News

Obuah Condemns SARS Over Ogoni Killings

Published

7 years ago

November 15, 2017

The Chairman, Rivers State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bro. Felix Obuah says he was seriously disturbed by the continued lawless activities of operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in the state under the command of CSP Akin Fakorede.
Obuah, while condemning last Saturday’s killing of three innocent Ogoni youths in Luebe community in Nyor-Khana district of Khana Local Government Area of the state, said the operations of SARS have become a source of anguish to the people of Rivers State, wondering why since the deployment of the current Commander of the squad, Akin Fakorede to the state, these lawless and unprofessional operations have continued unabated with impunity.
The PDP chairman expressed worry that rather than protecting lives and property of Rivers people, the SARS, led by Fakorede has taken pride in destroying lives, causing pains to the people, turning to armed robbers, constituting nuisance on roads, acting as political thugs and armed gang to the All Progressives Congress (APC), and therefore, constituting a security threat to the nation’s democracy and peace in Rivers State.
“It is quite pathetic and painful that lives of these three young men and many more have just been cut short by operatives of the SARS, who reportedly were on illegal oil bunkering business in that Ogoni community, as they were seen escorting illegally refined crude oil to the point of sale, where they (the SARS operatives) were to be paid huge amount of money for the oil deal”, Obuah noted.
He further said this incident was as worrisome as that which took place almost simultaneously same Saturday, in which another team of SARS operatives, attached to the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, led by Fakorede, attacked the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, while on inspection tour of projects in Port Harcourt, insisting that “This trend must stop”.
Reiterating his earlier unequivocal call for the removal of the Rivers SARS Commander, Akin Fakorede, Obuah observed that no civilized society allows this kind of security threat untamed, stressing that President Muhammadu Buhari must match his words with action in his claim of being the president ‘for everybody and for nobody’.
“President Buhari needs to save lives of Rivers people and our dear governor from Fakorede, his paymasters and killer squad”, the PDP chairman emphasized.
Obuah also commiserated with the people of Ogoni, the Luebe community and families of the three unjustly murdered youths, assuring them that justice must prevail in the matter.
He further called on the state Commissioner of Police, Zaki Ahmed and the Police High Command to ensure perpetrators of these dastardly acts are arrested and prosecuted accordingly, saying that failure to the needful would worsen the already battered image of the police under the present inspector general as the worst in the world.
Meanwhile, following the brutal murder of the three Ogoni youths by operatives of SARS, last Saturday, in Luebe, community leaders and women have called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the state SARS Commander, CSP Akin Fakorede over allegations that the squad operates a bunkering syndicate to defraud Nigeria.
They also insisted that the bunkering activities of SARS in the area have impacted negatively on the Luebe environment, and challenged relevant authorities to urgently tame the scourge.
The community leaders, who listed the names of the three murdered youths to include, Bariledum Ndag, EwonuBari LeBari, and Neebee Baah, said the three were only serving the community and nation by working to prevent illegal oil bunkering in to area.
“On Friday night, the SARS operatives working with bunkering criminals attempted to move stolen petroleum products to Oyigbo Local Government Area. When they were challenged by the youth, they opened fire on the boys, killing three and injuring 15 others.
“The mass murder led to protests, as women and youth trooped out to call for justice. Despite this gruesome murder of innocent youth, the Rivers State SARS Commander, Akin Fakorede in company of APC leaders stormed Bori, seeking that the case be swept under the carpet.
“However, the police area commander in Bori insisted on releasing the names of the SARS bunkering syndicate to community leaders who have petitioned relevant authorities, calling for justice,” the community told newsmen, last Monday.

By: Susan Serekara-Nwikhana.

News

Kano Gov Congratulates NUJ At 70

Published

13 hours ago

March 17, 2025

The Tide

Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State has congratulated the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on its 70th anniversary.
The governor acknowledged the NUJ’s vital role in strengthening democracy and promoting accountability in governance.
This is contained in a statement by the governor’s spokesman, Sunusi Dawakin Tofa in Kano, yesterday.
The governor lauded the NUJ for its unwavering commitment to ethical journalism and nation building.
He commended the union’s leadership, led by Mr Alhassan Yahya Abdullahi, for advancing press freedom and advocating for journalists’ welfare.
“The NUJ has been instrumental in shaping Nigeria’s narrative, promoting democracy and ensuring accountability in governance.
”The Kano state government recognises the critical role of the media in our democracy and will continue to support and collaborate with the NUJ to uphold a free and independent press,” he stated.
Yusuf urged journalists to continue to uphold professionalism, integrity and objectivity.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fostering a strong partnership with the union, while ensuring that the media remained a pillar of democracy in the state and the country at large.
“Once again, congratulations to the NUJ on this remarkable achievement. May the next 70 years bring even greater successes and accomplishments for the union and its members,” he stated.

