The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Rivers State

  • Rivers’ foremost monarch dies

    The pioneer Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, His Imperial Majesty, Eze Robinson O. Robinson, Eze Ekpeye Logbo II of Ekpeye land in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State is dead.

    In a statement by his son, Prince R.O. Robinson (Jnr.) in Port Harcourt, the state capital, the late monarch joined his Akalaka ancestors of the Great Benin Empire last year.

    The Prince also described the late traditional ruler as one of the longest reigning kings in Rivers State, even as he added that the monarch left behind legacies that are worthy of emulation.

    Funeral activities for the late monarch, a retired Flight Lieutenant, according to the Prince, would commence on May 8, with the body arriving at the Garden City and moved to his Palace Guest House in the Government Reservation Area (GRA), Port Harcourt.

    On May 9, there will be valedictory session at the Port Harcourt secretariat of Rivers Council of Traditional Rulers, while on May 10; the body will leave for Ekpeye House for another valedictory session, after which there be night of remembrance/Christian wake at Odiereke-Ubie in Ahoada West Local Government Area.

    On May 11, there will be funeral service/celebration of life at his palace in Odiereke-Ubie, while there will be thanksgiving services on May 12. The traditional burial rites will begin on May 13.

  • Police in Rivers rescue four abducted NEMA workers

    The Police in Rivers State say they have secured the unconditional release of four abducted staffers of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

    DSP Nnamdi Omoni, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Command in the state, made this known in a statement on Wednesday.

    Omoni said that the four staffers, who were abducted on April 24 on the East/West Road, were debriefed and released to their families after they were rescued.

    He said that operatives of the Police Anti-Kidnapping Unit rescued the victims in a sting operation on Monday at about 0015hrs.

    The PPRO said that in another development, operatives of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Monitoring Unit in Aluu Ikwerre Local Government Area (LGA) of the state, on Tuesday raided a kidnapping camp at Ozuoba.

    “The hoodlums on sighting the police, engaged them in a gun battle and in a return fire, fatally wounded one Stephen Matthew ‘m’ aka ‘Wenekanma’ a notorious armed robber/cultist and the gang leader of Dey-gbam group.

    “He has been terrorising Alakahia and Choba Communities Obio/Akpor LGA and killed one Ibe Chima, ‘m’ in Alakahia, in a recent attack.

    “Manhunt has been declared for his fleeing members,” he said.

    According to Omoni, the IGP Monitoring Unit, in a similar operation at Eleme LGA on Monday, stormed a camp at Agboncha sand field forest belonging to a notorious kidnapping kingpin, Amebe.

    Read Also: 2 foreign oil workers, Nigerian kidnapped in Rivers

    “On arrival, Amebe was greeted with severe gunfire resulting in his death, while two others were arrested.

    “Exhibit recovered included, one Pump Action Gun and five live cartridges and some expended ones,” he added.

    Omoni stated that the war against banditry in Rivers was still on and the police command would stop at nothing until the practice was stopped.

    He urged the public to remain calm and to continue their normal businesses as the command remained committed ensuring the safety of lives.

    He urged the people to help the police make the state safe and secure.

    “In keeping with our avowed determination to rid the state of all criminal elements and make it habitable for all and sundry, we need the support of everyone,” the PPRO said.

    NAN

     

  • Man docked for killing wife over her sexual demand

    A 46-year-old man has been remanded in prison custody in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, for allegedly murdering his wife in the heat of a quarrel over the victim’s demand for sex.

    A chief magistrate ordered the remanded of the suspect, Ifeanyi Nwokolo, after he reportedly killed his wife, Ijeoma Nwokolo on April 6, because she demanded for sexual pleasure on the fateful while he was preparing for church vigil.

    It was gathered that the couple had lived Rumuigbo area of the city before the fateful, when they fought over the wife’s demand that the man made love to her before leaving the house.

    “We learnt that they had misunderstanding because Mrs. Ijeoma Nwokolo asked her husband to have sex with her on the fateful day, but the man was uncooperative because he said he had to attend church vigil service and could not indulge in the act.

    Read Also: Woman docked for alleged stealing N297,000

    “In the course of the argument, the husband pushed the woman away but he must had pushed her too hard, as she fell and hit her head on the concrete wall in their bathroom,” a usually reliable police source told our reporter.

    Those familiar with the case said when the women fell, the man thinking that his wife was feigning injury, carried and laid her on the bed before leaving for the church vigil.

    “It was later when he met the woman still as he left her on the bed that he raised alarm and went to the police station to report the case. He was arrested and detained.”

    The charge was not read to the suspect when he was arraigned on Monday, because the magistrate court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case.

    The file was sent to the Department of Public Prosecution for advice.

    Magistrate Andrew Jaja ordered that the accused person should be remanded in prison custody, before adjourning the case till June 13,

  • Rivers SDP reaffirms commitment to work with Wike

    The Social Democratic party (SDP) in Rivers State, has reaffirmed the party’s commitment to work with Gov. Nyesom Wike, to restore peace in the state.

    The SDP also pledged its unwavering support to Wike in his efforts to develop and move the state to greater heights.

