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Tag: Ikot Abasi

  • Army donate equipment to hospital in Akwa Ibom

    As part of activities marking the end of Operation Crocodile Smile 111, the 2 Brigade of the Nigerian Army has donated equipment to the General Hospital, Ikot Abasi in Akwa Ibom.

    The equipment are hospital beds, mattresses, rolling chair, cylinders with oxygen and consumables among others.

    Presenting the equipment to the management of the hospital in Ikot Abasi on Thursday, the Commander, 2 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. Abdu Hassan said the action was to give back to the community.

    Hassan said that Operation crocodile smile 111 was to reach out to the host community to ensure the success of the exercise.

    The commander said since the Operation was officially launched in 2016, it had been able to flush out criminals and other bad elements operating within the Niger Delta region.

    He said that the military would continue to collaborate with the civil society in the discharge of their constitutional duties, noting that the collaboration been a huge success.

    “As part of activities marking the end of Operation Crocodile Smile 2018, and as part of our civil military responsibility, we deem it fit to come here so that we can give back to this community.

    “The need for us to collaborate with our host community cannot be overemphasised.

    Read Also: Army offers free medical treatment in Kaduna

    “We have chosen Ikot Abasi because we have been operating here for the past three weeks, having been around this community, we realised that this hospital lacks some equipment.

    “So we decided to donate some of these equipment to this hospital as part of our civil-military relationship,” Hassan said.

    In his remarks, the Chairman, Akwa Ibom Hospital Management Board, Dr David Umoh, said that the action of the military had endeared them to the people.

    Umoh commended the military, adding that programme like that would cement military-civil relationship across communities of operations.

    According to him, the more the people and communities connect and provide information to the military on crimes and criminal elements, the better for the society.

    “On behalf of the government of Akwa Ibom, I want to welcome you to the sunny beautiful city of Ikot Abasi.

    “I want to thank the military, one more time, because if they did not think it through, we will not be here today.

    “I want to assure you that on our own part, we shall put these equipment to use for the interest of all our patients. Thank you very much for the donation,” he said.

    The Village Head Ikot Obong in Ikot Abasi, Chief Obong Etukeren, on behalf of his people, also thanked the Army for remembering the community.

    He said,  “The equipment is going to affect the community positively and we are very happy about it.

    “We are very grateful to the Nigerian Army for what they donated to this hospital for the benefit of this community.”

    NAN

  • Navy shuts illegal maritime academy

    The Nigerian Navy Ship Jubilee, Ikot Abasi, has shut an illegal maritime institution, Merchant Seaman Academy, at Uwa West in Essien Udim Local Government of Akwa Ibom State.

    The proprietor, Mr. Adams Pius and three of the instructors were arrested and handed over to the Ikot Ekpene Division of the Nigeria Police.

    The operation, led by the Executive Officer, Naval Ship, NNS Jubilee, Captain Suleiman Ibrahim, resulted in the evacuation of students by a team of Police and Navy for repatriation to their states.

    The Nation learnt that the institution was sealed off in 2013, but surreptitiously resumed operation in 2016, until it was shut last Friday.

    The proprietor, according to findings by the Navy, connived with suspected syndicates at the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

    The suspected syndicates allegedly sent text messages to the unsuspecting admission seekers, saying they had been admitted into the illegal  maritime academy.

    According to Captain Ibrahim, Navy received intelligence information that the institution had begun operation, following which the school was raided and shut down .

    “In 2013, the then President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan outlawed the institution, which claimed it was training merchant sailors, because it does not have the capacity to embark on this kind of training. So, it was shut. When we got intelligence information about the existence of this place sometime ago, we raided the place and the institution was temporarily closed.

    “This year, we received intelligence information that the same school has resumed training young Nigerians in maritime studies despite that there is no authority for them to do so. That led to our raiding the place and shutting it down again.”

     

     

  • Security chiefs move to end sea piracy in A’Ibom waterways

    Security chiefs move to end sea piracy in A’Ibom waterways

    Incessant attacks on waterways, Youth restiveness, cultism as well as terrorism and how to end the upsurge in crime were the resolution and action point during the meeting with all the security agencies in Akwa Ibom Wednesday.

    The security summit which was an interactive session between security agencies and local government chairmen across the 31 local council areas in the state reviewed security situation in each council area.

    Stakeholders brainstormed on how to stem the tide of terrorism, cultism and youth restiveness in the state.

    The security meeting further analysed security issues in some volatile council areas of Akwa Ibom State with particular attention to Ukanafun, Etim Ekpo, Ika and other coastal areas such as Ibeno, Esit Eket, Ikot Abasi and Eastern Obolo.

    Cases of pirate encroachment from neighboring riverine states which frustrates activities of fishermen and oil companies operating in the areas were also discussed.

