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Inspector To Be Dismissed, Charged For Murder, Rivers CP Confirms

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The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, Joseph Mukan, says the Police Inspector who shot dead a Keke rider at the SARS Road area of Rukpokwu in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area at dawn, yesterday, has been arrested, and faces dismissal and prosecution.
Mukan, in a statement signed by the Rivers State Command’s Spokesman, SP Nnamdi Omoni, said the command “was greeted this morning with the sad and unfortunate incident at Rukpokwu Junction, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Port Harcourt.”
Mukan confirmed that “The incident attracted reaction from the Keke Drivers’ Union but was, however, immediately contained by our men deployed to the area.
“The command condemns the dastardly incident, and ordered immediate commencement of the Inspector’s Orderly Room Trial, who is currently being tried, will be dismissed, and charged to court immediately for murder.
“We equally extend heartfelt condolences of the Inspector-General of Police and the Command to families of the deceased and the Keke Drivers’ Union, as we will do all in our powers to ensure the interest of justice is served in the circumstance.
“We appeal to all aggrieved to maintain restraint and allow the law to take its full course. Affected areas have been stabilised, security beefed up at the Rumuokoro Police Station to forestall any breakdown of law and order.
“Accordingly, calm has been restored, and business activities resumed, while the situation remains under close monitoring”, the police added.
Earlier, as the international community was marking the World Human Rights Day, an atmosphere of tension was triggered in Port Harcourt, as an operative of Operation Sting, shot dead a Keke rider over his alleged refusal to part with N100 checkpoint bribe.
Two more persons were feared killed as police, joined by a group of vigilante, repelled an angry mob’s attempt to torch the Rumuokoro Police Divisional Headquarters, at Rumuodumaya, whose personnel was said to have killed the tricycle rider.
The victim, popularly known as ‘School Boy’ was shot at Elukpokpodu Road at Rukpokwu, a link to the popular SARS Road, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
An eyewitness, Beniah Emmanuel, said, “Around 6am this morning, ‘School Boy’ with a woman passenger in his Keke, had stopped at the spot to look for change when the patrol team stopped him.
“They asked for N100. The guy said he was only just coming out this morning. They, then, moved to impound his Keke, and then, started hitting him in a scuffle. That was when one the policemen shot him in the chest, and he died on the spot.”
In the spontaneous street protest that followed, disrupting traffic on the Rumuokoro–Rukpokwu Road, yet unconfirmed reports had it that two more persons were shot dead, two others injured as police repelled attempted mob invasion to burn down the Rumuokoro Police Divisional Headquarters.
Emmanuel, who followed through the fatal drama further said, “They (protesters) brought with them the corpse of slain ‘School Boy’. They were able to torch the gate house at the station as policemen on guard initially took to their heels.
“But there was swift reinforcement of mobile policemen, vigilante (OSPAC) in the area and some Army who came in later. The security forces started shooting and tear-gassing to disperse the mob.
“So, the total killing today could be three. The police shot them all. And the area remains tense. Police and OSPAC have shut that axis of the Rumuokoro/Airport Expressway to traffic.”
Meanwhile, the Coordinator of rights group, Centre for Basic Rights (CBR), Prince Wiro, expressed disappointment at the police for displaying such level of violence on a day the world was marking Human Rights Day.
Wiro said, “We call for a thorough investigation into the shooting to death of a tricycle rider with a view to bringing the perpetrator to book.
“It is highly regrettable that the life of another Nigerian youth was cut short on a World Human Rights Day.
“The killing of the tricycle driver by a police officer violates the right to life of the deceased”, the rights activist, added.

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FG To Seize Retirees’ Property Over Unpaid Housing Loans

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The Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board says it has begun the compilation of list of retired civil servants who have defaulted on the full repayment of housing loans obtained.
Head of Information and Public Relations, FGSHLB, Mrs Ngozi Obiechina, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja, yesterday.
Obiechina quoted the Executive Secretary of the Board, Mrs Salamatu Ahmed, as saying that the move was aimed at recovering mortgaged properties from retirees who failed to meet their loan obligations.
Ahmed noted that the decision followed a recent memo issued by Mrs Patience Oyekunle, Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
According to her, the memo reminded public servants of the mandatory requirement to obtain a Certificate of Non-Indebtedness to the FGSHLB and MDA Staff Multipurpose Cooperative Society as a precondition for retirement.
The Executive Secretary said that the board would take necessary legal steps to repossess properties where applicable, in line with the terms of the loan agreements.
She said this was in line with the provisions of the Public Service Rules 021002 (p), issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
“I am directed to bring to your attention the provision of Public Service Rule (PSR) 021002 (p), which mandates all public servants to obtain a Certificate of Non-Indebtedness as a prerequisite for retirement.
“The Federal Government will commence the seizure of mortgaged properties belonging to retiring federal public servants who have failed to fully repay housing loans obtained from the board,” she said.
Ahmed explained that the FGSHLB reserves the legal right to repossess any mortgaged property in cases where a public servant exits service without fully repaying the loan.
She reiterated that the directive also applied to already retired officers who were still indebted.
She urged all affected public servants to regularise their loan status and obtain the required clearance certificate without delay.
“The board is currently compiling a list of such retirees, which will be forwarded to relevant regulatory agencies for debt recovery.
“The FGSHLB remains committed to enforcing compliance and ensuring proper loan recovery procedures are followed, “ she added.

