The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Bayelsa

  • Gunmen kill two policemen in Bayelsa

    Gunmen kill two policemen in Bayelsa

    Guns boomed yesterday at Ogbia waterside, Bayelsa State, following an attack on a police marine base by suspected pirates.

    Two policemen attached to the base were reportedly killed.

    The gunmen stole two rifles and a 200-horsepower engine belonging to the Ogbia Local Government Area.

    Leader of the marine team, an assistant superintendent of Police (ASP), was said to have sustained injuries and was rushed to an undisclosed hospital.

    It was gathered that the bandits fled with their casualties after the incident, which occurred at 2 am.

    A police source, who spoke in confidence, described the exchange of gunfire as massive, adding that a G3 magazine, with 17-live ammunition was recovered from the hoodlums.

    “Eighteen expended ammunition was picked on the scene. The hoodlums came to steal the General Multipurpose Gun. It is a big gun mounted on a boat. But the policemen protected it with their lives”, he said.

    Commissioner of Police Asuquo Amba said the police were combing the creeks to locate the criminals.

    Describing how the attack was carried out, he said: “About 2 am, some unknown suspected sea pirates that came in with two boats from different directions attacked our men that were anchored at marine base at Ogbia and obviously there was a lot of exchange of fire.

    “We tried to be as defensive as possible. In the cause of that we lost two policemen who were shot in action and they were able to make away with two of our riffles and a 200-horsepower engine belonging to the Ogbia Local Government Area.

    “We were able to recover a G3 magazine, which was used by them with 17-live ammunition and 18-expended ammunition. The firing was not from one direction. It was through separate direction.

    “Prior to this time, we had secured our GMP gun which I think was one of the main thing they were looking for. So, they could not steal it and that was why we lost two police officers in action and the officer that led the team, an ASP was equally injured.”

    Amba said the police had been able to curtail activities of sea pirates but explained that reports showed a resurgence.

    The police boss said he visited the scene with other senior officers, promising that they will fish out the killers.

    He said: “For a while we have been able to curtail but it is really rearing its head again. We have appealed to our sister agencies to help. We are all out to ensure that these pirates are checked.

    “We have intelligence report that they are trying to increase their activities to sabotage the efforts of the government to secure the highway. This is a recent development and it has given us a cause to sit up. We will restrategise and secure our base and the water areas.

    “We have spread our dragnets. We have informed other security agencies and all efforts are being made to apprehend the suspects”.

  • Bayelsa seeks law to tackle oil spills

    Bayelsa seeks law to tackle oil spills

    Bayelsa State is rolling out tougher measures to tackle environmental degradation, it was learnt.

    Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Mr. Wodu Kemasuode spoke yesterday in Yenagoa.

    He said oil spills and other actions of companies were destroying the environment, adding they have taken no measures to clean the polluted areas.

    Kemasuode, who inaugurated a five-man committee chaired by Dr. Richard Ogbe, gave members 10 days to develop a legal framework to tackle the problem.

    He asked the committee to consider the possibility of an environmental protection agency, to work with the Ministry of Environment.

    The commissioner said: “What we expect the committee to do is to look at the best way to protect the environment, given our circumstances and considering that by virtue of the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy in the constitution, as a government, we have a duty to protect the environment.

    “Give due consideration to it and decide whether there will be a need to establish an environmental protection agency to work with the Ministry of Environment. We want you to provide a draft law on environmental protection.

    “If you deem it necessary that an environmental protection agency be established, make provisions for it, otherwise make adequate provision to ensure the environment is protected.

    “There should be provision relating to mandatory clean-up and remediation of the environment when it is degraded by any means. There should be provision to impose penal fines for environmental degradation with a view to deterring further degradation. It is a serious assignment.”

    He added: “It is common knowledge that we have been having environmental problems. Almost on a daily basis, there are spills and it is also common knowledge that those causing these spills do not carry out clean-up.

    “In fact, most times there is no clean-up and sometimes when there is even clean-up, it is not done well. There is no remediation or restoration of the land or the environment to the state.

    “The consequences of the environmental degradation we face are obvious. It causes cancer and other diseases. In fact, the life expectancy in Bayelsa and Niger Delta is very low because of the activities of these companies and others involved in environmental degradation.

    “It is important that as a state, we take a firm action on it. There is at the moment no law dealing with the issue of environmental protection. We have the Ministry of Environment, but there is need for a proper legal framework within which issues of environmental protection can be pursued.”

    Ogbe hailed the government for thinking about environmental protection framework, saying it was a demonstration of its love for the people.

