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Tag: Rivers

  • Police arrest man for killing girlfriend in Rivers

    Police arrest man for killing girlfriend in Rivers

    The police in Rivers State have apprehended one Kingsley Chinamezu, aka Power Sharp, for gruesomely macheting his girlfriend, identified as 44-year-old Miss Confidence Konenari Sunny, to death in the state.

    Chinamezu, a 23-year-old male who hails from Ogbo Hill in Abia State, allegedly committed the brutal killing in the Umuebule Community, Etche Local Government Area of the state.

    A statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, said operatives of the command attached to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit (AKU) utilising technical intelligence, apprehended the fleeing suspect.

    Narrating how the suspect was arrested, the statement said: “After committing the heinous crime, the suspect fled to Egbeta village in Edo State and began issuing further threats to the victim’s family members, boasting that he could still harm them without consequences.

    “Upon a formal complaint by the victim’s family and proactive efforts by the operatives of the command, the Commissioner of Police assigned the case to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit. The Operatives swiftly swung into action, located and arrested the suspect on August 15, 2025, in his hideout at Egbeta village, Edo State.

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    “Upon interrogation, the suspect voluntarily confessed to the crime, providing details of the events leading to the murder. Evidence is being collected, and the suspect is undergoing further investigation and profiling for potential involvement in other related crimes. The suspect will face prosecution upon completion of the investigation”.

    The statement quoted the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State, CP Olugbenga A. Adepoju, as commending the swift response and diligence of the operatives for apprehending the suspect.

    The police boss emphasised that Rivers would never be a haven for criminals and assured the public of the command’s unwavering commitment to ensuring justice and public safety.

    The CP warned perpetrators of heinous crimes to desist from such acts, as the long arm of the law would catch up with them within the shortest time possible and would be made to face the full wrath of the law.

  • Group commends Ibas for key projects in Rivers, hail emergency rule as era of renewal

    Group commends Ibas for key projects in Rivers, hail emergency rule as era of renewal

    The National Patriotic Front has commended the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), for what it described as “bold and transformative steps” in stabilising the state under emergency rule.

    In a statement issued at the weekend in Port Harcourt and signed by its President, Marcus Dakas, the group said Ibas has demonstrated uncommon leadership in steering Rivers through its most delicate phase in recent history. 

    The group noted that, contrary to fears that emergency rule would deepen instability, the Sole Administrator had managed to restore calm, strengthen institutions and initiate critical projects that are now reshaping the state’s development trajectory.

    “The National Patriotic Front salutes the courage, clarity and sense of duty that Admiral Ibas has brought to Rivers State. What many thought would be a lost period of drift has become, under his watch, a season of renewal and a rebirth of confidence in governance. His interventions in security, infrastructure and preparations for democratic transition deserve recognition from all Nigerians,” Dakas said.

    The group said security has been the bedrock of Ibas’s administration. By instituting a joint security team to patrol urban centres and vulnerable communities, Ibas was credited with stemming the tide of violent crime and communal unrest. 

    The group noted that Port Harcourt and its environs, once tense with uncertainty, have recorded a remarkable return to peace and social life.

    “The Sole Administrator has succeeded in bringing tremendous peace to Rivers State. Markets are bustling again, businesses are reopening with confidence, and residents are experiencing a sense of safety long absent from their daily lives. This renewed atmosphere is one of the most profound achievements of his administration,” Dakas said.

    Beyond security, the group praised Ibas for pressing ahead with key infrastructural and social investments. It pointed to the ongoing reconstruction of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex as symbolic of the return to institutional order.

    The group also commended the completion of the Mother and Child Hospital in Port Harcourt, set to be integrated into the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, as a major step toward improving maternal and child health in the state.

    The group further lauded Ibas for scrutinising the Port Harcourt Ring Road project, nothing that N150 billion had been released for the dualisation.

    They described the Sole Administrator’s insistence on accountability and project delivery as “a refreshing example of transparent governance in Rivers State”.

