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NFSS operatives would bear arms to protect Benue, other states – Osatimehin tells Gov Alia

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The Commander General of the Nigerian Forest Security Service, NFSS, Dr. Joshua Osatimehin, has expressed his agreement with Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia on his assertion that local vigilantes and forest guards set up by the state government lack the capacity to confront bandits and other violent criminals terrorsing local communities.

Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Kula Tersoo, the Governor said the State Protection Guards were only permitted to carry Dane guns, while militias brazenly wield AK-47 and AK-49 rifles, making enforcement dangerous and largely ineffective.

The Governor was reacting to the poser raised by a group, Benue Advocacy Network, over the rising insecurity despite the existence of an anti-open grazing law.

Responding to questions by newsmen on the issue on Monday in Abuja, Osatimehin, who spoke through the Deputy Commander General, Intelligence, Ambassador John Metchie, said the proposed law for the establishment of NFSS, allows its operatives to bear arms, saying the Service would have what it takes to comb forests, flush out criminals and protect local communities in Benue and other states across the country from attacks.

Metchie while expressing sympathy and solidarity with the government and people of Benue State for the recent killings that took place in some communities in the area, however commended the military and other security agencies for rising up to the occasion, with a view of ensuring that such ugly incidences do not re-occur.

He also commented President Bola Tinubu for personally visiting the affected state and giving directives to the security agencies to arrest perpetrators of the crimes.

“The Nigerian Forest Security Service, sympathies with the government and people of Benue, Plateau and other states recently affected by attacks by violent criminal elements, especially families of the victims.

“We agree with Governor Alia that local vigilantes and guards cannot protect communities, especially in cases where violent criminals who operate with high grade weapons are involved.

“It is for that reason that the NFSS is here as the missing link to bridge the gap. We recognize and commend the Nigerian military, the Police, the Department of State Security, Office of the National Security Advisor, the NSCDC and other relevant agencies for the untiring efforts to secure the nation and protect her people and properties.

“The NFSS believe that when the bill establishing the Service is assented to by His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu,GCFR, a lot more would be achieved through collaborative efforts and synergy, especially in the areas of intelligence gathering and sharing which are critical to security of any nation

“To that end, we use this opportunity to solicit the support of Governor Alia and all other stakeholders for the NFSS bill to be signed into law my Mr. President,” Metchie said.

 

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Nigerians React As Wike And His Support Group Launch Rivers-Based Radio Station To Campaign For Tinubu’s 2027 Re-election

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Nigerians on social media are currently debating over a radio station current Minister of the FCT and past governor of Rivers state, Nyesom Wike, launched to campaign for President Tinubu’ re-election in 2027.

Wike who is in a running battle with his successor and incumbent governor of the state, Sim Fubatra, launched the radio station on Saturday, February 7. His media aide, Lere Olayinka, who posted a video from the opening of the station, wrote

‘’Rivers State Renewed Hope Ambassadors don get Radio Station on top Tinubu’s matter.

It is Majority FM 89.5.

Located right inside the Renewed Hope Ambassadors’ office in Port Harcourt that the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike just commissioned.”

While some Nigerians lauded Wike’s move, others argued that it smarks of eyeservice. They wonder what would become of the radio station after the elections in 2027. Others opined that Wike is only doing this to prove to President Tinubu that he is more valuable in the re-election bid than Governor Fubara who has found favor in the sight of some APC chieftains.

An X-user wondered the legality of having a radio station being opened for election campaigning. He asked how the National Broadcasting Commission NBC granted such approval for a radio station.

Read the divergent views below

 

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Man in shock after lady he lodged with in a hotel in Abuja flees with his car and other valuables

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A Nigerian man is currently in shock after a young lady identified as Precious Chinyere , whom he took to a hotel in the Asokoro area in the FCT for a romantic getaway allegedly fled with his car and other personal belongings on Thursday, February 5,

The distraught man and Precious had visited the hotel and opted for a short time stay. Things took a different in the evening when the man noticed Precious had left the hotel room without notifying him and took along with her some of his personal belongings including phones and laptop and also his car.

The victim immediately reported the incident to the police.

When contacted, the spokesperson of the FCT police command, SP Josephine Adeh, told LIB that the matter is currently being investigated and that efforts are being made to apprehend the suspect.

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US Reacts As De@th Toll In Kwara Terror Attacks Hits 200

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The United States Mission in Nigeria has condemned the k!lling of more than 200 civilians in recent attacks on communities in Kwara State.

Recall that terrorists launched de@dly attacks on Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area of the state on Tuesday night, k!lling unsuspecting citizens.

It was gathered that the gunmen invaded the villages, opened fire on residents and burned homes.

According to reports, the de@th toll from the unfortunate incident hit 200 on Thursday night.

Reacting, the US Mission Nigeria condemned the k!lling via a post on its official X handle.

The post reads, “The United States condemns the horrific attack in Kwara state in Nigeria, which claimed the lives of more than 160 people, with the de@th toll still unconfirmed and many still unaccounted for.

“We express our deepest condolences to the families of those affected by this senseless violence.

“We welcome President Tinubu’s order to deploy security forces to protect villages in the area and his directive to federal and state officials to provide aid to the community and bring the perpetrators of this atrocity to justice.”

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