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Tag: Delta

  • Road traffic crashes claim 36 lives in Edo, Delta, Anambra

    No fewer than 36 persons were reported dead in road traffic crashes in Edo, Delta and Anambra between January and March this year, according to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

    Mr Kehinde Adeleye, FRSC Commanding Officer for the Zone 5 comprising the three states, said yesterday  Benin that the figure was against the 34 deaths recorded within the same period in 2018.

    Adeleye spoke at the second quarter zonal retreat for commanding officers, zonal heads of departments and units.

    Read Also: Insecurity: No sacred cows in Anambra – Obiano

    He said that within the same period, 57 road crashes were recorded against 47 in 2018, while 170 persons were involved against the 173 recorded in 2018 in the same period.

    He stressed that the retreat was a capacity building programme targeted at commanding officers in the zone in view of the increase in road crashes and fatalities in the first quarter.

    He said it was, therefore, necessary to put heads together and come up with new initiatives to ensure that the major goal and objective of the “Decade of Action on Road Safety” was achieved.

    He explained that the FRSC had less than one year to achieve the basic objectives of the Decade of Action on Road Safety, adding, “there was the need for personnel in the zone to work hard and smart to achieve the goals.”

    Mr Ben Anafa, FRSC Corps Commandant, Monitoring and Evaluation, delivered a paper titled “An Overview of Assessment Criteria for 2019 as Aligned with 2019 FRSC corporate strategy Goals”.

  • Dep Senate President: Delta, Edo APC in Diaspora endorse Omo-Agege

    As the 9th Senate Assembly moves towards electing new officers to pilot the affairs of the Red Chamber, members of the All Progressive Congress in Delta, Edo in Diaspora have endorsed Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege for the position of the Deputy Senate President.

    They have also appealed to the leadership of the party to do the needful and present Barr. Ovie Omo-Agege as consensus candidate for the Deputy Senate President since the party has, in its wisdom, zoned the position to South-south region.

    In a statement by the Delta, Edo states Coordinators, APC in Diaspora, Princely Ovakpo, representing Urhobo, Anioma, ljaws, and others and Nosa Obaobowha, representing the Binis, Ishan, Akoko-Edo, Ugbogi and others, said supporting Omo-Agege will enhance robust relationship between the legislature and the executive.

    They said, “APC should look beyond the ordinary and allow a fearless and articulated lawmaker who knows the workings of the legislative business and won’t concede to opposition be given a responsibility such as the Deputy Senate President and not someone who can’t defend his party.

    “So, we are calling on Mr. President and the party leadership to grant their request by ensuring Omo-Agege is given the opportunity to serve as the Deputy Senate President for a peaceful and sustainable leadership. This is our request after the victory of our leader, President Buhari.

    “Omo-Agege has been tested and confirmed as one of the loyalists of the President-Elect, so nominating such a person to work with the Senate President, the president can go and sleep with his two eyes closed considering how he has fought severally to defend the pre-election electoral law.

    “We have no doubt that if he is given the privilege to serve, he will build a bridge between the legislature and the executive with a robust relationship that will bring in rapid development across the country, hence there is this call on the party leadership to give him the room to serve.

    “We quite know that making him the Deputy Senate President, militancy will be a thing of the past; having a Niger-Deltan, Omo-Agege there will ensure their activities are brought to the barest minimum since the Deputy Senate President is one of their own,” they said.

     

  • 2019 elections: Delta commends Nigerian Army for professional conducts

    The Delta state government has lauded the Nigerian Army for the professional comportment of its officers and men during the just concluded general elections.

    Acting Delta state governor, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro, who gave the commendation on Wednesday while hosting the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Yusuf Buratai, and other senior officers of the Nigerian Army who paid the state government a courtesy visit, also said the state would continue to partner with army to sustain peace and security in the state.

    The COAS had visited the state to pay condolence visits to all stakeholders in the burial programme of former Chief of Army Staff and military governor of defunct Mid-West state, late Gen. David Ejoor.

    According to the acting governor, the elections in Delta state, particularly, were peaceful and without much drama because of the discipline and professional outlook the men of the Nigerian Army assumed during the exercise, saying “we want to express satisfaction at the level of professionalism that your men exhibited during the last election. It was commendable”.

    He, however, assured the army that the state government would continue to partner with the institution to ensure peace and security in all parts of the state, adding “we take the issue security serious and so we consider our relationship and partnership with the Nigerian Army very seriously”.

