Panic in Rivers: Nine feared dead as gun battle erupts in Bori

Emerging reports suggest that 9 people have been killed following a heavy gun battle that broke out in Bori, Rivers state earlier since the early hours of Tuesday, February 23.  Reports has it that the battle was between soldiers and militants suspected to be supporters of the ex-militant leader, Solomon Ndigbara.

Four people were feared dead at Yeghe in Gokana, the home town of the embattled ex-militant, says local sources. The campaign office of Senator Magnus Abe in Bori, Gokhana local government area of the state was reportedly set on fire by supporters of the ex-militant leader, popularly known as General Osama Bin Laden.

According to sources, four youths were killed as a result of a shoot-out between the military and some armed cultists when the military invaded the family house of Solomon who has been hiding from security forces.

In the meantime, the Rivers state polytechnic, Bori has been shut down following the gun duel. Witnesses disclose that there is no movement in Bori now, as shops are locked, and markets are deserted. Some students told newsmen via telephone that they are trapped in their rooms, as they could not find vehicles at the motor park in Bori to convey them to their various destinations.

Many people have reportedly sustained various degrees of injuries from stray bullets. A resident said she saw five corpses on Taabaa street, stressing that people were living in fear. The Nigerian army, 2 Brigade command, Port Harcourt is yet to brief the press on the development in Ogoni.

Police Arrest Governor Udom's Aide

There is tension and anxiety in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital, following the ‘arrest’ of Ime Uwah, the special assistant to Governor Udom Emmanuel on marketing and brand management.

Reports has it that some police officers believing to be working for the federal government invaded Uwah’s home on Monday, February 22. The officers who arrived late at night in a Hiace bus were allegedly detailed from Lagos to arrest the governor’s aide over allegations that he kept weapons, ammunition and police uniforms on his farm ahead of the rerun election in the state. The officers revealed that they were acting on an anonymous petition.

According to a source, the trouble started when the officers searched Uwah’s farm but refused to release the governor’s aide, insisting he would be taken to Lagos to have his statement documented. Following the raid on Uwah’s farm, supporters of the state governor have barricaded the police command in Uyo, where the matter is being investigated.

 Another source said that the governor’s supporters are determined to stop the police from taking Uwah to anywhere outside the state. The source noted that there is the likelihood of violence if the police act otherwise.

In September 2015 the Department of State Security raided the Akwa Ibom government house over the same allegation of weapons and ammunition. However, the DSS is yet to comment or make any arrest since the said raid.

Meanwhile; when contacted, the Akwa Ibom State’s Police Public Relations officer, ASP Cordelia Nwawe told our correspondent that she is not aware of such arrest, that she has not been “briefed” thus, not in position to make any comment.

POLICE AND SOLDIERS CLASH IN UMUAHIA AS ARMY STORM POLICE STATION IN REPRISAL ATTACK

– Attempts to force the captain into the cell was met with heavy resistance

– Soldiers stormed the Railway police station in Umuahia and battered policemen

Nigerian soldiers have clashed with police in Umuahia after an army captain was arrested. Sources reveal that trouble started when a man parked his 14-seat­er bus near the police station lo­cated opposite the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) press centre, Aba road. The bus driver who happened to be an army captain clad in mufti, was ordered by the divisional po­lice officer in charge of the station to re-park his vehicle. Witnesses said that the DPO who wanted to drive into the station in his Highlander SUV, spotted the bus and im­patiently ordered him to explain why he should block his way. Attempts by the captain to pacify the DPO fell on deaf ears as he immediately ordered the bus driver’s arrest for allegedly blocking his way. This Day reports that the army officer pleaded with the DPO to allow him to remove his vehicle as he had been ordered but the DPO rath­er insisted that he must be arrest­ed first.

“It was at that point when two policemen were struggling to arrest him that he told them that he is a Captain in the army,” said a source. The source further revealed that the DPO was more infuriated when he heard that the bus driver said he was a soldier, and insisted he must be ar­rested. “He must obey my arrest order; you people should tell him to obey my arrest order; you must obey my ar­rest. You said you are a captain; you must tell me how many wars you have fought. “I have fought in three Boko Ha­ram states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states before coming here. “You must show me your iden­tity today; drag him into the cell now,” the DPO thundered.

