The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Yenagoa

  • Double accidents kill two corps members in Bayelsa

    …Two others in critical condition

     

    The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Bayelsa State, has been thrown into mourning following the death of two of its serving members in Yenagoa, the state capital.

    The corps members numbering four were reportedly involved in double accidents while returning from the state office of NYSC in Yenagoa on Monday.

    The victims identified as Adejina Victor, Omofopa Godwin, Obieze Chukwuemeka and Alaromi Olumide left Koluama 2, the place of their primary assignments in Southern Ijaw for Yenagoa to undertake their clearance at the NYSC office.

    It was gathered that after concluding their clearance, the corps members boarded a commercial tricycle, popularly known as Keke, to a waterside where they would board a boat to Koluama.

    Read Also:Train tanker drivers to avoid accidents, FRSC charges NUPENG/PTD

    But a tipper, whose driver was said to have lost its control, hit the tricycle conveying the corps members on the Swali Bridge.

    Sympathizers, who rushed to scene, were said to have transferred the critically injured corps members to another tricycle, which hurried them to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Yenagoa for treatment.

    It was gathered that the tricycle, which was racing to the hospital to save the lives of the corps members, was involved in another accident.

    Two of the corps members were said to have died on the spot at the scene of the second accident while two others were in life-threatening conditions.

    Among the two dead victims, who hailed from Benue and Ondo, one of them was supposed to complete his service on July 5th.

    A tricycle driver, Bayaninu Ali, who was injured in the second accident said: “I was driving my Keke when another Keke that was rushing the injured people to the hospital hit me. My fellow driver was in a hurry. He didn’t look and that was why the accident occurred”.

    Narrating the incident, the Vicar of St. John Anglican Church, Koluama 2, Rev. Emmanuel Chikwendu, described the incident as unfortunate.

    He said: “We came together to Koluama. This morning we arrived at Yenagoa at about 10am. They went for their clearance. They finished it and were on their way back when a tipper hit them on Swali Bridge”.

    Speaking on the incident, the state Coordinator, NYSC, Loto Omolayo, said the corps was saddened by the tragedy.

    Omolayo in a statement said: “Four corps Members serving in Bayelsa were involved in an accident at Swali Bridge in Yenagoa and were immediately rushed to the Federal Medical Centre

    “The Tricycle they boarded was hit by a tipper and unfortunately, two of the Corps Members died as a result of injuries sustained during the accident, while two are being treated by a team of competent consultants at the FMC.

    “The NYSC Family is saddened by this sudden loss. We have also informed and commiserated with the families on this unfortunate incident. We pray for the repose of the souls of the dead and quick recovery of the injured corps Members”.

  • FRSC confirms death of two corps members in Bayelsa

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) on Tuesday confirmed the death of two Corps members in an auto crash in Bayelsa.

    Mr Ikechukwu Igwe, State Sector Commissioner told our reporter in Yenagoa that two other corps members were injured in the incident.

    “Yes, the incident occurred on Monday at Swali Bridge in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa; the Tricycle the Corps Members boarded was hit by a Tipper.

    “The two among them have died while the other injured two are receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre Yenagoa.

    “Today, Tuesday, our personnel will be going to the hospital to check how they are responding to treatment,” Igwe said.

    Read Also: NYSC assures corps members of protection

    Reacting to the incident, Mrs Loto Bolade-Omolayo, State Coordinator, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) described the incident as “unfortunate.”

    “Two of the corps members died as a result of the injuries sustained during the accident, while the other two are being treated by a team of competent consultants at the FMC.

    “The NYSC family is saddened by this sudden lose. We commiserate with their families on this unfortunate incident and pray for the repose of the souls of the dead and quick recovery of the injured corps members,” she stated.

  • Police arrest gunrunner, recover arms in Bayelsa

    The Bayelsa State Police Command has nabbed a suspected notorious gunrunner, Markus Akassa, and his accomplice, Ekioyoufegha Agge, at a hotel in Akenfa, Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state.

    The command also  recovered one AK 47 rifle and two Barreta pistols from the suspects.