    Speaking on the reason for the visit, Lt. Gen. Buratai, who had earlier paid condolence visits to the palaces of the Olu of Warri and that of the Ohworode of Olomu in Warri South and Ughelli South council areas respectively, as well as to the immediate family of the departed former army in his country home in Ovwor Olomu, said the death of General Ejoor was a loss, not just to Delta state, but to the Nigerian Army and Nigeria as a nation.

    Buratai, while speaking during his visit to the Olu of Warri, His Majesty, Ogiame Ikenwoli, had said the army was planning to give a befitting burial to the departed General through a joint planning with the Delta and Edo state governments.

    Buratai said the Nigerian Army had constituted a burial committee that would interface with both state governments and the family to ensure a successful and befitting burial for the late former COAS.

    “The Nigerian Army has set up a burial committee and we are looking forward to having a befitting burial for late Maj-Gen. Ejoor in conjunction with the Edo and Delta governments. Late Maj- Gen. Ejoor was a professional soldier, loyal and contributed to the development of the country. He served Nigeria diligently,” he said.

    READ ALSO: Army partners Edo, Delta on Ejoor’s burial

    In his response, the Olu of Warri thanked the Army Chief for the visit and the role of the military in ensuring peace in the entire Niger Delta region and Nigeria in general.

    “There is peace in the country. I appeal that you do not relent in your effort at sustaining the peace. Your officers have been so wonderful, you can establish Brigades in some areas around the riverine where there are government facilities to provide more military presence.

    “We held Ejoor at a very high esteem, he stood by us anytime we had challenges, he was important to us. Thank you for coming to condole with us and his family,” the monarch said.

    Also receiving the COAS and his entourage at his palace, the Ohworode of Olomu kingdom, HRM Ovie Ogbon Ogoni Oghoro, thanked the army chief for the condolence visit to both the deceased family and Olomu kingdom.

    “Your coming at this time of grief is highly appreciated. Thank you for deeming it fit to visit the home of my departed son Ejoor at Ovwor in Olomu kingdom.

    “We are proud of Ejoor. As a military governor of the defunct Mid-Western State, Ejoor fought for the unity of Nigeria even when people were agitating for division. There was no case of corruption preferred against him till his demise,” the centenarian monarch said.

    Among the COAS entourage were: Maj-Gen Jamil Sarham, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) the 6 Division, Port Harcourt; the Commander, Sector 1 of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), Col. Baba Manu, among others.

  • Suspected herdsmen kill four in Delta

    Not less than four persons have been reported killed between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning by suspected herdsmen, who invaded some parts of Abraka community, Ethiope East council area of Delta state.

    The Nation gathered that the killer- herdsmen also barred farmers and labourers from gaining access into farmlands.

    They further took over parts of the community with their herds of cow, leaving many injured.

    According to community sources, among the four persons who had lost their lives to the invading herdsmen, was one Kennedy Ukuanovwe.

    Ukuanovwe, a father of seven and native of Urhuovie Quarters of Abraka, was reportedly attacked by the invaders along the Abraka-Benin Road while riding his motorcycle around the area.

    He was reportedly shot and cut into pieces.

    Read Also: Herdsmen attacks: security personnel deployed in Anambra community

    The other three casualties, who could not be identified yet as at the time of filing this report, included a woman, a soldier and one other male.

    All of them were reportedly killed by the rampaging herdsmen at different locations in the community on Wednesday morning.

    A community source, who spoke to The Nation on the development, said: “It was only Kennedy (Ukuanovwe), who was killed on Tuesday night that has been identified.

    “The other three dead people have not been identified in person yet. The other three were killed by herdsmen this morning (Wednesday)”.

    Policemen and other security operatives were seen patrolling the town, which is host to the main campus of the Delta State University (DELSU) and hometown of the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in last month’s elections, Chief Great Ogboru.

    Contacted, the Delta state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adeyinka Adeleke, said: “The problem is it is not only one person that died. We saw corpses.

    “Other persons also died but we don’t know who actually killed them. Our men are still in the bush. When they come out, they will be able to give details.”

  • NOSDRA fines oil firm for spillage

    The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency has fined the Python Engineering Company Ltd the sum of N260m for oil spillages caused by its vessel, MV Celine.

