Niger Delta

A’Ibom Begins Building Of 290 Housing Units

Published

14 years ago

March 1, 2012

The Akwa Ibom State Government has started building 920 housing units under its mass housing scheme, the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Renewal, Mr Emmanuel Enoidem, said.

The commissioner made the fact known in Uyo on Tuesday when the leadership of the Correspondents Chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom council, paid him a courtesy visit.

Enoidem said the houses would be spread across the three senatorial districts with Akwa Ibom North-East having 520 units, Akwa Ibom North-West, 200, and Akwa Ibom South, 200 units.

He explained that Akwa Ibom North-East would have 520 houses because it was closer to Uyo, the state capital.

The commissioner said apart from Akwa Ibom South, where construction had yet to take off, the construction had started in the other two senatorial districts.

He said that work at the Olympic-size-stadium in the state had begun, adding that land had been acquired to create an artificial lake that would drain water from the stadium, the Tropicana Entertainment Centre and Ring Road 3 into a stream in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area.

Enoidem, who pledged to partner with the press, described the media as “a vital ingredient for the sustenance of any society.

“My understanding is that the press is also an arm of government, the fourth institution in the development of any society.

“We need to work with the press not for it to praise us but to criticise us and keep us focused.’’

Earlier in his address, the Chairman of the Correspondents Chapel, Mr Inemesit Akpan-Nsoh, commended the leadership of the ministry for its efforts in the building of a new governor’s lodge, e-library and a banquet hall during the first tenure of the Godswill Akpabio administration.

Akpan-Nsoh described the ministry as “the engine room of the uncommon transformation agenda of the state government’’.

He said that the chapel was grateful to the commissioner for his media-friendly posture.

Akpan-Nsoh pledged that the chapel would remain fair and critical in the reportage of the activities of the ministry and urged the commissioner to remain focused toward meeting the yearnings of the people.

Niger Delta

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

Published

2 days ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Mr. Monday Agbonika, has vowed to hunt down and bring to justice those behind the killing of eight NSCDC operatives in the State.

Agbonika gave the assurance on Tuesday during an on-the-spot assessment of the attack scene, which also involved the abduction of a Chinese national.

Describing the incident as “a dastardly act that will not go unpunished”, the Commissioner expressed condolences to the Edo State Command of the NSCDC.

He paid tribute to the fallen operatives, describing them as “gallant personnel who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty.”

“We stand in solidarity with the NSCDC in this grief. Their sacrifice will not be in vain, and Edo people should expect justice”, Agbonika said.

In a separate meeting with Chinese community members at BUA Cement, Okpella, the police chief assured that efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted expatriate alive.

“Our men are on the ground, and operations have been intensified. We are determined to rescue the kidnapped victim and prevent further incidents in the area”, he said.

Agbonika appealed for calm among residents, urging cooperation through timely and credible intelligence to aid ongoing security operations.

“Security is a collective responsibility. We call on residents to support us with information. Together, we will defeat criminals threatening Edo’s peace”, he added.

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and properties, stressing that it would not relent until the attackers were arrested and justice delivered.

The Tide’s source reports that the Okpella attack occurred on Friday.

Niger Delta

Police Nab Suspected Illicit Drugs Dealer In Delta

Published

2 days ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Police Command in Delta State has arrested a suspected female illicit drugs dealer in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state.

The command’s Spokesman, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri on Wednesday.

Edafe said the suspect was nabbed alongside her three apprentices on August 29 by the police operatives attached to the Ughelli Area Command.

He said the operatives carried out the raid following credible information on the activities of some individuals that indulged in the sale of illicit drugs within Afisere/Ughelli town.

“The operatives trailed and arrested a drug baron who operates a chemist store in Afisere Community alongside three of her apprentices.

“The suspect led the operatives to her house at Afisere and a search warrant was executed.

“Exhibits recovered from the suspects included: 355 bottles of CSC codeine, 57 rolls of 50MG tramadol capsules, 335 rolls of 100mg tramadol capsules.

“Others were: 33 rolls of 200mg super royal, seven backwoods, 540 sachets of swinol capsules and 16 cups of Canadian liquid cannabis”, he said.

The police spokesman said investigation further revealed that the suspect was a major dealer in illicit drugs in Ughelli and its environs.

Edafe added that investigation in the matter was ongoing.

Niger Delta

C’River Assembly extends Bekwarra LG Chairman’s Suspension By 3 Months

Published

2 days ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Cross River State House of Assembly has extended the suspension of the Bekwarra Council Chairman, Ms. Theresa Ushie, to 90 days.

Speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Elvert Ayambem, made the remark on Wednesday during plenary.

The Tide’s source recalls that Ushie was suspended on June 10 for three months on allegations of corruption, misconduct and abuse of power.

The suspension followed a petition from the Bekwarra Local Government Legislative Council, signed by eight of its members, who also attempted to impeach her.

Ayambem explained that the extension was to allow the House Committee on Judiciary, Public Service Matters, Public Petitions and Conflict Resolution more time to investigate the petition written against the chairman by the Bekwarra Legislature.

The House had earlier deliberated on a motion calling for the extension of the office of the LGA Acting Chairman, Mr. Egbung Obama, before agreeing to extend Ushie’s suspension.

In his remarks, Chairman of the Investigative Committee and member, representing Abi State Constituency, Mr. Davies Etta, said the committee needed more time to carry out a thorough investigation.

Ushie was elected as Bekwarra Local Government Council Chairman and sworn-in in November 2024.