    Security chiefs and council chairman also deliberated on the worrisome security situation in Ukanfun, Etim Ekpo and Ika council areas where terrorists hold sway for about two years and vowed to change the narratives in the months ahead.

    In an interview after the security meeting, the Akwa Ibom Commissioner of Police Adeyemi Ofuseyimi said the security session had resolved with council chairmen to harness youth potentials in their various council across as a panacea to cultism and youth restiveness.

    He said when the local governments who are closer to the youths were able to engage the youths with meaningful skill, youth would become useful citizen and contribute their quota to the society.

    The Police Boss observed that when youths were idle; they were compelled to belong to cult groups to occupy their mind and time and encouraged the council chairmen to engage youths positively to the benefit of the society.

    Read Also: Anti-Piracy law ‘ll boost maritime security, says Defence Minister

  • Navy arrests two men with illegally refined diesel

    Navy arrests two men with illegally refined diesel

    The Nigerian Navy in Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom state, says it has handed over two young men to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) arrested for illegal possession of refined diesel.

    Commander of NNS Jubilee Ikot Abasi, Saidu Suleiman Garba said Anthony Usoro 40 and Uyobong Emmanuel 34 were caught with a vehicle loaded with illegally refined petroleum product.

    Garba said the suspects were arrested while conveying 20 cellophane bags containing about one and half drums of a product suspected to be illegally refined diesel from Port Harcourt, Rivers State to sell in Akwa Ibom State.

    Handing the suspects over to the NSCDC yesterday Cdre Saidu Suleiman Garba, Commander NNS Jubilee, represented by Commander Murtala Yunusa said Usoro and Emmanuel were arrested last Sunday by Op Thunder along Oruk Anam axis of Aqua Ibom State with 20 cellophane bags of products suspected to be illegally refined diesel.

    He said, “The cellophane bags were stacked in the boot of a black Honda Legend Salon car with registration number DB 724 PH and covered with cartons of Indomie noodles The Nigerian Navy recognises the jurisdiction and constitutional role of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

    “Therefore I request you to take over the accused persons and the vehicle loaded with 20 cellophane bags of the product suspected to be illegally refined diesel for further investigation and prosecution. The tempo will continue until we rid our society of this illegality”

    Taking over the suspects, the NSCDC represented by Inspector Abel Ojimba thanked the Nigerian Navy for partnering them and for the effort simply adding, “We to advise people to desist from this form of criminality”

    The suspects In their defence, admitted to committing the crime though they said it was their first time to be involved in the illegal business.

    Uyobong Emmanuel, an indigene of Ukanafun Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State said both of them planned to go into the business to be able to have some money in their pockets.

    “We have not been doing it before. I am running taxi for some body in Port Harcourt. I was supposed to go for a church programme at Abak in Akwa Ibom but I did not have any money in my pocket and I said let me use the opportunity to do this business so that I can have little money that will help me go for the church programme.

    “I met with my friend Anthony who was also looking for money to go and see his sick father. Both of us agreed to do the business together so that when we sell it we share the profit. We even bought the product on credit to repay after sales”, Emmanuel said.

    Similarly Anthony Usoro a native of Ikot Abasi Local Government Area said he decided to do the because he needed money to buy drugs for his sick father who had called form the village complaining about his severe ailment.

    “I am not into the business it is because I came to see my sick dad that is how when he (Emmanuel) approached me I agreed And we had agreement that when we sell the diesel we share the profit equally.

    “I know Emmanuel very well as a friend and taxi driver but not as a dealer in this business, so this is the first time both of us are
    doing this. I am a driver to a lawyer in Port Harcourt and he owned the car that we were arrested with but he doesn’t know I used his vehicle to do this business. He does not even know that I am here” he said.

  • Ibom Power moves to light up Ikot Abasi

    The Chairman of Ibom Power Company Limited, Etido Inyang, has  assured the people of Ikot Abasi that there will soon be light everywhere in their town.

    Speaking during a visit of Ibom Power Board of Directors to the Paramount Ruler of Ikot Abasi, Edidem Udo Joe Ntuk Obom xii, Inyang said a study had been conducted to ensure dedicated power supply from Ibom Power Plant to Ikot Abasi before the end of the year.  He said part of the plan was that whenever Ibom power units were on, Ikot Abasi would have power supply.

    The Chairman said agitation from Ikpa Nung Assang and Ukpum Ete communities over non-payment of compensation stalled the progress of the Federal Government’s  project under the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) and Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) from Ikot Abasi to Ikot Ekpene.

