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Tag: Sapele

  • Land dispute: Abigborodo community asks Sapele Okpe to provide proof of ownership

    Land dispute: Abigborodo community asks Sapele Okpe to provide proof of ownership

    The long-standing land dispute between the Abigborodo and Sapele Okpe communities has taken a dramatic turn with the Abigborodo Community Management Committee challenging the Sapele Okpe leadership to provide concrete evidence of land ownership or desist from making baseless claims.

    In a strongly worded rebuttal to recent statements by Chief Onoriode Temiagin and other leaders of the Sapele Okpe Community, Abigborodo leaders described the allegations against them as “false, misleading and unfounded.”

    The dispute over the ownership of the Ugbekoko lands intensified after Chief Temiagin accused Abigborodo, under the leadership of Chief Emmanuel Oritsejolomi Uduaghan, of document forgery, orchestrating violence and falsely claiming host community status in the operations of SEPLAT Energy Plc. 

    He further alleged that historical documents supporting Abigborodo’s claims were fabrications and that the Itsekiri community was attempting to encroach on Okpe ancestral land.  

    However, in a swift response, Abigborodo leaders rejected these assertions, insisting that their ownership of Ugbekoko is backed by verifiable legal and historical records dating back to the British colonial era. 

    They cited a 1919 lease agreement, petitions from Chief Okonedo to the colonial administration, and other official correspondences, all of which they claim are duly certified by the National Archives. “If Chief Temiagin insists our documents are forged, we challenge him to produce his own evidence of ownership,” the statement read.  

    Furthermore, Abigborodo leaders dismissed allegations that they were behind the recent shooting of a Sapele Okpe indigene, Mr. Patrick Gageche, calling it a desperate attempt to stoke tensions and derail the Delta State Peace Building and Conflict Resolution Committee’s investigation into the matter. 

    According to them, this ”was aimed at inciting public sentiment against Abigborodo and creating an atmosphere of hostility where none should exist.”

    The Abigborodo community also accused Sapele Okpe leaders of orchestrating attacks against its people. 

    They alleged that Okpe youths, acting under directives from Chief Temiagin, mounted illegal roadblocks along Ugberikoko Gana Road, profiling and assaulting travellers of Itsekiri origin.

    They identified Solomon Ayiri Omamogho, Louis Atunu and Stephen Abaje, who reportedly sustained injuries in these attacks and urged security agencies to act swiftly in ensuring justice.  

    Beyond these allegations, Abigborodo leaders reminded the public the ongoing dispute is being handled by the State Government through a special conflict resolution committee led by Chief Edwin Uzor. 

    They noted that they have consistently pursued legal channels, petitioning Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and engaging SEPLAT and relevant government agencies. 

    The community also pointed to a meeting on February 5, 2025 at the Delta State Directorate of State Security Services (DSS) headquarters in Asaba, where all parties, including representatives of Sapele Okpe, agreed to abide by the state government’s white paper on the matter. 

    Read Also: Abigborodo community denies claims in Seplat host community dispute

    Key resolutions included a commitment to peace and a pledge to allow the Peace Building and Conflict Resolution Committee to complete its investigation without undue interference.  

    However, despite these resolutions, Abigborodo leaders accused Chief Temiagin of violating the peace accord by continuing to make inflammatory statements online and in the media. 

    They warned that his actions could be subject to defamation and cyberbullying laws, stating, “Freedom of speech is not a license to spread falsehoods. Chief Temiagin must be prepared to prove his allegations in a court of law”  

    As tensions continue to simmer, Abigborodo leaders have urged their people to remain calm and law-abiding, emphasising their unwavering belief in the rule of law and due process. 

    They also called on security agencies to increase surveillance and protect innocent citizens from further attacks.

  • Stakeholders applaud police, urge political class to support security agencies’ effort in Sapele

    Stakeholders applaud police, urge political class to support security agencies’ effort in Sapele

    Critical stakeholders in Sapele under the ages of Concerned Sapele Residents, (CSR) have applauded the Police and other security agencies over their commitment to fighting crime in Sapele local government areas of Delta State.

