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Tag: Rivers

  • Army, DSS gun down notorious kidnapper, Don Wani

    Army, DSS gun down notorious kidnapper, Don Wani

    Don Wani, the notorious kidnapper, who allegedly masterminded the killing of 23 persons in Omoku in Rivers state,  has been killed.

    Wani, a suspected militant leader, was confirmed killed in a combined operation by the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Army at a border town between Rivers and Imo.

    A source said the incident happened at about 5 p.m. on Saturday.

    The Rivers Director of DSS, Mr Tosin Ajayi, said: “No comment for now,” when he was contacted to comment on the incident.

    Meanwhile, the kidnappers of Mrs Tina Inegbagha, Wife of the Paramount Ruler of Ayakoro community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa have demanded N5 million ransom to release her.

    Mrs Inegbagha, who spent the Christmas and New Year at the kidnappers den, was abducted at the palace of her husband on Dec. 16, 2017.

    Mr Majesty Inegbagha, a member of the Monarchs family, who confirmed the development in Yenagoa, said the kidnappers had earlier contacted the family demanding for N100 million.

    “The kidnappers are now demanding N5 million, yes, they contacted us earlier demanding for N100 million but later reduced the ransom to N30 million and now N5 million.

    “We have been able to establish contact with the kidnappers of her majesty and we have also spoken with her on phone,’’ he said.

    Inegbagha lamented the inability of the family to raise the money and pleaded with the kidnappers to release the monarch’s wife unconditionally.

    “Where can we get that money? We have been appealing to them to help us and release her to us,” he pleaded.
    Mrs Inegbagha was kidnapped alongside the Principal of the Government Craft Development Centre in the Community.

    Also relatives of the abducted Chief of Agom Akulu in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Mr Yohana Sidi Kukah, said they were yet to receive a phone call from the alleged kidnappers.

    A Community Leader in Ikulu, Dr Yusuf Tanko, said that no one within the family of the traditional ruler or anyone in the community had been contacted by the kidnappers 24 hours after his abduction.#

    “Usually, kidnappers would contact a family member but we are yet to receive any,” he said.

    Tanko claimed that no fewer than 13 kidnappers came on footpath and arms.

    Another resident, Mr Micha Dauda, said the suspected kidnappers walked on footpath after carrying out their act from Ikulu through to Crossing village.

    The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Mukhtar Aliyu, said the command was told about the incident at 8.45 a.m and effort had been put in place to unravel the abductors.

  • Outrage spreads over Benue, Rivers, Kaduna killings

    Outrage spreads over Benue, Rivers, Kaduna killings

    Individuals and groups yesterday condemned the mindless killings that have taken place around the country since the eve of the New Year.

    No fewer than 17 people were killed in Omoku and three other communities in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area Rivers State in the wee hours of January 1 as gunmen opened fire on innocent people in the communities.

    The Rivers incident occurred almost simultaneously as an attack by suspected Fulani herdsmen on residents of Guma and Logo local government areas of Benue State in which about 20 people were shot dead.

    The traditional ruler of Numana chiefdom in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State and his wife were similarly shot dead by suspected herdsmen on New Year’s day.

    In separate reactions to the incidents yesterday, a former Minister of Science and Technology and pioneer Commandant of the Nigerian Army War College, Gen. Sam Momah; retired Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav and a retired army officer, Ayuba Mallo all condemned the killings.

    So also did the Chairman of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Alhaji Ibrahim Coomassie; the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Northern youths, Middle Belt youths and a Niger Delta leader, among others.

    In his reaction yesterday, Gen. Momah called on the federal government to carry out an immediate action that will convince the citizenry of their security.

    The government, he said, has to ensure that the culprits are apprehended and brought to justice to act as a deterrent to others.

    He also called on the federal government to put its weight behind the anti-open grazing bill that would ensure that herdsmen are restricted to ranches as against the current situation in which they roam around the country, causing avoidable tension.

