Niger Delta

Prophet Narrates Experiences In Hands Of Kidnappers

Published

12 years ago

October 23, 2013

The General Overseer of
Divine Winners Ministry International, Prophet Confidence Ozor narrated his experiences in the hands of kidnappers, saying it was not a pleasant one.
Prophet Ozor who was kidnapped at Owerri, Imo state while attending a crusade was released by his abductors last Tuesday after spending five days in the hands of the kidnappers whom he said confessed to him that they were hired to kill him due to his overwhelming and spiritual prowess which had made him to win so much members within a short period of his stay in Bayelsa State.
Prophet Ozor’s freedom did not come without payment of ransom money of five million naira to his abductors.
Narrating his ordeal, the Anambra state-born cleric said he would still consult his God before he would be able to understand the whole scenario, saying, “people don’t like success”.
He said, “I travelled to my village with my team on Thursday and that day I also stopped by to see my God’s son in Irete town, very close to Owerri, the capital of Imo state, who was preparing for his birthday that was coming up on the 17th of October, and I am supposed to be one of the guest speakers at the occasion.
“As I was having a look at the posters, six men just barged on us and forced us into my car but my car refused to start, they forced us out to my God son’s car and took us away.
“Immediately, they started beating us and collected all our belongings, blindfolded us and took us to a faraway desert .On getting to their destination, they started asking us how much we have in our account and all of that,
“When we said we don’t have any money in our account they continued with the beating. In fact, they fired five shots at us but I don’t know what happened but it did not enter, at that point, they asked us what kind of charms are we using.
They went back to the car and searched, saw bottles of olive oil and Bible, they broke the olive oil and threw the bible into the bush, came back to us and started using the head of the gun on us”.
“They claimed to have been monitoring me and they said something as if pastors are behind it, they also asked whether I am the only pastor in Bayelsa State that am so known every where for this little time I have spent in the state”.
“When I tried to tell them that am a pastor I don’t deserve this kind of treatment, they said they were given order to kill me and not to negotiate any ransom but one of them noticed that we are from the same place, a nearby village to my own, he now took it upon himself and said to me he will make sure am not killed as earlier planned”.
The prophet said, it was at that point that they asked him to contact somebody to bring N50 million, with stern warning not to involve the police, but they later brought it down to N5 million after much negotiation with my people.
When asked why he did not have the premonition as a man of God, he explained that for the past two weeks, he had noticed weakness in him and had asked his prayer warriors to pray against impending danger, but he never knew the manner the danger would come
He, however, said that the incident had proved the power of God to,protect His own at all times, promising his resolve to carry on with the task of saving souls for the Creator.

Niger Delta

NPC Unveils Digital Registration System In Delta

Published

5 days ago

February 23, 2026

The Tide

The National Population Commission (NPC), on Friday, launched the Electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistics System (eCRVS) in Delta State, designed to strengthen data generation and vital statistics management.

The Tide’s source reports that the system was launched by the Delta Federal Commissioner, Mrs. Blessyn Brume-Ataguba, at a news briefing in Asaba.

Brume-Ataguba recalled that President Bola Tinubu formally launched the eCRVS in November 2023 as part of the efforts to modernise Nigeria’s civil registration process.

She said the initiative followed resolutions reached at the Sixth Session of the Conference of African Ministers Responsible for Civil Registration and Vital Statistics in Addis Ababa in 2022.

According to her, African ministers urged member states to automate civil registration processes and implement the UN Legal Identity Agenda.

“Nigeria responded by developing an electronic, technology-driven system to enhance data generation and improve civil statistics nationwide,” Brume-Ataguba said.

She said NPC, in collaboration with UNICEF, produced an eCRVS Operational Readiness Assessment Report to guide implementation.

She explained that the partnership aims to establish a fully digital civil registration system that converts records of vital events into reliable statistics for effective planning and decision-making.

Brume-Ataguba described the initiative as a complete shift from paper-based documentation to a modern digital platform aligned with international best practices.

