Rivers

Investigation On Missing Rivers Man Ongoing-Police

Published

5 years ago

January 27, 2021

The Rivers State Police Command says it is investigating the allegation of a missing aged man, one Mr Princewell Ogbonda, arrested by members of OSPAC in Igwuruta in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, four months ago.
The Spokesman of the state Police Command, SP Nnamdi Omoni,who made this known while reacting on the matter, said the police were investigating the issue, and urged the family to be patient.
According to him, “investigation is still on.
“If he has not been arrested doesn’t mean he will not be arrested. It might take some time but let them bear with us because we are on it,” he stated.
However, the family of a man identified Princewill Ogbonda, who was allegedly arrested by a vigilante group in Igwuruta, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State four months ago, has called on the police to investigate his whereabouts whether dead or alive.
They also called on the police to arrest the commander of the vigilante called ONELGA Security Peace Advisory Council (OSPAC) identified as Promise, who, they alleged, masterminded his arrest.
The mother of the missing man, Blessing Ogbonda, who spoke in Port Harcourt, also alleged that her husband was on the run following threats on his life by some powerful persons in the community to drop the matter.
She expressed fears that his son may have died, and urged the police and traditional rulers in the area to locate his son.
“They (those issuing threats) say they will rise against my husband. Even since then, my husband is not in the house. They have threatened to pursue my husband and kill him and chase us out.
“They threatened that after chasing us out, they will use our house as ‘community house’ because they have pleaded with him to leave the matter and he refused.
“My husband said he wants to see his son. ‘Bring my son’, if you have killed him, bring his body so that I can use my hand and bury him. If he is alive, bring him, I will go and treat him,” she stated.
Similarly, Princewill Ogbonda’s wife, Oluchi, said life has been unbearable since her husband was taken away by the operatives of OSPAC in Igwuruta.
“I want the police to help. I know that already, an OSPAC member has been arrested but I want the police to help me search for my husband. I want to see my husband if he is alive or dead.
“I have four children. I can’t struggle for this children on my own or become a widow. The government should help me get (arrest) the OSPAC commander in Igwuruta because he is the one that will know where my husband is.
“So, I want the police to help me because immediately they get him (vigilante commander), everything will be revealed,” she stated.
Also speaking, Princewill Ogbonda’s younger brother, Lucky Ogbonda, said the arrest of the OSPAC commander would help the family locate their son to ascertain if he was still alive, or they can give him a befitting burial, if he is dead.
Lucky said though some of the vigilante members have been arrested, the prime suspect in his brother’s arrest was still at-large, and urged the police to do the needful so as to help the family get justice.
“The family is aware that the police have arrested some OSPAC members who are linked to this matter. We want police to intensify efforts in arresting Promise and others who are the principal actors who committed this crime,” he added.

City Crime

Health Commissioner Extols Fubara’s Commitment To Community Healthcare Delivery

Published

1 day ago

January 23, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, has praised the State Governor, Siminalaye Fubara, for his commitment to community healthcare delivery in the state.

Dr. Oreh said this shortly after receiving an award of Excellence on behalf of the Governor from the Rivers State Hospital Management Board at a thanksgiving service, sendforth and award ceremony in Port Harcourt.

The Health Commissioner said the Governor is not only committed to transforming the health sector, but fiercely protecting the interest of Rivers State people.

She said it was against this background that the Governor is working hard to ensure quality healthcare for all rural communities in the state.

According to the Commissioner, “it is this protectiveness that makes him to standup for the people of Rivers State.

“It is this protectiveness and acknowledgement that health is first wealth, that makes him to give necessary attention to the health sector.”

Dr. Oreh also praised past and present Chief Medical Directors of the Board for their efforts in keeping Secondary health care institutions in the state afloat despite various challenges.

The Commissioner also commended the current Chief Medical Director (CMD), Dr. Bright Ogbonda, for his competence and dedication to service, adding that she was particularly delighted that the current CMD has adopted an innovative approach to accomplish so much in the Board.

She promised to continuously stand as an advocate for the Board and push for improvement in the conditions of health care workers across the state.

Earlier the Chief Medical Director of the Board, Dr. Ogbonda, commended the State Governor for reforming the secondary health sector, stressing that within the last two years, the Governor has carried out massive reconstruction of General Hospitals across the state and constructed of the Neuro psychiatric hospital at Rumuigbo, Port Harcourt.

He also commended the Governor for employing over 2,000 health workers and ensuring prompt payment of salaries and allowances of newly employed health workers in the state.

Ogbonda said the gesture by the Governor has made the Board the envy of other boards and parastatals in the state.

He also attributed the success recorded so far by the Board to the effort of past CMDs, Directors and staff who laid a solid foundation for the growth and development of the Board.

