City Crime
Whither Security Of Nigeria?
The dismantling of the police unit called the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) by the Federal Government was as a result of the hues and cries of the youths over the recklessness of the unit. It was a speedy response to the hitherto peaceful protest of the youths.
The protesting youths had accused SARS of several criminal acts like extra-judicial killings, maiming of suspects and unfriendliness to the society in general. The hostility against the youth was palpable; artists with dreadlocks were often molested, intimidated and arrested. The scenario made every youth a suspect in the Nigerian nation.
The right to the freedom of expression protected by Section 39 and the right to dignity of human person protected by Section 34 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended were whittled down as the youths could not make tattoos on their bodies without risking arrest by the SARS operatives.
In spite of the fact that bail is free in Nigeria, SARS charged large sums of money as fees. Suspects were treated like culprits despite the fact that suspects or accused persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
The SARS operatives were adjudged to have committed a hell of heinous crimes against Nigerians especially the youth.
But SARS was not bereft of virtues, it played a key role in the suppression of violent crimes in the society. In areas where other police units could not thread, SARS went with courage and strength. Hoodlums, cultists and other criminals dreaded SARS.
To most criminals, the ending of SARS is a welcome development as they have been granted unhindered access to perpetrate evil and wreak mayhem in the society. Last week, the youth protest in Lagos and other parts of Western Nigeria was hijacked. It snowballed into looting, arson and wanton destruction of lives and property. Those who had expressed sympathy over the killing of peaceful protesters by soldiers, were overwhelmed by a rude shock over the monster the protest had become. Palliatives stored in warehouses consequent upon the global pandemic, COVID 19, were looted.
In Benin City, there was a jail break that released all prisoners in the maximum security prison. In Delta State, many policemen were killed as hoodlums took liberty for license. The policemen in Delta State had to protest over the killing of their colleagues, stating that, “Police are human beings.”
In Cross Rivers State, hoodlums in guise of EndSARS and police brutality protest, have unleashed heinous crimes against the state in spite of Governor Ben Ayade’s promises to lessen the sufferings of youth. His unprecedented creation of jobs in the simmering period of COVID 19 did not help matters. The hoodlums set ablaze private, public and corporate buildings and nobody can say for certain whose interest the hoodlums are serving.
In Plateau State, youths turned into palliatives hunters have descended on a warehouse in Jos. What manner of youths?
On 24th October, 2020, hoodlums invaded palliatives warehouse at Gwagwalada, Abuja and carted away everything in store. This perhaps consists of the cardinal points of their reformation agenda. In Lagos, many youths are expressing sentiments that the destruction of the properties are targeted at a particular ethnic group.
Regrettably, the preponderance of hoodlums that wreaked havoc in Southern Nigeria are part of the youths expected to take over the reins of power from the ageing generation of the present day rulers. In the present circumstances, what is the future of our great nation? Little wonder then that some governors do not want to tolerate anything protest. The seeming expression of the fundamental rights of protesters has led to sorrow, tears and blood to many Nigerians.
In Rivers State, the Indigenous People of Biafra, hijacked the protest, invaded police stations in Oyigbo, Eleme, Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt Local Government Areas. In Oyigbo, the Police Area Command and Afam Divisional Police Stations were burnt down, while some policemen were killed in the process. Oyigbo residents believe that guns had been looted by the proscribed group.
IPOB, for no justifiable reason, attacked Hausas living in Oyigbo that left people on both sides dead.
The ugly situation, made Governor Nyesom Wike to impose a 24-hour curfew on the areas ravaged by the outlawed IPOB.
At Iriebe in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, robbers are robbing in broad daylight in what has become nightmarish. The paramount ruler of the community is calling for security agencies to come to their rescue. Efforts are being made by the state government to bring perpetrators of the Oyigbo mayhem to book as Governor Wike has put a bounty of N50,000,000 (Fifty million naira) on the alleged mastermind of the crisis.
One Mr Stanley Mgbere is alleged to have been the mastermind of IPOB mayhem.
The dismantling of SARS and the ban on use of guns by the local vigilante has put paid to the efforts of the government and communities to maintain security in the society. With SARS gone, the enfeebled Nigeria police lack the capacity to fight violent crimes. Pathetically, both the Nigeria police and citizens they are expected to protect have become vulnerable to criminals with sophisticated weapons.
