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CSO Raises Alarm over Plot to Blackmail IGP
A civil society organisation, Rising-Up for a United Nigeria (RUN), has raised the alarm over alleged plot by persons it describes as unscrupulous elements to blackmail the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun.
The CSO’s claim is coming after series of coordinated media attacks on the person and office of the Inspector General of Police.
RUN which prides itself as the bastion of good governance and public accountability revealed that desperate elements bent on sabotaging national security have ganged up to link the impeccable personality of Mr. Kayode Egbetokun to one IBD Dende, an alleged smuggler in order to blackmail and implicate the IGP.
In a press release signed and made available to journalists in Abuja over the weekend by its National Convener, Amb. Solomon Adodo, the group described as criminal and unpatriotic, attempts to drag the IGP in the mud and tarnish his hard earned professional reputation with the hope of ousting him out of office.
According to the release, “we have read with outmost dismay, attempts by some callous elements who are opposed to the gains of the renewed hope agenda especially in the area of national security to use the media and make a hullabaloo about a harmless picture in which the IGP is obliviously seen with the said IDP Dende at a public event.
“The unsubstantiated lies that Mr. Egbetokun is providing cover for the alleged smuggling kingpin is nothing but a figment of imagination of those whose stock in trade is blackmail. The Nigerian Police Force (NPF) does not protect Nigerian borders and cannot therefore provide cover for any criminal operating across the border.
“Mr. Kayode Egbetokun is a disciplined and highly professional officer who has sanitised the NPF since assumption of office. The proactive manner in which he has tackled crimes, including kidnapping, terrorism, banditry and cattle rustling should be commended instead of these coordinated attacks”.
The CSO urged the IGP to resist all forms of distractions and continue his dogged and determined fight of making Nigeria safe as Nigerians are too knowledgeable to allow miscreants to diminish his towering efforts.
“There is a consensus amongst Nigerians that this is the best IGP in the history of Nigeria. The reduction in crime rate as well as the professionalism in the NPF are his direct efforts. It is no longer news that those fighting him are those he put out of business and we are solidly behind him as he roars to eliminate crime in the country. He cannot be swayed by naysayers”, the statement added.
While calling on Mr. President to disregard those they described as saboteurs seeking to ruin his administration, the group predicted that very soon, these merchants of mischief will start calling for the sack of the IGP to allow room for a misfit who will allow them to perpetrate their nefarious acts.
“Mr. President, we have absolute confidence in your leadership. Do not allow mercenaries to exploit your anti-corruption stance by attacking and condemning your appointees who are standing in their way. This is a trap and you must not fall into it.
“Predictably, these charlatans will in subsequent days bombard the media with calls for the sack of the IGP. Please, do not listen to them because they are not fighting against any wrong doing but merely trying to remove the fine gentleman who is a stumbling block to their criminal syndicates. Do not let them win and in turn jeopardise the gains recorded so far in the fight against crime”, the statement concluded.
The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called on President Bola Tinubu to prevail on the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike to retract his publicly disparaging remarks made recently against the socio-political body.
PANDEF described as regrerrable and embarrassing comments by Wike in the aftermath of the group’s visit to Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, even to the extent of insulting the late former Federal Commissioner for Information and South-South Leader, Chief Edwin.
Recall that the FCT minister had, on Thursday, during a media chat, described PANDEF as “the worst organisation anybody can rely on”, while also calling the board of trustee members of the body “political merchants”.
In a statement signed by PANDEF Chairman on Saturday in Abuja, Ambassador Godknows Boladei Igali, urged President Tinubu as the father of the nation, to prevail upon the Honourable Minister to retract his inflammatory statements and extend due respect to these eminent.
Igali clarified that the meeting with the president provided a valuable platform to discuss pressing issues of national and regional importance. Adding that “PANDEF remains unwavering in its commitment to peace, stability, and equitable development in the Niger Delta. We will continue to engage with great vigour, all relevant stakeholders in pursuit of lasting harmony in Rivers State and the broader South-South region.”
His words: ^To set the record straight, PANDEF the foremost socio-political body representing the South-South regions, composed of some of Nigeria’s most distinguished personalities. The delegation to Mr. President included chairpersons of at least four of the six SouthSouth states’ traditional councils, senior traditional rulers of major ethnic groups, former governors, past presiding officers of the Senate, prominent entrepreneurs, academics, and high-ranking retired military officers.
