RIVERS CP PARADES 11 VALENTINE ARMED ROBBERS AND TWO KIDNAPPERS

Suspects:

1. Blaid Usemekhia Herbert
2. Achebule Amadi
3. Lawal Ibrahim (Group Leader) was realised on bail in November, 2013.
4. Godwin Peters
5. Udo Godswill
6. Victor Monday
7. Precious Agiobu
8. Chinazo Ihesinaula

The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Tunde Ogusakin, yesterday,
paraded 11 armed robbers and two kidnappers arrested in Port Harcourt, the
state capital, in different operations.

Ogusakin told journalists at the state command, along Moscow Road, that a gang of armed robbers opened fire on a police patrol team, at 1.45pm, on Friday, February 14, at Ogunabali Area, by St. Patrick Hospital.

Compol Tunde Ogunsakin in his speech said a special team parading on Valentines day saw a bandit of robbers in shooting; this prompted the police to immediately engage them in an exchange of gun fire that lasted for 33minutes. The gang was, however, overwhelmed by the superior fire power of our men who displayed their resilience in the course of the gun exchange.

The gang which was overpowered by the police later ran from the scene leaving behind a grey-coloured Toyota Highlander Jeep, with registration number LSR 825 AP. One Chinoso Ihesinor was arrested while the sum of One Million Naira (N1,000,000) was recovered from him.

In a separate move, another gang of robbers that was led by one Lawal Ibrahim, a notorious robber who was fingered in a robbery incidence along Shell Quarters in September, 2013 who was on bail by a court of law was also arrested along Umokoro, Rivers State.

Ogunsakin also disclosed that on Monday, February 17, the operatives of the command acting on a piece of intelligence, arrested a suspected kidnapper, David Francis, at Fidelity Bank, along Trans Amadi Road, while trying to withdraw a ransom meant to augment the ransom fee for the release of a victim that was recently kidnapped at Akwa Ibom State.

Francis later led the operatives from the Rivers State Police Command, to the hide-out of his accomplice, Edwin Ekpeyoung, who was arrested after some resistance by armed men from the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS.

The Commissioner of Police emphasized that he will continue to make intelligence-led policing the cardinal point of police operation in Rivers State, adding that "I intend to continue with an aggressive onslaught in the state against criminals until the crime situation is brought to near zero level. The Commissioner of Police advice the criminal to desist or face the wrath of the law.

RIVERS STATE POLICE WARNS PUBLIC ON FAKE PROPHETS

The Rivers State Police Command wishes to draw the attention of the members of the public to certain unscrupulous individuals who operate under the guise of being ‘God’s men’ to dupe unsuspecting members of the public.

These fraudsters masquerading as prophets are on the loose and prey on the gullible members of the public, through the use of false prophesy and divine pronouncements.

A resident of the State who had fallen prey to one of the false prophets, was one Mr. Umejiego, a Director of a private firm who was lured into a false scheme through his wife by the operator of a Church named ‘Favour Anointing Ministry’, situated at No. 74A Ojoto Lane, Mile 3, Diobu, Port Harcourt, being operated by one prophet who goes by the name of Victory Ibe.

After being arrested by the Police, Ibe has confessed to been a perpetual dupe and that he has always have in his possession a pro-forma change of ownership which he use to make people part with their properties.

In the case of Mr. Umejiego, he (Ibe) instructed that a Toyota Land Cruiser, v8 be sown as seed by the former. He thereafter produced a change of ownership which was promptly signed by the unsuspecting victim, who immediately handed over the original documents to him together with the vehicle.

Unfortunately for the fake prophet, the said vehicle was involved in a serious motor accident with the ‘prophet’ in it.

Surprisingly, the self-acclaimed prophet also ‘prophesied’ that the same victim should part with the sum of N200,000.00 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) to neutralize a curse placed on him and his household.

The victim complied with the instruction and paid the ‘prophet’ the sum of Ninety Thousand (90,000.00) on 17/02/2014, which he told his victim will be donated to an orphanage.

However, as at the time of his arrest on 25/02/2014 the supposed man of God was still in possession of the said amount of money. The fake prophet alongside his brother, one Apostle Austin Ibe who acts as his Assistant prophet have been apprehended by the Police and both of them will be charged to court at the appropriate time.

