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Police: Why we refused to provide security for Rivers LG poll

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The Rivers police command says its officers would not provide security for the conduct of the local government election in the state.

In a statement issued on Thursday night, Grace Iringe-Koko, police spokesperson in Rivers, said the command is complying with an order of the federal high court in Abuja.

 

BACKGROUND

The Rivers LG election is scheduled for Saturday, October 5.

 

There has been palpable tension in Rivers due to the prolonged turf war between Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers; and Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT).

The local government election is now being viewed in both camps as a referendum on who really controls the grassroots.

 

The Wike camp is seemingly opposed to the conduct of the election on Saturday.

 

On September 30, a federal high court in Abuja barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing the 2023 voter register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).

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The court also barred the inspector-general of police and the Department of State Services (DSS) from providing security for the exercise.

On October 2, INEC said it had not released the voter register to RSIEC for the conduct of the election, in deference to the judgment of the federal high court.

 

On October 3, a crowd besieged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secretariat in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital, to protest against the planned local government election.

 

However, Fubara has vowed to proceed with the election and has declared Thursday and Friday as public holidays.

 

‘SECURITY AGENCIES SHOULD COMPLY WITH COURT ORDER’

Iringe-Koko advised other security agencies to comply with the court judgment by not providing security for the election.

 

“On July 19, 2024, a Federal High Court in Abuja issued a restraining order preventing the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies from providing security during the Local Government Election,” the statement reads.

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“Additionally, on September 30, 2024, the Federal High Court in Abuja delivered a judgment that again prohibited the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies from participating in the Local Government Election.

 

“Given these circumstances, the Nigeria Police Force has been advised by the Force Legal Department that the ruling from the Federal High Court on September 30, 2024, takes precedence.

 

“Recently, an opposition party protested, calling for adherence to the court orders and expressing their determination to prevent any disregard for the law.

 

“The Nigeria Police Force encourages all parties to seek appropriate legal redress if they feel aggrieved by any decisions or actions related to the election process.

 

“The Nigeria Police Force is dedicated to maintaining law and order and will not stand idly by in the face of potential disturbances. Necessary actions will be taken to enforce the court’s orders.

 

“All Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, and Tactical Commanders have been directed to ensure full compliance with the judgment of the Federal High Court.

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“In view of the above, the Nigeria Police Force has been advised by the Force Legal Department to comply with the judgment of the Federal High Court dated September 30, 2024, which bars the Nigeria Police from allowing, participating in, providing security for, or taking part in the Rivers State Local Government Election on October 5, 2024.

 

“All other security agencies are also implored to comply with the Federal High Court judgment.”

 

The police asked residents to “cooperate with law enforcement in upholding the rule of law during this crucial period”.

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Police bust high-tech indoor Cannabis farm in Lagos, arrest two suspects

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The Lagos State Police Command says its operatives have uncovered a suspected high-tech indoor cannabis farm at a residential property in the  Apapa,l area of the state.

The suspects are a 49-year-old Polish national and a 36-year-old Nigerian.

According to the police, the suspects are Thomas Razvickas and James Chisome, both of whom reportedly reside at the property where the facility was discovered.

The operation was carried out on November 2 at about 8:15 a.m., following credible intelligence received by police operatives, according to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi.

A search of the premises led to the discovery of a sophisticated indoor farming facility reportedly equipped for the cultivation, harvesting and processing of substances suspected to be cannabis.

The police said the two suspects had been taken into custody, adding that they had made confessional statements and were providing useful information to assist ongoing investigations.

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The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, CP Tijani Fatai, visited the scene to inspect the facility, assess the scale of the operation and receive a briefing on the investigation.

Fatai commended the operatives for their vigilance and intelligence-led policing, while reaffirming the Command’s commitment to tackling drug-related offences and dismantling criminal networks in the state.

He also appreciated members of the public for providing credible information and urged residents to sustain their cooperation with the police.

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Troops kill ISWAP commanders, two Arab fighters in Borno

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The gallant troops of the Nigerian Army have killed Abu Hajara, a high-profile member of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) Shura Council, and Abul Walid, a prominent commander and close associate of Ba Shuwa, the group’s overall Wali (leader).

