Rivers

Bishop Petitions Defence Minister Over Harassment By Soldiers

Published

4 years ago

July 19, 2021

Presiding Bishop of the City of Angels International Ministry, Port Harcourt, Bishop Sodje Mudiaga Masodje, has petitioned the Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (Rtd) over incessant harassment by soldiers led by one Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Nwigbarene Sorbari.
Masodje alleged that Sorbari, attached to 4 Brigade, Benin City, Edo State, had on several occasions led soldiers to harrass him and members of his congregation at the Church, located along Rumuehara Farm Road, off Igwurita-Eneka Road in the Rivers State capital, accusing him of killing his daughter, late Miss Sorbari Beauty Nwigbarene.
Masodje, in the petition signed by his lawyer, Elder David Abuo, a copy of which was obtained by The Tide in Port Harcourt, said the Rivers State Police Command had already investigated the allegation against him following a petition by the soldier and cleared him.
Copied in the Bishop’s petition were the Chief of Army Staff; Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command; the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division; the Commander, 4 Brigade, Benin City and the Rivers State Coordinator, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
It reads in part: “That on December 25, 2020 at about 3:00pm, Bishop Sodje Mudiaga Masodje received a telephone call from one Miss Sorbari Beauty Nwigbarene, a member of the Ministry who informed him that she was going to Benin City to spend Christmas with her family there and he prayed with her and wished her journey mercies and angelic protection.
“That on December 27, 2020, Warrant Officer Sorbari Nwigbarene, the father of the said Miss Sorbari Beauty Nwigbarene called him to inquire about the said Beauty’s whereabout and the said Bishop informed him of his conversation with Beauty on December 25, 2020, to the effect that she was traveling to Edo State to spend the Christmas with her family on the said December 25, 2020.
“Subsequently, he got to know of an accident that occurred on December 25, 2020, Along East-West Road, between Ndele and Rumuji (Rivers State), which claimed several lives with three survivors and the said Beauty was one of the later fatal victims as she was being rushed to the General Hospital, Ahoada, Rivers State.
“That the said accident was duly reported and investigated by the Police at Rumuji Police Division to the knowledge and occurrence of MWO Sorbari Nwigbarene.
“Inspite of the said information, MWO Sorbari Nwigbarene, lodged a false compliant of the purported abduction of his said daughter, Beauty to the Military Police at Bori Camp on December 28, 2020 and the Bishop was wrongly/illegally arrested and unlawfully/ unconstitutionally detained by the said Military Police from December 28, 2020 till January 6, 2021.
“Even though he, not being culpable was implicit, he was instead of being discharged, transferred to the Civil Police on January 8, 2021. On January 25, 2021, after a detailed/thorough and painstaking investigation into the false allegation, the Bishop was granted bail without any charge.”

By: Ike Wigodo

Rivers

Motor Spare Parts, Industrial Generators Dealers’ Union Swears Gets New Chairman in Port Harcourt

Published

1 day ago

July 18, 2025

The Tide

The Owhonda Dickson Motor Spare Parts and Industrial Generators Dealers’ Union operating in Ikoku Port Harcourt, Rivers state has sworn in Mr. Cyril Igbokwe, popularly known as Onyeoma Cy, as its new Chairman.

The brief swearing _in ceremony was held at the union office in Port Harcourt, last Wednesday

In his acceptance speech, Mr. Igbokwe expressed gratitude for the trust and confidence his members had shown in him, despite his perceived educational background compared to others. , “I feel very happy to be the chairman of this great union in this great market. I’m proud of my executives for demonstrating commitment and cooperation.” Notably, the executives raised over ?1 million for the inauguration ceremony within an hour.

The new Chairman promised to tackle key challenges facing the union, including security and indiscipline. He vowed to follow in the footsteps of his predecessor, who he praised for excellent performance, and aimed to possibly do better.

Mr. Igbokwe emphasized maintaining a robust relationship with the host community and conducting his affairs within the ambit of the law.

In his remarks,the Electoral Committee Chairman’, Igwe Amobichukwu Eze Okorie, assured that the elections were conducted in a free, fair, and credible manner. Despite facing challenges such as non-compliance with guidelines and unfounded propaganda campaigns, no formal protest letters had been received.