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FG Begins Induction For New Permanent Secretaries, Accountant-General

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The Federal Government has kicked off a three-day induction programme for newly appointed Permanent Secretaries and the Accountant-General of the Federation, aimed at equipping them for strategic leadership and effective policy implementation.
The induction, according to a statement yesterday by the Director, Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Eno Olotu, which commenced on Wednesday, is being held at the National Counter Terrorism Centre in Abuja.
Speaking at the opening session, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, congratulated the new appointees and described their roles as pivotal to governance and national development.
“Permanent Secretaries are the engine room of the government. They are critical to driving policy implementation, institutional performance, and reform across the service”, she said.
The Federal Government has kicked off a three-day induction programme for newly appointed Permanent Secretaries and the Accountant-General of the Federation, aimed at equipping them for strategic leadership and effective policy implementation.
The induction, according to a statement yesterday by the Director, Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Eno Olotu, which commenced on Wednesday, is being held at the National Counter Terrorism Centre in Abuja.
Speaking at the opening session, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, congratulated the new appointees and described their roles as pivotal to governance and national development.
“Permanent Secretaries are the engine room of the government. They are critical to driving policy implementation, institutional performance, and reform across the service”, she said.
“The expectations are high, and the responsibility is immense. But with commitment and teamwork, we can deliver a more efficient, accountable, and citizen-centred public service.
“This final lap of FCSSIP 25 calls for urgency, accountability, and strategic focus. You must translate vision into measurable results,” she stated.
In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, Mrs. Fatima Sugra Tabi’a Mahmood, described the programme as a strategic investment in leadership capacity and institutional effectiveness.
The sessions featured expert-led discussions, simulations, and strategic briefings facilitated by a distinguished faculty, including Engr. Suleiman Adamu, former Minister of Water Resources; Dr. Hadiza Bala Usman, Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination; Mrs. Beatrice Jedy-Agba, Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice; Alh. Yusuf Addy, retired Federal Director; Alhaji Bukar Goni Aji, former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation; Amb. Mustapha Lawal Suleiman, Mr. Adesola Olusade, and Dr. Ifeoma Anagbogu, all retired Permanent Secretaries.
Participants include Dr. Obi Emeka Vitalis, Mrs. Fatima Sugra Tabi’a Mahmood, Mr. Danjuma Mohammed Sanusi, Mr. Olusanya Olubunmi, Dr. Keshinro Maryam Ismaila, Dr. Akujobi Chinyere Ijeoma, Dr. Umobong Emanso Okop, Dr. Isokpunwu Christopher Osaruwanmwen, Mrs. Oyekunle N. Patience, Dr. Kalba U. Danjuma, Mr. Nadungu Gagare, Mr. Onwusoro I. Maduka, Dr. Usman Salihu Aminu, Mr. Ogbodo Chinasa Nnam, Mr. Ndiomu Ebiogeh Philip, Dr. Anuma N. Ogbonnaya, Mr. Adeladan Rafiu Olaninre, and Mr. Mukhtar Yawale Muhammed, alongside the Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr. Shamseldeen Babatunde Ogunjimi.
The induction programme will feature sessions on public sector leadership, policy delivery, ethics in service, digital transformation, and performance management.

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NNPCL To Undergo Forensic Audit Soon -FG

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The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has announced that a forensic audit of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) will begin soon.
Edun revealed this at the ongoing Nigerian Investor Forum, held alongside the IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington DC.
The minister explained that the recent changes in the NNPCL management are part of a broader effort by the Federal Government to clean up and examine the company closely.
While addressing top global investors, including representatives from J.P. Morgan, Edun shared key reforms the government has introduced to revive the economy and restore investor confidence.
He told the investors that the government’s bold economic steps have laid a strong foundation to attract private investment.
He stated, “Our goal is not just to maintain this momentum, but to accelerate it. We are targeting seven per cent annual growth, and we believe the policies we have implemented have laid the groundwork to achieve this.”
Edun highlighted that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has rolled out major reforms that are already making a difference.
He added that the Nigerian economy grew by 3.84 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2024 and recorded a 3.4 per cent growth for the year.
Edun further stressed the importance of the reforms, describing them as “unprecedented,” adding that, “We said we would do it, and now we have done it. This time, we’re staying the course.”
He pointed out signs of progress such as lower budget deficits, a better trade balance, and a more stable exchange rate.
He also said that the focus is now on growing key sectors, especially agriculture.
According to Edun, agriculture is at the top of the government’s agenda, with the aim of improving food supply and increasing productivity.
“We aim to close the food supply gap, not by importing more, but by enabling domestic producers to scale and innovate,” he said.
On infrastructure, Edun revealed that the government has rolled out 90,000km of fibre optic cable to improve internet access.
He said this move is crucial for supporting young Nigerians and tech startups.
He also noted that 4,000km of roads have been offered for private sector participation, with the first 1,000km already approved for construction.

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