Niger Delta

CRHA Wants Relief Materials For Windstorm Victims

Published

13 years ago

May 7, 2012

The Cross River House of Assembly, has urged the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to provide relief materials to victims of the recent windstorm that swept across the state.

The House also directed SEMA to evaluate the cost of human and material damages caused by the windstorm and present its findings to the Federal and State Assemblies for deliberation.

The House made the called following a matter of urgent public interest raised by Mr Jacob Enyia, representing Boki 11 constituency.

Enyia said that he raised the motion to draw attention to the sufferings and devastation caused by the wind storm which, he said, had destroyed about 1,000 houses across the state in the last three days.

“There is no community in all the local government areas of the state that was not affected by the windstorm.

“We decided to bring this matter to the House and call on the relevant authorities in the federal and state to come to the aid of our people.’’

In his contribution, Mr Agbiji Agbiji, representing Ikom 1 constituency, expressed regret that after 10 years of its existence, SEMA still lacked vehicles and staff to enhance its operations.

He urged the House to seek intervention that would go beyond the provision of basic relief materials for the victims, adding that it should seek intervention that would deepen the disaster management in the state.

Mr Wilson Ekpenyong, representing Odukpani constituency, appealed to the state government to increase the budgetary allocation to SEMA to enhance its activities.

The legislator expressed concern that the affected communities would not feel the impact of SEMA due to the ‘selective’ ways of its intervention.

Also, the Speaker of the House, Mr Larry Odey, stressed the need for the assembly to interface with SEMA to know the modalities and measures put in place to prevent future occurrence.

“I think what we should do is to interface with SEMA to enable us know what modalities it has put in place to ensure that such disasters do not reoccur.’’

After extensive deliberation on the matter, the House called on SEMA and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide relief materials to the people to cushion the effect of the windstorm.

The windstorms affected all the 18 local government areas of the state.

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.