Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, says the baffling state of insecurity and the unchallenged killings of citizens by outlaws in parts of the country is a clear manifestation of bad leadership.

He said it is now obvious to those who threw caution to the wind to foist such bad leadership on the people, that Nigeria has collapsed.

Governor Wike made the assertion when he had an interactive session with traditional rulers, political and opinion leaders of Andoni nationality at Government House, Port Harcourt Tuesday.

According to Governor Wike, instead of leaders to be bold to speak against the ills in the land and sincerely pursue solutions to them, they indulge in sycophancy.

“Nigeria has totally collapsed. Look at, today, what happened in Nasarawa and Benue States, how they slaughtered people on the road. See what is happening in Niger State and the APC Governor there is crying, saying he has been talking to the Federal Government but nobody has listened to him. And that Boko Haram has come to take over the state, which is closest to Abuja.”

The governor recalled that when he raised alarm of the looming danger of insecurity it was politicised, some persons in the opposition dismissed it as mere politics. But, ironically states controlled by the All Progressives Congress (APC) are now the worst hit.

“Look at Kaduna and Imo States, there is insecurity everywhere. The only anger I have with Imo State Governor is this; I don’t know how people politicise things.”

The governor castigated APC governors for claiming their party has solved the problems of hunger, unemployment, whereas they could barely stay in their State to provide governance for those who elected them.

“Nigeria has a lot of problems and they keep running to the villa everyday to disturb Mr. President, for him to see their faces, pose for photograph and will not allow him to work.

“You know you have crisis at your place, you can’t stay to solve it, but everyday you go to see Mr. President so that the world will know that you’re close to him.”

Governor Wike assured that the Andoni axis of the Ogoni-Opobo-Andoni Unity Road project will be completed by August 2021 because the contractor has been so directed.

He also challenged the different levels of leadership in Andoni to priorise development of the entire area and work together to actualise it.

“The Opobo axis of the road will be ready by May 2021. I’ve told the contractor that there will be no excuse for the Andoni axis of the unity road project not to be completed before August or September 2021. I know, we have paid over 90 per cent.

The governor charged the delegation to collectively work with the State government to tackle the issue of insecurity in Andoni.

“We cannot achieve it if you do not work with us. Traditional rulers, chairman of council, and opinion leaders, you must work with us by giving us information that will help the security agencies to address the security challenge.”

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, the Okan Ama of Ikuru Town, King Aaron Ikuru said they were in Government House, to seek intervention of the State government in the security challenges in Andoni.

“We recognise and acknowledge your efforts in the timely deployment joint Taskforce to Unyeada and Asarama axis in 2020 to quell the rage caused by some youths then.

“Recently, the deployment of the newly reformed C. 4.i security outfits to Ngo Town, our Local Government Headquarters. These interventions brought relative peace.

“These efforts put in by the Traditional Rulers, Chiefs and leaders of Andoni in 2020 on this matter yielded no result and the cultists are taking advantage of this to inflict more harms on our people.”

The Rivers State Government has announced restriction of night movements between 8pm and 6am into and out of the State from the land borders with effect from Wednesday.

Gov. Nyesom Wike announced this in a statewide broadcast following what he called deadly attack on security Operatives on Saturday and Sunday

He said although the security agencies are investigating the attacks with a view to bringing the perpetrators to justice, nobody knows where and when the next attack would take place

Government, he emphasised, was determined to do everything within its powers to prevent the reccurrence of such senseless and murderous acts aimed at creating an atmosphere of gross insecurity and panic among the citizens

Wike advised persons with legitimate need or reason to come into or go out of the State to do so before 8.00 p.m. when
the Curfew comes into force.

HERE UNDER IS THE FULL TEXT OF THE BROADCAST:-

STATE BROADCAST BY HIS
EXCELLENCY NYESOM EZENWO WIKE, CON, GSSRS, POS ON THE RECENT SECURITY BREACHES IN RIVERS STATE

My dear people of Rivers State

You are aware of the recent security breaches and deadly attacks on security personnel by yet to be identified gunmen and brigands.

1. On Saturday 24th the April 2021 some innocent officers of the Customs, Police and Civil Defence services on their duty posts along the Port Harcourt – Owerri express way were ambushed and gruesomely murdered in cold blood by armed attackers.

2. The next day, that is, Sunday, 25th April 2021, the State witnessed another deadly attack and killing of officers and men of the Nigerian Army right in their duty post at Abua town in Abua/Odual Local Government Area of the State.

3. Although the security agencies are investigating these attacks with a view to bringing the perpetrators to justice, nobody yet knows where and when the next attack would take place; neither do we also know the motives of the deranged characters or group behind these senseless assault on our State and the lives of security operatives working to keep us safe and secure.

4. However, what is obvious is that the attackers and their sponsors are people who came from outside Rivers State, and as a Government, we are determined to do everything within our powers to prevent the reoccurrence of such senseless and murderous acts aimed at creating an atmosphere of gross insecurity and panic among the citizens.

5. In view of what is going on therefore and its implications to the security of the State and citizens, and in discharge of our constitutional responsibility in that regard, the Government of Rivers State has decided to restrict night movements into and out of the State from the land borders of the State.

6. Consequently, a night curfew is hereby imposed and no person or vehicle is allowed into and out of Rivers State from 8.00 p.m. to 6.00 a.m. from tomorrow 28th April 2021 until further notice.

7. We wish to advise that those who have any legitimate need or reason to come into or go out of the State must do so before 8.00 p.m. when the curfew shall come into force daily.

8. Security agencies have been posted to monitor and enforce strict compliance with the curfew at all our land borders and or entry and exit points with Abia, Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa and Imo States.

9. We call all citizens to understand that these are strange times and nothing can be more paramount than our collective safety and security.

10. We therefore urge everyone to be vigilant and report every useful intelligence or suspicious movements to the security agencies for immediate actions.

11. Thank you and may God bless Rivers State.

Sokoto state government says it has spent over N339 million this fiscal year to cater for orphans and the needy across the state under the aegis of the Zakkat and Waqf Commission (SOZECOM).

Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State disclosed this Monday while distributing food items and clothing materials to over 100,000 beneficiaries across delineated 87 districts across the state.

During the ceremony held at the premises of SOZECOM, Gov. Tambuwal said the gesture was aimed at assisting indigent citizens, particularly women and children so that they will celebrate the forthcoming Eid-el-Fitr festival at the end of Ramadan with ease.

Commending the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar for his fatherly role in the state’s effort to improve the lives and wellbeing of the people of the state, the governor called on the people saddled with the responsibility of distributing the items to beneficiaries to fear Allah in the discharge of their duties.

Tambuwal also thanked the Chairman of BUA Limited, Alhaji Abdulsamad Isiyaku Rabiu for donating N50 million to the commission to assist it accomplish it’s tasks.

Also speaking, the Sultan Abubakar commended the state government for the gesture, urging wealthy persons in the state to emulate and support the state government.

In his remarks, SOZECOM Chairman, Mallam Muhammad Lawan Maidoki, said the Commission has concluded all arrangements for the distribution of food items as well as Sallah clothes and cash assistance to the needy.

He said each district will receive 100 bags of rice, 100 set of clothing materials and N1000 each for sewing clothes.

Equally, the sum of N500,000, he explained, will be allocated to each team in the designated district of the Commission to enable them prosecute the stated mission.