News

Police To Release Late Mechanic’s Corpse For Autopsy, Today …As CP Breaks Silence At Media Briefing

Published

6 years ago

February 10, 2020

The Rivers State Police Command is expected to present the corpse of late Ikoku mechanic, Chima Ikwunado to his family for identification and autopsy, today, as well as address the media on the case involving the Ikoku Five.
The news briefing by the state Commissioner of Police, Mustapha Dandaura would be the first time he would be speaking on the issue since the incident and the call for justice by the deceased family and various groups more than a month ago.
Spokesman of the state police command, DSP Nnamdi Omoni told The Tide that the state Police Commissioner, Mustapha Dandaura would comment and clarify the issues around the Ikoku Five after the autopsy scheduled for today would have been done on the body of late Chima Ikwunado.
It would be recalled that Omoni had promised that the commissioner would address the press on the issues after investigations are concluded.
“The matter is still under investigation. As soon as our investigation is concluded, the commissioner of police would address the press. We (police) don’t have anything to hide,” Omoni had said.
But while speaking with newsmen, the family of the late mechanic said the police have finally agreed to show them his body and allow them conduct another autopsy.
The family said that the agreement was reached last week during a meeting between the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Ahmed Kontagora, late Chima Ikwunado’s family, the leadership of spare parts dealers and the Igbo Lawyers’ Forum.
Kontagora had assured that the command was ready to present the corpse of the deceased for identification and autopsy, and asked the family of the late mechanic to make all necessary plans for the autopsy, including coming with their own pathologist.
It is expected that the police commissioner would use the opportunity to unmask the officers allegedly involved in the torture of the Ikoku Five, whose names were suspected to be Inspector Fidelis Ayaogu, Inspector Samuel Eyinnah, Inspector Uche, Sergeant Ake Chibuzor, Sergeant Philips Obi, Inspector Tope and Sergeant Rose.
However, the Chairman of Ikoku Spare Parts Markets, High Chief Iwu Anthony Alaribeole has said they would not take part in any settlement with the police until justice prevails on the issue involving late Chima Ikwunado and the Ikoku Four who were allegedly tortured by the police.
Alaribeole, who disclosed this to newsmen in Port Harcourt, was reacting to the claims by late Chima’s family that the police want them to settle the case peacefully.
According to him, “We are not party to any dialogue. What we are asking for is justice, and we are not settling for anything than justice.
“If anybody is thinking of compromising, we are not party to that. Even if there will be any discussion, it will be in the large house where the media and every player in this struggle must be on the ground and we discuss.”
Alaribeole also claimed that the Ikoku spare parts dealers were facing pressure to dump their quest for justice for late Chima Ikwunado and the Ikoku Four, noting that despite the pressure and intimidation, they insist that erring police officers be punished to prevent others from continuing in such acts of brutality and torture against citizens they should be protecting.
“There are so many pressure groups coming to liaise with the family and the police. But we are not interested in that. We can never relent in this struggle because we have integrity.
“We cannot be bought over. What we want is total justice for all the victims, both the one that died and the four that were brutally injured. We are not stopping at anything than justice, and we can’t compromise,” he emphasised.
Meanwhile, the General Overseer of Omega Power Ministries, Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere has presented the family of late Chima Ikwunado with a mini-estate and educational scholarship, up to university level abroad to the unborn child of the late mechanic who was allegedly tortured to death by the operatives of E-Crack Unit domiciled at the Mile One Police Station in Port Harcourt.
The deceased, an expectant father, got married six months ago, and was the bread winner of his family and a bona fide member of Omega Power Ministries.
Chinyere, who is a man with a heart of gold and a man who never abandons his own, had swung into action on hearing of his death, and visited the late auto mechanic’s wife to commiserate with her on the demise of her husband.
Speaking to the press, yesterday, Chinyere, who is known for his humanitarian support to the downtrodden in the society, stated that the pregnant wife of the late mechanic, Adaugo Ikwunado, and her unborn child were now the responsibilities of OPM.
He promised to ensure that she delivers her baby safely at the OPM Free Specialist Hospital without charges, adding that the church would fully take care of her feeding and clothing.
The clergyman further added that he had taken on the full responsibility of looking after Chima’s wife and aged parents.
He promised the bereaved family that he was going to do everything within his power to make sure that they lacked nothing, explaining that he was ready to take on the responsibilities of Chima who was the bread winner of the family and do for them in 10 folds everything the late mechanic would have done, if he were still alive.
Not only did he give the unborn child of Chima scholarship to university level abroad, Chinyere also gave the wife of Chima a mini estate which comprises a flat for the family and other flats which would be rented out to generate more income for the family.
He gave the family money to cater for their present needs with promise to give them more money on a sustainable basis, and also promised the family of late Chima that he would open business for the wife.
He gave his personal number to the family of Chima so that they can call him in the face of challenges or difficulties, and assured them that his doors were wide open for them to visit and make any complaints.
Chinyere, who made a brief stopover at the office of the commissioner of police, reminded him that Chima was a member of OPM before his death, and would not be abandoned, adding that all that was needed was for justice to prevail.
In her remarks, Adaugo, who was in shock and dumb-founded at the benevolence of the cleric, thanked him profusely, and requested that he continues to put the family of late Chima in prayers.
Also speaking, Chima’s father, Mr. Kevin Ikwunado, who could not hold back the tears that ran down his cheeks as he narrated his sad ordeal, stated that the untimely death of his son, who was until his death, the bread winner of the family, killed part of him.
He thanked Chinyere for everything he had done for his family, and prayed God to bless him for shining light onto his family’s darkness.

