Law & Crime
TEXT OF THE BROADCAST BY PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU, COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE ARMED FORCES, DECLARING STATE OF EMERGENCY IN RIVERS STATE ON TUESDAY 18 MARCH 2025

Fellow Nigerians, I feel greatly disturbed at the turn we have come to regarding the political crisis in Rivers State. Like many of you, I have watched with concern the development with the hope that the parties involved would allow good sense to prevail at the soonest, but all that hope burned out without any solution to the crisis.
With the crisis persisting, there is no way democratic governance, which we have all fought and worked for over the years, can thrive in a way that will redound to the benefit of the good people of the state. The state has been at a standstill since the crisis started, with the good people of the state not being able to have access to the dividends of democracy.
Also, it is public knowledge that the Governor of Rivers State for unjustifiable reasons, demolished the House of Assembly of the state as far back as 13th December 2023 and has, up until now, fourteen (14) months after, not rebuilt same. I have made personal interventions between the contending parties for a peaceful resolution of the crisis, but my efforts have been largely ignored by the parties to the crisis. I am also aware that many well-meaning Nigerians, Leaders of thought and Patriotic groups have also intervened at various times with the best of intentions to resolve the matter, but all their efforts were also to no avail. Still, I thank them.
On February 28, 2025, the supreme court, in a judgment in respect of about eight consolidated appeals concerning the political crisis in Rivers State, based on several grave unconstitutional acts and disregard of rule of law that have been committed by the Governor of Rivers State as shown by the evidence before it pronounced in very clear terms:
“a government cannot be said to exist without one of the three arms that make up the government of a state under the 1999 Constitution as amended. In this case the head of the executive arm of the government has chosen to collapse the legislature to enable him to govern without the legislature as a despot. As it is there is no government in Rivers State.”
The above pronouncement came after a catalogue of judicial findings of constitutional breaches against the Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Going Forward in their judgment, and having found and held that 27 members of the House who had allegedly defected
“are still valid members of Rivers State House of Assembly and cannot be prevented from participating in the proceedings of that House by the 8th Respondent (that is, the Governor) in cohorts with four members”
The Supreme Court then made some orders to restore the state to immediate constitutional democracy. These orders include the immediate passing of an Appropriation Bill by the Rivers State House of Assembly which up till now has not been facilitated.
Some militants had threatened fire and brimstone against their perceived enemy of the governor who has up till now NOT disowned them.
Apart from that both the House and the governor have not been able to work together.
Both of them do not realise that they are in office to work together for the peace and good governance of the state.
The latest security reports made available to me show that between yesterday and today there have been disturbing incidents of vandalization of pipelines by some militant without the governor taking any action to curtail them. I have, of course given stern order to the security agencies to ensure safety of lives of the good people of Rivers State and the oil pipelines.
With all these and many more, no good and responsible President will standby and allow the grave situation to continue without taking remedial steps prescribed by the Constitution to address the situation in the state, which no doubt requires extraordinary measures to restore good governance, peace, order and security.
In the circumstance, having soberly reflected on and evaluated the political situation in Rivers State and the Governor and Deputy Governor of Rivers State having failed to make a request to me as President to issue this proclamation as required by section 305(5) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, it has become inevitably compelling for me to invoke the provision of section 305 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State with effect from today, 18th March, 2025 and I so do.
By this declaration, the Governor of Rivers State, Mr Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu and all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State are hereby suspended for an initial period of six months.
In the meantime, I hereby nominate Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as Administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state in the interest of the good people of Rivers State. For the avoidance of doubt, this declaration does not affect the judicial arm of Rivers State, which shall continue to function in accordance with their constitutional mandate.
The Administrator will not make any new laws. He will, however, be free to formulate regulations as may be found necessary to do his job, but such regulations will need to be considered and approved by the Federal Executive Council and promulgated by the President for the state.
This declaration has been published in the Federal Gazette, a copy of which has been forwarded to the National Assembly in accordance with the Constitution. It is my fervent hope that this inevitable intervention will help to restore peace and order in Rivers State by awakening all the contenders to the constitutional imperatives binding on all political players in Rivers State in particular and Nigeria as a whole.
Long live a united, peaceful, secure and democratic Rivers State in particular and the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a whole.
Law & Crime
HURIWA Hails Nigerian Military for Arrest of ‘Gentle de Yahoo,’ Kingpin of South-East Terror Network, …. Calls for Improved military Civil affairs

…. Calls for Improved military Civil affairs
By Our Correspondent
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has commended the Nigerian Armed Forces for their courageous and well-coordinated operation that led to the arrest of the notorious commander of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN), popularly known as Gentle de Yahoo (identified as Ifeanyi Eze Okorienta).
