Category: South East

By Elo Edremoda, Warri

• Police recover arms, cash other items

A suspected armed robber, identified as Andrew Billions, has been shot dead by Police operatives in Warri, Delta state.

It was gathered that the incident occurred at about 1pm, Thursday, along Mission Road in Warri South council area.

The notorious gang of three were said to have trailed someone who had gone to withdraw cash from a bank in the area and robbed the person off an undisclosed amount of money.

However, the armed robbers ran out of luck, when Policemen on patrol duty along Warri/Sapele Road who were tipped about the incident, gave them a hot chase.

According to reports, the deceased suspect was the driver of a black Toyota Corolla car with registration number RBC 218 BL that the hoodlums used for the operation.

Read Also: Teenager docked for alleged robbery in Kano

Witnesses said heavy gunshots were fired between the police and the gang, but the suspect, said to have served jail term for an unknown crime many years ago, got hit by a bullet and died on the spot.

The other gang members reportedly escaped in the cross-fire.

One locally-made pistol loaded with live cartridge, a Nokia phone, the sum of N130,000 and the said vehicle were recovered by the police.

The Delta State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement, Friday stating that the gang was one “dreaded Imomotimi group” which has been on the wanted list of the Command.

The statement signed by Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bright Edafe, further disclosed that two suspected cultists, identified as Oghenenyerhovwo Solomon and Rukevwe Afakpor, 29, were arrested in separate locations, in the state.

Two locally made double barrel guns, three live cartridges and a “lady’s motorcycle” were recovered from the suspects, respectively.

By Nwanosike Onu, Awka

…Uba assures APC will win election

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress APC, Senator Andy Uba, says the the Party has been positioned to win the November 6 election in Anambra State

Uba stated this Thursday night when a group known as ‘afa Igbo bu ofu‘ with over 22,000 members joined APC at the Nollywood event center in Awka.

The APC candidate for the November election said the people who were following his party and still joining would never regret their actions after the election.

Read Also; APC state congress to hold October 2

He said he was optimistic that APC would win the election, having seen the quality of politicians from different political parties and groups already in APC.

The leader of the group (AIBO), Solomon Onwusika, said the reason for joining APC was only but to support Uba, who the group, according to him, had what it takes to lead Ndigbo and Anambra State to the elusive promised land.

The State Chairman of APC, Sir Basil Ejidike, while addressing the group, assured that they would not be marginalised.

By Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Delta State Chapter, has raised the alarm over “renewed police brutality against youths within Delta State.”

It also called for “an immediate end to forced confessional statements in all police stations in the State.”

The group recalled that the EndSARS protests which led to nationwide unrest was the result of police brutality against youths.

Its chairman, Kenneth Okorie, in a statement, yesterday, lamented that despite the fact that the youths in the State are striving against all odds in a parlous economy, the operatives of the Nigerian Police have made it a duty to further “frustrate the efforts of hardworking Delta youths through unending brutality and extortions.”

Part of the petition reads, “The men of the Nigerian Police force have taken it as a duty upon themselves to further frustrate the efforts of hardworking Delta Youths, through their unending brutality which more often times than not, end up in extortions. This is totally unacceptable!”

He noted that within Asaba metropolis countless checkpoints have sprung up within short distances manned by impolite police officers.

Okorie accused police operatives of targeting only youths driving the exotic cars, stressing that with the many youths empowerment schemes embarked upon by the Okowa administration, youths have become more financially stable independent.

The statement further added, “While the State youth Council, led by its Chairman, Kenneth Okorie is working tirelessly round the clock with other well-meaning Deltans to calm youths of the state who are already planning the mother of all protest, the council wishes to call on all concerned, especially the Commissioner of Police in the state, to nip this menace in the bud, before it blows into an unquenchable fire.”

Delta Police image maker, DSP Bright Edafe appealed to the aggrieved residents to report any form of harassment to the police authorities for proper action to be taken.

By Mike Odiegwu, Port Harcourt

The Secretary to Rivers State Government (SSG), Dr. Tammy Danagogo, has warned communities against engaging in any act capable of compromising the security of contractors in their domains.

Danagogo urged leaders of associations to monitor and protect ongoing projects in their communities.

Read Also; PAP probes 3000 accounts, stops payment of fake contractors

He spoke on Friday when the leaders of Nyemoni Awome Ogbo of Abonnema, a socio-cultural group paid him a visit in Port Harcourt.

On the ongoing Trans-Kalabari road project, Danagogo said the governor was determined to deliver the first phase of the road in 14 months.