RIVERS STATE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE VISITS ARMY HEADQUARTERS

The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, Mr. Tunde Ogunsakin, on Friday February 28, 2014 paid a courtesy visit on the Commander 2 Brigade/Sector 2 JTF, Bori Camp, Brigadier General Osasogie Uzamere.

In a speech he made at the conference room in the Army formation, the Police Commissioner spoke glowingly of the relationship between his Command and other sister security agencies, especially the Army and Navy.

The General Officer O.I Uzamere in his own address told the Commissioner that the synergy between the security agencies is necessary in the present modern day, especially in the area of crime prevention.

The Commissioner used the occasion to launch his pet official project “Say No to Kidnapping”. He also solicited for regular collaborative efforts between the Police Command and other sister agencies like the Navy and Army.

MBU GIVES 24-HOURS FOR MOTORISTS TO COMPLY WITH THE LAW, AND CRIMINALS TO STEER CLEAR

According to the new Commissioner of Police, Abuja-FCT, CP Mbu J. Mbu, “I want to make this pronouncement now. If you do not have a tinted glass vehicle permit, formally approved by the Inspector-General of Police, and you are not permitted to have tinted glass in your vehicle, you have between today (Monday) and tomorrow (Tuesday) to remove it."

Speaking yesterday at the FCT Police Command, it is mandatory for all vehicles with tinted glass to have necessary permit. This security measure is meant to further improve the security of the territory. Criminals and wanted persons do use tinted glass to perpetuate crime and commit numerous evil. In order to check their menace and abuse, the action-man and no-room-for-nonsense police chief has given a 24-hours deadline for all motorists to comply or be arrested.

He also warned that “No vehicle will ply the streets or the highways within Abuja without an identification mark, that is to say, there must be FRSC-approved number plate affixed to your vehicle." It is now mandatory therefore, for all vehicles within the territory to also have registration number or be arrested.

CP Mbu J. Mbu, known for his strict approach and non-compromise of professionalism, has declared that the Nigeria Police will start enforcing this law starting from Wednesday, February 26, 2014. Talking from experience, to avoid controversy as he will not bend the rule for anybody, CP Mbu appealed to all motorists to obey the law irrespective of their position or status in the society.

All motorists across the nation must note that, in Abuja-FCT, in case you reside there or passing through, tinted glass and vehicle identification will be checked after the expiration of 24 hours by the police.

Also, tricycles operators and street hawkers are ban from plying in the city areas. He advised operators of tricycles to operate only in the areas that the law of the FCT had approved for them.

CP Mbu who have undertaken a critical assessment of the security situation of the Abuja-Lokoja highway also warned all criminal elements in the area to steer clear of the territory. Some residents in territory whom in their swift response to the declaration of CP Mbu have concluded that his declaration against tinted glass, non-compliance with vehicle identification, traffic laws and his clear warning to criminals is the beginning of no-nonsense police regime in the FCT.

CP Mbu who vowed to deal with all criminal elements in the territory emphasised that “I have gone to Abaji, Kwali and Gwagwalada axis up to the boundary between FCT and Kogi to ascertain security measures put in place to secure commuters travelling during the day and at night... We want to assure you that we will deal ruthlessly with any group of criminals or hoodlums who engage in unpatriotic violent crimes on that route.’’

there is no doubt that the Abuja FCT Police Command is ready to provide adequate security that will enable the law abiding citizens to go about their lawful businesses without fear or problem. Obviously, obeying law and order is not too much, after all, it is for the benefit of all of us.

PROPHETS OF DOOM CELEBRATE MBU'S EXIT FROM RIVERS STATE

"Amaechi might have made some mistakes as a human being, but it was not enough to crucify him, knowing fully well that he was duly elected by the people," in the words of Bishop Friday Nwator. Going by his words, what is good for the goose should also be good for the gander. When Amaechi is human to commit such disastrous mistakes that encourage state of anarchy, so it is Mbu that must be crucified for not being a spirit to maintain law and order by overlooking violent crises because they are perpetuated by agents of Amaechi?

Anyway, we should not be surprise at unimaginable things happening everyday in Nigeria since wonder can never end. It is sad that some people have turned Christianity into all sort of evil venture, especially for their own selfish gains. Today, you see somebody set-up a Church and becomes the Chairman/CEO, MD, signatory and head of the ministry under a common name, President. You will see a man who has no credible background and spirit filled biblical training to teach others will suddenly honour himself 'Bishop' or 'Pastor' from no where. 

