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Niger Delta

Flood Ravages Rivers Communities

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Rain flood has wrecked havoc in Egi land and its neighbouring Ahoada communities, following five days of heavy down pour which led to destruction of household property, livestocks, economic crops and buildings.
This has conpounded the devastating effects of cultists’ activities in the entire clans, as majority people who had left home on self-exile for safety of their lives would have more sad stories to tell
No zone is left out in the disaster, starting from Umu-Obor  communities of Oboburu, Ohali-Elu, Obigbo, and Obagi to Akabuka, Ogbogu, Obite and Ede in Etiti-Egi. The story is not different from Erema, Itu, Ibewa Obukegi in Ahiawhor zone with the cry of agony also coming from Obiyebe, Egita, Akabta and Obiosimini in Uso-Ozimini zone.
The Tide while going round the communities, witnessed serious cracks on the walls of mud houses, especially in Itu, Erema, Akabuka and Ogbogu, while those living in block houses were seen bailing water from their parlours and rooms.
A community leader and National Auditor two of Apex Egi socio-cultural organization, the Egi People’s Assembly (EPA), Chief Nathaniel Oriji, said the effect of the rain flood could be compared to that of natural flood of 2012.
“All we laboured to plant in our farms have all been destroyed. Our farms are like river, in few days time the food crops would all wither leading to another hungry season, which we have just survived”, and attributed the uncommon rain flood this year to blockage of natural water channels by oil companies.
The chairman of Itu-Ogba Community Development Committee,  Comrade Benard Obo, attributed the flooding of his community to a road constructed by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), which has no single drainage.
According to him, during the construction, the community had appealed to the contractors to include drainages but they told us we should approach NDDC because that was not included in their job specifications, but all our letters to the commission fell on deaf ears.
He,therefore, appealed to the new project director of NDDC to come to the aid of the community by constructing drains in the community’s section of the road.
The situation in Ahoada town, the headquarters of Ahoada East Local Government is as bad as that of Egi as most residents along Omoku road,Abuja Housing Estate, Odiemerenyi  and Ekpena roads have all evacuated while at Ula- Ehuda, the torrent from the community through the market was on high frequency.
Schools, hotels and churches were also not spared as people are now appealing to NEMA and the  state government to come to their rescue.
However, an environmental officer, and a town planner attached to Ahoada East Local Government council who pleaded anonymity said; “we are not authorized to speak to the press but the cause of the flooding is part of the climate change, we have been preaching”, the Town planner said “most developers ignored our advice against building along water routes, today they are reaping the reward of disobedience, especial those living in the Ahoada new sites.”

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Niger Delta

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

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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.
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Niger Delta

Police Nab Suspected Illicit Drugs Dealer In Delta

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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.
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Niger Delta

C’River Assembly extends Bekwarra LG Chairman’s Suspension By 3 Months

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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.
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