News

Gunmen Kidnap Three, Kill Three Policemen, Three Others In Three States

Published

4 years ago

September 20, 2021

Suspected Fulani herdsmen have kidnapped students of Abia State University, Uturu, Abia State; shot and killed a student of Marist Comprehensive Academy, Uturu; while another group also attacked ECWA church in Kogi State, killing one person and kidnapping two others.
Also, gunmen, yesterday, killed three policemen on duty in Onitsha, the commercial city of Anambra State, and further injured two others before setting their patrol vehicle ablaze.
The Fulani herdsmen also robbed motorists and passengers who were en route to Port Harcourt from Enugu and from Okigwe town to Enugu, respectively.
In a statement, yesterday morning, Marist confirmed the killing of one of its students.
The statement read, “Some students from Marist Comprehensive Academy, Uturu, Abia State, were attacked by armed bandits around IhubeRoad in Okigwe LGA on their way from a final religious procession of some Marist brothers.
“In the course of the robbery attack, one student in the person of Edeh Donald was shot and he later died.
“Three other students were injured. They are receiving treatment and they are responding to the treatment.
“We pray God to guide and protect Nigeria citizens.”
When contacted, the police spokesperson in Imo State, MichaelAbattam, said that the police had swung into action.
Abattam said it was a robbery attack and not a kidnap operation.
Our correspondent, who visited the scene, yesterday, observed that fear had engulfed the area.
Suspected Fulani had June 10, 2020, kidnapped scores of travellers on the same spot.
They were en route to Owerri from Enugu when the bandits struck.
They had also in April kidnapped a Catholic priest, IzuchukwuOnyeocha, who is a professor of Sociology at Imo State University in Owerri.
The priest, who was released days later, confirmed that he was kidnapped by Fulani herdsmen.
Similarly, unknown gunmen had attacked ECWA church in Kogi State, killing one person and kidnapping two others.
The church is located at Okadayo-Kabba, along OkeneRoad, in Kogi State.
The attack is coming barely few days after a jailbreak at the Federal Minimum Correctional Centre located in Kabba and the abduction of three poultry farmers in their farm, all in the same area.
It was gathered that the yet to be identified gunmen opened fire on the worshippers as church service was going on, killing one person on the spot.
An eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity, said two other person who were shot are currently receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital.
According to him, the pioneer Provost of College of Education Technical,Kabba, Chief J.O.T.Oshadumo, and one other were kidnapped, while his wife and some students sustained gunshot wounds.
The Chairman of Kabba-Bunu Local Government, Moses Olorunleke, who confirmed this to newsmen, said details of the attack would be made public soon.
Efforts to get more information from the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP William Aya, proved difficult as he was said to be in church.
Also, gunmen, yesterday, killed three policemen on duty in Onitsha, the commercial city of Anambra State.
They also injured two others before setting their patrol vehicle ablaze.
According to sources, the incident happened around 9am on Ukaegbu/Ezeiweka Road in the commercial hub of the state.
It was not clear what led to the dastardly act and who the killers could be.
This came less than two weeks after the former traditional ruler of Mkpunando community in Aguleri, Anambra East LGA of the state, Chief Alex Edozieuno; and his driver, Chukwuemeka, were killed by yet to be identified persons along Ezu Bridge, Otuocha.
Edozieuno was one of the 12 monarchs suspended last year by Governor Willie Obiano for visiting President MuhammaduBuhari in Abuja with Prince Arthur Eze, an international oil mogul.
He was subsequently dethroned by the governor.
A video trending on social media showed the patrol vehicle of the policemen on fire even as somebody in police wear was seen lying on the tarred road.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP TochukwuIkenga, said that he was yet to get the details of what actually transpired.

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

2 days 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

2 days 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

2 days 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.