Meanwhile, Bishop Friday Nwator is a well known politician close to government house in Rivers State. He is the president of International Integrity Bishops and Faithful Ministries Network Worldwide, which is one of the numerous churches he uses to play politics in the state. He is also the founder and CEO of one caricature 'Nigerian House of Peace Ministries' which he always use to deceive people as if they were donating money for the cause of Nigerians, meanwhile, he uses it for personal money making purposes. Before, it was "Peace House" which he used to divert the resource meant for rehabilitating the ex-militants for his own personal use. So, due to the disgrace, he then changed it from Peace House to Nigerian House of Peace Ministries, thinking that such will not make people easily connect with the past.

After 2009, when militants in the Niger Delta region renounce militancy, the monies released by state and federal government for organizing, training and establishing the boys were embezzled by Bishop Friday Nwator. He also diverted many of the resources meant for the ex-militants for his own personal use. For example, the Ex-Militants bus is used for sale of pure water. But it took serious government intervention under Elder Godsday Orubebe, the Minister of Niger Delta, and other relevant government officials before peace reign and alternative means were created for the militants. Apart from money from government, he organized voluntary donations for the militants, raised a lot of money and could not account for them.

Last week, with the support of many politicians in the Rivers State Government, he organized a thanksgiving service to celebrate the transfer of the immediate past Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Mbu Joseph Mbu, from the state. Of course, political-men-of-god like this character entering tents of kings and rulers, do organize their various activities and sermons to soothe what their donors or sponsors want to hear. They usually don't share what is appropriate to win souls for the kingdom of God.

It is noteworthy that men-of-God are led by the spirit of God and not by carnal knowledge. The words of people like Bishop Friday Nwator are fake than that of the ordinary politicians. Imagine him saying that he would be mobilizing Christians to give support to the new CP before assuring that "...Rivers State people are still hospitable as before." Imagine how prophets of doom place themselves among the real men of God and make themselves sound like the voice of the people. So, him that is well known to be led by flesh will be the one mobilizing those led by the spirit of God?

Also at the occasion, Rev. Minaibi Dagogo-Jack, a member of All Progressives Congress (APC), and the Special Adviser to Governor Amaechi on empowerment. He talks much of politics and no longer share the word of God. It has been a common phenomenon between Nwator and Dagogo-Jack to always support themselves. That is why the two of them can be ministering politics and not the word of God inside Church, urging Christians to become politicians like themselves. He also noted that the Governor Amaechi has been supporting their ministries financially before that date.

In conclusion, not to waste our precious time, both Nwator and Dagogo-Jack are prophets of doom. They are running Churches for whatever they can make into their their own personal pockets using the name of God. Obviously now that prophets of doom celebrates the exit of a hardworking man, the real Christians need to sit up and pray against evil re-occurrences in the state come next general elections in Nigeria. Do not forget that the Bible says that you shall know the truth and that truth shall set us free. I believe that a word is enough for the wise!

SENATOR MAGNUS NGEI ABE IS A DISGRACE TO OUR NATION

It is a known fact all around the world that the essence of punishment is to correct the offender and not to destroy him. Irrespective of position and power, offenders must be punished according to the rule of law. But unfortunately, reverse has been the case in Nigeria, considering the manner that offenders are deliberately ignored or protected from punishment as if what they have done is not really a big deal after all. This particularly have become a common phenomenon in Nigeria, especially in the corridors of power.

On January 12, 2014, Senator Magnus Ngei Abe, who is supposed to be a role model not only for the people who voted him to represent their interest in the apex legislative house in the nation but also for the upcoming generations, suddenly came up acting acting a drama of anarchy to promote political violence in Rivers State. He lied before the whole world that he was shot by the Nigeria Police at Rumuola in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State at a political rally organized by the Save Rivers Movement.


He was rushed by his APC colleagues to an hospital in Port Harcourt where he was reported to be treated and subsequently recommended for a better treatment abroad with a false report that he was shot and his health condition had become such critical that only an emergency treatment abroad would save his soul. He was flown to a London hospital for urgent medical treatment only for the doctors abroad to discover that he his health was normal and the medical report from Nigerian doctors was false.

