News
Rivers 2025 budget: Ibas attribute plans for Fubara’s return

The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has revealed that the proposed N1.48tn 2025 budget anticipates the return of suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other affected political officeholders.
Ibas made this known in Abuja on Wednesday while defending the budget before the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State Oversight.
According to him, the proposed budget aligns with the strategic objectives of the River State Development Plan 2017-2027.
He also noted that the proposal presents a strategic and integrated framework designed to raise revenues and accelerate infrastructure development, enhance human capital, and promote inclusive economic growth across all sectors.
He said, “In anticipation of the eventual return to constitutional order, the draft budget prudently retains provisions for the offices and functions of suspended political actors, some of whom have already drawn on allocated resources in the first quarter and are expected to resume their duties at the expiration of the emergency period.
”He, however, accused some suspected Rivers State officials of failure to provide the administration with useful information required to prepare the budget proposal.
Ibas added, “Regrettably, some state officials withheld critical information required to ensure a more complete capture of those expenditures at the time of submission of the budget estimates.
“However, recognising the exigencies under the state of emergency and the need to ensure fiscal credibility, the budget framework integrates expenditure information made available before the submission of the budget proposal to ratify the first quarter expenditures in a lawful and transparent structure.
“This ensures alignment with statutory appropriation protocols while safeguarding the integrity of public finance management.
”The budget, totalling ₦1.48tn in expenditure with a projected ₦1.4tn in revenue, was transmitted to the National Assembly following presidential approval after the Supreme Court ruled on the legality of the Rivers State 2025 appropriation process.
In his opening remarks, Ibas thanked the committee for its dedication.
“We in Rivers State are most grateful for your commitment. Despite your tight schedules, you have shown unwavering resolve to fulfil your constitutional duties,” he said.
Ibas highlighted several major allocations including ₦324.50bn for infrastructure and transportation projects; ₦55bn to relocate and expand Rivers State University Teaching Hospital; ₦50bn for zonal hospital upgrades; ₦38.85bn for shoreline protection and erosion control; ₦30bn for zonal secondary schools and ₦5.75bn for primary school rehabilitation.
Others are ₦2.5bn for women’s economic empowerment and ₦3bn for youth resource centres; ₦20bn to recapitalise Rivers State Microfinance Bank for Medium and Small Scale Enterprises support, and ₦117bn in pension, gratuities, and employee benefits.
Responding, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Rivers State oversight, Prof Julius Ihonvbere, commended Ibas for the detailed presentation and affirmed the committee’s readiness to partner with the administrator in restoring peace and development to Rivers State.
He also pledged the committee’s readiness to scrutinise the budget estimate in the interest of the oil-rich state and its people.
Ihonvbere said, “I want to especially thank you and let you know that this committee is committed to working with you to restore stability, peace, growth, and development in Rivers State.
“Rivers has always been a shining example of what is possible with good leadership, and that is why this commitment is here.
“We will scrutinise the budget. We will invite you to send your relevant officials for a proper defence of the budget. In as much as we are committed to joining hands with you to get Rivers State back on track, we are not going to cut corners.
”Ihonvbere, who doubles as the House Majority Leader, also highlighted key social welfare components in the budget, such as women’s empowerment and pensions for retirees, describing them as necessary and people-centred interventions.
“These are areas that touch people’s lives, and we know the plight of their families. We appreciate you for making these bold commitments,” he added.
Crime
Joint Security Forces Nab 12 Kidnap Suspects, Rescue Victims in Kogi/Kwara Operation (Photos)

Twelve suspected kidnappers and one informant have been arrested in a coordinated security operation carried out across parts of Kogi and Kwara States.

This was disclosed on Tuesday by the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo through a press statement made available to newsmen.
He said the suspects were apprehended during a series of raids jointly executed by the Hybrid Force from the Office of the National Security Adviser and Officers and Men of the Forward Operating Base (FOB), Egbe.

The operations covered Isanlu-Esa and Okoloke in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State, and Patigi, Lafiagi and Gbugbu in Kwara State.
The statement identified the suspected kidnappers as Mainasara Abubakar, Sadik Abubakar, Jude Sani, Sanda Abubakar, Lawali Usman, Tukur Shehu, Hassan Abubakar, Kabiru Surajo, Makiri Dodo, Bala Hassan, Umaru Sanda, and Ruwa Abubakar. Also arrested was Rabiu Makeri, who is believed to be an informant for the gang.

According to the statement, the security forces engaged the suspects in a fierce gun battle, during which some of the kidnappers fled, abandoning their motorcycles and kidnap victims. Several kidnapped women were successfully rescued during the confrontation.
“We want to thank the gallant officers from the Office of the National Security Adviser and our men at the FOB, Egbe for their courage and professionalism. We also commend the Kwara State Government for their cooperation, which has yielded this outstanding result,” the statement read.
“Peace has returned to Kogi West as the criminal route from Kwara into our communities has now been disrupted. There will be no hiding place for the criminals. One of the security agents who confronted the kidnappers was shot and he is currently receiving medical treatment at an undisclosed hospital in Yagba West Local Government Area of the State. The Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo has offered to cover all the costs of treatment”, he said.
The Commissioner further assured the public that the arrested suspects will face full prosecution after investigations, reaffirming the state’s zero-tolerance stance on criminality.