    The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Asinim Butswat, said in a statement on Tuesday said the suspects were rounded up by  the Anti-Cultism Unit and the State Intelligence Bureau.

    Butswat, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, said the detectives lured the 45-year-old suspect, who hails from Ekeremor under the guise of purchasing arms from him.

    He said that the suspected gunrunner was arrested with Agge, 34, from Oboro town in Delta State, who usually introduced him to buyers.

    The police spokesman said:  “They were arrested on  June 16, 2018, at about 14:00 hours, at a hotel at Akenfa 3, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

    “The arms that were recovered from them are one AK47 riffle and two China made Barreta pistols.

    Read Also: Gunmen kill three soldiers in Bayelsa

    “The prime suspect confessed that he usually travelled to the Republic of Cameroon to buy arms and ammunition in a community called Okwa, a border town with Bakassi Peninsula.

    “He confessed he usually sells an AK 47 riffle for N550,000 and Berratta pistol for N250,000 in Nigeria.”

    Butswat said investigation was ongoing to recover some of the arms he earlier sold and arrest the buyers.

    He said the arrest was in furtherance of the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, directives of mopping-up arms and ammunition from unauthorised persons.”The command appeals to members of the public to avail the police with useful information that may lead to recovery of arms from unauthoriased persons,” he said.

  • Armed robbers rape corps member in Bayelsa

    An unidentified female member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has been raped by a gang of armed robbers in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

    It was gathered that the hoodlums, who were engaged in house-to-house robbery at Yenizue Gene, a suburb of Yenagoa, attacked the corps member’s apartment located in the area on Sunday morning.

    The armed robbers numbering about three stormed the area at about 3am and fired several gunshots into the air to scare away a vigilance group, whose members were only carrying sticks and cutlasses.

    They were said to have robbed the victim of his mobile phones, cash and other valuables and later raped her.

    A resident, who spoke under condition of anonymity, said they took turns on the victim despite her pleas for mercy.

    “She has, however, been taken to the hospital for treatment”, the source said.

    Read Also:Court sentences 35-year-old to two years jail term for rape

    Sources said the police were alerted but that they could only do little following the blackout in Yenagoa.

    The Port-Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC) has since November last year thrown the entire state including Yenagoa into darkness.

    The development has led to upsurge in criminal activities especially cult-related killings and armed robberies.

    A local vigilance member, Tonye, said the security men, who arrived the robbery scene, were afraid they could run into an ambush laid by the hoodlums.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Asinim Butswat, confirmed the incident and said three armed robbers were involved in the crime.

    He said the traumatised corps member reported the matter to the police station including the way the hoodlums took turns on her.

    Butswat noted that the victim also made useful statement on the identities of the armed robbers adding that the police immediately launched a manhunt on them.

  • Dickson urges Buhari to start work on Brass LNG, refinery

    Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, on Wednesday appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari, to remove obstacles delaying commencement of work on the Brass Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) and refinery project in the state.

    Speaking at a stakeholder’s meeting of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Yenagoa, the governor said the lack of federal projects in Bayelsa was unacceptable.

    In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Francis Ottah-Agbo, the governor said the two projects would give Ijaw people a sense of belonging and expand the revenue base of the country.

    He lamented the backwardness of the Ijaw in terms of development and urged the Federal Government and multinational corporations to partner the state government to tackle infrastructural deficit in the area.

    Dickson said his administration was working hard with lean resources to fund development projects such as construction of major roads and bridges, schools and health institutions.

    He said:  “I play politics of development. My team and I, came in with anger to develop this place and by the grace of God, we have achieved that to some enviable level with the able support you have all been giving as stakeholders of our great party. And we are determined to do more before we leave office for another PDP government.

    “I say so because only the PDP can win any election in this state. The people of Bayelsa have seen our capacity to deliver on our promises even in the face of the worst recession that hit this state and the country in general.

    Read Also: Dickson orders arrest of LG official

    “As I speak with you, work is ongoing on in the Sagbama-Ekeremor Road and we are sure of driving to Ekeremor Town by December this year. In the next few weeks, I will invite you and we all drive to Aguobiri in Southern Ijaw. Also, clearing of the Yenagoa-Ayama,Ogbia road will start in the next two weeks.

    “All these are capital intensive projects and that is why we are calling on the Federal Government and other development partners to come to our aid. In one of my meetings with the President, I told him to bring back the Brass LNG and the Refinery Projects and also convene a stakeholders meeting to talk about the Nembe-Brass Road.”

    Dickson further urged PDP faithful with ambitions to contest the forthcoming state and National Assembly elections not to heat up the polity but maintain the discipline and decorum existing in the state chapter of the party.

    Describing all political ambitions as legitimate, he asked the aspirants to pray and consult properly with readiness to uphold party supremacy as the state PDP would only feature its best in the upcoming elections.

    He thanked the members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who defected to the PDP, reassuring them of full reintegration and support.

    Some of the dignitaries at the stakeholders’ meeting were the Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral  John Jonah (Retd),  Chief Walter Feghabo-Amain, State PDP Chairman, Moses Cleopas, Senators Ben Murray-Bruce, Nimi Barigha Amange, Emmanuel Diffa, AVM Larry Koinya, members of the Federal House of Representatives and  Fyneman Wilson among others.

  • Give us back our land you acquired forcibly, family tells Bayelsa govt

    Eighty-year-old Godday Egbu, who hails from Kpansia community, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State has suffered extreme poverty and deprivation. The signs that all is not well with him are there. His house is dilapidated. He could not train any of his children in school and to feed himself is taxing.

    At his age, Egbu still goes into the bush to eke out a living. But the old man believes that he ordinarily should not have been poor. He blames the government for all the deprivations he suffers in life.

    Egbu lamented that his problems began when the government, during the administration of the late former Governor Diepreye Alamiyeisegha forcefully took over a vast parcel of land he inherited from his father.

    The land formerly referred to as Aziegwe Bush and located at Kpansia area of Isaac Boroh expressway, Yenagoa, became a centre of attraction to the late former governor Alamiyeisegha, who, in his quest to have a Government Reserved Area (GRA), a serene residential area for prominent sons and daughters of the state, reportedly acquired the land for the state government.

    The area is bustling with mansions and edifices of aesthetic beauty. Former President Goodluck Jonathan has gold-plated mansions in the area. Other influential persons and politicians whose buildings dot the area are Boyelayefa Debekeme, Kpolovie Paul, James Tabais, Gideon Ekeowei, Johnson Alalibo and Tiwe Oruminighe, among others.

    But the poor Egbu is always pained whenever he sees such choice buildings on the land.

    Egbu said: “The land belongs to my grandfather. When he died, he transferred the land to my father and after my father’s death I inherited the land. I was cultivating that land. During Alamiyeisegha’s time, the state government took the land from me.

    “We were hungry and I went there to get some food because it was also my farmland.  I got to the land and I saw many security operatives at the place. They didn’t allow me access to the land because they told me the government had taken over my ancestral land. Few days later when I went back, I discovered they had bulldozed everywhere.

    “They started allocating the land and building houses there. Nobody paid me a dime as compensation. With that kind of land, I am not supposed to be poor. But poverty is dealing with me. I can’t even get food to eat. I am suffering and I want my land back.

    “I couldn’t train any of my children in school because there is no money. I can’t even feed them. I want my land back. No compensation was paid to me. I need the land in order to survive”.

    Egbu said he was greatly pained when he discovered that people who plots of land were allocated to by the government, sold them for huge amount of money. He said recently, one of them sold his land and collected about N22m. He begged Governor Seriake Dickson to look into his matter and address the injustice done to him by his predecessor.

    “I know that Governor Seriake Dickson is a lawyer and a man who believes in justice. I am begging him to look into my matter and give me justice. My family is suffering yet we have that kind of property”, he said.

    Corroborating the claims of his elder brother, Barnabas Egbu recalled that the land was taken over by the government in 2004. He said their father, Egbu, suffered heartbreak and died of health complications following the confiscation of the land.

    Also narrating their ordeals, Raphael, the son of Goddey, said he abandoned his education for lack of money. He said his father desired to send him to school but had no money to actualise his ambition. He said if the government had not taken their land by force, they would have no business with poverty.