This disgrace have destroyed the entire Nigerian doctors and hospitals beyond repairs. It was so sad that the doctors easily understood the kind of dirty and evil politics played by Nigerian politicians. Magnus Abe turned out to be a big disgrace to mankind and a bad example of evil politicians anywhere in the world.

Unfortunately for our nascent democracy, on the return of Magnus Abe to Nigeria, he refused to provide evidence that he was shot. The Senate investigation into the crisis gave no conclusive report. He was neither questioned nor interrogated to substantiate or debunk his claim. This is very sad as it continue to encourage more evil politics and violent crises in the nation.

You will recall that when the problem of the Boko Haram started, that was how the concerned authorities refused to take the issue seriously until the little spark of fire became a wild one that is fast growing beyond control. It has been the bad attitude of government to continue opening their eyes and allow anarchy to become order of the day.

To show that Magnus Abe himself is not remorseful, on Saturday, February 15, 2014, he organized a thanksgiving service at Saint Barth's Anglican Church, Bera-Ogoni in Gokana LGA of Rivers State, where The Nation newspaper reported yesterday (Sunday) that Magnus Abe displayed the doctor's report from the Princess Grace Hospital, London, confirming that he was shot by Nigeria Police. To buttress this claim, he said during the thanksgiving service that it was God who saved his life from the police gunshot he sustained.

This is another serious development aim towards promoting anarchy as preached by Amaechi and APC in Rivers State. Delay defeat justice. The unnecessary delay being exercised by the concerned authority that is supposed to do justice on this case is giving these satanic politicians unnecessary grace of time to deface a gunshot wound with another grand designed lie. This is annoying to the younger generations in Nigeria that there is no justice and seriousness to discourage violence.

At same Saint Barth's Anglican Church, preachers of anarchy were allowed to take over the day to preach evil instead of sermon. Among them is Governor Rotimi Amaechi, the Chief Satanic Officer (CSO) who took advantage of what 'political-men-of-god' has turned Church into to preach heresy.

Is it not heresy for him to claim at the occasion that he is a prophet who sees vision, whether of God or doom, he didn't specify. But according to him, he claimed that one Apostle Johnson Suleiman saw a vision long time ago that the Supervising Minister of Education, Chief Nyesom Wike would betray him (Amaechi). He said he confronted Wike in the presence of one Chima Chinye when Wike swore with his children that he would not betray him. In conclusion, Amaechi swore that he will mobilize Rivers people to thwart the governorship bid of Wike. Is this a kind of message that a reasonable governor should be preaching in the house of God, if actually he is not a prophet of doom. Obviously, he is seeking every available avenue to come up with any story just to achieve selfish political goal of destroying the ambition of Wike by all means.

Sincerely, everybody have right to their own belief. But it is of great concern for us in this country that Senator Magnus Abe is given a free hand as an agent of doom to violence and lawlessness in our society. He is a disgrace to our country and a shame to the national House of Senate. It is also very sad that members of the apex legislative arm of government in the country also open their eyes, not even showing concern of redeeming their dented image by coming up with conclusive report on their investigation into the shooting saga, purposely to discourage such disgraceful dirty politics in future, considering the sensitive security situation of Rivers State.

However, there are many questions to ask. But the most worrisome one is that, can there be justice in Nigeria, or is this how government will allow impunity and dirty politics ruin the whole nation beyond repairs? As the situation is going without reasonable intervention to maintain law and order, it will definitely get to a stage that angry citizens might start taking laws into their own hands. But another question is that, may the dirty and figure-head politicians who behave like nothing serious is not happening not ended up becoming the first victims.

MBU JOSEPH MBU: SAINT OR VILLIAN? (PART 1)

The recent political interest expressed in the events in Rivers State, South-South Nigeria can only be located within the confines of aspirations towards the 2015 general elections. In the ensuing crossfire by the contending forces, the state has become a veritable source of news items, a theater of sort for the good, the bad and the ugly.

Many people I know have different impressions about Governor Rotimi Amaechi. While some think that he is the good boy who is loved by Nigerians purely because of the friendship and affection he has used Rivers' money to buy, many think that he is being haunted by the Federal Government of Nigeria because he is a "freedom fighter" who has the boldness to confront the FGN on every issue not withstanding that he is from the same zone with President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. Beyond this is a formidable group of people, large in number, who think that Amaechi is the problem in Rivers State because of his excesses, infantile radicalism, high handedness, financial abuses and recklessness, want of consistency in ideological and uncontrolled tongue.

