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FG not sincere to end insecurity in Nigeria – Gov Ortom

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…Reads riot act to kidnappers

The Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom says the Federal Government is not sincere to ending insecurity in the country.

Governor Ortom spoke Thursday, December 8th, 2022 when he paid a sympathy visit on his Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Chief Ekpe Ogbu who was recently kidnapped by herdsmen but released unharmed.

He reiterated his stance that the Federal Government was complicit in the lingering insecurity in the country involving terrorism, armed banditry, herdsmen militia, kidnapping and other crimes.

The Governor insisted that “others who are in Government today can pretend about this but Government is complicit at the Federal level. They are part of it. Whatever they are saying now is pretence. They are telling lies and they do not want to give attention to the insecurity situation.”

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According to Governor Ortom, “If the Federal Government whose responsibility is to provide security for lives and property and who have the coercive forces of the security architecture of the country decides that terrorism, kidnappings and evil should end today, it will end.”

He maintained that, “If the Federal Government is in doubt, let them make an executive order just like the President makes executive orders in other areas and give me the responsibility to look after the coercive forces that are in Benue State. Tell them to take instructions from me, we will end the evil, armed robbery, banditry and everything, we will end it today in Benue State.”

Governor Ortom explained that “the problem is that the Federal Government is complicit, they are part of it and I accuse them. Why do herdsmen bring their cows in Benue State again when there is a law prohibiting open grazing. Is democracy not anchored by the rule of law?,” he queried.

While rejoicing with the Commissioner and his family over his release from the kidnappers unharmed, Governor Ortom vowed not to allow kidnappers in the state have a field day.

He warned that kidnappers will not be allowed to have a field day in Benue State, stressing that the state will not be a safe haven for kidnappers and other criminal elements.

Governor Ortom vowed that the State Government will never accede to kidnappers’ demand for ransom, emphasising that the provision for death penalty in the law criminalizing kidnapping in the state has been activated stressing that, houses used as kidnappers den will be demolished.

In his words, “We are not going to relent on this war and there is no way we will compromise and allow kidnappers to have their way in this state. I challenge our people to rise up and not to allow kidnappers in their communities. When you suspect them, don’t hesitate to involve the security agencies so that they will not come back again.

“There is no way we can add value to the development of our state when we have kidnappers all over the place terrorising our communities. There is no way foreigners will come here and invest in our state with challenges like this. There is no way we can do everything on our own and make things work. So we must stop this.

“I want to use this medium to send a message to the kidnappers. Benue State will not tolerate this and we are going to move very hard.”

Governor Ortom further stated that for the kidnappers to have dared to kidnap a Government official, it was a clear indication that they have declared war on the Government and charged communities to rise up in support of Government’s effort to declare war on the kidnappers and armed robbers in the state, adding that anyone apprehended will be dealt with according to the law.

He charged communities in the state not to accommodate kidnappers and must step up intelligence gathering and report suspicious persons to security agencies.

While recounting his ordeal in the hands of kidnappers, Chief Ogbu disclosed that from interaction with his abductors, the mission was solely to kill him.

He particularly noted that his driver became the most targeted when the kidnappers discovered that he was Tiv and is from the same tribe with the Benue State Governor but for the mercies of God they had returned alive.

According to Chief Ogbu, although the identity of the kidnappers who were heavily armed could not be known to them since they had disguised in camouflage of conventional security agencies and masked their faces, they constantly communicated in Fulfude, a language spoken by the Fulani, and were freely traversing Ado, Ogbadibo to Oju and seemed to be in control of the forests in the axis.

He expressed gratitude to Governor Ortom for his love and for standing to protect Benue territory and enjoined him not to back down from sensitizing Nigerians on the need to escape from the looming national catastrophe no matter the victimization, blackmail and attacks on his person and office.

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Senator Umeh commiserates with family of boy swept away by flood

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The Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, Senator Dr. Victor Umeh, on Friday paid a condolence visit to the family of Engr. Christian Ezenwafor in Nibo, Awka South Local Government Area, following the tragic death of their six-year-old son, Master Success Ezenwafor.