    On the return to democracy, the group expressed delight at preparations for the August 30, 2025, local government elections, and commended Ibas for releasing funds to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RVSIEC).

    “By empowering RVSIEC and fixing a date for grassroots elections, Admiral Ibas has shown his sincerity of purpose. He has no hidden agenda but is only a steward of this transition. His commitment to democratic restoration should reassure Rivers people and silence the cynics,” Dakas added.

    The group also recalled the recent oversight visit by the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State led by House Leader, Professor Julius Ihonvbere. 

    Read Also: Reps committee commends Rivers Sole Administrator Ibas

    Dakas said the committee’s commendation of Ibas’ work and pledge to support the return of democratic rule aligned with its own findings that Rivers is firmly on the path to recovery.

    “The endorsement from the federal legislature is a strong signal that the emergency administration is not only succeeding has achieved its goal. We urge Rivers people to sustain their cooperation with the Sole Administrator in the months ahead,” the NPF noted.

    Concluding, the organisation described the ongoing emergency rule as more than a caretaker arrangement, but a “season of grace” during which Rivers is being repositioned for peace, stability and development.

    “Emergencies are often associated with despair, but in Rivers this one is producing renewal. Admiral Ibas has turned crisis into opportunity and laid the foundation for stronger democratic governance. History will remember this period not as a pause but as a rebirth, a grace period in which Rivers State rediscovered its promise,” Dakas said.

  • Rivers secretariat worse than facilities in war-torn Gaza, says Ad-hoc Committee

    Rivers secretariat worse than facilities in war-torn Gaza, says Ad-hoc Committee

    The Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers Administration has described the State secretariat complex as more deplorable than facilities in the war-torn Gaza.

    The committee called for an immediate renovation of the dilapidated Rivers Secretariat complex and urgent relocation of civil servants from hazardous work environments.

    The directive followed an emergency inspection tour led by the Committee Chairman Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, who assessed the secretariat and the stalled Rivers State House of Assembly project.

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    Ihonvbere lamented structural hazards, weak floor tiles, leaking roofs, and exposed electrical wiring; absence of basic amenities, no functional toilets, drinking water, or furniture, and life-threatening environments, particularly on the 6th and seventh floor now declared “unfit for human occupation”.

    The committee chairman ordered immediate closure of compromised floors, emergency relocation of staff to alternative secured office spaces, comprehensive renovation of the entire secretariat complex and contractor review meeting for the delayed Assembly complex project.

    He condemned the infrastructural failures and praised civil servants for maintaining operations under what he described as “unconscionable conditions,” particularly those working on the dangerous upper floors.

    A statement by the Senior Special Adviser, Media, Rivers State Government, Hector Igbikiowubo, said the inspection revealed that the Rivers State House of Assembly contractor would miss the September completion deadline.

    Ihonvbere announced an emergency meeting with contractors to strictly review project timelines and quality standards as well as possible sanctions for underperformance.

    He said: “”The current state constitutes gross workplace endangerment,” stated Professor Ihonvbere, “We demand immediate alternative accommodations for displaced workers; Transparent bidding process for renovation contracts; and weekly progress reports to our committee”

  • Police recover arms from suspected kidnap, armed robbery syndicate in Rivers

    Police recover arms from suspected kidnap, armed robbery syndicate in Rivers

    The Police Command in Rivers has announced the arrest of a four-man armed robbery and kidnapping syndicate accused of carrying out several violent crimes in the state.

    SP Grace Iringe-Koko, spokesperson for the command, told journalists in Port Harcourt on Tuesday that the suspects were apprehended following a distress call.

    She stated that upon receiving the call, officers were deployed to the scene, leading to the arrest of the male suspects, aged between 26 and 33.

    “The four individuals, suspected to be members of an armed robbery and kidnapping syndicate, were arrested on Aug. 8 along Nkpee Street, Bori Local Government Area.

    “They were engaged in suspicious activities in the area when they were arrested by officers,” she said.