News

Monarch Lauds Fubara On Enduring Peace, Installs Three Chiefs In Ngo

Published

13 hours ago

March 17, 2025

The Tide

The Village Head of Ngo in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, King Dogood Ngere, has commended the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, for his peaceful disposition and leadership qualities in the State.
King Ngere has also appealed to the governor and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to resolve their differences and work together for the interest of peace and development of the State.
The monarch stressed the need for the two leaders to put Rivers State interest above personal interest and reconcile their differences.
He said Fubara’s decision to implement the Supreme Court judgement shows that he is a man of peace and appealed to the Rivers State House of Assembly led by Rt Martin Amaewhule to work with the Executive to move the State forward.
The traditional ruler stated this shortly after he installed three chiefs at his palace in Ngo Town.
The three chiefs are Chief Daniel Dimkpa Nelson of Ebirien Ngere family, Chief John Biboh John of Ngor Egbesi family, and Awajimotumu Ukot Idawaji as chief of Ida Awaji family.
Addressing the new chiefs after their installation, King Ngere charged them to see themselves as role models for their individual families, stressing that as chiefs, it behoves them to be exemplary in their conducts.
According to the traditional ruler, the new chiefs must not only work for the peace of their families but Ngo community in general.
King Ngere also advised members of the three families to give their chiefs the desired respect while also supporting them to succeed.
He commended Governor Fubara for his numerous developmental projects in Andoni, particularly the ongoing Ngo/Oyorokoto Road, saying that when completed, the road will open up economic opportunities in the area.
Also speaking at the occasion, the Secretary of the Egweoke Council of Chiefs, Chief Awajiokan Mbosowo Ukumor, described the installation ceremony as a big success.
He said the three chiefs fulfilled all the conditions for their installation and are therefore admitted as members of the Ngo Council of Chiefs.
The ceremony was attended by people from various walks of life.

News

NDLEA Seizes Large Consignments Of Skunk, Heroin Across Six States, FCT

Published

13 hours ago

March 17, 2025

The Tide

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has seized large consignments of skunk, heroin, and other opioids in raids across Kano, Kwara, Kaduna, Taraba, Abia, Osun, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
NDLEA’s Director, Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement issued to newsmen in Abuja, yesterday.
Babafemi said that in Kano, a total of 727 blocks of compressed skunk weighing 479kg were recovered from a 40-year-old suspect.
According to him, the suspect was arrested by operatives of the NDLEA at the Chalawa area of the state on March 12.
He added that no fewer than 58,300 pills of tramadol were also intercepted along Kabba-Obajana highway, Kogi, in a commercial bus coming from Lagos, enroute Abuja on March 11.
He added that raid operations in Kachia, in Kaduna on March 13, led to the arrest of a 21 year-old suspect, with 4,900 pills of tramadol 225mg seized from him.
Babafemi said that a similar exercise in the Hayin Banki area of Kaduna North Local Government Area (LGA) on March 14, also resulted in the arrest of another 25-year-old suspect.
According to Babafemi, 2,900 tablets of tramadol 225mg was also recovered from him.
“A total of 40,200 tablets of tramadol 225mg were recovered from the duo of Olowoko Faruk and Akeem Ridwan along Ilorin – Jebba expressway, Bode Saadu, Kwara, on Friday, March 14.
“The NDLEA operatives equally seized 21,700 capsules of same opioid from a suspect, along Eiyenkorin expressway, Ilorin on Thursday, March 13.
“Also, in Taraba, NDLEA officers on Friday, March 14, another 30-year-old suspect, at Bente Road, Kurmi LGA, with 15.77kg of skunk,” he stated.
Speaking further, he noted that agency operatives had also on March 13 in Osun, intercepted a commercial bus with registration number, SGB 564 YS coming from Idumota, Lagos Island.
According to him, the NDLEA operatives recovered a total of 48.7kg Ghanaian Loud, Colorado and Canadian Loud, all strains of cannabis.
“Not less than nine suspects have been arrested in connection with the seizure in Osogbo and Ile-Ife during follow up operations.
“A 58-year-old suspect was on March 11, arrested along Gwagwalada expressway, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, with 27,800 pills of tramadol 225mg.
“Another 26 year old suspect sold was nabbed same day with various quantities of skunk and cocaine at Wuse zone 3 area of Abuja.
“In Abia, NDLEA operatives had also on March 15, raided the Ntigha community, Isiala-Ngwa North LGA, where a 34-year-old suspect was arrested.
“Operatives recovered from him, 274grams of heroin, 141grams of methamphetamine, 2.931kg of cannabis sativa, four grams of cocaine and N753,015 monetary exhibit,” he said.