    Mr. Joshua Worlu, SDP State Party Chairman, disclosed this in a statement after a stakeholders’ meeting held at the party’s office in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

    Read Also: Court declines jurisdiction in Rivers SDP matter

    Worlu said that the party would join hands with the governor to ensure sustainable peace, security and development in the state.

    The Chairman, on behalf of the party in the state, congratulated Wike over his victory at the March 23, Governorship Election.

    Worlu therefore urged all Rivers citizens and stakeholders, to join hands with the government to move the state forward.

    NAN

  • 2 foreign oil workers, Nigerian kidnapped in Rivers

    Two foreign oil workers, Canadian and Scottish, as well as a Nigerian have been kidnapped in Rivers State.

    The victims, who were seized by the gunmen at a rig in Ogbele, are employees of Niger Delta Petroleum Resources (NDPR), an indigenous and independent operator of small to medium-sized oil fields.

    It was gathered on Sunday in Port Harcourt the kidnappers stormed the rig and seized the oil workers in a commando- styled operation, quickly disappearing with them into the forest.

    When contacted, Rivers police Spokesman, Nnamdi Omoni, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said: “I have sketchy report. I promise to get in touch for updates.”

    Read also: Four NEMA staff abducted in Rivers

    But he was yet to get back as at press time on Sunday night.

    Operation Delta Safe’s Major Ibrahim Abubakar, however, confirmed the kidnap.

    Abubakar said: ”At about 8 a.m. on April 27, some gunmen visited the rig belonging to NDPR and carried out the attack and they kidnapped two expatriates.

    ”When we heard of the incident, we mobilised to comb the swamp and bush, but to no avail. We could not arrest the perpetrators.

    ”Efforts have been intensified to rescue the victims and arrest the culprits, but we have also advised the management of NDPR to provide adequate security for their operations.”

  • Cultists, other criminals given 14 days in Rivers to surrender arms

    Cultists and other criminals in Rivers State have been given fourteen days to surrender their arms and other instruments of violence and subjecting themselves to traditional oaths.

    , with compromising monarchs and community leaders to not only be deposed, but treated as accomplices.

    These were contained in a nine-point communiqué by Ogoni leaders from the four Local Government Areas of Khana, Gokana, Tai and Eleme, at the end of a crucial congress at Saakpenwa, the headquarters of Tai LGA.

    The communiqué was signed by a former Chairman of Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, King Godwin Gininwa, who is also the Chairman of Supreme Council of Ogoni Traditional Rulers: the lawmaker representing Rivers Southeast Senatorial District, Senator Magnus Abe; a former President of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), Ledum Mitee; and eight other Ogoni leaders.

    The communique read in part: “Having reviewed the current deteriorating security situation in Ogoniland, we  express profound sadness over and wholeheartedly condemn the spate of killings, cases of cult wars and other criminal activities in parts of Ogoni, especially in Khana LGA, that have created a deep sense of insecurity;

    “We hereby warn all those involved in such activities to put an end to such activities forthwith and surrender their arms and all instruments of violence and subject themselves to traditional oaths in their respective communities within 14 days.

    “At the expiration of the 14 days, any person who fails to abide by the decision should be declared an enemy of the people and treated as such.

    “We resolved that traditional and community leaders, including youth leaders, who harbour these criminals or host their camp or fail to administer the traditional oaths on their subjects or fail to expose the identities of perpetrators of these crimes, would not only be deposed, but treated as accomplices.”

    The Ogoni leaders also disclosed that dedicated telephone numbers would be created and publicised for each LGA for people to send credible, even if anonymous, actionable information on any threat to security in their areas

    They said: “We also resolve to send a high-powered delegation of the Ogoni leadership to urgently meet with the government  to seek necessary support to drive the peace process, and in particular, with a view to setting up a Special Task Force to track down and appropriately deal with any person that further engages in nefarious activities.

    “We further resolve to convene a meeting with all youth leaders and youth groups to get their buy-in and perspectives and thereafter hold another congress in no distant future, to reappraise the situation, as well as addressing other issues affecting our people.

    “We urge all our people to be vigilant and join the new spirit of unity of purpose being ushered into Ogoni and to this end, appeal to our people against making public statements capable of causing disunity.”

    The communique also expressed gratitude to all Ogoni leaders for their show of unity and cooperation in attending the crucial congress to discuss the pressing issues of security of lives and property in Ogoniland, even at very short notice.

     

  • Teenagers remanded for alleged robbery, cultism

    A Chief Magistrates Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has ordered the remand in prison custody of two teenagers, Prince Ikiriko ’19’ and Johnson Chidinma ’19’ for alleged armed robbery.

    The duo and others presently at large allegedly robbed Elder Christian Abbey and Ndubueze Sunday of a sum cash of N23, 000 while armed with guns.

    They also allegedly dispossessed their victims of their phones valued at over N30, 000.

    The suspects are alleged to have belonged to a cult group called ‘Dey-gbam’ between 2016 to April, 2019 at Elechi Beach, Urualla and Afikpo waterfronts in Diobu, Port Harcourt.

