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JTF Warns Oil Thieves, Pirates In N’Delta …Says, We‘ve Curtailed Boko Haram

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The Commander of the Joint Task Force, in the Niger Delta, Major-Gen Beita Debiro has vowed to bring illegal bunkering to an end as he appealed to youths and oil companies to cooperate and support the outfit.
Maj Gen Debiro who made the appeal during an inspection tour of Bonny area of Rivers State, said the task force was determined to rid the area of all criminals sabotaging the pipelines and other oil facilities, warning that government was against these activities.
The Joint Task Force boss called on all Nigerians to come together to fight the scourge, as he promised to make life unbearable for those who are making life difficult for the people of the country.
According to him, ‘’the Government and all Nigerians are against these crimes and all Nigerians should come together and fight the scourge called illegal oil bunkering and piracy” he appealed.
Beita assured that men of the task force will consistently make life difficult for the perpetrators of the crime  in the region while also maintaining high level of professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
During the tour, there were revelations that 17 vessels and boats have been arrested by the Sub Sector 5 of the JTF (which consists of Bonny, Andoni and Gokana areas of Rivers State) between April 2012 and July 2013.
The Tide learnt that the 146 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, and all the other components of the JTF on the Island have destroyed eight boats and vessels between April 12 and August 30, 2012, while they have arrested nine other vessels, which have all been detained at the Bonny Anchorage, Oyorokoto Jetty, Peterside, Coal Beach, Cawthorne Channel and Oloma House boat around the Bonny Island.
At the NPA Jetty, four vessels including EFCC 224, EFCC 116, Rockfish and one other were impounded, and are being guarded by men of the Joint Task Force while the crew have been taken to the Sector 2 Headquarters, Port Harcourt for further interrogation and investigations.
During the inspection, a super vessel, VLIE LAND, with a storage capacity of about 1,300 metric tons and about 100.9 metres long(the size of a football pitch) was seen grounded at the Bonny Island Beach, and guarded by men of the JTF.
According to the JTF command, the crew of the vessel are now under detention at its Port Harcourt offices for further investigations.
Speaking with journalists after the exhaustive inspection of all the formations of his outfit, JTF commander, Major General Beita Debiro, who was satisfied with the level of performance of his men, said he has not been at the area for a while, adding that his visit was necessitated by information of an upsurge in Illegal bunkering and piracy in the area.
He added that he also undertook the inspection to encourage officers of the outfit, noting that the impressive performance of the task force in the area can be seen.
‘’I have not been here for a long time, but I had to come because of certain information concerning an upsurge in Illegal bunkering and piracy in the area. You can see the efforts of the men here, we have made a lot of arrests and their performance is impressive.
I also came to encourage the men to continue to improve on their performances and to raise the morale of the officers,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, the Commander of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) in Yobe State, Col. Ibrahim Ali, yesterday said that activities of Boko Haram insurgents had been curtailed, following the declaration of state of emergency in the state.
Ali told  newsmen in Damaturu that attacks by the insurgents, especially in the volatile areas of Damaturu and Potiskum had reduced, after security forces pushed the insurgents out of their enclaves.
“We have not had any major encounter except on June 16 when they attacked a school in Damaturu. We have pushed them out of town.’’
The commander said that the JTF had  discovered, particularly in Potiskum, that armed robbers had seized the opportunity to rob people under the guise of insurgency.
Ali said the situation in Yobe had remained “relatively stable’’, noting that the JTF was doing everything possible to contain the situation permanently.
He said that the task force had been having a good working relationship with members of the public, whom he said, had continued to provide vital information on the insurgents.
Ali urged the populace to continue to cooperate with security agents, saying that the JTF was aware of the inconveniences and challenges the public was facing because of the declaration of state of emergency in the state.
On allegations of long detention of suspects, the commander said that the JTF was being meticulous to ensure that only those found to have participated in criminal activities were held.
He said that suspects were made to go through careful and meticulous documentation and interrogation by a special team, made up of personnel from the police, SSS, army and the NDLEA.
Ali said that all suspects were being treated well, adding: “they eat the same food being served to my soldiers.
In another development, the Yobe State Government has appealed to the Federal Government to float an intervention fund to cushion the effects of the Boko Haram insurgency on affected states.
The Special Adviser to the State Governor on Media and Information, Alhaji Abdullahi Bego, made the appeal in an interview with newsmen in Damaturu yesterday.
Bego said that while the Yobe Government was totally in support of the declaration of emergency in the state, it would also like the Federal Government to set up a fund to assist people affected by the insurgency.
He said that the state government had been cooperating and providing logistics to the Joint Task Force (JTF), tackling the security problems.
“We have provided more than 200 vehicles to the JTF in addition to paying allowances to the operatives.’’
He said that the state had spent about N4 billion a since the insurgency started, describing the insurgency as a big drain on the meagre resources of the state.
The special adviser also appealed to the Federal Government to provide modern equipment to the security agencies, praising the troops for sticking to rules of engagement.
Bego said that the state government had also disbursed about N197 million to victims of the insurgency as relief for their losses and also rehabilitated 300 classrooms destroyed by the insurgents.

