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Two Arrested For Attempting To Kill Pastor

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16 years ago

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Two suspects are now telling men of the State Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB), Rivers State police command all they know about attempting on the life of a pentecostal  Pastor and destruction of his property in Ibaa, Emohua Local Government Area of the state.

The suspects who have made useful statements to the police were said to have trailed  their target to Egbelu Ozodo in Obio/Akpor local government area last month, where they were apprehended following a tip off.

Narrating his ordeal to The Tide On Sunday, the victim, Pastor Israel Okachi, the zonal chairman of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) Ibaa/Obelle and Resident Pastor of Sure Foundation Bible Church Ibaa, alleged that the attempt on his life and those of his family members is being carried out by some sponsored unrepentance militants at Mgbogizi village in Ibaa community.

According to him, there had been several failed attempts to shot him and his family members before the recent burning and stealing of his properties worth over N30 million in the community. 

Pastor Okachi who spoke to the Tide On Sunday, said the hoodlums further destroyed and stole some properties belonging to the church, as well closed down the church, by restricted members from worshipping in the community.

We the leader in the area recalled that some time in April, 2009 during the heat of the crisis in Ibaaa, a group of hoodlums led by one Nwaka Azu demanded from him the sum of N400,000.00 as ‘Security Fee’, which he refused to pay.

According to him, since then he has been facing series of gun shot attack which made him and his family to flee from the area to Port Harcourt.

He said the hoodlums further advanced to attack him at Egblu Ozodo in Port Harcourt, where two were arrested by police patrol team, while others escaped.

“On November 13, 2009 the escaped hoodlums advanced to the village led byt eh gang leader, Nwaka Azu and burnt and destroyed my storey building, stole properties worth N30 million,” the pastor explained.

The P.F.N. branch leader used the opportunity to call on the state government, security agencies and P.F.N. in national to do something urgently to save his life and his family members, as the miscreants who invaded the Ibaa Community are unrelenting.

When our reporter called at the State Police Command, the Rivers State Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO) D.S.P. Rita Innoma Abbey said was awaiting the report from the department handling the matter.

Meanwhile, police source from the State Command Investigation Bureau (SCIB) confirmed that the matter is still under investigation.

 

Enoch Epelle

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Rivers

Group Seeks Police Support to Tackle GBV

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6 days ago

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February 16, 2026

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The Rivers State Multi-Stakeholder Action Committee on the Prevention of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), a non-profit organization dedicated to combating gender-based violence in the State, recently paid a courtesy visit to the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, to seek his support and partnership for a planned sensitization programme for Police GBV Desk Officers.
The delegation was led by the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Lauretta Davies Dimpka, alongside the Committee’s Coordinator, Barr. Evelyn Membere Asimiea.
Speaking during the meeting, the Coordinator explained that the committee comprises various stakeholders, including FIDA, the media, security agencies, and traditional and religious institutions.
She noted that the initiative is funded by ActionAid Nigeria with support from the Ford Foundation, with the goal of strengthening efforts to eliminate gender-based violence in Rivers State.
“We have carried out several engagements, including community advocacy programmes and the training of female cultural influencers, among other activities,” she said.
In his response, the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, pledged his full support for the initiative and assured the committee of the Police Command’s readiness to collaborate in strengthening GBV response mechanisms across the state.
Members of the delegation also included heads of sub-committees within the group: Barr. Ere Boma (Advocacy); Dr. Mary Obisike (Response); Martha Igbiks ( Information and Awareness); and Brown Musa Afonyagha (Religious/Traditional).
Observers described the engagement as a significant step toward enhancing coordination and improving the response to gender-based violence in Rivers State.
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Rivers

Youth Body Condemns Killing Of Member … Demands Immediate Suspension Of Bike Operation

