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Curfew Still In Force In Gokana -RSG …As Community Moves To Resettle Bomu, Lewe IDPs
Rivers State Government says the dusk to dawn curfew imposed in Gokana Local Government Area in the wake of the communal and cult clashes in the area is still in force.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Conflict Resolution, Chief Okorie Abelekum who stated this while addressing indigenes of Bomu and Lewe communities in the area said that the security agencies will arrest anyone who violates the curfew.
Chief Abelekum who condemned the killings and destruction of property in Bomu and Lewe communities, urged the leadership to call their youth to order with a view to stopping the killings which he described as senseless.
The Special Adviser also said that the government will embark on mass arrest, if they failed to take advantage of the Special Amnesty programme declared for Ogoniland by Governor Nyesom Wike to handover their weapons.
Chief Abelekum warned those who are in the habit of hiring guns for communal conflicts to desist in their own interest and that of their community.
He warned cultists in New-ol community to handover their guns to the government. Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Amnesty, Mr Ken Chindah, told cultists in the area that the state government has given them another opportunity to repent and handover their guns.
Mr Chindah said that anyone who refuses to comply with the programme this time around would be dealt with according to the law.
Earlier, the caretaker committee chairman of Gokana Local Government Area, Hon Louis Alawa had said that the crisis in Bomu and Lewe was caused by illegal oil bunkering.
Meanwhile, the Chairman, Caretaker Committee of Gokana Local Government Area, Rivers State, Louis Alawa, has assured the displaced people of Bomu and Lewe of the determination and commitment of the administration to settle the land dispute, which has caused serious communal conflicts, resulting in deaths.
Alawa gave the assurance last Monday during a visit to both communities to ascertain the level of destruction and damage to properties, while commiserating with those who lost loved ones, just as he appealed to the displaced persons to return home, as peace had been restored to the communities.
Responding to the assurances from the caretaker chairman, the affected people pleaded for government intervention by resolving the disagreement quickly, and helping in the rebuilding of their destroyed homes, resettlement and reintegration.
They told the caretaker committee chairman that they have no homes to return to, as their houses were razed during the communal conflict.
The Tide recalls that thousands of people, especially children and women from Lewe and Bomu communities in Gokana Local Government have been sacked from their communities following a communal war that broke out between the two communities in December, 2016.
The displaced persons have since then been taking refuge in churches and other public places in neighbouring communities.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Government has confirmed that six people died in a communal clash last December between the people of Lewe and Bomu communities in Gokana.
The Special Adviser to the Rivers State Governor on Conflict Resolution, Okorie Abelekun, gave the figure during a visit to both communities as a result of the clash.
Abelekun regretted the level of carnage and destruction recorded during the crisis, and warned that government would no longer tolerate communal crisis in the state.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Amnesty, Kenneth Chinda, enjoined youth who were yet to embrace the State Government Amnesty Programme to take advantage of the second opportunity given by the Governor Nyesom Wike-led administration this week to submit their arms and embrace peace.
The Tide reports that the team accompanied by men of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, also addressed some former cultists who voluntarily renounced cultism through a Catholic Priest, Reverend Father Abel Akpulu.
John Bibor & Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, yesterday extended interim relief measures to the people of Bille Kingdom as the government intensifies efforts to address the ongoing environmental degradation affecting the area.
This was contained in a statement by the Head of Information and Public Relations Unit, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Juliana Masi, yesterday.
The governor, during a working visit to Bille Kingdom in Degema Local Government Area, reassured residents of his deep concern for their health and well-being.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to finding a lasting solution to the persistent gas emissions observed in the community’s land and water sources since November 2025.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dagogo Wokoma, the governor announced immediate interventions to address urgent needs.
Some of the relief measures include the provision of potable water and essential medical services through the release of ?100 million as palliative support for the affected community.
According to the SSG, “Governor Fubara remains deeply committed to the welfare of the people of Bille Kingdom. Although unable to attend in person due to pressing state engagements, he is fully aware of the situation and determined to tackle the root cause of the environmental challenge”.
The governor assured residents that the state government would not relent in its efforts to provide a permanent solution to the gas emissions, emphasizing that the current intervention is only a temporary measure to ease the suffering of the people.