The incident occurred earlier in the week when floodwaters swept away a vehicle conveying pupils of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Primary School, Awka. Among the victims was young Success, whose life was cut short in heartbreaking circumstances.

Senator Umeh, who was in Awka on an on-the-spot assessment of the growing menace of flooding and erosion in the area, made a stop at Nibo to personally console the bereaved family.

The victim, Master Success Ezenwafor

Expressing deep sadness over the loss, Senator Umeh offered words of solace to the grieving parents and family members during the visit.

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“It is heartbreaking that such a young and promising life was cut short in such tragic circumstances,” Senator Umeh said. “Words are insufficient to heal this kind of pain, but we pray that God Almighty grants your family the fortitude and strength to bear this irreparable loss.”

Senator Dr Umeh with the bereaved family

The senator also reiterated his commitment to working with relevant authorities to tackle the recurring flooding and erosion challenges in Anambra Central, stressing that urgent intervention is needed to prevent further loss of lives and property.

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Enugu Council Election: Residents comply with movement restriction directive, as roads, markets, shops closed

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Residents of Enugu metropolis on Saturday complied to the restriction of human and vehicular movement in the ongoing Local Government Election in the state.

It was observed that most roads remained empty of vehicular movement, while markets and shops were closed.

It was also observed that security men on election duties were seen in strategic locations within the metropolis.

Reacting, the Police Public Relations Officer in Enugu State, SP Daniel Ndukwe, noted that security agencies had maintained that the restriction of movement must work to ensure a smooth and hitch-free election.

Ndukwe said that security agencies had begun strict enforcement of the restriction order and would “definite close all shops and penalize motorist found wanting”.

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“So, far, the security situation has been generally peaceful and the election process is ongoing smoothly as anticipated.

“We are hopeful it will remain peaceful till 4p.m. when the process will be over.

“From our observation, the restriction of movement has been generally complied with and we will definitely deal with those that act in the contrary today.

“We call on all in the state to be calm, cast their votes peacefully and maintain decorum throughout the process,” he said.

It would be recalled that the police, on behalf of other security agencies, ordered the restriction of human and vehicular movements across the state from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on election day, except for persons on essential duties and duly accredited election officials.

The Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission,(ENSIEC) is conducting election into the 17 Chairmanship and 260 Ward Councillorship positions in the state.

Seven political parties, who signed the Peace Pact for the election on Monday, are currently participating at the election.

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Police officer who said Obi, Igbo man can never be president arrested, in trouble

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Anti-Obi and anti-Igbo Police Inspector
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The Police Command in Lagos State has identified the police inspector seen in a viral video making inappropriate remarks while travelling in public transport.

The command also said it had begun disciplinary proceedings against the officer in line with the established regulations of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Abimbola Adebisi, disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Lagos.

Adebisi said the command was committed to transparency and accountability and would not condone conduct capable of bringing the NPF into disrepute.

She said the statements made by the inspector were made in his personal capacity and did not represent the position, views or official disposition of the command or the NPF.

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The PPRO said the Commissioner of Police (CP) in the state, Mr Fatai Tijani, reiterated the need for professionalism, civility and discipline among personnel.

“CP Tijani reiterates that all personnel are expected to maintain professionalism, civility, discipline and respect for members of the public at all times.

“He said wearing the police uniform came with the responsibility to uphold the integrity and reputation of the NPF.

“The CP warned that the command would not condone any conduct capable of bringing the Force into disrepute or undermining public confidence in the police.

“He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to accountability and maintaining professional standards among its personnel,” Adebisi said.

The spokesperson said the command remained committed to transparency, accountability and policing with humility and integrity.

In a viral video circulating on social media, the inspector was seen and heard making political and ethnic remarks about former Anambra governor and presidential candidate, Peter Obi, while aboard a public transport.

The Inspector was also heard making claims about Obi’s suitability for the presidency and alleging that he was a criminal and a “Yahoo” person.

He further suggested that President Bola Tinubu would use his financial resources to defeat Obi in an election, while claiming that an Igbo man could not become president of Nigeria. (NAN)

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