Niger Delta

Imoke Tasks New Commissioners On Service Delivery

Published

15 years ago

December 20, 2010

Governor Liyel Imoke has sworn-in five new commissioners into the state executive council with a charge on them to brace up for service delivery.

He said he will continue to overhaul the state cabinet as the need arises in order to meet the challenges of service to the people.

Imoke therefore urged the new commissioners to immediately align the policy ideals of the government.

Those sworn-in at the exco chambers of the governor’s office are Barr. Attah Ochinke as Attorney -General and Commissioner for Justice. He replaces Barr Eddie Ogon, who now moves to the Ministry of Environment.

Dr Sandy Onoh now takes charge of the Agriculture Ministry.He replaces Mr Sam Mbang Oju who has been moved to the ministry of local government affairs as commissioner.

The finance ministry is now manned by Mr. Etim Caiaphas while the former commissioner, Mr Kelly Ayamba has been returned to his initial office as Special Adviser, Debt Management Office. Mr Patrick Ugbe is the new Commissioner of Information and Orientation.He replaces Barr Edet Okon Asim, who is now Special Adviser Political and Legislative Affairs.Ugbe was until his new appointment the Chief Press Secretary and Special Assistant, Media to the Governor.

Barrister Venatius Ikem, who was in Abuja as Special Adviser,Inter-Governmental Affairs now becomes Commissioner for Works.He replaces Mr Bassey Ekefre, who has been moved to the new Ministry of Special Project as Commissioner.

Also, Mr Ededem Ita Edem, who was until his new office,the Special Assistant, Labour Matters has now been promoted to a full fledged exco member as Special Adviser, Labour Matters,while Mr Eja Dons Eseghe is also promoted to the position of Special Adviser,Project Monitoring and Evaluation.

Our Correspondent reports that the Special Assistant, Special Duties,Casmir Obock was dropped from the list of appointees while the former Commissioner for Environment, Dr Julius Okputu resigned his appointment to contest the House of Representatives for Ogoja/Yala federal constituency, just as the former Special Adviser,Political and Legislative Affairs resigned to join the race for House of Assembly in Ikom 1 state constituency.

Prof Zana Akpagu now oversees affairs at the Special Duties Department.

The new commissioners have since assumed office.

Niger Delta

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

Published

2 weeks ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Mr. Monday Agbonika, has vowed to hunt down and bring to justice those behind the killing of eight NSCDC operatives in the State.

Agbonika gave the assurance on Tuesday during an on-the-spot assessment of the attack scene, which also involved the abduction of a Chinese national.

Describing the incident as “a dastardly act that will not go unpunished”, the Commissioner expressed condolences to the Edo State Command of the NSCDC.

He paid tribute to the fallen operatives, describing them as “gallant personnel who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty.”

“We stand in solidarity with the NSCDC in this grief. Their sacrifice will not be in vain, and Edo people should expect justice”, Agbonika said.

In a separate meeting with Chinese community members at BUA Cement, Okpella, the police chief assured that efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted expatriate alive.

“Our men are on the ground, and operations have been intensified. We are determined to rescue the kidnapped victim and prevent further incidents in the area”, he said.

Agbonika appealed for calm among residents, urging cooperation through timely and credible intelligence to aid ongoing security operations.

“Security is a collective responsibility. We call on residents to support us with information. Together, we will defeat criminals threatening Edo’s peace”, he added.

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and properties, stressing that it would not relent until the attackers were arrested and justice delivered.

The Tide’s source reports that the Okpella attack occurred on Friday.

Niger Delta

Police Nab Suspected Illicit Drugs Dealer In Delta

Published

2 weeks ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Police Command in Delta State has arrested a suspected female illicit drugs dealer in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state.

The command’s Spokesman, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri on Wednesday.

Edafe said the suspect was nabbed alongside her three apprentices on August 29 by the police operatives attached to the Ughelli Area Command.

He said the operatives carried out the raid following credible information on the activities of some individuals that indulged in the sale of illicit drugs within Afisere/Ughelli town.

“The operatives trailed and arrested a drug baron who operates a chemist store in Afisere Community alongside three of her apprentices.

“The suspect led the operatives to her house at Afisere and a search warrant was executed.

“Exhibits recovered from the suspects included: 355 bottles of CSC codeine, 57 rolls of 50MG tramadol capsules, 335 rolls of 100mg tramadol capsules.

“Others were: 33 rolls of 200mg super royal, seven backwoods, 540 sachets of swinol capsules and 16 cups of Canadian liquid cannabis”, he said.

The police spokesman said investigation further revealed that the suspect was a major dealer in illicit drugs in Ughelli and its environs.

Edafe added that investigation in the matter was ongoing.

Niger Delta

C’River Assembly extends Bekwarra LG Chairman’s Suspension By 3 Months

Published

2 weeks ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Cross River State House of Assembly has extended the suspension of the Bekwarra Council Chairman, Ms. Theresa Ushie, to 90 days.

Speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Elvert Ayambem, made the remark on Wednesday during plenary.

The Tide’s source recalls that Ushie was suspended on June 10 for three months on allegations of corruption, misconduct and abuse of power.

The suspension followed a petition from the Bekwarra Local Government Legislative Council, signed by eight of its members, who also attempted to impeach her.

Ayambem explained that the extension was to allow the House Committee on Judiciary, Public Service Matters, Public Petitions and Conflict Resolution more time to investigate the petition written against the chairman by the Bekwarra Legislature.

The House had earlier deliberated on a motion calling for the extension of the office of the LGA Acting Chairman, Mr. Egbung Obama, before agreeing to extend Ushie’s suspension.

In his remarks, Chairman of the Investigative Committee and member, representing Abi State Constituency, Mr. Davies Etta, said the committee needed more time to carry out a thorough investigation.

Ushie was elected as Bekwarra Local Government Council Chairman and sworn-in in November 2024.