News

LG Bosses Decry Rising Insecurity In Rivers …Accuse Police Of Attack On Obio/Akpor

Published

13 years ago

June 24, 2013

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

Cleric Predicts Breakthrough, Warns of Political and Security Challenges in 2026

Published

2 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Founder and Senior Pastor of Liberty Hour Ministry, Port Harcourt, Apostle Chikadibia John Wodo, has expressed optimism that 2026 will usher in uncommon breakthroughs and good fortune for Nigeria, particularly in the areas of political, economic, and spiritual development, with Rivers State playing a key role.

Apostle Wodo made this declaration in his special New Year message, where he stated that individuals and forces standing as obstacles to the manifestation of God’s will in the new year would face bitter consequences. He cautioned that corrupt political leaders risk backlash from the very people they govern if they fail to change their ways.

The cleric warned against the escalation of political tension in Rivers State and called on residents and religious leaders to intensify prayers for lasting peace. He also urged Governor Siminalayi Fubara to remain resolute in leadership, reminding him to uphold his vows to God by continually seeking divine guidance in decision-making and governance amid evolving challenges.

Assessing the broader national situation, Apostle Wodo called on Nigerian leaders to repent and govern with a heightened sense of responsibility, noting that the cries and supplications of the masses have drawn divine attention. He further warned of alleged plots to disrupt a smooth democratic transition in 2027 and appealed for prayers to avert such an agenda.

According to him, Nigerians are yearning for genuine socio-economic transformation and freedom from political oppression. He challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to redeem its credibility by ensuring free, fair, and credible elections devoid of undue political interference.

The cleric also predicted that insecurity could worsen in the coming year and warned of the possible emergence of a strange ailment, stressing that Nigeria’s political challenges can only be resolved through equity, fairness, and justice, especially in the treatment of minorities, the vulnerable, and the disadvantaged.

Apostle Wodo further claimed that some clerics and General Overseers have compromised their faith and incurred divine displeasure, calling for sincere repentance to restore their relationship with God. He also advised early preparedness to mitigate natural disasters such as fire outbreaks and flooding, particularly in rural communities.

He concluded by urging Nigerians to remain prayerful, vigilant, and united as the nation navigates the opportunities and challenges of 2026.

News

Ado Royal Family Disowns Alleged Installation of Amanyanabo of Okrika

Published

2 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Ado Royal Family of Okrika has firmly disassociated itself from the alleged self-enthronement of Hon. Godknows Tam George as the Amanyanabo of Okrika and Clan Head, describing the action as unlawful, illegitimate, and a threat to the peace of the ancient kingdom.

The family, which described itself as the sole legitimate custodian of the history, traditions, and stool of the Amanyanabo of Okrika, stated that it has not installed any king and has not commenced the formal process for such installation.

This position was contained in a statement jointly signed by Prof. Sotonye Fyneface-Ogan (Ogan Ado Royal House), Alabo Engr. Henry Semenitari Abam (Abam Ado Royal House), and Alabo Prince Oriyeorikabo Fibika (Fibika Ado Royal House). The statement was presented to journalists on Friday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt.

According to the statement, the purported action by Hon. Tam George amounts to “a blatant assault on the collective integrity of the Okrika people” and constitutes “a criminal act of impersonation with the potential to destabilize the peace and socio-political fabric of our ancient kingdom.”

The family stressed that Hon. Tam George was never presented as a candidate by the Ado Royal Family and did not undergo any of the mandatory rites, consultations, or confirmations required by Okrika customs.

“The Ado Royal Family has never presented him as a candidate, nor has he undergone any of the prerequisite rites, consultations, or confirmations. His actions are those of a lone interloper, operating in a vacuum of legitimacy,” the statement read.

It further emphasized that the stool of the Amanyanabo of Okrika and Clan Head is a sacred institution rooted in centuries-old traditions and spiritual heritage, not something to be claimed through academic qualifications, political ambition, or personal interest.

Speaking during the briefing, Prof. Sotonye Fyneface-Ogan reiterated that the process of crowning an Amanyanabo is clearly defined and has not yet begun.

“To crown a king, there is a process, and those processes have not taken place,” he said. “We are the chiefs; we are the ones that will be part of the selection. Honestly, we have not started the selection process; we have only begun discussions.”

He explained that during the proper selection process, chiefs supervise nominations from each constituent house, with each house expected to nominate two or three candidates—steps which, he noted, have not been carried out.

“I want to assure the public that none of the Ado family chiefs has given Hon. Tam George any sign of approval,” Prof. Fyneface-Ogan added.

Efforts to obtain the reaction of Hon. Godknows Tam George proved unsuccessful. Repeated attempts through phone calls, text messages, and WhatsApp messages were unsuccessful, as he did not respond as of the time of filing this report.

By: Tonye Orabere

News

PH Traders Laud RSG’s Fire Safety Sensitisation Campaign

Published

2 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

Traders in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, have commended the Rivers State Government (RSG) for its ongoing fire emergency and safety sensitisation campaign across major markets in the state.

Speaking on behalf of traders at Nowa Market, Borikiri Old Port Harcourt Township, the market chairman, Mr. Innocent Chukwuma, praised Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara for initiating the awareness programme in designated markets and public places.

Chukwuma described the exercise as timely and impactful, noting that it was the first time the Rivers State Government had carried out such a campaign in Nowa Market. According to him, the sensitisation would educate traders on fire emergencies and the necessary precautions to prevent outbreaks.

He urged traders to strictly apply the safety measures taught during the campaign, both during business hours and after closing their shops.

“I want to thank the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Ministry of Special Duties for coming to our aid, especially during this dry season,” Chukwuma said.

“This is the first time we are seeing government presence in our market in this manner. We lack words to thank our God-sent governor, particularly for providing us with fire extinguishers and other firefighting equipment.

“We will do exactly what we have been taught today to ensure there is no fire incident in our market. We will always switch off all electrical appliances before closing for the day,” he added.

Similarly, the Chairman of Mile 3 USTRE Modern Market, Mr. Gift Nkesi Benjamin, applauded the state government for the distribution of fire extinguishers and other fire safety equipment.

“We will adhere strictly to the safety guidelines and instructions given to us today to ensure there is no fire outbreak in our market,” Benjamin stated.

“On behalf of Mile 3 USTRE Modern Market, I sincerely thank the Rivers State Government and the Ministry of Special Duties for bringing this important campaign to our market.”

At Rumuwoji Market (popularly known as Mile 1 Market), the Chairman, Chief Hon. Godpower O. Wobo, also expressed gratitude to the state government for the sensitisation exercise. He assured that traders would comply fully with government directives to prevent future fire incidents.

Responding on behalf of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Special Duties, Mr. Sokari D. P. George, thanked the traders for their cooperation and warm reception.

He emphasised that safety remains paramount, especially during the dry season, and urged traders to be cautious in their daily activities.

Mr. George disclosed that the theme of the 2025 fire safety campaign is “Controlled Fire Is a Friend, Uncontrolled Fire Is an Enemy.”

He cautioned against refuse and bush burning around buildings and warned traders not to store fuel in unauthorized places such as homes, offices, markets, or public buildings.

“Follow all fire safety guidelines and instructions,” he urged.

The permanent secretary also noted that Governor Fubara prefers a zero-fireworks approach during festive periods to ensure public safety, stressing that the government has invested heavily in markets and expects traders to take responsibility for protecting them.

By: Kiadum Edookor