    “This means the government has the safety of the people at heart. Environment must be protected. It is good we start from here to protect the environment. The committee will do justice to this assignment,” he said.

  • Bayelsa revenue board seals NDDC’s office in Yenagoa over N168m tax liability

    Bayelsa revenue board seals NDDC’s office in Yenagoa over N168m tax liability

    The Bayelsa Board of Internal Revenue (BIR)  on Monday sealed off the office of  the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)  in Yenagoa over alleged non-remittance of N168 million Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax liability.

    The building  was earlier sealed off in June 2017 when the liability was  N336 million, with the  NDDC paying  half of the sum leaving the balance unpaid.

    The Director of Compliance, Mr Robert Lokoson, who led the enforcement team, said the government was compelled to act following the failure of the NDDC to keep to the agreement to offset the debt in two instalments.

    Read Also: INEC creates 10 additional centres in Bayelsa

    “Sometime in June 2017, the board was forced to levy a warrant of  distrain (Order of court to compel payment)  on NDDC in view of a tax debt for 2008-2014  totalling  N336 million.

    “Following the intervention by stakeholders and a meeting between the board and the NDDC, we graciously suspended destrain  with provision that the liability will be cleared in two tranches of N168 million within two months.

    “Sadly after the first tranche was paid in July 2017, the NDDC has refused to clear the last tranche of N168 million  five months later.

    “It is this intransigent attitude that has compelled the board to re-levy the distrain and recover the outstanding N168 million,” Lokoson said.

    Meanwhile, staff of the NDDC who were forced out of their offices, wondered why the commission could not remit the taxes deducted from their salaries.

    The Bayelsa representative on the NDDC board, Prof. Nelson Brambaifa, was not available when the team visited for the tax drive.

    NAN

  • Ijaw leaders gather in Bayelsa, seek unity, economic integration

    Ijaw leaders gather in Bayelsa, seek unity, economic integration

    IJAW traditional rulers and leaders from the six states of Bayelsa, Edo, Delta, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Ondo on Friday converged on Yenagoa to seek unity and economic integration. The meeting which was declared open by Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State also harped on reconciliation, unity, peace, stability and economic progress of the Ijaw nation Dickson urged stakeholders to put aside their differences and forge a strong united front, which he said was the only way to make Ijaw nation relevant among other ethnic nationalities in the country.

    He said the time had come for the Ijaw traditional rulers, elders and leaders of the people to constitute a strong, credible, dependable and fearless leadership for the Ijaw National Congress (INC). A Government House Statement signed by Fidelis Soriwei, said Dickson spoke at the Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders in Yenagoa.

    The governor said it was time for certain key roles to be undertaken and spearheaded by a strong president of the INC and his executive committee in the interest of Ijaw nation. He said that the absence of a strong INC had created a vacuum which was inimical to the development of the Ijaw nation and the Niger Delta. He said: “On the need for Ijaw unity, everybody in the Ijaw nation, all our leaders are on the same page. And I am delighted that all of you who are the critical pillars of the Ijaw movement which is founded on our Ijaw traditional institutions are present here, that is why you have clan representation.

    “Let me draw your attention to the need for the Ijaw nation at this point in time more than any other time to be united as quickly as possible to put processes in place that will lead to the emergence of a credible, solid, dependable, knowledgeable and fearless leadership for our people because there are certain things only the INC can do. ‘There are certain things only the the INC president and his team can say, all of us will give support. Right now there is a vacancy, a vacuum and that is not good at all for us, for the Niger Delta because our people, the Ijaw people have a duty to galvanise this region and close leakages that can lead to more stable and prosperous Niger Delta, and Nigeria.”

  • Panic as abductors of Bayelsa ex-commissioner keep silent

    Panic as abductors of Bayelsa ex-commissioner keep silent

    Panic has gripped the family of the kidnapped former Commissioner for Transportation in Bayelsa State, Mrs. Marie Ebikake, following unusual silence from her abductors.

    The silence, it was learnt,  had thrown the family of the stalwart of the Peoples Democratic Party  (PDP) into confusion.

    A family source said four days after she was taken hostage, her assailants only called on Monday and said she was in their custody.

    The source, who spoke in confidence said after the brief telephone conversion, the abductors switched off their phone.

    He said: “Since she (Ebikake) was forcibly taken away last Sunday morning, they (abductors) only called the family briefly on Monday. When they called, they did not tell us anything about ransom and why she was whisked away.

