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Tag: Yenagoa

  • Troops arrest pirates’ medical doctor in Bayelsa

    Troops arrest pirates’ medical doctor in Bayelsa

    • Rescue kidnap soldier

    An unnamed medical doctor who specialised in the treatment of injured sea pirates and kidnappers has been arrested by troops of Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Pulo Shield (OPS).

    The Coordinator, Joint Media Campaign Centre (JMCC), Col. Isa Ado, who confirmed the development said the troops also rescued a soldier kidnapped by pirates along Nembe Creek on March 24.

    Ado said the soldier was freed by troops of Sector 2 patrolling the creek of Otakeme Community in Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.

    He said the soldier was takn to a medical facility for treatment while efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing gunmen.

    On the arrested medical doctor, he said: “Toops deployed in Nembe LGA of Bayelsa State arrested a medical worker who specialized in treating wounded militants and sea pirates who sustained gun injuries during shoot out with security operatives in the region.

    “It was revealed from the source that the medical worker who has been on the business for a long time was responsible for the treatment of the wounded sea pirates and their leader who recently engaged troops of the Joint Force in a shootout along Nembe water ways in Bayelsa State.

    “During the encounter, four of the sea pirates were killed while others sustained injuries.  Among them is the leader of the gang popularly known as IDIAGBON who was taken to the medical facility belonging to the arrested medical worker at Okiama village in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State where treatment was administered on them.

    “However, luck ran out on them as troops on getting the information cordoned off the area and arrested the medical worker while the wounded pirates escaped before the arrival of troops.  The arrested suspects are currently undergoing preliminary investigation.”

    He said the troops also carried out anti-illegal oil bunkering activities around Igbematoru, Ogu-Bolo  and Bille axis of Bayelsa and Rivers State where some oil thieves operate with  seven wooden boats, two Cotonou boats, four surface tank loaded with suspected stolen products, seven storage tanks each loaded with 30,000 litres.

    He named other items discovered at the sites as pumping machines and underground tank filled with illegally refined AGO abiding that onesuspect was arrested during the operation. The sites and the items were subsequently destroyed.

    He said: “In another development, troops of Sector 1 Operation PULO SHIELD  deployed at Afiesere Flow Station in Ughelli North local Government Area of Delta State on 18 March 2016 foiled an attempt by some unscrupulous elements to vandalise and cart away valves from Nigeria Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) wellhead 18/37 at Afiesere in Ughelli North.

    “Troops on getting information responded swiftly and recovered 2 valves supposedly abandoned by fleeing suspects. The recovered exhibits are in custody of the Joint Force while efforts are in top gear to apprehend the perpetrators.

    “Meanwhile, troops while on land trotting along NPDC Erhoike Flow Station Kokori Ethiope East LGA of Delta State, arrested Vincent Egedegbe and Jackson Egedegbe in connection with the vandalization of wellheads 3 and 19 Oil field.

    “The suspects on completion of preliminary investigation were handed over to the Nigerian Police at Ughelli Area A for further action.

    “A car snatcher who gave his name as Michael Wilson was also  arrested on 26 March 2016 at Ogbe Ijaw market square in Warri South LGA of Delta State while attempting to snatch an ash coloured Toyota 4 Runner Jeep with registration number Delta GG 683 BB  belonging to one Mark (real name withheld). The suspect will be handed over to prosecuting agency on completion of preliminary investigation.

    “The Maritime component of the Joint Force also arrested a notorious pipeline vandal around Ogbe Ijaw axis on 25 March 2016.   Items recovered from the suspect include explosives, wires and empty AK 47 Rifle magazine. The suspect and the recovered items are in the custody of the Joint Force for preliminary investigation before handing over to prosecuting agency.”

  • Dickson behind crisis in our Party, says APC

    Dickson behind crisis in our Party, says APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC), Bayelsa State chapter on Monday accused the State Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, of being the brains behind the crisis rocking the party in the state.

    APC in a statement signed by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Mr. Panebi Fortune, said there was an underhand dealing between the suspended Chairman of the party,  Chief Tiwe Oruminighe and Dickson.

    Oruminighe and few membes of the state Executive Committee have been directely attacking the state leader of the party, Chief Timipre Sylva, accusing him of selling appointments to his cronies.

    Dickson in the heat of the crisis released a statement purportedly supporting the faction of the APC Executive Committee led by Oruminighe.