    NOSDRA sanctioned the oil company for spilling an estimated 250 barrels of AGO and two drums of lubricating oil which occurred at Escraves Breakwater, Delta State on April 19, 2018.

    READ ALSO: Aiteo: We didn’t hinder NOSDRA from investigating fire site

    Additional violations include failure to carry out the Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) as required by the Oil Spill Recovery, Cleanup, Remediation, and Damage Assessment Regulations and failure to clean up the spills as required by section 6 (3) of the 2006 NOSDRA Act.

    The Director General of NOSDRA, Mr. Peter Idabor, in a notification letter, directed Python to pay to the agency the N130m each within twenty-one days for the AGO and the lubricating oil releases as sanctions for violating Sections 6 (2) of the NOSDRA Act of 2006.

    NOSDRA also required the violating company to provide logistics within three days for a damage assessment visit as required by the Agency rules and regulations.

  • Ex-Director docked for alleged child theft in Delta

    A retired Director, (name withheld), Ministry of Women Affairs and Community Development has been arraigned for alleged child theft in Delta state.

    The director, who retired from the Department of Child, Asaba was arrested after security agents acting on a petition swooped on a couple who implicated him.

    Delta Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Peter Mrakpor who made this known Wednesday during the maiden media briefing of the Task Force on Anti-Human Trafficking and Illegal Migration in Asaba.

    Mrakpor who doubles as the taskforce head, said the 17 member Taskforce is saddled with the responsibility of checking human trafficking and Illegal migration.

    He said the issue of prostitution surrounds the issue of oath taking among victims by their sponsors, adding that Delta State is top among States with the highest number of illegal migrants.

    He identified three categories in the illicit trade to include Nigerians who after being denied visa overseas, attempt crossing the Mediterranean Sea.

    According to him, the other group includes young females lured abroad with promises of a good life, but belong to a syndicate engaged in trafficking young girls for prostitution.

    He said the third group includes young girls or boys used as domestic help often extorted by an agent.

    Mrakpor solicited support from the media, stressing that such collaboration was important to adequately sensitise Deltans.

    READ ALSO: Child theft: Daycare owners trained in child management

    He urged the media to assist in changing the orientation of prospective victims, adding that the Taskforce will also consider the use of town criers in the dissemination of information regarding illegal migration.

    He lamented that some of returnees are uninterested in government rehabilitation programmes, adding that shortly after release from government custody the victims embark on another journey abroad.

    Mrakpor disclosed that three rehabilitation centres are being proposed for the three senatorial zones to ensure that returnees are properly rehabilitated.

    On the case of the arrested serial child trafficker “Madam Cash”, the taskforce chairman said the suspect was in prison custody after the state amended charges against her to include kidnapping.

    His words, “Madam Cash, the serial child trafficker is at Ogwashi-Uku Prison. Trial is on. Initially, she was charged for child stealing which is a bailable offence; she abused her bail conditions after going back to child stealing. The state amended the charge against her to kidnapping after her re-arrest.”

  • 65 prisoners regain freedom in Delta

    The Presidential Committee on Prisons Reform and Decongestion has secured the release of 65 prisoners in Delta.

    The Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS), Delta Command made the disclosure in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Asaba.

    The statement signed by the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP. Uche Mgbakor, said that the committee was led by Justice I.U. Bello, the Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    It stated that Bello was accompanied on the tour by the Deputy Controller General of the NPS, Abubakar Garuba.
    “The committee while reviewing the cases of the inmates decided to secure the release of some of the inmates.

    “The affected inmates were released on the conditions of ill health, old age and payment of fines,’’ the statement said.
    It quoted Bello as saying that the unconditional release of the inmates was necessary as a means to decongest the prisons in the state.

    A breakdown of the inmates released from the various prisons across the state are as follows: Warri Prison – 13 inmates; Sapele Prison – 15 inmates; Kwale Prison – 8 inmates; Agbor Prison – 18 inmates; Ogwashi-uku Prison – 10 inmates.

    It further said the Delta Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Peter Mrakpor and a representative of the state Chief Judge (CJ), Justice Marshal Umukoro, were present at the committee’s sitting.

    “The Delta Controller of Prisons, Mr Sam Iyakoregha wishes to express his appreciation to the committee and government.

    “It is our belief that this good gesture will go a long way in decongesting prisons in the state,’’ the statement added.

