Niger Delta

Delta Releases N50m For Ayokoromo Rehabilitation

Published

15 years ago

January 28, 2011

The Delta State Government has released N50 million for the rehabilitation of Ayokoromo community allegedly devastated during an invasion by the military Joint Task Force (JTF) on December 1, 2010.

The Commissioner for Information, Mr. Oma Djeba, gave the hint in Asaba on Monday at a news conference.

Djeba said that the release of the fund was an outcome of a meeting between Gov. Emmanuel Uduaghan and leaders of the community after his visit to the area, on Saturday, to assess the situation.

He said that apart from the money, other steps would be taken by the government to ameliorate the sufferings of displaced persons in the community.

According to him, the amount is for the re-building of the community to enable the residents of the community to return to their homes.

Residents of the community in Burutu Local Government Area fled their homes when the JTF invaded the community in search of John Togo, a militant leader.

The people were, however, kept in three refugee camps in Warri.

The commissioner said that government would provide fishing nets, agricultural seedlings and other items needed for the people to enable them to return to their occupations.

He also announced that the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education had been directed to ensure the immediate re-opening of public schools in the community after the ongoing voter registration.

“All broken down transformers are to be repaired for power to be restored to the community and a temporary health centre, to take care of the sick, will also be established immediately,” he added.

The commissioner also said that a team, comprising the commissioners for education, health, power and energy, water resources as well as information, had been delegated to visit the community.

He explained that the team was to get first-hand information on the level of devastation in the community and ensure speedy rehabilitation of damaged facilities.

Uduaghan after visiting the community, announced that the government would build a temporary hospital for the people.

He also said that the rebuilding of the community would be done in phases and in collaboration with the Federal Government.

The state government had, immediately after the JTF action provided relief materials, such as food condiments, for the people in their camps in Warri.

The Ayokoromo people, had while protesting their continued displacement, in Asaba, accused JTF of killing many people and destroying properties worth millions of naira in the process.

They also alleged that the soldiers raped many young women and called for the immediate withdrawal of the troops from the community to enable them to return.

However, the JTF Spokesman, Lt.-Col. Timothy Antigha, denied the accusations.

“There is no truth in the allegations. No JTF personnel has been apprehended or reported to have committed rape.

“Some of the people making these accusations are used to operating outside the law; the presence of JTF in the creeks has ruined their illegal businesses and so, they want JTF out at all cost,” he said.

Niger Delta

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

Published

1 week 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

1 week 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

1 week 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.