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Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf

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Two Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in Rivers State have been honoured by separate groups for their contributions to security, crime prevention and improved community-police relations in their respective areas of responsibility.

The beneficiaries are the DPO of Afam Police Division, CSP  Endurance Worgu and his counterpart at Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf.

CSP Worgu was honoured by a group of students under the aegis of Rivers State Graduate Students Associations for what they described as his commitment and outstanding performance in the discharge of his duties.

The students, led by  Chidi John Enyie, Esq. said CSP Worgu was selected based on his track record and status as one of the longest-serving young DPOs of Rivers State origin.

According to the group, CSP Worgu has made significant contributions to the protection of lives and property in the area since assuming office following the #EndSARS period.

The students said they were particularly impressed by the improvement in community-police relations under his leadership, noting that professionalism had remained a key feature of his service.

Enyie represented by Comrade Briggs Soku, said the students community was pleased to identify with a Rivers indigene who had distinguished himself in the police force.

He said the students considered it necessary to encourage and celebrate CSP Worgu because of his achievements as a young Rivers man excelling in a profession that many people from the state were often reluctant to join.

Receiving the award at his office in Afam, CSP Worgu expressed gratitude to God and the students for finding him worthy of the honour.

The DPO said the recognition had boosted his morale and encouraged him to sustain his efforts towards maintaining peace and security in the area.

He said he least expected the honour, particularly because it came from the students, adding that the recognition would further motivate him to serve the people better.

CSP Worgu assured residents of Afam that the police would sustain the existing peace in the area.

He appealed to members of the public to support the police by providing credible and timely information, stressing that useful information from residents would make the job of security personnel easier.

Meanwhile, the Ikwerre/Etche Media Association has also honoured the DPO of Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf, for his efforts in tackling criminal activities in the area.

The media group presented the award following the swift tracking and arrest of five suspected kidnappers who had allegedly terrorised residents of the Kom-Kom axis and other parts of Oyigbo.

The group commended CSP Bello for what it described as his determined efforts to restore confidence and security in the affected communities, particularly Kom-Kom and Obeama.

According to the group, the arrest of the suspects demonstrated the DPO’s commitment to tackling criminality and safeguarding residents.

The media association said residents had received the development with relief, noting that the police action had sent a strong message to criminal elements operating in the area.

Responding, CSP Yusuf appreciated the group for the recognition and reaffirmed that there would be no room for criminality in Oyigbo.

He also commended the media for its role in disseminating credible information to the public, saying the media had remained supportive of the police in the fight against crime.

CSP Yusuf warned criminal elements operating in Oyigbo to leave the area or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.

He assured residents that the police would continue to pursue criminals and work to dismantle their hideouts, regardless of where they might be operating.

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College Of Bishops Endorses Tinubu, APC Candidates  For 2027 Polls

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The 5000 Achievers Christian Forum and Colleges of Bishops, Archbishops and Apostles, a Christian interdenominational organisation, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State for the 2027 general elections.

International President of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, disclosed this during the ordination and consecration of three new Bishops, as well as an award ceremony held in Port Harcourt.

Aroh said the performance of the APC-led Federal Government had endeared the party to the organisation, prompting the forum to declare its support for President Tinubu and other APC candidates in Rivers State.