  • Delta proud of football fest –Ebie

    The Government of Delta State is proud of the recent football fest in which the state hosted three international matches within five days.

    Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Chiedu Ebie, told journalists that the ‘football fest’ had justified the position of Delta as the leading state in sports.

    Ebie said: “Our governor is passionate about sports and that is why we could do this effortlessly. It is good for the state because we have shown that we are good enough to stage international sports events. The Stephen Keshi Stadium hosted athletics last year without a problem and now three big football matches within five days. We are so proud of this.

    Read also: Success sparks revolution in Delta education sector

    “Next week, we will also host the final of the Principals’ Cup for secondary schools, which is a developmental event. At the last two editions of the National Sports Festival, our athletes emerge overall first on the medals table and these are enough to exhibit our strength in sports.”

    Ebie added that it was the wish of Governor Okowa to see Delta athletes, especially footballers dominate various cadres of the national teams in the nearest future.

    The Super Eagles took on Seychelles at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba on March 22 and after recording a 3-1 win, the U-23 team also engaged Libya in an AFCON qualifier for that cadre on March 25.

  • Police arrest two over kidnap of five-year-old in Warri

    The Nigeria Police Force said it has arrested two suspects for their alleged involvement in the kidnap of a five-year-old girl.

    The Suspects are Abdullahi Abubakar ‘m’ 30yrs and his mother, Mrs Jummai Salihu 62yrs old, both of Bukan-Kwatu, Lafia, Nasarawa State.

    Abubakar who is said to be well-known to the family of the victim kidnapped the girl under the pretext of helping her to cross the road.

    The girl, Aisha Ibrahim was kidnapped on 16th March 2019 at Ibudu 1 Area of Warri, Delta State.

    Abubakar abducted her and took her from Warri to Lafia, Nasarawa State where he kept her with his mother while he contacted the parents of the victim for ransom.

    Details of how the arrest was made is contained in a statement in Abuja on Monday by the Force Spokesman, ACP Frank Mba.

    It reads: “On receipt of the information, Police detectives from the Force Headquarters, Abuja, acting on the directives of the Inspector General of Police, Ag. IGP Mohammed Adamu swung into action which led to the arrest of the suspects and rescue of the victim.

    “The two suspects are Abdullahi Abubakar ‘m’ 30yrs and his mother, Mrs Jummai Salihu 62yrs old, both of Bukan-Kwatu, Lafia, Nasarawa State. Abdullahi Abubakar the principal suspect, who is well-known to the family of the victim, under the pretext of helping the victim to cross the road, abducted her and took her from Warri, Delta State to Lafia, Nasarawa State where he kept her with his mother (second suspect) while he contacted the parents of the victim for ransom.”

    The Police said the suspects have made useful statements to the Police on the roles they played in the kidnap adding that efforts are ongoing to apprehend other suspects, particularly one Inusah Ibrahim ‘m’ 58yrs of No.7 UCC Road, Hausa Quarters, Warri, Delta State, connected to the crime.

    Meanwhile, the IGP has observed that parents and guardians should be aware that most criminal harms done to children, including child stealing, child trafficking, rape, defilement, abduction, and kidnap are usually carried out by persons they are familiar with.

    He advised Parents and Guardians to pay close attention to their children and wards especially on their movements to and fro school in order to prevent any untoward situation that might endanger or bring the children to harm’s way.

  • Delta Assembly passes FoI bill

    The Delta State House of Assembly has passed the State Freedom of Information Bill.

    The Bill is for a law to make public records and information freely available, provide for public access to public records and information.

    It is also meant to protect public records and information to the extent that is consistent with public interest and the protection of personal privacy; protect serving public officers from adverse consequences of disclosing certain kinds of official information without authorisation and establish procedures for achievement of these purposes and related matters.

    The Bill’s passage followed the consideration of the report of the Joint House Committee of the whole on the bill titled Delta State Freedom of Information Bill following a motion moved by majority leader Tim Owhefere and seconded by Rueben Izeze.

    Delta Speaker, Sheriff Oborevwori, said that members resolved at the committee of the whole the house should suspend the rules and pass the bill.

    Majority Leader Tim Owhefere thereafter moved separate motions for the house to suspend orders 77, 78 and 79 and take the third reading to enable the house pass the bill.

    The motions were seconded by Samuel Marierie and Kennedy Daubry and adopted through voice vote.