News

US Embassy, Lagos Consulate Close Today For President’s Day

Published

5 hours ago

February 16, 2026

The Tide

The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed today, in observance of Presidents’ Day.

The mission made this known in a notice shared on its official X page, yesterday.

“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026, in observance of Presidents’ Day,” the post read.

According to the embassy, Presidents’ Day was originally established to honour the birthday of the former US President, George Washington, but has evolved into a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents and their leadership in shaping the country’s history.

The embassy noted that the holiday also recognises the influence of U.S. presidents on global affairs.

In a related message, the mission highlighted that Washington created the first “Badge of Military Merit,” which later became the Purple Heart. The medal still bears Washington’s image today.

Presidents’ Day is observed on the third Monday of February annually in the United States as a federal holiday.

News

Guterres Backs Nigeria’s Bid For UN Security Council Seat …Hails Tinubu’s Reforms, Regional Security Role

Published

5 hours ago

February 16, 2026

The Tide

United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has charged Nigeria with spearheading Africa’s quest for a restructured global order, describing the country as uniquely positioned to lead the continent toward superpower status.

Guterres, who backed Nigeria’s bid for the world body’s security council seat, also praised the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration as well as Nigeria’s leadership in stabilising the Sahel and ECOWAS regions, despite facing its own security challenges.

The UN scribe made the remarks last Friday night during a high-level bilateral meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima on the sidelines of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Speaking during the meeting, Guterres said Nigeria’s large population, sustained democratic governance, vast natural and human resources, and longstanding commitment to multilateralism placed it in a unique position to lead Africa in the evolving global order.

“Given Nigeria’s demographic strength, democratic continuity and deep resource base, the country stands a real chance of leading Africa to becoming the next superpower in the evolving global architecture,” he said.

The UN Secretary-General and the vice president discussed key developments in Nigeria and the country’s expanding leadership role in promoting regional stability across West Africa and the Sahel.

Guterres commended the remarkable and outstanding reforms of the administration of President Tinubu, noting that Nigeria’s bold economic restructuring and security commitments have strengthened its continental standing.

The meeting focused on strengthening Nigeria–UN collaboration to advance global economic growth, peace and security, sustainable development, and a coordinated humanitarian response across Africa.

In his remarks, Shettima thanked the UN Secretary-General for his leadership in advancing global peace, noting that Africa has benefited immensely from his tenure, even as the United Nations undergoes internal restructuring.

“We remain committed to multilateralism and to deepening our partnerships with the United Nations and other global institutions,” the vice president said.

Shettima also reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding call for comprehensive reform of the United Nations system to reflect evolving global realities.

He emphasised that Africa must have stronger representation in global decision-making structures and declared that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.

Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation, with Guterres reaffirming the UN’s support for Nigeria’s reform agenda and its growing leadership role in advancing peace, security, and development across Africa.

News

Four To Face Death Penalty Over DPO Angbashim’s Murder

Published

5 hours ago

February 16, 2026

The Tide

A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has convicted and sentenced four persons to death by hanging over the gruesome killing of the former Divisional Police Officer of Ahoada East Police Division, SP Bako Angbashim.

The presiding Judge, Justice Sika Aprioku, in a landmark judgment, last Thursday, found the quartet guilty of conspiracy, murder, membership of a secret cult group and robbery, saying the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

Those sentenced to death by hanging are Robinson Sonabari, identified as a native doctor; Bright Okparawo; Precious Amaeze, popularly known as Selina; and Loveday Jack, also known as Ragged Excess. The court ordered that they be hanged by the neck until they are confirmed dead.

Justice Aprioku also convicted the sixth defendant, Samuel Nwadinma, and sentenced him to three years imprisonment for conspiracy.

The third accused person was, however, discharged and acquitted of the four-count charge.

In the same vein, the court discharged Famous Okechukwu, Samuel Uchendu, Oyekachi Ikonwa, Godbless Nnamdi and Marshall Daniel, who were earlier found guilty of membership of a secret cult group, on the grounds that they had already served the maximum terms prescribed by law in the correctional facility.

The court held that among those convicted was the native doctor who allegedly prepared the charm used in the killing of the late DPO.

Speaking with newsmen shortly after the judgment, the lead prosecution counsel from the Rivers State Ministry of Justice, Chigozie Amadi, alongside a representative of the police legal team, Celestine Dickson, commended the judiciary for ensuring that justice was served.

Dickson, who represented the Nigeria Police Force in the joint prosecution, expressed concern that officers saddled with the responsibility of protecting lives and property had increasingly become targets of criminal elements.

He, however, expressed optimism that the judgment would serve as a strong deterrent to would-be offenders.

Also reacting, the elder brother of the late DPO, Akasco Angbashim, who travelled from Nasarawa State to witness the judgment, said the verdict had healed a long-standing wound inflicted on the family since the brutal murder of their brother.

He commended the judiciary, the Rivers State Government and the police for their commitment to justice, stressing that the judgment sends a clear message that no individual has the right to unlawfully take another person’s life.

The four convicts were among 72 persons initially arraigned before the State High Court by a joint prosecution team comprising the Department of Public Prosecutions and the Rivers State Police Command over the murder.

During the trial, 61 accused persons, including the Eze Ekpeye Logbo, Eze Kelvin Anugwo, and a former Ahoada East Council Chairman, Cassidy Ikegbidi, were discharged and acquitted for lack of evidence, leaving 13 defendants to face judgment.

SP Angbashim was gruesomely murdered on September 8, 2023, during a police operation in Odemude community, Ahoada East Local Government Area.

His killing sparked tension in the area, prompting a joint security operation that led to the death of the suspected cult leader, David Okparanwo, popularly known as 2Baba.

By: King Onunwor