    The party said: “It has become compelling for us to expose the under hand dealings between the governor, Hon Henry Seriake Dickson and the suspended state chairman of the APC, Chief Tiwei Oruminighe alongside two of his accomplices.

    “In the last few days, the state and indeed the entire nation has witnessed the outright misdemeanour on the part of the suspended party and two members of the state exco. As a party built on the principles of discipline, justice and fair play, 25 out of the 31 member state exco of the party supended Orunimigha and his co-travellers for gross indiscipline and misconduct.

    “However, our attention has been drawn to a statement laced with lies and outright misinformation purporting and insinuating financial dealings between two leading lights in our party, that is our leader, Chief Timipre Sylva and the Hon Minister of State for Agriculture, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri prior to the appointment of the latter as minister. We find these lies very disgusting and ignoble, hence seen as the ranting of a bunch of misled ingrates.

    “But our curiosity is that the statement emanated from one Daniel Iworiso-Markson, chief press secretary to Governor Dickson. The question of who is behind the suspended chairman and his ‘boys’ does not need to be asked. What rather baffles us is the rationale behind this incredulous act of anti party and unconscionable desire for monetary gains in the name of politics.

    “We wish to state unequivocally that the entire membership of the ‎state exco aside the suspended trio of Oruminighe, Julius Eddy and Daniel Marlin is solidly behind our leader, Sylva as well as the minister of state. We call on the relevant security agencies to unravel the source of the attached email statement from Iworiso-Markson”.

  • Minister to Bayelsa APC faction: Blackmail won’t distract me

    Minister to Bayelsa APC faction: Blackmail won’t distract me

    The  Minister of State for Agriculture, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri on Monday said no amount of blackmail would distract him from discharging his functions in the cabinet of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Lokpobiri said all the allegations against him by the suspected faction of the state Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) led by the party’s state Chairman, Chief Tiwe Oruminighe were laughable and baseless.

    Oruminighe and his group accused Lokpobiri of purchasing his ministerial slot from the state leader of the party and former Governor of the state, Chief Timipre Sylva.

    But Lokpobiri in a statement signed by his Media Assistant, Mr. Donald Ojogo, said he never got his appointment on the altar of financial inducement.

    He threatened to seek redress in court by filing libel suit against persons bent in damaging his hard-earned reputation.

    The statement said: “In the last few days, the Bayelsa state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has contended with  some unsavoury moments.

    ” Undoubtedly, these are orchestrated by an insignificant few within the party and oiled by some external forces who feel threatened about their political future, especially as the APC challenges the outcome of the last governorship election at the Election Petition Tribunal.

    “‎From the outset, the attitude of the Honourable Minister of State for Agriculture, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri has been to ignore and avoid responding to all such untoward moves and circumstances around the APC. To him, such do not represent the much required cohesion, sincerity of purpose and political maturity.

    “Nonetheless, in the view of the deliberate fabrication of lies and misrepresentation of facts on the part of those who have allowed themselves to be used in this blackmail venture, it has become very compelling to state the following:

    “The Hon Minister of State for Agriculture, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri never got his appointment on the platter of financial negotiations as expressly insinuated by the suspended State chairman of the APC in Bayelsa State, Chief Tiwei Oruminigha and his cohorts.

    “Like other appointees of Mr President, Senator Lokpobiri was duly considered worthy to be so appointed in his position.

    “It is a clear case of misrepresentation of facts to insinuate that former governor of Bayelsa who is the leader of the APC in Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva collected money from the Hon minister before his appointment as minister. This is an outright fabrication”.

    The statement added: “The reference by Tiwei Orunimigha to statements purportedly made by Hon minister in the build up to the 2015 elections ‎that he (Lokpobiri) never believed in the ability of the APC and its then presidential candidate (now president), Muhammadu Buhari to win election is nothing but an exhibition of either some form of delusion or  incurable  amnesia.

    “For the records, the Hon Minister’s political affinity with President Muhammadu Buhari dates back to 2003 when he was the senatorial candidate of the defunct All Nigerian Peoples Party ( ANPP) fro Bayelsa West Senatorial District.

    “He had vigorously campaigned for him to be president then. The assertion by Orunimigha can only be a fictionalised sermon heightened by defeated expectations. It is therefore a blackmail that cannot stand the test of time. It is neither capable of distracting the Hon minister.