    They committed the offence on April 6, 2019 at Afikpo waterfronts and Urualla, Diobu, Port Harcourt respectively.

    Read Also: Four robbery, kidnap suspects held in Edo

    The five-count charge which included armed robbery and cultism was not read to them because the court lacks jurisdiction to hear the matter hence; they were not allowed to take a plea.

    They were represented by a lawyer who prayed the court to assume jurisdiction and grant bail to the suspects.

    Magistrate Sokari Andrew-Jaja declined and ordered that the council should address the court on the issue of bail.

    He also ordered that the suspects be remanded in prison custody and adjourned till May 9, 2019 for address.

     

  • Coalition to INEC: Release CTC of Rivers results within 24 hours

    The Coalition of Governorship Candidates and Party Chairmen (CGCPC) in Rivers State have given the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) a 24-hour ultimatum to release the Certified True Copies (CTCs) of the declared results of the March 9 governorship and House of Assembly elections.

    CGCPC, Monday in Port Harcourt, through its Chairman, Pastor Warigbani Zebulun, and Secretary, Chibuzor Anele, stated that making the CTCs of the declared results available would enable leaders of the opposition political parties to have a view, for consideration and determination.

    The coalition said: “We have remained law abiding, despite the unlawful collation and announcement of results, without the presence of agents of opposition parties, which INEC and the Nigeria police denied access into the collation centre.

    Read Also: I got my figures from your server, Atiku tells INEC

    “Several other complaints, including court actions, were ignored by INEC during the collation and capable of plunging Rivers State into crisis, which we sacrificially avoided, even when fake results were declared by INEC’s fact-finding committee.

    “The leadership of INEC at the state and national levels should do the needful, to avoid unpleasant actions that are capable of plunging Rivers State into crisis.

    “We are compelled to accuse INEC of an unholy alliance with Governor Nyesom Wike and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, while depriving many governorship candidates and the various opposition political parties of equal opportunities, rights and privileges.”

    CGCPC also accused INEC of dancing to the drumbeats of PDP, while declaring that its members would rise against such moves, at the expiration of the ultimatum.

  • Police arrest four suspected cultists in Rivers

    The Police Command in Rivers State has arrested four cult kingpins suspected to have masterminded incessant cult wars in Rumuolumeni, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

    The Command’s Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO), DSP Nnamdi Omoni, said this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Monday.

    He said the cultists were arrested during a sting operation by operatives of the Rumuolumeni Divisional Police Station on April 18, at about 2100 hours.

    According to him, the arrest was made in a bid to stem the rising cult activities in the state.

    “They were arrested with one English made revolver pistol and three live ammunition and have made useful confessions.

    Read Also: Rivers to tackle cult-related killings

    “Meanwhile efforts are on to arrest other members of the gang, and they will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

    “The war against armed banditry in the state is on and we can only do better with the support of the public,’’ he added.

    He, however, urged residents to always report suspicious characters and movements to the police via 08033312261, 08033396638 and 08098880134.

    NAN

  • Rivers always in the news for wrong reasons, says Amaechi

    The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has stated that Rivers State is now almost always in the news for the wrong reasons.

    He stated this on Sunday in his Easter message, while urging Rivers people and other Nigerians to have hope and a renewed commitment to wait till the resurrection morning.

    Amaechi, a former Rivers governor, said: “No doubt, our state has endured a tortuous political season, which saw political parties jostle and cajole Rivers people to make choices.

    “Our state, which was known and respected as the Treasure Base of the Nation, is now almost always in the news for the wrong reasons. This is not the Rivers State of our dreams.

    “We must find our way back to the path of a glorious future. I am one of you, therefore, as your father, son and brother, I beseech you to be of good courage and join hands to build and restore the glory of our state.

    “For us as Rivers people, this is a moment for sober reflection and forgiveness.

    “I will not hesitate to implore that we all ask God for forgiveness and mercy for all the things done or left undone and from the citizens for the pain and anguish that they have brazenly suffered, which most times are unreported.

    Read Also: Lagos-Ibadan rail’ll ready in June – Amaechi

    “The persistence of gang violence, kidnappings and killings in parts of the state has dealt a telling blow on the psyche of the people. People no longer feel safe or sleep with their two eyes closed.”

    The transportation minister also urged candidates of political parties and politicians who did not emerge victorious during the last elections not to lose hope.

    He said: “For those of us who feel a sense of personal loss, as a result of the last electioneering in the state, I say do not despair, you have vital work to do in the Rivers project. Believe me with wisdom and patience, you will own the future.

    “Always remember that the task of enthroning a party into power is not as high a calling of patriotism than the task of making personal sacrifices for the peace and general good of the state.

    “Therefore, I appeal to all who truly love our dear Rivers State to join hands in building the state, irrespective of their party affiliations.

    “No amount of provocation or even threats should challenge the Rivers spirit of oneness, unity and harmony in you.

    “To the youths, I urge you not to see crime as an escape route from the difficult times we are going through in Rivers State today. I am confident that with resilience and prayer, you can always pull through.”