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The Tide Attack: Police Assures Better Security
The Rivers State Police Command says adequate security measures will be put in place at the premises of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation (RSNC) Publishers of The Tide Newspapers to safeguard lives and property within the corporation.
The Divisional Police Officer in-charge Mile 1 Police Division, Mr. Paddy Pagon stated this when he led the deputy Commissioner of Police, and other Officers of the command to the scene of armed robbery attack at the State Newspaper Corporation last Monday.
Pagon said the security arrangement would enhance free movement of persons, especially staff of the corporation whose major duties are at night, and assured of the Police’s readiness to rid the area of criminals.
He used the medium to warn criminals to keep away from the state, especially within Mile 1, Diobu axis, adding that the Division has zero-tolerance for criminal activities.
“They should repent and desist from the acts of criminality or be ready to face the consequences of their actions. As these two armed robbers are gunned down, that is how any of them will be killed if they fail to give up”, he stated.
Speaking to journalists, the General Manager, Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mr. Celestine Ogolo, described the incident as most unfortunate, adding that the armed robbery attack has affected the business of the Corporation.
Ogolo explained that since over 43 years of the establishment of the Newspaper outfit, such incident, had not occurred, and wondered why the armed robbers took such interest in a newspaper house.
He said he received a distress call from one of his staff at about 1.19am informing him of the armed robbery attack, adding that he responded swiftly by calling the Police emergency numbers.
“For over 43 years, we have been in this business without this sad experience. We don’t know what attracted them to the corporation.
“I received a call from my staff at 1.19 am about the robbery incident and quickly called the Police emergency number. The Police quickly arrived the premises on time but unfortunately, the armed robbers shot the Police man. The Police also killed two of the robbers”, he stated.
The General Manager explained that the Management would partner with the Police to ensure that there was absolute security in the area.
On the issue of fencing the premises, Ogolo said the matter would be discussed again with the Commissioner of Information, adding that it had earlier been taken to the Ministry of Housing & Urban Development.
Earlier, labour unions in the Corporation had decried the level of insecurity at the Corporation.
The Unions, the Nigeria union of journalists (NUJ), National Union of Publishing, Printing and Paper Products workers (NUPPPPROW), and two others made this disclosure when they met with the General Manager of the RSNC, Mr. Celestine Ogolo, over the incident.
The Unions, while sympathizing with the management and staff of the corporation urged workers to be calm and go about their normal duties, assuring that the unions would work with management to ensure that security of workers was guaranteed.
The union lenders, led by the National Vice President, NUPPPPROW, South-South; Com. Godwin Williams, urged the state government to immediately commence the reconstruction of the corporation’s fence that was demolished by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, adding that workers would not allow any form of insecurity that would put their members’ lives at risk.
It would be recalled that armed robbers, numbering five had stormed the premises of The Tide Newspapers on Monday about 1.19am, and dispossessed staff on night duty of their valuables and undisclosed amount of money.
An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the armed robbers first attacked the production unit, and made away with the phones and monies belonging to machine operators before gaining access to the first floor of the main building where editorial staff were busy finalizing work on the Monday edition of The Tide Newspaper.
The source further said that the robbers held one of the staff hostage because he appears to have known them, and decided to kill him, adding that the robbers ordered the driver on night duty to take them to the General Manager’s office on the second floor of the building.
According to him, while the driver was taking them there, one of the proof readers on the first floor, opened the door unknowingly, adding that immediately the robbers sighted the staff, they ordered them inside the office.
The staff said that while the robbers were at the proof reading office, the Police arrived and one of the Police Officers, in an attempt to rescue the workers followed the robbers to the first floor and was shot by of one of the robbers before he fired back at the robber.
He said the Police lost one of their officers and also killed two of the armed robbers during the exchange of gun fire.
Six staff members who sustained various injuries were hospitalized after they had been rescued from the armed robbers.
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.
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