    But recently when Dickson embarked on demolition of illegal structures on a section of the GRA, he gave an indication that the government was fond of paying compensation after acquiring property.

    “ Once we are convinced that the acquisition did not follow due process and there was no compensation for the acquired property, we will treat them as criminals and we will treat.” But the family urged Dickson to look into the acquisition of its land by his predecessor, insisting that due process he spoke about was not followed.

     

  • JTF recovers 1,389 arms, destroys 1,437 illegal refineries 

    The Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Delta Safe (ODS) Thursday said it had so far recovered 1,389 different types of arms and 20, 352 items of munitions from militants and other hostile elements in the Niger Delta region.

    Speaking at the JTF’s Headquarters, Igbogene, Yenagoa, Bayelsa, the Acting Director, Defence Information, Brig.Gen. John Agim and Deputy Commander of the outfit, Brig.Gen. Kelvin Aligbe said the weapons were recovered at the ongoing mop up of arms in the region.

    Agim said the arms mop-up was initiated to restore law and order in the Niger Delta adding that troops also destroyed 1,437 illegal refineries and 795 wooden cargo boats used by oil thieves.

    He said in separate operations, the troops destroyed 3,872 metal surface tanks, 1,019 plastic tanks, 13,129 drums and 13,343 jerry cans containing illegally refined petroleum products.

    He said: “It is instructive to add that the introduction of the use of swamp buggy in the JTF’s anti-illegal refining operations has significantly degraded the capacity of illegal refinery operators to revamp destroyed illegal refineries.

    “However, individuals are discouraged from indulging in illegal refining and bunkering of crude products as this has huge implication in undermining and destroying the ecosystem”.

    Agim noted that since the activation of the outfit in 2017 a total of 1,846 suspects were arrested for various criminal activities.

    “A large percentage of these suspects have been transferred to prosecuting agencies. The force has also made efforts to target the arrest of high-profile elements and criminal kingpins, thus reducing the freedom of action they erstwhile exploited”, he said.

    He said the outfit seized and impounded 24 vessels, 191 barges, 234 outboard engines and 476 other types of passenger boats used to facilitate economic crimes in the region.

    He said the efforts of the outfit reduced the incessant destruction and sabotage of oil facilities, which resulted in drastic drop in crude oil production.

    Apart from reducing oil production output from 2.2m barrel per day to 900,000, he recalled that attacks on gas pipelines affected power generation capacity of the country.

    “It is gratifying to note that as at date, the production levels are averaging about 2.5m barrel per day. Indeed, the NNPC management recently affirmed that pipeline vandalism had dropped significantly.

    “These tangible successes have further spurred the task force to improve upon this standard to drastically reduce breaches on oil infrastructure. The force has made efforts to clear the area of identified militant camps whose activities have threatened national security”, he said.

    According to him recently troops of the outfit successfully conducted a covert operation with Special Forces to neutralise the activities of the Bakassi Strike Force (BSF).

    Giving further insight, he said: “A high profile militant leader of the Bakassi Strike Force alias G1 had continued to pose transnational threat in Cameroun and other coastal territory of Bakassi, Ikang and environs in Nigeria.

    “Concertedly, our troops dislodged the militant group’s camp at a creek along Efut Esighi in Cross River state where several arms and ammunition were recovered and some militants neutralized”.

    Read Also: JTF launch Operation Jagunlabi to check pipeline vandalism in Lagos creeks

  • We are committed to your welfare, Bayelsa tells workers

    The Bayelsa State Government on Monday restated its commitment to the welfare of workers to boost their morale and productivity in the state.

    The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, stated this in a statement to mark the 2018 International Labour Day Celebrations in Yenagoa.

    Iworiso- Markson said the Restoration Government gave priority to the welfare of workers at its inception in 2012.

    He said the Labour Day presents another unique opportunity for the government to pay tribute and appreciate the workers for their dedication and contributions to the smooth conduct of government business in the state.

    The commissioner, who described the workers as the engine room of the government said that, they were always motivated to carry out their duties, in spite of challenges.