The admixture of these beliefs makes the person called Amaechi. In traditional parlance, the elephant is a news maker. The forest from where it was killed, the killer and all those who helped to bring it to the village square from the forest are news makers. Amaechi is the elephant of Rivers State. His control of several billions of naira, which God placed under his control for the benefit of developing his people, has made him see himself like a god and it is also becoming his undoing.

The Nigeria police is a Federal Government institution and so far, all cries by the likes of Amaechi for state police have not yielded results and we pray they do not. The Commissioners of Police in charge of the state commands call the shorts and represent the Inspector General of Police in the states. In normal times, there is usually a working harmony between the states and the Commissioner of Police to ensure collaboration and effective policing of the states.

In Rivers State, Mr. Mbu Joseph Mbu is the man that has been in the center of organized media attack by the friends and supporters of Amaechi in and out of the state. Since he was posted to the state in 2013, both Mbu and Amaechi have been having running battles bothering on sometimes, needless issues that can easily be solved if both sides drew the green bar. The Truth is that the political steam of the moment has triggered so many interests that are influencing the positions of the parties. As more people joined the fray, so many of them ask if Mbu is a saint or a villain. The answer rests on which side of the divide they belong to.

There have been calls for Mbu to be transferred from Rivers State because in the views of those who made such calls, Amaechi as the state governor is the Chief Security Officer of the state and in the event of any conflict with a governor, the governor prevails. They say a governor as CSO is next to God, above the law and without blemish. In their views, he cannot do any wrong and laws are suspended at all times to let him have his way. This is the reason this group believes that Mbu must go at all cost.

Part of their game plan is to constantly harass the CP through the mass media which is now largely in the hands of Amaechi or APC's command. This appears to be doing wonders for them as Mbu is on the firing line from all corners.

As politicians, we know the use of police in a civilian regime. We know what politicians do during elections. This is perhaps why Amaechi is crying. He has been a beneficiary of a compromised police in the past. He knows what he has used the police to do since 2007 in the state. This is why Amaechi wants to do everything to get rid of Mbu who he thinks, may be his undoing in 2015.
Having said this, we must ask the pertinent question of what Mbu has really done to offend Amaechi. From available facts, the problem is Amaechi's refusal to accept change. A change from CPs that used to worship Amaechi as opposed to one that has sworn to be a core professional who is committed to protecting everybody alike. This is the issue here.

What was the status of the relatioship between the previous State Commissioners of Police and Amaechi before Mbu came? They were friends and bound together by what many Nigerians do not know. In truth, there are very few CPs that can resist temptation of the milk and honey that a governor of a rich state can offer. This is because the police are always a formidable instrucment in political and election processes expecially when they are in the hands of the governor. State governors, all over Nigeria understand this and they pay for it. Mbu resumed in Rivers State as CP and refused to dine with the governor. He shunned the carrot, kept a straight face and did his job like a professional.

Before now, Amaechi had a scandalous history of abuse of the police. Not a few Nigerians were shocked to see him on television confessing to how he ordered the police to arrest innocent people who were collecting money from contractors and charged them to court for cultism. He said on July 14, 2009, while addressing Stakeholders Meeting in the Banquet hall of Government House, Port Harcourt. "...I was in the UK and I called my office and said, go there and carry everybody and they carried everybody including chiefs, young men, etc., and straight to the CP. The CP called me and I said he should charge them for cult activities. There is Secret Cult Law and they were charged. I think they didn't get bail on time, right? And by the time they got bail, they had now left us alone." This is what a governor who swore on oath to protect his people and defend the Constitution did. As we write there is no apology to those innocent people.

In 2011, Amaechi used the police to seal up the campaign office of the ACN governorship candidate, Dr. Abiye Sekibo, and denied him access to his files and records almost at a critical time of the campaign until the election was over. Dr. Sekibo's offence was that he was contesting that election against Amaechi. This is in addition to several cases of abuses of rights of citizens by the police at the instigation of Amaechi at that time. At those times, in Amaechi's estimation, the CPs did quite well because they were obeying and carrying out his order, although, to the detriment of the others. (To be continue)

- Written by Emma Okah, and published on page 45 of Sunday Sun on February 16, 2014