Niger Delta

Emmanuel Urges Church To Pray For Peace

Published

7 years ago

December 25, 2018

Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State has appealed to churches across the state to pray for peace in the state as the 2019 elections approach.
The governor said the government would continue to rely on prayers of the church for peace, progress and continued prosperity in Akwa Ibom State.
At a thanksgiving mass in honour of the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Charles Udoh, and his wife, Regina, as Knight of St John Int’l, held at St Mary’s Catholic Church, Obio Offot, Uyo, last Sunday, the governor appealed to the church to pray that only a god-fearing individual would be given the opportunity to govern the state come 2019.
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Mr Moses Ekpo, the governor expressed the optimism that as a state named after God, only the will of God will prevail as far as who leads the state was concerned.
He prayed God to continue to guide Udoh and strengthen him in his desire to expand his service to God and humanity.
“I want to thank the church for giving us the opportunity for this thanksgiving, and I want to assure the church that government will continue to rely on the church to continue to pray for peace and prosperity and peaceful elections in 2019.
“We sincerely believe that as a state named after God, only those who are god-fearing will be given the opportunity to serve Akwa Ibom come 2019. I am extremely happy to be opportuned to worship and take part in the thanksgiving in this church. God will continue to guide you,” he said
Speaking at the event, Mr Udoh recalled his many travails in life and acknowledged God’s constant and unfailing interventions in his life.
Udoh, who recalled his miraculous survival in the 2016 Reigners Church collapse, pledged to continue to strive to do everything with sincerity of purpose and with a clear conscience.
“I am a living testimony of God’s goodness. I have cheated death several times. God wanted me to take a spiritual step closer to him before giving me this chance of thanksgiving. The journey of my life through the Reigners Church and other travails of life truly revealed God’s love for me. You don’t need an earthly godfather; all you need is God. My father had always wanted to be a knight. I live and breathe the Lord”, he said
Leading the thanksgiving mass, the parish priest, Very Rev. Ernest Udoh, charged the new knight to go back to the virtues of knighthood, which could be found in the fruitage of the spirit. He enumerated some of these to include wisdom, joy, peace, understandings, etc.

Niger Delta

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

Published

6 days 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

6 days 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

6 days 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.