Niger Delta

CAN, CAC Disown Niger Delta Bishops Forum

Published

12 years ago

November 13, 2013

The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, has disassociated the umbrella Christian body from a group of clergymen that attempted to wade into the political crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its splinter group.

The group of clerics claimed that they were mediating and initiating dialogue among the federal government and the group of seven aggrieved PDP governors and the faction within the ruling party.

The clerics under the name, Niger Delta Bishops and Christian Forum and the South-South Christian Forum have so far met a former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, and the Adamawa State Governor, Murtala Nyako, under the guise that they would initiate peace process among the PDP, aggrieved seven governors and President Goodluck Jonathan.

The Niger Delta Bishops and Christian Forum is led by Prophet Jones Erue, with other Bishops: Julius Ediwe, Bob Manuel, Abhulemen Josiah, Konel Offiong, Innocent Chiedozie, Alex Okubo, Felix Ezebunwo, Charles Okoh , Peter Abingon and Archbishop Eddy Ogbonda in the various delegations to Atiku and Nyako.

But the CAN President, Oritsejafor, said in an interview that the two bodies-the Niger Delta Bishops and Christian Forum and the South South Christian Forum-are not known to CAN or recognised by the Christian body.

According to Oritsejafor, “We have heard about them and their exploits, meeting various politicians and promising to mediate and initiate dialogue between the PDP and their members.

“We are a Christian body; we don’t involve ourselves in the internal affairs of political parties, let alone mediating between PDP and its crisis.

CAN is apolitical. Honestly, we don’t know them. Their activities are worrisome and I as the President of the Christian umbrella body in Nigeria, CAN, wish to plead and admonish politicians to beware of the characters of some Nigerians who use the name of Christians in Nigeria to do all sorts of things.

“They should be careful with some groups that use the name of CAN to commit several atrocities and fraudulent activities. What type of mediation would the so called Niger Delta Bishops and Christian Forum provide? I am the President of CAN and I can inform you that we are not aware of them.”

Also, a search and inquiry at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) proved that the groups were not a registered entity. According to a statement on behalf of the Registrar-General by Aisha T. Tijani that the commission was unable to find evidence of registration of the groups.

CAC in a letter with reference number: RGO/9/Vol.XXXVI/0998 dated November 11, 2013, was reacting to the inquiry by the chamber of Oludotum Sowemimo and Associates that “pursuant to our enquiry, we were duly informed that there was no data or information on these associations on their (CAC) data base to confirm them being registered under part c’(incorporated trustees). “Furthermore, we have also written to them to confirm in writing the legal status or otherwise of the organisations.”

Wife of Cross River Governor, Mrs Obioma Imoke, speaking to youths during the commemoration of the International Day of the Girl Child in Calabar, recently. Photo: NAN

Niger Delta

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

Published

6 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

6 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

6 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.