    The group also charged political leaders in the Sapele local government area to collaborate and support security agencies in the locality in tackling emerging security challenges in the famous timber town.

    CRS said that the call for the support of the police and other security agencies has become necessary following an emerging global security concern, noting that Sapele as part of the global community is not insulated from criminal attacks, hence all stakeholders should support the efforts of the police in curbing crime in Sapele.

    The groups stated these in a statement after a critical stakeholders meeting in Sapele on Wednesday, July 23, 2024. 

    They reasoned security is everyone’s business, noting that the task of policing a complex city like Sapele cannot be left in the hands of security agencies alone.

    CSR commended the efforts of the Nigerian Police and the Nigerian Army who through operational efficiencies have mitigated the incidence of violent crime, particularly cultism, armed robbery and kidnapping in Sapele in the past two years. 

    Concerned Sapele Residents in a statement by its National Coordinator, Mazi Uguw Emenike, General Secretary, Comrade Moses Osadolo and its spokesman, Mr Oniovosa Etashime, explained that for residents to experience peace in Sapele, all stakeholders as a matter of urgency must support security agencies who daily put their lives on the lines with little or no motivation to ensure that we and our family are safe.  

    According to their statement: “Sapele has been one of the safest cities in Nigerians, thanks to the efforts of the Nigerian Police and the military personnel who for about two years now have kept cultists, armed robbers and kidnappers at bay in Sapele and its environs. 

    “We have one of the best-trained security personnel in Africa, but we must understand that our security agencies are overstretched on all fronts, and to compound their challenges, they are not well equipped, poorly motivated and founded to take on emerging security threats.  

    “So, we commend the modest efforts of our security agencies in Sapele and we want to encourage them to keep up their good work, however, there is room for improvement to confront emerging global security, and Sapele being part of the global community is not immune to pockets of attacks.

     “To tackle the growing security threat which is not peculiar to Sapele or Delta State, all hands must be on deck, security is everyone’s business and as such it cannot be left for the government or the security agencies alone to handle.

    “We are all aware that after every major election like the one of the 2023 general elections, there is always an upsurge in violent crime because some of the guns supplied by political gladiators to their supporters were not recovered which in most cases these boys whose bosses failed to settle now turn against innocent residents.

    “So, we want to appeal to the political class in Sapele to put aside their political affiliations and support the efforts of the police and other security agencies to serve us better. 

    “Kidnappers and armed robberies don’t know whether you are an APC or PDP member when they strike. So, when there is a security challenge we as stakeholders should work for solutions rather than engage in blame game.

    We should shun the temptations of playing politics with security because when it booms around, we don’t know who the victim would be. We the security agencies need now is our support and not unwarranted criticism.

    “Therefore, we call on those in positions of authority in Sapele to assist security agencies with logistics, such as operational patrol vans, modern communication gadgets and other necessary tools that can enhance their operation, and not just stand aloof and criticise their operation without lending a helping hand.”

  • We have nothing to do with death of two, says Delta APC

    The All Progressive Congress (APC) has debunked allegations linking it to the death of two young men during the presidential and national assembly polls in Sapele, Delta State.

    In a press release made available to newsmen on Sunday, the party described the claims as efforts on the part of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to cover up their involvement in the killings.

    Calling on security operatives to investigate the matter, the release which was signed by the party’s chairman, Comrade Friday Erubasa, said the attack was plotted to rig the elections in ward 9, which has always been an APC stronghold.

    It also called on security agencies to ignore allegations by the PDP that the attack was carried out by one of APC chieftains, whose house was burnt down after the onslaught.

    Read Also: Polls: Kidnapped APC candidate still in captivity

    Some political thugs had reportedly opened fire on voters at Ward 9, Unit 15 in Amukpe area of Sapele, leading to the death of two persons who made attempt to snatch ballot boxes.

    Stating that the presence of the deceased persons, identified as Michael Chibueze and Jeffrey Otevane, at that polling unit was questionable, considering that they were not registered voters of the unit, the APC alleged that they were PDP members recruited as mercenaries by the council chairman, Chief Eugene Inoaghan and one Hero Asagba, a special adviser to governor of Delta state, Sen Ifeanyi Okowa.

