News
Police Probe Obagi Youth Leader’s Murder
Homicide detectives from Omoku Police Station in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State are now working round the clock to unravel the circumstances surrounding the gruesome murder of the vice-chairman of Obagi Youths Federation, Mr Eddy Dimkpa alias Aso Rock in his bedroom at about 2.0pm last Monday by unknown gunmen.
The Tide investigation revealed that the gunmen, who came on a motor-cycle, invaded the house of the deceased’s first wife, and demanded the whereabouts of her husband.
It was further gathered that when the assassins could not track the deceased in his first wife’s house, they quickly moved to the second wife’s house, where they allegedly met the door open and broke into the bedroom, and shot him severally on the head.
Authoritative sources in Omoku Police Station told The Tide that the police were working on a theory of deliberate murder since the unknown gunmen did not remove any valuable item or demand cash from the deceased.
Our sources also said that the police were looking at possible cult-related or disagreements in the youth body for the murder of the deceased since election of Obagi youths body is due in the next three months.
The sources said that the corpse of the vice-chairman has been deposited in the mortuary in the area.
The Tide also learnt that before the gruesome murder of Eddy Dimkpa on April 1, 2013, the Security Director of Obagi Youths Federation, Mr Lekwort Chinwah was also short on March 3, 2013, while on security patrol of the community at about 10.00pm.
Mr Chinwah was said to be lucky as the assassins only shot him on his two legs, and he is said to be critically ill in an undisclosed hospital in the area.
When contacted on phone, the brother of the deceased, Mr Chituru Dimkpa refused to comment on the issue, saying that it was risky to speak on the murder of his brother on the pages of newspaper.
Reacting on the incident, the traditional ruler of Obagi community, Eze Abella Benson, described the murder of the deceased as barbaric.
He appealed to the police in the state to fish out the perpetrators of the act, and also urged the youth to remain calm and wait for the outcome of police investigation into the alleged murder.
When contacted on phone yesterday on the issue, the Public Relations Officer of Rivers State Police command, DSP Ben Ugwuegbulem, told The Tide that the state police command had not received any report on the incident but promised to reach the reporter after confirmation of the crime by his office.
But as at the time of going to the press, the police PRO was yet to get back to The Tide.
Isaac Nwankwo
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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