Niger Delta
Residents Flee Elem Tombia Community Over Gunmen Attack
Residents of Elem Tombia community,old abode of the people of Nyamkpo Tombia, in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State have fled from their community following heavy attacks by unidentified gunmen dressed in military uniforms. The gunmen were said to have stormed the ancient community with four gunboats and coordinated the attacks on Elem Tombia while two others concentrated on Ogboma Ama,a suburb of the community.
This revelation was made last Sunday in Port Harcourt by the Amadabo of Elem Tombia and Chairman of Oceanic Amalgamated Communities of Tombia Kingdom, Chief Sagbe Tombotamuno-a Atkinson in an exclusive chat with The Tide.
Chief Sagbe also disclosed that the assailants stormed his community on Friday, September 20,and invaded the peaceful town in the most condemnable manner.
The assailants came in broad daylight to the community, beating up people,invaded the town and destroyed buildings.They were shooting sporadically while the villagers scampered for safety”, he said.
The Amadabo continued,that items such as cell phones,foods/drinks,cloths and a total amount of six hundred and sixty nine thousand naira were also carted away by the attackers.
“Though lives were not lost houses, including the town hall were brazenly razed by the gunboats operators.One stranger who is residing in the community was whisked away to an unknown destination”, the Amadabo lamented.
Recalling a similar attack on the community on September 13,2008 which was executed with sixteen gunboats and two choppers,the community leader expressed wonder over why the attack on the community, which is not at war with any community.
“There is the presence of a warship in the Elem Tombia rivers to keep security.The name of the ship is NNS CONQUER-P739.What I don’t know is whether there is a conspiracy,” Chief Sagbe cried out.
An eye witness who is an indigene of the community,Tonye Samuel said: “The gunboats were six in number.They were shooting indiscriminately between Elem Tombia and Ogboma, looted property belonging to the villagers. Some of us ran into the forests,others ran into nearby mangroves. When we came back after several hours, most of our houses have been razed down.”
Another witness, who confirmed the incident to The Tide, Tonye Abbey, also said: “Property worth millions of naira have been destroyed following the attacks. Some of the villagers have not been found since the attacks. This attack on our community is one too many,we were peaceful, yet they came and destroyed our community”.
The King of the community urgently called on President Mohammadu Buhari,The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike,
The Chairman Degema Local Government Council Hon.Tony Philmoore,and all relevant security agencies to beef up security around Elem Tombia community to forestall further occurrences.
Niger Delta
RSNC Head Charges NAOMEW On Professionalism, Effective Service Delivery

The Head of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba, has charged the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (NAOMEW) World Wide, to be committed to professionalism, patriotism and effective service delivery in the discharge of their duties and rendering of patriotic gestures.
Mrs Gbaraba gave the charge yesterday when the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter paid her a courtesy call in her office in Port Harcourt.
She expressed deep appreciation for the visit, and assured the Association of her commitment to being a worthy Ogoni Ambassador like late Mr Augustine Nwikinaka, former General Manager of the corporation, to promote the fortunes of the corporation, while counting on their unflinching encouragement, prayers and support to succeed.
“ I am very happy to receive the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (The Tide Chapter) today in my office. I am glad you people came to my office, for those that know me in a short while in the corporation, I am a serious-minded person. I heard that the time the corporation was functioning well was under the leadership of late Austin Nwikinaka. Any where I go to, I will rather come down and show working example and that is what the Ogoni person is known for. So I am always proud to associate myself with an Ogoni man, so your support means so much to me,” Mrs Gbaraba said.
She assured them of running an open-door policy in the management of the corporation, and urged stronger partnership between NAOMEW, other unions, interest groups, corporate organisations, institutions and the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation in professional service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter, the National Secretary of the association, Comrade Taneh Beemene welcomed her into The Tide family and also congratulated her on her very important appointment.
Taneh, who expressed confidence in her experience and abilities to deliver on her assignments, thanked her for the uncommon feats recorded in the corporation within her brief leadership. He said the corporation has been revived from its comatose status that predated her appointment.
“ Within your short time, you have given the corporation a remarkable facelift. We pray that God should give you the enablement to restore the dignity of the corporation. We have come to inform you that we are solidly behind you and will make our untiring contributions to make you succeed, “ he stated.
In his vote of thanks and closing remarks, the Chairman, National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Production Workers (NUPPPPROW), Comrade Keyirale Donatus Nwiueh thanked the Head of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba for receiving the association in a warm manner, adding that she should count on the support of the association to succeed.
Kiadum Edookor
Niger Delta
OBALGA Sole Administrator Presents Brand New Fire Extinguishers To Council …Commiserates With Traders Over Rumuomasi Market Fire Incident …Commences Desilting Of Drainages

The Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has presented 150 brand new fire extinguishers to the council.
Dr Walter who spoke to newsmen at the council premises at Rumuodumanya said the gesture was part of measures by his administration to ensure safety of lives and council property from unforeseen fire incidents.
He urged the staff of the council to ensure the safety of the extinguishers, while promising to engage experts to teach them how to handle and operate the extinguishers.
Meanwhile, Sole Administrator of Obio Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has commiserated with traders at the Rumuomasi Market over the unfortunate fire incident that gutted parts of the market.
Dr Walter who visited the market to assess the level of damage caused by the fire, described it as unfortunate
Addressing the crowd of distressed traders and community members, Dr. Walter acknowledged the historical significance of the market, which was originally built under the administration of the former Obio/Akpor Chairman and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON.
He noted that preliminary findings suggest the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault, though a full investigation is still underway.
“As a local government, we will constitute a thorough investigation team to determine the root cause of the fire,
“Most importantly, we thank God that no lives were lost. I want to assure our traders that the Local Government will not abandon you.
“We will also work with security operatives to safeguard salvaged goods and prevent further losses,” he said.
He encouraged traders to adopt stricter safety measures, especially concerning electrical appliances in markets prone to fire hazards.
“There are many ways fires can ignite, even without an open flame. Let us all be vigilant and prioritise safety,” he cautioned.
Dr. Walter also commended those who stepped in to assist during the emergency.
“We are grateful to all who helped salvage goods and support affected persons during the crisis. Your kindness embodies the spirit of Obio/Akpor. The forthcoming investigation will help us put preventive structures in place,” he said.
The Chairman of the market, Mr. Prince Adele, who accompanied Dr. Walter, during the inspection, identified K-Lane as the most severely affected area.
A statement by the information officer to the council, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said no incident of death was reported by the traders during the visit.
In another development, the Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor local government council, Sir Clifford Ndu Walter, has commenced a comprehensive canal clearance campaign with a view to identifying and removal of all blockages including illegal structures hindering the free flow of waters in the area.
A statement from the council Press Secretary, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said during the inspection of key canals in the area, several unauthorised barricades and blockages were discovered and removed.
According to the statement, Dr Walter emphasised that illegal dumping, unapproved structures and poor drainage habits endanger communities and undermine government efforts, adding that his administration is committed to protecting lives and property of the citizens.
It said the Sole Administrator also declared his readiness to ensure that all canals and drainages are cleaned, maintained and functioning effectively.
He also warned against further dumping of waste in waterways, citing impending flooding.