    It wondered why the duo were being said to be Ad-hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), even when the electoral body is yet to report loss of any official.

    Calling on party supporters to come out en masse and vote for APC candidates in the forthcoming governorship polls, the party disputed claims that its candidate, Moses Ogodo was part of the thugs, adding, “Moses Ogodo was never at the polling booth, as he is a registered voter at unit 12, ward 9 where he was on that day, exercising his franchise.”

  • Delta PDP petitions police over members’ death

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State has petitioned the Commissioner of Police to investigate the murder of its members during last Saturday’s elections.

    A statement by the chairman, David Oghenekevwe, said the deceased members – Messrs Michael Chubiuke and Jeffrey Otevane – went to vote when they met their death.

    He accused Moses Ogodo, a House of Assembly candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and his gang of masterminding their death.

    Read also: Security agencies uncover plot by PDP, others to discredit poll

    The statement reads: “Between 13:00hours and 14:00hours on February 23, at unit 15 ward 9, which is very close to Moses Ogodo’ residence, Ogodo and his cohorts came out armed with guns and other dangerous weapons.

    “According to an eyewitness, Ogodo shot and killed Michael Chubiuke, while Shaldrack Nebragho killed Jeffrey Otevane, and they continued to shoot sporadically.

    “This untoward behaviour is unacceptable; we condemn it and call on the Commissioner of Police and other security agents to bring the perpetrators to book.

    “Those who committed this crime are well known; we call on relevant security agencies to take necessary action and bring the culprits – Moses Ogodo, Shaldrack Nebragho and others to book.”

  • 20 killed as violence rocks polls

    No  fewer than 17 people were killed across the country yesterday as violence erupted during the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

    The army confirmed six in Rivers State alone.

    Three of the victims died at different polling units at Okota, a suburb of Lagos, and three in Sapele, Delta State, two each in Bayelsa and Kogi States while one each was killed in Oyo and Zamfara States.

    The remaining two died on Friday during a clash between supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State.

    Sequel to the violence, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has decided to hold   fresh elections in some parts of  Lagos, Rivers and Anambra States.

    INEC Commissioner and chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, announced the development said the move was on account of disruption.

    He said: “The commission has received reports of violence and ballot box snatching in some areas leading to the disruption of the process. We have asked the Resident Electoral Commissioners RECs and the Electoral Officials on ground to submit their firsthand reports in relation to some of these incidents. We are still receiving reports relating to incidences in some states of the federation but we have received reports relating to incidences in Akuku Toru and Bonny local government areas of Rivers state.

    “So long as the commission could not deploy in these areas, the implication is that voting did not take place in those areas and the commission will hold consultations with the relevant authorities and the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in relation to these areas and will announce the date when polls will take place in some of these areas, especially in relation to the areas as they affect the House of Representatives and Senatorial elections.

    “It is not only in Rivers that we had reports of burning of electoral materials. We have such reports from Anambra and Lagos States as well as some other places.”

    The victims in Rivers State included two brothers and a soldier.

    Sources identified one of the victims in Lagos simply as Peter. He was said to be a barber and was allegedly   shot and stabbed to death at Powerline, Canal Estate in Okota  by thugs who stormed the polling station in an attempt to disrupt the electoral process.

    Another was identified as Demola, a leader of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) in the area who was lynched by a mob for allegedly denying them a right to vote.

    The identity of the third man could not be immediately established, but he was stabbed to death at Last Bus Stop, Ago Okota.

    Residents alleged that the thugs first showed their intent as early as 8am when they stormed the area threatening prospective voters.

    They blamed the police and soldiers for not acting on reports about the activities of the alleged hoodlums.

    An eye witness said: “Those guys were armed with guns and cutlass. We had policemen and soldiers here and I personally told them that those guys seated under the umbrella there were thugs and not voters in this area.

    “We told them to do their job by chasing them away or arresting them but surprisingly, the security people left. They only left one police van here and the policemen inside had just stick.

