{"id":4471,"date":"2025-07-21T10:15:31","date_gmt":"2025-07-21T10:15:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/07\/21\/just-in-rights-group-urge-delta-state-government-dss-to-expose-arms-running-syndicates-prosecute-sponsors-says-no-crown-throne-title-should-be-above-the-law\/"},"modified":"2025-07-21T10:15:31","modified_gmt":"2025-07-21T10:15:31","slug":"just-in-rights-group-urge-delta-state-government-dss-to-expose-arms-running-syndicates-prosecute-sponsors-says-no-crown-throne-title-should-be-above-the-law","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/07\/21\/just-in-rights-group-urge-delta-state-government-dss-to-expose-arms-running-syndicates-prosecute-sponsors-says-no-crown-throne-title-should-be-above-the-law\/","title":{"rendered":"JUST IN: Rights Group Urge Delta State Government, DSS To Expose Arms Running Syndicates, Prosecute Sponsors, Says No Crown, Throne, Title Should Be Above The Law"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>By Esther David<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>IJAW STAKEHOLDERS OF WARRI FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>PRESS BRIEFING<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Date: July 19, 2025<br>Title:<br>NO CROWN, NO UNIFORM, NO NAME ABOVE THE LAW<br>Expose the Arms Syndicate. Prosecute the Sponsors. Let Justice Speak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The blood of this land cries out, not for pity but for justice. And justice, if it must live, must be blind to position, tribe and title. It must walk straight through the palaces, the police stations, the government houses and the hidden corridors where arms flow like oil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Nigeria cannot continue to shield criminals because they wear robes, bear chieftaincy titles or sit in high places. We are watching a nation burn while those lighting the fire dine with impunity. The recent raid by the Department of State Services (DSS) at Ebuzo in Asaba has exposed a criminal network bigger than anyone imagined but just as the truth began to rise, silence crept in like a fog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What happened in Asaba was not just a raid. It was a revelation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During the operation, it was alleged that DSS stormed a location believed to be a hub for illegal arms smuggling. What they met was not just resistance, it was betrayal. A shootout erupted between DSS and elements of the Nigeria Police. A police officer died. Suspects were arrested. And according to multiple unofficial confirmations, names like Edema, Maki Polo and other persons linked to a prominent palace were mentioned in confessions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yet till now, the public hears nothing. No official press release. No transparent investigation. Just deafening silence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We ask: why is the Delta State Police Command silent?<br \/>Why has the Commissioner of Police not addressed the state on the circumstances surrounding the death of his own officer?<br \/>Why are the names allegedly mentioned during interrogations being protected instead of prosecuted?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What we see is a shameful attempt to sweep truth under the carpet because the trail leads to people the system is afraid to confront. What a pity<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Ijaw Stakeholders of Warri Federal Constituency will not sit by while arms sponsors are protected under the guise of culture, royalty or political influence. No one has the right to endanger an entire region for the sake of ego or power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let the public remember, arms trafficking is not just a crime against the state; it is a crime against every child kidnapped, every community attacked, every youth misled into violence and every soldier ambushed in the field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is not a Warri issue. This is not an Ijaw issue. This is a national emergency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The palace must not become a warehouse for weapons.<br \/>The police must not become a shield for smugglers.<br \/>The press must not become a tool for distraction.<br \/>The people must not remain silent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We demand a full public investigation into the DSS Asaba raid. We demand the immediate prosecution of all those named or connected to the illegal arms ring. We demand that the Federal Government declare openly that no person, no matter how titled, is above the law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is not the time for caution. It is the time for courage. Let the DSS be commended, not sabotaged. Let the truth be protected, not buried.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Justice cannot be selective.<br \/>Power cannot protect crime.<br \/>Peace cannot grow where gunrunners dine in secret with kings and contractors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The arms syndicate must be unmasked. The guilty must face trial. And those who try to cover it up must answer to history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We are Ijaw people. We are not afraid of truth. We are not afraid of power. We are afraid only of silence and we refuse to be silent anymore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Signed,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Chief, Tiemopere Joshua<br \/>(President)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Chief Ebikeke T. Goodstime<br \/>(Secretary)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ijaw Stakeholders of Warri Federal Constituency<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cc:<br>The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria<br>The Director-General, Department of State Services<br>The National Security Adviser<br>The Inspector-General of Police<br>The Chairman, Police Service Commission<br>The Chief of Defence Staff<br>The Chairman, Nigerian Human Rights Commission<br>The UN Office for West Africa (UNOWAS)<br>The ECOWAS Commission<br>Civil Society Organizations<br>Amnesty International<br>Concerned Nigerians Everywhere<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Esther David IJAW STAKEHOLDERS OF WARRI FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY PRESS BRIEFING Date: July 19, 2025Title:NO&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4470,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[3],"tags":[1262,1261,1263,1264,1265,1266],"class_list":["post-4471","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-crime","tag-dss-to-expose-arms-running-syndicates","tag-just-in-rights-group-urge-delta-state-government","tag-prosecute-sponsors","tag-says-no-crown","tag-throne","tag-title-should-be-above-the-law"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/img_1122-1-3.jpg?fit=683%2C536&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":4507,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/07\/22\/no-one-must-be-above-the-law-wether-royalty-or-not-says-rights-group-calls-for-prosecution-of-all-involved-in-delta-arms-smuggling-deal\/","url_meta":{"origin":4471,"position":0},"title":"\u201cNo One Must Be Above The Law Wether Royalty Or Not\u201d Says Rights Group, Calls For Prosecution Of All Involved In Delta Arms Smuggling Deal","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"July 22, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Uche Alvin IJAW STAKEHOLDERS OF WARRI FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY PRESS RELEASE Date: July 19, 2025Title:NOISE IS NOT POPULATION. PROPAGANDA IS NOT POWER. NOBODY IS ABOVE THE LAW. Nigeria stands on the edge of a dangerous silence. A silence too loud to ignore. A silence funded by stolen oil, soaked in\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/img_1178-1.jpg?fit=604%2C907&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/img_1178-1.jpg?fit=604%2C907&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/img_1178-1.jpg?fit=604%2C907&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4889,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/10\/13\/just-in-rights-group-writes-open-letter-to-delta-state-government-national-security-adviser-department-of-state-services-dss-on-arrest-of-high-profile-gun-runner-and-recovery-of-military-grade-we\/","url_meta":{"origin":4471,"position":1},"title":"JUST IN: Rights Group Writes Open Letter To Delta State Government, National Security Adviser, Department Of State Services (DSS) On Arrest Of High Profile Gun Runner And Recovery Of Military-Grade Weapons In Delta","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"October 13, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Esther David OPEN LETTER TO THE DELTA STATE GOVERNMENT, THE NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER (NSA), AND THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE SERVICES (DSS) On the Arrest of High-Profile Gunrunner and Recovery of Military-Grade Weapons in Delta State13\/9\/2025 We, the peace-loving people of Warri and its environs, extend our profound appreciation to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/img_3748.jpg?fit=775%2C655&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/img_3748.jpg?fit=775%2C655&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/img_3748.jpg?fit=775%2C655&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/img_3748.jpg?fit=775%2C655&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5302,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2026\/01\/21\/delta-based-group-expose-criminal-activities-of-itsekiris-disguised-as-vigilante-group-calls-on-security-agencies-delta-state-government-to-immediately-arrest-members-of-the-group-and-their-sponsors\/","url_meta":{"origin":4471,"position":2},"title":"Delta Based Group Expose Criminal Activities Of Itsekiris Disguised As Vigilante Group, Calls On Security Agencies, Delta State Government To Immediately Arrest Members Of The Group And Their Sponsors","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"January 21, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"By Esther David OPEN LETTER FROM NIGER DELTA WATCH LIGHT FOR DEVELOPMENTDATES:22\/1\/2026 We write this letter in anger, frustration and total rejection of the criminal rot that has taken over Delta State under the false cover of \u201cvigilante\u201d and community security. What is happening today is not security, it is\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/img_7229.jpg?fit=1005%2C709&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/img_7229.jpg?fit=1005%2C709&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/img_7229.jpg?fit=1005%2C709&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/img_7229.jpg?fit=1005%2C709&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4499,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/07\/21\/advocacy-group-writes-powerful-open-letter-to-presidency-dss-efcc-over-olu-of-itsekiris-alleged-involvement-in-arms-trafficking-demands-for-his-prosecution-if-found-guilty\/","url_meta":{"origin":4471,"position":3},"title":"Advocacy Group Writes Powerful Open Letter To Presidency, DSS, EFCC Over Olu Of Itsekiri\u2019s Alleged Involvement In Arms Trafficking, Demands For His Prosecution If Found Guilty","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"July 21, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Uche Alvin OPEN LETTER TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, INEC, DSS, EFCC, NIGERIAN SECURITY AGENCIES AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY From: Ijaw Stakeholders of Warri Federal ConstituencyDate: July 21, 2025 Subject: We Will Not Be Distracted \u2013 Justice Must Prevail To Whom It May Concern, We, the Ijaw Stakeholders of Warri\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Crime&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Crime","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/crime\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/img_1176-6-1.jpg?fit=878%2C681&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/img_1176-6-1.jpg?fit=878%2C681&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/img_1176-6-1.jpg?fit=878%2C681&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/img_1176-6-1.jpg?fit=878%2C681&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4960,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/10\/27\/the-stool-of-the-olu-of-itsekiri-has-become-a-symbol-of-disgrace-and-degeneration__says-group\/","url_meta":{"origin":4471,"position":4},"title":"\u201cThe Stool Of The Olu Of Itsekiri Has Become A Symbol Of Disgrace And Degeneration\u201d__Says Group","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"October 27, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Uche Alvin WARRI HISTORICAL MOVEMENT PRESS STATEMENT THE OLU STOOL HAS BECOME A SYMBOL OF DISGRACE AND DEGENERATION The once-respected throne in Warri, the Olu stool, has fallen from grace. What used to symbolize royalty, wisdom and peace has now become a breeding ground for crime, corruption and moral\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/img_4114.jpg?fit=576%2C426&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/img_4114.jpg?fit=576%2C426&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/img_4114.jpg?fit=576%2C426&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4961,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/10\/27\/the-stool-of-the-olu-of-itsekiri-has-become-a-symbol-of-disgrace-and-degeneration__says-group-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":4471,"position":5},"title":"\u201cThe Stool Of The Olu Of Itsekiri Has Become A Symbol Of Disgrace And Degeneration\u201d__Says Group","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"October 27, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Uche Alvin WARRI HISTORICAL MOVEMENT PRESS STATEMENT THE OLU STOOL HAS BECOME A SYMBOL OF DISGRACE AND DEGENERATION The once-respected throne in Warri, the Olu stool, has fallen from grace. What used to symbolize royalty, wisdom and peace has now become a breeding ground for crime, corruption and moral\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/img_4114.jpg?fit=576%2C426&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/img_4114.jpg?fit=576%2C426&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/img_4114.jpg?fit=576%2C426&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pfDfBE-1a7","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4471","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4471"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4471\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4470"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4471"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4471"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4471"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}