    “Lastly, as a law abiding citizen, the Hon Minister wishes to state that while an unsuspecting section of the media has the liberty to publish unsubstantiated stories, he reserves the right to seek redress in the ‎law courts”.

  • Killer of 12 policemen to die by hanging, court rules

    One of the killers of 12 policemen who were ambushed and shot dead along the creeks of Lobia 2 community, Southern Ijaw, Bayelsa State, on April 5, 2013, has been sentenced to death by hanging.
    The Oporoma Judicial Division of the High Court sitting in Yenagoa, the state capital, slammed the capital punishment on the accused person, Jackson Feutuboba, known along the creeks and waterways as Jasper.
    The 2013 victims were deployed by the state police command, then headed by Kingsley Omire (retd) to provide security for the funeral of the late mother of an ex-militant leader, Mr. Kile Torughedi, popularly known as Young Shall Grow.

    Torughedi who was the commander of the South Wing of the Movement for Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) from 2002 till 2009 when he embraced the amnesty for repentant militants was then serving as the Senior Special Adviser to Governor Seriake Dickson on Marine Waterways Security.

    The slain policemen were escorting dignitaries to the wake of the deceased when the gunmen attacked them.

    The gunmen killed 12 out of 15 of them and held one of them hostage for ransom.

    Jasper and two others have been standing trial for their murder.

    The court ruled that the prosecution proved its case beyond every reasonable doubt and found Jasper guilty on all the 11 counts.

    He was particularly arraigned for killing one Police Inspector, Joseph Ofozini.
    The prosecution told the court that the accused person had over five cases in various courts bothering on kidnapping, sea piracy and involvement in the death of the policemen.

    The presiding Judge,  Justice M.A Ayemieye, took into consideration the nature of the offence, the passionate plea for mercy made by the defendant’s lawyer.

    But the judge concluded that the sentence for murder is death and it is mandatory.

    Justice Ayemieye ruled and sentenced the accused to death by hanging.

    The police prosecutor, Arthur Andrew Seweniowor, said if the accused failed to appeal the sentence in three months, the governor would sign his death warrant and he would be hanged.

    The accused lawyer, Efieseimokumo Bipelede earlier pleaded with the court to tamper justice with mercy saying the accused person is a family man with five children.

    He said imposing the maximum penalty would truncate the destiny of all the children whom he described as minors.

    He urged the court to convert the punishment to prison sentence.
    The court discharged and acquitted the second accused person identified as ThankGod Clinton Ezetu for lack of evidence.
    End.
  • Bayelsa Assembly re-elects ex-Speaker

    Bayelsa Assembly re-elects ex-Speaker

    The Bayelsa State House of Assembly has re-elected Mr. Konbowei Benson as its Speaker.

    Benson, a former speaker of the House was sacked by the Court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt but emerged victorious in a rerun poll conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Southern Ijaw Constituency 4.

    Shortly after receiving his Certificate of Return following his re-election, it was gathered that Benson was inaugurated  as a member of the House and reelected by the lawmakers as their speaker on Monday.

    Benson and Michael Ogbere, who won the rerun election in Ekeremor Constituency III were inaugurated during the sitting presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Mr. Abraham Ingobere.

    The Deputy Leader of the House, Mr. Tonye Isenah representing Kolokuma/Opokuma Constituency I, reportedly moved a motion to re-elect Benson as the Speaker.

    The motion was said to have been seconded by Mr. Monday Bubou Obolo, Southern Ijaw Constituency II.

    Benson is the highest ranking state lawmaker in the history of Bayelsa having occupied the Southern Ijaw Constituency 4 seat in four tenures.

    After taking oath of office as Speaker, Benson, expressed gratitude to the Governor of the State, Mr. Seriake Dickson and members of the House for the confidence repose in him.

    The Speaker assured members of his readiness to work closely with them irrespective of party affiliations and urged Bayelsans to support the House in making good laws for the state.

    He said the recent political development strengthened him to give his best to the state.

    He said: “I will continue to serve my people and the state. I thank the Governor and my colleagues for their confidence in me. I will not fail them. As a House, we will continue to make good laws to better the society”, Benson said.

    The new Speaker is expected to inaugurate the three opposition members-elect who were declared winners of their state Constituencies by the Court of Appeal.

