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Murder: Court Frees Sylva’s Aide

Published

11 years ago

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Bayelsa State Chief
Judge, Justice Kate Abiri, has discharged and acquitted Mr. Samuel Ogbuku, an aide of former Governor Timipre Sylva.
Ogbuku, who was a former Chief of Staff to Sylva, was charged to court by the police in the state for murder.
The Bayelsa State Police Command had in April 2014 arrested Ogbuku over alleged complicity in the murder of an ex-militant in 2011.
Abiri discharged and acquitted Ogbuku for lack of diligent prosecution and lack of substantial evidence linking him to the alleged murder.
Ogbuku, who won the ticket of the APC to represent Ogbia Federal Constituency as its candidate in the 2015 National Assembly elections, has since been released and returned to his family, and his acquittal was celebrated by members of All Progressives Congress in the State.
Commenting on the development, State Organising Secretary, APC, Mr. Tonye Okio, described the court’s decision as a welcome development, adding that the certificate of return bearing Ogbuku’s name as the APC candidate was still awaiting his collection.
Okio, who was also detained by the police over charges of sedition, described the arrest and detention of Sylva’s aide as a show of executive recklessness.
He said, “It shows how the government at the state and federal levels have become vindictive. Governor Seriake Dickson sees the arrest and prosecution of APC members as his pastime. It is unfortunate and the APC in Bayelsa considers it as a price to pay for democracy and change.”
Okio commended the judiciary for standing firm in the defence of the human rights of the people.

Hon Dakuku Peterside (left) APC governorship candidate addressing party supporters at the flag off of his campaign rally at the Liberation Stadium in Port Harcourt recently. Photo: Ibioye Diama

Hon Dakuku Peterside (left) APC governorship candidate addressing party supporters at the flag off of his campaign rally at the Liberation Stadium in Port Harcourt recently. Photo: Ibioye Diama

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Rivers

Navy Targets Training Reforms To Boost Maritime Operations

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2 days ago

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November 19, 2025

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The Nigerian Navy has pledged to strengthen the training of its personnel to ensure improved performance in both sea and land operations across the country.
The new Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) the Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, made this known on Monday during a handover and takeover ceremony held in Ebubu-Eleme, Rivers.
The Tide’s source reports that Zipele succeeded Rear Adm. Robert Obeya following a recent posting exercise that saw the redeployment of 65 senior officers.
Zipele stated that the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, had reiterated his commitment to professionalism, discipline, and operational excellence within the Navy.
“This can only be achieved through effective training and retraining of personnel”, he said.
The FOC added that beyond training, his administration would work closely with the Naval Headquarters to enhance training standards and operational efficiency across all Nigerian Navy training institutions.
“President Bola Tinubu deemed it necessary to appoint new Service Chiefs to restructure the nation’s security architecture.
“In line with this mandate of the CNS, one of our key goals is to review and improve our training systems to address contemporary security challenges.
“The CNS is deeply passionate about personnel training because it is essential to achieving operational efficiency in addressing the current security issues facing our nation,” he explained.
Zipele emphasised that every sailor had a crucial role to play in building on the Navy’s existing successes in combating oil theft, sea robbery and piracy, among other maritime crimes.
He noted that NAVTRAC was responsible for overseeing the training of personnel across its professional institutions to prepare them for emerging security threats.
According to him, the Navy’s training programmes will be enhanced through the integration of modern technologies to ensure greater effectiveness.
“The only way to confront security challenges facing our nation is through intensive and continuous training across all formations and units.
“As I assume command of NAVTRAC, I am confident that with the support of the CNS and personnel, we will elevate the standard of training in the Nigerian Navy to greater heights”, Zipele affirmed.
In his remarks, the outgoing FOC, Obeya, said the command achieved significant progress despite some challenges encountered during his tenure.
He commended the officers, ratings and civilian staff for their cooperation and urged them to extend the same level of support to his successor.
“During my command, we prioritised the use of technology, certification, and the accreditation of Nigerian Navy professional courses.
“We developed strategies to revitalise naval training in line with the new platform acquisitions, ensuring that our graduates can compete favourably with their counterparts across the world”, Obeya said.
He added that the command had addressed statutory training requirements and conducted a curriculum review to align with current security realties.
He, however, noted a shortage of the skilled manpower required to effectively deliver training in naval institutions.
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Rivers

