News
JTF Combs Bayelsa For Slain Police 12 Culprits …As Fresh Pleateau Clash Claims 27 Lives
Following the killing of 12 policemen at Azuzuama of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State last Saturday, security operatives have moved into the area and surrounding creeks in search of the perpetrators of the heinous crimes.
The Tide gathered that this was in compliance to the directives of the Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Abubakar, who had vowed to ensure that those responsible did not go unpunished.
Reports from the area indicates that residents of Azuzuama, and all nearby communities are in panic, fearing that the Odi episode may be replayed in their area.
As at the time of reporting, the driver of the boat and three policemen who escaped the mayhem were said to be in protective custody at Police Headquarters in Yenagoa. Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Akhigbe told journalists in Yenagoa that neither the guns nor the bodies of the slain policemen had been recovered.
Meanwhile, facts emerged on Monday in Yenagoa that the killing of the policemen may not be the handiwork of Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) which had earlier claimed responsibility for the act.
The killing was allegedly carried out by disgruntled followers of Kile Selky Torughedi whose mother’s burial resulted to the ugly event.
‘General’ Torughedi, popularly known as ‘Young Shall Grow’ had been accused of embezzling the sum of N80million given to him by Federal Government to share to his followers under the amnesty programmes.
Soon after collecting the money, Torughedi was said to have escaped to Abuja, avoiding home until the death of his mother, hence, the ‘’boys’’ decided to teach him some lessons.
However, Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson has vowed to collaborate with security agencies in the state to ensure the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators of the dastardly act.
Governor Dickson, who made the pledge in a chat with Government House correspondents, stated that government would do everything humanly possible to bring the culprits to book, emphasising that steps were already being taken to comb the nooks and crannies of the state to apprehend them.
A visibly angry Hon. Dickson stated that, government cannot fold its arms and watch people take the law into their hands for whatever reason, stressing that government would not relent until acts of criminality and lawlessness are completely eliminated in the state.
“We will not rest on our oars and we will make the environment very uncomfortable for criminals and perpetrators of other related offences to operate.”
For the umpteenth time, government is warning our youth and their collaborators, who take delight in kidnapping, maiming and taking the lives of innocent and law abiding citizens, to turn a new leaf or have themselves to blame, because nobody will be spared.”
He noted that government’s tough stance and zero tolerance for acts of criminality and lawlessness were still in force, stressing that every offender would be made to face the full wrath of the law.
The Governor, thereafter announced, the appointment of a Special Prosecutor for violent crimes and other related offences in the State to further underline government’s commitment to end all forms of crime as well as ensure that criminals are prosecuted and punished according to the laws of the land.
The Special Prosecutor, Barrister Andrew Seiweniowou, whose appointment is informed by the need for government to take firm action, especially in the way and manner criminal cases are prosecuted as well as the need to fast- track and guide the process of investigation and prosecution of apprehended culprits.
The Special Prosecutor is to, among other things, review all such cases, direct investigations and prosecute them and he is also to head a special team comprising an Assistant Commissioner of Police, State CID, OC Legal, the Director of Public Prosecution in the state Ministry of Justice, the officer in charge of the investigation at the Special Police Unit (Operation Doo Akpo), the Special Adviser on Security and such other persons that may be appointed later.
Meanwhile, about 27 persons are said to have been killed at Zango village in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State as ethnic militia engaged in fresh orgy of hostilities in the area, late Monday night.
The killings, which are believed to be a continuation of hostilities between the Tarok and the Fulani herdsmen were alleged to have left several casualties on both sides.
Our correspondent gathered, yesterday, that armed militia invaded Wase town in the late hours of Monday, but for swift intervention of vigilante members from the community who pursued and killed many of the invaders, more havoc would have been recorded.
However, the Police Command in Plateau State said in Jos, yesterday, that it had deployed additional personnel to Wase town and its environs to quell the crisis in the area.
Many people were reported killed between Sunday and Monday while houses and property were destroyed by rival groups involved in violent clashes in Zango village.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Felicia Anselem, told newsmen yesterday, that the command was concerned about the situation and was working to restore law and order.
“It was in the early hours of this morning that we heard of the conflict between the Fulanis and Taroh people.
