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Tag: Rivers

  • How shortage of ammunition gave Bako, police finest crime-fighting DPO, away to killers in Rivers

    How shortage of ammunition gave Bako, police finest crime-fighting DPO, away to killers in Rivers

    The killing of the popular bare-footed crime fighter and Divisional Police Officer (DPO), of Ahoada Division, Rivers State, Bako Angbasim, shocked all security formation and residents of the State at the weekend.

    Bako, the most outstanding police officer known for his bravery in leading all dangerous operations against cultism and kidnapping, was brutally murdered, decapitated and mutilated by leaders and members of a notorious cult group, Icelanders.

    He was reportedly killed on Friday evening while returning from an operation in Odeimude forest, Ahoada East, where he led his team to dislodge a camp operated by cultists and kidnappers in the area.

    But it was learnt that Bako would have survived the attack if he had had enough ammunition to ward off the Icelanders led by their point one hit man 2Baba.

    It was gathered that Bako and his team were already on their way back from the operation when many of the armed cultists ambushed and started shooting at them.

    The enemy camp was said to have fortified their arsenal with four General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs) as they engaged Bako and his men in ceaseless shootings for many minutes.

    Despite the shootings, it was gathered that bullets could not penetrate the men from both sides but Bako and his team began to retreat after running out of ammunition.

    While other police operatives in the team took to their heels, Bako attempted to run away but suffered cramps that hindered his movement.

    He was reportedly captured alive by his assailants, who took him away and had enough time to cut off his head, hands and genitals as they celebrated his death.

    The heartless men of the underworld were happy that the only police officer, who was a torn in their flesh was out of their way.

    A source said: “There was a shootout for several minutes between the DPO and 2Baba-led Iceland. The bullets were not penetrating either of the sides till the policemen ran out of ammunition.

    “While the DPO attempted running but he had a muscle cramp and they caught him alive and took him away. For over four hours, no reinforcement came to his rescue”.

    Many stakeholders in the state mourned the death of Bako, who was known to stabilised many troubled areas in Rivers State.

    Prior to his posting to Ahoada, Bako, who had for a long time remained in the rank of a Superintendent of Police (SP) was said to have fought to a standstill in the Ogoni axis of the state.

    “Despite his sacrifices, Bako had remained in one rank for a long time. It seemed they left him that way purposely to remain in the operational field to keep confronting the security challenges in the state. 

    “If they had promoted him beyond beyond that rank, he would have perhaps been transferred. He was famous for not wearing shoes or boots. Even when he visited the state command, he was always barefooted,”,a source, who spoke in confidence said.

    Crime reporters in the state cried over the way and manner Bako, whom they described as a brave officer, paid the supreme price.

    A statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed that Bako and his men ran out of ammunition during the ambush.

    The statement said: “In an unfortunate incident on the evening of September 8, 2023, the DPO of Ahoda Division, SP Bako Angbashim, displayed exemplary courage during a mission to combat criminal activities in the Odumude Area of Ahoada East Local Government Area in Rivers State.

    “SP Bako Angbashim, alongside his dedicated team, embarked on a raid of known criminal blackspots in the region. The operation led to a pursuit of criminals from their concealed hideouts. Tragically, as they were returning from this operation, they were ambushed by a significant number of criminals who opened fire on the brave officers.

    Read Also: Police confirm killing of DPO in Rivers

    “In the face of this adversity, SP Bako Angbashim valiantly held his ground, while his men, depleted of ammunition, made a tactical retreat. Regrettably, during this engagement, SP Bako Angbashim sustained fatal injuries, and one of his informants was also injured, currently receiving medical care for a gunshot wound.

    “The criminals seized the body of SP Bako Angbashim, forcing the remaining officers to return to their base for reinforcement. Efforts were made to rescue and recover the DPO’s body, with assistance sought from the Army teams stationed at FOB Base Etraco. However, the operation proved challenging due to the extremely dark conditions within the dense bush.

    “The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Nwonyi Polycarp Emeka, PhD, has expressed deep determination to bring the perpetrators of this heinous act to justice. An extensive investigation is currently underway to uncover the circumstances surrounding this tragic event. Our thoughts and condolences go out to the family of SP Bako Angbashim and all those affected by this distressing incident”.

  • NSCDC, Police, DSS, others arrest 34 illegal sand miners in Rivers

    NSCDC, Police, DSS, others arrest 34 illegal sand miners in Rivers

    The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Police, the Department of State Security Service (DSS) and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) have commenced a joint security operation to rid Rivers State of the activities of illegal sand miners.

    In one of the operations led by the patrol team of NSCDC Solid Minerals Unit, the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel and Ministerial Task Force on Illegal Mining, 34 suspects were apprehended at Rumuokarali/ Rumualogu community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State.