New Year Festival: Dokubo Urges Citizens’ Reorientation In Cultural Values

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2 days ago

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November 19, 2025

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The Paramount Ruler of Torusaramapiri, Kalabari ethnic group in Rivers, Alhaji Asari Dokubo, has called for citizens’ reorientation in cultural values and heritage.
He made the call at the second edition of the Kalabari New Year festival, organised by the Kalabari Renaissance Foundation at Elem, Kalabari, in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers.
Speaking on the significance of the event, Dokubo said it represented a return to the traditional values of the Kalabari people.
He also stressed the need for the people to prioritise their cultural norms and values to preserve their ancestral identity.
“This is not just about celebration, it’s about recreating ourselves, bringing us back from death; it is not just Kalabari, it’s about all of us and our values.
‘’It is time we began to re-evaluate ourselves, join hands, revive our traditional values and heritage so that we don’t loose our cultural identity and spiritual trajectory”, Dokubo said.
Speaking, the Chief Administrator and Chairman of Kalabari Renaissance Foundation (the organisers of the festival), Mr. Awolayeofori Harry MacMorrison, said the event marked the beginning of a new calendar year for the Kalabari people.
He explained that the festival was an annual ritual, observed after November 15 when the tide cleansed the pollution from the popular Sombrero River, describing the annual occurance as a renewal of the Kalabari people.
MacMorrison said though the festival was not new to the people, the initiative by the Renaissance Foundation had made it more unifying.
“It is the renewal of the people, Kalabari area is a saline environment and at specific period of the year, the Sombrero River flows in and pollutes the river.
“However, November 15, across Kalabari, the tide turns and takes all the fresh water that polluted the saline river back to the Sombrero River”, he said.
He explained that with the natural occurrence, the Kalabari calendar year ended every November 15, while November 16 would mark the beginning of the year in the community.
On his part, the President, Tourism Association of Nigeria (EFTAN), Mr. Badaki Aliyu, commended the organisers and the people for preserving their age-long culture.
He also applauded the paramount ruler for sustaining the trend, saying that the festival would continue to promote unity in the area.
“We won’t take this visit for granted, we will do a lot of research and publicity on this.
“We would also ensure that these natural toursm potentials are properly channeled for the economic good of the people”, Aliyu added.
By: Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso
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Rivers

Ikwerre Council Boss Bans Scavenger Operations

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2 weeks ago

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November 10, 2025

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The Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area (LGA), Hon. Charles Wobodo, has banned scavenger operations within the area, citing rising security threats, vandalism, and environmental degradation linked to the activity.
 Wobodo made the declaration during an unscheduled visit to one of the scavenger sites in Elele Community, recently.
He also expressed concern over the illegal operations being carried out under the guise of scrap collection.
Accordingly, he said the council could no longer tolerate activities that endanger lives and properties.
The Chairman, who was visibly displeased with the level of disorder and environmental nuisance at the site, said several reports had linked scavengers to cases of theft, vandalism of public infrastructure, and unwholesome environmental practices.
“From what I have seen here today, it is clear that these scavengers are operating outside the law. We cannot allow this to continue”, he said.
According to him, the council’s decision to impose a total ban was informed by the increasing security challenges and complaints from residents and community leaders.
“We have received numerous reports of missing cables, stolen manhole covers, and break-ins traced to scavengers. Enough is enough!”, he declared.
Wobodo further disclosed that security agencies had been directed to immediately seal all scavenger sites in the local government area and arrest anyone found operating or aiding such activities.
“Anyone who buys from these illegal operators will be treated as an accomplice. We are determined to rid Ikwerre of all forms of criminals disguised as scavenging”, he said.
During the visit, the chairman ordered the immediate evacuation of all waste materials and condemned the unhygienic state of the site. He described the location as a potential health hazard and an environmental risk to surrounding residents.
Speaking with The Tide after the chairman’s visit, a resident of Elele, Mr. Bright Eke, commended the council’s decision, noting that scavengers had become a source of insecurity in the area.
“We’ve had several cases where they steal electric cables and invade people’s compounds. This action by the chairman is long overdue”, he said.
Meanwhile, the people have called on the KELGA boss to form Environmental and Security taskforce teams in order to  begin immediate enforcement of the ban in Elele and other major communities in the area.
By: King Onunwor
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