“We also learnt that the roads were blocked while gunshots were heard sporadically fired.
“Houses were also burnt, but we cannot ascertain the number of people that died.
“As I speak, police counter terrorist group, mobile policemen and many other regular policemen have been deployed to Wase to reinforce those on ground,’’ she said.
Anselem described the situation as ‘very sad and unfortunate’ and warned people against taking laws into their hands.
She assured Plateau residents that normalcy was being restored in the area and urged law-abiding citizens to go about their lawful businesses.
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have foiled attempts by drug trafficking syndicates to smuggle illicit substances concealed in carton walls, winter jackets, and body cream containers through Murtala Muhammed International Airport and a Lagos-based courier firm.
The agency said two consignments bound for Italy were intercepted at the Lagos airport, leading to the arrest of suspects linked to the shipments.
In a statement released yesterday, the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said one of the suspects, 37-year-old Friday Ehianuka, was intercepted on Friday, March 20, 2026, while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Rome, Italy.
The statement partly read, “Two of the consignments heading to Italy were to be moved through the Lagos airport where two suspects linked to the shipments were promptly arrested.
“One of them, 37-year-old Friday Ehianuka, was going to Rome, Italy on Friday, March 20, 2026, when he was intercepted while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight with 2,698 pills of tramadol 225mg concealed in containers of skin-lightening body cream, all packed in the suspect’s luggage.
“In his statement, Ehianuka, who is a resident of Milan, confirmed that he was to be paid a negotiated fee in Euros if he had succeeded in trafficking the consignment to Italy.”
In another operation on Wednesday, March 18, Babafemi said NDLEA officers at the departure hall intercepted another passenger, Christian Agbonhese, attempting to board a Lufthansa flight to Milan.
A search of his luggage uncovered 23,150 pills of tramadol 225mg, 4,000 tablets of tapentadol 250mg, and 1,320 pills of tramadol 100mg concealed in two large winter jackets.
“No fewer than 23,150 pills of tramadol 225mg; 4,000 tablets of tapentadol 250mg; and 1,320 pills of tramadol 100mg, all concealed in two large winter jackets, bringing the total number of opioids recovered from him to 28,470 pills. The 38-year-old Agbonhese is also a resident of Milan,” the statement added.
In a separate operation at a courier firm in Lagos, Babafemi said NDLEA officers on Monday, March 16, intercepted two parcels of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis weighing 1kg, hidden in a carton shipped from the United States.
“Also thwarted was an attempt to export 158 grams of methamphetamine concealed in the walls of a carton to New Zealand,” he said.
In Kano State, operatives arrested Abdulkadir Mamuda, 35, with 102.5kg of skunk at Dan-Tsalle, while another suspect, Uche Johnson Festus, 47, was nabbed at Naibawa Gabas with 95.5kg of the same substance.
Babafemi said the agency also recovered 21,737 bottles of codeine-based syrup during a raid at Otto, Ijora area of Lagos on Wednesday, March 18, adding that two suspects, Chidiebere Anigbogu and Paul Nwagbara, were arrested the same day on the Third Mainland Bridge while conveying 8,380 bottles of the syrup.
In Edo State, operatives recovered 97.5kg of skunk from the residence of Akeem Idde, 37, in Ojah, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area on March 16.
In the FCT, officers intercepted a commercial bus along the Gwagwalada Expressway on March 18, recovering 91,840 pills of tramadol hidden in body compartments of the vehicle. The driver, Aminu Ali, 27, was arrested.
In Oyo State, a suspect, Bankole Bari, was on Tuesday, March 17, arrested at Oke-Oyan, Ibarapa LGA, with 71.2kg of skunk, which he smuggled into Nigeria from Benin Republic through the Oyan River.
In a similar development, “Not less than 586,000 pills of tramadol and Exol-5 were recovered by NDLEA operatives from Lawal Anas, 28, along Kaduna-Zaria Highway, Kaduna, on Tuesday, March 17, while 7,290 tablets of tramadol 225mg were seized from Musa Shuaibu, 22, at the same location on Friday, March 20,” Babafemi said.
