Niger Delta

Ebocha Blast: RVHA Secures Relief Materials For Communities

Published

10 years ago

July 15, 2015

The Rivers State House of
Assembly says the report on the Ebocha Explosion will soon be ready as communities and the company are working on one path.
The Chairman of the Committee investigating the Ebocha Explosion, Hon. Christian Ahiakwo who stated this on Tuesday confirmed that the House has been able to broker peace between the communities and the Nigerian Agip Oil Company.
Hon. Ahiakwo representing Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni constituency 1, who revealed this while speaking with The Tide in his office at the Assembly Complex, noted that cardinal relationship between the company and communities has returned to normal.
The lawmaker explained that the House has asked the company to ensure that provided relief materials to victims of the explosion immediately.
According to him, ‘The committee has started work by visiting the area, with some consultants.
“As soon as we get the report from the consultants, we shall harmonize it and present it to the House. One good thing we have succeeded in doing is to get the company to start remedial measures to distribute relief materials to victims.
It would be recalled that the Speaker last week set up committee to probe the cause of the explosion and to determine how far the company has gone about compensating the victims of the explosion.
Three reservoirs containing several hundreds of thousands of crude oil exploded at Ebocha in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government area. The communities whose area were impacted include Mgbede, Okwuzi, Aggah, Abacheke, Abaech and Etekwuru.
Sources revealed that acquatic life, farm land and live stocks were at risk.
Meanwhile, Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) and host communities in Egbema have commenced negotiation over the way forward following initial disagreement on the possible cause of the recent explosions that occurred at the Ebocha oil centre.
Earlier, the communities had insisted that blasts which affected flora and funa were caused by equipment failure while the Ihalian oil giant alleged that it was as a result of sabotage which ignited the massive reservoirs leading to explosions.
The deadlock was, however, broken by the Rivers State House of Assembly, which promptly set up an ad-hoc committee to look into the immediate and remote causes of the explosions.
The Committee, Agip and representatives of host communities, have since visited the site of the blasts to see and assess the site and its impact on the people and the envrionemnt.

Goodluck Ukwe/Ike Wigodo

Niger Delta

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

Published

1 week 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

1 week 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

1 week 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.