    “As soon as those policemen and soldiers left, these boys started scattering everywhere. They destroyed the ballot boxes but we were able to secure the presidential ballot box because we had voted.

    “They killed one barber and injured many people here. We called the police and soldiers for reinforcement. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials ran away for their lives. Soldiers later came to rescue them.

    “But why we are angry now is that the INEC doesn’t want to continue our election. They said they will not count our votes here and we have refused. There are police and soldiers here, so, let them count the votes of our presidential election. At least, they could not scatter that.”

    Some of the hoodlums also stormed polling unit 023, Ago Palace Way, and set fire to   thumb printed ballot papers.

    However, the voters fought back and the thugs fled on a motorcycle.

    One of them was however unlucky and was subsequently seized with his motorcycle which was immediately set ablaze.

    The suspect was beaten and later handed over to the police.

    Ten others were arrested also at Okota.

    The police arrested nine other suspected thugs at Somolu, Lagos for allegedly molesting voters with charms, six in Epe, three at Ajao Estate, Lagos.

    Soldiers arrested two persons at Aguda, Surulere, Lagos.

    One of the suspects Yusuf, said a politician asked him to come to a polling unit for an unknown reason.

    Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) David Folawiyo and Police Commissioner Zubairu Muazu went round the city to monitor the security situation.

    Leader of OPC in Okota, Prince Osipote, denied the thugs who disrupted elections in the area. He said they were not members of the OPC.

    Addressing reporters after a meeting with his men, Muazu said a total of 23 persons were arrested in the state for attempts to disrupt the elections which he described as generally peaceful in the state.

    He said: “We went round several polling units and it was generally peaceful. We had a few cases of disruption of election process. The most important was the one at Okota where few polling units were attacked.

    “Some hoodlums went there when election was ongoing and disrupted the process. We heard the rumour that people were killed but we went there and we did not see any corpse. The DPO did not see anyone that was killed.

    “In Okota, nine suspects were arrested. They came on motorcycles and 10 of these were recovered. Okota is a very large area and we cannot deploy armed policemen to polling units. The armed policemen were far off. That was why the hoodlums were able to strike and fled before armed policemen could get there.

    “It is indeed a breach of the restriction order. I wonder where they came from but the case is under investigation and we will find out where they came from.

    Three killed, two injured in Sapele shooting

    Unknown gunmen were blamed for the killings in Sapele.

    Sources said the hoodlums swooped on voters as they queued to exercise their franchise at Amukpe area of Sapele and unexpectedly opened fire.

    Two persons died on the spot while another died in the hospital.

    Two other persons hit by bullets are now receiving treatment in the hospital.

    The motive of the gunmen could not be immediately established.

    A resident of the area said: “I’m not sure they carted election materials away, but I saw that the ground of the place was littered with electoral  materials, giving me the impression that they only scattered the materials.”

    Police Commissioner Adeleke Adeyinka said he was yet to be briefed on the incident.

    But a security source said: “immediately we heard of the situation, we moved in to take over the area so as to stabilize it and prevent a further escalation of the situation.”

    APC chieftain, brother soldier killed in Rivers

    Unknown gunmen also shot to death, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Chief Mowan Owo-Ete, and his brother.

    They were killed in the politician’s residence at Asarama, Andoni Local Government Area at about 9am.

    Owo-Ete, a former Vice-Chairman of PDP and ex-Special Adviser to Governor Nyesom Wike on Political Matters, defected to the APC last October.

    The gunmen were said to have scaled the fence of the house and rained bullets on them at close range.

    It was learnt that Owo-Ete had narrowly escaped assassination shortly before the February 16 elections were postponed.

    It was also gathered that a soldier was killed in Abonema

    Rivers Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Nnamdi Omoni, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), confirmed through the telephone, the death of the top politician and his elder brother, stressing that personnel of the command were on the trail of the killers, while expressing optimism that they would soon be arrested and prosecuted, to serve as a deterrent to other criminals.

