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Security Agencies Apprehend 2,678 Suspects In June
The Strategic Communication Interagency Policy Committee (SCIPC) say, the law enforcement agencies have apprehended a total of 2,678 suspects for various offences across the country in June.
SCIPC is a committee of the spokespersons for the military, police, intelligence and response agencies set up by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
The update was presented at a news conference by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in Abuja, yesterday.
Adejobi said that a total number of 93 kidnap victims had been rescued unhurt and reunited with their families, and recovery of 144 firearms and 3031 ammunition within the period was recorded.
He said a team of detectives from the State Intelligence Department (SID), FCT Police Command, had on June 13, apprehended six suspects who specialise in sales of registered SIM cards to criminals.
According to him, the suspects operate with other people’s identity to avoid being traced or tracked.
He said that more than 1,100 already registered SIM cards, three registration machines and other gadgets were recovered from the suspects.
Adejobi said that operatives of the FCT command also apprehended one Ikechukwu Didi (54) a male from Enugu State who specialises in gun running and recovered seven automatic pump action short guns.
He added that a total of 1,000 rounds of live cartridges were recovered from the suspect that would soon be arraigned in court.
He said the police made significant strides, arresting suspects involved in the Ekiti killings and the mastermind of the 2012 Ado-Ekiti jailbreak on June 26.
“On June 30, one Nigerian and three Indian Nationals were kidnapped by unknown kidnappers at Ikenne area of Ogun state under heavy firing.
“They were later rescued unhurt by the Police while two of the kidnappers were neutralised after a fierce gun duel with operatives who stormed their camp.
“Recovered items include: 109 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 5 AK 47 rifles, Eight AK 47 magazines, Two cell phones.
“Equally, on June 13, operatives of the NPF-NCC arrested three suspects who hacked JAMB website granting fake admissions letters to candidates, which were used to secure admission into tertiary institutions and mobilization into NYSC illegally.
“The arrest also led to the recovery of four domain websites used by the suspects.
“The suspects have been charged to court while efforts are on to clamp down on other similar syndicate,’’ he said.
Adejobi said that four suspected illegal miners were on June 17, apprehended in Anambra, showcasing the government’s unyielding efforts to combat illegal mining activities.
According to him, the Federal Government has unveiled 350 additional operatives on June 14, to bolster mining marshals, demonstrating its commitment to tackling illegal mining activities.
Dr Peter Afunanya, Director, Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Department of State Services (DSS), said the agency had been proactive in providing intelligence in tackling the security challenges confronting the nation.
Afunanya said that the service had also engaged in several combat operations to deter criminals from committing mayhem in some parts of the country, calling on all Nigerians to support the fight against insecurity.
The Spokesperson for the Nigerian Correctional Service, ACC Abubakar Umar, debunked the allegation that the service had denied the detained Binance official, access to medical care.
Umar said the responsibility of the service was unique as a security agency by keeping away those who are in conflict with the law.
“We don’t just dwell only on their reformation and rehabilitation, but we have a robust healthcare system because if you check the morbidity rates and the mortality rate in our custodial centers, I will say is 0.1 per cent.
“For binance chief, he is not under any serious health condition, he is fine with us, and he will continue to be fine with us,’’ he said.
On his part, the Spokesperson for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFFC), Mr Dele Oyewale, said the planned protest by some groups had a potential of violence and underlying motives.
He accused those being investigated and prosecuted by the commission of making efforts to discredit the anti-graft agency.
According to him, about 259 civil society organizations have come out publicly to say that they are not going to support the protest, saying their moral base was totally wicked.
The Rivers State Chief judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi has granted pardon to six inmates standing awaiting trial at the Port Harcourt maximum correctional center.
The six lucky inmates granted pardon on Tuesday by the state Chief Judge included Nwekeala Chizoba, Samuel Emmanuel, Aniete Kelvin, Ebube Fubara and Goddey Okpara who were on awaiting trial as murder suspects and have all spent between 10 years to seven years in the custody without a proper information filed against them in the court.
Justice Amadi during a special gaol delivery exercise last Tuesday at the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Centre opined that the special gaol delivery was part of activities lined up to commomerate the 2024/2025 legal year in the State and restated the commitment of the state judiciary in decongesting the correctional centre and ensuring that those inmates who are not supposed to be there are removed from the custody.
The state chief judge stressed the need for all stakeholders to work together to build a society that supports rehabilitation and gives a second chance to anyone or group of people who have fallen short of the expectation of the law and have been punished accordingly.