    He said that the government would soon organize special trainings, designed to build workers capacity and enhance their efficiency.

    Iworiso-Markson, who also commented on the importance of the ongoing public service reforms, urged them to continue to support the efforts of the government to create a conducive working environment for them.

    He noted that, despite the lean resources of the government, it was still making bold efforts to pay salaries regularly and complete priority projects, with direct impact on the workers.

    The commissioner thanked the leadership of the organized labour in the state for their continuing support and solidarity and urged them to sustain the productive partnership.

    He pointed out that, the recent foundation laying of the Bayelsa State Labour House by Governor Seriake Dickson was a clear demonstration of‎ the existing harmonious relationship between the government and the labour unions.

    The statement said: “It is another time to felicitate with our workers on the special occasion of the 2018 May Day.‎ It is an important event that reminds us as a government, of the many contributions of our workers to the development of our public service.

    “We are proud of our workers and we congratulate them on this May Day. We use this opportunity to assure them of our unwavering commitment to their welfare. We appeal to them to show more understanding to the various policies of government‎ including the ongoing reforms which are all aimed at creating the right public service.

    “As partners in progress, we are also proud to be associated with the leadership of the organized labour in the state for their solidarity and support‎.

    “We are mindful of the challenges of the times and will continue to provide the basic needs of our people, the right kind of leadership anchored on transparency and accountability.”

  • Bayelsa to build gym in Yenagoa

    As part of its plans to institutionalise wrestling, the Bayelsa state government has concluded plans to build an ultra-modern wrestling gym in the state capital, Yenagoa.

    This was disclosed by the state governor Henry Seriake Dickson during a reception in Yenagoa in honour of Team Nigeria wrestlers to the recently-concluded 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia, on Tuesday.

    “I have told Daniel Igali (President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation) that before the end of this year, we would have finished the construction of a modern wrestling gym in Yenagoa,” Governor Dickson promised.

    “We have already awarded the contract. Let me direct the finance team by next week, to release 50% of the cost to the contractor. I believe before the end of this year, a number of you will be invited so that we can commission it, and put that to use.”

    According to Dickson, embarking on such project is a statement of the fact that the state is a hub for wrestling in Africa.

    “All that is to underscore the fact that this State (Bayelsa) is the headquarters of wrestling in our continent,” he stated.

    When completed, the wrestling gym will be used for the preparation of athletes for major competitions, as well as hosting of championships.

  • Breaking: Three condemned to death in Bayelsa for kidnapping 

    A State High Court sitting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, has sentenced three accused persons to death either by firing squad or hanging for their complicity in the kidnapping of Mr Duncan Eke.

    The victim was abducted at Igbedi community, Kolokuma/Opokuma local government area of the state.

    Eke, retired manager of Exxon Mobil was kidnapped on January 24, 2016 when gunmen stormed the Anglican Church at Igebdi community.

    The kidnappers also shot the presiding priest Revd Ezekiel Obata before whisking away their target.

    A ransom of about N20m was paid for the release of Eke, but the police were arrested three suspects Austine Nimite, Dengiyefa Doupere and Korinnake Mark for aiding the crime while while another suspect Dakolo Jackson fled.

    The three accused persons were  charged  on two count of conspiracy punishable under section 5(1) of the kidnapping and Allied Offences  Law Bayelsa state, 2013 and kidnapping punishable under section 2 of the Kidnapping and Allied Offences Law, Bayelsa state, 2013

    Justice Ineikade Eradiri of the Kaiama judicial division who was first assigned the case by the Chief Judge refused to conduct the proceedings on the grounds of his relationship with Eke.

    But the matter was transfered to Justice Nayai Aganaba.

    The prosecution team produced four witnesses in court including the victim, Eke who told the Judge how he was blindfolded and kept in the kidnappers den for 21 days.

    He said he was released after he paid advanced ransom of N10m and full payment of N20m when he rejoined his family.

    Justice Aganaba in his judgement found the accused guilty for aiding and abetting the kidnap of Eke and sentenced them to death either by firing squad or death by hanging.

    Read Also: Police arrest 19 kidnapping, robbery suspects