    Read Also: Police, others search for ‘’killers’’ in Kwara

    Items recovered from the suspects include a locally made revolver pistol, one live round of ammunition, and an undisclosed quantity of hard ‘loud’ drugs.

    Other items include charms and an ash-coloured Toyota Sienna vehicle with registration number BNY-758-FS.

    “The suspects are currently in our custody, and investigations are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang as well as recover more of their operational weapons,” Iringe-Koko stated.

    She reaffirmed the Police command’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of residents of the state and urged the public to continue providing credible information to law enforcement agencies.

    (NAN)

  • Rivers reschedules council poll to August 30

    Rivers reschedules council poll to August 30

    The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has rescheduled the local government election to August 30.

    The Chairman of RSIEC, Michael Odey, announced the new date during the official unveiling of the revised timetable for the election.

    Odey explained the decision to postpone the elections was informed by the prevailing circumstances in the state.

    He cited constitutional provisions, which empowered the commission to reschedule elections in situations of crisis or potential unrest.

    He said: “You can recall that a general stakeholders meeting was conveyed by the 6th commission, on Wednesday 5th March 2025, in which August 9th 2025, was proclaimed as a date of Local Government Council Elections in Rivers State prior to the advent of the emergency rule”.

    But he said the 7th commission of RSIEC took proper cognisance of section 13 sub 5, of the RSIEC Law before fixing the new date.

    “Therefore, by the powers vested upon the commission by this provision I hereby announce the postponement of the local government Council elections earlier fixed to hold on Saturday 9th August 2025, for a very obvious and incontrovertible reason,” he said.

    The RSIEC Chairman further assured the public the commission was fully prepared to deliver a free, fair, and transparent electoral process.

    He emphasised that the commission would strictly adhere to all electoral guidelines, and that voters would be able to cast their votes without fear or intimidation.

    He said: “Today marks a critical milestone in our journey to ensure a transparent free, fair, credible and inclusive electoral process. Now, what we about to unveil today, is not merely, a timetable of event, it is a commitment to electoral due process, it is a commitment to electoral timeliness grounded in law, it is a commitment to fairness to all participants on the electoral process.

    “We recognise that each one of you has a pivotal role to play in the process and we look forward to continued collaboration and vigilance, including your support as we thronged along to the election day.

    “We in the 7th Commission, in accepting this national assignment and responsibility, we are not unaware of the weighty implications and huge significance particularly in the light of this incredibly extraordinary period, in the democratic evolution of Rivers State.

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    “Now, periodic elections all over the world is arguably the cornerstone, it is a hallmark, it is, if you like a condition precedence for a sustainable democracy.

    “Furthermore, we are going to ensure that the prospective voters have a free and unfettered access to the electoral sites and venues and polling units to exercise their civil responsibility.

    “We are also going to make sure that prospective voters are allowed freely, without intimidation or coercion to make their choices and we are going to make sure that the entire process is not transparent, free, fair, credible and inclusive, but that it is going to be seen as such”.

    Odey vowed to enforce all the electoral laws and guidelines describing himself as a stickler to electoral rules.

    He said: “Electoral laws and timelines are sacrosanct. As a matter of fact on a personal level, I have an incurable obsession for electoral due delegence, I am a stickler to that and I have no apologies at all. I am very stubborn in adherence to this regulations because the people of Rivers State desire nothing less.

    “And so, what I want to ask of the good people of Rivers State here and now, on behalf of the commission is to give us your support and cooperation, we will deliver to you the best of elections, we will do that in excellence, in honour, with dignity and integrity.”

  • Rivers begins verification of civil servants to flush out ghost workers

    Rivers begins verification of civil servants to flush out ghost workers

    The Rivers State government has launched a five-day civil servants’ verification exercise to stamp out ghost workers and other fraudulent activities from its services.

     It was gathered that the exercise would cover all levels of government employees across the state and local government areas, including pensioners.

     Speaking during the exercise at the state secretariat complex in Port Harcourt on Friday, the Acting Head of Service, Rivers State, Dr Mrs inyingi Brown, said the exercise would also streamline the staff database and payroll system.