In Taraba State, officers intercepted Aliyu Adamu, 26, along the Takum-Jalingo Highway with 77,660 capsules of tramadol, while in Adamawa State, six suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure of 82.8kg of tramadol in a truck in Yola.
The suspects include Ramatu Aliyu, Jungudo Abdullahi, Najid Abdullahi, Musa Mohammed, Usman Abdulrahim, and Musa Mohammed.
The agency said its commands across the country also intensified War Against Drug Abuse sensitisation campaigns in schools, worship centres, and communities during the week.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers of the MMIA, DOGI, Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Edo, Oyo, FCT, Taraba, and Adamawa commands for the arrests and seizures, urging them to sustain the balanced approach to drug control efforts.
News
RSG Applauds FRSC, NDLEA For Enhancing Security In Rivers …As NDLEA Pushes For Drug Tests In Schools, NYSC Camps
The Rivers State Government has commended the dedication and collaboration of federal government agencies in sustaining security in the State.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the State Commander of the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), CN Bature Dawa, in Port Harcourt, last week, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Dagogo Wokoma, said Governor Siminalayi Fubara appreciates the strong synergy between the agencies in promoting his administration’s vision of peace, prosperity and progress in the State.
Wokoma urged residents to remain law-abiding, noting that respect for the law is essential for good governance and sustainable development in all parts of the state.
He stated that the governor has remained committed to initiatives that promote peace and social order, stressing that the administration will continue to support programmes of federal agencies aimed at strengthening security and public safety.
“Our governor is committed to peace, progress and prosperity in Rivers State. I therefore encourage all residents, especially young people who are often targeted by those involved in drug abuse, to stay away from drugs, crime and reckless driving,” he said.
In his remarks, the State NDLEA boss, Dawa, disclosed that the agency has arrested 39 suspects in the state from December 2025 to date, including 16 new cases currently under investigation.
He explained that the NDLEA, through its Drug Demand Reduction and Drug Supply Control Units, has intensified efforts to curb the spread of illicit drugs and ensure offenders are brought to justice.
Dawa also called on parents and guardians to closely monitor their children, while urging hotel owners and managers to remain vigilant and prevent their facilities from being used for drug-related activities.
He further advocated the introduction of drug integrity tests in schools and within the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme as part of measures to discourage drug abuse among young people.
In a related development, Dr Wokoma received the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), CC Inyang Umoh, during a courtesy visit, and urged residents to abide by road safety laws and drive in consideration of other road users.
In his remarks, the FRSC boss expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for the continuous support to the Corps.
Muslims in Rivers State have commended Governor Siminialayi Fubara for his dedication and commitment to the development of the state.
They also lauded the governor for promoting peaceful co-existence among various religious groups in the state.
Vice President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs ,Alhaji Nasil Awhelegbe Uhor, gave the commendation last Friday during the Eid-el Fitri prayer to mark the end of Ramadan fasting period, at the Port Harcourt Central Mosque, Niger Street, Port Harcourt.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after the prayer, Alhaji Uhor said Governor Fubara has shown exemplary leadership in the affairs of the state.
Uhor who is the leader of the South South Muslim Ummah of Nigeria, called on Muslims to remain committed to the ideal of peace and fear of the Almighty Allah.
According to the Rivers State Islamic leader, the message is for Muslims to imbibe and allow the lessons of Ramadan to sink into their lives and shape their ways of doing things.
He urged Muslims to imbibe the culture of love and respect for one another.
“My message is that all Muslims should imbibe and allow the lessons of Ramadan to sink with them,” he advised.
Uhor stressed the need for Muslims and all Nigerians to remain patriotic, while avoiding all forms of anti-social behaviours.
He also called on the political leaders to put the country first, stressing that there is no need for Nigerians to continue to wallow in abject poverty when the country is so rich with natural resources.
Also speaking, the Chief Imam of Rivers State, Alhaji Ibrahim S Yalo, urged Muslims to fear God, and speak the truth always.
According to him, time has come for Nigerians to cultivate the habit of peaceful coexistence, speak the truth and be each others keeper.
“Nigerians own a duty to ensure peace, live together in fear of God and speak the truth always,” he said.
By: John Bibor
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