    There  were also sporadic gunshots in  Ubima, Ikwerre LGA of Rivers, hometown Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi; Okrika, hometown of former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan; and Bonny Island making it impossible for the Electoral Officer of INEC in LGA, Eze Ukachukwu, to distribute voting materials.

    Abonnema, hometown of governorship candidate of APC, Pastor Tonye Cole, and his counterpart of Accord Party, Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs also had its own share of violence.

    It was gathered that the heavy shootings in Abonnema started on Friday night and continued till yesterday morning, with the intention of scaring INEC officials.

    Information Commissioner Emma Okah, claimed that 15 PDP members were shot dead by soldiers in Abonnema.

    But the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division of Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Maj.-Gen. Jamil Sarham, dismissed Okah’s claim as a lie.

    Maj.-Gen. Sarham, speaking through the division’s Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Aminu Iliyasu, said: “Policemen were unable to contain the situation in Abonnema, leading to the deployment of soldiers. Voting could also not start at 2 p.m. in Bonny LGA. The elections in Akuku-Toru and Bonny LGAs will be rescheduled for a later date.”

    Wike hailed INEC for the prompt distribution of electoral materials across Rivers State in yesterday’s elections.

    Rivers governor, who was accompanied to the voting unit by his wife, Justice Eberechi Suzzette, spoke with reporters shortly after voting at his Ward 9, Unit 7, Obio/Akpor LGA of the state at 12 noon, however, blamed the military for the challenges experienced in some parts of the state.

    The Nigerian Army last night confirmed that six people were killed by troops in Abonnema, Akuku Toru local government area of Rivers State.

    Read also: EFCC operatives at INEC collation centre in Lagos

    It also added the Army lost a lieutenant in the encounter when suspected attackers laid ambush for troops at a compound in Abonnema town.

    The spokesman of the Army, Colonel Sagir Musa said in a statement that the attackers barricaded a major road in the town and when troops attempted to clear the debris the attackers opened fire on them.

    Colonel Musa said:”Information reaching Headquarters of Nigerian Army (NA) revealed that troops of 6 Division on a legitimate duty of protecting lives and properties of law abiding citizens and ensuring a conducive environment for peaceful conduct of 2019 General Elections in Abonnema, Akuku Toru Local Government Area (LGA) Rivers State were attacked by some hoodlums.

    “The pre-planned attack occurred in between Charles and Bob-Manuel’s compounds in Abonnema Town at about 1:00pm on the 23rd February 2019.

    “The attackers barricaded a major road into the town and laid an ambush in the adjoining built-up areas from where they opened fire on our unsuspecting troops when they attempted to remove the barricade.

    “The gallant troops fought their way through the siege and in the process killed six of the assailants.  However, we lost a lieutenant in the encounter.

    ” Preliminary investigation indicated that one Roland  Sekibo, – the Chairman Akuku Toru LGA, Omodo – the CSO Akuku Toru LGA and  Kenneth of Kula currently at large were the masterminds of the unexpected/ unprovoked attack.

    “To this end, the NA strongly hereby state that perpetrators of this ambush will be made to face the full wrath of the law.”

    Armed men kill Govt House photographer, PDP chairman in Bayelsa

    A Yenagoa Government House photographer, Mr. Reginald Dei, and a ward chairman of the Peoples Democratic party (PDP) Seidougha Taribi were the victims in Bayelsa State.

    They were allegedly killed by armed men in military uniform  at Oweikorogha, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area òf the  State.

    Sources said they were killed in their houses at the close of voting yesterday

    The State Chairman of PDP, Chief Moses Cleopas blamed the APC for the killings.

    Moses had said that thugs identified to be working for the APC with the support of some soldiers had besieged the Bassambiri and Oluasiri axis of Nembe Local Government Area, where they engaged operatives in a shootout all night on Friday.

    According to him, the attackers lost a member in the attack while several others were injured and taken to the Hospital in Ogbolomabiri and Yenagoa.

    He stated further that the rampaging APC thugs hijacked the electoral materials for the seven wards of Bassambiri and Oluasiri to a building for thumb-printing.

