By Saint Mugaga

Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has dissolved the State Executive Council, a move preparatory to constituting a more inclusive cabinet and calm frayed nerves.

The dissolution came on Thursday after the governor held a meeting with members of the outgoing cabinet at the Government House Port Harcourt.

Fubara has also directed all the Commissioners and Special Advisers to hand over to the Permanent Secretaries or the most Senior officers in their Ministries with immediate effect.

In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Onwuka Nzeshi, the governor expressed deep appreciation to the outgoing members of the State Executive Council and wished them the best in their future endeavours.

By Our Reporter

After initial denials and foot dragging over the abduction of Christian worshippers, the Kaduna State government assured having lived lived up to its responsibility, as the Governor, Uba Sani, confirmed the safe rescue of all 183 worshippers abducted from Kurmin Wali community in Kajuru Local Government Area of the state.

While speaking about the development in Government House after receiving the rescued Worshippers, the governor said 11 of the victims had earlier been released and taken to hospital for examinations and certified medically fit before reuniting them with their families.

The other 83 victims were returned a few days later, while the remaining 89 were rescued on Wednesday, bringing the total number of freed abductees to 183.
“Altogether, the figure is 183, and we would not be sitting here if even one person was still missing,” Uba Sani said.

He noted that the incident came as a shock, especially given the efforts of his administration over the past two and a half years to work closely with security agencies in protecting lives and property across the state.

He said immediately the abduction was confirmed, the state government mobilised all security agencies and relevant stakeholders to ensure their safe rescue.

The governor appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying the President showed concern and leadership by maintaining constant contact with him from the first day of the incident.

He also commended the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for working closely with the state government to secure the release of the abducted women and children.

The governor also praised the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, as well as the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Air Staff and the Inspector-General of Police for their collaboration during the rescue operation.

The Kaduna State Government deliberately avoided politicising the incident or engaging in public arguments over figures, added, stressing the priority was to ensure that every abducted person returned safely.
“For us, even one abducted person is unacceptable,” adding that the state does not take security issues lightly.

To forestall future occursnces, e revealed that he had requested the establishment of a military base along the Kajuru–Kachia axis, particularly around the Regina area, identified as a long-standing security flashpoint on the Kaduna–Abuja corridor.

He said President Tinubu had assured him that the request would be granted to strengthen security in the area.

The governor explained that rather than relocating the predominantly farming community of Kurmin Wali, the government had chosen to protect residents in their ancestral homes to sustain their livelihoods and boost the local economy.

According to him, construction has commenced on the road linking Kurmin Wali to the main road, while a hospital and a skills acquisition centre are also being built for the community.

He disclosed that the rescued victims would not be returned home immediately, as they would first undergo comprehensive medical examinations and psychosocial support in Kaduna.

He appealed to citizens to be fair to security agencies, urging Nigerians to support personnel who risk their lives daily, while assuring that his administration would continue to work tirelessly to protect lives and property across Kaduna State.

By Saint Mugaga

Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to represent President Bola Tinubu at the 2026 African Union (AU) Summit.

The Summit, themed “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063,” would focus on advancing continental commitments toward sustainable water management, improved sanitation systems, and the broader development aspirations encapsulated in the AU’s Agenda 2063 framework.

A statement by the vice president’s spokesperson, Stanley Nkwocha, while in Addis Ababa, Shettima would join other African leaders at the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of AU Heads of State and Government, as well as the 30th General Assembly, scheduled to hold on February 14 and 15, 2026, respectively.

On the margins of the Summit, Shettima would participate in high-level side events and hold bilateral engagements with political and business leaders aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s diplomatic, economic, and strategic partnerships across the continent.

The Vice President was accompanied by cabinet ministers and other senior government officials. He is expected to return to Nigeria at the conclusion of his official engagements in Addis Ababa.