News
Police Arrest 14 Cultist, 18 Arsonists In Bayelsa
The tea party between the administration of Seriake Dickson and different cult groups operating in Bayelsa State seems to be over as amnesty granted to members last year has collapsed.
Consequently, the unholy activists of the group, which had been in lull since the signing of the amnesty have returned in full force leading to several reprisal killings in some parts of the state capital, recently.
The state government had early last year granted amnesty to repentant cultists numbering more than 600, and promised to engage them in some meaningful trades, a promise that was not fulfilled.
However, the police Command in the state has signified its readiness to tackle the situation as not less than 32 suspected cultists and arsonists in the state have been apprehended in the last few days.
Investigations revealed that 14 of the suspects were apprehended for cultism while 18 others were held over their alleged attempt to burn the palace of their traditional ruler in Oruma, Ogbia Local Government Area of the state.
The suspected arsonists were said to have hatched a plot to raze the palace over allegations bordering on mismanagement of oil money by their king.
It was gathered that the suspects were on their way to execute the plot when a team of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) rounded them up.
It was discovered at the state Police Command, Yenagoa, that the suspects were arrested and brought to the state Police Commissioner, Mr. Hilary Opara.
Mr Opara, who confirmed the development, praised his men for proactively stopping what he said would have thrown the community into a prolonged crisis.
He asked the youth to explore legal means of addressing their grievances instead of resorting to jungle justice.
Mr Opara further confirmed that about 14 suspected cultists were in the custody of the police.
He said while some of them had been arraigned and remanded in prison custody, others were awaiting prosecution.
According to him, the suspects risked 10-year jail term if convicted as provided by the state’s anti-cultism law.
He alleged that some of the cultists were involved in some cases of cult-related violence that left few people dead.
Mr Opara further disclosed that some notorious kingpins who existed in the wanted list of the police had been arrested.
He said they were the reasons behind pockets of criminalities in some parts of the state,especially the state capital.
Describing them as criminal contractors, he said they readily made themselves available for criminal operations.
He named one of them as Ogbogire and said it took the police a long time to apprehend him.
He said on the day he was captured at Biogbolo area of Yenagoa, the kingpin behaved like a monkey as he jumped 12 roofs of buildings only to be caught later by the police.
“He behaved like a monkey. He jumped from one roof to another trying to escape. In fact he jumped about 12 roofs before he was eventually caught”, he said.
Other notorious kingpins, according to Mr Opara, are Razor and Small Boy Danger adding that since they were nabbed, most parts of the city had been calm.
He said both Razor and Small Boy Danger were linked to the cult killings at Agudiama and Akenfa insisting that apprehending them was not an easy feat.
He said most cultists also engage in armed robbery as their source of income.
He described the Swali area of Yenagoa as a hideout for criminals but said the SARS unit of the command had conducted many operations to sanitise it.
“The SARS has been doing a nice job. It has been sanitising Swali. Swali right from time has been notorious. The area has been given us problems coupled with one market completed and allocated by the government but persons to whom the market stalls were allocated refuse to occupy them.
“So, the hoodlums have converted the place to a safe haven from where they operate. But we raid every night. That is why the place is a bit sanitises. Generally speaking, the town is safe. There are night clubs booming and people are moving around without molestation.”
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to expedite the prosecution of the Director of the now distressed MBA Forex Trading, Mr. Maxwell Odum, in the interest of justice.
The Rivers State NUJ made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the EFFC’s Ag. Zonal Director, ACE Hassan Saidu, in Port Harcourt, recently.
The council’s chairman, Comrade Paul Bazia, said the appeal became imperative after it considered the number of Nigerians and others involved in the financial misconduct.
According to him, it has caused hardship among many households in the country and should be given the attention it deserves.
He said that investors cannot come into a country or invest in an economy or nation ridden with fraud.
This, he said, has made it more imperative to arrest, prosecute and convict alleged fraudsters like the MBA Forex Director, who is alleged to have defrauded thousands of unsuspecting Nigerians, to serve as a deterrent to others.
The chairman also requested that while the trial lasts, part of the swindled funds should be given to the victims that suffered loss and trauma as a result of the fraud.
The NUJ reiterated its resolve to change the narrative of reportage from crisis to developmental communication.
According to him, the NUJ’s main focus is blue economy and tourism.
He expressed the readiness of the Council to partner the agency in the area of information dissemination.
“We believe you have a responsibility to fight financial crimes. We also know that you need the Press to publicize your activities and NUJ can provide that,” he said.
Responding, the Zonal EFFC’s boss commended the NUJ’s vision to change the narrative of reporting from crisis to developmental communication.
According to Saidu, the Western world have since imbibed such culture, hence the negative stories about them are carefully sifted to allow only positive ones to be released to the outside world.
As for the trapped funds to be released, the EFCC Zonal Director stated that only the court can authorize such action, stressing that the primary responsibility of the Commission is to arrest and prosecute.
He pledged to partner with the NUJ now that the leadership has visited the Commission.
The Head of the Legal & Prosecution Department, DCE Odiase Stephen, corroborated the Zonal Director’s position and stressed that it was only when the matter has been determined by the court that such funds can be released.
He further stated that once a matter is before a court of competent jurisdiction, it cannot be discussed outside.
By: King Onunwor
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