Niger Delta

Ogoni Clean-Up Has Started, Elected Reps Affirm

Published

6 years ago

July 17, 2019

Elected representatives of Ogoni ethnic extraction in Rivers State, have affirmed that work on the clean-up of oil spill impacted sites in Ogoniland supervised by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has started in earnest.
The elected representatives, comprising council chairmen, federal and state legislators, gave this indication recently during inspection tour of clean-up sites in Korokoro Tai community in Tai Local Government Area and Oboolo Ebubu community in Eleme Local Government Area.
The leader of the team and Deputy Majority Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Deeyah Bariene, who addressed newsmen on behalf of his colleagues commended HYPREP for painstakingly midwifing the clean-up project, and urged it to maintain and sustain the tempo of work being done.
He indicated that the elected representatives under took the inspection tour of the sites as a way of supporting the clean-up project as part of discharging their oversight functions, stressing that they expected nothing short of best practices to be deployed in the clean-up project.
The elected officers who were led to the clean-up sites by HYPREP’s Project Coordinator, Dr. Marvin Dekil, inspected the ongoing work at Lots 19 and 21 sites in Korokoro Tai and Lot 2 site in Oboolo Ebubu community.
The inspection was part of a stakeholders forum earlier organised by HYPREP for Ogoni elected representatives which featured a workshop laced with series of thought- provoking presentations on the activities of the agency, as it relates to the Ogoni clean-up.
They were also shown documentaries on all that the agency has been doing since inception.
Among the elected representatives who participated in the event include the Chairman of Eleme Local Government Area, Barrister Philip Okparaji, Chairman of Tai Local Government Area, Dr Jacobson Mbina, their Gokana Local Government counterpart, Hon. Paul Kobani and Chairman of Khana Local Government Area, Hon Lahteh Loolo.
Others are member representing Eleme Constituency in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Aforji Igwe, his Gokana Constituency counterpart, Hon Dumle Maol, his Khana Constituency I counterpart, Hon. Deeyah Bariene, among others.

Donatus Ebi

Niger Delta

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

Published

2 weeks 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

2 weeks 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

2 weeks 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.