The occasion featured the presentation of awards of Excellence to the Governor, the Commissioner for Health, and all former CMDs of the Board.

Other awards include, award for best performing hospitals in the state in which General Hospital, Ogu, emerged first, seconded by both civil servants clinic and Zonal Hospital, Bori, while third place went to General Hospital, Eleme.

For the best performing Medical Directors, the first position went to the Doctor incharge of Okrika General Hospital, while first and second runners up went to Dr. Mina Ikuru of Civil Servants Clinic and Dr. Okere of Eleme General Hospital.

The occasion also featured the unveiling of the third edition of Health Spring Magazine by the Board.

John Bibor

Rivers

Groups Seek Enforcement Of Protective Laws For PWDs

Published

1 day ago

January 23, 2026

The Tide

Amaclare Connect and Development Initiative, and the Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities, an umbrella organisation for Persons with Disability (PWDs) in Rivers State, have called for the enforcement of various laws that protect persons with disabilities.

They said this will guarantee public sector participation, implementation of target welfare policies on the part of the government, and public awareness on their responsibilities.

Leader of the PWDs in Rivers State, Kie Obomanu, made the call while speaking during a recent rally and public enlightenment/advocacy campaign on the basic needs and reasons it has become necessary for the public to know their obligation to Persons with Disabilities.

He said the purpose of the rally is to stop discrimination and stigmatisation against persons with disabilities, and at the same time calling for criminalization and redress of such practice

Obomanu also used the opportunity to commend the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND), a non-governmental Organisation known for its inclusive peace-building and economic development interventions, for funding the programme.

He encouraged PIND not to relent in its efforts of providing the platform for escalating advocacies and public enlightenment programmes, and for PIND to remain relentless and steadfast in its pursuit for the establishment of an egalitarian society where inclusivity is the watchword and humanitarian purposes are achieved.

Obomanu called on individuals, groups, corporate organizations and government at all levels to enhance the opportunity for persons with disabilities, most especially, provision of jobs for them.

In the same vein, the representative of Amaclare Connect and Development Initiative, Mrs. Doris Onyinye Igweh, emphasised the need for continuous synergy between development partners and the community of PWDs to ensure rapid economic development policies for them.

She also asked for critical interventions in key areas, such as education, health, information/communication, employment, and community-based initiatives.

In the various speeches of the participants, some of them expressed the pain and experience they have gone through as a result of their conditions.

Those who spoke during the programme include Esther Wahu, John Obaye, Godswill Chibuzor, and Moses Gozi, who presented wonderful rendition of gospel songs.

The Tide’s source reports that a greater number of PWDs are educated in various fields, but without jobs.

Rivers

Eze Gbakagbaka Commends Gov on Radio Rivers’ Transformation, Peaceful Governance

Published

1 day ago

January 23, 2026

The Tide

The Eze Oha Evo III of Evo Kingdom, Nyerisi Eli Woji, His Majesty, Prof. Leslie N. Eke, has commended the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, for what he described as the Governor’s “purposeful governance” reflected in the recent transformation of the Rivers State Broadcasting Corporation (RSBC), popularly known as Radio Rivers.

Eze Eke gave the commendation when he spoke in an interview with newsmen at his palace in Woji Community, Obio Akpor Local Government Area.

The revered monarch noted that the station’s acquisition of an operational Outside Broadcast (OB) van, a new studio complex and improved, steady power supply marked a significant milestone in public broadcasting in the state, describing the development as timely and impactful.

According to him, the improvements at Radio Rivers have enhanced the station’s capacity to serve as a credible platform for information dissemination, public enlightenment and civic engagement, particularly in a diverse and politically sensitive state like Rivers.

He said the feat underscored Governor Fubara’s commitment to strengthening public institutions and investing in infrastructure that promotes transparency, accountability and inclusive governance, adding that a functional state-owned broadcast outfit remains vital to democratic growth.

The Eze Gbakagbaka, who is the incumbent Chairman, Supreme Forum of Ikwerre Government Recognized Traditional Rulers, further lauded the governor’s attention to issues of good governance, stressing that effective leadership must prioritize institutional stability, service delivery and the welfare of the people, rather than personal or sectional interests.

Eze Eke, who is also the President, Association of Christian Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (AOCTRON), further commended the Governor for sustaining peace across the state, noting that the prevailing atmosphere of calm has enabled government policies and development programmes to take root, while fostering unity among the various ethnic nationalities.

He urged stakeholders, including traditional rulers, the media and civil society, to support the administration’s efforts by promoting dialogue, responsible reportage and community-based peacebuilding initiatives.

The monarch reaffirmed the support of his Kingdom for policies and programmes aimed at consolidating peace and accelerating development in Rivers State, while calling on the government to sustain the tempo of reforms for the overall benefit of the people.

King Onunwor