News
JTF Frees Kidnapped Couple …Nabs Fake Dollar Kingpin
The Anti-kidnapping Unit of the Joint Military Taskforce (JTF) has freed a couple after two months in pains in the hands of their captors at Umuoye Village, Etche Local Government of Rivers State.
The couple who gave their names as Ikoro and Amina Ezekwem were set free in the early hours of yesterday after a tip-off to the men of JTF Anti-Kidnapping unit.
Spokesman of the 2nd Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt, Major Aminu Illayasu said one of the kidnapping kingpin and suspect, Mr Leonard Okereafor was equally nabbed with fake dollars worth about N60 million.
Major Illayasu disclosed that there couple was made to sit in a shrine used by the suspect and others at large to hypnotise as well as compel victims to bring large sums of money in other, to negotiate their release.
Aside duping his victims, the Army spokesman also stated Mr Okereafor also uses the shrine located in Umuoye Village to carry out money laundering activities.
The couple, while narrating their ordeal in the hands of their captors, told newsmen that they ran into the kidnappers sometimes in May, while heading to Aba to buy burial materials for the late brother.
While on their way, their car broke down at Elele junction, where they met their captors who pretended to give them a lift. Unfortunately the Ezekwems never came back.
Their captors led them to an unknown village in Etche where they collected about N450,000, billed for buying of burial materials at Aba.
Mrs Ezekwem disclosed that aside collecting their money and detaining them inside a mud hut, the kidnappers led by one native doctor whose name was given as Linus also gave them concoction and oath.
Mrs Ezekwem claimed that after forcibly administering the oath on them they were hypnotized, and she was forced to sell all their landed property, including their household belongings.
However, one of the suspects caught by the JTF, Mr Okereafor denied the allegations, saying that he was framed up as he never had anything to do with the Ezekwems.
Though he acknowledged knowing Linus as a brother and native doctor, he claimed that he had on several occasions warned him to desist from his evil ways.
He told newsmen that he is a contractor with the National Integrated Power Project (NITP) and that he was arrested by men of the JTF while on site that fateful day.
Meanwhile, army spokesman has assured people of the state about the readiness of the Anti-Kidnappers unit to squash and curb criminal activities in the state.
Major Illayasu assured that the suspect would be handed over to he police once preliminary investigations are concluded.
News
PDP Opobo/Nkoro Hails Fubara On Peace, Projects
Stakeholders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Opobo/ Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State have commended the state Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for his disposition that has fostered peace in the State.
Rising from an expanded stakeholders meeting last Saturday in Opobo Town, the body in an eight-point communique signed by its Chairman, Hon. Benneth Daminabo, Chairman of Council, Rt. Hon. Enyiada Cookey-Gam and LG party Chairman, Warisenibo Godwin Pepple commended the governor for linking Opobo/Nkoro LGA to the national grid.
In addition, it lauded the effort of the governor in pursuing the 50.15 kilometre Dual Carriage Ring Road, Elelenwo internal road, Aleto-Ebubu-Eteo Road in Eleme and Andoni Road projects.
Despite the distractions, the stakeholders said they were impressed that the governor had equally done projects in health-the unveiling of Prof. Kelsey Harrison Hospital, Agric projects at Tai and Oyigbo and improving welfare of civil servants.
In their words, “members reaffirmed their unalloyed loyalty and implicit confidence in his administration.”
Condemning the unfriendly and discourteous utterances of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Tony Okocha in different fora in the State, the forum urged the duo to desist from such action in order not to heat up the polity.
The forum pledged to stand by the governor through, “thick and thin”, the stakeholders acknowledged the contributions of women, who through prayers for the government has impacted positively in the direction and posture of the governor.
Finally, the forum unanimously expressed gratitude to the Simplified Movement and other bodies that have thrown their weight behind the governor to ensure that the administration is stable and successful.
By: Kevin Nengia
News
‘Rivers People Are Now Breathing Fresh Air Under Fubara’
Aformer Caretaker Committee Chairman of Abua/Odual Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon Elamo Arogu, says under Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the people of the State are now breathing fresh air.
Hon Arogu said Governor Fubara has given Rivers people hope, considering the impactful and people-oriented projects being carried out by his administration.
The former CTC chairman made the assertion during the Simplified Movement’s thanksgiving service and rally held in honour of Rivers State chief executive last Friday in Abua .
Arogu said under Governor Fubara, the Abua/Odual people have the confidence that the dividends of democracy will definitely get to them.
He noted that the Governor has the strong will to change the narrative in Rivers State, being the reason he is receiving massive support across the State.
“The people of Abua/Odual are strongly behind him. Our doors ate open for everyone because there is government in place to attend to the needs of the people. I believe that he will develop Abua/Odual and other Rivers council areas, hence, the massive support. This government is business- oriented and we are ready to encourage him succeed and invest in our land. The issue of a bank; road networks and other necessities of life bordering on development as demanded by the people will be considered by Governor Fubara”, he said.
He called on the opposition to team up with Governor Fubara to build a stronger, united and viable Rivers State.
He maintained that ward nine under his leadership is Simplified.
News
Rivers State University Cooperative Society Elects New Leaders
The United Port Harcourt Peoples Cooperative Investment & Credit Society Limited, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, has elected new leaders to pilot the affairs of the cooperative for the next two years.
They are Pastor Dr. Barine Aeba (President); Dr. Gift N. Nkweke (Vice-President), Dr. Kenneth Chima Adiele (General Secretary), Victor G. Banigo (Assistant General Secretary),
Rose Yeyeda Nwosu (Treasurer), Adaku Nwogu (Financial Secretary) and Stella Ereba (Public Relations Officer).
Inaugurating the new Management Committee after a keenly contested election held recently at the University Amphitheatre, the Director of Cooperatives in Rivers State, Dr. Elizabeth Chidi-Wike, congratulated the seven-member Executive for emerging winners at the election, charging them to uphold the bye laws of the Cooperative Society and hold regular congress meetings.
Dr. Chidi-Wike used the forum to commend the outgone Management Committee for reviving the Cooperative and placing it on an enviable pedestrial.
In her remarks, the Acting Registrar of the University, Mrs. Ibimonia Sotonye Harry applauded Cooperative members for keeping faith with the Cooperative Society, stressing that the goal of the society in helping members save for retirement cannot be over emphasised.
In his valedictory speech, the outgone President, Dr. Mie-Idala Jones Amachree expressed gratitude to God for the successful completion of his four-year tenure, thanking his fellow Management Committee members who gave him the needed support that transformed the Cooperative Society.
In his acceptance address, the President, Pastor (Dr.) Barine Aeba thanked the university management for providing the enabling environment for the peaceful conduct of the election, pledging that he will fulfill all his campaign promises.
A total of 165 Cooperative members participated in the electoral exercise which was conducted by an Electoral Committee led by Engr. (Dr.) Joseph D. Enoch.
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