Niger Delta

Naval Chief Cautions On Illegal Bunkering

Published

12 years ago

April 1, 2013

The Chief of Naval Staff,

Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba has once again read warned the military personnel who connive with criminals in perpetrating and promoting the menace of illegal oil bunkering and other criminal activities in the country’s waterways to turn a new leaf in their own interest and that of the Nigerian nation.

Vice Admiral Ezeoba, who stated this when he paid a courtesy call on Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson in Government House, Yenagoa, said any person caught will face the full wrath of the law.

He said that the visit, was to solicit support of the Governor, and pleaded for provision enabling environment for proper prosecution of culprits.

“Another area that borders us very prominently in this fight is that in the trinity of actions which encapsulates surveillance, response initiative and enforcement, little or nothing is done with regards to enforcement. You arrest somebody who has been categorically defined as a criminal, two or three days after he walks the streets as a freeman. What does it do to your psyche as the individual who is fighting the war? So we need to redefine the enforcement structure. Our institutions (the judiciary must be given the bite to deal with this important aspect of the fight”., the Naval boss declared.

In his reponse, Governor Dickson restated his preparedness to support the Military on efforts geared towards stamping out pipeline vandalisation and crude oil theft in the state.

Governor Seriake Dickson, emphasised that no amount of assistance to the security agencies is too much in view of the colossal damage the vices have wreaked on the nation’s economy.

According to him, it was in realisation of this that his administration has been making proper investment in security, which he noted, is yielding positive results.

He however admitted the prevalence of illegal bunkering, crude oil theft and refining activities in the state and expressed the determination of the present state administration to fight against the scourge; saying that government would do everything possible to ensure that the 15 fast-moving patrol gunboats it recently acquired and handed over to security agencies were soon put to use.

Niger Delta

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

Published

3 days 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

3 days 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

3 days 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.