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Tag: Rivers news

  • Two teen brothers drown while rescuing flood victim in Rivers

    Two teen brothers drown while rescuing flood victim in Rivers

    …speaker donates N2million

    Tragedy struck in Eligbolo, Obio Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, as two teenage brothers, Miracle Peter, 17, and Emma Peter, 16, were swept away by floodwaters while attempting to rescue someone trapped in the flood.

    The victims, identified as sons of 35-year-old Onyinyechi Peter, reportedly lost their lives during the heroic act.

    A source who spoke in confidence said, “On their way back, Emma’s slippers slipped off, and as they tried to retrieve them, the strong currents swept them away.”

    It was gathered that the body of one of the boys was recovered on Sunday morning around the Eliozu Bridge.

    Their mother, Mrs. Peter, whose home was submerged by the flood, was said to be temporarily staying with a neighbour. Witnesses said she lamented that people saw her sons struggling in the water but could not save them due to the force of the current.

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    Residents blamed the tragedy on an overflowing canal along G.U. Ake Road, which has been responsible for repeated flooding in the area.

    When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident, describing it as “regrettable and pathetic.”

    “I sympathize with the family of the victims. Investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident,” she stated.

  • Expatriate, others missing in Rivers as vehicle fleeing from kidnappers plunges into river

    Expatriate, others missing in Rivers as vehicle fleeing from kidnappers plunges into river

    Tragedy struck on Monday night along the Eleme axis of the East-West Road when a vehicle attempting to flee from suspected armed kidnappers plunged into the Okulu River.

    Reports indicated that the driver of a Toyota Hilux van, carrying an expatriate and other workers from an undisclosed company, lost control of the vehicle. It skidded off the Eleme Bridge and fell into the river.

    Sources said that the vehicle and its occupants could still be submerged in the water, with government and security personnel working urgently to locate them.

    On Tuesday morning, the Chairman of Eleme Local Government Area, Brain Gokpa, led a rescue team to the scene. 

    He has reportedly contacted the navy and other rescue agencies to aid in retrieving the van and its occupants.

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    Professional divers and marine police have been deployed to assist in the ongoing operation.

    “But neither the car nor its occupants had been found, the efforts of divers as at 11am on Tuesday”, said a local source, who spoke in confidence.

     The new Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olugbenga Adepoju, reportedly arrived the and commended Gokpa for his immediate response.

    Gokpa promised to empower more personnel to aid in the rescue efforts and apprehend those responsible for the attack.

    It was gathered that the bridges in the area had become  vulnerable following the activities of vandals, who removed their railings .

    Locals also reported of previous attempts by armed hoodlums to kidnap unsuspecting victims on the bridge using the river as an escape route.

  • Navy neutralises one oil thief, arrests two others in Rivers

    Navy neutralises one oil thief, arrests two others in Rivers

    The Nigerian Navy Quick Response Team of the Forward Operating Base BONNY has killed one suspected oil thief during a fire-fight in their hideouts at Elem-Akrakama and Elem-Tombia of Rivers State.

    The team also arrested two suspects during an encounter on Sunday, July 21.

    Navy’s spokesperson, Commodore Aiwuyor Aliu-Adams, announced this in a statement on Tuesday, July 2 3.

    He said: “The suspects who were armed onboard two speedboats diverted and fled into their camp with the Nigerian Navy personnel in pursuit.

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    “The Nigerian Navy team deployed drone surveillance for situational awareness and effective fires forcing the suspects to retreat into the surrounding creeks.

    “The operation resulted in a decisive victory as the criminals’ camp and boats were successfully destroyed.

    “Additionally, one suspect was neutralized while two suspects were arrested and are currently undergoing investigation.”

    The Navy’s spokesperson said items recovered from the suspect during the operation include two outboard engines – 200 and 140 Horse Power and two Motorola walkie-talkie radios, amongst others.

  • BREAKING: Four more Rivers commissioners resign

    BREAKING: Four more Rivers commissioners resign

    The political crisis currently rocking Rivers State has assumed another dimension as four more commissioners resigned from their positions in the state executive council.

    The Commissioner for Works, George-Kelly Alabo, and his counterpart from the Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Inime Chinwenwo-Aguma, tendered their resignation letters on Thursday.

    The letter, dated December 14, was addressed to the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, through the Secretary to the State Government.

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    Alabo and Chinwenwo-Aguma’s resignations came hours after the state Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Prof Zacchaeus Adangor, resigned from his position.

    Also, the Commissioner for Special Duties, Emeka Woke, and Commissioner of Finance, Isaac Kamalu have resigned from Fubara’s cabinet.

    Those who have resigned so far are said to be strong allies of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Wike.