News
Kogi security chiefs in fresh plot to raid SDP Campaign DG’s residence under false claims – Spokesman
Following the invasion of the residence of the Campaign Director General of the Social Democratic Party, SDP Sheik Ibrahim at Anyigba in Kogi East by select officers of Kogi State Police Command in cahoot with thugs loyal to Governor Yahaya Bello sometime in November, fresh plot has yet again been uncovered.
The invasion who took place on 7th December, 2023 left three serving officers tragically dead.
In a statement which was released to CAPITAL POST in Lokoja on Sunday by the Spokesman, Social Democratic Party (SDP) Campaign Council, Kogi State, Faruk Adejoh-Audu, said the Commissioner of Police has perfected plans to cladestinely plant weapons in the Anyigba residence of Sheik Ibrahim and turn around to use them as evidence.
This, the statement claimed, was to down play disciplinary measures the State Commissioner of Police is currently facing at the Force headquarters for working with Yahaya Bello thugs to invade a house of a civilian where three police officers deployed on duty were killed.
The statement read in full:
“The Kogi Security Chiefs who last month masterminded the massacre at the residence of Sheik Ibrahim, Director-General of Social Democratic Party (SDP) Governorship Campaign Council are plotting to again invade the same premises with the excuse that they are in search of firearms.
“This time it is feared that they have procured a search warrant from a Lokoja judge who has already gained notoriety for providing judicial cover for the criminal activities of the outlaw Governor of Kogi State, Mr Yahaya Bello.
“Information available to us indicates that after several attempts to plant arms and ammunition using Bello’s thugs are proxies in Anyigba failed, the invaders will bring the arms in Mr Yahaya Bello’s Armoured Personel Carriers (APC) and dump them in specific sections of the house, there after they will retreat to bring cameras to start video recording the operation as if they broke into the residence and found the arms.
“The invasion which is expected to commence anytime from now is a desperate recourse by the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Bethrand Unuoha to justify the massacre in the same residence on November 7, 2023, during which at least three policemen and two nephews of the DG were murdered in cold blood.
“Mr Onuoha had immediately claimed responsibility for the massacre at press conference later that day while regretting that the DG Sheik Ibrahim was not amongst the persons murdered during the invasion.
“He had claimed the persons killed were thugs and displayed three Kalashnikov AK47 assault rifles as arms recovered from the thugs.
“But his deliberate falsehood was soon exposed when the identity of his murdered victims became known and the AK47 Rifles were also discovered to have been officially issued to the murdered policeman.
“We are informed that Onouha and the Area Commander of Toto Division, Mr J. Caleb are now undergoing investigation at the Police Force Headquarters along with over 70 policemen who were coopted into the massacre of November 7 an unable to justify his homicidal adventure he’s desperate to again frame our DG with gun running and violence.
“Among the guns they intend to plant are the pump actions and AK47 used by APC thugs to execute their fellow thugs in Anyigba and Ejule in public glare in October.
“Onuoha plans to use these planted guns to link the SDP with the coldblooded murders carried out in broad daylight by known APC thugs whom he had curiously refused to arrest till today.
“This rogue action by this thoroughly unethical policeman is coming even as plans for the burial of Inspector Atabor, the Policeman with three children and a pregnant wife murdered at the scene of crime on November 7th is being finalized.
“All Unuoha’s attempts to frame and demonize the SDP as a party of violence have so far failed. There’s no report of a single attack or breach of law by any of our supporters in the course of the six months campaign. Neither was there any formal arrest of our members except persons abducted by his rogue force of thugs and policemen. And we hereby challenge Mr Unuoha to prove the contrary
“Penultimate week Mr Unuoha participated in supporting thugs impersonating with SDP uniforms to invade INEC in Lokoja and despite our prompt disavowal of these thugs who are known agents of Bello, also known to him Unuoha, he went before the media to identify them as SDP members.
“We are by this statement appealing to the Inspector General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun to immediately redeploy Mr Unuoha from Kogi State before he sheds blood of more innocent persons to cover up his earlier atrocities.”
The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared that it has been vindicated by recent revelations from the state’s former Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke.
The Rivers APC Chairman, Chief Tony Okocha, stated this in a statement he personally signed and made available to journalists on Wednesday.
The former Head of Service, who recently resigned had alleged that the suspended Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, was directly responsible for the political crisis in the state and the bombing of the State House of Assembly.
In response, the Rivers State APC asserted that Nwaeke’s testimony aligns with the party’s long-held position, as frequently stated by Chief Okocha, that the suspended governor was the architect of the state’s political crisis, including masterminding the October 29, 2023, bombing of the State House of Assembly.