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     She said:  “We are doing three things at the same time: we are re-verifying civil servants and pensioners. We are doing fresh biometrics for local government staff and pensioners; we are also linking the payroll to the database, so that it becomes seamless.

    “This exercise would help us fish out ghost workers, but it would not be immediate; it would be at the end of the day, when we would be doing our final report.

      “We have scheduled for each day, and because the staff that we are attending to are the mainstream staff that work within the secretariat complex, that’s why we are having it here.

    “We are hoping that in the next three weeks, we should have our numbers, we should know how many staff we have attended to and how many that are not available, so those who would come later to say they were not attended to, we would ask where you were when your colleagues were being attended to.”

    She explained that the last staff verification exercise was done in 2018, insisting that it was high time another one was undertaken.

    She said: “We had a database before now, but that database was not linked to our payroll, so we are doing this to revalidate the information we have in our database, and the last time we updated our database was in 2018. From 2018 till now, you know that so many things must have happened.

    “Some people may have passed on, some people may have left their jobs, but it has not been updated, so this exercise will enable us to update our database.”

  • “Eleme oxygen plant has saved many lives in Rivers” – UNICEF, IHS

    “Eleme oxygen plant has saved many lives in Rivers” – UNICEF, IHS

    The United Nations Child Education Fund (UNICEF) and IHS Nigeria have expressed satisfaction in the medical Oxygen plant at Eleme, Rivers State, saying that it has bridged oxygen need gap in the State and has saved many lives.

    The observation was made during a joint inspection tour of the facility by the partner organizations yesterday.

    The project located in the premises of Eleme General Hospital, Ebubu, was built under a Public Private Hospital between UNICEF, the Canadian Government, IHS and the Rivers State Ministry of Health through the state Hospital Management Board.

    Spesking shortly after the tour of the facility, the Chief of UNICEF Field Office, Port Harcourt, Dr. Anslem Audu disclosed that the decision to undertake the pilot project in the State was borne out of the difficulties experienced by sick persons in the State, particularly children during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    ‘The era of lack of oxygen is no longer there. You can practically visit any of the hospital in Port Harcourt and find out that they have oxygen and the product is from this plant all thanks to IHS, the Canadian Government and UNICEF. The partnership within this three organizations and the Ministry of Health in Rivers State has really worked and we are reaping the benefits of the partnership.

    “During the COVID era a lot of patients needed oxygen and oxygen was not available. So many children will come down with pneumonia and it will become an emergency, they will need oxygen, they are in a hospital that oxygen is not available. But with this plant now available no child will die as a result of lack of oxygen in the hospital,” Audu stated, and called on neighbouring states to take advantage of the oxygen availability. Rivers State to solve their oxygen problem.

    Furthermore, Audu noted the need for the State government to ensure constant supply of power to the facility yo ensure uninterrupted operation and for cost reduction.

    “The partners have done a lot and we expect that the government should also invest by providing source of electricity for the plant to be much more functional.

    “I heard them complaint that the cost of production is high and it is because of running diesel 24 hours to ensure that they produce enough for the state. I’m not really comfortable that the partner, IHS should come and connect the plant to the national grid, this is what I expect our government to do.” he added.

    Also, the Director, Sustainability IHS Nigeria, Titilope Oguntuga, said the essence of the partnership is to help bridge the health gap in Rivers State. “It’s one of our commitments as an organization, not to only create opportunities for impact, but to also continue to support beneficiaries by monitoring many of our interventions.

    “IHS Nigeria is a Telecoms Infrastructure company, it started in Nigeria in 2001 and we have over 16,000 sites across Nigeria. In terms of sustainability we focus our intervention sustainability on four pillars – ethics and governance, education and economic growth, environment and climate change and finally, people and communities.

    “As an organization with 16,000 towers plus across Nigeria we believe that we are very close to our communities and so the visit to the Port Harcourt oxygen plant today is to have an assessment on how well the plant is functioning, the impact it is currently making and to generally understand how the operations is going.