    The Rivers State Commandant of the corps,  Basil Igwebueze, who confirmed the development in a statement signed by the Rivers NSCDC Public Relations Officer, Olufemi Ayodele, paraded the suspects in Port Harcourt.

    He said while conducting the operation, the NSCDC operatives also nabbed one Daniel Mathew for luring a 15-year-old girl to a Hotel in China, near Port Harcourt and tried to defile her.

    Igwebueze said during the raid, a Chinese, notorious for illegal sand dredging, escaped the scene through the back gate of a hotel adding that the arrest was made possible through credible intelligence.

    Igwebueze said that the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Department of State Services (DSS), the Police and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) were part of the operation.

    He said: “With the collaborative efforts of our men, the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel and Ministerial Task Force on Illegal Mining comprising the EFCC, NSCDC, DSS, Nigeria Police, Immigration Service and Nigerian, the 34 suspects were caught in the act of dredging sharp sands illegally thereby causing environmental degradation in the area and three dredging machines were retrieved at the crime scene.

    “In addition, a Chinese man was sighted at the scene of the crime as information revealed that he is notorious for engaging in illegal mining activities.

    Read Also; Over 80 percent of Nigerians use traditional medicines, says FG

    “He, however, escaped through the back gate of a nearby hotel in Choba, Obio/Akpo Local Government Area.

    “While tracing the suspect, our personnel heard the cry of a young lady who said her sister aged 15 had been lured into one of the hotel rooms.

    “After a thorough search our men were able to rescue the 15-year-old girl from the hand of one Mr. Daniel Mathew who is now in custody and currently under interrogation.”

    The State Commandant said thorough investigations would be carried out to ascertain the level of involvement of each suspect, after which they would be charged to court.

    Igwebueze, advised members of the public to report all acts of criminality or suspicious movement in their neighbourhood to the NSCDC and other security agencies for prompt action.

    The commandant assured residents that any information volunteered would be treated with utmost confidentiality, saying, “If you see something please say something.”

  • Air strikes destroy Boko Haram/ISWAP hideout, illegal refineries in Borno, Rivers

    Air strikes destroy Boko Haram/ISWAP hideout, illegal refineries in Borno, Rivers

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says airstrikes conducted by air component of operation Hadin Kai have destroyed Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) hideout and logistic base along the fringes of Lake Chad, in Borno State.

    It also said that airstrikes conducted in the Niger Delta region destroyed illegal refineries in  Bille, a rural community in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State.

    The NAF in a statement yesterday by its spokesperson, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, said the air strikes against terrorists, militants and oil thieves would continue across the country in order to deny criminal elements the freedom to cause havoc against innocent civilians, the environment and the country’s economy.

    The statement said the air strikes were conducted against Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists near Arina Woje earlier on Friday after “it was confirmed that terrorists and their injured cohorts have continued to use the location which is situated in the Southern Tumbuns near Lake Chad as a hideout.”

    “Credible intelligence had further revealed that the location remained active with some other terrorists using the area to store their weapons and other logistics,” the statement said.

    “Consequently, approval was given for the air strikes with resounding success recorded based on the huge cloud of smoke and fire observed as well as feedback from locals at the fringes of the location.”

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    It said the area was earlier bombed by NAF jets on 13 June 2023, with resounding success, but it was later discovered that some terrorists returned to the area to hide, after they felt much heat from the military where they had fled to.

    According to the statement, several air strikes were also carried out in the Niger Delta area of the country.

    It said airstrikes were conducted in Bille, a rural community in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State, which it said was becoming well-known for numerous illegal oil refining activities.

    “One of such strikes, carried out on  31st August 2023, became necessary after an active illegal refining site with reservoirs and storage tanks suspected to be containing illegally refined products was observed,” it said.

    “The strikes aimed at denying, discouraging, and destroying the activities of oil thieves, which has continued to damage the environment as well as the economy of the nation, was deemed successful.”

    The NAF said it would continue air strikes in all troubled spots and areas where illegal criminal activities are known to occur.

    “These operations will also be in liaison with other security and government agencies until the activities of these criminals are reduced to the barest minimum,” the statement said.

  • Air strikes destroy Boko Haram/ISWAP hideout, illegal refineries in Borno, Rivers 

    Air strikes destroy Boko Haram/ISWAP hideout, illegal refineries in Borno, Rivers 

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said airstrikes conducted by the air component of Operation Hadin Kai have destroyed Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) hideout and logistic base along the fringes of Lake Tchad, in Borno State.

    It also said that airstrikes conducted in the Niger Delta region destroyed illegal refineries in Bille, a rural community in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State.

    The NAF in a statement issued on Friday, September 1, by its spokesperson, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, said the air strikes against terrorists, militants, and oil thieves would continue unabetted across the country in order to deny criminal elements the freedom to cause havoc against innocent civilians, the environment and the country’s economy.