    On his part, Retired Army Officer Ayuba Mallo, said it is unfair for herdsmen who are strangers in a particular area where they are grazing their herds to engage their hosts in hostilities. He called for the building of healthier relationship among everyone in the land.

    Tsav believes that the country is a serious situation where killings are carried out on children and pregnant women.

    “It is an appalling development,” he said. “And if we say that we should arm our people for retaliation, it will get out of hand and perhaps snowball into a full blown war.

    “So I suggest that the government sets up a commission of enquiry to unravel why the herdsmen that are killing people all over the place and thereafter ensure that the findings are implemented and the culprits are brought to justice to make way for a deterrent.”

    ACF Chair, Coomassie, Northern youths condemn Benue, Kaduna killings

    It’s unfortunate bloodletting—Coomassie

    Coomassie, the mouth piece of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), in a telephone interview with one of our correspondents yesterday, described the bloodletting that is going on in different parts of the as “unfortunate”.

    He however asked the parties involved in the crises to sheath their swords and bring forward their grievances in the interest of peace and development of the states and the region.

    According to Coomassie, “the situation is extremely unfortunate and something must be done to address it. We in the ACF are particularly worried about the killings in Benue, which has persisted.

    “I have spoken to a very important member of the ACF, Senator (Joseph) Waku, who is there, to study the situation and come back to brief us, so that we see how we can come in.

    “Tribal clashes are not good for us in the north. We need peace and unity, which will propel our development. If we don’t have peace, we cannot be united, and if there is no unity, our governors cannot provide the desired development in their various states.

    “I urge the warring parties to in the interest of peace, unity, development and sacredness of every life, sheath their swords and present their grievances before the authorities.”

    The umbrella organisation of all youths in the north, the Arewa Youth Forum (AYF), expressed worries about the Kaduna and Benue killings, saying that they were mindless.

    National President of the forum, Gambo Gujungu, said: “AYF is worried about the mindless killings all over the country, especially those in Benue, Kaduna, Kwara and Rivers. Also that this carnage is taking place in the New Year. Our thoughts are with those affected.

    “We are even more amazed this is coming shortly after the extension of the tenure of the service chiefs. As such, it calls for serious concern.

    “Is this the good work that the President extended their tenure for?”

    Gujungu said it was time for the service chiefs to justify their continuous stay in office or give way to those that can bring out a security architecture that can protect Nigerians.

    “We expect the President to visit some of the states. And when he came to Kaduna, he should have commiserated with the people or even visit the area,” he said.

     

    Act now, CAN tells FG

    The Federal Government came under fire from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) yesterday over the series of attacks by Fulani herdsman on farmers around the country.

    CAN President, Rev. Samson Ayokunle, said the government was not serious about putting an end to the crisis.

    Ayokunle who reacted to the killings by the Fulani herdsman through a statement he issued in Abuja, said government should act decisively before it becomes a national war.

    He said the Buhari government had failed to uphold the constitution which it swore to uphold “because they have failed in protecting Nigerians from the attacks of Fulani Herdsmen in the affected areas.

    “If they continue to allow Fulani herdsmen to be having a field day in killing people like this, is it not the Fulani alone that would remain that they would be governing? God forbid.”

    The statement reads in part: “There is the need for the government to act decisively on the rampaging Fulani herdsmen before it becomes a national war.

    “We in the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) are forced to make this press release on the continuous inhuman and wicked activities of Fulani herdsmen all over the federation who are going from community to community killing innocent farmers with impunity.

    “They have killed more people than the Boko Haram sect and almost displaced more people than them. We are now reaching a breaking point in our patience and toleration of this wicked impunity before degenerating to a civil war.

    “While the government has taken the battle to Boko Haram terrorists, the Indigenous People of Biafra, the Badoo boys, the Niger Delta Avengers and other groups, the government has not shown any serious willingness to checkmate the murderous Fulani Herdsmen. This to us is a betrayal of the confidence reposed in this government by Nigerians when they voted them into power.

    “We need to know why the intelligence units of all security apparatus we have in this country has not been able to discover the sources of supply of ammunition to Fulani herdsmen living virtually in the bush.

