Tag: A’Ibom

The federal government has provided free medical treatment to over 500 elderly persons across the 31 local government areas of Akwa state.

The intervention which was anchored by the National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC) in collaboration with the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) took place on Friday at the Primary Health Centre, Uyo.

Director General of NSCC, Dr. Emem Omokaro said the medical outreach was in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Tinubu administration and his determination to alleviate the sufferings of senior citizens in the country. 

Omokaro said those to benefit from the assistive devices had been assessed by UUTH Consultants in different specialists areas.

“We are here in Akwa Ibom State because of our senior citizens, as we have been going around the country.

“We are here to also attend to senior citizens in Akwa Ibom state and also support them by way of medical outreach and assistive devices to improve their quality of lives. 

“Give them instructions on how to well managed their chronic situations. For this outreach we have targeted 500 older persons, we have consultants in different specialists areas,” Omokaro said.

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Omokaro listed the assistive devices to include; wheelchairs, walkers, clutches, hearing aids, diabetes test kits, tripod walking sticks, commode chairs, walking frames, guide canes and eye glasses among others.

In her remarks, Akwa Ibom Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Mrs Emem Ibanga, said the State Government placed priority in the welfare of elderly persons in the state.

“For almost two years now, our Arise Elderly Care Initiative has provided financial support of ₦50, 000 to 600 older persons across all wards in the state.

“Additionally, we have enrolled hundreds of seniors citizens in our State Insurance Scheme, built Arise Compassionate Homes, and we are currently developing a senior citizens’ home in Ibiono Ibom, all to ensure that our elderly are well cared for,” she said.

Ibanga said the government initiatives serve as a token of appreciation for the invaluable contributions made by senior citizens during their active years.

She reaffirmed the state government commitment to partnering with the NSCC to enhance general wellbeing of elderly in the state.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr John Ekem, urged the senior citizens to take full advantage of the state’s well-equipped primary health centres for their medical needs.

The Council of Oro Traditional Rulers (COTR) has threatened to invoke traditional sanctions against perpetrators of cult-related killings in Oron federal constituency of Akwa Ibom state.

The Nation reports that scores of youths have recently been gruesomely killed in clashes between rival cult groups in Oro Nation, particularly in Oron and Mbo local government areas of the state m

One of the victims, David Isangedighi, a native of Akai Atti village in Oron LGA, was beheaded during a fierce battle between the Baggar confraternity and the Axe Men on night of Wednesday October 23, 2024.

The headless body of the 40 -year-old reportedly has been deposited in the Mortuary at the General Hospital Iquita  Oron.

The Akwa Ibom state Police command had earlier disclosed that two suspected cultists were beheaded during cult war in Mbo LGA, bringing the number of beheaded victims to three.

On 16/10/2024 another corpse with mark of violence on it by the youth leader named Paul Eyo, a suspected member of Black Axe from EyoAbasi was discovered by the police.

Also one Ekpe from EyoAbasi, a suspected member of Vikings cult group was beheaded among other victims.

Condemning the reign of terror in Oro land, the traditional rulers in a communique issued after an emergency security meeting, addressed the grave security situation and the need for action.

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The communique jointly endorsed by the President of the Council, His Eminence, Ahta Ita Edet Okokon, Ahta Oro VIII and Paramount Ruler of Okobo LGA; the Chairman and Paramount Ruler of Urueffong Oruko, HRM Offong Effiong Matthew Unanaowo; the Paramount Ruler of Mbo LGA, HRM Ogwong Okon Asukwo Abang; and the Secretary, HH Etim Oquong, denounced the heinous and despicable acts of violent hostilities and called for an immediate end.

They expressed deep sympathy for the families of the victims and vowed to implement traditional sanctions to hold the perpetrators accountable and prevent further bloodshed.

“All cult groups and affiliate families should henceforth sheath their swords.The sanctity of human life must be respected, and those who disrupt peace in the land, will face the consequences,” they maintained.

The monarchs urged security agencies to enhance their efforts in apprehending perpetrators of the dastardly act.

Few hours to the commencement of the  local government election in Akwa Ibom, hoodlums have razed the State Independent Electoral Commission (AKISIEC) office in Ibiatuk, Ibiono Ibom local government area.

 Akwa Ibom Police Public Relations officer ASP Timfon John, who confirmed the incident, however, said no life was lost and electoral materials were not affected.

John said the incident has not affected voting, adding that voters were exercising their franchise as of press time.

According to her, the Police Command had deployed more operatives to AKISIEC offices across the State to forestall further mayhem.

The election has been characterised with late arrival of materials and absence of security operatives at polling units.

At Unit 001 Ward 14 in Uyo local government area, there were no materials as at 10.02 am. No AKISIEC and security official was present.

The same scenario played out at Unit 2, Ward 11 in Itu local government area. 

The Akwa Ibom state police command has shot dead a suspected kidnapper and rescued a 63-year-old retired Shell Petroleum Company worker.

The command’s police public relations officer, ASP Timfon John in a release made available to journalists on Monday, June 24, said the police rescue team killed the suspected kidnapper during a gun duel with hoodlums.

The police spokesperson revealed that the abducted retired oil company worker was rescued unhurt in a compound located at Ikot Udobong Village in Etim Ekpo LGA of the state.

Preliminary investigations, according to the state police command revealed that the kidnappers had initially demanded for N50million ransom and was later agreed to N20 million.

