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Police Parade Two For Gang Raping Female Student In Rivers

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The Rivers State Police Command has paraded two suspects in connection with the gang rape of a 21-year old 100 Level student of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nnamdi Omoni while parading the suspects, said the matter was reported at Rumuolumeni Police Station, and investigation into the incident began immediately.
He added that the Commissioner of Police, Joseph Mukan had ordered that the matter be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for thorough investigation.
He said preliminary investigation revealed that some students in a particular Hostel C in the boys’ hostel in the university were notorious for raping and assaulting women.
Omoni said efforts were on to arrest the third suspect, who also raped the student, but escaped when he discovered that the police were his trail.
He said that the command would do everything necessary to arrest the fleeing suspect, and make him face judgement.
The two suspects also confessed to creating hole in the room wall to peep through to see female students during the act while others queued up to watch.
The 21-year old victim, whose name was given simply as Christabel, also narrated her ordeal to newsmen in Port Harcourt, last Friday.
Christabel said that on October 13, 2020, she was heading outside the gate to charge her phone when she met one of the suspects, Destiny Nnamdi, and they chatted.
She said that he took her to the hostel to charge her phone, and persuaded her into having sex, adding that as soon as they were done with, he left the room shortly after.
Two of the suspects arrested in connection to the gang-rape are 18-year old Destiny Nnamdi and 16-year old Henry Ovunda Nsirim.
However, both students denied raping the victim, saying that what they had with the victim was consensual sex because she had agreed to have sex in Block C, Room 20, with them.
Destiny said when they got to the room, he appealed to Christabel for sex, and she agreed, adding that after they had had fun, he went away to allow her continue charging her phone but was surprised when the CSO called him to come back and clear his name on the alleged rape of Christabel on October 14, 2020.
He claimed that on getting to the CSO’s office, he was arrested for conspiracy.
Also speaking, Henry Ovunda from Oroigwe in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, said he had been chatting with Christabel and asking her for sex because of the rumours making the round in the school that she was a soft target for sexual exploits.
He noted that he surprised to see her having sex with Destiny as he peeped through the hole, and that when Destiny was done, he also entered the room, and chatted her into having sex.
He said he did not know that a third person was waiting to proceed into the room and to do the same thing with Christabel.
In its reaction, a civil society organisation, the Centre for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability Campaign, condemned the alleged gang-rape of Christabel by three male students of the institution at a hostel inside the university.
The Acting State Secretary of the group, Mary Prince, called on the police to ensure thorough investigation into the incident, and anyone found culpable made to face the law.
She said, “As an organization, we have gotten in touch with the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Ozo-Ndemele Mekuri, and the President of Student Union Government, to stress the need for Justice in the matter.
Mary commended the vice chancellor, and the President of Students Union Government (SUG) for ensuring the arrest of two suspects and handing them over to the police.
She urged students of the institution to focus on their studies, and shun acts inimical to their academic pursuit.
In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Ozo-Ndemele Mekuri, in a text message said, “We have arrested two of the suspects and handed them over to police. We are still searching for the third. Meanwhile, the real occupants of the room have been sent out of the hostel”.
Earlier, the Management of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumeni, had suspended three male students who gang-raped one of their female colleagues in the hostel.
A statement by the university listed the students as Nnamdi Destiny, a Political Science student, with Matriculation Number: UE/2018/Pol. Sc./B.Sc/0062; Ovunwo J. Henry, a 100-Level student of Sociology Dept; and one Samuel Valentine, another Political Science student, with Matriculation Number: UE/2017/Pol.Sc/B.Ed 4/0259, now at-large.
While promising to arrest the third student, the university said that the matter has been referred to Students’ Disciplinary Committee to decide their fate, adding that the room where the crime was committed has been sealed off, and all occupants driven out of the hostel.
The statement noted that the registrar of the university has been directed to issue a memo banning inter-sex visits at any time of the day, adding that, “Any student found guilty of visiting the opposite sex in the hostel, no matter the time of the day, puts himself/herself and the occupants of such a room at HIGH RISK”.

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RSNC Head Charges NAOMEW On Professionalism, Effective Service Delivery

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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

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OBALGA Sole Administrator Presents Brand New Fire Extinguishers To Council …Commiserates With Traders Over Rumuomasi Market Fire Incident …Commences Desilting Of Drainages

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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.

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EFCC Praises NDDC’S Performance … Unveils Projects In Bayelsa

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Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, the Economic and financial Crimes Commission and related matters (EFCC), has said against its earlier premonition that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was associated with fraud and under performance, the present management of the commission led by Dr. Samuel Ogbuku has proven to be prudent managers and in deployment of its finances to meet the developmental needs of the Niger Delta region.
Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, made this known in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, recently, during the twin inauguration ceremonies of the state-of-the-art multipurpose training centre and new state office of the NDDC.
He stated that during a visit of some officials of the commission to his office to invite him to the ceremonies, he declined obliging them, but that when the Commission’s Managing-Director and Chief Executive Officer, Ogbuku and other management staff of the interventionist agency paid him formal visit, he made up his mind to be part of the event.
“I never wanted to associate myself with anything concerning the NDDC. All we’ve been hearing about the Niger Delta Development before now was corruption, and so when they visited my office to inform and invite me to this ceremony, I initially declined coming.
“However, when the Commission’s MD/CEO and other top management team visited me, within just about 20 minutes I was convinced to be here. The NDDC has proven us wrong on the perception we initially had about their activities.
“Dr. Samuel Ogbuku and his team are doing very well. And I’m honoured and proud to be witness to prudential and accountable management and deployment of the resources and finances of the NDDC”, he said.
Speaking earlier at the new Bayelsa State office of the NDDC, Ogbuku reiterated the commitment of the Commission’s management team under his stewardship to transform the Niger Delta region through impactful and legacy projects and programmes in tandem with the “Renewed Hope” mantra of the President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
He noted that prior to his ascension to office, there were only three befitting state offices of the commission, saying they were the Rivers State office in Port Harcourt, the inherited Imo State office from the defunct Oil Mineral Producing Area Development Commission (OMPADEC), and one in Warri, Delta State.
He stated that upon assumption of office, the current management team of the commission, while executing transformational projects, also embarked on the construction and acquisition of three new state offices for the agency, noting that in the coming weeks, additional offices would be inaugurated in other states of the Niger Delta.
In his remarks, Governor of the State, Senator Douye Diri, lauded the commission for the projects, advising the commission to continue its synergy with states of the Niger Delta region for more impactful and rapid socio-economic development of the region.
Governor Diri, who also thanked President Tinubu for the award of the phase two of the Nembe-Brass Road, reiterated his resolve to opening up the state for investment and development.
“Bayelsa is for now the one and only homogeneous Ijaws State. Though there are Ijaws in other states of the Niger Delta, Bayelsa remains the home of all Ijaws, every citizen of this State is an Ijaw person. So wherever we find ourselves we should drive development to the state”, the Governor said.
The Tide reports that the newly acquired Bayelsa State NDDC office is located along the Isaac Boro Express Road in the heart of Yenagoa, the State capital, and named after former Governor of Rivers State, the late Chief Melford Okilo, while the multipurpose training centre is located at Otuokpoti Community, Ogbia Local Government Area of the State.
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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