    The statement said the air strikes were conducted against Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists near Arina Woje earlier on Friday after “it was confirmed that terrorists and their injured cohorts have continued to use the location, which is situated in the Southern Tumbuns near Lake Tchad, as a hideout.”

    “Credible intelligence had further revealed that the location remained active with some other terrorists using the area to store their weapons and other logistics,” the statement said.

    “Consequently, approval was given for the air strikes with the resounding success recorded based on the huge cloud of smoke and fire observed as well as feedback from locals at the fringes of the location.”

    It said the area was earlier bombed by NAF jets on 13 June 2023, with resounding success, but it was later discovered that some terrorists, returned to the area to hide, after they felt much heat from the military where they had fled to.

    According to the statement, several air strikes were also carried out in the Niger Delta area of the country.

    Read Also: MNJTF: Boko Haram members in mass surrender

    It said airstrikes were conducted in Bille, a rural community in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State, which it said was becoming well-known for numerous illegal oil refining activities.

    The statement said: “One of such strikes, carried out on  31 August 2023, became necessary after an active illegal refining site with reservoirs and storage tanks suspected to be containing illegally refined products was observed.

    “The strikes aimed at denying, discouraging, and destroying the activities of oil thieves, which has continued to damage the environment as well as the economy of the nation, was deemed successful.”

    The NAF said it would continue air strikes in all troubled spots and areas where illegal criminal activities are known to occur.

    “These operations will also be in liaison with other security and government agencies until the activities of these criminals are reduced to the barest minimum.”

  • Gunmen kill police inspector in Rivers, steal gun, beret

    Gunmen kill police inspector in Rivers, steal gun, beret

    Unidentified gunmen have killed an inspector of police and stolen his rifle, and beret in Rivers state.

    The tragic incident reportedly occurred on Friday night close to a popular hotel in Oroworukwo-Olu Obasanjo, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said killers rode on a grey colour 2005 Toyota Corolla.

    They were said to have sighted the victim,.attacked him immediately, took his AK-47, his beret and fled to an unknown destination.

    The police public relations officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident and said the victim, who was serving in Bayelsa state, accompanied a VIP to Rivers state before the gunmen struck.

    Read Also: Gunmen kill two customs officers in Kebbi

    Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police, who regretted the development said that investigation had commenced to unmask and arrest the killers.

    She said: “At about 2030hrs information was received that one inspector ‘m’ attached to Department of Operations, Yenegoa Bayelsa State was fatally shot on the head while escorting his principal around Landmark Hotel at Oroworukwo-Olu Obasanjo Port Harcourt.

    “His rifle and beret were carted away. Patrol teams were immediately mobilized to the scene. Effort is ongoing to arrest the fleeing hoodlums and recover the rifle. Corpse of the victim has been deposited at Military Hospital Port Harcourt for autopsy. Further development will be communicated.”

  • Five electrocuted while erecting billboard in Rivers

    Five electrocuted while erecting billboard in Rivers

    Five young men have reportedly been electrocuted in Rivers State while trying to mount a billboard with a metal frame in the state.

    It was learnt that four others were battling for survival at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) where they were rushed for treatment.

    Read Also: Five electrocuted, four hospitalized while erecting billboard in Rivers

    The incident was said to have occurred in the Obiri-Ikwerre area of Rumuosi Community, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.

    It was learnt that a team of nine men was mounting the billboard structure with a metal frame that conducted electric current from a high-tension cable.

    The victims were said to be private businessmen contracted to mount the billboard for a church.

  • Five electrocuted, four hospitalized while erecting billboard in Rivers

    Five electrocuted, four hospitalized while erecting billboard in Rivers

    At least five young men have been reportedly electrocuted in Rivers State while trying to mount a billboard with a metal frame in the state.

    It was learnt that four others were battling for survival at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) where they were rushed for treatment.

    The incident was said to have occurred at Obiri-Ikwerre area of Rumuosi Community, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.

    Read Also: Can Wike reenact his Rivers magic in Abuja?

    It was learnt that a team of nine men were mounting the bill board structure with a metal frame that conducted current when the high-tension cable.

    The current was said to have gripped and shocked five of them to death while four others were said to be battling for survival.

    The victims were said to be private businessmen contracted to mount the billboard for a church.

    The police public relations officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police, described the incident as pathetic.

    Iringe-Koko said police had opened investigation into the incident.

  • Explosion in Rivers

    The deaths of more than 10 people in Komkom community in Oyibo Local Government Area of Rivers State helps in possibly affirming the line of thought that crude oil is more of a curse than blessing to Nigeria. Besides the over-dependence on oil and the abandonment of some hitherto sources of revenue, the economic, political and social effects of a poorly run oil industry has been so evident in the socio-economic situation of the country in the past decades.