Again, the looting of police armouries that characterised the invasion of stations has left no one in doubt that firearms have entered into the wrong hands and it will be difficult to mop up the firearms. Nobody is safe any longer, everybody has to be careful not to fall prey to the antics of criminals. The proliferation of small arms in South-East and South-South has fueled violent crimes and separatist agitation. The recent happenings since the dismantling of SARS have made it crystal clear that Nigeria needs strong policing to stem the growth of criminal activities.
EndSARS protest has left in its wake, the loss of lives and incalculable damages; a huge loss to the entire nation.
What does anybody expect from a nation where the politicians live in splendor while the masses live in misery? The demonstration was a release from pent-up frustrations among Nigerians. Even the little that should trickle to poor is denied them. The denial of the masses of palliatives meant for them at the height of COVID 19 pandemic, demonstrates leaders’ insensitivity to the plight of the ordinary citizens. The list is endless.
However, the primary function of government is the maintenance of law and order. With the scrapping of SARS, the society is likely going to witness an upsurge in crime rate. President Muhammadu Buhari’s terse address belies government’s resolve to restore law and order throughout Nigeria. Section 10 of the Police Act highlights government power vested on the police to ensure public safety.
No government anywhere in the world either wants to throw in the towel or allow protesters making hydra-headed demands to force it out. It does not thrive on public opinion. The call to end SARS and police brutality was victorious but a pyric victory at that as our security system is likely to collapse if nothing is done to salvage the situation.
Chidi Enyie
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has presented N1.188 trillion as budgetary estimate for the year 2025 to the State House of Assembly for consideration and approval.
This figure is an increase from the 2024 budget of N800 billion that was presented in 2023 to the Assembly.
Governor Fubara presented the 2025 Appropriation Bill shortly after delivering his address to lawmakers at the Assembly Auditorium, Administrative Block of Government House in Port Harcourt on Monday.
He said the 2025 budget christened: “Budget of Inclusive Growth and Development”, will be implemented to achieve sustainable economic growth, accelerate the development of the State, while improving the living standards of all residents in the State.
Governor Fubara explained that with the set out objectives, the 2025 budget will strengthen the capacity of the State to weather possible external shocks from the volatility of the national economy while building a resilient economy that will advance the collective development and prosperity of the people.
He said, “The total projected revenue for Rivers State for the 2025 Fiscal Year is N1,188,962,739,932.36.
Two components of the budget are constituted as follows: Recurrent Expenditure of N462,254,153,418.98; Capital Expenditure of N678,088,433,692.03; Planning Reserve of N35,688,864,931.16; and a closing balance of N12,931,287,890.1935. This gives a Recurrent/Capital Expenditure ratio of 44:56%, indicating the sincere commitment of our administration to both infrastructural and human capital development of our people and state.”
Governor Fubara said nearly N31 billion has been allocated to support interventions in agricultural development to ease the implementation of a comprehensive agriculture transformation and support programme for Rivers youths in order to significantly resolve issues of youth unemployment and poverty.
He emphasised that the commitment is also to address food insecurity in Rivers State, provide land preparation, farm inputs and extension services, including training, tractors, and access to improved seedlings and fertilizers to farmers to enhance their productivity and farm yields.
In education, Governor Fubara assured that his administration will continue to provide access to quality education at all levels, enabling Rivers children have the knowledge and skills they need to excel in their careers and contribute to the development of the State.
The Governor said, “Consequently, we have proposed to spend over N63 billion, representing 9.3% of the budget on education in fiscal year 2025. With this, we shall access all outstanding matching grants from the Universal Basic Education Commission to rehabilitate, equip and furnish dilapidated public primary and junior secondary schools, and continue to provide free basic education to our children.
“We will also rehabilitate, equip and furnish as many senior secondary schools as possible across the State, including the provision of new classrooms, perimeter fencing, water and electricity, to provide a conducive environment for effective teaching and learning to take place.
“We shall work with the school-based management boards, administrators, parents and teachers to fix our broken school system, improve enrollments, keep learners in school, promote effective teaching, and improve learning outcomes.”