He said: “This is a crucial project to the development of Kalabari Kingdom. Every right-thinking Kalabari person must condemn and avoid anything that will cause delays to the project delivery. What the governor is doing for us is unprecedented in the annals of the history of governance in this state.”

By Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba and Elo Edremoda, Warri

Delta State Police Command said it has dismissed two policemen for allegedly assaulting Brodrick Omesan, a 36 year old commercial tricyclist during an argument.

Delta Police boss, Dr Muhammad Ali, who spoke with reporters, yesterday, said the two officers Sgt Felix Ebikabowei and Sgt Ndubuisi Abazie were attached to ‘B’ Division Warri.

He said the policemen after close of work engaged in illegal duty along Estate Roundabout in Warri and accosted Brodrick Omesan.

Read Also: Policeman’s son caught in Aba failed robbery

Ali said the victim, Brodrick Omesan, who is in now critical condition was pushed and beaten up by the policemen leading to serious brain injuries during an argument.

He said the two officers were tried for the offence of incivility to members of the public, disobedience to lawful order contrary to paragraph E(iii) 1st schedule of the Police Act and Regulations 370 paragraph F of Police Act and Regulations CAP P.9 Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004.

He said, “On 12/8/2021 after closing close of work conspired among themselves and engaged in Illegal duty along estate roundabout Warri. They accosted a Tricycle Rider one Brodrick Omesan ‘m’ age 36yrs of Oviri Street Agbaroh. An argument ensued between the policemen and the victim during which they allegedly pushed and beat him up which led to serious injuries on his head. The victim was rushed to the hospital where he is currently receiving treatment. “

The police boss said the dismissed policemen will be charged to court soon.

By Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

Chairman, Southeast Councils of Traditional Rulers and Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe has expressed worry over increasing cases of illicit drugs and other forms of drug abuses particularly among youths in Anambra state.

The monarch stated this in his palace while playing host to a team from National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on campaign on drug abuse.

He said he had directed the demolition of two buildings housing illegal drug peddlers, as well as setting up a committee with the mandate of eradicating illicit drugs in the area.

Read Also: ‘Oil commission will tackle pipeline vandalism in Anambra’

While appealing for NAFDAG support in fighting the menace, Achebe pledged to partner with the agency to ensure the ugly trend was nipped in the bud in the commercial city and the state in general.

Earlier, NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Christianah Adeyeye said the visit was to solicit the monarch’s cooperation in educating residents of the area on dangers of using dangerous chemicals to preserve foods, among others.

Our Reporter

Following the giant strides recorded in his service to the people of Uyo Local Government, the Executive Chairman, Dr. Uwemedimo Udo has been declared the winner of the 2021 Local Government Merit Award (LOGMA) with a star prize of a 10-seater bus.

Udo emerged the National Best Local Government Chairman in Rural Water Supply and the award was conferred on him at a well-attained event held at the Merit House, Maitama, Abuja last Thursday.

Speaking to journalists after the event, Dr. Udo praised Governor Udom Emmanuel for the huge support to the local government councils in Akwa Ibom State, adding that the award would encourage him to do more for the people of Uyo in the remaining years of his administration as the chairman.

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Earlier in his remarks, the National Coordinator of LOGMA, Chief Bayode Ojo, said the awards are packaged to reward excellence in grassroots governance.

Three out of the 28 most performing local government chairmen in Nigeria were from Akwa Ibom State. The other two awardees were the Chairman of Ikono Local Government Area, Hon. Nyakno Okoibu and the Chairman of Okobo Local Government Area, Dr. Sylvester Attah.

Our Reporter 

he people of Iyara, a slum community, in Delta State was full of excitement as they received the gift of a free private school donated to them by CleverMinds Foundation, a nonprofit organisation in the state.

In a statement by the Executive Director of the Foundation, Zion Oshiobugie, he said, the official unveiling of the private school was held in the school premises with several dignitaries in attendance.

Oshiobugie said the Foundation was able to meet up with its deadline of completing the building within the space of four months, that is, May-August despite all odds, in a bid to meet up school resumption this September.

He said: “I am delighted the foundation made history today with this project. We cannot forget the kindness of good-hearted persons who gave us the support to realise this dream. We have no doubt that this school will contribute to the reduction of the number of out-of-school children in Delta State and Nigeria at large.”

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The child advocate, addressing guest, recall how he came to Warri at the age of 16, and worked as domestic Staff for about four years and instead of being paid, his boss insisted on sponsoring his education at the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI).

“This act of love by my boss, Engr Nnamdi onyeka 17 years ago, made me resolve to help orphans and underprivileged children harness their potentials through access to quality education.

The free private school in Iyara is the second operated by our foundation, while the first is located at Edjeba community and have been graciously granted a license to operate by the Delta State Government, through the Ministry of Basic Education.” He added.