Also speaking, the Women’s Leader, Lolo Nkechinyere Okolie, expressed faith in the new Chairman, citing his integrity and experience. She highlighted her role in ensuring women’s voices are counted in the union and vouched for the credibility of the election, noting that Mr. Igbokwe was the popular choice among members.

Rivers

CDS Urges Communities To Protect Pipelines

Published

1 day ago

July 18, 2025

The Tide

The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, has urged Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) host communities to protect national assets located within their areas.

Musa made the appeal at a monthly stakeholders’ meeting organised by Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) in Port Harcourt.

Represented by Navy Capt. Lassie Ozovehe, he said the effects of oil bunkering and pipeline vandalism were mostly borne by the host communities themselves.

He noted that the environmental and health risks from pipeline damage affect locals more than the oil companies operating in the region.

“These assets are on your land. You benefit from them, so you must protect them and safeguard yourselves from the hazards”, he said.

He praised PINL for its consistent efforts in securing the assets, particularly its record of zero infractions on the Trans Niger pipelines.

Earlier, Dr. Akpos Mezeh, PINL’s Community Relations Consultant, urged host communities to collaborate in tackling security challenges in the Niger Delta.

Mezeh said PINL had expanded its mandate to include the security of all oil and gas infrastructure in the Eastern Corridor, including gas pipelines.

He explained that the meeting aimed to reduce pipeline vandalism and oil theft, which have major economic consequences for the country.

He stated that PINL had seen near-zero incidents over the past month, crediting host community cooperation for the achievement.

He, however, identified ongoing issues such as poor information sharing, threats to surveillance guards, stakeholder collusion, and leadership disputes.

A keynote speaker, Mr. Otoyo Sunday, discussed the serious health effects of gas flaring in the Niger Delta region.

He urged people to view the environment as living, warning that harmful activities have long-term consequences for people and nature.

Sunday condemned gas flaring caused by well testing, pressure releases, and illegal refining activities.

On his part, Chairman of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Eastern Zone, Mr. Datolu Sokubo, called for a balanced focus on security and human development.

“You can’t protect pipelines without addressing people’s welfare. Without our cooperation, infrastructure is never truly secure”, he said.

He urged the Federal Government to prioritise development, especially in education and healthcare, across the region.

The Traditional Ruler of Ekpeye Land, Eze Kelvin Anugwu, called on oil companies to end gas flaring immediately.

Represented by Dr. Patricia Ogbonnaya, he urged PINL to raise awareness of the health and environmental concerns of the communities.

“We keep advising our youths against bunkering. But oil firms must take responsibility for the long-term effects of their operations”, he stated.

Other traditional leaders at the meeting requested improved welfare for surveillance workers, chiefs, and communities to maintain stability and protect oil infrastructure.

Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso

Rivers

Monarch Cautions Youths Against Illicit Drug Consumption

Published

1 day ago

July 18, 2025

The Tide

The Eze Igbu Orlukwor II, Eze Ehie II, HRH Eze Prince Ike Ehie, has cautioned youths in his kingdom and Ekpeye at large on the need to abstain from illicit drugs consumption.

Ehie said this recently while fielding questions from newsmen in commemoration of the 2025 World Drug Abuse Day at his liaison office, Ahoada.

He emphasized that drug abuse was dangerous to the body system as it had harmed many physically, mentally and otherwise.

The Monarch noted that people should always take ‘drugs’ based on prescription by qualified medical and health personnel.

He said youths’ alleged disrespect for constituted authorities, mental challenge and various types of illnesses can be linked to the consumption of illicit drugs.

The Royal Father further noted that except government agencies saddled with the requisite responsibilities synergized with traditional institutions and other like-minded organizations, much may not be achieved against the campaign and fight against illicit drug consumption.

According to him, most youths today can do nothing without taking hard drugs, which he said makes them ‘high’ and hyper elated.

The Orlukwor Monarch wondered how the youths would take over the mantle of leadership at both communities and federal levels with such uncultured behaviour and repugnant attitudes.

The World Day of Drug Abuse, was tagged, “Breaking The Chains, Prevention, Treatment And Recovery For All”.

King Onunwor