Governor Fubara said with the proposed N97.750 billion for the health sector, representing 14.4% of the budget, all zonal hospitals, the upgraded neuropsychiatric hospital, and the new general hospital at Rumuigbo under reconstruction will be completed to provide quality and affordable healthcare services to the people of the State.
He also assured of rehabilitating more general hospitals, health centres across the State, ensure the procurement of essential drugs, medical supplies and equipment for effective and efficient healthcare delivery, while also providing more infrastructure to strengthen the capacity of the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital for quality, effective, and efficient tertiary healthcare services.
On Road and Transport Infrastructure, Governor Fubara said over N195 billion has been earmarked to complete all ongoing road projects and initiate new ones, support and facilitate the modernization of the public transport system through necessary incentives to improve the quality of public transportation services in the State.
Governor Fubara assured that all ongoing electrification projects, including delivering transformers and replacing the generator-powered streetlights with solar energy-powered streetlights across Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas will be concluded, and restated the determination to ensure the passage of the Rivers State Electricity Market Bill to regulate and open the State’s energy sector for private sector investments in order to achieve energy security and accelerate the industrialization of Rivers State.
He said, “In Social Development and Investments, Mr Speaker, we have proposed to spend N15.4 billion for the social development subsector of our economy to advance youth and gender empowerment, jobs and wealth creation, sports development, and social inclusion.
“We will collaborate with Local Government Councils to establish youth resource and digital transformation centres to enable access to digital tools, Internet services and training programmes for our youths to become economically successful and sufficiently self-reliant.
“We will also continue to support and strengthen the capacity of State-owned sporting teams, especially Rivers United, Rivers Angels, and the Hoopers to enable them excel and win more laurels in both national, regional and international contests.”
Governor Fubara, who said the 2025 will be funded from FAAC, Internally Generated Revenue, Statutory Allocations, Mineral Funds, Valued Added Tax, Refunds/Escrow/ECA and others, explained that the 2014 budget performed excellently with IGR figure hitting N100billion increase over the 2023 figure.
In his speech, Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Victor Oko-Jumbo, applauded Governor Fubara for recording over N100 billion increase in IGR, which shows high level of transparency and accountability in governance, with the plugging of financial leakage, adding that it is also a testament to how attractive Rivers investment climate has become.
Rt Hon Oko-Jumbo pledged the continual support of the Legislature to the Excutive to ensure that the Governor remained focused, sustain financial prudence, deliver democratic dividends, and make life better for the people.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has explained that he is guided by the commitment to deliver projects that are strategic and significant towards improving the lives of people in the State on an enduring scale.
The Governor made the explanation during the inauguration of the remodelled Government Girls’ Secondary School in Ahoada Town, Ahoada East Local Government Area on Friday.
At the event, Governor Fubara was conferred with the traditional title of Eze Yawe Ugo of Ekpeye land (The King who brings happiness and joy to Ekpeye land) by the Ekpeye Council of Traditional Rulers.
Governor Fubara stated that he inherited the school project when he assumed office on May 29, 2024, and decided to continue with the three contractors because education issue is a top priority in his administration.
He said that the investment made will definitely translate into providing quality educational training for the girl-child in the area to become bold, resourceful and responsible citizens.
The Governor noted, “So, we will not celebrate things that will not have meaning. That is why we are here today to inaugurate this school, a special school for people that are going to be mothers in this great nation.
“They are people that will be wives to great men. And if you don’t produce a quality girl-child, it means the nation is gone. So, you can see, everybody can attest that we are strategic; it is not just doing, but doing what is right.
“I assure our people that we will not do anything that we cannot stand and be proud of ourselves that we did something right.”
Governor Fubara said when he declared, last Wednesday, that he will be the first Governor, in the last eight years, to deliver pro-people projects in Omuma Local Government Area, most people did not understand the import of his revelation.
But Governor Fubara insisted that what his administration is doing is separate from what has happened in the past, as according to him, projects’ delivery is not for mere fanfare but strategically provided to address critical development needs of the people.
He added, “I stand here to say that even if there was a project commissioned at that time (in Omuma), it was a farm road. It has no connection to anything.