    This recent explosion was just one in a list of many. The popular Jesse explosion on October 18, 1998, killed more than 1,000 Nigerians and many are still dying of the effects. The fire following the pipeline explosion burnt for more than a week. On May 15, 2008, another pipeline explosion happened in Ijegun-Egba in Lagos State. Dozens of lives and properties were lost.

    In October 2018, there was another explosion at the Aba depot of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, (NNPC). In March, this year, there was an explosion in Nembe Kingdom in Bayelsa State in which more than 50 people allegedly died. The facility belonged to the Aiteo Group that carries oil to the Bonny export terminal.

    In addition to the recorded pipeline explosions, thousands of lives have been lost and properties running into billions also lost due to random fuel tanker explosions on the highways and even inside residential communities. However, in all these tragic human and material losses, there seems to be no definite policy direction to stem these national tragedies.

    Nigeria is the ninth largest producer of oil. However, today, the country is the poverty capital of the world due to a myriad of decades of mismanagement of not just the oil sector but a somewhat dysfunctional system where accountability is not taken seriously and there seems to be no strict adherence to the laws of the land.

    The Jesse tragedy raised so many questions that have remained unanswered and unresolved despite the heavy casualties. Post-tragedy reports were not conclusive about the causative factors. There were allegations that scavengers ruptured the pipelines that were already rusty due to  lack of maintenance, and the explosion was therefore a tragedy waiting to happen. That NNPC had to invite a United States fire-fighting company to help extinguish the fire is telling.

    While we believe that accidents are facts of life, we also believe that successive governments in Nigeria have not taken good care of the processes of production and distribution of oil products. There are ways other oil-producing countries operate that we are neglecting. Safety is seemingly not a priority for the government and operators, which accounts for all the varied tales that trail most explosions. The role of government must be beyond taking the dollars from oil sales. The thousands that died in all those explosions were not shown the state protection and compensations they deserved.

    In a country without a valid census, the numbers of the dead are always debatable as efforts are made to tone down the figures. There has hardly been a conclusive prosecution of those whose negligence caused the deaths.

    The many cases of deaths in these explosions are often beyond the control of the victims as many were often in their houses or just passing by. In other instances where some died scooping fuel from broken pipelines, it was usually out of poverty and ignorance. Even when they know the dangers, the cascading impunity from those in authority often infects the grassroots. The lack of effective government actions in alleviating poverty often makes the people see such loose chances of scooping fuel as their chance to take their own share of the national wealth.

    The environmental and economic degradation caused by the oil industry and affiliate companies must be addressed urgently by the government.  The victims of oil pipeline and tanker explosions are citizens whose contributions to development will outlive the use of oil.

    We recommend a total overhaul of the oil industry operations to match global best practices that will give lives the requisite value that spurs patriotism and economic productivity. Merely ordering a probe cannot be enough; this is a road well-traveled.

  • Wike: Army staged coup against Rivers

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has alleged that the Army staged a coup against Rivers State during the general elections. He described the action as the worst in the country’s democratic history.

    Wike, who addressed the joint House of Representatives Committees on Army, Police, Human Rights and Justice at the Government House in Port Harcourt yesterday, said the Army acted illegally because they were working to impose a pre-determined leadership on Rivers State.

    He said: “It is really unfortunate; all of us know that there was a coup in this state, organised by the Army. In the history of this country, it has never happened where, during ordinary election, Army will begin to kill people for no just cause.

    “Because they believe a particular person or a particular party must win, it doesn’t matter how many people die. It was shown on television. We watched how the Army invaded the whole electoral commission.

    “This is the only state the Federal Government has never assisted to fight insecurity.  Instead of us to team up and fight insecurity, you politicise it. Even if you make recommendations, nothing will happen. I don’t know whether we are in a military regime or civil administration.”

    The governor noted that aside the Army, the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (F-SARs) has been a major anti-democratic force in the state since the 2016 rerun elections.

    He lamented that F-SARs murdered a PhD Holder and Chartered Accountant because they wanted to subvert the people’s will.

    The governor wondered why the General Officer Commanding 6 Division of the Army was still unpunished despite the negative roles he played during the elections.

    “The GOC here is a politician. Nothing has happened to him because he was sent. If it was when the country was a country, you cannot be keeping that GOC. He is sabotaging the security network,” he added.

  • PDP wins Rivers supplementary elections

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State has won the House of Assembly supplementary and rerun elections held at the weekend.

    The elections were conducted at Abua/Odual, Ahoada West, Gokana and Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Areas.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday declared Sokolo Solomon, winner of the Abua/Odual constituency, scoring 55,944 votes. Okpokiri Nwanaka polled 32,574 to win at Ahoada West. Dumle Maol scored 55,319 votes to win Gokana.

    The House of Assembly seat for Opobo/Nkoro constituency was won by Adonye Diri after polling 7,713 votes.