    They are Mr. Alfred Belemote Watson, Brass Constituency II (APGA), Mr. Michael Ogbara, Ogbia III (ADC) and Mr. Munalayefa Gibson, Ogbia II (Labour Party).

  • Police arraign Yinusa for abducting Ese

    The police on Tuesday arraigned Yinusa Dahiru, the Kano State-born man who abducted the 14-year-old Ese Oruru from Bayelsa State and married her.

    Yinusa was dragged before the Federal High Court sitting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

    He was charged with abduction, illicit sex and unlawful canal knowledge among others.

  • Police arrest doctor, nurse over plot to sell baby

    Police arrest doctor, nurse over plot to sell baby

    The police have arrested a doctor and a nurse at Survival Hospital, Igbogene, Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, over an alleged plot to sell a newborn baby to a willing buyer at N200, 000.

    It was gathered that one Florence who gave birth to the baby at the hospital arranged with the doctor and the nurse to sell the newborn.

    The arrangement to sell the baby to an unnamed woman was reportedly made prior to delivery.

    The woman who intended to buy the baby was said to be on the run.

    But upon delivery, Florence was said to have changed her mind refusing to sell the baby as agreed.

    She was said to have reported the matter to the police to stop parties in the agreement from executing the illegal deal.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Bayelsa State Command, Mr. Asinim Butswat, confirmed the incident.

    Butswat said one Nnena Florence, residing in Igbogene community, outskirts of Yenagoa metropolis, reported the doctor and the nurse to the police in Igbogene division.

    Butswat said: “On the February 4, 2016, at about 1000 hours, one Nnena Florence, female, of Igbogene community, reported to the police that she was delivered of a baby on the February 3 at Survival Hospital in Igbogene.

    “She said that prior to the delivery, she had arranged with the doctor and the nurse of the hospital to sell the baby to one woman now at large, at the sum of N200, 000 only.

    “But upon delivery of the baby, she changed her mind and refused to sell the baby as agreed.”

    Butswat said the doctor and the nurse had been arrested and that they were undergoing interrogation at Igbogene Police Station.

    He said investigation was ongoing to ascertain the motive behind the criminal act and to apprehend the fleeing suspect.

  • Market Square opens in Yenagoa

    A new shopping experience capable of giving big supermarkets operating in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, a run for their money, has opened for business.

    Named Marketsquare, the shopping outfit designed like Shoprite, was inaugurated on Wednesday by the state Governor and Governor-elect, Mr. Seriake Dickson.

    As the name implies, Marketsquare, is a comprehensive shopping facility, a one-stop market that gives customers opportunities to buy everything they need including foodstuffs in affordable prices. It is located along Mbiama-Yenagoa road, opposite NNPC filling station, Yenagoa.

    It is a departmental store which combines goods with fast food and African dishes. It was with fanfare that the store was opened.  Customers were already trooping out in their numbers to patronize the store describing it as unique.

    “I find everything here of quality and affordable. Since I came to Yenagoa, I have never bought quality bead less than N350, the type you buy between N200 and N250 in other  cities like Lagos. But Marketsquare has such bread for N250 when other stores and bakeries sell between N350 and N450”, an elated customer, Preye Jonson said.

    She added: “Besides bread, cooking items like tomatoes, meat and other groceries are hygienically preserved and they look very healthy unlike what you get in the open market where you battle with flies, dirty environment and heaps of dustbin. So, it is a good thing that has happened to us”.

    The Market Square was founded by BBV Marketplace Limited as a world-class, modern supermarket. Its unveiling was attended by business leaders from all works of life. Dickson was represented by his Commissioner, Trade and Investment, Mr. Kemela Okara.

    The governor who formally opened the store, said it would improve the wealth and economy of the state. He said it would further create empowerment by providing viable employment opportunities to indigenes. He described the founder of the square as the type of investor the state was looking for.

    Okara said: “The roll-out of Marketsquare is consistent with the company’s commitment to make shopping an experience to look forward to always.

    “As we declare open this shop, it will integrate into Bayelsa State a new setting of experience; a new level of making certain a very wonderful experience for all not only in Yenagoa but in the whole of  state.

    “On behalf of the governor and the  state we say thank you because you are the profile of investors that  we would want to see in the state. You came here, you started this, you acquired land for this project, you built everything and only asked us to come for the opening ceremony.

    “Now this is the kind of investors that will move forward  the poster child investment. We want to collaborate with you assist you in any way we can to ensure that you can even go and replicate this in other parts of the state and beyond.”

