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Wike–Fubara Crisis: PANDEF Sets Up Mediation Team to Restore Peace in Rivers
Fabian Apechihin
The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has stepped into the worsening political crisis in Rivers State, calling on all parties to exercise restraint and embrace dialogue in the interest of peace and regional stability.
PANDEF warned that the dispute involving the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara; and the Rivers State House of Assembly could spiral into lawlessness if not urgently resolved.
To address the situation, PANDEF’s Board of Trustees and National Executive Committee on Friday constituted a seven-member reconciliation committee tasked with mediating the crisis. The committee is chaired by former Attorney-General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi, with Senator Obende Domingo as vice chairman. Other members include Chief Essien Nduese, Dr Timiebi Koripamo-Agari, Chief Mike Ejiofor, Mrs Nella Rabana-Andem (SAN), while Prince Godwin Okotie, PANDEF’s Deputy National Secretary, will serve as secretary.
In a joint statement signed by PANDEF leaders — Alfred Diete-Spiff and Victor Attah, Co-Chairmen of the Board of Trustees, and Godknows Igali, National Chairman — the organisation described the political developments in Rivers State as “deeply disturbing.”
The group expressed concern over the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to initiate impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor, warning that the situation requires urgent intervention to prevent further escalation and a breakdown of law and order.
PANDEF noted that its worry was heightened by the strategic importance of Rivers State to the Niger Delta and Nigeria’s overall political stability and economic wellbeing. Reaffirming its non-partisan posture, the body described itself as a unifying platform for the South-South and urged all stakeholders to prioritise dialogue, tolerance and political accommodation.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers State, the South-South region and Nigeria as a whole,” the statement said.
While commending President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress, elders of Rivers State and other Nigerians for earlier peace efforts, PANDEF appealed to all parties to cooperate fully with the reconciliation committee to achieve a peaceful and lasting resolution.
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Kwara: Security Team Kills Two Bandits, Rescues Two Kidnap Victims
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
A security team, comprising operatives of DSS and forest guards, has rescued two victims of abduction in a forest between Oba Isin/Owa Onire area of isin and Ifelodun Local Government Areas of Kwara State.
The rescued victims are 16-year-old Fatima Azeez and Ibrahim Azeez who is five-year old.
The team also eliminated two armed bandits, while others escaped with severe injuries as the security forces stormed their hideouts, according to a report by DSS and local authorities.
The security team also recovered several items from the kidnappers, including one Ak-47 rifle; one single barrel; one fully loaded magazine with nine empty; mini-solar panel; and food items.
The rescue operation is connected to the multi-agency counterterrorism and anti-kidnapping efforts of the government.
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Kwara: Police Launch Investigations Into Killing Of Farmer On Farmland
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
The Kwara State Police Command has commenced full-scale investigations into the killing of a farmer, Mr Azeez Garba, whose body was discovered on his farmland along the Owa-Onire axis, the boundary between Isanlu-Isin and Owu-Isin in Isin Local Government Area of the State.
The Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, described the murder as “cruel, senseless and unacceptable,” and directed the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) to intensify efforts to identify and arrest those behind the attack.
According to the police, preliminary investigations showed that the deceased left home for his farm in the morning but did not return, prompting his family members and local vigilantes to organise a search.
The search party reportedly found his motorcycle parked on the farmland before discovering his lifeless body a short distance away. Police said the victim had sustained deep machete cuts.
Reacting to the incident, CP Adekimi ordered investigators to deploy all available intelligence and investigative resources to unravel the circumstances surrounding the killing.
“The killing is cruel, senseless and unacceptable,” the commissioner of Police said, assuring residents that the command would leave no stone unturned in bringing the perpetrators to justice.
Although no suspect had been arrested as of Monday, the command said all available leads were being diligently pursued.
The police also assured the bereaved family, the people of Isin Local Government Area and the general public that investigators were working tirelessly to track down everyone connected with the crime.
“The Kwara State Police Command remains unwavering in its commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the state and will not relent until every person responsible for this reprehensible act is brought before the law,” the statement added.
The statement was signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police.
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Kwara: Joint Security Team Arrests Alleged Cultist, Recovers Firearm
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
A coordinated security operation involving the Kwara State Police Command, other security agencies and the Kwara State Polytechnic Security Unit has led to the arrest of a suspected cultist, Agboola Olamilekan, with a locally fabricated pistol recovered from him in Ilorin.
The operation, carried out as part of ongoing efforts to combat cultism and violent crimes across the state, was described by the police as another breakthrough in intelligence-driven policing aimed at dismantling criminal networks and reducing the circulation of illegal firearms.
Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, in a statement issued on Wednesday on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, said the suspect was apprehended during the joint operation while in possession of the firearm.
According to the statement, the operation is part of the Command’s sustained strategy to disrupt cult-related activities and deny criminal elements the opportunity to operate within the state.
Commenting on the development, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ojo Adekimi, reaffirmed the Command’s determination to intensify the fight against cultism and other violent crimes.
“Every successful operation represents another step towards dismantling criminal networks and enhancing public safety across the state through proactive and intelligence-led policing,” the commissioner said.
The police disclosed that investigations are ongoing to identify and arrest other suspected members of the criminal network linked to the suspect.
The Command added that it remains committed to advancing the policing vision of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, through intelligence-led policing, strategic collaboration with relevant stakeholders and sustained operations aimed at ensuring that those responsible for threatening the peace and security of Kwara State are brought to justice.
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