Rivers
Police Arrest Driver Over Boss’ Wife’s Kidnap
The Rivers State Police Command has arrested one Tigidam Bright, a driver, for allegedly leading a gang to kidnap his boss’ wife after he was dismissed from his job.
The driver who was arrested alongside two other suspects, Isaac Michael and Leera Barisua by operatives of the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), was said to have connived with the others to kidnap the wife of a Port Harcourt-based human rights activist, Chief Gani Topba, on August 25, after he was sacked from work.
According to the police, Bright and his gang had demanded the sum of N100 million as ransom for the release of the woman but after negotiations, they settled for N500,000.
IRT detectives investigating the incident were said to have traced a mobile phone number the gang used for negotiating the ransom to an unnamed man who assisted them in arresting Michael and Barisua.
During interrogations, the duo mentioned Bright as the mastermind of the kidnap and he was also picked up.
When he was paraded by the police, Bright said that he took the action after his boss unjustly dismissed him after serving the family for eight years.
He said he was so angry with the man that he contacted Michael and Barisua and they promised to deal with the boss.
In his confession, Bright said: “I am from Khana Local Government Area. I left secondary school in 2006 and went to learn how to fabricate metals. When I completed the apprenticeship and couldn’t secure a job at an oil company, I went to work with Chief Gani Topba as his personal driver.
“When the COVID-19 pandemic started and there was a lockdown, Chief Topba was in Abuja. He asked that his Port Harcourt office should be shut down and that I dropped his keys with his secretary.
“He paid my salary one month into the lockdown but after the lockdown, he refused to take me back as his driver.
“I tried all I could to get back the job but it wasn’t possible. I learnt that the Chief sacked me because I diverted a business contract he was supposed to execute to someone else. But I didn’t do such a thing.
“Sometime in August 2020, I travelled to Khana to visit some of my friends. They asked if I was still working with Chief and I told them that he fired me over an unfounded allegation.
“Then they promised to deal with him on my behalf. I didn’t know that their plan was to kidnap his wife. I learnt that she was kidnapped and after she was released, I was given N100,000 as my share of the ransom.”
International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) in the State, has raised an alarm over the increase of incest in the State.
The Acting Chairman of FIDA in the State, Nnenna Igbokwe told newsmen that the organisation discovered this during their sensitisation programme about the VAAP Law.
Igbokwe said at least three of the incest cases are before court of competent jurisdiction.
The Acting FIDA Chairman also said that the accused especially, fathers use threat to silence cases of incest in their family.
She however, advised security agencies to do due diligence in their investigation of the incest matters.
The State Deputy Governor and foundation member of Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, has received the new MWAN’s, National President-elect, Prof. Rosemary Ogu.
The Deputy Governor received Prof Ogu in her office at Government House, Port Harcourt, and congratulated the team on the victory.
She also presented gifts to the National President-elect.
Earlier, the 22nd National President-elect of Medical Women Association of Nigeria, Prof Romary Ogu had promised to work hard to take the association to enviable heights.
In another development, the State Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, has also received her 22nd MWAN Biennial Conference registration materials from Dr Vetty Agala, the President of MWAN in the State
The Tide reports that the State delegation included MWAN’s, Rivers State Founder/Initiator, Dr Bernadette Korubo, a life member of the association, Dr Nnesochi Offor who is also another life member, past President of the State, past National Treasurer and MWAN mentor 2021.
Other delegates led by the State President, Dr Vetty Agala were Dr Obelebra Adebiyi, immediate past State Chairman of Nigeria Medical Association and past President, MWAN, Rivers State, Dr Ibimonye Porbeni, the immediate past MWAN President in the State and Dr Ireju Ajie, the Secretary of MWAN in the State.
The State branch of MWAN will be hosting the 23rd biennial conference in September, 2023.
As the build up to the Krakrama Youths Association’s election gathers momentum, the Chairman of Asari-Toru Local Government Area, Hon. Onengiyeofori George, has sued for peace amongst parties.
The Tide learnt that security intelligence from the Krakrama community revealed that rancour and crisis were looming as a result of the forthcoming youth election in the community thus, if treated with levity may degenerate into a crisis situation in the community.
Sequel to the impending fracas allegedly caused by the pre-election irregularities, the Asari- Toru Local Government Area boss in line with his constitutional duty of maintaining peace and order as the Chief Security Officer in the Local Government Area has ordered for a fresh start of the process.
Speaking in a meeting with the Amanyanabo of Krakrama Community, King Iwari Gibson Bala, the CDC Chairman, Comrade Victor Membere and the outgoing Youth President of Krakrama Youth Association, Comrade Ikalaso Tomitamunoa, the Council boss ordered for the nullification of the Electoral Commitee appointed by the outgoing executives of the Krakrama Youth Association.
He further asked the Amanyanabo of Krakrama Community to liaise with the relevant stakeholders to appoint a credible, neutral and acceptable Electoral Committee that will oversee the elections.
Moreover, the Council Chairman directed that the aspirants who had purchased forms already still stand as status quo still remains.
For fairness, the new Electoral Committee to be appointed has been directed to give one week of grace to aspirants for continuous sale of forms.
By: Theresa Frederick & Wokoma Emmanuel
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