The Chairman of the community, Mr. Efe Odili, lauded the donation of the free school by the NGO, saying this was the first time a private organisation will do something of this magnitude in the community.

Odili went on to assure the NGO of the safety of the school stating that they would do everything within their powers to ensure the school runs smoothly.

By Mike Odiegwu, Port Harcourt

The first phase beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), have warned aggrieved stakeholders to stop unnecessary petitions and protests against PAP’s Interim Administrator Col. Milland Dixon Dikio (rtd).

The ex-agitators, under the auspices of Leadership, Peace and Cultural Development Initiative (LPCDI), said Dikio had done no wrong and should be allowed to actualise his laudable plans for the region and beneficiaries of the programme.

LPCDI, which comprises 95 per cent of first phase leaders, in a statement yesterday by its National President Chief Reuben Wilson and National Secretary Nature Kieghe said those behind frivolous petitions against Dikio were on a mission to distract him.

Wilson said such individuals were pursuing a selfish agenda against the collective interests of the region and ex-agitators, who were disposed to having Dikio’s appointment confirmed as a substantive coordinator of PAP.

He said: “The programme has witnessed frequent leadership changes due to such unnecessary petitions and protests. This has led to sudden truncation of the plans and projects of the past coordinators of the programme and has slowed down the pace of implementation of the mandate of the programme.

Read Also; Corrupt Amnesty officials delaying training projects, says Dikio

“The frequent changes have led to every new coordinator starting afresh with new plans and projects, while abandoning those of his predecessors. This has hindered the stability and effective implementation of the mandate of the PAP.

“It has, therefore, become imperative for these unnecessary petitions and protests to stop forthwith, so that Dikio can concentrate on his job and execute his plans and projects for the betterment of the beneficiaries of the programme.

“The frequent change of coordinators of the PAP isn’t in the best interest of the Niger Delta and therefore should be condemned by patriotic stakeholders of the region.”

Wilson, who acknowledged the rights of aggrieved people to express themselves, however, said criticisms should be constructive.

He advised such individuals to reach out to Dikio to settle their differences.

“We need unity and peace to accelerate the holistic development of the Niger Delta. We commend and appreciate those beneficiaries, who have issues about their monthly stipends, training and empowerment with the Presidential Amnesty Office, but have demonstrated patience and decorum in handling such issues. We hail you for your peaceful disposition, sacrifices and patience.

“We would like to use this medium to thank President Muhammadu Buhari, the National Security Adviser and the National Assembly for supporting and sustaining the Presidential Amnesty Programme.

“We are grateful and we say a big thank you. Mr. President’s positive disposition and support to the programme has made it more responsive to the yearnings of the beneficiaries,” Wilson said.

He said stakeholders should emulate their northern colleagues, who had conducted themselves peacefully in the operations and activities of the North-East Development Commission (NEDC).

Wilson said: “The North East Development Commission, a similar interventionist agency, doesn’t suffer same fate as the Presidential Amnesty Programme.

“The North East Development Commission is quietly executing its mandate for the betterment of the Northeast, without being distracted by unnecessary petitions and protests that can warrant such frequent leadership changes.

“We, hereby, plead with all Niger Deltans and stakeholders to work together in unity and facilitate the accelerated development of the Niger Delta, instead of slowing down its pace of development with unnecessary petitions and protests. We should bury our differences, jettison our personal interests and work for the collective interest of the Niger Delta.”

By Mike Odiegwu, Port Harcourt and Polycarp Orosevwotu, Ughelli

• Buhari urged to probe PAP’s leadership

The monarch of Port Harcourt South, His Royal Majesty, King Darrick Acheseomie, has condemned the multiplication of advocacy groups in the Niger Delta.

He said it is breeding disunity.

Acheseomie, the Amayenabo of Obumuton Chiri Kingdom, said the region will progress if the groups harmonise their agenda and collapse into one formidable association.

The king spoke yesterday when the national executive members and stakeholders of the Movement for the Survival of Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) visited his palace.

Read Also: Ijaw leaders demand public presentation of NDDC report

The National President of MOSIEND, Kennedy Tonjo West, hailed the traditional ruler for the relative peace and progress witnessed under his reign.

He pledged to support and collaborate with him to promote peace, security and healthy socio-economic activities.

An ex-militant leader under the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Gen. Kingsley Muturu, yesterday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to probe PAP’s leadership over poor execution of programme, mismanagement and insincerity in their operations.

He said the programme was put in place to better the lives of youths in the Niger Delta, but expressed fears if the purpose was not being defeated, considering the way and manner the programme was managed.