She said the system would transform the way births and deaths were recorded, tracked and analysed across the country.

“This process marks a complete departure from the traditional paper-based recording of vital events to a state-of-the-art digital solution that conforms to international best practices.

“This eCRVS promises to revolutionise how vital events are recorded, tracked and analysed in the country.

“This will ensure commitments, and a sustained national, international financial and political investment for birth registration within the CVRS in Nigeria, ” Brume-Ataguba said.

She also said the launch demonstrated the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening civil registration data capture and processing.

She further said improved vital statistics would support national development planning and help Nigeria achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Brume-Ataguba continued that the state-level launch was necessary to sensitise the media and the public on the significance of the digital registration system.

She described the media as a vital partner in informing and educating citizens about the importance of registering vital events electronically.

She further assured residents that competent ICT personnel were available at the state level to address technical challenges and provide support.

The NPC commissioner emphasised that the eCRVS would overhaul the registration of births and deaths in the country and lay a solid foundation for efficient civil statistics management.

She urged stakeholders to collaborate with the commission to realise its goal of providing accurate and timely vital registration data.

She announced that the current phase of the e-CRVS programme would be concluded in March.

In her remark, the NPC State Director, Mrs. Jane Odigwe, appealed to the Delta Government to support the implementation of the system in the state.

“Your partnership is vital in helping us to reach this goal,” Odigwe said.

She also urged parents to register their children, saying that a birth certificate is essential for access to education, healthcare and other opportunities.

She said that registering children today would secure their identity and future participation in Nigeria’s development.

“To every parent in Delta, I urge you to bring your children forward for birth registration.

“A birth certificate is not just a document but your child’s key to education, healthcare and global opportunities.

“By registering your child today, you are giving them a voice in Nigeria of tomorrow,” Odigwe said.

Niger Delta

Police Uncover Suspects’ Armoury … Recover Weapons In Delta

Published

5 days ago

February 23, 2026

The Tide

The Police Command in Delta State has recovered assorted weapons from a criminal hideout in the state.

Spokesman for the Command, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this to newsmen, who on Friday in Warri, said the weapons were recovered on Thursday by the operatives of the Command’s Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT), led by ASP Julius Robinson.

He said the feat was achieved following a confession by a suspect handed over to the police team by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Orerokpe Division, for further interrogation.

Edafe said the suspect was alleged to be a member of a criminal syndicate terrorising commuters and residents on the Warri/Sapele Road.

“On February 19, acting on information obtained during interrogation, the suspect led the operatives to a concealed armoury located on the Sapele/Warri Road by the Adheje Community axis.

“A thorough search of the hideout resulted in the recovery of a locally made long gun, a locally made cut-to-size gun.

“Also recovered were a fabricated Beretta pistol loaded with five rounds of live ammunition, 10 live cartridges and a dagger,” he said.

Edafe stated that the investigation into the matter was ongoing.

He, however, quoted the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Command, Mr. Aina Adesola, to have reiterated the command’s resolve in dismantling criminal networks, and mopping up illegal firearms, among others, in the state.

Niger Delta

Police Caution On Lawless Protests On Court Matters In A’Ibom

Published

5 days ago

February 23, 2026

The Tide

The Police Command in Akwa Ibom State has cautioned on threats of lawless protests by some members of the public over matters that are already before the courts.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare, told newsmen in Uyo on Friday that illegal protests could undermine public peace and order.

“When matters are already in court, let’s follow legal and civil means to seek redress. That is how a civilised society works.

“Although we recognise the constitutional rights of citizens to lawful expression and peaceful assembly, illegal protests are not allowed,” he said.

Azare said the Command would not tolerate threats or acts of nude protests, unlawful occupation of public or private facilities, and disruption of government, economic or social activities.

He said anyone found culpable of engaging in acts or threats of illegal protests would be prosecuted in line with the law.

“As a Command, we are committed to the maintenance of law and order, we are also committed to protecting lives and property”, he stated.