News
Kidnap: Security Agents Comb Bayelsa Creeks For Dutch Nationals …As Abductors Demand N500m Ransom
Security agents comprising police, navy and members of newly inaugurated Bayelsa Volunteers have launched a massive search and rescue operation to secure the release of the three abducted Ducth nationals along the creeks of Letugbene community in Ekeremor Local Government Area of the state.
This is coming on the heels of the demand by the abductors of the three Dutch nationals, for the payment of N500million ransom.
The abducted Dutch nationals have been identified as Mr. Erhard Leffers, Mrs. Marianne Vos and Mr. Jan Andre Groenendijk.
The rescue operation, which is being managed by a special security team of Ijaw youth and policemen is expected to deploy necessary tact and intelligence gathering among indigenes of coastal communities in Delta and Bayelsa states.
The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hillary Okpara while speaking to journalists Wednesday in Yenagoa, denied the reported arrest of the two Nigerian-born Dutch nationals, Mr. Femi Soewu and Mr Sunny Ofehe.
Okpara simply said they were invited by the police for an interview to get more information about the mood and utterances of the kidnappers.
According to Okpara, four persons were invited by the police for interrogation, including the organizer of the ill-fated trip and founder of an indigenous non-governmental organization known as Dodo Rovers Regional Development Association, Hon. Barry Legrise, and an indigene of Letugbene community, Chief Benson Dodoru.
Okpara said that out of the four persons invited, the duo of Femi Soewu and Sunny Ofehe were released alongside Barry Legrise, “but 42-year old Benson Dodoru is yet to be released due to the role he played.”
The police commissioner, however, frowned at the failure of the organizer of the trip and the Dutch nationals to inform the police in Delta and Bayelsa states about the ill-fated trip.
“I want you to know that they came without alerting the security agencies. We would have provided adequate security. We warn individuals and organisations against embarking on such trip without informing the police and other security agencies,” the police chief said.
Meanwhile, the Bayelsa State Government, has in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Col. Bernard Kenebai, condemned the abduction of the Dutch nationals, describing it as unfortunate.
According to Kenebai, though the decision of the organizer of the ill-fated trip and the Dutch nationals not to inform the security agencies was wrong and irresponsible, the state government, in partnership with security agencies, will secure their release.
“We consider the ill-fated trip as unfortunate due to the fact that the state has not experienced it for a while.
“We also want to place on record that the expatriates embarked on the journey without proper security arrangement. We feel strongly against it due to the fact that Bayelsa is a safe place. We have said if anyone or visitors are going to an isolated area, they should inform security agencies, and get adequate protection. It is not fair that they embarked on a dangerous adventure without informing the security agencies. It is an avoidable security breach, if the right security measure had been taken,” he said.
In another development, Bayelsa State Government has noted with regret, the unfortunate incident of the kidnap of three Dutch nationals at Letugbene community in Ekeremor Local Government Area of the state.
The government stated that the three Dutch nationals were escorted into the Niger Delta, through Warri in Delta State, by a non—government organisation (NGO), without any prior notice to the governments and security agencies of both Bayelsa and Delta states, not until they were abducted by the gunmen.
However, the Bayesla State Governor, Seriake Dickson, has assured the Dutch Ambassador to Nigeria, John Groffen that, everything humanly possible was being done to secure the release of the three Dutch nationals.
The governor, who gave the assurance when the ambassador visited him at the Bayelsa House in Abuja, expressed regret over the incident, adding that, the government in collaboration with security agencies is working round the clock to ensure the safe release of the victims.
Meanwhile, fishermen have recovered the corpse of the former chairman of Amatu 2 Community Development Committee (CDC) in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Paul Esebele, who was allegedly shot dead by pirates.
The corpse, which was already decomposing, was discovered along river routes to Bilabiri Community in the same local government area, three days after he was killed.
Esebele, reports said, was shot in the groin by pirates during the last Sunday’s abduction of three Dutch nationals and two Nigerians along the Letugbene axis of the coastline local government area.
The 34-year old former CDC chairman, who is married with children, said alleged to be among the team in a back-up boat to the one conveying the Dutch nationals and Nigerian journalists, before he was hit by a bullet fired the pirates.
It was alleged that the pirates had, after abducting their victims, began shooting sporadically, and a bullet hit him at the groin while in the boat. The boat capsized shortly after he had plunged into the water.
An eyewitness said: “while many of the occupants of the ill-fated boat swam to safety, the former CDC boss was nowhere to be found.”
However, fishermen from Bilabiri community found the decomposing body floating.
When contacted on the development, the spokesman of the state Police Command, Mr.Alex Akhigbe, confirmed the report, saying that the corpse has been removed to the morgue, while police investigations are ongoing.
The Hausa Community in Rivers State has dissociated itself from media reports credited to one MaiwadaAdamu that the Arewa Community in Rivers State has appointed Alhaji Musa Saidu as the acting SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt, following the inability of the former SarkinHausawa, Alhaji Isa Madaki to carry out his functions.
MaidawaAdamu, who is also the spokesman of the Arewa Initiative for Peaceful Co-existence, had briefed journalists on the change, but in a swift reaction, the Office of Alhaji Isa Madaki, has come out to say that the only recognised body which has the powers to appoint the SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt is the Council of SarkinHausawa in PortHarcourt headed by Alhaji Isa Madaki.
