Cross River State Ministry Of Works Burnt Down
More COVID-19 Palliatives were discovered last Night inside Cross River State ministry of works . large crowd went in to pack, after emptying all the ware houses, some hoodlums also entered the main offices packed everything and burnt the whole place down, all the cars parked outside were also set ablaze.
#nairaland
Wike Bans IPOB, Stanley Mgbere Declared Wanted, N50 Million Bounty Placed On Him
A STATE-WIDE BROADCAST REINFORCING THE PROSCRIPTION OF IPOB IN RIVERS STATE
BY
GOVERNOR NYESOM WIKE, CON, GSSRS, POS
23rd OCTOBER 2020.
My Dear Good People of Rivers State,
2. The Rivers State Government views with serious concern the unending destructive activities of the outlawed Indigenous Peoples Organization of Biafra (IPO in Rivers State.
3. Recall that the IPOB was classified as a terrorist organization by the Federal High Court and subsequently proscribed in September 2017 by the Federal Government.
4. However, despite its ban, the group has continued to operate in parts of the country, including Rivers State in furtherance of its alien political objectives.
5. Since its proscription, the group has carried out intermittent processions in parts of Rivers State, especially in Oyigbo and some notorious suburbs in Port Harcourt Local Government Areas.
6. More often than not, these illegal processions have become regular occasions for armed IPOB members to disturb the peace of the State by unleashing violence and destruction on lives and property at will.
7. The Rivers State Government had severally pleaded, warned and even advised IPOB and its members to discontinue its insurrectional actions in Rivers State to no avail.
8. Instead, we were all witnesses to yet, another orgy of violence and destruction inflicted by IPOB at Oyigbo Local Government Area and some parts of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area on Tuesday 21st October 2020.
9. This evil, wicked and audacious action resulted in the unnecessary loss of scores of lives, including soldiers and police officers, and the destruction of both public and private properties, including police stations, court buildings and business premises.
10. Not done, they also visited physical violence on members of some targeted community which, but, for the quick intervention of the State Government and the security agencies, would have resulted in some form of internecine bloodbath in the State.
11. Today, IPOB continued with its devilish and destructive activities at Rumukwurushi, Iriebe and Oyigbo in open defiance of the State Government’s curfew on human movements.
12. Security intelligence and surveillance have revealed that IPOB has continued to expand its membership drive, holding meetings regularly, and expanding its logistical base, including the maintenance of illegal detention cells in Emenike and other parts of Diobu, Port Harcourt.
13. As a matter of fact, Oyigbo town has practically become the group’s main operational base in Rivers State, from which they’ve become notorious for launching premeditated violence and terror on the State, businesses and innocent citizens.
14. As a people, we have become very much unsettled by the terrorist acts and endured the continuing irritations, violence, destruction and provocations of IPOB in and against the people of Rivers State.
15. We agree that Rivers State is part of Nigeria and has always been a home for all Nigerians and will continue to be because this is our true character.
16. But it must also be understood that Rivers State belongs to the indigenous people of Rivers State.
17. As a stranger element with strange political ideology therefore, IPOB has no legal or moral right to invade Rivers State or any part therefore at its behest; to disturb public peace; and subject lives and property to violence or threat of destruction under any guise.
18. What is clear from this behaviour is that our love, accommodation and hospitality towards all are being mistaken for weakness by the banned IPOB.
19. This being so, the time has come for us to sound this notice of warning that: enough is enough!!! We can no longer tolerate this IPOB evil monster in Rivers State. Never.
20. As a Government, we owe our people and all residents the responsibility to protect their lives, property and wellbeing and to prevent trouble-makers of all shades and character from violating our collective peace, security and pursuit of happiness.
21. Therefore, in view of the fact that IPOB has since been proscribed throughout Nigeria; and
22. Having come to the firm conclusion that the activities of the banned IPOB are not just dangerous to lives and property but also constitute clear and present threat to the existential interest and aspirations of Rivers State and all our people;
23. We have decided to reinforce, implement and enforce the existing judicial and national ban on IPOB by putting a total and complete stop to its presence and or activities in Rivers State or any part thereof.
24. Accordingly, as from today 23rd October 2020, the Rivers State Government has:
[ ] (ii) Outlawed IPOB from existing and or operating in Rivers State or any part thereof in line with the proscription order of the Federal High Court and the Federal Government.
(ii) No form of procession and or agitation by IPOB or any of its affiliates is allowed to take place in Rivers State or any part thereof, hence forth.