In a separate remark, the Executive Chairman of Yagba West LGA and ALGON Chairman for Kogi State, Hon. Tosin Olokun, expressed gratitude to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for providing the logistics and support that enabled the success of the operation.

“Governor Ododo promised to restore peace to Yagba West and Yagba as a whole. Today, he has backed those words with decisive action. We can now heave a sigh of relief. The people of Yagba are grateful for his leadership and the results it is delivering,” Olokun said.

The Kogi State Government emphasized its ongoing commitment to working with federal and regional partners to ensure the safety and security of all communities within the state.
News
JUST IN: PSC threatens to kick out drug addicts in the system

The Police Service Commission has vowed to flush out drug addicts in the Nigeria Police Force and has extended an invitation to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency to assist the Commission achieve this noble objective.
In a statement on Tuesday, Ikechukwu Ani, Head, Press and Public Relations said the PSC chairman made the vow during a visit to the Corporate Headquarters of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency where it formally met with the Agency’s Chairman and Chief Executive and his Management team.
It said the Chairman of the Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu, used the occasion to invite the Agency to join the Commission in all the processes of screening prospective Nigerians who are desirous of joining the Nigeria Police Force.
DIG Argungu, who was received by Brigadier General Buba Marwa, Chairman of the Agency, said there was need for a functional partnership between the Commission and the Agency in the fight to eradicate drug abuse in the Nigeria Police.
He commended the Agency for the assistance in screening intakes of the Police Academy, Wudil Kano which he said has drastically reduced the incidences of drug addiction by students of the Academy.
The PSC Chairman said there was need to upscale this assistance to cover the Recruitment processes in the Nigeria Police Force.
“We want you to help us fish out the drug addicts who obviously should not be allowed to get into and corrupt the system. We want to get it right and get the Police to work “.
DIG Argungu said it was dangerous to give fire arms to drug addicts and vowed that the Commission is poised to flush out such Officers in the Police Force.
The Chairman commended his host for his track record of excellence in the service of the nation.General Marwa, in his response, congratulated the Chairman on his deserved appointment and prayed for his success.
He pledged the Agency’s commitment to assist the Commission sanitize Police Recruitment.” We will try our best to bring the menace to an end, but it requires intelligence, sharing intelligence, training” he noted.
News
RULAAC Commends DSS DG’s Human Rights Reforms, Tasks IGP to Emulate Same in the Nigeria Police Force
In stark contrast, the Nigeria Police Force has persistently failed to act on similar cases of abuse, even in the face of clear court judgments and public outrage.

July 22, 2025 – Lagos, Nigeria:
The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has Commended the Director -General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Tosin Ajayi, for demonstrating a rare and commendable commitment to upholding human rights, the rule of law, and institutional accountability.
Okechukwu Nwanguma Executive Director of RULAAC, have the commendation today in a media statement.
The statement reads:
“We note with satisfaction the recent steps taken under his leadership to:-
Release a number of unlawfully detained individuals, including Abdulyakini Salisu, who had been in detention since 2022;-
Pay financial compensation to victims of unlawful arrest, wrongful detention, and mistaken identity;-
Tender official apologies to affected individuals;-
Provide medical support and rehabilitation to victims;-
Take disciplinary action against erring operatives responsible for these violations.
These actions represent a significant departure from the long-standing culture of impunity in Nigeria’s security sector and offer a concrete example of how security agencies can demonstrate — rather than merely tout — respect for human rights and the rule of law.
In stark contrast, the Nigeria Police Force has persistently failed to act on similar cases of abuse, even in the face of clear court judgments and public outrage.
A notable example remains the case of Glory Okolie, a young woman illegally detained by police officers attached to the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) in 2021 for over 150 days, during which she was abused and dehumanized.
Despite a Federal High Court judgment awarding her ₦60 million in damages and ordering her release, the Nigeria Police neither issued an apology nor took any disciplinary or remedial action.
RULAAC therefore calls on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to:
1. Publicly acknowledge and apologize for past and ongoing human rights violations under the Nigeria Police Force;
2. Comply fully with all outstanding judicial orders, including payment of damages to victims like Glory Okolie;
3. Set up a dedicated human rights audit committee within the Force to review and redress cases of unlawful detention and abuse;
4. Institute disciplinary action against officers who violate human rights, as a deterrent and commitment to reform;
5. Embrace a leadership approach grounded in transparency, justice, and accountability, similar to the path now being charted by the DSS.
The credibility of Nigeria’s democracy hinges on the conduct of its law enforcement agencies.
We cannot continue to condone a culture where police impunity is the norm and citizens’ rights are routinely violated without consequence.
The recent actions by the DSS DG show that reform is possible — where there is the will.
The IGP and the Nigeria Police Force must show that they, too, are capable of change.
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