society
Our lives are in danger Mgbuoshimini Community, Rumueme Kingdom cries out
Our lives are in danger Mgbuoshimini Community, Rumueme Kingdom cries out
By Ifeoma Ikem
The people of Mgbuoshimini Community, Rumueme Kingdom has petitioned the River State Commissioner of Police, Mr Emeka Nwoyi before the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Police Service Commission, National Human Rights Commission, accusing him of backing a wanted killer group leader that has endangered the lives members of the community.
In a petition signed by Mr Livingstone Wechie, Mr Ohazurume Chukwu on behalf of the community claimed that six other members of their community vigilante are still in custody of the police.
They said that their members who are in the police detention are Jeremiah Pardon Chukwu, Prince Uchechukwu Amadi, Ndubisi Sunny Amadi, Sunny Amadi, Friday Godwin and Gift Echem.
He said that in 2017 a group of killers led by one Daddy Chukwu a.k.a Oboni killed over 30 people in their community including on Chief Minikwu Chukwu, Godspower Aligbo and Omunakwe Benson in 2019.
“They were declared wanted by the Nigerian police under the then CP Kaki Ahmed now retired DIG operations.
“They later returned to Mgbuoshimini community and in an effort to secure our community, we set up a local vigilante called OSPAC’’.
The petitioners said that they had in April 2023, petitioned the Rivers State Police Command under CP Effiong Okon seeking his intervention.
“He swiftly set up a team led by the c4i Strike Force (octopus) and they carried out an operation and raided the camp of the wanted group in the community and assisted the vigilante.
“The camp was dislodged and the community returned to normalcy, but suddenly, the group recruited secret cult boys committing all manners of crimes including bunkering, killing, gun running etc.
“Their leader got information and escaped while some members of his group were arrested.
“Since then they’ve been following up on him while the vigilante has been working with the police to restore peace in the community, my brothers and I were on their hit list’’.
They claimed that immediately Nwoyi came on board, the wanted group through their sponsors initiated a fresh petition against the vigilante alleging murder and raped.
“A sister of the wanted persons went on radio to accuse the vigilante boys of raping her during an operation under the supervision of the police and her brother was killed in her presence and buried by the riverside in the camp.
`I had earlier explained to CP that the petition against us was aimed at misleading and misinforming him to distract him from the real issues.
“I appealed to him to sustain the gains of his predecessor CP Effiong Okon but he arrested six of the vigilante boys and I told him that the arrests will expose the community for another attacks by the wanted boys but he refused to heed.
“sadly, he warned me in the presence of his officers never to refer him to his predecessor and that he is the new CP that the old is past that he’s not interested in it.
“He said that he is not the one that asked us to kill ourselves and that that’s not his business.
He ordered the c4i strike force commander Jovinus Iwu to withdraw the charges from court against the people arrested during the operations.
“It’s obvious that CP Emeka Nwoyi was thoroughly compromised against us and his actions were unfair and unbecoming of a commissioner of police’’.
They claimed that Nwoyi invited them for a meeting last Monday along with the petitioners, he didn’t allow them (the vigilante) to speak saying he did not want to waste his time that he was very busy that the petitioners should speak so he could give directions.
“They listened to the other side and they raised issues of murder, rape and damage of property, the plan was to trump up charges of murder and rape and to remand us in detention but their plans were scuttled.
“Immediately the CP ordered for our arrests and detention by the x-squad who held us for a week from Monday to Saturday.
“We had initiated a petition to the IGP to transfer the matter to force headquarters and he referred it to the IRT led by DC Aliyu.
“In fact he sent his x-squad commander to stop reporting him to DIGs because some have called him on our behalf but it does appear that nwoyi is bent on justifying his inducement’’.
They claimed that it took the intervention of the AIG FIB who called him on their behalf to caution him against his high-handedness and unfairness towards them.
“On Friday July 7, 2023, the IRT team came to Port Harcourt to take over the case, when the signal got to the cp x-squad commander Mr Chris Anyanwu, called me out from the cell to his office for question.
“He said they have no evidence against me and my brothers over the allegations that the main point is more on the wanted boys and the petitioners.
“He said the allegations lacked proof that since the CP is not responding to bail that force headquarters is coming to take over the matter.
“We were taken into the custody of the IRT, from Abuja they said they had a little mistake of not reflecting c4i strike force as one of the stations to take suspects from which is where suspects from the April operations are being held’’.
“They said they will have to take custody of those suspects first before releasing us who are the complainants, they said they will be meeting with the Cp Nwoyi to minute on their signal to allow them move those suspects.
“Currently we are detained at the central police station in Port Harcourt by the IRT pending when they will resolve with the cp and take custody of the suspects at the c4i strike force octopu and that they may most likely move everybody to Abuja.