 At­tempts by the police to force the army captain into their cell was vehemently opposed but the police tore his clothes as they were trying to drag him into their cell. The atmosphere was charged as the heated arguments drew the atten­tion of passers-by and people in the neighbourhood who pleaded with the police to release the army officer but all to no avail. Witnesses say one policeman shot into the air apparently to disperse the crowd when somebody in the crowd reportedly alerted the military of the development.

Four Hilux vans filled with solders stormed the scene shortly afterwards, and on discovering that one of their own had been manhandled by the police, they descend­ed on the policemen including the DPO. Sources say they beat the policemen black-and-blue. The only policeman left in the station had resisted every effort by some of the soldiers to disarm him. Even when he was beaten up, he still held on to his firearm. The army reportedly made away with the policemen before three police patrol vans from the Central Police Station (CPS), Umuahia, arrived at the scene.

PDP CRISIS: National Chairman, BOT Trade Words

*You Can't Lead Us – BOT

* I Won’t Resign - Sheriff

Members of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ended a meeting in Abuja on Monday and declared that the party’s recently chosen national chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, was not qualified to lead Nigeria’s major opposition party.

The members of the PDP’s Board of Trustees (BoT) stated that Mr. Sheriff, a former governor of Borno State, was unacceptable as their party’s national chairman.

Yesterday’s meeting was the first time the Board has met since PDP governors, led by Governors Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti and Nyesom Wike of Rivers respectively, last Tuesday foisted Mr. Sheriff on the party as national chairman. 

Senator Walid Jibril, acting chairman of the PDP’s BoT, read the resolution after Monday’s meeting. He disclosed that the meeting was well attended, with more than 55 members in attendance.

Those who participated in the meeting included two former ministers, Jerry Gana and Ojo Madueke, as well as Stella Omu, Adamu Maina Waziri, former Senate President Adolphus Wabara, Abdullahi Kure and Shaibu Oyedokun.

Calling the BoT the PDP’s conscience, Mr. Jibril stated, “It is of the view that Ali Modu Sheriff is not suitable as national chairman of PDP.” He added that the board had “proposed [a] viable solution tonight.”

Mr. Jibril declined to take questions from reporters after he read the board’s resolution, adding that the board was still going to meet.

However, in a reaction to the day’s development, Mr. Sheriff insisted that he had no intention of resigning. He made the declaration at the party's national secretariat when he received some members of the party from his home state of Borno.

AK INFO COMMISSIONER WARNS AGAINST CHILD STIGMATIZATION

Umanah

Individuals and groups, who engage in victimizing and stigmatizing children or sponsoring campaigns of calumny based on witchcraft issues, have been cautioned to desist forthwith, or face the full wrath of the law.

The commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr. Aniekan Umanah made this known recently, while speaking on some topical issues in the State. He maintained that the government has enabling laws concerning child rights and protection aimed at checkmating all forms of child abuse, including child-witch cases.

Mr. Umanah who condemned in its entirety, the abuse of the rights of children, mentioning that “Akwa Ibom State Government  promulgated in 2008, the Child Rights and Protection Law, which prohibits stigmatization of any Akwa Ibom child as a witch or wizard and clearly prescribes severe punishment ,including lengthy imprisonment terms for offenders”.

 The commissioner noted that in view of the fact that the government has done what is required by law, international institutions, individuals, non-governmental organizations or other collaborative ventures should recognize what the legal statutes prescribes and should therefore do the right thing.

According to him, “this infers that whatever child related issues that may be discovered should be directed to the Social Welfare Department or relevant authorities to handle.”

 Expressing confidence in the capability of Governor Udom Emmanuel’s administration to handle all matters pertaining to the wellbeing of all citizens, he cautioned against a resort to blackmail, adding that humanitarian activities should be on course without infringing on the children’s right as it were.   He emphasized that the relevant bodies in charge of child welfare in the State are fully equipped to handle such issues.

 Mr. Umanah advised that under no circumstance or guise should children be stigmatized or abused because government will mete out adequate punishment to whoever may be involved.

The Commissioner's warning is against the backdrop of information that a certain  Danish woman, Anja Ringgren Loven, founder of African Children’s Aid Education and Development Foundation (ACAEDF), is raising funds and making documentary on 'child witch' situation in Nigeria, after she claimed to have rescued a child accused of witchcraft in Akwa Ibom State.

He advised such foundation and other well-meaning organisations to work with the relevant child welfare departments of government, in line with the extant laws governing such matters in the State.