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Rivers: Fubara hits back over allegations in Tinubu’s broadcast, lists Wike’s ‘faults’

Published

12 months ago

March 21, 2025

394 Views

The suspended governor of Rivers State, Similanayi Fubara, has responded to some of the allegations made by President Bola Tinubu in his nationwide broadcast on Tuesday night.

During the broadcast, Tinubu declared a State of Emergency in the state.

The President also suspended Fubara and members of the Rivers House of Assembly for six months.

Tinubu appointed Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd) as sole administrator of the state.

Fubara, in a statement signed by Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, denied some of the allegations made in the broadcast.

According to him, the Rivers State House of Assembly complex was not abandoned after it was demolished, but was under 80% completion.

The statement read in part, “First, it is important to clarify that Governor Fubara has nothing to do with the threats by militants and also did not in any way “telegraph” the reported attacks on any oil facility in the State.

”Fubara also claimed that some developments in Rivers State were owing to a controversial remark made by Nyesom Wike, FCT Minister, about the Ijaws.

“It is on record that the reaction of stakeholders in the Niger Delta, especially elders, chiefs, women, Ijaw National Congress, its youth wing, IYC, as well as militants, among others, were triggered by remarks by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, in a live media chat, during which he dismissed Ijaws as a minority of the minorities and powerless in the Nigerian polity, saying that Ijaws are not the only ones that are militants and can blow up pipelines; that Ogonis, Ikwerres, and others are also militants and can as well blow up pipelines.

“Most of the Ijaw groups and leaders even demanded an apology from the FCT Minister, which he rebuffed,” he said.

Fubara “made it clear that his administration was committed to the peace, security, and safety of oil facilities in the State.“

He often recalled his pivotal role as a member of the Presidential Committee on the Protection of Oil Installations in the Region, and repeatedly emphasized the need to protect oil pipelines and other facilities in the State, urging his supporters and the people of the State to avoid acts capable of destabilizing the State or sabotaging the nation’s economy.”

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Rivers administrator, Ibas addresses residents

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JUST IN: IGP Disu Assigns Portfolios to New DIGs

DIG Zachariah Fera Achinyan has been deployed to Legal Services, DIG Zango Ibrahim Baba to Research and Planning, and DIG Isyaku Mohammed to Training and Development departments.

Published

6 hours ago

March 10, 2026

OCHEFA

19 Views

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Olatunji Disu has assigned the new Deputy Inspectors -General of Police (DIGs) their duties responsibilities.

Sources said that the DIGs were assigned departments based on their areas of competence.

DIG Zachariah Fera Achinyan has been deployed to Legal Services,

DIG Zango Ibrahim Baba to Research and Planning, and DIG Isyaku Mohammed to Training and Development departments.

Similarly, DIG Margaret Agebe Ochalla has been posted to the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID);

DIG Mohammed Abdul Sulaiman to Finance and Accounts; DIG Kenechukwu Onwuemelie will oversee the Force Intelligence Department (FID); DIG Fayoade Adegoke will head Information and Communication Technology, while DIG Umar Shehu Nadada has been posted to Operations departments.

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Airport Access Gates: FG Approves Cash and FAAN Go Cashless Cards for Payment

The statement also noted that motorists who already possess FAAN Go Cashless Cards can continue using them until further notice.

In addition, other electronic payment channels, including Point-of-Sale (POS) terminals and approved digital platforms, will remain available

Published

8 hours ago

March 10, 2026

OCHEFA

26 Views

The Federal Government has directed the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to accept both cash and electronic payments at airport access gates nationwide, as part of efforts to ease traffic congestion.

The directive followed a meeting between the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development and officials of the FAAN, alongside senior officials of the ministry, on Tuesday.

The move comes after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered the suspension of the full cashless payment system at airport access gates following complaints that it had caused traffic gridlocks.

In a statement issued in Abuja by the minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood, the government has resolved to gradually transition to a fully automated payment system at airport access points.

As part of the interim measures, the ministry announced that a hybrid payment system allowing both cash and card payments will take effect at all airport access gates from March 13, 2026.

The statement also noted that motorists who already possess FAAN Go Cashless Cards can continue using them until further notice.In addition, other electronic payment channels, including Point-of-Sale (POS) terminals and approved digital platforms, will remain available

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LASEMA Cautions Social Media Platforms Against Circulating False News

LASEMA Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, made the call today following his visit to a collapsed three-storey school building at Yemco Schools, Daycare Nursery, Primary and Comprehensive College, located at 11, Adu Street, Behind County Hospital, Aguda, Ogba, Lagos State.

Published

8 hours ago

March 10, 2026

OCHEFA

26 Views

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has cautioned news platforms, especially social media against the circulation of misleading information.

He said : “In situations like this, inaccurate reports and exaggerated claims can create unnecessary panic within the public.

“We urge members of the public and media platforms to rely only on verified information released by official government agencies such as LASEMA and other authorized emergency management bodies.

Spreading unverified information during emergencies can hinder response operations and misinform the public.

” First and foremost, I want to reassure the public that this incident did not result in any loss of life.”

He emphasised:” After careful assessment and rescue operations, I can confirm that all individuals within the vicinity of the building were accounted for and no casualties were recorded. Because no lives were lost, we categorize this situation not as a disaster but as an emergency incident, which was quickly managed through coordinated response efforts.”

According to him, emergency responders from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency and other first responders were immediately deployed to the scene to conduct a thorough search and safety assessment.

Our emergency teams promptly secured the environment, carried out safety checks, and ensured that there were no trapped victims within the structure.

The safety of residents, students, and staff remains our top priority.

The Lagos State Government remains committed to protecting lives, ensuring rapid emergency response, and maintaining public safety across the state.

We will continue to work with relevant authorities to assess the structural integrity of buildings across Lagos and enforce safety regulations where necessary.

Once again, I want to reassure residents that the situation has been fully contained and there is no cause for alarm.”