He further urged members of the community to remain law-abiding and continue supporting his administration, noting that he has consistently demonstrated a track record of fulfilling his promises.
Earlier, the Chairman, Council of Chief for Bille Kingdom, Chief Bennet Dokubo, expressed joy over the State visit, describing Fubara as a leader who listens to the plight of the people.
He urged the governor to critically look into the gas emission which he described as dangerous to human health.
“If we take you into the river, we notice that the entire environment is bubbling and smelling.
“We most humbly urge you to critically look into this situation. This is something strange we have never experienced before. It is not good for human health,” the monarch stressed.
The Federal Government has declared tomorrow (Friday) and Monday, April 6, 2026, as public holidays to mark this year’s Easter celebration.
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government through a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Magdalene Ajani.
The ministe congratulated all Christians in Nigeria and in the diaspora on the joyous occasion of Easter, and urged Nigerians to imbibe the virtues of selflessness, forgiveness, forbearance and love as exemplified by the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
He reiterated that the goal of the government remains to make decisions that would bring about national rebirth, economic growth, and shared prosperity.
The Tide reports that good Friday will be marked tomorrow, while the Easter Sunday will be celebrated on Sunday across the world.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the newly appointed Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and Chief of Staff (CoS) to carry out their duties with discipline, loyalty and a firm commitment to the success of the administration and the wellbeing of the people of Rivers State.
The governor warned that any involvement in unauthorised nocturnal meetings or any conduct capable of embarrassing the government will attract immediate dismissal.
Fubara gave the warning yesterday shortly after the newly appointed Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Dagogo S.A. Wokoma and the new Chief of Staff (CoS), Barrister Sunny Ewule, were sworn in at the Executive Council Chambers of Government House, Port Harcourt.
As part of the ceremony, the Chief Registrar of the State High Court, David Ihua-Maduenyi administered the Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Office on the duo before the governor gave his charge.
Addressing the appointees, Fubara reminded them that their elevation to the new positions was a call to service and not a platform for political grandstanding or the pursuit of personal ambition.
He stressed that their foremost responsibility should be to themselves and to the people of Rivers State, stressing that their conduct must always reflect integrity, restraint and dedication to public good.
Speaking directly to Dr. Wokoma, whom he described as an accomplished academic and mathematician, the governor expressed confidence in his intellectual depth and capacity to deliver on the new assignment.
The office of the Secretary to the State Government, Fubara stressed, demands thoroughness, discipline and a deep sense of responsibility. He charged the SSG to represent the State with honour at all times.
“Your duty includes representing the state government. You need to represent us in a way and manner that will bring honour to us.
“What is important to this administration is to see that the good works that we started and the ones that we met, are concluded in a way that will bring progress and development to our dear state,” he stated.
Turning to the new Chief of Staff, the governor explained that he is expected to ensure smooth administrative coordination, managing official engagements effectively and safeguarding the image of the Government House.
He underscored the sensitive and personal nature of the role and emphasised that the position operates strictly under the authority of the governor.
Fubara stressed that the role does not permit independent political engagements or private strategy meetings without his knowledge and consent.
“Let me sound it here very clearly. Your duty is to make sure that you handle the administrative duties and image making roles perfectly well, liaising with whoever is coming for any official assignment here.
“If you involve yourself in nocturnal meetings and all those things, I will sack you. I’m very serious. What is important to me today is peace, progress and prosperity of this state. I’m not going to compromise anything for it,” he said.
The governor cautioned that involvement of the new appointees in any action capable of bringing the government or his office to disrepute would attract appropriate sanctions.
While congratulating the new appointees, Fubara expressed optimism that they would justify the confidence reposed in them.
He called on all public officials to work together in unity, observing that collective success is stronger and more enduring than individual achievement.
The governor who also addressed the Permanent Secretaries present at the ceremony, directed those of them who have reached retirement age to start preparing their handover notes without delay.
The notice, he said, was not intended to scare anybody but to prepare their minds towards the inevitability of exiting the service one day and to pave way for an orderly transition.
He warned against any attempt to engage in financial misconduct or last-minute irregularities, stressing that he was closely monitoring the system to ensure strict enforcement of accountability rules.