    “This plant is one of the nine oxygen plants that we have built across the federation and we are particularly excited that it is helping to bridge the health gap and not just in Rivers State and environs but in all the states where the plants are currently built. We have quite other health initiatives but one of the things we are committed to as an organization is to continue to support our people and our communities.”

    Earlier, the Medical Director Eleme General Hospital, Dr. Claribelle Leechi-Okere, reported to the partners that the plant since its was commissioned last year has been functioning optimally and been supplying medical oxygen to the two teaching hospitals as well as other public and privates hospitals in the state.

    According to her, the hospital has established two distribution hubs within the Port Harcourt metropolis for easy access. “We’ve had success stories whereby oxygen is distributed to public hospitals in the state, including the two teaching hospitals in the state and then we have also extended distribution to some private hospitals within the state.

    “We have two hubs where we store the oxygen – because of the location of the plant. We produce here and store somewhere in Port Harcourt so that people who because of the distance, can get oxygen from those hubs. So we have those hubs that serve as our storage and distribution sites. One is in Kelsey Harrison Hospital in Diobu and the other one at Rumuokwuta,” she said.

    She however lamented the cost of production and transportation, which she said was contributing to high cost of oxygen. “The major challenges are the high cost of production because the oxygen plant run solely on diesel generator. So the cost of diesel to run the plant is quite expensive. “We are not connected to the national grid so we don’t have any alternative source of power. Another challenge is the cost of distribution to those hubs is also increasing the cost of the oxygen.” she stated

    The medical director called on the state government to build a solar power plant and as well connect the plant to the national grid in order to reduce the cost of production.

    Ends///

  • Police rescue kidnapped victim in Rivers

    Police rescue kidnapped victim in Rivers

    The Rivers State Police Command has successfully rescued one Mathew John Zephaniah, a kidnapped victim, following a coordinated operation by operatives of the command.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the operation, saying that the team drawn from tactical units and divisions within the Oyigbo Area Command, in collaboration with OSPAC local vigilante groups, were swiftly mobilised to the suspected kidnappers’ den at Agbo-Nchia Forest.

    She said the kidnappers, on sighting the police operatives, opened fire on them, and there was an exchange of gunshots, but following the superior firepower of the police, the kidnappers abandoned the victim and fled with gunshot wounds.

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    She said the victim’s laptop and Redmi phone were recovered, along with two Android phones and a smart wristwatch suspected to belong to the kidnappers.

    She said, “The victim was rescued unhurt and has been debriefed and reunited with his family. The exhibits are currently in police custody, while concerted efforts are being made to apprehend the fleeing members of the gang.”

  • Rivers Angels fight back to win historic 10th Federation Cup title

    Rivers Angels fight back to win historic 10th Federation Cup title

    • Get N50m from Rivers administrator 

    Rivers Angels retained their grip on the President’s Federation Cup after edging Nasarawa Amazons 4-2 on penalties in a pulsating final that ended 2-2 in regulation time at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos yesterday.

    In the thrilling encounter, the defending champions came from two goals down to equalize, and held their nerve in the shootout to clinch their record 10th Federation Cup title.

    Despite coming in as favourites with a rich pedigree that includes seven Nigeria Women’s Premier League titles and nine previous Federation Cup triumphs, Rivers Angels found themselves stunned in the first half by a spirited Nasarawa Amazons side led by Nigeria U20 coach Christopher Musa Danjuma.

    Odushola Shobowale scored a first-half brace for Delta Queens to spark the comeback, finishing from a clever Polinus Ifeoma freekick in the second half.

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    Then, in the 62nd minute, the comeback was complete. Former Delta Queens midfielder Taiwo Afolabi ghosted into space and calmly slotted home the equaliser, setting up a thrilling finale.

    The administrator of  Rivers State, Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd) has hailed the state-owned Rivers Angels Football Club for retaining the President’s Federation Cup Women’s title, promising to reward them with N50million.

