By David Owei

Operatives of the Bayelsà State Police Command have intensifies the clamp down on warring cult groups in the state with the arrest of over twenty suspects.

The security action, ordered by the State Police Commissioner, Ajao Saka Adewale, has led police operatives to Swali, Akenfa, Down Yenagoa,Agudama and other communities known to have been infested by these cult groups.

Our correspondent gathered that the Police action and warnings to community leaders and youths known to be harbouring these cultists, have openly disown the cult groups.

It was gathered yesterday that the police Divisions in the State, with the assistance of tactical teams, have made useful arrest and the activities of the cult groups have been curtailed.

A check from Police sources showed that known notorious cultists have been arrested and others are being hunted.

However the Police chased and shot fired at suspected cultist in Onopa area of the State capital have sparked protest with Indigenes accusing the operatives of the Anti-cultism team of indiscriminate arrest and shooting.

The aggrieved Indigenes also alleged that the Policeman who shot the boy and the informant that implicated him of being a member of Vikings and selling illicit drugs, are also members of a rival cult group known as Bobos.

They called on the Commissioner of Police,Ajao Saka Adewale, to investigate some of the police personnel in the state over their alleged involvement in cultism in the state.

The young man, who is accused of selling illicit drugs under the alleged cover of being a POS operator was shot on Tuesday during a police raid.

Police authorities confirmed that the Young is recieving treatment at the Federal Medical Center in Yenagoa and not dead as rumoured by the aggrieved community Indigene.

It would be recalled that no fewer than five persons have been feared killed at the weekend in a renewed cult war that gripped Yenagoa,the Bayelsà State capital.

The war, which broke out on Friday between notorious cult groups known as Bobos and Greenlanders, has led to recorded killings in Agudama, Obele and Back of St.Peters in the state capital.

Sources confirmed he killings have damaged the peace accord secured among the various cult groups by the Former leadership of the State Police Command.

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Ajao Saka Adewale however responded with an order for personnel to intensify operations against cultism and cult-related violence across the State

Ajao has ordered an intensified operations against cult-related activities, insisting there must be no sacred cow.

The CP directed Divisional Police Officers and tactical commanders to increase patrols in vulnerable areas, identify emerging threats and act promptly on credible intelligence about planned clashes, initiation ceremonies and recruitment.

By George Mgbeleke

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) applauds President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, the Chief of Army Staff, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Police Force and all other security personnel involved in securing the freedom of the 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members abducted in Imo State.

HURIWA in a statement by national coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, considers the safe return of the young Nigerians a welcome development and commends the security agencies for the apparent level of coordination and intelligence sharing that contributed to their freedom.

This is the way security operations should work: intelligence sharing, inter-agency cooperation, coordinated action and an unwavering commitment to bringing abducted Nigerians home alive.

However, HURIWA is compelled to demand full accountability and transparency over what actually happened during the operation that led to the freedom of the corps members.

The Nigerian people deserve the truth.

Were the 20 prospective corps members actually rescued by the security forces, or were they released after the payment of ransom?

This question has become unavoidable because, from the information currently in the public domain, not a single suspected kidnapper has been reported arrested, captured or neutralised in connection with the abduction.

Indeed, the Imo State Police Command had earlier disclosed that its operatives traced the kidnappers’ hideout through drone surveillance but encountered serious difficulties accessing the location after discovering that the area had reportedly been planted with improvised explosive devices.

Additional equipment, including bulldozers and armoured personnel carriers, was subsequently deployed to facilitate access.

Yet Nigerians have not been told what happened afterwards.

How exactly did the hostages regain their freedom?

If this was a successful military and security rescue operation, HURIWA commends the personnel involved and demands that Nigerians be given a clear account of how the operation was conducted, without compromising legitimate operational security.

But if the victims were released following negotiations or payment of ransom, Nigerians also deserve to know the truth.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with acknowledging that abducted citizens were released through negotiations where necessary to preserve their lives. Human life is priceless.

What is unacceptable is for government and security authorities to present one narrative to Nigerians while concealing material facts about how citizens were actually freed.

Nigerians are not asking for operational secrets. They are asking for the truth.

HURIWA therefore demands that the security agencies come clean on the circumstances surrounding the release of the corps members.

Were the kidnappers engaged in negotiations?

Was any ransom paid?

Who negotiated with the abductors?

Were any suspects identified?

Were any suspects arrested?

Were the kidnappers able to escape from their hideout before the security forces arrived?

If the security agencies conducted a successful rescue operation, where are the rescued victims’ abductors?

What kind of rescue operation ends with the victims returning safely but leaves the perpetrators completely untouched?

These questions are particularly important because the abductors reportedly initially demanded N50 million for each victim, amounting to N1 billion, before reducing the demand to N5 million per person, or N100 million for the 20 victims.

HURIWA is not accusing any government agency of paying ransom. We are demanding clarification because the circumstances of the release remain unclear.