    Two killed in Kogi East

    Thugs killed two persons in Anyigba, Dekina local government of  Kogi State while attempting to disrupt voting in the area.

    The victims lost their lives  at the Ajetachi polling unit when thugs stormed the area.

    They were said to have been shooting indiscriminately, killing the victims one of whom was a nineteen year old boy, simply identified as Usman.

    A woman who was on the queue to cast her ballot was seriously injured.

    At Agbeji, thugs who invaded two polling unit tried to force the Presiding Officers (PO) to sign completed result sheets.

    The POs however refused, and took to their heels, resulting in the disruption of the exercise.

  • Three killed, two injured in Sapele

    No fewer than three persons were feared dead at a polling unit in Amukpe area of Sapele, Delta State during yesterday’s elections. Two others were badly injured.

    Eye witnesses described the assailants as political thugs.

    They said the suspected thugs unexpected swooped on the voters who were queuing to vote and opened fire.

    Two died on the spot while three others who were hit were rushed to the hospital. One of them however died.

    A resident said: “I’m not sure if they carted election materials away, but I saw that the ground of the place was littered with election materials, giving me the impression that they only scattered the materials.”

    Read Also; 20 killed as violence rocks polls

    The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adeleke Adeyinka, could not confirm the incident, saying he wanted to get across to the people on the ground in Amukpe to ascertain the truth.

    But a reliable security source said: “immediately we heard of the situation, we moved in to take over the area so as to stabilize it and prevent a further escalation of the situation.”

    Meanwhile, voting was relatively peaceful in most other polling units as voters were seen casting their votes. For instance, Sapele ward 7, units 7 and 8, along Ugberikoko Road, voters were still casting their votes at 2:09pm.

  • Delta 2019: Group canvases support for Okowa’s re-election

    A labour-based political group operating on the platform of the PDP in Delta state, known as Option A Initiative, has endorsed Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for second term.

    Addressing its teeming members in Sapele, the Principal Coordinator of the group, Comrade Olumami Oyibo, said they were committed to the return of Governor Okowa for a second tenure so that the Delta North Senatorial District could complete its eight year’s turn of governance in the state and also because of the governor’s performance.

    According to the group, there is a subsisting arrangement for each senatorial district in the state to govern the state for eight years of two tenures of four years each, adding that the Delta Central and Delta South have had their turns and it is the turn of the North to have their second tenure to complete their eight year’s turn.

    Oyibo said: “Option A is all about Okowa; it’s just Okowa; it’s turn by turn. As far as Delta State is concerned, there is an arrangement. There is an agreement, whether written or unwritten that power must shift, power must rotate.

    “Delta Central under Chief Ibori took its turn of eight years and my own brother Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan took the turn of Delta South through the G3. Now the rotation has gone to Delta North and Okowa is just completing the first tenure. Naturally, for fairness, equity and justice, we expect him to take his second tenure”, he said.

    Read Also: Lawmaker commends Okowa on development

    Oyibo noted that group is also throwing its weight behind Okowa because of his excellent performances in the past three and half years, adding that in spite of the poor state of the economy inherited by him, he, indeed, performed beyond expectations.

    The Principal Coordinator, further emphasized that the group is supporting the second tenure Okowa because he has done very well, saying “we are not just supporting him because for the sake of it, we are supporting him because he has done very well and he deserves a second term.

    Commenting on the size of the membership of the group, Oyibo said that it is labour-based, adding that it include a massive grassroots movement that has its presence in the 25 local government Areas of the state, stressing that the billboards of Option A Initiative are in every local government secretariats in the state.

    “Option A is everywhere. If you go to any local government secretariat, you will see the billboards of Option A. I can also tell you that in every rally in the state you have the presence of Option A there because in all the local governments we have Option A members there”, he said.

    Oyibo, who is also the current chairman of the Delta State Local Government Service Commission, said that members of the group were engaged in canvassing for votes for the governor, adding that the group will be organizing a statewide rally for Okowa in Asaba in February.