“The project we are commissioning has significance, and that is what we should be talking about… We are talking about projects that will add value to the lives of the people that you have decided to govern with the support of your people.”
Governor Fubara took a swipe at someone he described as ‘a data boy and an online dog seller’ who knows nothing about governance despite being close to a Governor for eight years.
He wondered the impetus of the ‘data boy’ who, reportedly, reacted to the projects delivered in Etche-Omuma, without understanding the overarching impact of the project on the people.
He said, “On Wednesday this week, we inaugurated a project: an 11.8km Okehi-Umuola-Eberi link road. It is a road that connects Omuma and Etche Local Government Areas.
“And we made very bold statement there to say that, very soon, we will be going to Omuma to also inaugurate another project. And we challenged them that the project we are going to commission in Omuma will be the first project that they are seeing.
“A few days later, those people who felt that the only thing that they can do to survive is social media and to sell dogs. I wonder why you will go to school, your parents will spend money, and the only profession you chose is to be a data boy and to sell dogs.
“If they love you, the appointment they gave to one boy the other day, if you were good, why didn’t they give you that appointment? Go and check yourself, something is wrong with you.
“It is not about coming (on social media) to abuse people; think about your life. Are you living a quality life? Even if you are asked to abuse people, at times, you should ask: what will people talk about me, knowing fully well that what I will say is not true?”
Governor Fubara expressed appreciation to Ekpeye people for their unalloyed support to his administration in the face of harassment and intimidation.
He said that some of their traditional rulers: Eze Ekpeye Logbo, His Imperial Majesty, Eze Kelvin Anugwo; and Eze Cassidy Ikegbidi were harassed and arrested while the Chief of Staff, Government House, Dr Edison Ehie, was declared wanted by the Nigeria Police Force on trumped up charges.
He said, “When the Eze Ekpeye was talking, a lot of you didn’t understand what happened. Because of their support for me, he was arrested, charged on false accusations. He stayed in police custody for more than four months; himself and Cassidy.
“We are not even talking about my Chief of Staff. Because of the support that he has publicly displayed, he was even declared wanted so that they can, maybe, reduce our influence.
“But the truth is always very clear: enemy has a time, his team cannot last forever. And I can assure you with all boldness today that they are gradually coming to an end.
“What we just need is to be patient. We have promised that our tactics will be following this process with patience and the fear of God. And we will get there.”
Governor Fubara promised to grant the request made by the Eze Ekpeye Logbo and other traditional rulers to recognise some designated traditional stools.
He also said that when he drove on the access road during project inspection tour, he decided to reconstruct the road, which has started, and assured that with availability of funds, the remaining 1km and the bridge will be attended to.
Governor Fubara said the contract for the internal roads will be revoked and re-awarded to a competent contractor who will deliver the project in line with the mantra of the administration.
Providing the project description, Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Dr Ovy Chinedum Chukwuma, said there are three distinct buildings handled separately by three contractors: Mcaretrace Nigeria Limited – Lot A; Azunda International Company Nigeria Limited – Lot B; and Ketdeg Ventures – Lot C.
Dr Chukwuma explained that there are two blocks of 12 classrooms, making a total of 24 classrooms; common rooms; science laboratories fitted with computers for chemistry, physics, agriculture and biology.
There is a library; he said, an Assembly Hall; offices; stores; Principal Quarters of 3-bedroom semi- detached bungalow; Vice Principal Quarters of 2-bedroom block of 4 flats of one-storey building.
Dr Chukwuma also listed an administrative block of offices, staff common rooms and conveniences, generator house with 2 nos 40KVA sound proof generator, gatehouse, roads and landscaping, perimeter fencing, overhead water tank for supply, and sports facilities.
In his welcome address, Executive Chairman of Ahoada East Local Government Area, Chibudom Ezu, said that as the only girls secondary school, it had suffered neglect over the years with the structures becoming dilapidated, hideout for miscreants and unfit for academic activities, and thanked the Governor for his intervention.
Speaking on behalf of the three separate indigenous contractors, Engr Azubuike Odum of Azunda International Company Nigeria Limited, said in October, 2023, Governor Fubara had charged them to speed up the work while adhering to agreed specifications, and thanked the Governor for the opportunity given them to serve the State.
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