The group described him as the kingpin behind the persistent wave of killings, kidnappings, and violent attacks across the South-East, especially in Imo State.
HURIWA specifically asserted that the failure of the Nigeria Army to demonstrate practically that Gentle Yahoo was indeed captured alive is troubling.
HURIWA however noted that Human rights violations by the military operatives during internal security operations across Nigeria are rife with South-East of Nigeria witnessing some of the most brutal killings of innocent Igbo youths by armed security forces including police, Department of State Services and state run armed vigilantes in Imo states.
The Rights group said the recent report of massive killings of Igbo youths which was prepared articulately by Amnesty International is factually accurate and credible just as HURIWA tasked the heads of the different armed security services to wake up, enforce strict adherence to the rules of engagement and zero-tolerance to corruption, extrajudicial killings and lack of professionalism which are manifesting amongst many operatives of the armed forces of Nigeria.
The killers of Igbo youths amongst the armed forces must be identified, prosecuted, and punished for their crimes against humanity.
In a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja, HURIWA described the ‘arrest’, if proven as announced by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Magnus Kangye as “a landmark breakthrough” and “a major moral victory” for the Nigerian military in its sustained campaign to restore peace and order in the region.
The Association noted that Gentle de Yahoo’s reign of terror had inflicted untold hardship and suffering on several communities, particularly in Okigwe, Orsu, and Arondizuogu, where he allegedly coordinated brutal attacks and extortion activities.
According to verified security reports cited by HURIWA, troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation UDO KA, acting on credible intelligence, apprehended Gentle de Yahoo and eight of his accomplices in coordinated offensives across Imo and Ebonyi States.
During the raid, the military recovered an English pistol, assorted rounds of ammunition, police and military uniforms, six mobile phones, and a cache of operational motorcycles and vehicles used in terror operations.
HURIWA recalled that the arrested commander had long been on the military’s wanted list for spearheading multiple acts of terror, including kidnappings, community invasions, and targeted killings in parts of Imo State. Among his most horrifying atrocities, the Association noted, was his alleged orchestration of the massacre in Arondizuogu, where gunmen believed to be loyal to his network invaded three communities (Umualaoma, Ndiakuwanta, and Ndiejezie) killing over 30 people in cold blood earlier this year.
Describing the arrest as “the fall of a major pillar of organised terror in the South-East,” HURIWA urged the Nigerian military to consolidate on this momentum by dismantling the remaining cells of violent agitators still operating under the guise of secessionist struggle.
The Association called for sustained, intelligence-driven operations while adopting more strategic approaches such as increased collaboration with traditional rulers, local vigilante groups, and community-based intelligence volunteers. HURIWA emphasized that meaningful civilian cooperation and timely intelligence sharing are critical to consolidating the military’s recent gains.
The rights group further lauded the visionary leadership and operational acumen of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, whom it credited for instilling renewed discipline, coordination, and professionalism across the Armed Forces. HURIWA said General Musa’s unwavering commitment to protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity and ensuring human rights compliance in counter-terrorism operations has restored public confidence in the military.
It also called on the federal government to improve the welfare and remuneration of military personnel, particularly those serving in volatile areas. The Association noted that better funding, prompt payment of allowances, and improved logistics support would not only sustain troop morale but also enhance operational effectiveness in ongoing security operations nationwide.
HURIWA urged civilians in the South-East to complement the efforts of the Armed Forces through intelligence sharing, vigilance, and moral support. It maintained that genuine peace and security can only be achieved through collective responsibility, where citizens, community leaders, and security agencies work hand in hand to defeat terror and criminality.
While reiterating its unwavering support for the Nigerian military, HURIWA called on the Defence Headquarters to ensure that all suspects arrested in connection with violent crimes are prosecuted in accordance with due process, to serve as a deterrent to others who continue to undermine peace and national unity.
The Association concluded by expressing optimism that with sustained strategic coordination, improved logistics, and nationwide solidarity, Nigeria will soon witness a significant decline in violent extremism and criminality.
Law & Crime
FreeNnamdiKanuNow campaign : MASSOB spits fire, warns Police don’t touch our leader….as police invites Uwazuruike

By Our Correspondent
Ahead of the planned #FreeNnamdiKanuNow campaign protest slated for Monday, 20 October, the leadership of Biafra Independence Movement, BİM, /Movement for Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, Sunday spit fire, warned police not to touch its leader, Chief Ralph Uwazuruoke.
