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Robbery Attack: Police Recover N5.6m In Rukpokwu …As RSG Reassures On Security

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14 years ago

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The Rivers State Police Command, says it has recovered the sum of N5.6million from the unspecified amount of money carted away by unidentified gunmen during a robbery attack last Friday at Rukpokwu market junction  in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state, which left eight policemen and three civilians dead.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ben Ugwuegbulam, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, DSP disclosed this to newsmen in Port Harcourt over the weekend while reacting to the robbery incident.

Ugwuegbulam disclosed that “combined police formation have launched investigations to unravel the cause of the attack as  we will fish out the fleeing armed robbery gang”.

The police image maker said that the incident occurred when one of the police escort vans developed a fault at Rukpokwu market junction as money belonging to Oceanic Bank was being conveyed from the airport to the bank at Trans-Amadi.

According to the police spoke person, the robbers took advantage of the situation and attacked the police escorts, adding that the police men however engaged the armed gunmen in a shoot out which resulted in the death of the victims including members of the gang.

However, a source close to the scene of the incident told The Tide that the armed robbers over-powered the police escorts, killing all the policemen on that routine operation while stray bullets hit some people within the vicinity.

According to the source, the armed gang also killed the driver of the bullion van which they escaped with including the undisclosed amount of money it contained.

The attack, which was said to have lasted for forty-five minutes caused a heavy traffic jam at the ever busy Igwuruta-Owerri Road while motorists, passers-by and school children scampered for safety.

It would be recalled that a similar robbery incident occurred barely four days before this attack at Every Day Super Market along Rumuola Road where unknown gunmen attacked and killed two police escorts and a lady cashier of the Everyday Super Market.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State Government, has reacted to  the recent armed robbery incidents that claimed the lives of some residents of the state, saying, it is set to rid the state of criminals and tighten security.

Governor Chibuike Amaechi gave the assurance at the weekend as he noted that the government was aware of the recent reports of armed robbery activities around banks in the State capital, Port Harcourt.

Governor Amaechi also sounded a clear warning to criminals to stay away from Rivers State.

“The Governor is working tirelessly in collaboration with security agencies in the State and would stop at nothing to ensure that these acts of criminality are nipped in the bud,” Iyofor said.

“These criminals seem to specialise in robbing banks or people going to or coming from banks or persons moving cash to or from banks. Our investigations have revealed that these robberies are perpetrated by gangs who are in a mad rush for money to spend in the fast approaching yuletide season.

“But we want to assure residents of the State that new and fresh security measures are now in place to deal with these criminals. We want to assure residents of Port Harcourt that we are on the trail of these criminal gangs, and sooner than later, they would have to answer for all their heinous crimes.”

“Specific security arrangements have been put in place to deal with these criminal elements. we urge the people to remain calm and extremely vigilant as they go about their daily business”,  Iyofor added.

Amaechi further warned these criminals to pack and leave Rivers State immediately or be ready to face the full wrath of the law and the state government.

Akujobi Amadi

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HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

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6 days ago

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February 2, 2026

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The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.
This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.
According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”
She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.
As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.
A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.
Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.
The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.
By John Bibor
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Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

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6 days ago

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February 2, 2026

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The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), purportedly authored by one Bestman Innocent Amadi, alleging that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, removed the official portrait of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the Government House, Port Harcourt.
For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government wishes to categorically state that there is no policy, directive, or intention on the part of the government or the Governor that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government.
On the contrary, the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoys a robust, cordial, and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda—a partnership that is already yielding positive and tangible benefits for the people of Rivers State.
Consequently, the insinuation that the Governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” is misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and entirely unsupported by verifiable facts, and should therefore be disregarded by the public.
It is regrettable that a body expected to promote youth unity, peace, and responsible engagement would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of overheating the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and mature leadership.
The Rivers State Government therefore calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly its esteemed and hardworking youths, to disregard and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups bent on advancing divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.
Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, peace, and the collective pursuit of progress.
Members of the public are further urged to remain vigilant and avoid lending credence to inflammatory statements or the activities of fifth columnists pursuing dubious agendas aimed at sowing discord.
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Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

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6 days ago

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February 2, 2026

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The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded and misleading allegations that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government reacted to claims credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and unsupported by any verifiable facts.
The government clarified that it has no policy, directive, or intention that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government. It emphasized that Governor Fubara maintains a cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.
According to the statement, the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government has grown stronger under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with tangible benefits and positive impacts already being felt by residents of the state.
The Rivers State Government described insinuations that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” as deliberately provocative, noting that such claims are capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.
It further expressed concern that an organization expected to promote youth unity and peace would engage in what it termed incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated accusations at a time when the state requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.
The government called on well-meaning members of the public, especially the youths of Rivers State, to disregard the claims and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups spreading divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.
Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the state government stressed that political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective interest of the people.
Members of the public were also urged to remain vigilant and not give attention to inflammatory statements or individuals described as fifth columnists bent on causing division within the state.
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