“It is, therefore, highly regrettable and totally unacceptable that a serving minister in the Federal Government would exhibit such brazen disrespect towards individuals of this standing. This attitude perhaps explains his continued refusal of the Minister to engage with the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which PANDEF constituted as far back as October 2024, despite repeated attempts to reach.
“The Honourable Minister (Wike) characterized PANDEF as the worst organization ever” and accused its members of visiting the Presidential Villa merely to solicit financial favors. These statements are not only false but also unbecoming of a public official of his stature.
“PANDEF hereby calls upon Mr. President, as the father of the nation, to prevail upon the Honourable Minister to retract his inflammatory statements and extend due respect to these eminent Nigerians and traditional rulers who were, after all, esteemed guests of the Commander-in-Chief. It is apt to remind that the Minister does not own the Niger-Delta and his errant conduct should not be condoned.
“Notwithstanding this regrettable development, PANDEF remains unwavering in its commitment to peace, stability, and equitable development in the Niger Delta. We will continue to engage with great vigour, all relevant stakeholders in pursuit of lasting harmony in Rivers State and the broader South-South region,” Igali stated.
On efforts to restore peace in River State, Igali restated PANDEF’s commitment for peace in the oil-rich State.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which remains committed to resolving the Rivers State crisis,” Igali stated.
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IPOB’s lawyer accuses Anambra govt of violating citizens’ rights, wants all arrested charged to court
The counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has called on the Anambra State Government to either charge to court or release individuals allegedly detained for the past five weeks without trial.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Ejiofor criticized what he described as “violations of citizens’ rights,” emphasizing that the detainees have not been presented before any court or formally charged with a crime.
“Today, March 15, 2025, marks five full weeks since several citizens of Anambra State were arbitrarily arrested and detained in a private facility controlled by the state government. Shockingly, they have not been charged with any offense or brought before any court of law. This is a flagrant violation of their fundamental rights,” Ejiofor stated.
He expressed concern that the detainees were not held by the police, the Department of State Services (DSS), or the military, but instead in an undisclosed facility, without any official explanation from the government.
Ejiofor, who has previously supported the government’s security efforts, urged Governor Chukwuma Soludo to ensure the rule of law is upheld.
“I have always championed active citizen participation in combating insecurity and have publicly urged the government to act against criminal elements. However, this must be done legally and transparently,” he said.
While commending the efforts of the state’s Agụnechemba security outfit, Ejiofor insisted that professionalism and adherence to due process are crucial.
He reaffirmed his support for lawful measures to combat crime but warned that arbitrary detentions could erode public trust in the government’s security strategy.
The Osun State Amotekun Corps has denied allegations of nepotism in its ongoing recruitment of 1,000 cadets, following claims by some dismissed recruits that they were removed in favor of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members.
Some affected candidates, seen outside the NYSC camp venue in Osogbo, alleged they were removed due to their affiliation with the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC). Speaking on behalf of the group, a dismissed cadet, Usman, claimed that they had been in camp since Sunday before being replaced by PDP members, some of whom, he alleged, were unfit for training.
However, Amotekun’s Board Chairman, retired Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Wale Abass, dismissed the allegations as baseless. He explained that those removed from the training camp either failed to meet the required standards or did not follow the proper recruitment process.
“The 1,000 cadets invited for training went through a rigorous selection process. They submitted applications online, underwent document verification, and passed physical fitness tests before being invited to camp,” Abass stated.
He further revealed that some unqualified individuals managed to gain access to the camp, while some selected candidates failed to meet the reporting deadline. Those with health issues were also disqualified.
Abass reaffirmed that the Amotekun Corps remains committed to fairness and impartiality in its recruitment process. He described the allegations as an attempt to create confusion and undermine the security outfit’s credibility.
PANDEF Clarifies Visit To Tinubu, Knocks Wike Over Inflammatory Comments
IPOB’s lawyer accuses Anambra govt of violating citizens’ rights, wants all arrested charged to court
Osun Amotekun recruits accuse Adeleke’s govt of nepotism
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