    “Since that Monday that they called, they have kept mum. Their silence is giving us serious cause for worry. The development has heightened fear and anxiety among family members.

    “Also, since that time, we have not heard from Madam Ebikake. The captors’ quiteness is getting everybody confused. We pray she is well and kicking.”

    When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Bayelsa State, Mr. Asinim Butswat, said the police is still investigating the incident.

    Ebikake, the first woman Chairperson of Brass Local Government Area, was whisked away on Sunday morning about 1.30 a.m from her residence in Igbogene, Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state.

    The kidnappers gained entry to her room through one of the windows in their apartment after scaling the fence.

    The abduction took place few days after some armed men invaded her country home in Twon-Brass in Brass LGA and vandalised the palatial residence.

  • Kidnappers release Bayelsa monarch’s wife, principal after collecting ransom

    Kidnappers release Bayelsa monarch’s wife, principal after collecting ransom

    Mrs Tina Inegbagha wife of the Paramount Ruler Of Ayakoro Community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa  and Mr Egbele Jack, a school principal have been released by their captors, 25 days after they were kidnapped.

    They were abducted by gunmen in Ayakoro on Dec. 16, 2017.

    Mr Majesty Inegbagha, a member of the monarch’s family who confirmed the development to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday said the duo were set free on Thursday.

    The paramount leader said that an undisclosed amount of ransom was paid to secure their releas.

    The kidnappers had demanded N100 Million and reduced to N30 and N5 Million as ransome.

    Also, confirming his wife’s release, the paramount Ruler, Mr Righteous Inegbagha expressed deep appreciation to God and the people who contributed in prayers, cash and kind to facilitate the freedom of the two victims.

    He also appealed to the kidnappers to repent from their nefarious act.

    Narrating their experience both the wife of the ruler, Tina, and Jack expressed happiness and thanked God for their release.

    According to them the kidnappers treated them well.

    NAN reports that on Dec. 18, 2017, the police said that it was investigation the incident.

    Police Commissioner  Asuquo Amba, told newsmen that following the recent upsurge  of violent crimes in Bayelsa, the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, had sent a special squad to compliment the efforts of the command to combat crimes. (NAN)

  • Bayelsa education commissioner urges stakeholders to draw new strategy

    Bayelsa education commissioner urges stakeholders to draw new strategy

    The Bayelsa Commissioner for Education, Mr Jonathan Obuebite, has urged education team and  stakeholders in the state to formulate new policies and strategies to take the sector to greater heights.

    The commissioner gave the charge on Monday during a meeting with the principals of model secondary schools in Bayelsa held in his office in Yenagoa.

    Obuebite said that one of the resolutions for the year was zero tolerance to any act of indiscipline and nonchalant attitude from the top to the least person.

    Read Also: Schools reopen in Maiduguri for 2nd term academic session

    He said that it would no longer be business as usual as both erring staff and students would be sanctioned appropriately.

    The commissioner stressed that the meeting was borne out of the governor’s desire to reposition the sector to achieve this, adding that all hands must be on deck.

    The President of Association of Nigerian Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools, ANCOPSS, Mr Abey Ayebaemi, congratulated the commissioner on his emergence  as the Best Commissioner at the 2017 Bayelsa Merit Award.

    He said that it was a well deserved award hinged on hard work, sincerity and dedication to duty.

    The president thanked the governor for appointing Obuebite, as the Commissioner for Education, saying, “it is the first time a meeting of such nature is been held’’.

    NAN

  • Residents flee Ekeremor over alleged beheading of security official

    Residents flee Ekeremor over alleged beheading of security official

    Residents of Ndoro community in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa have fled the area following the alleged beheading of a security operative by militants.

    A resident of the community, Mr Henshaw Ebi, told news men on Friday that the security official was negotiating with a militants’ leader in the area to surrender their arms when the incident occurred.

    “The community was thrown into apprehension and people began to flee in droves since Monday when the lifeless body of the ‘security emissary’ was seen in the community without his head.

    “The victim cannot be identified because he is in plain cloth.

    “The fear is that the military might come after those responsible any moment from now and invade the community.

    “The community has been deserted as we speak due to fear of imminent manhunt for the militants behind the dastardly act,’’Ebi said.

    However, Bayelsa Government in a reaction to the development said on Friday that there was no cause for alarm.

    The government called on fleeing members of the community to return home as the situation had been brought under control.

    Read Also: Army urges Ondo militants to surrender remaining weapons

    The Commissioner for information, Mr Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said the assurance came in the wake of a meeting between Gov. Seriake Dickson, security chiefs, officials of the military high command, leaders and stakeholders of the community.