    “The Customs and the Immigration services together with the Police have case to answer. Who are the suppliers of these weapons?

    “If the murderous herdsmen are foreigners, as it is being claimed in some quarters, why did we allow dangerous foreigners into our country to come and kill us? Our government has a case to answer too.

    “We are therefore tasking the government of the day; the Executive, the Senate, the House of Representatives and all security agencies to rise up to their responsibilities, and  we equally call on all stake holders in this nation together for a solemn assembly that would address all these things and come out with lasting solution to these senseless attacks.

    “The international community cannot afford to be watching us without lending a voice to our cries to our government to checkmate the murderous Fulani herdsmen who appear not to care about the future of this nation.

    The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) is further appealing to the international community to come to our aid by providing relief for many in the hospitals and those that are displaced as a result of these attacks.

    “We urge all churches to set aside time this coming Sunday, January 7, to pray for Nigeria and for victory over the wicked killings of Fulani Herdsmen.

    Our nation can never be great in a state of insecurity and war as we are presently experiencing it. This government owes the entire Nigerians the responsibility of competent action, not just action by words of mouth.”

    Also, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern States and Abuja condemned the attacks as did Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State who vowed that no amount of intimidation from any quarters would stop the implementation of the law prohibiting open grazing in the state.

    Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State blamed international oil companies for encouraging the culture of violence in the state by giving lucrative contracts to youths who in turn spend the money on the procurement of weapons of terror.

     

    Buhari summons IGP over killings, gives marching order

    President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday met with the Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Idris behind closed doors over the nation’s security situation.

    As he did, the police arraigned six suspects at a Chief Magistrate Court 1, Makurdi,for their alleged involvement in the murder of  farmers at Akor village in Guma Local Government area of Benue State.

    IGP Idris, who spoke with State House correspondents after meeting with the President, said: “You know that any time we meet Mr. President, the area of discussion is how to have effective security in the nation.

    On Benue killings, he said: “You know I deployed my DIG there yesterday, and you know we have different stages of police. You have the AIG in Benue, the Commissioner of Police in Benue and all of them are putting their heads together to see how we address this issue of community problems in Benue.”

    Asked why herdsmen killings is escalating in parts of the country, Idris said: “Like I said, you know we have different levels of Police in this country. We have the Commissioner of Police in Benue, the AIG of Police in Benue, and yesterday I deployed my DIG operations there, and definitely we are doing all we can to see that we maintain law and order in all parts of the country.”

    On the belief that Police is being reactionary rather than proactive in respect of the killings, the IG, using Benue as example, said “you know most of these states where you have several languages, you know is an issue of communal misunderstanding.

    “I think what we should be praying for is for Nigerians to learn to live in peace with one another. I think is very important.”

    On the reaction of the President to his briefing and the new measures, he said: “Of course, every time we meet with the President, he gives a charge. He said that we should go and take care and ensure that we tighten our security.

    “There are so many measures. For instance, in Benue, we are going to deploy more units to support the efforts the Police is making in the state to ensure we have adequate protection to the men and communities and members.

    He also assured that the killings won’t repeat itself.

    Asked if the country is under-policed, he said: “I cannot say Nigeria is under-policed. We cannot be overwhelmed.”

  • PDP to APC: search your conscience on Benue, Rivers, Kaduna killings

    PDP to APC: search your conscience on Benue, Rivers, Kaduna killings

    The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to search its conscience on the killings in Benue, Rivers and Kaduna States.

    In a statement yesterday by its spokesman, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, the party described the massacre of defenseless Nigerians in the three states as extremely wicked.

    It also flayed as inexcusable, the failure of President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government to act upon early danger signs and threats by taking cautionary measures that could have averted the killings, particularly in Benue State.

    The opposition party further lamented what it termed the insensitivity of the APC Presidency, which it said, reacted to the ugly incidents only after the PDP and well-meaning Nigerians called them to task.

