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Rivers Police Parade 13 Armed Robbery Suspects

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11 years ago

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The Rivers State Police
Command has paraded 13 armed robbery suspects arrested by men of the force within various locations in the state.
Those arrested by the police include two inter-state kidnappers, David Francis and Edwin Ekpenyong as well as a member of a notorious armed robbery gang, Chinonso Ihesinulor that operated along Ogbunabali axis of the state.
Briefing journalists in his office on the achievements recorded by the command so far, the state Commissioner of Police, Tunde Ogunsakin, said intelligence-led policing was the fulcrum of police operation in the state.
Mr. Ogunsakin disclosed that since he assumed duty as the commissioner of police in the state he had vowed to rid the state of all forms of criminalities, adding that he had earlier sounded a note of warning to all criminals in the state to either have a change of mind and become law abiding citizens or relocate from the state.
According to him, “that is because the criminals shall be made to face the full wrath of the law as there will be no hiding place for them.”
He told journalists that in realising the laudable objective of ridding the state of bad elements, a gang of armed robbers that specialises in robbing unsuspecting members of the public were arrested at about 13:45 hours at Ogbunabali by St. Patrick Hospital, adding that the gang opened fire on sighting a police patrol team.
“This prompted the police to immediately engage them in an exchange of gun fire. The gang was, however, overwhelmed by the superior fire power of our men who displayed their resilience in the course of the gun exchange.
“Consequently, the gang was forced to run for their dear lives and abandoned the stolen Toyota highlander jeep with registration number LSR825AP they had earlier snatched” he stated.
The state Commissioner of police also said that on Monday, 17/02/2014, at about 15:00 hours, the police acting on intelligence swooped on one David Francis at Fidelity Bank, Trans Amadi and arrested him while trying to withdraw the ransom money for a recent kidnap that took place in Akwa State, adding that the suspect later led a team of police operatives to arrest his accomplice, Edwin Ekpenyong.
Mr. Ogunsakin vowed to continue an aggressive onslaught against criminals until crime situation is brought to near zero level in the state, adding that he had directed Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers (DPO) to intensify their efforts in crime fighting by embarking on intensive patrols and massive raids on suspected criminal hideouts and black sports in their areas.
While thanking members of the public for giving the police useful information, the state police boss called for more synergy the public and the police in the fight against crime.

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Rivers

Expert Demands Full Implementation Of PIA In N’Delta Oil Communities 

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1 week ago

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May 12, 2025

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An expert in Natural Resource Governance, Dr. Mike Uzoigwe, has called for the full implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) for the development of oil communities in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.
Uzoigwe made the appeal during a training for community representatives under the Host Community Development Trust (HCDT), held in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
He noted that five years after the PIA was enacted, funding under the HCDT framework for member communities had yet to be fully implemented.
He attributed the slow pace of implementation to oil companies’ failure to remit funds, ongoing litigations, internal community disputes, and regulatory challenges, among other factors.
According to him, these challenges have made it difficult to properly assess the effectiveness of HCDT implementation in host communities.
Uzoigwe also expressed concern that several communities were yet to establish HCDTs, which are essential for accessing funds designated for local development.
“Fortunately, there are communities that have successfully leveraged the HCDT to advance development in their localities.
“However, we want every host community to access these funds to accelerate development in their respective areas and contribute to the broader transformation of the Niger Delta”, he stated.
Uzoigwe urged host communities to familiarise themselves with the provisions and regulations of the PIA to enable them to fully benefit from the Act.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of Kebetkache Development and Resource Centre, Dr. Emem Okon, explained that the training was organised for HCDT communities in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Imo, and Rivers States.
According to her, the objective of the training was to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand the PIA’s provisions, conduct needs assessments and undertake community development planning.
“We examined how the HCDT can be made effective and efficient in utilising the three per cent operational cost allocation for community development projects, as stipulated in the PIA.
“This allocation is structured as follows: 75 per cent for project execution, 20 per cent for savings, and five per cent for administrative costs.
“HCDT members are responsible for identifying and prioritising community needs through a transparent, sincere, and people-centred decision-making process in managing these funds”, Okon explained.
She encouraged host communities to engage actively with various stakeholders, including women, youth, farmers, and community leaders, to identify development projects that reflect the genuine needs of their communities.
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Rivers

Opobo/Nkoro SOLAD Pledges To Prioritise Workers’ Welfare 

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1 week ago

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May 12, 2025

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The Sole Administrator of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State, Mr. Frederick Apiafi, says he will run an all-inclusive government for the betterment of the local government.
He stated that his priority is workers’ welfare in all ramifications and the good people of the area.
Apiafi stated this recently while addressing workers at the council’s headquarters in Opobo, saying that his direct mandate is to ensure that the existing peace is sustained.
According to him,  he is a technocrat, hence he will carry out his functions accordingly.
“Thank you all for welcoming me as your administrator. My mandate here is to ensure that you, workers, are well treated, with your salaries paid promptly, and give you what you deserve.
“You all are my brothers, sisters and friends. I know that together we can take this local government to  an enviable height. What I need from you is cooperation.
“I solicit for your support to enable us all succeed because I alone cannot achieve the desired development”, he urged.
The administrator used the forum to thank the Sole Administrator of the State, Vice – Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.)  for giving him the opportunity to serve his people and pledged that he will not disappoint him in any aspect, while promising to discharge his duties in strict  compliance to the charge of the  Sole Administrator.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in the LGA, Comrade Diri Dandison, commended the administrator for placing workers’ welfare top on his list.
According to him, what workers want in the LGA is someone who can give them listening ears, and also give them what they deserve.
“I am happy that Mr. Fredrick Apiafi has placed welfare of workers first, but we pray he fullfills his promises. What we want is  for people  at the grassroots to also enjoy  dividends of  governance”, he said.
By: Theresa Frederick, Charity Amiso
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Rivers

Navy Saves 99 Persons From Drowning In Rivers

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1 week ago

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May 12, 2025

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The Nigerian Navy Rescue Team from Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER have saved 99 persons from drowning in Rivers State during an operation.
A statement by the Director of Naval Information, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, in Port Harcourt, said the incident occurred when a barge, ADAM (Damen Buba) was involved in a head-on collision with a market boat en route Akuku Toru Local Government Area in Rivers State, resulting in significant structural damage to the market boat.
He said the Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER personnel deployed to Naval Security Station 035 in collaboration with four other Navy Gunboats launched a coordinated and effective search and rescue operation, saving all 99 passengers onboard.
According to him, most of the passengers’ goods were also salvaged successfully.
“The timely intervention and prompt response of Nigerian Navy personnel ensured that no lives were lost and most of the valuable properties were preserved.
“The Nigerian Navy hereby restates that under the leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, the service will continue to ensure the security and safety of all legitimate sea farers within Nigeria’s maritime domain”, Adams Aliu said.
By: Theresa Frederick, Charity Amiso
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