He stressed that the National Judicial Council(NJC) encourages judges to pay more attention to criminal matters to enable them to decongests the correctional facilities, noting that since his assumption into office, his administration has been able to reduce the number of inmates in Nigerian Correctional Centres and the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre in particular, to less than 2,000 as against the over 4,000 inmates previously in the faculty.
According to him, “as they release the deserving inmates, they affirm their commitment to justice, compassion and rule of law but that they must not forget the fundamental principles of justice delivery system which is truth and fairness, integrity and equality before the law.”
I encourage you all the released inmates to return to your families and become better citizens. You must not engage in action that will return you all back to prison. Let me say that while the judges show empathy to you all, it does not absolved individuals from being held accountable for actions against individuals, corporate organisations and state which the law frowns at, ”he stated
The Chief Judge thereafter stood down the exercise to enable the DPP to intervene to case files following the fact that majority of the persons listed to benefit from the exercise are facing murder charges and adjourned to a date that will come before December.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the outgoing state Comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Centre, Port Harcourt, Felix Lawrence, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Controller General, commended the state judiciary led by Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi for their continuous effort aimed at ensuring justice and decongesting the facilities.
Other activities lined up for the event included special church service at St Paul’s Cathedral , Anglican Communion, Rebisi Port Harcourt, inspection of guard of honour by the state Chief Judge mounted by officers of the Nigerian police and a special court session held at the ceremonial court hall.
By: AkujobiAmadi
The Director General of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement (RBoPP), Dr. Ine Briggs, has explained that the Sir Siminalayi Fubara administration plans to enforce transparency in governance through public procurement.
Speaking at a one-day Public Procurement Enlightenment workshop organised in collaboration with the State Local Government Service Commission for newly elected chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries and leaders of legislative assemblies, Dr. Briggs said it is key for grassroot development.
She stated that the Sir. Fubara administration plans to reduce wastage and at same time infuse efficiency in public expenditure.
The RSoPP DG said the local government political office holders remain key drivers in the new vision hence the workshop is to arm them with knowledge on how to execute projects in tandem with needs of the people.
“ Your role in the prudent management of public resources is, therefore, not just administrative it’s the cornerstone of delivering the dividends of democracy. Every procurement decision you make must reflect a commitment to fairness, transparency and accountability” Dr. Briggs submitted.
One of the key goals of the administration she further reminded the participants was to use their offices to foster economic growth through public procurement.
She warned that the law establishing the agency empowers it to penalise defaulters, but that what is more important is voluntary compliance to the laws.
In addition to that, she said urged the local government council leaders that champion the practice and implementation of public procurement law.
On his part, Acting Chairman of Local Government Service Commission, Pastor GoodLife Ben Iduoku averred that the aim of the workshop is to arm key stakeholders in the local government system to generate new ideas, innovation and strategies in tandem with government policies and programmes.
The workshop dealt on various topics on procurement planning, methods, Understanding Bid Process, including types of Construction Contracts and law.
Some participants were awarded excellence and meritorious awards as part of the programme.
By: Kevin Nengia
The 19th anniversary of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Rivers State Chapter, recently ended in Port Harcourt in grand style, with participants from various schools including proprietors, the academia, civil society groups and top government functionaries charting the way forward for educational improvement.
The 19th NAPPS anniversary christened, ‘Innovation and Adaptation: Transforming Challenges Into Opportunities’ was held at Casoni Hotels, Port Harcourt.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the association, Dr. Jaja Adafe Sunday expressed gratitude to the members and executives for their untiring efforts towards the achievements of the body.
He sought the intervention of government on the lingering crisis on the economy as it is affecting the running of schools.
He decried high cost of things including fuel and raw materials which has adversely affected the running of schools and payment of teachers.
Dr. Sunday hinted that the current economic situation in the nation is biting hard on the operations of schools, saying inflation, removal of fuel subsidy, fuel scarcity, poor electricity supply, tariffs and lack of government grants are some of the challenges faced by schools, and urged the members to brace up to the challenges, as it is the panacea to building a brighter future.
Guest speakers from the health sector and the academia thrilled the gathering on the essence of basic education which they said is the key to national development.
Former Dean of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Professor Azuru and the Chief Medical Director of Meridian Hospitals, Dr. Odo Iyke were some notable guest speakers who delivered lectures at the occasion.
Some distinguished proprietors also got special recognitions and awards.
The 19th anniversary cake was cut by the Rivers State NAPPS Chairman with representatives of the state government assisting.