    The PDP also called on the Presidency to do some soul-searching with regards to its silence and loud indifference whenever citizens fall under such horrifying attacks.

    “What a way to start the new year? The sheer insensitivity of the APC Government has continued to cause our nation a lot of pain and sorrow.

    “Is it not only a careless and inept leadership like the APC government that will ignore the danger signs in any part of the country and leave its citizens defenseless, just to be massacred by marauders?

    “If the APC Federal Government had effectively acted upon the danger signs and had provided adequate security in flash points across the country, particularly in Benue state, north central and Southern Kaduna area, this massacre of Nigerians, who were already impoverished by the APC’s misrule, could have been prevented.

    “Is it not a tragic trajectory of governance that while the APC Presidency was busy basking in its orchestrated New Year self-praise and empty promises, bandits were having a field day mowing down citizens in cold blood?

    “Is it not also an irony that when the government was prompted to react to the spate of killings, all its officials could do was to respond in manners most indifferent, nearly unconcerned and almost without compassion?

    “Indeed, the PDP aligns with Nigerians that the APC and the Presidency should have a serious soul searching on their clear indifference towards the persistent killings and maiming of citizens by bandits who constantly invade communities, slaughter the people and walk away with blood of our compatriots in their hands”.

    The party urged the government to show commitment by ensuring that the perpetrators of these killings were brought to book and made to face the full wrath of the law.

    It also urged the military and other security agencies to leave no stone unturned in the fishing out the perpetrators.

    “Nigeria belongs to all of us; every citizen has a right to life and no man should take the life of another for any reason or under any guise whatsoever,” the statement added.

  • Six killed in Rivers

    Six people made up of four suspected cultists and two others were yesterday killed in three attacks in three Local Government Areas of Rivers State.

    The killings came four days after the notorious New Year dawn attacks in which 17 people were murdered.

    Yesterday’s killings took place iin Ahoada Local Government, Egbeda in Emohua Local Government and Andoni local government council.

    Commissioner of Police Zaki Ahmed confirmed the attacks in Emohua and Andoni at a news conference.

    But Community sources said trouble started at Ahoada yesterday when a local viligante group in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA(ONELGA), known as Onelga Security Planning Advisory Committee (OSPAC), on tip-off, stormed and attacked the hideout of a notorious gangster in Ahoada and opened fire on them.

    Four of the hoodlums were said to have died in the attack, one of them was arrested for questioning.

    On the other attacks, the CP said:  ”I can confirm that some people came on motor bike and attacked some people and ran away.  One person was killed in that incident.

    “Also there was a cult clash in Admoni LGA in which one person was also killed. However arrests have been made in respect of the Andoni incident.” he said.

    He assured residents of ONELGA and the state that security have been strenghten in the areas, while normalcy has returned.

    Ahmed said efforts are on top gear to apprehend the suspects in Nigeria time.

  • Rivers’ bloodbath

    •Government must get to the root of the killings and punish culprits

    Residents of Omoku, headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Governent Area of Rivers State who lost at least 15 of their own to a senseless cold blooded murder perpetrated by yet-to-be identified killers in the early hours of January 1 could only have responded coldly to any ‘happy new year’ greeting. Or, what is there to be happy about in a situation where loved ones were murdered prematurely on a day the whole world was celebrating? These were people who would have thanked God for sparing their lives to witness the new year at the cross-over service, only to be killed even before getting to their homes to continue the celebrations. The victims, including a man, his wife and five children had just finished the New Year service in a church when the gunmen opened fire on them at close range. About 52 other persons sustained injuries from gunshots.

    According to an eyewitness, “Since 2014, when the crisis started in Omoku and its environs, over 500, mostly innocent people, have been killed.” He urged President Muhammadu Buhari and the state governor, Nyesom Wike, “to take immediate action to secure the lives and property of residents of Omoku and its environs, especially with the forthcoming primaries of political parties and general elections.”

    “We do not deserve the killings in Omoku and its environs. We are not in a state of war. Don Waney’s ( a militant’s leader) boys have regrouped and are terrorising innocent citizens. Over 52 wounded victims of New Year Day attack in Omoku are now in various hospitals and clinics,” he added.