“It has been a very painful, embarrassing and frustrating experience, I had expected that we should be granted bail then asked to report to Abuja on a date.
“The team leader says it is actually their mandate from their commander to take over the matter and grant us bail then fix a date for interview in Abuja while they move the other suspects to Abuja.
“He said doing so requires their commander reaffirming that instruction because of this delay, the petitioners against us is one Larry Anele Nyeche who purports to lead a faction of Rumueme Kingdom Council of Chiefs in Rivers State.
`The matter has been transferred to the IGP-intelligence response team IGP-IRT in Abuja.
“`Parties have been invited to the IRT for an interview with the commander, the six ospac vigilante are still held at IRT custody in all cumulatively for forty days now.
“We demand their release and actions to bring the wanted killer group and their sponsors to justice.
“Our only offence is that we along with our brothers, Weli Gaddafi Nyeche, Ohazurume Chukwu approached the police to help rescue our community from the killer group led by one notorious Daddy Chukwu a.k.a Oboni a group affiliated to the notorious Don-Wani yet the Rivers CP is bent on destroying all the gains.
society
BURATAI, COAS, GOVERNOR, ZAMFARA EMIR ATTEND 5TH ANNIVERSARY OF EMIR OF KAURA NAMODA, ORGANIZE FREE MEDICAL OUTREACH
BURATAI, COAS, GOVERNOR, ZAMFARA EMIR ATTEND 5TH ANNIVERSARY OF EMIR OF KAURA NAMODA, ORGANIZE FREE MEDICAL OUTREACH
Prominent figures, including former Chief of Army Staff, His Excellency Ambassador Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai CFR (Rtd), gathered on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, to celebrate the 5th Anniversary of HRH Major (Dr) Sanusi Muhammad Ahmad Asha (Rtd), Sarkin Kiyawa and Emir of Kaura Namoda. The event took place at the Emir’s Palace and attracted a host of dignitaries, including the Executive Governor of Zamfara State, His Excellency Dauda Lawal Dare, who was represented by the Speaker of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Hon. Bilyaminu Ismail Moriki.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, was represented by Brigadier General A Babatunde Chief of Staff Operation Fansan Yamma Theatre Command in Zamfara State, while the Emir of Anka and Chairman of the Zamfara State Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Attahiru Muhammad Ahmad, led a delegation of emirs from the state.
A distinguished delegation representing General Buratai was led by Colonel Haruna Idris Zaria (Rtd), Chairman of the Tukur and Tukur Foundation, alongside Ibrahim Dahiru Danfulani Sadaukin Garkuwan Keffi/Betara Biu, Chairman of the TY Buratai Humanity Care Foundation. The two foundations collaborated to organize a free medical outreach in honor of the Emir’s anniversary.
The medical outreach provided essential health services to over 500 individuals from the local community, addressing a variety of medical conditions. Services included diagnosis and treatment for malaria and typhoid fever, general body pain and weakness, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and various minor eye problems such as conjunctivitis and eye pain. The outreach also tackled skin rashes, cough and catarrh, fungal infections, treatment of worms, diarrhea, cholera, and ulcers.
This initiative underscores the commitment of the TY Buratai Humanity Care Foundation and the Tukur and Tukur Foundation to enhance healthcare access and promote wellness in underserved communities. The event not only celebrated the Emir’s leadership but also emphasized the critical role of community health initiatives in improving the quality of life for residents of Kaura Namoda.
As the Grand Patron of both foundations, His Excellency Ambassador Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai CFR (Rtd) continues to play a pivotal role in philanthropic efforts aimed at uplifting the lives of Nigerians through healthcare and social support. The successful organization of this outreach serves as a testament to his enduring dedication to the welfare of the community.
PERSUASION, Not Manipulation: The Noble Art of Moving People with Integrity
By George Omagbemi Sylvester
In an age defined by information overload, attention scarcity and growing skepticism, the ability to “PERSUADE not MANIPULATE” has never been more vital. Whether in leadership, business, politics, education or personal relationships, persuasion is the ethical superpower that separates the great from the mediocre. Unlike manipulation, which is rooted in deceit and coercion, persuasion is built on empathy, respect, trust and a deep understanding of human nature. It is the art of connection, not control.
Understanding the Foundation of Persuasion
Mastering persuasion begins with understanding people, their fears, desires, values and unspoken needs. The legendary psychologist Abraham Maslow, in his hierarchy of needs, emphasized that human behavior is largely motivated by the pursuit of safety, belonging, esteem and self-actualization. Any message or idea that aligns with these core human motivations gains immediate traction.
In Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion, Dr. Robert Cialdini outlines six universal principles of ethical persuasion: RECIPROCITY, COMMITMENT and CONSISTENCY, SOCIAL PROOF, AUTHORITY, LIKING and SCARCITY. These principles are not manipulative when applied with honesty and respect. They simply reflect how people naturally make decisions.