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“However, no ransom was paid at the time of the rescue. Efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects.

“On 22/06/2024 following intelligence information available at the Command’s disposal about the whereabouts of a retired Shell Petroleum Company worker, (Name withheld) ‘M’ 63 yrs, that was kidnapped on 17/06/2024 by four unknown armed men dressed in military camouflage, the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Police Command, CP Waheed Ayilara had ordered the SWAT operatives of the command to immediately swing into action.

“Upon sighting the Police, the kidnappers started firing at them. During the ensuing gun duel, one of the Kidnappers sustained serious gunshot injuries, while others escaped. The injured suspect was taken to a hospital where he was confirmed dead.

“The victim was rescued unhurt in a compound located at Ikot Udobong Village in Etim Ekpo LGA. Preliminary investigations revealed that the kidnappers had initially demanded for N50million ransom and later agreed to N20 million, however, no ransom was paid at the time of the rescue. Efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects.”

The release reaffirms the commitment of the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Waheed Ayilara to rid the state of crime and criminal elements.

An ex-convict in military uniform, identified as Edidiong Matthew, has been arrested by the Akwa Ibom State police command.

The 35-year-old suspect, an indigene of Ikot Ekong in Mkpat Enin local government area of the state, was apprehended following intelligence reports by members of the public.

A statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, ASP Timfon John, on Thursday in Uyo indicates that the suspect had been involved in a series of criminal activities.

The statement reads: “On 05/06/2024 at about 14:00hrs, police operatives of the command on crime prevention patrol arrested one Eddiong Anthony Matthew ‘M’, a 35-year-old indigene of Ikot Ekong Village in Mkpat Enin LGA in half dress military camouflage.

 “Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect is an ex-convict who had been perpetrating a series of crimes in the state in military uniform with a warrant officer rank.

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 “One walkie-talkie, phones suspected to have been stolen from his victims, a brown cover – all dress, RCC ID Card were recovered” adding that, the suspect would be charged to court on completion of investigation in the matter.”

The police command expressed its combat readiness to intensify efforts to rid the state of other fleeing criminals on their wanted lists.

“This follows the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Police Command, CP Waheed Ayilara affirmation of the command’s unwavering commitment and dedication to making Akwa Ibom inhabitable for criminals”, ASP John said in the statement.

The Akwa Ibom State Government has announced plans to set up a Bulk Purchase Agency to checkmate the rising cost of foodstuff.

Governor Umo Eno made the disclosure during the Nigeria Unity Conference 2024 tagged: “That we may be one,” organised by the 10th Episcopal District,  Christian Methodist Episcopal Church at Ibom Hall, Uyo.

Eno said a bill to establish the Bulk Purchase Agency will be sent to the House of Assembly to convey legal status to the board and enable it intervene and stem skyrocketing food prices in the state.

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He explained that the agency will partner with the market associations to check food prices and encourage local producers to boost their productivity.

“By the grace of God,  I am sending a bill to the House of Assembly to establish Akwa Ibom Bulk Purchase Agency. We feel that we need to intervene because of the prices of some staple food, and we will do that intervention through the agency that will bulk purchase our staple food and work with some market people.

“The agency will help bring in the food produce to enable us control the price. We will also encourage our local producers. So our people can afford to buy food at controlled prices,” he stated.

The Governor also announced the flagging-off of the construction of  strategic roads across the three senatorial districts in the next two weeks. 

The Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB), Ibaka in the Mbo local government area of Akwa Ibom state has arrested thirteen Nigerians and four Ghanaians over illegal fishing.

The Navy also impounded the vessel named, MFV TOKE II used by the suspects.

The Base Operating Officer, Commander Daniel Onyemaeze, disclosed this while handing over the suspects and the vessel to the Federal Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture on Wednesday, February 7.

He explained that the Navy received an intelligence report on Tuesday, January 23, at about 7:45 in the morning alerting of illegal trawling activities within 2 nautical miles of Nigerian Continental Shelf and Automatic Identification System Infraction by MFV TOKE II in Calabar Channel.

He noted that the suspect was swiftly intercepted and arrested by her gunboat on routine patrol.

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Onyemaeze stated: “As at the time of arrest, MFV TOKE II had 17 crew with 13 Nigerians and 4 Ghanaians borne onboard and was laden with 150 bags of fish, 100 packs of shrimps and 20 loosed fishes in her two cold rooms all gotten from illicit trawling activities.”

He said investigations revealed that the vessel departed Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) Commandant jetty Kirikiri, Lagos state for fishing activities on 29th of November 2023.

He said: “And had spent a total of 55 days at sea at the time she was arrested by FOB, Ibaka patrol boat. However, during her operations, it was observed through her own surveillance that she had engaged in illicit fishing activities and was consequently arrested.

“In view of the aforementioned, the Base was directed by Naval Headquarters to hand over the vessel to the Federal Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture for further investigation and possible prosecution.”

Onyemaeze warned fishing vessels not to be found engaging in fishing activities, within two nautical miles of the Nigerian Continental Shelf, use operational Automatic Identification System (AIS), the right size of fishing nets, and monthly Naval Headquarters approval for all fishing vessels in Nigerian waters.

Receiving the suspects and vessel, Mrs Stella Anuforo, Fisheries Officer, at the Federal Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture in Calabar thanked the Nigerian Navy for securing the maritime environment.

She said the department would further investigate the suspects and take necessary actions.