    It is disheartening that Rivers State, which had once known relative peace, has now degenerated into what could be likened to a war zone. The recrudescence of violence in the state shortly before the 2015 elections is regrettable. Perhaps more regrettable is the fact that the security agents have not been able to arrest the ugly trend. The incumbent Governor Wike, literally shot to power on the blood of innocent citizens who were killed during the governorship election characterised by bloodbath.

    Omoku is not a small town in the state. Being rich in crude oil and gas, it naturally plays host to many multinational oil firms and oil servicing companies, the Federal College of Education (FCE) Technical, as well as other establishments. In spite of the presence of these institutions, there are no functional banks in the town as most of the commercial banks there have been closed for months, due to insecurity.

    We know that as usual, politicians will want to trade blames over the unfortunate incident; perhaps start dancing on the graves of the slain. But the security agencies should not be carried away by cheap political propaganda. Rather, they should investigate the dastardly incident professionally and without fear or favour. This is one incident that the Federal Government must show sufficient interest in.

    The state government’s decision to place a N200million bounty for information that will lead to the arrest of the gunmen is welcome. People with useful information in this regard should not hesitate to avail the security agents looking into the incident with such, even as we appeal to the latter to keep the identities of such informants secret. It is when these secrets are jealously guarded that the source of such intelligence will not dry up.

    But we are equally worried that a town like Omoku is not covered by closed circuit television (CCTV) that would have aided the security agents in fishing out the killers. In many other parts of the world, video clips of what happened would have been released to the security agents for review and possible identification and arrest of the criminals. But it is not late to be thinking in this direction now, especially with the high level of criminality in the state. Rivers State is not a place where the infrastructure of peace should be allowed to break down for one minute.

  • On Rivers killings

    SIR: Rivers of blood flowed in Rivers State on New Year’s Day in Omoku, when over 20 people were killed and 12 injured after they were attacked by unknown gunmen as they journeyed home after their participation in New Year’s Eve service in various churches. This bloodletting which was carried out on a day that was meant to be a day of celebration for all has been trailed by condemnation from all and sundry with many calling for the investigation, arrest and prosecution of all those involved in this dastardly act.

    Like most states in Nigeria, Rivers state has always had some history of political violence since the 2003 general elections. Nevertheless, what we are witnessing today is a dimension taken too far especially before, during and after the 2015 general elections. I lived in Rivers state for 10 years most of them during the administration of the former governor, Amaechi, and I can testify that Rivers State enjoyed relative peace and stability during his administration. Despite “federal heat” which was turned on him in the last two years of his administration, there was no upsurge in violence in Rivers State until a few weeks to the 2015 general elections when several APC chieftains were attacked and killed by armed gangs loyal to the PDP. Notable among those killed are late Chief Christopher Adube and late Mr Franklin Obi who are both indigenes of Omoku.

    Violence in Rivers State has been provoked mainly by the quest for power. Most politicians in the state see power as the only means of livelihood through access to the commonwealth. It is regrettable but true that in many communities in Rivers State cult gangs hold sway. They control the social and economic souls of the people including the traditional structures which have been rendered impotent. Most of these cult gangs were armed by politicians in the build up to the 2015 general elections. The physical landscape of many communities in Rivers State is painted with boys armed to the teeth and walking about freely to the discomfort of citizens. Loyalty by these criminals to some forces in the Rivers State government has not helped matters.

    Governor Nyesom Wike speaking through the then Commissioner for Information, Austin-Tam George, sometime in March 2016, blamed the upsurge in violence on a supremacy battle among rival cult gangs in the state.