The government cannot simultaneously ask Nigerians to trust its security architecture and then refuse to explain significant questions arising from major security operations.

HURIWA equally welcomes the intervention of the Federal Government, the Imo and Oyo State governments, the NYSC authorities and the various security agencies involved.

We commend the patience of the parents and families of the abducted prospective corps members, who endured seven agonising days of uncertainty before their loved ones regained their freedom.

We also welcome the decision to place the rescued victims under medical care at the DSS Hospital in Owerri and urge the authorities to provide them with comprehensive psychological and medical support.

But the successful return of the victims must not mark the end of accountability.

The government must pursue the perpetrators.

The kidnappers must be identified, tracked, arrested and prosecuted.

The forests and criminal hideouts from which these criminals operate must not remain safe havens after every abduction.

Rescuing victims is only half of the job. Bringing their abductors to justice is the other half.

HURIWA therefore calls on the security agencies to provide Nigerians with a factual account of the operation that secured the freedom of the 20 prospective corps members.

We commend every security officer who genuinely risked his or her life to bring these young Nigerians home.

But we equally insist that the Nigerian people must not be sold a dummy about the circumstances of their release.

If they were rescued, let the authorities tell Nigerians how they were rescued.

If they were released after negotiations, let the authorities say so.

If ransom was paid, Nigerians deserve an explanation within the limits of operational security.

The lives of the victims matter. The truth also matters. And accountability must not be sacrificed in the name of public relations.

HURIWA will continue to demand both: the protection of Nigerian lives and the truth about how that protection is delivered.

By George Mgbeleke
The National Movement for Tinubu-Shettima 2027 – Forward Nigeria has expressed its profound sadness and deepest condolences to the President President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of the Air Staff, the Nigerian Air Force, the families of the deceased personnel, their colleagues and comrades, and all Nigerians following the tragic loss of lives in the recent Nigerian Air Force aircraft accident.

In a statement signed by group’s National Coordinating Chairman,Prof. Rufai Ahmed Alkali it noted that this is a deeply painful moment for our nation.

“The loss of gallant members of the Nigerian Air Force, who dedicated their lives to the defence of Nigeria and the protection of its citizens, is a national tragedy that has left families, colleagues, communities and the entire country in mourning.

“The National Movement for Tinubu-Shettima 2027 – Forward Nigeria, shares in the grief and anguish of the bereaved families and stands firmly with them at this difficult hour. No words can adequately compensate for the loss of loved ones who served their fatherland with courage, discipline and patriotism.

“We equally extend our heartfelt condolences to the leadership and entire personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces, particularly the Nigerian Air Force, whose officers and men continue to make enormous sacrifices in the defence of Nigeria’s territorial integrity and the protection of citizens against security threats.

“The sacrifices of our military personnel must never be taken for granted. Every officer and every airman who puts on the uniform accepts a demanding national responsibility, often under extremely difficult and dangerous circumstances. Their service represents an enduring commitment to the peace, security and unity of our country,” it noted.

The statement further said,”At this moment of national grief, we call on Nigerians to keep the bereaved families, the Nigerian Air Force and the entire Armed Forces in their prayers. We urge all Nigerians to unite in solidarity with the families of the fallen heroes.

“We also commend the Federal Government and the military authorities for their swift response to the tragedy and encourage all relevant agencies to ensure that the circumstances surrounding the incident are thoroughly established through the appropriate investigative processes to forestall future similar occurances.

“While investigations remain the responsibility of the competent authorities, transparency, professionalism and due diligence are essential in determining what happened and identifying any lessons that could further strengthen aviation safety and operational effectiveness within the nation’s Armed Forces.”

The National Movement it noted,”believes that every loss of a military personnel is a huge loss to the Nigerian nation. Beyond the immediate grief, such tragedies remind us of the enormous responsibilities borne by the men and women in uniform, who defend our nation and the need for sustained investment in their welfare, safety, training, equipment and operational capacity.

“We therefore reaffirm our unwavering respect for the Nigerian Armed Forces and acknowledge the courage and sacrifices of their personnel serving in various theatres of operation across the country.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost their loved ones. We pray that Almighty God will grant the departed eternal rest, give their families the strength to bear the irreparable loss, and grant the Nigerian Air Force and the Armed Forces of Nigeria the fortitude to overcome this painful moment. At this difficult time, all Nigerians must stand together.

“The National Movement for Tinubu-Shettima 2027 – Forward Nigeria, remains committed to supporting national unity, strengthening the institutions responsible for Nigeria’s security, and promoting a country where the sacrifices of those who serve are honoured with dignity and where their families receive the support and recognition they deserve.

“We pray, may the souls of the departed gallant officers and personnel rest in perfect peace. We pray, may God comfort their families. We pray, may God continue to protect the Nigerian Armed Forces and preserve the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”