(iii) Security agencies are hereby directed to stop any form of procession or agitation by IPOB in Rivers State or any part thereof and arrest and prosecute any person or group that identifies with the membership or activities of IPOB in the State;
(iv) Government will issue an executive order to strengthen and ensure the effective enforcement of these measures;
(v) I will be meeting with all leaders of youth groups and community development committees in the State on Monday 26th October 2020 to take wholistic measures to counter and stop all IPOB activities in Rivers State;
(vi) Mr. Stanley Mgbere from Onne is hereby declared wanted for leading members of the banned IPOB to cause the recent violence and destruction of lives and property in Onne in Eleme Local Government Area; and
(vii) A ransom of N50,000,000.00 will be given to any person with useful information that would lead to the arrest and prosecution of the said Mr. Stanley Mgbere.
25. I wish to appeal to the people of Oyigbo Local Government Area to remain calm and not to take the laws into their hands despite the intense provocation as government has the capacity to deal with the challenge and ensure the safety of lives and property in the Local Government Area.
26. We will soon carry out on the spot inspection and assessment of the destruction they have suffered and take appropriate measures to mitigate the loss and damage caused to lives and property.
27. We hereby express our sympathies to the families of all those that have either lost their loved ones or suffered damages to their properties from the destructive acts of IPOB in our State.
28. Be assured that they have not died in vain and we will do everything within our powers to give all the victims justice.
29. We appeal to leaders of the various ethnic groups residents in the State to ensure that their members respect the sensibilities of our people and refrain from provocations and acts of hooliganism that could breach peace and security in the State.
30. Finally, I wish to assure all Nigerians that Rivers State will continue to be the home for all tribes as we will not shirk in our responsibility to ensure the peace, security and happiness of all residents in Rivers State.
31. We cannot allow IPOB miscreants and other misguided similar groups to threaten our collective peace, security and wellbeing under whatever guise.
32. Thank you and may God continue to bless Rivers State.
#nairaland
Governor Obaseki Extends Ultimatum, Gives Escaped Inmates One Week To Return
The governor had earlier given the fleeing inmates till Friday (yesterday) to return.
The Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki, has extended the ultimatum issued to inmates, who escaped from the Benin Medium Security Correctional Centre and Oko Medium Security Correctional Centre to return to the facilities by one week till Friday, October 30, 2020.
The governor had earlier given the fleeing inmates till Friday (yesterday) to return.
In a statement on Friday by Obaseki’s Special Adviser on Media and Communication Strategy, Crusoe Osagie, the extension by one week followed the positive response so far observed within the last few hours.
The statement reads, “The extension of the ultimatum is as a result of the positive response from the prisoners, as a good number of them have since returned to the two correctional facilities. The new window is to allow more prisoners to return to the centres willingly.
“The governor has reviewed the curfew time in the state to commence from 6pm to 6am daily, as against 4pm to 6am. The adjustment will take effect from Saturday, October 24, 2020. The security situation in the state is seen to be improving and we appreciate Edo people for adhering to government’s directives.”
#saharareporters
Tell Nigerians Who Ordered Lekki Shootings, Prof Osundare Urges Buhari
Some youth across many states in the country have been protesting against police brutality and the excesses of men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad.
Poet-laureate, Prof Niyi Osundare, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to tell Nigerians the person, who ordered soldiers to kill some unarmed protesters in the Lekki Toll Gate area of Lagos State on Tuesday.
Some youth across many states in the country have been protesting against police brutality and the excesses of men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad.
Niyi Osundare
After the reported shooting of some of the protesters before the commencement of the 24-hour curfew imposed on the state by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, several prominent Nigerians have been urging Buhari to address the nation.
The President’s address, which eventually came on Thursday night, generated attacks from Nigerians as he kept mum over the Lekki episode.
According to the PUNCH, Osundare spoke in a statement on Thursday titled, ‘President Buhari, Say Something’.
He said many saw Buhari’s silence on the matter as a sign of contempt while others said it was due to lack of concern.
Osundare said, “You have an urgent, even existential reason to prove them wrong. Tell us: who ordered the Lekki Massacre? Who oversaw its execution? What sanctions are you putting in place for those perpetrators? The Nigerian people are waiting to know. The whole wide world is waiting.”
#saharareporters
Youths Cart Away Covid-19 Palliative From Warehouse In Osun
Some angry youths in Osun on Friday stormed a warehouse in Ede town, where Covid-19 palliatives were allegedly stored, and carted away food items meant to be distributed to residents.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the angry youths trooped out in their hundreds to the moribund Cocoa-Ceramic Industry in Ede where the palliatives were stored.
Some of the items carted away include beans, noodles, sugar, salt, garri, rice, pastas among other items. There were no attempt to stop them.