    What has he done as the Chief Security Officer of the state to rein in these cult gangs and stem the rising tide of violence? Chief Wike set up a Judicial Commission of Enquiry to probe the violence in the March legislative election rerun. He has allegedly increased funding to the police and other security agencies in the state, he initiated an amnesty programme for all militants, kidnappers and all those engaged in one form of criminal activity or the other in the state, yet all these measures have failed to achieve the desired result. Wike was a key member of the Amaechi administration as Chief of Staff during Amaechi’s first term as governor when in less than a year, Amaechi flushed out all criminals from the state thereby restoring peace and sanity. I therefore find it difficult to believe that he does not know what to do to restore peace in the state.

    Chapter 2, section 14(2b) of the Nigerian constitution states clearly that “The security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government”. Governor Nyesom Wike has not only failed but has obviously run out of ideas on how to fulfil his primary duty of protecting lives and property in Rivers state.

    • Peter Ovie Akus,

    Ifo, Ogun State.

  • Bloody new year gift for Rivers, Benue

    Bloody new year gift for Rivers, Benue

    What is the worth of human life in Nigeria?

    Rivers and Benue states got a curious New Year gift-bloodshed. Hopes were dashed. Dreams were truncated. Families were plunged into sorrow and confusion. The news of the disaster reverberated across the country.  Security agencies were taken aback.

    In Rivers, 17 were shot dead in an attack on church worshippers on New Year’s Day. In Benue, herdsmen were on the prowl, killing 20 people and injuring 30 others. The chief mourners are Governors Nyesom Wike and Samuel Ortom. But, the weight of calamities is borne by the families of the deceased. To a bewildered Federal Government that has invested substantially in security, the end has not justified the means.

    In Rivers, the awful picture stared everybody in the face. The method of killing, and the timing, underscored the cruelty of the assassins. Violence seems to have become a culture in the oil-rich Niger Delta state. The latest attack was unprovoked by victims who were in a festive mood. After the mayhem, the rampaging gunmen disappeared. Obviously, it was evident that suspected militants and cultists have reneged on their promise to maintain peace, following a general amnesty.

    In the last two and half years, Benue has not known peace. A tearful Ortom lamented that mindless killings had become an infection that has defiled solution. His agony is compounded by appeals for sanity that have repeatedly gone unheeded. The security challenge in the Northcenral state has often diverted his attention from governance. The gains of his security measures are on the reserve.

    Can there be justification for the killings? What scores were the assailants trying to settle in Rivers? What was their mission? Who is their sponsor? Rivers had endured the scourge of pipeline vandalism, armed robbery, sea piracy, political thuggery and arson, kidnapping and other forms of social vices. Wike had succeeded in oersuading them to lay down their arms in the past. Is the criminality not being renewed?

    The violent men were armed with sophisticated weapons. The riffles were very expensive. The attacks demonstrated criminal dexterity. The operation was smooth and swift. No trace was left behind.

    There are puzzles: Is Rivers not back to the dark days? Has the militants been reined in? Having laid down their weapons, according to the terms of amnesty, where did the militants regroup. Where did they get new arms?  No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Who are the attackers?

    Benue has a peculiar challenge. In the past, herdsmen posed no threat to any resident. They were friendly and at home with the people they met in the course of cattle rearing. Cases of destruction of crops were not rife. But, gone are the days when herdsmen were harmless.

    What is the way out? In Rivers, the Federal Government has ordered the arrest and punishment of the perpetrators. It should not be an empty directive. The public enemies should be apprehended and brought to book. Security is a collective enterprise. Therefore, not only should residents be vigilant, they should also be willing to contribute to intelligence gathering in aid of security agencies.

    In Benue, government should say “enough is enough”. How did Ekiti and other states manage to resolve the security challenge posed by herdsmen, as it were? Are the herdsmen and the real owners of the cattle above the law? Should the state be continually intimidated? Are the herdsmen bigger than Benue?

    Even in the face of troubled Federalism that renders governors helpless in security matters, Ortom – and other governors – should not throw up their hands in surrenders. The matter must be resolved one way of the other.

  • ‘God will establish Rivers for best in 2018’

    ‘God will establish Rivers for best in 2018’

    The wife of Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, Justice Eberechi Suzzette, has said God will establish the state for the best this year.

    She said people should look forward to a fruitful and rewarding year.