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6 days ago

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February 16, 2026

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Youths from Igwuruta Community in Rivers State have condemned the killing of the Secretary of Omuolu-Omunwei Community in Igwuruta,  Mr. Nchelem Samuel Festus, describing the incident as tragic and unacceptable.
In a communiqué issued on February 12, 2026, the youth body said Mr. Festus was allegedly murdered on Tuesday February 10, 2026, by commercial motorcycle operators identified as “Aboki bike riders” within the community.
The group expressed sadness and outrage over the development, stating that the killing has heightened tension in the area and disrupted the peace for which Igwuruta has long been known.
According to the communiqué, the incident is part of what the community described as a growing wave of criminal activities, including rape, kidnapping and other violent crimes allegedly perpetrated by the same group.
The youth body said Igwuruta has historically maintained a reputation as a peaceful and hospitable community where residents and visitors carry out their daily activities without fear.
It, however, noted that recent events and what it termed as “escalating violence” have created fear among residents and necessitated urgent intervention.
The communiqué called for the immediate suspension of all motorcycle operations by the group within Igwuruta.
It also demanded the closure of scrap-dump sites in the community allegedly operated by the said individuals.
Furthermore, the youth body urged security agencies to ensure the arrest and prosecution of those involved in the killing of Mr. Festus and perpetrators of other alleged crimes in the area.
It also called on cattle herders to vacate farmlands in Igwuruta and urged herdsmen to stay away from bushes within the community with immediate effect.
While pledging to uphold the rule of law and refrain from self-help, the youth body gave security agencies a 48-hour ultimatum to act on some of its demands, particularly the suspension of motorcycle operations and closure of scrap sites.
The communiqué appealed to security agencies, local government authorities and other stakeholders to treat the matter with urgency and collaborate with the community to restore peace and ensure justice.
As at the time of filing this report, the Police has not issued any official statement about the incident.
By: King Onunwor
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NDDC, REA Seal Pact On Sustainable Electricity Expansion In N’Delta

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6 days ago

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February 16, 2026

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The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to expand access to reliable and sustainable electricity across the Niger Delta region.
The agreement, signed at the headquarters of the REA in Abuja, is intended to strengthen institutional collaboration in accelerating development in underserved communities in the region.
A statement by the Director, Corporate Affairs of the NDDC, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, said the pact underscores renewed efforts by the two federal interventionist agencies to deepen cooperation and fast-track infrastructure delivery.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, described the MoU as a strategic step towards realising the Commission’s vision to “light up the Niger Delta” in line with national priorities on distributed energy expansion.
Ogbuku said “the agreement represents a shared institutional responsibility to deliver reliable energy solutions that will enhance livelihoods, stimulate local economies and create broader opportunities across the nine Niger Delta states.”
According to him, electricity remains a critical enabler of national development, support for job creation, healthcare delivery, education and inclusive economic growth.
He noted that the collaboration would help unlock the economic potential of rural communities while advancing broader national development objectives.
The NDDC boss added that the Commission has consistently adopted partnership-driven approaches in executing projects in the region and is prepared to support the implementation of the MoU by leveraging its community presence and infrastructure development capacity.
He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to working closely with the REA to ensure the timely and effective execution of the agreement.
The NDDC delegation at the event included the Executive Director, Projects, Dr Victor Antai; Executive Director, Corporate Services, Otunba Ifedayo Abegunde; Director, Legal Services, Mr. Victor Arenyeka; Director, Finance and Supply, Mrs. Kunemofa Asu; and Director, Liaison Office, Abuja, Mrs. Mary Nwaeke.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of the REA, Dr. Abba Abubakar Aliyu, described the MoU as a natural collaboration between two agencies with complementary mandates, reflecting a shared commitment to expanding access to sustainable electricity in rural communities.
“The Niger Delta remains central to Nigeria’s economic fortunes and must be supported by infrastructure capable of driving productivity, enterprise and improved living standards”, Aliyu said.
He adding that the partnership signals readiness to deliver stable power to communities that have long awaited reliable electricity supply.
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