    He said though people always looked forward to buying quality products, they also prefer prices of such items to be competitive. He said with competitive prices, quality products and parking spaces, Marketsquare would expand its frontiers.

    Also, the Managing Director of BBV Marketplace Limited, Mr. Ebele Enunwa, described the store as an indigenous retail and consumer merchandise outfit whose journey started two years ago with the concept of providing a modern and affordable shopping experience and more convenient means of accessing the everyday needs of the people.

    He said: “Because you and your family deserve nothing but the best, we have carefully identified manufacturers and business partners with whom the best prices have been negotiated.

    “So, when you shop at Marketsquare, you can be sure to get the best quality and price. We are also inviting manufacturers from all over the country to partner with us to bring their products to the people.”

    “Marketsquare is established to provide every Nigerian regardless of class, age or status, with the best of groceries, wines, fresh bakes, household gadgets, baby items, fresh fruits and vegetables, frozen products and everything you can think of buying in the market or any world-class modern supermarket and groceries convenience store.

    “It is our desire that Nigerian families enjoy every minute of their shopping time with less hassles so they’re happier and this is what Market Square represents. We have redefined market shopping in this clime and taken it to a whole new level”.

    Enunwa said it was the first of its kind in Bayelsa and announced that similar markets were currently being developed and would open soon in other parts of the country with two more planned for Port Harcourt city within the year and several others for other cities around the country.

    “This is in line with meeting the lifestyle needs of the growing middle class populace that have come to whole-heartedly embrace modern supermarket shopping models”, he said.

    He charged people to expect nothing but the best in terms of quality of products, service, ambience and other features that make shopping a great experience.

    “The company is currently in discussions with developers around the country who are interested in building malls for Marketsquare to anchor. This will speed up the expansion drive of the brand and ensure the company can get a store closer to every Nigerian in a relatively short time”, he said.

     

  • NSCDC arrests 40 oil thieves in Bayelsa 

    NSCDC arrests 40 oil thieves in Bayelsa 

    The Bayelsa State Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested 40 oil thieves and destroyed 106 illegal refineries in the state.

    The NSCDC Commandant, Mr. Desmond Agu, who spoke in Yenagoa said the corps achieved the feat within one year.

    Agu who said that the Command recorded an appreciable success in its fight against oil theft and other illegalities during the year, added that his men recovered 10 locally-made boats from suspected oil thieves.

    He named other items recovered from the suspects as eight speedboats, one lorry, 10 pumping machines, 20 boat engines, six motor biggest and one bus.

    Others were four wheel barrows, 10 hoses, 55,000 litres of Automated Gas Oil (AGO) and 5000 litres of DPK.

    The Commandant said the corps arraigned seven suspects who were undergoing trials in various courts.

    He said 16 suspects were remanded in prison custody, adding that four vehicles and boats were forfeited to the government.

    He said: “The command had an active collaboration with multi-national companies in safeguarding their facilities and pipelines across the state and beyond.

    “We are also active in internal security in the state; we are a component of the State security outfit, operation Doo-Akpo in conjunction with the Police in providing internal security in the state.

    “We also have a quick intervention force at the state Headquarters for distress calls for any person in distressed situation and a Disaster Management Unit that responds to emergency situations like vehicular accidents and fire outbreak.”

    While thanking God, the federal and State governments for a successful year, Agu asked the Federal Government to provide more equipment and logistic support for the corps.

     

  • Tension in Bayelsa as Dickson calls for protest during collation

    Tension in Bayelsa as Dickson calls for protest during collation

    Tension gripped Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital as residents waited for the arrival of results of the governorship election from two local government areas of Nembe and Southern Ijaw.

    Security was beefed up in the state capital with four Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) deployed round the state collation centre.

    Detachment of ant-bomb squad, anti-riot policemen and soldiers took over some strategic areas in Yenagoa to forestall breakdown of law and order.

    The Governor of the state, Mr. Seriake Dickson, was live on the state owned Radio Bayelsa protesting the electoral process at time he was leading APC with over 28,000 votes.

    Dickson asked residents to hit the streets at 2pm for a rally to protest what was happening at the collation centre and vowed to lead the protest.

    The governor who fielded questions from listeners said: “There will be a rally to resist what is happening now. It is clear to me that security services have become an army of occupation”.