News

NSCDC Parades 16 Economic Saboteurs In PH

Published

5 years ago

October 16, 2020

The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has arrested about 16 suspected economic saboteurs, in its effort to protect the country’s economy.
The Commandant, NSCDC Rivers State Command, Mr Murktar Lawal, who spoke while parading the suspects, yesterday, in Port Harcourt, said they were involved in separate incidents of economic sabotage before they were apprehended.
Lawal said a truck, which was conveying about 48, 000 litres of product suspected to be crude oil was intercepted at Mbiama in Ahoada West Local Government Area.
Another truck, which belonged to the Nigerian Breweries, was also intercepted with several sacks containing products suspected to be illegally refined Automated Gasoline Oil (AGO), in between beer creates.
Also, electrical armoured cable valued over N100.000, no fewer than 58 drums of filled adulterated petroleum products, and pipes believed to be used for the illegal oil business were among the items recovered by the command.
He recalled that sometime in August, a Toyota Highlander Jeep with Registration Number: AJ 703 AHD Rivers, containing 27 jerry cans of 25 litres each, also had some products suspected to be illegally refined AGO, which was intercepted by the Nigerian Customs Service, Area 2 Command in Rivers State, and was handed over to NSCDC.
Concerning the arrest of the truck with Registration Number: EZA 766 XA ABIA, on September 15, 2020, at Omagwa in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, he said that no suspect was arrested, but added that the command would go ahead with the prosecution of the suspects-at-large.
He further revealed that a sister agency, the Nigerian Army, had arrested and handed over two suspects in connection with illegal oil bunkering activities, stressing that suspects rode in a Mercedes Benz 508 car with Registration Number: XA 552 AXB, and were handed over to the NSCDC.
The NSCDC commandant expressed regret that people could still be indulging in economic sabotage, without recourse to the government’s repeated warnings.
According to him, the command, would not rest on its oars until every attempt to sabotage the country’s economy was brought under control.
He noted that between October 5 and 11, 2020, several illegal oil bunkering activities were frustrated by operatives of the command around Ukpeide Community in Ahoada West Local Government, and Rumuolumeni in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
He reiterated the readiness of the command to discharge the mandate bestowed on it by the government without fear or favour, and assured that the command would not relent in efforts to execute same.
The Nigerian Breweries driver, whose name was not immediately obtained, claimed ignorance of the product he was conveying, because, according to him, “I was doing it free of charge”.

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

22 hours ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.

This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.

According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.

Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”

She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.

As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.

A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.

Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.

The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.

By John Bibor

News

Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

Published

22 hours ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), purportedly authored by one Bestman Innocent Amadi, alleging that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, removed the official portrait of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the Government House, Port Harcourt.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government wishes to categorically state that there is no policy, directive, or intention on the part of the government or the Governor that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government.

On the contrary, the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoys a robust, cordial, and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda—a partnership that is already yielding positive and tangible benefits for the people of Rivers State.

Consequently, the insinuation that the Governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” is misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and entirely unsupported by verifiable facts, and should therefore be disregarded by the public.

It is regrettable that a body expected to promote youth unity, peace, and responsible engagement would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of overheating the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and mature leadership.

The Rivers State Government therefore calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly its esteemed and hardworking youths, to disregard and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups bent on advancing divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, peace, and the collective pursuit of progress.

Members of the public are further urged to remain vigilant and avoid lending credence to inflammatory statements or the activities of fifth columnists pursuing dubious agendas aimed at sowing discord.

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News

Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

Published

22 hours ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded and misleading allegations that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government reacted to claims credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and unsupported by any verifiable facts.

The government clarified that it has no policy, directive, or intention that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government. It emphasized that Governor Fubara maintains a cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.

According to the statement, the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government has grown stronger under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with tangible benefits and positive impacts already being felt by residents of the state.

The Rivers State Government described insinuations that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” as deliberately provocative, noting that such claims are capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.

It further expressed concern that an organization expected to promote youth unity and peace would engage in what it termed incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated accusations at a time when the state requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.

The government called on well-meaning members of the public, especially the youths of Rivers State, to disregard the claims and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups spreading divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the state government stressed that political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective interest of the people.

Members of the public were also urged to remain vigilant and not give attention to inflammatory statements or individuals described as fifth columnists bent on causing division within the state.