    Ibas, who was represented by Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibibia Lucky Worika, expressed joy over the win.

    He said, “This is unprecedented. There’s nothing like it. We are proud as Rivers men and women that our girls can put up such a feat, and we are proud as a government. So, I think it’s a wonderful thing. It’s a great feeling, and there are no words to describe it.

    “Before the match, I also conveyed His Excellency’s best wishes to the team. I told them that the Rivers State Government is very proud that you are even here in the finals and that if you do your best, you can be certain that the Rivers State Government is going to recognize you”.

    He said the government was working to redeem its pledge to Team Rivers athletes who won medals during the 2024 National Sports Festival.

  • Gunmen, cultists kill police inspector, corporal, vigilante in Rivers, Plateau

    Gunmen, cultists kill police inspector, corporal, vigilante in Rivers, Plateau

    Gunmen suspected to be herders have killed a police inspector, Yakubu Dauda, and seized his rifle in the Chwelnyap Rim community of Riyom Local Government Area, Plateau State.

    Also in Rivers State, rampaging cultists have killed a police corporal identified as Francis Friday and a member of a vigilante group, OSPAC, Ngozi Ipah, beside the Ahoada East Council Secretariat.

    Confirming the Plateau State incident to journalists in Riyom during a visit by the fact-finding committee set up by Governor Caleb Mutfwang to investigate the causes of violence plaguing the state, David Tsado, the DPO of Riyom, said the incident occurred on Monday while officers were on an operation in the area.

    Tsado narrated that the gunmen, who arrived in large numbers, ambushed the officers, resulting in the death of one officer during the operation.

    He explained that the gunmen terrorizing the area were well-armed, adding that despite mobilizing their men after the attack, they were unable to overcome the gunmen’s resistance because they were well armed.

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    “Yesterday, my men were on ground in the community following a report of security threats in the area not knowing that some gunmen laid an ambush.

    “In the process of tracing the gunmen, they opened fire on our men and one of us, inspector Yakubu Dauda, unfortunately lost his life. His copse has been deposited in the hospital.

    “Today, the commissioner of police deployed more men to take the fight to their den, but it was another heavy encounter. It got to a stage that we have to retrieve,“ the DPO said.

    The chairman of the fact finding committee, Major General Nicholas Rogers, while speaking on the committee’s visit to the area, said they were at the council to find out what went wrong resulting to the incessant killing and attacks in the area, adding that “it is a very bad situation. We are here to identify the problems and gathered suggestions from stakeholders on who to would relevant find lasting solutions.

    Youth and community leaders informed the committee that many villages were attacked, adding that in the last one month, about nine persons were killed and 33 houses burnt, hoping that the establishment of the community would bring an end of the attacks.

    It was gathered that the attackers in Rivers State, said to be members of the Iceland cult group, stormed the OSPAC office and opened fire on the operatives.

    The Rivers State Police Command confirmed the development and described it as a brutal attack, noting that it happened at about 8pm on Monday.

    The police spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, said the armed assailants were led by two men, Umegbewe Kingsley aka Gutam and one Opaka.

    “During the assault, OSPAC operative Ngozi Ipah was shot. While escaping, the assailants also gunned down a police officer, Corporal Francis Friday, who was on special duty at the Secretariat with the Special Intervention Squad (SIS)”, the statement said.

    It said the police patrol teams led by the Divisional Police Officer arrived at the scene, but the attackers had already fled.

    Both victims of the attack were rushed to the Ahoada General Hospital with multiple gunshot wounds but were pronounced dead on arrival, and their bodies were deposited at the hospital morgue for autopsy.

    The Commissioner of Police, (CP) Olugbenga Adepoju, visited the scene and deployed tactical teams to the area.

    The police boss directed the Area Commander and DPO to intensify efforts to track down and arrest the perpetrators.

    He vowed that the killers of the police officer and the OSPAC operative would not escape justice and urged residents to remain calm and cooperative by reporting any suspicious individuals or activities to the nearest police station.