Chief Okocha further emphasized that Nwaeke’s account, given his high-ranking position in the state, cannot be dismissed as mere speculation.
He said attempts to discredit the former Head of Service will not deter him from exposing the alleged corruption and misconduct that the APC has repeatedly highlighted.
“What is most interesting to the APC in Rivers State as a responsible political party is that Dr. George Nwaeke’s revelations and testimonies of how suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his squad bombed the Rivers State House of Assembly is an eye witness account.
“Again , it has clearly vindicated the APC in Rivers State as the only visible and viable opposition political party in the State, and has cemented the love for the party in the heart of well meaning Rivers people as the voice of the voiceless, and the hope for a better Rivers State.
“The revelations made by the former Head of Service in Rivers State has further positioned her as a political party with high level of integrity, and the hope of Rivers people for a viable alternative to produce the Governor of Rivers State in 2027.
“The verbal attacks staged against the resigned Head of Service will not deter him from exposing the corruption within Sim Fubara’s administration, which we have consistently highlighted as the opposition party. On this matter, the APC shall function as watchdogs”, the party stated.
Chief Tony Okocha expressed confidence that security agencies would thoroughly investigate the matter.
“The APC in Rivers State strongly believes that the relevant security agencies will be professional enough to get to the root of the matter and make their findings public”, he said.
A coalition of civil rights organizations, the Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness (CCLCA), has called for an immediate and thorough investigation into the allegations leveled against suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, by Dr. George Nwaeke, the former Head of Service of the state.
During a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, Dr. Gabriel Nwambu, Director General of the CCLCA, urged the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), Department of State Services (DSS), and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to take swift action in probing the allegations. He emphasized that if proven true, these claims pose serious risks to governance and democracy.
The coalition, comprising 30 civil society organizations, stands in solidarity with Dr. Nwaeke, who has expressed willingness to provide evidence of alleged corruption and constitutional breaches involving Governor Fubara and his Chief of Staff, Mr. Edison.
“We collectively urge the relevant authorities to act swiftly and transparently. Addressing these allegations is critical to restoring public confidence in governance at both the state and national levels,” Dr. Nwambu stated.
He commended President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for his intervention in Rivers State, which led to the declaration of a state of emergency, a move he described as crucial for stabilizing the region.
Dr. Nwaeke’s accusations against Governor Fubara include:
Arson and Sabotage: Allegedly instructing his Chief of Staff to burn down the Rivers State House of Assembly to prevent impeachment proceedings, a violation of Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution.
Corruption and Financial Misconduct: Claims of large sums of money being used for personal and illegal activities, contravening Section 15(5) of the Constitution.
Threats to Public Safety: Alleged plans to sabotage state infrastructure, potentially inciting public disorder, which falls under Section 1 of the Terrorism Prevention Act (2011).
Collusion with Militant Groups: Alleged meetings between the governor, his Chief of Staff, and militant leaders, posing a threat to national security and violating Section 43 of the Constitution.
Suppression of Labour Rights: Alleged attempts to bribe labour leaders to silence dissent, contravening Section 40 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of assembly.
The coalition has urged law enforcement agencies to ensure a thorough, transparent, and expedited investigation into these allegations.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu has appointed Sam Ifeanyi Hart, Esq. as his new Chief of Staff (CoS).
Hart replaces Hon. Toby Okechukwu who was recently appointed Executive Director, Projects of the newly established South East Development Commission (SEDC).
Prior to his appointment, Hart served as Special Adviser to the Deputy Speaker on Public Affairs and has an extensive background in training and consultancy.
Hart also previously served as Director-General, Abia State Marketing and Quality Management Agency from 2019 to 2023 after occupying other appointive positions.
He was also a member of National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS), Kuru where he attended the Senior Executive Course 45, serving as Course Secretary-General.
He has also served on the Boards of several corporate and non-governmental entities.
Hart brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his new role, with a distinguished career spanning law, leadership, and public service.
A lifelong learner, he holds multiple academic qualifications, including a Master’s Degree in Environmental Law (LLM) and a Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LLB) from Abia State University.
The new Chief of Staff is also currently pursuing a Doctorate Degree in Law.
A seasoned professional, Hart has attended prestigious institutions, including the GOTNI Leadership Centre, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS), and the School of Politics, Policy and Governance (SPPG).
He is also a member of several professional bodies, including the Chartered Institute of Directors of Nigeria (M.IoD), Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (ACIArb), and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
As Chief of Staff, Hart will provide strategic guidance and support to the Deputy Speaker legislative activities, leveraging his expertise to drive policy initiatives and promote good governance.
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