    Speaking yesterday after her visit to new year babies at Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital and Police Medical Clinic in Port Harcourt, Justice Nyesom-Wike said 2018 would be a year of jubilation.

    She visited Baby Precious Nweke at Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital and Baby Olotoruwa  Oluwatosin  at Police Medical Clinic.

    Justice Nyesom-Wike said: “His Excellency, Governor Wike, has described 2018 as our year of jubilation. Rivers State is going to be jubilant this year. The jubilation will be more than that of last year.

    “We are looking forward to a fruitful year. This is a year that God will establish Rivers State for the best.  It will get better in years to come.”

    She advised children to respect their parents, “as this is a Biblical commandment that comes with blessings.”

    “When children obey their parents, they will reap the good of the land. They will enjoy God’s blessings. Rivers children should focus on their studies and use their opportunities,” Justice Nyesom-Wike said.

    Urging parents to prioritise the education of their children, she noted that with education, the children would be outstanding.

    Justice Nyesom-Wike said she led top government officials and wives of commissioners to show love to the new year babies.

    Mother of Baby Precious, Mrs. Mary Nweke, prayed God to bless the wife of Rivers State governor for being a caring mother.

    The mother of Baby Oluwatosin, Mrs. Oluwatosin Ajisogbon, thanked Justice Nyesom-Wike for extending love to them.

     

  • Rivers, Shell sign MoU on gas supply

    The Rivers State Government and Shell Nigeria Gas (SNG,have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the distribution of gas to industries in the Greater Port Harcourt area and its environs.

    MoU sets out broad terms and conditions to guide co-operation between the two parties in the development of new gas distribution opportunities in the Greater Port Harcourt area and its environs, in addition to its existing gas distribution network in the State.

    “The agreement is key to government’s efforts aimed at boosting industrialisation in Rivers State,” said Richard Hart, Permanent Secretary,  Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, who signed for the government.

    He said: “We believe that the agreed terms in the MoU will lead to the signing of the “Build-Operate-Own-and Transfer” (BOOT) agreement early next year, so businesses can begin to reap the benefits of a steady source of energy.”

    SNG Managing Director, Ed Ubong, who also signed for hiscompany, said the partnership was an opportunity to further promote gas as a more reliable, cleaner and cost-effective alternative to liquid fuels in the Niger Delta.

    “Gas is the key to boosting industrialization. It is no coincidence that states that currently do well on internal revenue generation have also encouraged the use of gas to boost industrial output, which in turn provides employment and improved livelihood, Obong said, adding that SNG is grateful to the Rivers State government for the foresight and co-operation in signing  the MoU, and will reciprocate the gesture by taking every step to fulfill its obligations in the agreement.

    In his comment, Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Osagie Okunbor harped on the leadership role of Shell in the domestic gas market, saying, “for more than 50 years, Shell has been in the forefront of the campaign to develop and monetise Nigeria’s huge resources and it is good to see SNG continuing in the tradition to grow the domestic gas market and also help to improve lives and earnings in Rivers State.”

     

  • Four robbers impersonating F-SARS killed in Rivers

    Four robbers terrorising Rivers State residents and impersonating operatives of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (F-SARS) have been shot dead.

    The criminals, who were armed with AK-47 rifles and other weapons, died in a gun duel with F-SARS operatives, after robbing Mr. Wey Nwinanadun in his home at Ogbogoro, Port Harcourt in Obio/Akpor Local Government last Saturday about 6a.m.

    Items recovered from them included a brown Toyota Avalon XLS saloon car registered as Lagos BP 151 EPE, suspected to have been stolen, plasma TV set, laptops, phones, AK-47 rifle, among others.

    The Nation learnt that the robbers had attacked Ada-George and Iwofe areas of Port Harcourt.

    A victim, Nwinanadun, while inspecting the recovered items, hailed F-SARS operatives for their bravery, courage and determination to rid Rivers of criminals.

    F-SARS Commander Akin Fakorede said yesterday that the operatives would reduce crime.