  • Police rescue abducted naval personnel in Delta

    The naval personnel, Kola Omoniyi, who was reportedly abducted by unknown gunmen on Monday, October 29, 2018, along the Sapele-Warri Expressway, has been rescued.
    He was rescued in the early hours of Saturday.
    Four of his abductors were also arrested by men of the Delta state police command. Omoniyi was said have been rescued by a crack team police investigators, led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the ‘C’ Division, Asaba, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Anieteh Eyoh.
    According to sources, the police investigative team had gone after the kidnappers’ gang, zeroed it in on Ibada Elume community in Sapele council area of the state, arrested some of the conspirators of the crime, which led to the eventual release of Omoniyi.
    According to a security source, “the success of the rescue of the navy official was to the credit of the use of cutting edge technology in policing. The Eyoh-led team had located the area of the criminals’ hideout and went after some of their abbeters. That’s how they managed to get the man out. Four of the suspects are now in police custody”.

    Read Also: Gunmen kidnap Naval Personnel in Delta

    Sources, however informed that suspected mastermind of the crime had taken to his heels and was still being sought as at the time filing this report.
    Contacted, the Delta state Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Muhammad Mustafa confirmed the report, saying the rescued Omoniyi had been taken to the hospital for treatment.
    “The Police combed the area and the suspects were arrested around Sapele area.The Naval Officer is receiving treatment at the Navy Hospital in Effurun. Investigation is still ongoing”, he said.
    It would be recalled that the abductors of the naval personnel had reached out to his family and had demanded a N4 million ransom for his release.
  • DPR seals 70 stations in six months in Delta

    DPR seals 70 stations in six months in Delta

    The Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, (Warri Zonal Office) says it has sealed 70 petrol stations for alleged sharp practice in the past six months in parts of Delta State.

    Mr. Antai Asuquo, Operations Controller, who spoke to reporters yesterday, said that the stations were sanctioned for hoarding, under-dispensing, over pricing, abandonment and diversion of products.

    He said the stations were sealed in Warri, Ughelli, Sapele ,Ozoro ,Oleh ,Kwale, Agbor ,Ubiaruku , and Asaba.

    According to him, the 70 stations are part of the 446 petrol stations visited by the department’s surveillance team.

    Asuquo said fuel was dispensed to motorists in two of the 70 filling stations at no cost because the stations were hoarding the products.

    Read Also: DPR seals 15 filling stations in Akwa Ibom

    His words, “The exercise is a continuous one until the petroleum marketers complied with government’s approved pump price of N145 per litre. It is not our intention to seal a petrol station that has products but the products should be sold to the public at the regulated pump price”.

    Asuquo urged marketers who indulge in sharp practices to desist from it because the regulatory agency would continue to go after them until full compliance was attained.

    The controller cautioned depot owners against selling products above ex-depot price as well as selling to third parties.

    He appealed to the public to assist the DPR with useful information on any station selling above the regulated price.

  • Was it murder or an accident?

    Was it murder or an accident?

    A 300-Level Pharmacy student of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Uche Rickson Esegine, is being detained with a pastor and three others at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Edo State Police Command over the death of an admission seeker,  Lucky Chukwuka. An autopsy allegedly revealed that Chukwuka was murdered. But, the suspects denied the allegation, saying he bled to death. EZEKIEL EFEOBHOKHAN (600-Level Pharmacy) reports.

    What killed Lucky Chukwuka? This is the puzzle the homicide division of Edo State Police Command is trying to unravel. Chukwuka died on July 2, after he returned home from a regional prayer vigil organised by the Sapele Road branch of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in Benin City, the state capital.

    Chukwuka, an admission seeker, allegedly died in a bus conveying him and fellow RCCG members back to Benin City, shortly after they left the vigil. Five people, including a pastor and the bus driver, are in police custody over the matter.

    An autopsy report by the police allegedly indicated that the deceased may have been murdered, but the suspects denied having hand in his death.

    After the vigil, CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the officiating pastor pleaded with church members, who came with vehicles, to help others who did not have any means of returning home. The late Chukwuka hopped into the bus, which was going to Benin City. It was gathered that the bus was full before it left the vigil’s venue.