In astatement issued on Sunday, the acting media information officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Mohammed Goni, said that two other high-ranking Arab fighters were also killed during the engagement in Kukawa LGA of Borno state on October 31.

Goni said the attack came three days after troops killed 55 terrorists, including three key commanders.

“Combined troops of Joint Task Force deployed in Kukawa defeated massive ISWAP terrorists attack on their locations and troops utilised both ground and air assets from the air component,” the statement reads.

“Following the engagement, troops recovered scores of arms, ammunition and communication devices.

“The successful engagement further demonstrates the combat readiness, vigilance and superior firepower of Operation HADIN KAI troops in sustaining pressure on terrorist elements across the theatre.

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“The attack on troops location at Kukawa comes barely 3 days after Buni Yadi attack where as at date 55 terrorists were neutralised including key commanders such as Ali Mandara Abba Gajiri (Munzir), Habu Ikkima Nakif Yana Faruk and Commander Gogore.”

Goni described the killing of the ISWAP fighters as a “significant blow to the leadership and operational capability” of the group.

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Jailed Osun monarch drags Adeleke to court over plan to replace him

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Dethroned Oba Joseph Oloyede, Apetumodu of Ipetumodu in Osun State, who is presently serving jail time in the United States of America for offences bordering on fraud, has dragged the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, before the court, asking it to stop him from filling the stool.

Oloyede, who is the second claimant in suit no. HIF/50/2026, in his motion on notice filed before an Osun State High Court sitting in Ile-Ife, alleged that Adeleke did not formally inform him of any infraction he committed before embarking on the process to replace him.

He is seeking an order of the court stopping the governor or any of his officials from filling the stool of Apetumodu until the substantive suit was determined.

Other claimants in the matter include Prince Oyewusi Adewusi, Prince Isaac Adewuni, and Prince Abiodun Oyetoro, for themselves and on behalf of other members of the Latimogun Royal Family of the Aribile Ruling House of Ipetumodu.

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Aside from Adeleke, other defendants in the matter are the Osun State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Afolabi Adedeji, the Asalu of Ipetumodu and the head of the kingmakers, Chief Adesoye Babalola, the Malefon of Ipetumodu, and the Ife North Local Government.

The motion on notice filed by Oloyede, dated September 16, 2026, partly read, “An order of interlocutory injunction restraining the defendants/respondents either by themselves or through their servants, agents or privies from taking any step to fill the stool of the Apetu (Apetumodu) of Ipetumodu or appoint any person in place of the 2nd claimant who is the occupant of the Apetu’s stool, pending the hearing and final determination of this suit.

“That in The Guardian Newspaper of May 11, 2026 (online edition), it was alleged that the 2nd claimant/applicant has, by order/instrument purportedly signed by the 1st defendant on May 7, 2026, been deposed from office as the Apetumodu of Ipetumodu without any lawful basis.

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“That there was no time the 2nd claimant/applicant was informed by the 1st-3rd defendants of any wrongdoing before the issuance of the publication contained in the said Guardian Newspaper and the purported instrument or order of deposition.”

The hearing in the matter was, however, stalled on Monday, following non-service of hearing notices on the parties in the case.

During the day’s proceedings, only the claimants’ counsel, O. Ogbewe, and counsel for the 5th defendant, Soji Oyetayo, entered appearances.

Addressing the court, Ogbewe said he had served the defendants with the processes regarding the case.

But Oyetayo, counsel for the 5th respondent, Adesoye Babalola, said hearing notice had not been served on him by the claimants.

Oyetayo subsequently urged the court to adjourn the matter for the claimants to serve all the defendants’ hearing notices.

In his ruling, Justice Dapo Adeniji adjourned the case to January 21, 2027, and ordered that fresh hearing notices be issued and served on the defendants.

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It would be recalled that Adeleke approved the deposition of Oba Oloyede as the Apetumodu of Ipetumodu, following his conviction in the US on tax fraud and money laundering charges.

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