    Inyang pleaded with Ikpa Nung Assang and Ukpum Ete communities to cooperate with the Federal Government’s contractors to ensure that the projects were completed for evacuation of power from the 500Megawatts Phase 2 of Ibom Power Plant. He said once Ibom Power Phase 2 and GE Fast-Track power projects were completed, Ikot Abasi would become a power hub.

    The monarch lauded the board for identifying with Ikot Abasi Stakeholders. He appealed to the communities to cooperate with Ibom Power and the Federal Government towards the completion of the projects.

  • NDV announces presence in Akwa Ibom

    NDV announces presence in Akwa Ibom

    …claims responsibility for attack on NNPC gas Pipelines

    …vows to shut down major oil platforms, flowlines

     

    A new Militant Group, Niger Delta Volunteers, NDV, yesterday announced its presence in Akwa Ibom State.

    The group in a statement signed by its spokesman, Commander Ekpo Ekpo, claimed responsibility for last week’s attack on gas pipeline belonging to NNPC/NGC supplying gas to ALSCON, Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State.

    The pipeline was attacked last Thursday but the Akwa Ibom State Government and the State’s Commissioner of Police, Murtala Mani claimed it was a leakage.

    NDV said its professionals attacked the pipeline at exactly 11:45am last Thursday to welcome President Muhammadu Buhari who was due in the country that same day.

    The group said the ongoing dialogue between the Federal Government and the Niger Delta militants should be extended to Akwa Ibom state otherwise it would shut down some major platforms and flowlines in the state.

    They also vowed to move after some ‘selfish’ Paramount Rulers in the State who connive with oil companies to ‘siphon’ money meant for community development.

    NDV said it would soon unveil its website, twitter and facebook account.

    The statement from the group reads: “We the Niger Delta Volunteers has condemn the recent claim by Akwa Ibom State government that the attack on NNPC gas line was leakage.

    “The gas pipeline belonging to NNPC/NGC supplying gas to ALSCON, Ikot Abasi, was attacked by our professional at exactly 11:45am on Thursday 16th June, 2016 as a welcome to the Mr. President which was due in the country that Thursday to record our grievances and announce the presence of the Niger Delta Volunteers in Akwa Ibom state to fight injustice, marginalization and oppression for the common people.

    “It is very sad that the Governor we work and deliver can deceive the whole world that the attack was leakage even the community around that axis can testify that it was explosion and not leakage as claim.

    “It is not surprise because the government is full of deceit and we urge the state government and his entire cabinet to deliver dividend of democracy to the people than deceiving them.

    “We are so shock that Akwa Ibom State government crying that there is money to pay salary can pay over seven pages on The Nation newspaper of Monday June 20, 2016 from pages 33 – 39 which worth millions of naira just to deceive the whole country on project not in existence.

    “We demand that the ongoing dialogue between the Federal Government and the Niger Delta militants should be extended to Akwa Ibom state otherwise we would shut down some major platforms and flowlines in our state.

    “Very soon we will move after some selfish Paramount Rulers in the State who connive with oil companies to siphon money meant for community development, enough is enough.

    “Soon we will unveil our website, twitter and facebook.”

    Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police, Murtala Mani, had told some newsmen that the rumored bomb attack was not a militant attack.

    But a highly placed source at the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Jubilee in Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State, who pleaded anonymity, confirmed the attack on the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) pipeline.

    The source said: “Yes there was an attack on the pipeline. The pipeline is between Akwa Ibom and Rivers states boundary along Ikot Abasi – Port Harcourt road.

    “Right now engineers from NNPC, Port Harcourt are there working on the pipelines. Our officers and other security agencies are also there too.”

    But the Police boss said what happened was a technical problem and that some engineers from Port Harcourt, Rivers state were currently working to rectify the leakage of gas from the pipeline.

    CP Mani said that the Akwa Ibom state was safe from the activities of the militant group.

    Also, the Akwa Ibom State Government had debunked rumours of pipeline bombing in Ikot Osute, Oruk Anam local government area, even as it calls for calm among citizens who may have been troubled by the purported development.

    Reacting to the rumours after a visit to the site, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr. Aniekan Umanah said: “there is no iota of truth in the claims making rounds in the social media”, stating that what happened was an eruption occasioned by leakage in the old pipeline of the Nigerian Gas Company, NGC, which traversed the area.

    “No pipeline has been bombed in Akwa Ibom State those peddling such rumours are ignorant of the true situation in the affected area.

    “As at Thursday morning, when security operatives and officials of the State government visited Ikot Osute, the state Ministry of Environment, NGC personnel and other gas companies operating the area were on site, working round the clock to ensure safety in the area.”

    Mr. Umanah enjoined Akwa Ibom people and indeed Nigerians to remain calm and go about their businesses as government was committed to protecting lives and property of all citizens in the State.

    He assured that security agents have cordoned off the area to forestall against any eventuality