Persuasion Begins With Listening, Not Speaking
Contrary to popular belief, persuasion isn’t about who speaks the loudest or uses the fanciest words. It begins with active listening. Stephen R. Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, famously wrote: “Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” But persuasive leaders do the opposite. They seek first to understand, then to be understood.
Empathy is the cornerstone of ethical influence. When you genuinely understand your audience’s fears and hopes, your message becomes a mirror of their inner world, not a foreign concept to be resisted. According to a study by Harvard Business Review (2016), leaders who demonstrate empathy drive greater employee engagement, loyalty and performance. The same applies to clients, voters and partners.
Stories Over Statistics, Questions Over Commands
One of the gravest mistakes in communication is relying too heavily on data. While facts are essential, they rarely change minds or hearts on their own. People are not calculators, they are storytellers. Dr. Brené Brown, a research professor and storyteller herself, explains that “stories are just data with a soul.” In other words, stories give life to facts.
Research from Stanford University found that people are 22 times more likely to remember a fact when it’s presented in a story than when it’s shared alone. This is why persuasive communicators use narrative to evoke emotion, visualize transformation and connect with the audience on a human level. Whether it’s Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream,” or Steve Jobs unveiling the iPhone, the most influential figures in history have understood the power of storytelling.
Similarly, great persuaders ask questions more than they give commands. Socrates built an entire philosophy of influence through inquiry. By asking questions, you invite collaboration instead of confrontation. Questions show humility and curiosity, both of which invite trust.
Confidence Over Pressure, Trust Over Fear
Manipulators pressure people. Persuaders project confidence. These are not the same. Confidence comes from clarity, competence and conviction. It is grounded in truth, not theatrics.
Fear may yield short-term compliance, but it breeds long-term resistance. In contrast, trust opens the door to lasting influence. According to the Edelman Trust Barometer (2024), 71% of people say they are more likely to follow a leader they trust, even when they disagree with them. That’s the power of credibility.
Dr. Maya Angelou once said, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Persuasion, done right, leaves people feeling respected not exploited.
In Business and Leadership: Persuasion is Currency
In the corporate world, persuasion is more valuable than any resume or technical skill. Harvard Business School professors John P. Kotter and Dan S. Cohen found in their seminal study that 70% of organizational change efforts fail because leaders rely on logic rather than emotional persuasion. The most successful leaders are those who paint a compelling vision and rally people behind it, not those who issue mandates from a corner office.
Consider the case of Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, who revitalized a stagnant tech giant not by issuing top-down directives, but by building trust, communicating empathy and persuading employees to embrace a new culture of collaboration and innovation. The results speak for themselves, microsoft’s market value has more than tripled under his leadership.
In marketing, companies like Apple and Nike have mastered the art of persuasive branding by aligning with their customers’ identities and aspirations. They don’t just sell products; they sell belonging, empowerment and transformation.
Persuasion in Everyday Life
You don’t have to be a CEO or politician to harness the power of persuasion. Every parent trying to guide a child, every teacher inspiring students, every activist seeking justice and every partner seeking understanding relies on this skill.
A study by Dr. Robert Feldman at the University of Massachusetts found that most people lie in one out of every five interactions to avoid conflict or gain approval. This shows a dangerous tendency toward manipulation, which corrodes relationships over time. In contrast, persuasive individuals build bridges by being authentic, transparent and emotionally intelligent.
How to Cultivate Persuasive Power With Integrity
Know Your Audience: Do your homework. What are their values, fears, goals? What language do they use?
Earn Trust First: Show up consistently. Be credible. Follow through on promises.
Use Clear and Emotionally Resonant Language: Avoid jargon. Speak like a human, not a robot.
Tell Stories That Reflect Shared Values: Make your message feel personal, not transactional.
Ask, Don’t Tell: Use questions to involve, not exclude.
Project Calm Confidence: Panic repels. Poise attracts.
Be Ethical: Always aim for mutual benefit. Leave people better off, not deceived.
Final Thoughts: Lead, Don’t Push
Persuasion is not a dirty word; it is the heartbeat of progress. Great leaders throughout history have used it to rally nations, inspire movements and forge peace. From Nelson Mandela to Barack Obama, from Oprah Winfrey to Malala Yousafzai, the power of persuasion lies not in overpowering others but in uplifting them.
“The greatest ability in business is to get along with others and to influence their actions,” said John Hancock. But influence that lasts is influence that is earned and not demanded.
So in a world hungry for authenticity and meaning, choose to persuade with truth, empathy and conviction. Don’t manipulate, connect. Don’t command, lead. Don’t shout, listen.
When used with integrity, persuasion is not just a skill. It is a force for good. It is how we change minds, touch hearts and move people toward a better future.
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