Mr Mufu Akano, one of the youths who spoke to NAN, said he is happy to be among those who will go home “with what belongs to us”.
Akano noted that the food palliatives which were supposed to be distributed to residents in the state were locked up in a safe haven for some unexplained reasons and agenda which he considered “evil”.
He commended the zeal and efrontry of the looters, including some commercial motorcyclists and drivers of some private vehicles who joined in the looting. (NAN)
#orientdailynews
Ebonyi Govt Lightens Curfew From 8pm To 8am
Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has reduced the 24-hour curfew earlier imposed in the state to 80p.m. to 80a.m.
The Governor gave the directive on Friday in Abakaliki through the Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Mr Uchenna Orji.
Umahi said that the new directive is with effect from Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, from 8p.m to 8a.m across the state.
He had earlier imposed a 24-hour curfew in the state from 7p.m on Oct. 21, to forestall further breakdown of law and order by protesters.
“There shall be an 8p.m to 8a.m curfew across the state, starting from Oct 23,” Umahi said.
He urged all stakeholders, security agencies and residents of the state to do everything possible within the ambit of the law to protect the citizenry from any form of violent protest, destruction of lives and property in the state.
The governor assured the people of his commitment towards the protection of their lives and property. (NAN)
#orientdailynews
Ugwuanyi Sues For Peace, Opens Avenue For Dialogue With Youths
Enugu State Government has charged protesting/aggrieved youths to embrace peace as it has opened avenue to deepen dialogue with youth groups in the state.
Mr Johnpaul Anih, Special Assistant to the Governor of Enugu State on Youth Affairs, made the call during a press briefing on youth dialogue on #endsars protest in the state.
The press briefing was themed; “EndSars Protest: Special Attention to Enugu State and Charting the Way Forward’’.
Anih noted that Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi had taken proactive steps in meeting the demands of the protesters, adding that the youths should be patient and give government time to see fulfillment of the programmes.
According to him, the programmes of action of the governor on the demands cannot come to fruition without a peaceful and calm environment.
He noted that before now, the governor had visited and ensured SARS office was closed and detainees released as well as inaugurated a panel of judicial inquiry on Police brutality in the state.
Anih said that the governor, on Thursday, also addressed Enugu State residents and assured all of security of lives and property.
“Enugu State is naturally peaceful because we have a peace-loving governor that always listens to all especially the cry of the youths.
“We are further appealing to Enugu State youths to be calm and peaceful anywhere they are.
“They should be law abiding as full attention is being given to their demands.
“Youths should stop indulging in destruction of public or private property and investments as destruction is not in the character of Enugu people at all.
“This is the only state we have and it is our duty and responsibility to protect it and make it work for all of us to benefit,’’ he said.
The governor’s aide however, condemned the killing or maiming of youths in any guise connecting to the #endsars protest in any part of the country.
Anih called on the Federal Government to liaising with states to stop the crisis as well as put forward sustainable programmes meant to check police brutality against youths and engagement of youths.
It would be recalled that #endsars protest, which later turned violent early this week, led to the destruction of bus-stop facilities, public buildings and some ATM machines within Enugu metropolis. (NAN)
#orientdailynews
Curfew: POS Outlets Make Brisk Businesses In Enugu
Operators of Point-of-Sale Terminal (POS) in some parts of Enugu metropolis made brisk businesses on Friday as a surge in patronage trailed a declaration of a 24-hour curfew by the state government.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there was appreciable patronage of POS services by customers who could not access their banks for cash transactions since the curfew began on Wednesday.
A NAN correspondent observed huge turnout at POS kiosks as patrons queued to be served.
Some of the operators who spoke to NAN expressed their joy over the high patronage. .
An operator, Mr Linus Ozo, told NAN that he had made an average income of N15,000 since Wednesday when the curfew was announced,
“The 24-hour curfew has provided the business with a booming opportunity since Wednesday evening.
“The curfew has made the banks to shut down and people are stranded because they have run out of cash; this is why many people are patronising us,’’ Ozo explained.
Another Operator, Mr Gozie Uzochukwu, said the business suddenly became lucrative and that he had made more than N26,000 in profit since the curfew began.
“For now, I have not run out of cash but by Monday, if the curfew is not relaxed, there will be little or no cash to pay to customers because nobody comes to deposit,’’ he said
According to him, charges range from N200 to N1,000 per transaction, depending on volume.
A patron, Mrs. Martha Anusie, told NAN that the operators were rendering huge assistance to the public, especially since the curfew came into effect.
Another patron, Mr Job Offor, said the POS outlets were last resort for people who could neither go to the banks nor ply their trades to make money. (NAN)
#orientdailynews