    The Commissioner said in a statement that the member representing Sagbama/Ekeremor federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Fred Agbedi also attended the meeting.

    Iworiso-Markson said it was resolved that the military would move into the community and restore normalcy, while the government would begin a peace process.

    He, therefore, called on the people who had fled to return as their safety was now guaranteed.

    He said with the presence of the military in the area they could go about their normal businesses.

    The commissioner said the situation was now under control following government’s quick intervention, and expressed regret over its occurrence.

    He said Gov. Seriake Dickson had met “with very senior security chiefs and the military high command, as well as leaders and key stakeholders to decide on the steps to take and it was agreed that the military will move in to provide the needed peace”.

    “So, we call on all those who have fled the community to return. There is no cause to be scared as government has intervened to ensure that the situation is brought under control,’’ he said.

    NAN

  • Auto dealers appeal for reopening of Mechanic Village in Bayelsa

    Auto dealers appeal for reopening of Mechanic Village in Bayelsa

    Auto spare part dealers in Bayelsa on Friday appealed to the state government to reopen the Mechanic Village shut since Dec. 18, 2017.

    Mr Okoli Sunday, the Chairman, Auto Spare Parts Association in the state told newsmen in Yenagoa that the closure had caused setbacks to their businesses.

    Okoli said that the association members had always paid their taxes and rents.

    “We do not know how the issue of non-payment of tax and rents came up because we have always paid our rents through the Nigerian Automobile Technicians Association, who are in charge of the shops in the market.

    “From what we learnt, out of the 484 shops in the mechanic village, only 78 are being accounted for,” he alleged.

    Read also: Tough time awaits criminals in Bayelsa

    Okoli appealed to the state government to reconsider the reopening of the village and dialogue with the auto dealers because the dealers were facing untold hardship.

    An official, who preferred anonymity in the State Ministry of Trade and Investment, said the permanent secretary was not on seat to comment on the matter.

    “The permanent secretary was around some hours ago, but he has gone out for an official duty.

    “The ministry has no commissioner yet and no other person can speak on the matter,” the official said

    NAN

  • Police seek Igbo’s cooperation for peace in Bayelsa

    Bayelsa State Police Commissioner Mr. Asuquo Amba has urged the Igbo community to cooperate with the command to maintain peace, law and order.

    He spoke yesterday at the inauguration of Igbo Traders Association (ITA), initiated by the Ohanaeze Youths Council’s (OYC’s) President, Chief Chinedu Arthur-Ugwa, at the Police Officers’ Mess in Yenagoa.

    Amba, represented by spokesman Asinim Butswat hailed the Igbo for their peaceful disposition.

    The police boss enjoined them to expose criminals by reporting suspicious persons.

    Noting that the state’s economy, besides oil and gas, revolved round the Igbo, Amba said they would never be neglected.

    He said the police were investigating complaints of burglary, stealing and other problems in markets and shops.

    Amba said: “Bayelsa State has been enjoying the cooperation of the Igbo community. Of ethnic groups not from Bayelsa, the Igbo form the majority. The population of the Igbo, most especially in Yenagoa, is a thing of concern to us.

    “The economy of Bayelsa State, besides oil, revolves round the Igbo. The complaints we receive about burglary, stealing, problems in markets and shops are being investigated. We cannot underrate the importance of the Igbo community in Bayelsa State.

    “We are enjoying your cooperation and looking forward to more of it. I remember that there are a few bad ones among the Igbo trying to paint them black in this town as a result of one incident at Biogbolo in Yenagoa.

    “I also remember how the Igbo supported the command in investigations.

    “We are looking forward to the areas of partnership, most especially in security. Although there are a few bad eggs among the Igbo, we will not allow them to cause problem in the state. Please, be bold to reveal the identities of the bad ones among you.

    “If somebody wants to threaten you in the course of doing business or some people who you feel may want to take advantage of your hospitality to intimidate you, be bold enough to inform the command so that we will take action.”

    The Chairman of ITA, Mr. Paul Odurukwe, said the Igbo believed that to succeed in business, they must respect the culture and tradition of their host communities.

    He advised the Igbo to love their hosts in the interest of peace, security and harmony.

    Odurukwe said: “For you to succeed in that business, you must remember that wherever you are is your home and you must respect the culture and tradition of the people. You must show love to your neighbours.

    “When you hate people, you will not learn their languages. Wherever you are, love the people you are staying with. If you love the people, your business will thrive.”