The statement also said Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki is the only recognisedSarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, adding that his appointment follows the proclamation and endorsement by the council members of SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The statement further called on the general public and all authorities concerned to give Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki maximum co-operation and support,as he discharges his duties as SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt.
The Suspended Rivers State Commissioner for health, Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, has described as baseless allegations in some quarters that she was responsible for the purported disruption of the Nigerian First Lady’s empowerment program in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh, who said this in a statement personally signed by her and a copy made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt also described the allegation as a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers
According to Dr Oreh, “they are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord”
In her words,”the allegations levelled against me, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, regarding the supposed disruption of the First Lady’s empowerment programme on Friday 2nd May, 2025, are entirely unfounded, completely false, and a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers and conflict entrepreneurs.
“They are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord.”
The suspended commissioner challenged those behind the allegation, especially the Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation to show proof of its assertion adding “It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I challenge the “Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation” (assuming such a body really exists) to provide tangible proof to support their assertions.
“It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I have neither sponsored nor will sponsor any activities aimed at embarrassing or disrupting the activities of the administration appointed by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to oversee the affairs of Rivers State following his declaration of a state of emergency on Tuesday, 18th March, 2025, and have rather spent the time of my suspension from office focused on other endeavours and my doctoral studies.
“I reaffirm my commitment to working tirelessly for the progress and development of Rivers State.
“Furthermore, I believe that it is crucial for all stakeholders to promote a culture of truth, integrity, and respect in public discourse.
“Unsubstantiated wild claims undermine trust and hinder constructive engagement, and this is not what the state needs at this difficult and delicate time.
“I urge everyone to focus on issues that unite us and foster a positive, solution-driven dialogue for the betterment of our State, and urge everyone to work together to build a brighter future for Rivers State, grounded in truth, transparency, and collective effort,”she said.
By: John Bibor
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has called on key regulators, asset owners and other stakeholders to continue to support the agency toward the goal of remediating the Ogoni environment and restoring the livelihoods of the people and building structures for peace.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who made the call during the Project’s first quarter meeting with regulators, asset owners and stakeholders in Port Harcourt, urged the stakeholders to remain resolute in supporting HYPREP’s work.
“We particularly expect each regulatory agency and asset owner to deepen their involvement and continue to provide strategic support to the project”, he said, stressing that the quarterly meeting platform remains instrumental in providing a structural avenue for regulators, asset owners, and implementation partners to offer feedback to HYPREP on project performance and deliberate on ideas that move the project forward, as well as strengthen collaboration, deepen synergy and reinforce collective responsibility.
Zabbey disclosed that the socio-economic study of Ogoni has started, as HYPREP has contacted the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organisation(WHO) to commence in the next quarter a three-year human health biomonitoring in Ogoniland.
He noted that work on several fronts of the cleanup project is progressing steadily, adding that as key project partners, the insights and shared experience of the regulators and asset owners have always enriched HYPREP’s operations.
He said the policy thrust of HYPREP for 2025 is clear, as the Project is intensifying efforts to complete within stated timelines, the various ongoing projects, including remediation works and mangrove restoration, potable water facilities, the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, the Ogoni Power Project, Ogoni Specialist Hospital, and Buan Cottage Hospital, among others.
Zabbey, however, announced that HYPREP would commence new set of shoreline cleanup, mangrove restoration and livelihood projects, to sustain the momentum of implementing the Ogoni cleanup, adding that the agency would also conduct detailed site characterisation of the high-risk complex sites, leading to remediation works at the sites.
He noted that HYPREP’s collaboration with Rivers State Ministries of Health, Power and Environment, and civil society organisations remains vital, stressing that the technical and administrative support of all relevant government agencies and funding partners is indispensable in helping HYPREP overcome operational bottlenecks, especially those encountered in interfacing with host communities.
He further indicated that “the people of Ogoni and the nation are looking to us with hope and expectation, and expect tangible results from the remediation initiative”, assuring the participants that the Project Coordination Office is committed to delivering positive results.
“We must, therefore, continue to work with diligence, transparency, and a renewed sense of purpose”, he declared, saying, “ the completion and commissioning of projects this year must reflect not only our technical ability but also our collective commitment to environmental sustainability and sustainable development in Ogoni.”
During the interactive session, the Project Coordinator briefed the participants on the progress made so far by HYPREP to conclude the distribution of starter packs to the 5,000 Ogoni trainees, and called on contractors who had already collected huge chunk of money for the project, to deliver without further delay.
In all, the regulators, asset owners and stakeholders commended HYPREP for the good works it is doing, and urged it to do more.
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency(NOSDRA) was represented at the event by Deputy Director, Oil Field Assessment, Dr Abam Komommo Omini, while Dr Vincent Nwachukwu, Director of Medical Services, represented the Rivers State Ministry of Health.
The Rivers State Ministries of Water Resources, Power and Environment were represented by Dr Bealo Brownson; Engr K. J. Osele; and Mr James Ordu respectively, while the Society for Women and Youth Affairs (SWAYA); and the Stakeholder Democracy Network(SDN); among other civil society organisations were also at the event.
By: Donatus Ebi