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Police Nab 57 Suspects In Rivers
The Rivers State Police Command says it has arrested 57 suspects for their involvement in various criminal activities in the state.
The command also said it recovered nine stolen vehicles from armed robbery suspencts in different parts and locations across the state.
The state Commissioner of Police, Zaki Ahmed stated this while briefing journalists at the command headquarters in Port Harcourt, over the weekend, on the modest achievements recorded by the command between January and February.
Ahmed recalled that the command had tasking security challenges in 2017, and added that the police command, in its determined efforts, was able to weather the storm.
According to him, “It was as a result of genuine efforts put in place by the command that reduced the challenges. The state witnessed pockets of criminal activities such as killings, beheading, among other criminal activities. But to God be the glory, towards the end of the year, these criminal elements were tackled headlong, leading to a steady drop in criminal activities in the last few months. I can assure you that we are doing more to contain these criminal elements and make the state uninhabitable for them”.
The commissioner of police while giving the breakdown of the summary of the achievements disclosed that 22 suspected armed robbers, 23 cultists and 12 suspected kidnappers were arrested while 1 AK-46 rifle, 22 locally-made pistols, 55 live ammunition, 56 cartridges, six single barren guns, eight empty magazines as well as two bags were recovered during the period under review.
The CP told journalists that on February 13, through community policing, the youth of Omerelu in Ikwerre Local Government Area arrested one Promise Onyeka ‘m’ and Ugochukwu Ugorji ‘m’ in possession of one locally-made pistol, adding that the duo were alleged to be members of the armed robbery gang which regularly blocked the Elele-Omerelu-Owerri Road and robbed motorists and passengers of their valuables.
He said the alleged armed robbers were rounded up after robbing one Ejim Standford of his valuables and vandalised his Jetta car, adding that the youth of the community arrested the duo and handed them over to the police, even as he promised that efforts were on to arrest the other gang members.
Ahmed used the opportunity to inform the journalists that he had directed Area Commanders, DPOs and Heads of tactical units in the command to redouble their efforts and embark on massive raids of criminal hideouts and black spots across the state, and assured that the command would not relent in its efforts to sustain the aggressive onslaught against all criminal elements in the state.
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene