the increase across the state.

    The governor also released some phone numbers dedicated for volunteering information to security agencies to arrest of suspected cultists, kidnappers, ritualists and other criminals.

    The lines are: 09030002151, 09030002161 and 08062336577.

    Security has been tightened in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, as operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) conducted stop-and-search on motorists on Ado-Iworoko Road, which leads to EKSU.

    Fayose, who expressed anger at penultimate Monday’s killing of Ojo Segun and last Monday’s killing of Ayodele Temilade, both of EKSU, said the culprits would not go unpunished.

    He said: “We won’t allow anybody to tarnish the image of EKSU and the state. We have been experiencing peace in the state and the recent killings are condemnable.

    “The police will surely fish out the perpetrators. I won’t allow anybody to turn the institution into a place of bloodshed. I have told the management of the institution to stamp out cult activities. People sent to study should face their studies squarely.

    “Also, security agents are monitoring the activities of some bad eggs who want to turn Ogotun-Igbaraoke-Ikere axis and Oye-Imojo-Ayede axis into kidnappers’ areas of operation.

    “We are on top of the situation. There is no hiding place for criminal elements in the state.”

    The governor urged the public not to aid or abet criminals and their activities.

  • Human Trafficking: Obaseki seeks home-grown solution

    Human Trafficking: Obaseki seeks home-grown solution

    …Sets up Task Force

     

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on Tuesday inaugurated the State Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force, a measure that will proffer a new set of home-grown solutions to the age-long social problem.

    Obaseki lamented that the state was fast becoming synonymous with human trafficking and charged the taskforce to urgently redeem the state’s image as Edo people do not want to be associated with the stigma any more.

    The new measure according to him, would complement the efforts of the federal government through the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking In Persons (NAPTIP) and other international organizations involved in the fight against human trafficking.

    “It is has been suggested that a special court be established in the state to prosecute perpetrators. We are losing our young people to this negative trend and we must make human trafficking a thing of the past in the state,” the governor said.

    He charged the task force made up of representatives of security agencies, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), NAPTIP, Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government, religious and traditional institutions, to come up with modalities on how to domesticate the federal government’s law on trafficking in the state.

    The taskforce was also charged to come up with a comprehensive action plan for combating trafficking in persons as well as programmes that will help in reintegrating victims of the illicit trade into the society.

    In her remarks, the Chairman of the task force, Professor Yinka Omorogbe, who is also the Attorney General of the state, commended the governor for the initiative and said that it would bring an end to the problem, with the cooperation and support of all members of the society.

    She assured that members of the taskforce would live up to the confidence reposed on them and pledged that a working document would be ready within the six-week period given to them.

  • Osun bye election: Oluwo applauds INEC, security agencies

    The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi, has applauded the people of Osun West senatorial district for conducting themselves well before, during and after the last senatorial bye election in the area. He commended the electorate for not allowing violence to mar the process of the election.

    In a statement issued by his media aide, Ibrahim Alli, the traditional ruler also praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the security agencies and other stakeholders for the success of the election. The monarch congratulated the winner of the bye-election, Otunba Ademola Adeleke.

    Oba Akanbi also felicitated with the Timi of Ede, Oba Munirudeen Adesola Lawal and the people of Ede land, on the victory of their illustrious son, saying the victory is for the entire Osun west senatorial district. According to the monarch, the peace that prevailed during and after the election showed that there was no victor and no vanquished.

    “What should be paramount to us all now is the development of the senatorial district. I therefore called on the people to support the Senator-elect in the interest of Osun West,” he said.

  • ‘Rivers govt is working with security agencies to free kidnapped medical doctor’

    The Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Dr. Ipalibo Harry-Banigo, has assured that the Nyesom Wike’s administration is collaborating with the security agencies in the state to ensure the unconditional release unhurt of a kidnapped medical doctor, Alex Akani, of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH).

    She noted that as a medical doctor and mother, she was deeply pained by the kidnap and sometimes gruesome murder of medical doctors by assailants.

    Harry-Banigo, yesterday in Port Harcourt, pointed out that by training and the Hippocratic Oath sworn to by medical doctors, they were trained  and obliged to save lives at all times, wondering why anybody would want to harm a medical doctor, pointing out that even at war times, medical doctors were spared.

    She also pleaded with the Medical and Dental Consultants of UPTH to suspend the proposed strike, occasioned by the kidnap of Dr. Akani.