News
Police Arrest 7 Over Kidnapping, Robbery In Enugu
The Enugu State Police Command has arrested seven suspected criminals including three Fulanis alleged to have been terrorising travelers along the Enugu/Port Harcourt Express way.
Parading the suspected criminals, which included a final year HND student of the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu, who gave her name as Ndidiamaka Nwafor, alias Ezenwanyi, at the State Police headquarters, Enugu, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mohammed Zerewa, said they were involved in a kidnap attempt of one Godwin Ezeuko.
The three Fulanis were members of a dangerous syndicate that carry out armed robbery attacks alleged to be along the express way.
He disclosed that the three suspects, who claimed to be citizens of Chad, were apprehended by his men at Agboneri in Awgu local government area of the state, along Enugu Port Harcourt Expressway at about 18:54 on Wednesday while they were carrying out an armed robbery.
According to him, his command has mapped out strategies aimed at tracking down other members of the gang, declaring, however, that the accused persons would soon be taken to court at the completion of Police investigations.
He further disclosed that the kidnap suspects allegedly lured their victim to a hotel located at New Haven area of the state with several threatening phone calls and text massages before they ran out of luck.
According to him, their arrest followed an earlier report made to the security operatives by the victim before he was lured to the hotel, assuring that the suspects would soon be charged to court after investigations.
The Police Commissioner, therefore, warned hoodlums in the area to quit the coal city state or be ready to face the music if apprehended, appealing to residents of the state to always provide useful information to the Police with a view to enabling them check the activity of criminals in the state.
Some of the dangerous weapons recovered from the suspects include bows and arrows, daggers, matches, mobile hand sets and charms.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to expedite the prosecution of the Director of the now distressed MBA Forex Trading, Mr. Maxwell Odum, in the interest of justice.
The Rivers State NUJ made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the EFFC’s Ag. Zonal Director, ACE Hassan Saidu, in Port Harcourt, recently.
The council’s chairman, Comrade Paul Bazia, said the appeal became imperative after it considered the number of Nigerians and others involved in the financial misconduct.
According to him, it has caused hardship among many households in the country and should be given the attention it deserves.
He said that investors cannot come into a country or invest in an economy or nation ridden with fraud.
This, he said, has made it more imperative to arrest, prosecute and convict alleged fraudsters like the MBA Forex Director, who is alleged to have defrauded thousands of unsuspecting Nigerians, to serve as a deterrent to others.
The chairman also requested that while the trial lasts, part of the swindled funds should be given to the victims that suffered loss and trauma as a result of the fraud.
The NUJ reiterated its resolve to change the narrative of reportage from crisis to developmental communication.
According to him, the NUJ’s main focus is blue economy and tourism.
He expressed the readiness of the Council to partner the agency in the area of information dissemination.
“We believe you have a responsibility to fight financial crimes. We also know that you need the Press to publicize your activities and NUJ can provide that,” he said.
Responding, the Zonal EFFC’s boss commended the NUJ’s vision to change the narrative of reporting from crisis to developmental communication.
According to Saidu, the Western world have since imbibed such culture, hence the negative stories about them are carefully sifted to allow only positive ones to be released to the outside world.
As for the trapped funds to be released, the EFCC Zonal Director stated that only the court can authorize such action, stressing that the primary responsibility of the Commission is to arrest and prosecute.
He pledged to partner with the NUJ now that the leadership has visited the Commission.
The Head of the Legal & Prosecution Department, DCE Odiase Stephen, corroborated the Zonal Director’s position and stressed that it was only when the matter has been determined by the court that such funds can be released.
He further stated that once a matter is before a court of competent jurisdiction, it cannot be discussed outside.
By: King Onunwor
-
News3 days agoRSIPA Outlines Plans To Boost Investors’ Confidence …China Applauds Fubara As Listening Gov
-
News4 hours agoNAFDAC Allays Fears About Dangerous Indomie Noodles …Says Product Not In Nigerian Market
-
News4 hours agoRivers Support For Tinubu Is Consolidated -Fubara
-
News4 hours agoFubara Commissions Permanent Secretaries’ Quarters, Today
-
Maritime3 hours agoImo Category C Victory: NIMASA Staff Host Executive Management Party
-
News4 hours agoExpedite Action On MBA Forex Operator’s Prosecution, Rivers NUJ Tells EFCC
-
News4 hours agoFubara Promises Key Projects For Bonny In 2026
-
Maritime3 hours agoStakeholders Advocate Legal Framework For NSW Project
