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.
News
Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf
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.
News
College Of Bishops Endorses Tinubu, APC Candidates For 2027 Polls
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
News
Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Others For Armed Robbery, Kidnapping
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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