    CAMPUSLIFE gathered that an accident was averted when the bus almost collided with a trailer coming from the opposite direction. Although the passengers panicked, they suspected nothing, until the late Chukwuka’s blood-stained phone was found on the floor of the bus.

    It was gathered that the late Chukwuka was found bleeding from the head, prompting the driver and other church members to rush him to the Central Hospital in Benin City, where he was rejected. He was then taken to the UNIBEN Teaching Hospital (UBTH), where he was pronounced dead.

    His distraught parents filed a complaint at BDPA Police Station, which led to the detention of the suspects. CAMPUSLIFE gathered that they were moved to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), following the autopsy report.

    One of the suspects, Uche Rickson Esegine, a 300-Level Pharmacy student of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), said he knew nothing about Chukwuka’s death when he spoke to CAMPUSLIFE before he was moved to CID.

    Uche said nobody in the bus knew the deceased was bleeding until his blood-stained phone was found on the floor. He wondered how the police came about the murder story when efforts were made to save Chukwuka’s life.

    “If truly the deceased was murdered, why did we have to take him to two hospitals in an effort to save his life?” Uche asked.

    Explaining how the accident happened, Uche said after the vigil, he joined four other church members in their chartered bus to return to town. Before departure, he said some faithful appealed to them for a ride, which they obliged.

    “As Christians, we believed it was good to help our fellow Christians. Our bus was filled up as we left the camp. I was so tired and sleepy. Some minutes into the journey back to Benin City, I dozed off. The scream by other passengers woke me up when our bus was almost hit by a trailer. We were all frightened by that experience. After a while, we heard someone from the back seat shouting ‘blood…blood’.

    “We discovered Chukwuka, who was sitting at the extreme right of the back seat, had an injury on his head. He was bleeding profusely. His phone was stained by the blood. We alerted the driver, who made a diversion to the hospital. He was rejected at the Central Hospital, after which we rushed him to UBTH where he died.”

    Uche’s explanation did not convince the bereaved parents, who suspected foul play in the death of their son. It was learnt that the parents urged the police to investigate the circumstances of their son’s death.

    Uche’s collegues are worried by his continued detention. They have threatened to stage a protest against the police and the school. The students said they would march on the Police Command if Uche was not released before his third-year professional examination, which started last Monday. His colleagues threatened to boycott the examination.

    The Students’ Union Government (SUG) leadership, however, waded into the matter, urging students not to embark on the planned protest. The union president, Elvis Osemudiamen, promised to meet with the school management and police authorities on the matter.

    Briefing the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Faraday Orumwense, Elvis urged the school to wade into the matter, noting that Uche should be allowed to write his exams while police continued. The management promised to do what it could to get Uche back in school for his exams. The VC promised students that the school’s legal team would be informed about the matter.

    The SUG leaders also visited the police command to meet with  the commissioner. Elvis urged the police to make their investigation open.

    The commissioner reportedly told the union leaders: “Litigation is the next step. Only the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) and the court have jurisdiction to dismiss, discharge or acquit a murder suspect.”

    The Deputy Speaker of the union, Philip Omoaregba, described the matter as “dicey”, urging students to remain calm.

    He said: “We have spoken with Uche and he is traumatised. He is still  in shock. This case is dicey, because there is evidence in support and against. But, we are curious as to why the police only detained five persons of all the people in the bus. It is unfortunate Uche found himself in this mess.”

    A 600-Level Pharmacy student, Anthony Ehimare, urged students not to disrupt the examination, saying: “Due process is being followed to get Uche out of detention.”

    Another student, who asked not be named, said “We must stop being emotional. We should also think about the trauma of the bereaved family. They are grieving over their son. What they did was simply report to the police. Uche was only found at the wrong place at the wrong time. May God help him.”

    It is not clear whether the police have concluded plans to charge the case to court, but the continued detention of the suspects is raising dust.

    Students, who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE, urged the police to “thoroughly investigate” the circumstances leading to Chukwuka’s death, but their poser to the police is: “If suspects committed the murder, why would they try to save the life of the victim by taking him to two hospitals?