He said the forum would support all APC candidates in the state during the 2027 elections and urged Nigerians to vote for the party.

Aroh, who is also the General Overseer of Caring Peoples Church, Port Harcourt, charged the newly consecrated Bishops to see their new positions as a great responsibility and dedicate themselves to the advancement of the kingdom of God.

He cautioned them against conduct capable of bringing their offices into disrepute, stressing that their activities would be closely watched by members of the public.

“As Bishops, the eyes of the public are on your activities. You must therefore conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of your calling,” he said.

Also speaking, the International Coordinator of the forum, Bishop Saint Robinson, urged the newly consecrated Bishops to work diligently towards winning souls for the kingdom of God.

Robinson, who was the guest speaker at the event, stressed that the activities of Bishops must at all times be guided by godly principles.

He also called on members of the church to support and cooperate with the newly consecrated Bishops in the discharge of their responsibilities.

The Secretary of the College, Apostle Elizabeth Ayadi Abaye, said the organisation was established to advance the kingdom of God and promote spiritual development.

According to her, the forum has organised several crusades, conferences, prayer meetings, ordinations, consecrations, enthronements, empowerment programmes and other spiritual development activities across the country as part of efforts to win souls for Christ.

Abaye said the organisation has members across the world and disclosed that more programmes had been scheduled to promote the spiritual development and wellbeing of humanity.

The three Bishops consecrated at the ceremony were Prince Alban Chike, Testimony Omenihu Shedrach and Prince Ifemena.

Among those honoured at the event were the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Abali Community, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Manuchimso Prince Lemmy Wopara, and Clifford Oko Jaja, Coordinator of the 5,000 House-to-House for President Tinubu.

By: John Bibor

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Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Others For Armed Robbery, Kidnapping

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The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 49-year-old suspected fake soldier, Andrew Atausi, and several other suspects in connection with various criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, one-chance robbery and the alleged murder of police officers.

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, recently during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters, where he said the arrests formed part of the operational achievements recorded by the Command between June and August 2026.

Adepoju said Atausi was arrested on August 10 by police operatives along Ada George, Port Harcourt, while dressed in military uniform and driving a Toyota Hilux painted in Army colours.

The Commissioner said investigation revealed that Atausi was not a member of the Armed Forces, adding that he was suspected to be a serial car snatcher, with three suspected stolen vehicles recovered from him.

He said the recovered vehicles included three Toyota Hilux vehicles without registration numbers and a Toyota Corona Premio with registration number BNY 380 ES, noting that the chassis and engine numbers of the vehicles had allegedly been tampered with.

Adepoju added that an axe and military accoutrements were also recovered from Atausi, as investigation continued into the circumstances surrounding the vehicles and other items recovered from him.

On the June 29 attack on police officers at Aluu Division, the Commissioner said three members of the gang allegedly responsible for the incident had been arrested by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU-AKU.

The suspects, identified as Maduabuchi Emeka, 34, alleged gang leader; Doctor Chinedu Owhor, 42, and Kamachi Joe, 28, alleged armourer, reportedly led operatives to their hideout at Omagwa where two AK-47 rifles stolen during the attack were recovered.

Adepoju recalled that two police officers were killed during the Aluu attack, while others were wounded and one officer had his leg amputated, stressing that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fourth suspect.

On kidnapping, the Commissioner said five members of a suspected kidnapping syndicate were arrested in Oyigbo Local Government Area, adding that they allegedly confessed to operations in Kom-Kom, Railway, Obeama and Afam communities.

He said two other suspects from the same network, Anele Ogbogu, 35, alleged to be the gang’s armourer, and Kenneth Eke, 38, were arrested on July 27, with one AK-47 rifle and one SMG rifle recovered.

The Commissioner further disclosed the arrest of suspects in connection with alleged firearm offences, armed robbery, cultism and one-chance robbery, with firearms, ammunition and other exhibits recovered during the operations.

Adepoju assured residents that the Command would sustain intelligence-led, proactive and community-oriented policing in collaboration with other security agencies, while urging members of the public to continue providing credible information that would assist the police in combating crime across Rivers State.

By; King Onunwor

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