The movement sounded the note of warning while reacting to the invitation to Uwazuruike by the Imo state Police Command based on the said protest.
In a press release signed and issued to newsmen by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity/Director of Information to BIM/MASSOM, Mazi Chris Mocha, the movement condemned in strong terms, the police summon extended to its leader, Uwazuruike, and warned – “Don’t Touch Ralph Uwazuruike.”
The release said the invitation, was against democratic principles and, a violation of the leader’s fundamental human rights.
The pro-Biafra group insisted that its leader, and İjele Ndigbo, Ralph Uwazuruike had never committed any offence by volunteering to join a Nationwide ‘peaceful’ protest for the release of the detained leader of indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
The police summon according to the statement was a ploy to arrest and possibly detain its leader, and İjele Ndigbo, Ralph Uwazuruike .
Recall that Uwazuruike had over the weekend dragged the İmo State Police Command, and others to Owerri High Court to enforce his fundamental human rights.
MASSOB described its leader, Ralph Uwazuruike Esq, as a peaceful man who leads a peaceful organization in Nigeria for the past 26 years and has demostrated his penchant for peaceful dialogue and respect for the rule of law while advocating for the Self-determination for Biafra.
Law & Crime
Nigerian Coast Guard Bill steps closer to becoming law – Capt. Ichaba

By David Owei ,Bayelsa
Chief Executive and Accounting Officer of the Provisionary Committee of the proposed Nigerian Coast Guard (PC-NCG), Captain Noah Ichaba has confirmed that the Nigerian Coast Guard Bill is nearing legislative conclusion.
Capt. Ichaba who dismissed the misleading rumours that the bill has been redirected to Senate Committee on Marine Transport for a review that will be followed with a second round of public hearing slated for November 6, 2025, informed that the false information emanated from unscrupulous individuals with malicious intent.
In a statement issued by the PC-NCG Director of Public Affairs & Communications, Dr. Piriye Kiyaramo in Abuja on Sunday, October 19, 2025, Capt. Ichaba reassured stakeholders and the public that the Coast Guard Bill is receiving legislative attention and at its final stages of passage.
“We are pleased to announce that the Nigerian Coast Guard Bill of 2024, has reached an advanced stage and is awaiting legislative action. We urge the public to disregard the unfounded rumours, suggesting otherwise, as they appear to be driven by ulterior motives.
In the words of Captain Ichaba, “The Provisionary Committee of the proposed Nigerian Coast Guard, PC-NCG, is inundated with enquiries regarding a misleading information circulating in certain quarters that the proposed Nigerian Coast Guard Establishment Bill No. SB 575 of 2024 has been reviewed and redirected to the Senate Committee on Marine Transport for a rescheduled public hearing on 6th November 2025.
“PC-NCG wishes to inform concerned parties and the public that there is no iota of truth in that postulation, as the Bill has already passed necessary stages and is receiving final legislative attention.
“The brains behind the said unfounded statement, are those given to wrong doings, for personal interests, who have remained neck-deep in illegal recruitment in the name of Nigerian Coast Guard, rank decoration, allotting positions, sharing non-existing choice offices and assigning mirage privileges to themselves.
“These shadow chasers, constituting barriers and causing confusion, are impatiently struggling to keep their victims in continued bondage and to hold the public in their deceptive grip, in the name of making dishonest livelihood.
“While awaiting final legislative action on the Bill, the public is implored to take heed not to fall victim to the mischievous misadventure of those contemnors seeking “the boy is good” for their immediate economic needs.
“This counsel is relevant for the benefit of setting the records straight in line with decency, standard procedure, and for all unassuming and fair-minded members of the public and stakeholders.
“Nigerians are urged to remain positively expectant of government’s genuine intention towards job creation and revenue generation through the establishment of Coast Guard, particularly, that it is a child of necessity, a national asset, the cash-cow of the nation, the enhancer of national image, the pride of maritime practitioners, the true mirror of maritime law enforcement and the frontline safety and security provider for the open maritime commercial activities in Nigeria.
“The PC-NCG remains dedicated to carrying out its required provisional operations and activities within the ambit of the law. Remember that Nigeria is an amazing heartbeat of Africa. Let’s uphold her honour and glory together in good conscience,” Captain Ichaba maintained.
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