News
LG Bosses Decry Rising Insecurity In Rivers …Accuse Police Of Attack On Obio/Akpor
The chairmen of local government councils in Rivers State have disagreed with the Rivers state Commissioner of Poilce,Mr Mbu Joseph Mbu that crime rate in the state has reduced since he took over the management of security in the state.
The chairmen who made this known on Saturday in Port Harcourt while speaking with Journalist in Port Harcourt, noted that the rate of crime, kidnapping, armed robbery and general insecurity has gone up since the current Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mbu Joseph Mbu took charge of the state police command three months ago.
The Caretaker Committee Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state, Mr. Chikaodi Dike, accused the police of masterminding the May 14, 2003 explosion that damaged some sections of the council secretariat at Rumuodomaya, near Port Harcourt.
It would be recalled that the Commissioner of Police last Thursday while briefing journalists said the crime rate in the state has reduced since he took charge, admitting that he was directed by the Inspector General of Police to submit every minutes of Rivers State security meetings to Abuja.
This development confirmed the earlier allegation by the state government that the Commissioner of Police was leaking security information to people in Abuja.
Chairman of Okrika Local Government Area, Barrister Tamuno Williams, disclosed that former militants, who ran away from the area are gradually returning to the communities to wreck havoc,adding that in less than two weeks, two incidents of vandalization of oil and gas pipelines belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) occurred at Okochiri community as well as near the council secretariat at Okrika mainland.
According to Williams, “in the past two weeks, we have experienced vandalization of pipelines belonging to NNPC at Okochiri and opposite the council secretariat. With all these happening, we believe we are having a decline in security and we are worried about this.”
Also speaking, Chairman of Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area, Mrs. Maureen Tamuno, described the level of criminality being perpetrated in the past few weeks, by some youths, suspected to be ex-militants, as the worst since 2011 when she became the council boss.
Tamuno, who was a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly between 2007 and 2011, said last weekend, a young man was shot dead in Ogu community by a group of armed men, who later escaped with the corpse of their victim through the water-ways.
Meanwhile, the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Obio/Akpor Council, Mr. Dike has said that the presence of men of the Rumuodomaya Police Station inside the council secretariat when the explosion occurred was an indication that they masterminded the incident that damaged the generator house of the secretariat.
He said; “the explosion was masterminded by the police, let it be on record. The police were there when the explosion occurred and I met them. I got to the council secretariat to take over since the Federal High Court ordered the police to vacate. When I got there, all the police men were still on ground.”
Meanwhile, a medical doctor and member of Nigerian Medical Association in Rivers state, Dr Didi Chukwuemeka, who was abducted last week in Port Harcourt yesterday regained his freedom.
The Rivers State chapter of the NMA confirmed the release of Dr Chukwuemeka yesterday.
The NMA gave credit to the efforts of its members and the media for the release of the doctor but did not confirm if any ransom was paid or what was done to secure his release.
The Rivers State NMA chairman, Dr Ibiturokoemi Korubo, however said that the strike action will continue in spite of Dr Chukwuemeka’s release.
The NMA has said that from Tuesday June 18, all doctors would be withdrawn from all primary health centrs across the state and would only provide emergeency service at the secondary health centres.
Kurubo said doctors in the state were frequent targets and that more needed to be done to make doctors in Rivers State safe.
‘This was not just about Dr Chukwuemeka, it was about four doctors that had been kidnapped over the past two months. Where are the security agents? Did the security agents go out there to save Dr Didi?
The answer id no. Our demand is that the security situatin must improve. How can a doctor provide quality care for you when he is not sure of his safety? He queried.
News
Be Patient With Us, Diri Tells Bayelsans … Inspects New 60mw IPP …Expresses Confidence In Technical Partners, BECL MD
The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene