Niger Delta

JTF Raids Kidnappers’ Den In Bayelsa, Recovers Arms

Published

11 years ago

August 18, 2014

The Joint Task Force
(JTF) in the Niger Delta, Operation Pulo Shield, says its troops have set ablaze hideouts used by suspected kidnappers in Bayelsa coastal communities.
According to a statement from Lt. Col Mustapha Anka, Media Coordinator of the JTF, the operation was ordered by JTF Commander, Maj. Gen Emmanuel Atewe, following rising insecurity in waterways in the state.
The statement made available to newsmen in Yenagoa said the troops flushed out and dislodged the kidnappers who engaged the troops in shoot out from their hideouts with bullet wounds.
Anka explained that the operation by Operation Pulo Shield’s anti-illegal bunkering squad was led by Commanding Officer OF 5 Battalion, Lt. Col. Shu’aibu Nuhu, in collaboration with the Air Component of the task force.
“The task force stormed a camp at Meibegbemo located at Zobia of Faropo community of Southern Ijaw LGA dislodging the camp, recovering arms and ammunition before setting it ablaze.
“During a shootout miscreants escaped to the creeks with several gunshot wounds sustained during the exchange of fire. No arrest was made but caches of arms and ammunition were recovered.
“Other items include six fiber boats with 75hp bow out engine mounted on them, 7 pieces 65hp engine, 12 pieces of mattress, two generating sets, 4 smoke grenade and 5 cell phones with 15 SIM cards of various phone operators.
“Also food stuff, refrigerators, freezers and video camera with microphone belonging to African World Web Television presumed to belong to a victim of the criminals were recovered,” Anka stated.
The statement further said that occupants of the destroyed camp were responsible for pirate attacks on vessels, boats and ferries plying the Forupa channel, while their kidnapped victims were kept in the camp.
Anka said that the operation had since restored peace and normalcy to the creeks.
“The camp made the waterways of the Niger Delta unsafe for both the oil workers, marine operators and the general public.
“It was based on this development that the JTF Operation code named OPERATION GRAND SLAM was lunched to flush out the criminals and restore normalcy in the waterways,” said the statement.

Niger Delta

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

Published

5 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

5 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

5 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.